Workplace injuries cost U.S. employers $176.5 billion annually, according to the National Safety Council. That figure includes $53.1 billion in lost wages and productivity, $36.8 billion in medical expenses, and $59.5 billion in administrative costs.

The most frustrating part? Most workplace injuries are preventable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employers documented 2.6 million injury and illness cases in 2023, with slips, trips, and falls alone accounting for nearly 20% of all incidents. These numbers highlight why workplace safety matters for every organization, regardless of industry.

This guide covers practical safety tips for work that go beyond basic compliance. You'll learn how to build a workplace safety culture, implement safety procedures that actually work, and use modern tools to reduce risk for both employees and visitors.

Why workplace safety matters more than compliance

A safe workplace is about more than avoiding OSHA fines, though those can reach $165,514 per willful violation. It's about protecting your most valuable asset: your people.

When employees feel secure, they perform better. They're more engaged, take fewer sick days, and stay with your company longer. Poor safety practices have the opposite effect. They create anxiety, increase turnover, and damage your reputation as an employer.

For workplace and facilities leaders, safety and health responsibilities extend to everyone who enters your building, including contractors, vendors, clients, and job candidates. Managing this shared responsibility requires clear safety protocols, proper training, and visibility into who's on-site at any given moment.

Here's what the data shows about common workplace injuries:

• Overexertion from lifting, pushing, or pulling remains the leading cause of workplace injury, costing employers over $12 billion annually in workers' compensation claims
• Falls on the same level (not from heights) cost employers nearly $10 billion each year
• The average workers' compensation claim now costs $47,316, up significantly from previous years
• Workers miss an average of 80 days per injury, an increase of seven days compared to five years ago

These statistics underscore why proactive safety efforts pay dividends. Preventing even a handful of incidents can save hundreds of thousands of dollars while avoiding the human cost of workplace injuries.

12 safety in the workplace tips every organization should implement

1. Build hazard awareness into your daily routine

The foundation of any safe workplace is hazard awareness. Employees need to recognize potential hazards before they cause harm, whether that's a wet floor, exposed wiring, or an improperly stored chemical.

Start by documenting workplace hazards specific to your environment. Office settings face different safety risks than manufacturing floors or job sites, but every work environment has potential dangers. Conduct regular walkthroughs to identify unsafe conditions like cluttered walkways, poor lighting, or malfunctioning equipment.

Make it easy for employees to report hazards without fear of retaliation. The best safety cultures treat hazard reporting as a positive contribution, not a complaint. When someone flags an issue, address it quickly and communicate what actions you've taken.

2. Provide proper training for every role

Safety training isn't a one-time checkbox. It's an ongoing process that should evolve as your workplace changes. New employees need comprehensive onboarding that covers safety procedures, emergency exits, locations of first-aid kits, and reporting protocols.

Existing employees benefit from regular refreshers, especially when you introduce new safety procedures or equipment. According to OSHA's recommended practices, the most effective safety training combines classroom instruction with hands-on practice. This approach helps employees build muscle memory for proper lifting techniques, safe operation of machinery, and emergency response.

Consider implementing daily safety meetings or toolbox talks before each shift begins. These brief sessions keep safety top of mind and provide opportunities to discuss recent incidents, near-misses, or seasonal hazards like ice and snow during winter months.

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3. Require appropriate PPE and make it accessible

Personal protective equipment serves as the last line of defense against workplace injuries. Depending on your work environment, appropriate PPE might include hard hats, safety goggles, hearing protection, gloves, steel-toed boots, or respiratory masks.

The key is matching safety equipment to actual job hazards. An employee working with dangerous chemicals needs different protection than someone operating machinery or lifting heavy objects. Conduct a hazard assessment for each role and provide the specific equipment needed.

Make PPE easily accessible and ensure it fits properly. Ill-fitting equipment is almost as dangerous as no equipment at all. Train employees on when and how to use each piece of protective gear, and establish clear consequences for non-compliance.

4. Implement ergonomic practices to prevent injuries

Musculoskeletal disorders account for nearly one-third of all serious workplace injuries, making good ergonomics essential across industries. These injuries develop gradually from repetitive motions, awkward postures, and sustained positions.

For office workers, this means providing adjustable chairs, properly positioned monitors, and keyboards that allow correct posture. Employees should keep their shoulders in line with their hips, keep their feet flat on the floor, and keep their screens at eye level. Regular breaks to stand, stretch, and look away from screens reduce strain on muscles and eyes.

For workers who lift heavy objects, proper lifting techniques are non-negotiable. Train employees to bend at the knees (not the waist), keep loads close to their bodies, and use mechanical aids like dollies, forklifts, or lift assists whenever possible. No deadline is worth a back injury that sidelines someone for months.

5. Keep walkways clear to prevent slips and falls

Slips, trips, and falls represent the second-leading cause of workplace injuries, responsible for 19.9% of all cases requiring time away from work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These incidents cost employers approximately $11 billion annually in workers' compensation claims alone.

The solutions are straightforward but require consistent attention. Keep walkways free of clutter, cords, and debris. Clean up spills immediately and use wet floor signs until surfaces dry completely. Ensure adequate lighting in all areas, especially stairwells, parking lots, and storage rooms.

Check floor surfaces regularly for damage, loose tiles, or worn carpeting that could catch someone's foot. In winter, maintain exterior walkways by removing snow and ice promptly. These basic safety practices significantly reduce the likelihood of preventable injuries.

6. Know who's in your building at all times

Workplace safety extends to everyone on your premises, not just employees. Visitors, contractors, delivery drivers, and interviewees all face and potentially create safety risks. Yet 74% of workplaces struggle with unauthorized visitors, according to industry research.

Modern visitor management systems solve this challenge by tracking everyone who enters and exits your facility. These systems verify identities, capture photos, print badges, and notify hosts when guests arrive. More importantly, they create a real-time record of who's on-site, which proves invaluable during emergency evacuations.

Gable's Visitor Management streamlines this process while enhancing security. Visitors check in via iPad kiosk or QR code, sign required documents like NDAs or safety waivers, and receive badges that clearly identify them as guests. Hosts get instant notifications, and facilities teams maintain complete visibility into building occupancy.

7. Establish clear emergency procedures

Every workplace needs documented emergency procedures for fires, severe weather, medical emergencies, and security threats. These plans should specify evacuation routes, assembly points, and individual responsibilities during each type of emergency.

Post emergency procedures prominently throughout your facility. Conduct regular drills so employees practice responding calmly and efficiently. The time to figure out how to evacuate a building is not during an actual emergency.

First aid kits should be stocked, accessible, and clearly marked. Train designated employees in basic first aid and CPR. Know where the nearest hospital is located and keep emergency contact numbers posted in common areas.

8. Create accountability through safety culture

The most effective safety practices come from culture, not just policy. When senior leadership visibly prioritizes safety, employees follow suit. When cutting corners on safety is tolerated, it becomes normalized.

Build a workplace safety culture where everyone feels empowered to speak up about safety concerns. Celebrate safety wins and recognize employees who identify hazards or suggest improvements. Make safety metrics visible and discuss them regularly in team meetings.

Avoid creating perverse incentives that discourage reporting. Some companies track "days without injury" in ways that pressure employees to hide minor incidents. This approach backfires badly, as unreported injuries often worsen, and the underlying hazards remain unaddressed.

9. Address mental health as part of overall wellbeing

Physical safety and mental health are interconnected. Stressed, distracted, or exhausted employees make more mistakes and have more accidents. A comprehensive approach to workplace safety includes supporting employee well-being.

Encourage regular breaks throughout the workday. Provide resources for mental health support. Address workplace stressors like unreasonable deadlines, understaffing, or toxic dynamics. An employee who feels overwhelmed is at greater risk of injury.

Watch for signs of fatigue, especially in roles involving operating machinery, driving, or working at heights. Fatigued workers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment. Implement policies that prevent excessive overtime and ensure adequate rest between shifts.

10. Maintain equipment and address issues immediately

Faulty equipment causes injuries and signals that safety isn't a priority. Establish regular maintenance schedules for all machinery, vehicles, and tools. Don't wait for something to break, as preventive maintenance costs far less than emergency repairs or injury claims.

Create a simple system for employees to report equipment problems. When someone flags an issue, take it seriously and address it promptly. If equipment can't be repaired immediately, take it out of service until it's safe to use.

Document all maintenance activities. These records demonstrate due diligence if an incident occurs and help identify patterns that might indicate broader problems with specific equipment or vendors.

11. Use signage and labels effectively

Clear signage prevents accidents by alerting employees to hazards before they encounter them. Label dangerous chemicals, mark emergency exits, identify fire extinguisher locations, and post safety reminders in relevant areas.

Signage should be visible, legible, and in languages your workforce understands. Replace faded or damaged signs promptly. In areas where specific PPE is required, post reminders at entry points.

Consider using floor markings to designate safe walkways, forklift zones, and assembly areas. Visual cues help employees stay aware of their surroundings without requiring constant mental effort.

12. Review and improve continuously

Workplace safety isn't a destination but an ongoing journey. Review your safety procedures regularly, at least annually and after any serious incident. Analyze injury data to identify trends and root causes. Survey employees about safety concerns they've observed.

Benchmark your performance against industry standards. OSHA provides industry-specific incidence rates that help you understand how your safety record compares to similar organizations. If you're above average, dig deeper to understand why.

Stay current on new regulations, emerging best practices, and technological solutions that could improve your safety program. The companies with the best safety records treat safety as a competitive advantage, not a burden.

How technology supports modern workplace safety

Technology plays an increasingly important role in keeping workplaces safe. Access control systems prevent unauthorized entry. Security cameras deter bad actors and provide evidence when incidents occur. Occupancy sensors help manage building capacity during emergencies.

Visitor management systems like Gable's provide real-time visibility into who's in your building, which proves essential during evacuations or lockdowns. These systems also ensure visitors complete required safety acknowledgments before entering work areas.

Integrated workplace platforms can combine visitor management with desk booking, room scheduling, and analytics to give facilities teams complete visibility into building usage. This data supports better decision-making about everything from staffing to emergency planning.

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