Safety is the number one priority in any workplace. It’s important for employers to take safety precautions when designing a new facility or to remodel an existing building. Safety should be foremost on every employer’s mind, but it isn’t always easy to enforce these safety measures. Here are seven things that employers can do to create a safer work environment for their employees and customers.
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1) Develop A Safety Plan
Every workplace should have a written safety plan reviewed and updated regularly. The safety plan should include specific procedures for dealing with emergencies such as fires, chemical spills, or an active shooter situation.
The safety plan should also outline the steps employees are to take to ensure their own safety, such as wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working with hazardous materials. Employees should be familiar with the safety plan and be able to respond quickly in the event of an emergency.
Train your employees on how to stay safe while at work. Make sure they know where the fire exits are and how to use any fire extinguishers or other emergency equipment. Employees should also be aware of potential hazards in their work area and know how to avoid them.
2) Implement Effective Safety Training Programs
Safety plans on paper can go a long way in making work environments safer. But, they will only be as effective as the people who implement them and follow through on their requirements. Employers can make sure that workers receive sufficient safety training by using online resources or hiring an outside consultant to design custom programs for each of their employees.
A recent study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that many workers do not receive adequate safety training. In fact, only about 50% of employees surveyed reported having received formal instruction on how to use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats or gloves. Furthermore, just 39% had been trained on hazardous materials handling procedures.
3) Develop A Clear Drug And Alcohol Policy
Employers should develop a clear, written workplace substance abuse policy that outlines the consequences of violating guidelines around product use or intoxication on-site. This will help establish boundaries for employees, so they know what is expected from them both during work hours as well as outside of business hours. For example, suppose an employee shows up to work intoxicated, even after their shift has ended. In that case, it may be grounds for termination under certain circumstances depending on where they live and how big your company is/how long you’ve been working together etc. Also, by having this in writing, employers can protect themselves against future allegations made by disgruntled ex-employees who may claim discrimination based on religion, sexual orientation, or perhaps even a disability.
4) Do Regular Inspections
It is important for employers to do regular inspections of their facilities and grounds to check for potential hazards. This can help identify any areas that may need improvement or corrective action. For example, handrails that have a loose key clamp pipe or wheelchair ramps that don’t have anti-slip strips. It also allows employers to be proactive in preventing accidents from happening.
Some common hazards that should be checked for include: slips, trips and falls; hazardous materials; electrical safety; fire safety; and ergonomic issues. By taking the time to inspect your workplace regularly, you can help ensure a safe and healthy environment for your employees.
5) Investigate Incidents And Learn From Them
Employers should also investigate any incidents that occur in the workplace, no matter how minor they may seem. By doing so, employers can learn what went wrong and identify ways to prevent it from happening again. It is important to remember that every incident offers an opportunity to improve safety in the workplace.
Employers should also be sure to keep records of all investigations and corrective actions, which are taken for future reference. This will help serve as a refresher on the lessons learned and what actions need to be taken in order to ensure that they do not happen again.
As with inspections, companies should ensure employees are trained on how to investigate incidents effectively, so everyone is working on the same set of facts. This can prevent conflicting reports or disagreements about details, leading to unnecessary conflicts down the road. By training employees properly, employers can ensure there’s no room for interpretation when it comes time to investigate any incident that occurs at work.
Employers who create a culture where reporting issues are encouraged and all corrective actions are logged will find themselves moving towards creating better safety protocols within their organization over time.
6) Keep Employees Informed
Employers should keep their employees informed of any potential dangers they may face on the job. This doesn’t mean employers need to constantly drill them with safety training but rather make sure that they are aware of issues and hazards that could cause injury or harm, even if it happens rarely.
By keeping workers in the loop, employers can ensure everyone is sharing responsibility for workplace safety. If an employee is not properly trained about how to safely operate dangerous equipment, then there’s no way he/she can be expected to use it correctly without supervision. When this type of situation occurs at work, it only leads to more incidents occurring as well as serious injuries due to a lack of knowledge or skill when operating a particular machine or tool.
7) Focus On Safety Leadership
Employers should focus on safety leadership to create a safer work environment. Leaders should set an example for employees and ensure that everyone is following safety protocols. Leaders can also help to identify and correct unsafe conditions before they cause an accident.
Safety leadership is not only crucial for creating a safe work environment, but it can also improve productivity and morale. Employees who feel safe at work are more likely to be productive and happy with their job.
In conclusion, by following the tips listed above, employers can create a safer and healthier work environment for their employees and customers. By being proactive in safety, employers can prevent accidents from happening while also promoting a positive safety culture within their organization.
