No matter how you earn your bread and butter, there will always be hazards to watch out for in the workplace. It does you well to identify them and implement precautionary measures to limit your chances of injury. Here are a variety of ways to improve your safety at work:

Get Educated

Even if you work at a run-of-the-mill office, you should still take steps to learn how to properly use all the appliances required. You should also find out where emergency items and cleaning supplies are kept; even though on-the-job training is usually provided, remain careful and cautious about things that may arise suddenly.

Sit Properly

Posture can easily become a problem area when spending long hours in front of a computer. To alleviate strain, try to take breaks to stretch and consider investing in ergonomic chairs.

They can do wonders for your back and problem areas. When you take into account just how much time you spend sitting at your job, it makes sense to get something that supports your back properly.

Rest Your Eyes

Staring at a screen for long periods of time is nothing short of a requirement for most jobs these days. Keeping your eyes focused on a screen all day takes a serious toll due to both strain and the tendency to not blink.

This can lead to dry eye and blurred vision. It’s a good idea to take breaks periodically to break up the constant strain on your eyes.

Plan For Emergencies

Know your way around the workplace and remember where exits are, even in parts of the building you don’t usually go to. If you need to go to the copier or printer on a different floor, change up your route so you can better understand and remember the layout of the building. In the event that you do find yourself in an emergency that results in injury, be mindful that in many cases you are entitled to workers compensation. You can read more information on Types of Workplace Accidents here.

Speak Your Mind

If you’ve been at your current place of work for any meaningful duration, you probably know details of your job that your employer or other higher-ups do not. In this position, it is uniquely important that you report anything that seems to be hazardous. If something like a heater or air conditioner breaks, let someone know because this can pose a threat to equipment or people if someone is vulnerable to extremes in temperature.

Likewise, things like large piles of supplies that can easily tip and trap someone inside ought to be stored in a more effective way. If a risk-prone environment persists even after you make it known to your superiors, contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, as it is their lawful duty to remedy the situation.

Prioritize Your Health

Going to work with a hangover or a contagious illness is a bad idea. Make smart choices with your future in mind to keep your physical health optimal. Spending long hours sitting in front of a computer by a vending machine can cultivate a vicious cycle. Try to get up and move or stretch every now and then to keep blood flowing. In addition, opt out of sugar and refined carbs in the food you eat throughout the day.

A lot of people don’t want to think about the negative effects during the rebound from an alcohol binge, but you are better off if you have a bit of strategy in your drinking practices. If your friends want you to come out and drink on a Sunday, it’s ok to say no or to drink water instead. If you have work to do the next day, understand the consequences of drinking the prior night and don’t downplay how much you’ll be affected by it.

Make sure to take a moment and walk around to get your blood circulating. This can really prevent you from having blood circulation issues in your legs. Sitting in a chair all day can really stop the flow of your blood. You can read more about how to prevent blood circulation issues here.

Find Ways to De-Stress

Jobs generally entail a certain degree of unavoidable stress, so it’s important to find ways to blow off steam. Taking slow, deep breaths at your desk is a trick you can use at any point during the day and can be a useful time to reorient yourself and take a step back.

Another useful practice quickly gaining ground is meditation. There is mounting scientific evidence that meditation is an effective promoter of overall mental health and it can be done anywhere. It can de-stress, increase energy, and has even been shown to increase gray matter in the brain.

Know When To Stop Working

If you have the flu, you may want to come in to finish whatever you were working on, but that can be downright selfish when you consider the possibility of infecting the whole department. If you are battling a nasty cold or flu, take the day off to rest if you can.

You may think forcing yourself to continue working beyond your limits will be a good thing in the end, but that isn’t always the case. You wouldn’t continue playing a game of basketball with a sprained ankle, and for the same reason, you should be able to know when not to work.

You want to protect yourself and your body above anything else. Pay attention to your body, know your surroundings, and speak up if you see something that doesn’t look right. All of these things can help you and your coworkers stay safe in the workplace.