Employees want to know their workplace is as safe as it can be; after all, it is an area in which they are spending a decent amount of time every week. A safe workplace is also an efficient and productive one, so after you create a plan of action for your business, it is also important that all employees work together to make sure the workplace is as safe as possible.
Here are five ways to ensure a safe workplace for your employees and yourself:
1. Assess Risks.
The first step to creating a safe workplace is to assess all possible risks. A thorough assessment is needed for all workplaces, so make sure you cover all of your bases. Include employees in this process as well, as they may have more insight into the risks associated with day-to-day procedures.
2. Create Policies.
Once the risks have been identified, policies need to be created so these risks can be addressed. These should be drawn up into a document that can be accessed by employees and all visitors to the business. These policies should also be revised and updated at least once a year to ensure the ongoing safety of your workplace. If you are concerned about the quality of your policies, specialists such as DRA Safety can help you assess and manage the risks in your workplace.
3. Inspect Equipment.
All equipment must be inspected and tested regularly. This applies to large machinery as well as smaller systems. Don’t forget about fire extinguishers, safety switches and smoke alarms and detectors. If knives are used frequently, make sure they are stored properly.
4. Open Communication.
Your employees need to be able to feel like they can come to you to talk about any additional risks they have identified in the workplace. Promote open lines of communication so your employees feel comfortable bringing up any changes they think need to be made. Open communication between employees will also create a mentally safer environment for everyone, which will promote greater productivity and satisfaction in the workplace.
5. Emergencies.
Consider all the different kinds of emergencies that could break out in your workplace and establish procedures to counteract each of these. Make sure your employees understand what to do in case of emergencies and practise these scenarios thoroughly. Knowing what to do in these high-stress situations will allow employees to feel safer in their place of work.
By implementing these procedures, you can ensure a safer workplace for your employees. Remember that these policies have to be flexible and should be changed and revised as your business evolves. Employees should be kept up to date with all of these changes so they have peace of mind regarding their safety when they are at work.
Are you an employee or a business owner? What do you think are some ways to ensure a safe workplace? What policies or procedures have been implemented in your workplace that you think have been effective? Leave your comments and experiences in the section down below.
