There is a lot to consider when planning a workplace for your employees. While productivity is an important consideration, safety should be the top concern. You don’t want employees getting hurt on the job.
An employer should obviously have concerns for the wellbeing of the people who work for them, but workplace safety is beneficial for the company as well. Injuries can result in significant workers’ compensation costs. If employees feel unsafe, it can also influence workplace morale and productivity.
Every business should develop safety standards and protocols to protect employees. Working alongside professionals, such as an OSHA Consultant can help you to develop your company’s health and safety program in accordance with OSHA’s standards. They offer both employee and management training on health and safety, and ensure that you are OSHA compliant. With these tips, you can prevent injuries and create a safer workplace.
Assess Workplace Hazards
Every workplace is going to be subject to different risks. Some will also be subject to more risks than others. As the leader of the company, you need to perform a full assessment of the workplace to account for all hazards. This can help you identify the hazards that exist and the types of safety features your workplace needs. Consider every hazard in the workplace and the ways they present a risk to employees. You will then need to develop plans to minimize those risks.
Personal Protective Equipment
Depending on the workplace, employees might need personal protective equipment (PPE). In some places, employees might need hard hats, ear protection, or eye protection. In other workplaces, such as on some construction sites or during specific healthcare procedures, workers may even need a powered air purifying respirator papr. Regardless of what the required PPE is, you should make sure it is available to employees. Provide the PPE your employees need, make sure they know when to use it and that they know how to use the equipment properly.
Provide Safety Training
Training can be the key to safety in many workplaces. For example, if employees regularly use tools or machinery, they should be trained to use them properly. You should also teach safety protocols for handling hazardous substances. Some businesses might benefit from working with a safety training company. Professional training can ensure that everything is covered and that the training is effective.
Allow for Breaks
Employers already have to allow for a certain number of breaks per day. However, some workplaces might want to allow for more. Some jobs can be stressful for the mind or body. With long stretches performing this type of work, the strain can cause a person to make mistakes. Depending on the task, these mistakes could lead to injuries. By letting employees take a few minutes to stretch or walk away from their work, you can prevent these types of injuries.
Maintain Safe Equipment
Using the right equipment can be a part of providing a safe workplace. Beyond that, you should also make sure to maintain the equipment. Some tools or equipment can become less safe over time. Parts can wear down or break. If the employees continue to use tools or equipment that is in poor working order, it can increase risk. Make plans to inspect tools and equipment regularly. Perform repairs when necessary and replace equipment when it can no longer be maintained safely. If you feel you need some assistance with this, companies such as Safety Management Group can set up a safety consultation with you to ensure that you have a comprehensive safety plan in place, including the maintenance of your equipment and the staff training required to use it safely.
Security at Work
Security can be a part of workplace safety. Some workplaces might have higher risks for crime, and this could put your employees at risk. Installing an alarm system could be one way to protect employees from crime and Verisure has a detailed page on its website about the various alarm systems companies can install on their premises. You might need to consider a surveillance camera system. Adequate lighting in parking lots and other areas can be important. Some workplaces may even need a security guard to protect employees and property.
Warning Signs
Increasing awareness of hazards may also be important. If you have dangerous equipment or hazardous substances in the workplace, posting signs can be a way to make sure employees maintain awareness of the hazards. Things like fire hazard and high voltage signs can help. They might even be required by law in some workplaces. Removable magnetic signs or portable signs can also be useful for hazardous conditions that occur regularly but are only temporary.
Safety Inspections
Frequent safety inspections can be vital for maintaining a safe workplace. New unsafe conditions could arise. You might also have employees who fail to follow safety practices. When you perform regular inspections, you can catch unsafe conditions before they result in injury. Inspections can also be a way to keep safety on the minds of employees. If they know inspections are a part of the program, they will be more likely to follow the rules.
As a final point, make safety a part of the culture. Teach the importance of safety when you welcome new employees and have regular refreshers for existing employees. You could also make safety a part of team meetings. This will be a good way to remind employees of workplace safety and provide updates for any new safety information or practices they may need.
