The safety and well-being of employees should be a top priority for any employer. In 2021, over 2,1000 workplace fatalities were recorded in the US alone. An extensive and thorough health and safety plan can help employers minimize the risk to employees and help ensure their safety at all times.
But where do you need to start? If you are a new business or expanding and need to cover new bases, this guide has some suggestions for improving health and safety in your workplace.
Provide adequate personal protection
The first step to ensuring the safety of employees is providing adequate personal protection equipment, or PPE. This is any gear designed to protect employees from hazards and prevent injuries. The most common types of PPE include respirators, hard hats, and high-visibility vests. Employers should provide each worker with the PPE necessary to protect them from any hazards in their work environment. Employees should be trained on using and maintaining their PPE correctly and be aware of all current legislation regarding the correct use and application of specific PPE to their job role.
Ensure thorough training is completed
Employers should have a clear and comprehensive training program in place for all employees. This is the bare minimum, especially for high-risk industries such as manufacturing, construction, working with chemicals, and many more industries.
Training needs to be carried out on day one of employment, and then refresher courses and updates should be followed through on. Keep a signed record of all attendees and levels of training as well as areas of concern to allow you to be confident in your employee’s abilities to not only do their jobs but to do so safely too.
Keep equipment in good condition.
Another way employers can protect their employees is by ensuring all equipment is in good condition. This includes both kits used in the workplace and vehicles. The goal of maintaining good equipment is to prevent hazards, maintain a safe work environment, and improve productivity. Fewer breakdowns and repairs mean employees do not need to take matters into their own hands to complete their work and carry out repairs or adjustments they may not be qualified to do.
Identify potential health and safety concerns and address them immediately.
Employers must be aware of any potential health and safety concerns in the workplace. This can include hazards such as noise levels or chemical exposure. Employers should regularly monitor the work environment for potential hazards. This can consist of regularly measuring noise levels or using a chemical inventory checklist. Employers should also be aware of any regulatory requirements relevant to their industry. This can include things such as required sound levels or chemical exposure limits. Employers should be familiar with the OSHA regulations pertaining to their sector and Workers Compensation for breaching these regulations. This can allow employers to identify any potential hazards in their work environment and take action to correct them before they become an issue.
Summary
Employers need to be proactive when it comes to ensuring their employees are safe when at work. Paying attention to the small details, training, and overall workplace efficiency can reduce workplace accidents and injuries and improve your safety record.