By 
Employee health and safety is one of the most important considerations for businesses. Considering that workplace injuries have such a high rate of occurrence, it is easy to see why it continues to be a major focus. When employees feel safe, and well looked after, loyalty increases and people are better supported to do their jobs professionally. This guide has five simple ways to improve safety in a workplace that can be put into action immediately.
Create a Detailed Policy
While it would be impossible to plan for every health and safety related incident at work, companies must have a general document. Detail standard practices and protocols and ensure that every single employee has a copy for their reference. So, if something does go wrong, everyone has one solid foundation to move forward with.
Employee Training is Essential
This document can be used to inform employee training sessions. Health and Safety training is vital to ensure a protective, in-the-know work environment. Make sure there are indisputable records of attendance for each module and try to make it as interactive as possible to promote maximum engagement from employees. Ideally, each employee should understand what to do in the following circumstances:
- If they get hurt
- If a colleague is injured
- In case of fire
- Other medical emergencies
- Equipment malfunctions
Provide the Right Tools
Alongside training, companies can strive to ensure that there is the correct provision of tools as well. This is relevant in any role where employees must handle chemicals such as a housekeeping position, or for construction sites and factories where there are plenty of hazards to navigate. Connect with PPE Suppliers to establish a reliable contract and cover all the bases. By doing so, employees are kept safe and have everything they need to do their job properly at a minimised risk level.
Make it a Collaborative Effort
No one wants to feel unsafe at work, and this can be used to any company’s advantage. Creating a culture of safety is the best move to make, and when everyone gets involved, that target is far more attainable. Collaborative approaches will help each employee to feel as though they have a voice and will be heard if there are any safety concerns in their area of expertise. With more eyes and ears on the mission, the workplace will naturally become a more supportive place to be.
Have an Open Door Policy
Sometimes, employees fear that if they report a safety issue or speak up, their job will be at risk. However, this is not only illegal but immoral as well, and every company that cares should implement an open-door policy. This is to make people feel comfortable with reporting issues and addressing any concern that comes up in good time. It is also for reputational purposes, as a company that listens and cares is one place people will want to work.
Improving workplace safety can be a top priority for any company regardless of what they do and how they do it. When an employee understands what is expected and has the tools to perform, positive health and safety practices will always be supported.
Comments