In the past year, there has been over 750,000 workplace-related injuries reported by both employees or employers. This does not seem like a huge number, but that does not mean it is not significant. Your employees want to come to the office feeling safe, and that’s why optimising your workplace safety procedures is paramount. So, how can employers achieve this? Here are four tips to help.
Consider Everything
Every workplace is full of hazards seen and unseen. It is because of this that you must consider everything that could affect the safety of your team and take steps to change things.
Typically, an office will have errand cables or a poorly stocked store cupboard that could tumble and injure someone. But, you must also think about security, both online and around the premises.
Solving the range of safety problems through robust security measures, as well as implementing proper storage policies, will go a long way towards making your workplace as safe as it can be for your team.
Provide Training
You cannot expect employees to know how to adhere to safety procedures if you do not provide the proper training. Of course, common sense is expected, but working with heavy and dangerous machinery could be a substantial hazard.
Going over the range of training essentials with your team – and making this training a regular occurrence – will put them in a better position and allow them to remain safe.
If someone is working on a machine for the first time, make sure they are trained and have someone to supervise them until they get the hang of it.
Investigate Problems
As much as you try to provide training and outline safety procedures, there is always the risk of accidents happening. There is often nothing you can do about this.
Or at least there is little you can do about it, at least until after it happens. Hopefully, injuries and accidents will not be too severe. Whatever happens, you must make sure you investigate the incident and write a detailed report.
Not only will this be vital for your records (and perhaps protect you from liability), it will also allow you to adjust policies to prevent the accident from repeating.
Get Professional Advice
Sometimes, you may not realise that there are significant safety issues, but with the help of health and safety consultants, you’re able to identify the most pressing concerns around your workplace.
These experts are qualified to highlight issues you may have missed. They will offer advice to improve the conditions, and this can save your company from severe problems.
Usually, consultants are brought in when you have exhausted all other options, but small businesses can also use a consultancy firm when first starting to ensure they avoid incidents.
Safe
Workplace safety is never completed. You must evolve your practices to adhere to new policies and changes within your company infrastructure. As long as you stay on top of this, your employees can look forward to a safe and healthy workplace where they can reach their potential.