Even if you take the alternative to the standard route of going to university after high school, diverse career and learning opportunities await you. As covered in a previous post, there are many different types of apprenticeships available in the UK, allowing you to not only earn but also gain hands-on experience for future career development and progression. As you consider your interests, career goals, and qualifications, you may choose to be an apprentice for intermediate, advanced, higher, or degree levels.
Regardless of the apprenticeship category you qualify for and end up in, you must learn to adhere to safety guidelines and practices to optimise your performance. Occupational health and safety can also reduce the costs on quality of life and loss of productivity, as the UK’s Health and Safety Executive estimates that the total cost of work-related injuries and ill health was £20.7 billion in 2021-2022.
The risk of injuries and accidents can even be disproportionate for popular apprenticeship fields like agriculture, construction, engineering, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. However, the tips below can help you stay safe and healthy on the job for a more fulfilling apprenticeship journey.
Besides keeping clear of safety hazards in high-risk areas like construction sites, apprentices must wear protective gear, starting with hard hats that reduce the risk of concussions and head injuries. Moreover, top manufacturers like Centurion Safety Products and Protective Industrial Products adopt the Mips’ low-friction Safety System for their safety helmets to further reduce the impact from a slip, a fall, or falling objects.
The eyes also require significant protection from foreign objects, debris, fumes, and liquid or chemicals, making safety goggles another important gear for those working in laboratories and factories. If you need to correct vision impairments like myopia and astigmatism, the wide range of contact lenses online demonstrates the convenience of switching to this type of corrective eyewear so you can comfortably wear goggles on top of them. Contact lens brands like Acuvue Oasys and Eyexpert accommodate single-vision, multifocal, and astigmatism prescriptions for seamless corrected vision.
In addition to wearing personal protective equipment like hard hats, gloves, and goggles, take precautions when using heavy machinery and equipment on the worksite. Only use the tools that you are trained and authorised to use, and ensure the tools are clean and in good working order.
It also helps to read labels and follow instructions every time you use a machine, especially when you’re still an apprentice and your knowledge and skills are yet to reach the professional standard. In the same vein, don’t forget to approach the professionals in your workplace to answer any questions or provide assistance in case you encounter any issues while operating machinery.
In the age of digital transformation, various industries are deploying robotics and automation to enhance productivity and efficiency in cleaning vast spaces like offices and warehouses. For example, they may utilise autonomous floor scrubbing robots and robotic vacuum cleaners to reduce the labour needed for such a tedious and repetitive task.
However, as an apprentice, you must still do your part in keeping workstations clean and orderly to eliminate fire hazards and reduce the risk of contamination, accidents, and fall injuries. This entails removing or reducing clutter in the workspace, keeping all floors clean and dry, storing all materials properly, and regularly cleaning and inspecting essential tools and safety equipment.
While all apprentices must adopt these occupational health and safety practices, you can also specialise in this field if you're interested in a profession that helps workplaces prevent injuries and maintain overall employee well-being. A previous post highlights the skills and qualifications necessary for a career in health and safety, so make sure to check that out to guide you through your decision-making process.
