How to Ensure a Safe Workplace
Not only are workplace accidents unfortunate, but they’re also expensive! Accounting for nearly 60 billion dollars, an unsafe workplace can leave you paying big time.
When your employees come to work, they expect to do their jobs and go home. As a supervisor or boss, it’s your job to help keep your workers safe when they’re on the clock, as they have the right to a safe workplace.
If you’re looking to ensure a safe workplace for your employees, keep reading. You’ll learn some of the most crucial steps you can take, whether you are on a construction site or in the office.
Provide Adequate Training
Whether you’re hiring new staff or updating your protocol, you’ll need to ensure that every employee receives proper training about the safety measures implemented in your workplace.
Employees of all trades should know how to react in different emergencies. This includes operating fire extinguishers and threats made against the building. Also, proper lifting technique when moving heavy boxes or furniture is crucial.
Non-industrial workers should know the importance of ergonimics. Though seemingly unimportant, this can prevent employees from straining their backs.
Those who work on job sites like construction or warehouses should know how to operate heavy machinery properly. Only those certified should be responsible for handling equipment.
Finally, employees should have basic knowledge about CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Though it may not be required, holding a course for workers can help in an emergency and could even save a life.
Keep It Clean
When your home is caked in dust, dirt, and grime, it can not only be unsightly, but it can also lead to health issues! The same goes for your office building or job site; you need to maintain a clean and safe workplace.
Ensuring that your workspace is thoroughly cleaned can help prevent the spread of germs, keeping your employees healthy.
This includes sanitizing high-touch areas and investing in a commercial duct cleaning company to prevent employees from inhaling dust. A safe and healthy workplace should also have hand sanitizer and wipes available for workers.
Similarly, you’ll want to keep your workplace free of clutter and debris. A messy workplace can make it more challenging to work efficiently, but it can also lead to accidents.
Ensuring that desks are kept tidy and garbages are emptied regularly can prevent spills and things from being knocked over.
On construction and other industrial job sites, cleaning as you go can help prevent trips and falls, as debris scattered around can be dangerous. It also ensures that there is nothing in the way of emergency exits!
Ensure Safety Equipment Is Accessible
Amid an emergency, your senses are heightened due to the adrenaline in your body. However, this can be overwhelming, causing you to panic.
The last thing you want should a piece of equipment short circuit and catch on fire is to dig around for the fire extinguisher.
Though all employees should be aware of the location, you’ll want to ensure that all safety equipment is clearly labeled and easily accessible. You’ll want emergency labels to be bold, bright, and visible.
If your emergency labels are hidden, it can take time to locate the equipment. This can make a significant difference in the outcome of an emergency.
This also applies to first aid equipment, like bandages, gauze, and antiseptics Your workplace should also have an AED machine, that multiple people know how to operate.
Identify and Remedy Potential Hazards
When at work, you and your employees will want to keep an eye out for any potential risks.
In the office, electrical equipment, furniture, and poorly placed power cords can all pose a threat to employees. Industrial jobs can have more risks, like faulty equipment, broken machinery, or improper supply storage.
If you or your workers notice anything, encourage them to report it. Once you determine that the hazard is a threat, you’ll want to ensure that you take care of the risk sooner rather than later.
Remember, you’ll want to call in professionals to ensure that these risks are remedied by trained professionals. Though it may be cheaper to DIY the repair, a shoddy repair job can be more dangerous!
Reduce Stress
Have you ever been so overworked and tired that you find yourself forgetting critical tasks or events? This can happen to your workers if they are exhausted.
Though missed deadlines or unfinished work can be frustrating, those are the least of your problems. Plummeting productivity aside, tiredness can lead to workplace accidents.
Tired employees operating heavy machinery can lead to bodily harm, as brain fog or headaches can leave workers unfocused.
Encouraging adequate breaks is one of the best ways to keep your employees safe. This helps employees decompress and can prevent accidents from occurring.
You’ll also want to make sure that your employees feel comfortable coming forward and reporting any unsafe behavior. They should feel heard; no employee should feel reparations for reporting workplace hazards.
A Safe Workplace Is a Happy Workplace
Keeping these tips in mind can help you promote a safe environment for your employees. Remember, you’ll want to make sure you follow these rules, as your employees won’t take the rules seriously if you don’t!
Not providing a safe workplace for your employees can cost you big time. Between constant turnover from unhappy workers to accidents and workman’s compensation, it can be expensive!
If you found this guide on how to implement a safe workplace informative, you’ll want to check out the rest of our website. There, you can find more great business tips and tricks.