Your employees are one of the greatest assets that your business has, so making sure that they’re safe is in your best interests for a variety of reasons. Even if you forget the ethical considerations of staff safety, the simple fact is that injuries in the workplace can have a significant effect on your productivity and profit-making ability. It should, therefore, be a fundamental element of your daily management strategy that you take health and safety considerations seriously in order to optimize your business and prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Although it’s impossible to predict every danger, by following these four top tips by industry professionals, you will lessen the chances of costly issues.
The basics
Before your employees start work, you need to drive home the basic safety rules of your workplace. Depending on your industry sector, this could mean extensive training on heavy machinery use, or even something as simple as the importance of sitting at a desk correctly. Making regular risk assessments will allow you to identify and prevent issues that may arise, and should be an important part of your regular management duties. From manual handling of heavy boxes to making sure that you have the necessary number of ‘Wet Floor’ signs, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a large business with several premises or a small shop with a few volunteers. By keeping the basics updated on a regular basis, you will find that tackling any larger issues becomes significantly easier.
Safety gear
When we think of safety equipment in the workplace, we often think of safety goggles and hi-viz vests. However, safety equipment comes in all shapes and sizes, from ear defenders to a full nuclear suit, and can be utilized by any business. What is often neglected, however, is the need to train employees in the correct use of the tools that they use to maximize their safety at all times. As a business owner you need to identify exactly what safety equipment you need for your work environment, source it, and then train your staff in the best ways to use it. There are regulations in place to help guide and inform you, and of course, failing to follow those regulations is the fastest way to get your business closed down. From working ladders to making sure staff are wearing the right shoes, keeping your staff safe is a serious responsibility.
Keep up to date
The law is in a state of constant change when it comes to health and safety in the workplace, with new legislation passed on a regular basis. It’s imperative that you keep up to date on new laws and regulations in order to maximize the safety of your employees and of course, the future of your business. There are many ways to keep yourself aware of changing laws, and whether it’s setting up Google Alerts or doing your own research and attending the ASSE professional development conference, you need to ensure that you are covered as much as possible. By being aware of changing rules, you will be able to pre-empt any necessary changes, thereby optimizing the productivity of your business. If, like many, this seems like too much for you, you may wish to consult with a company like Safety Management Group. Professionals like these will be fully up to date with all of the relevant laws, and will handle all of your health and safety needs, allowing you to concentrate on other areas of the business.
Listen to your employees
Very often, your employees are the best people to listen to when it comes to health and safety issues in the workplace. They are close to the ground and use the work environment on a daily basis. While you’re running the business, they are making the business work, and so listening to their concerns and points is key to minimizing the escalation of dangerous risks. By making a point out of listening, whether that’s in regular staff meetings or by simply having an open door policy, you show staff that you value their opinions as well as their work output. It will make them more likely to confide in you regarding potential issues, which will give you a head start when it comes to finding solutions that make everyone healthy and safe.
From chemicals to slippery floors, employees face a huge number of possible dangers to their safety, and it is your responsibility to ensure that they are as protected as possible. By keeping up to date with legal requirements, as well as listening to the concerns of staff, you can make sure that you are able to protect both your staff and your bottom-line as much as is feasible. Neglecting to protect the safety of your employees is dangerous for them, and for your company, especially considering that workplace accidents can end up costing you a lot more than just wasted time.
