No business wants accidents; they get in the way of normal operations and slow down your work, to say nothing of what they do to your employees. Between the impact on employee morale, the medical bills, and lost productivity, your business can’t really afford workplace accidents occurring.
The best strategy when it comes to dealing with accidents at work is to try and prevent them altogether. That way, you won’t have to suffer the effects and you can provide a safer workplace for your employees. Here are some ideas you can implement to avoid injuries at work and take better care of your employees and business.
Incorporate a safety plan
The first thing on the agenda should be to develop a safety plan. An effective accident prevention program is the foundation of any safe work environment. Having plans in place to help manage accidents can also go a long way toward increasing responsiveness in case of emergencies. Make sure your plan covers all levels of employee safety to ensure it covers all your employees. As part of your overall safety plan, encourage all employees to report hazardous practices or behaviour immediately so it can be addressed right away.
Provide education
Proper safety training can be the difference between doing a job right and suffering an accident. Make sure your employees have the education they need to do their jobs safely. For example, ensure they have the right certification they need to operate power tools and trucks. Education also gives you the opportunity to create a safety-first culture among your workforce. You can also provide supplemental training to give your employees more resources (e.g. ergonomics and body mechanics) that can keep employees safe and comfortable as they do their work.
Provide adequate safety equipment
Other than proper training, employees also need the right equipment to do their jobs safely. Provide the right equipment to help employees stay safe as they work. This can include hard hats, gloves, and goggles. Always make sure employees have the right tools to help keep them safe. Perform regular inspections on safety equipment to make sure it’s kept in good condition before use.
Keep workplaces clean
An orderly workplace is a safe workplace. Clean, uncluttered work zones are easier to maneuver around, allowing employees to move and accomplish tasks without tripping or bumping into anything. Encourage even simple things like running cables and cords properly to avoid tripping hazards. Update your cleaning methods as well to clean up spills and messes right away.
Stay up to date with maintenance
In some cases, faulty equipment is to blame. To avoid such outcomes, make sure your vehicles and tools are looked after properly. Conduct regular inspections (e.g. every month) to test if equipment remains serviceable. Whenever maintenance is necessary, enact repairs and replacement. A little preventive maintenance can do much to prevent equipment failure and keep employees and equipment alike safe.
Identify safety risks
Part of any workplace safety strategy includes identifying potential hazards. Keep an eye out for any risks (some common examples include wet floors, heavy objects, and loose wiring). Perform an inspection around the workplace with the help of trh-group.com to find out what risks are present. Make a list of the risks to help plan for possible accident scenarios and incorporate your findings into your overall strategy.
Have adequate staffing levels
Making sure employees are adequately rested is another vital factor in maintaining safety around the workplace. Make sure your business has enough staff at all levels to avoid overworking the workforce. Rested employees perform much better, keep alert, and tend to avoid shortcuts that could contribute to accidents. In case of staffing issues, consider hiring part-time or seasonal staff to take a load off the rest of your workforce.
Maintaining safety at work takes effort at every level. As an employer, it’s up to you to set policies and ensure that conditions in the workplace are kept safe and healthy. However, your employees can also contribute to safety; encourage employees to voice their concerns and bring potential safety risks to the management’s notice. If everyone at work does their part, you can do a lot to make the workplace a much safer one.
