The Complete Guide That Makes Creating a Safe Workplace Simple

In 2019, a total of 5,333 workers died from workplace-related injuries in the United States.

The figures above can be frightening, but the good thing about it is they’re preventable. Workplace safety is fundamental for all businesses, no matter the size. Employees are more productive when working in an environment that prioritizes their safety.

If you’re about to create a business and want to make it safe for employees, this is the article for you. Read along to get a complete guide that makes creating a safe workplace simple.

Training of Employees

The first step towards creating a safe work environment is by training employees on good safety practices. It should be mandatory to train new employees as you onboard them into the company.

Don’t assume your employees are well-versed with safety standards and measures. Make a point to bring in experts who will train them on what they ought to do and don’t. If the company has a centralized communication system, send chunks of messages that reinforce safety.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment

Employee safety should be your priority, especially if they’re handling hazardous materials. Thus, promote the use of personal protective equipment when handling such materials. One way to reinforce it is to declare the company won’t hold any liability if an employee gets injured because of not wearing PPE.

Ensure every employee handling hazardous materials gets SDS. If they are working with huge machinery, raise awareness on the safety procedure to follow before using the equipment.

Use of Signs and Symbols

Using signs and symbols remains the best way to raise awareness of potential hazards in the workplace. A person will most likely be more careful when they see a sign indicating a potential threat. You can create color codes to warn employees of the intensity of the risk.

A common practice by most business owners is to place OSHA posters on the notice board of the workplace. That way, employees can educate themselves whenever they visit the notice board. Digital signage proves to be useful, unlike the traditional static posters.

You can use digital signage for internal communications by relaying messages in real-time and reminding workers of the importance of safety measures. More so, they can come in handy during emergencies, and you need to notify the employees. You can also use it to reward and recognize employees who have shown outstanding adherence to safety measures.

Create a Workplace Safety Department

Establish a safety department in your company whose main mandate will be to ensure that safety measures are followed. They should produce monthly reports, then send them to the senior managerial level to track the progress in safety matters. The report can include the number of injuries, accidents, and inspections done.

The department will coordinate with other department heads when instilling new safety measures. They will be in charge of collecting feedback from employees to know which areas need improvement.

Regular Inspections

Machine malfunctions are the leading cause of factory accidents and injuries. Inspections will help mitigate such occurrences by ensuring equipment and machines are well-maintained.

The inspections should ensure that the machines and equipment used are regularly serviced and cleaned. The inspection team should always be on the lookout for machines that require the replacement of parts. That way, employees won’t use a machine that may cause problems resulting in injuries later.

Have Emergency Exits

Having emergency exits is not enough; the employees should familiarize themselves with the exits. Conduct two to three fire drills every quarter to gauge how fast the employees can safely come out of the building. Have a document that outlines emergency procedures and safety protocols.

Have emergency exits clearly labeled by having a static poster assigned at the top of the door. Have a map on the notice board that lays out every emergency exit. The building should also have smoke detectors and water sprinklers to put out a fire.

Proofing the Premises

Simple things such as adding rubber along the ends of the staircase can go a long way in promoting safety in workplaces. Make a point of ensuring repairs and improvements on the building are done from time to time. More so, if the floor is wet, have precaution signage that indicates cleaning is in progress.

Have doormats at every point of entry for people to stamp out slippery footing. Such small safety measures give employees peace of mind that their safety is important to the company.

Promoting Rest

Imagine a scenario where an employee is handling big machinery, and they end up dozing. It’s hard to imagine the kind of impact such a scenario would have. It’s recommended that you ensure your employees rest so they can stay fresh and focused.

You don’t want your employees to feel fatigued when operating machines, which can cause serious accidents. Give them off days and leave to prevent tiredness at the workplace.

Promote Sobriety at Work

A survey conducted showed that 79.3% of binge drinkers are employed either full-time or part-time. Substance abuse causes impaired judgment, which may result in accidents at the workplace. Do inspections to ensure all employees are sober during working hours.

Simplified Steps to Take To Make a Safe Workplace

Creating a safe workplace is a collaborative effort between management and employees. A smart business should ensure workplace safety is its top priority.

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