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Workplace accidents occur. It’s a fact. They range from minor incidents that cause small cuts and bruises to serious accidents that could result in disability or death.

However, many accidents can be avoided. On Labor Day and every day, it’s a good time to remember that it’s everybody’s job to keep the workplace safe.

Workplace injuries come with a cost. From an injured worker’s viewpoint, there’s the physical injury and recovery to deal with. Then there are the lost wages and gradual re-entry into the workplace.

From the employer’s standpoint, the cost associated with on-the-job injuries develops into significant dollars and cents when the company’s experience modification factor takes a hit because of a worker’s compensation claim. That doesn’t even count the lost productivity of having an injured worker taking time off from work.

Of course, the type of work performed will have a great impact on the type and severity of the injuries to which an employer and employees may be exposed. Heavy manufacturing operations and construction have a much higher incidence of severe injuries compared with office environments.

Regardless of whether you are self-employed, a supervisor in charge of the safety of others, or an employee working for a company, here are few things to keep in mind about workplace safety:

■ A safe work environment is everybody’s job. As an employee, keep your eyes open, and be aware of your surroundings. If you see an unsafe situation, let your supervisor know as soon as possible. As an employer, creating and maintaining a safe work environment is paramount.

■ Teamwork is key. Employers should establish and empower safety committees made up of employees. Workplace safety inspections should be performed routinely, and safety procedures should be outlined for all employees.

■ Always seek proper training. Know how to operate the machinery you might be responsible for, whether it is a piece of factory equipment, an excavation machine or a truck. No short cuts. If you don’t like what you see, bring it to your supervisor’s attention.

■ Wear correct safety clothing. It pays to wear steel-toed shoes or other safety footwear, high-visibility vests, hand protection, proper safety eye protection and head protection such as hard hats.

■ Use guarding and fall protection. Take advantage of all guarding and fall protection that is available. As an employee, never circumvent installed machine guards for ease of operation or fail to use proper fall protection and correct ladder safety techniques.

■ Follow safety guides and rules. Always follow workplace safety guides and rules. Throughout the years, safety guides and rules have been established for different industries by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Many of the guides have been put in place as a response to unsafe work techniques. As an employee, you need to follow your employer’s safety procedures.

Keep in mind it is everybody’s job — employers and employees alike — to keep the workplace accident-free. If you see an unsafe condition, get it fixed. Do not leave an unsafe condition uncorrected. Because if it’s not you, it could be the next person who suffers a serious injury.

Ted Morton is director of YampaWorks Occupational Health Services at Yampa Valley Medical Center. He can be reached at ted.morton@yvmc.org or 970-871-2449.