Creating a safe workplace is a responsibility of every employer. Not doing so can cause financial trouble if an employee gets injured. Fortunately, there are several strategies to help protect your employees and reduce your overall safety costs. In the long run, this will save you money and boost your profits.
One of the most important aspects of a safe workplace is the proper training. Your employees need to understand how to identify hazards and report them promptly. This includes reporting spills, hazardous materials and even equipment malfunctions. You should also encourage your workers to wear the right protective equipment.
Another important component of a safe workplace is communication. Whether it is through an employee newsletter, bulletin board or electronic message board, employees need to be informed about potential safety concerns. This includes recognizing the importance of keeping emergency exits clear. They should also know where to find first aid kits and how to contact the appropriate personnel in case of an emergency.
Safety is also about making sure that you are following state and federal laws and regulations. For instance, your workplace may need to be updated to meet new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. If you don’t, you could find yourself in legal hot water. The https://www.northstreamsafety.ca/ bottom line is that if you don’t make safety a priority, your company will suffer from poor hiring and retention rates, as well as a bad reputation.
A good strategy for a safe workplace is to create a safety all-stars program. Each month or week, recognize employees who have achieved some safety accomplishment. These can be departmental, companywide or even individual. This type of rewards-and-recognition program can increase employee engagement, as employees are rewarded for doing the right thing, while helping you avoid costly accidents.
Other strategies for a safe workplace include maintaining the shortest possible commute for employees. For example, if you have a large number of employees working on the same floor, you might consider installing a system of signs that alerts employees when it is time to leave their workspace.
You may also want to consider investing in digital signage that raises awareness about safety topics like lock-out tag-out, machine guarding and accident prevention. These types of displays can serve as a company-wide recognition system, or they can be used to promote specific safety events, such as a company-wide safety day or an awards ceremony.
In addition to keeping employees safe, a safe workplace also helps them feel more productive. A safer working environment can help improve the quality of services your company provides, as well as decrease the amount of time employees take to heal after an injury.
A safe workplace also protects your employees and your customers. If your business is open to the public, your customers will perceive you as unprofessional if your facilities are unsafe. For example, if you have an outdoor café or restaurant, you’ll want to make sure that you provide a safe and clean place to work for your guests.