No matter the type of industry you work in, there are dangers in your workplace, and it’s essential to take note of them to avoid injuries. In this article, we’ll discuss the responsibility employers must take to ensure that the work environment is safe and secure all the time.
Why is workplace safety essential?
Businesses that offer a safe work environment protect team members and customers. Understanding safety guidelines and procedures are essential to maintaining compliance with local and national safety authorities. A secure and safe workplace is happy if it creates a comfortable environment for employees to do their work. Clients are also vital for client relations. If the workplace is unsafe, it’s definitely unsafe for everyone.
Who must keep the workplace safe?
In some businesses, the HR department is responsible for ensuring the workplace standards are being met. Other companies might not have an HR department, so the management team and supervisors must keep the workplace safe. In reality, it’s the responsibility of everyone to safeguard and maintain a safe and functional workplace.
Workplace safety tips
To prevent injuries, it’s essential to use proper tools and machinery, which requires good training. Also, only work with tools and machinery you’re certified to use. Also, it’s essential to use EHS software to store health and safety data and have real-time visibility and compliance.
What are the benefits of EHS software?
- Centralization
- Paperless processes
- Saving money
- Real-time monitoring
- Simplifying reports
Wear safety gear
Always wear the necessary safety gear, including reflective gear, industrial workwear, or whatever helps you avoid being injured. If you work in a toxic and hazardous space, make sure you wear a breathing mask.
Keeping the workspace clear from clutter
Having the workplace clear of clutter will positively impact your work and free you and your employees from hazards. Where you work can have an impact on your productivity. Of course, you spend the most time in the workplace, but what’s around you impacts your focus and performance at work. Tripping over things, slipping, and even the lighting in your workplace can take away your ability to complete your daily tasks. Because of this, you must make your workspace stress-free and an inspiring environment.
So, get rid of unnecessary items that don’t help you in any way. Keep items like family pictures or other significant things, but anything like old notes, outdated files, etc., must be removed.
Practice good posture at work
If you work in an office, perhaps sitting at a desk is the activity you perform most of the time. Studies have shown that the sitting position is one of the worst health issues affecting people’s metabolism, and sitting poorly can lead to more complicated health problems. Why worry about your posture at work? There are times when people adopt bad postures when sitting at a desk. A posture is aligning your body to a natural position, whether walking, standing, or sitting at a desk. The ideal posture is when avoiding bending or arching your back too much.
Key points to remember:
- Keep your back straight
- Avoid arching your lower back
- Place elbows at an angle of 90 degrees
- Keep your knees at the height of 90-100 degrees
- Keep your legs relaxed and rested on the ground.
Beware of the surroundings.
Being responsible for what surrounds you is paramount to avoiding workplace injuries. Here’s what you need to avoid:
- Spills on the floor
- Items that could make your trip
- Label hazardous areas with signs
- Keep emergency exits clear
- Remove clutter
- Know the emergency procedures in the event of an earthquake
- Use secure ladders (do not improvise)
Never take shortcuts
Procedures exist in the workplace to keep workers safe. Skipping steps or not wearing proper gear might save time, but it will get you injured, eventually. Use the machines and tools according to the instructions. Be aware of the business’s responsibility, and ensure that the staff members meet the safety procedures. As an employer, you must ensure that you completely understand the information above. If you’re unsure about practices, make sure you get safety training.
Reward employees for safe behavior
Rewards are an excellent way to encourage workplace safety. Most businesses are now implementing rewarding options for their employees due to good and safe behavior at the workplace. There’s evidence that rewards programs can be highly effective. In the past several years, progress has been made. However, there’s still a long way until companies can implement multidisciplinary actions to improve their safety culture, including rewarding employees for their safe behavior. Rewards should be given as soon as employees’ activities promote safety in the workplace. Provide your employees a package like Capptions, which is an EHS Management software that helps organizations develop safety cultures quickly. Allow your workers to perform inspections and complete actions with easiness.
Health and safety meetings
Employees always need information regarding workplace risks and other ways to prevent injuries and accidents. So, ensure you plan safety meetings to train and inform your employees about new safety measures. Without safety meetings, it’s hard to maintain workers’ enthusiasm about routines, as they can slowly decrease their interest and attention to perform the same safety tasks daily.
Safety meetings are essential to any workplace, regardless of the business involved. They keep employees and clients safe from dangers, especially if working in the construction industry or around hazardous chemicals and equipment.
It’s never wrong to be prepared, so regular meetings to discuss safety rules and prevention in the workplace are life-changing. As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to protect employees and provide them with a safe and secure workplace. Use the above tips and get started – make your workplace safe, healthy, and productive.