Reduce risks and hazards in the workplace to protect MSK health means.
- A safe workplace and safe work culture – encourage all employees to place a high value on health and safety at work, so that workers ‘Do things the right way, even if no one is looking’
- Match employee’s capabilities with the demands of the job.
- Training and the right equipment that enables safe work to protect MSK health from accidents and injuries.
- Recognise potentially hazardous tasks or bad practices through risk assessment, learn from experiences and make improvements.
- Understand the law for example, obligations relating to risk assessment and safety committee regulations.
Examples of hazardous tasks and bad practices
- Lifting and twisting
- Repetitive movements
- Awkward postures
- Poor workstations ie home working
- Prolonged sitting
- Intermittent heavy physical work
Key actions as an employer to reduce risks in the workplace to protect MSK health
- Identify and assess the risks in your workplace and manage them proactively.
- Provide training, time and equipment to enable employees to carry out their tasks safely.
- Engage with staff to ensure good practice.
- Tackle root causes with good ergonomic design and health & safety procedures.
- Have clear procedures for reporting risks and incidents in the workplace, both to recognise and mitigate individual risks, and to identify patterns and the need for action.
- Encourage and enable workers to speak up if they see a health & safety risk.
Now see the other actions to take
