Workplace Safety: Everything You Need To Know
Does Workplace Safety Apply to Your Business?
If your workplace doesn’t involve hard hats and orange vests, toxic chemicals and respirators, you may think that health and safety are unimportant to your business. However, workplace safety applies to all organizations, regardless of industry. Everyone deserves a secure, clean environment, and to know that their wellbeing and comfort are taken seriously.
Making Safety a Priority
As with most matters of company culture, adopting safe work practices has to start at the very top. Your business core values should include the safety of your employees. Show your staff that they are important, valued members of your team by adopting best practices for workplace safety. And in doing so, you’ll foster happier, healthier employees.
Loyalty is a two-way street. If you care about your employees, they’re more likely to care about your company. But there are also expensive violations that you could incur from failing to follow safe practices. We’re talking thousands or even millions of dollars in fines, not to mention worker injuries, illnesses, or even fatalities.
How to Get Started
Help keep your employees safe. Reduce slip, trip and fall hazards. Implement safe equipment handling procedures, and provide appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment).
But that’s not all. Workplace safety also includes using non-toxic products to keep your facility clean and sanitary and encouraging proper handwashing to limit the spread of viruses. And don’t underestimate the importance of ergonomic workspaces to promote healthy posture. Musculoskeletal Disorders can result in higher rates of absenteeism. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or even muscle strains may not sound that serious, but these disorders “are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time,” according to OSHA.
And since April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, it’s also worth mentioning that driving is a safety matter that deserves attention as well. Whether your business involves transportation or delivery, or your employees like to carpool to company meetings (or long lunches), distracted driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Phone calls, text messages, and in-vehicle tech like dash screens or GPS, take attention off the road. If you’ve ever been the passenger of a distracted driver, this video has some great tips on how to speak up and tell someone to “just drive”!
Do Your Employees Know What to do?
To improve the safety of your workplace and ensure a healthy environment, have written procedures and signage in place, so everyone knows what to do if an accident or emergency occurs. Potential hazards such as chemicals or toxins, and dangers such as fall risks or proper equipment usage, should all be clearly labeled as such. Standard operating procedures should include instructions on documenting any incidents resulting in missed time from work or the need for medical attention.
Provide comprehensive training and set clear guidelines that include a safe avenue for reporting concerns. Having everyone on the same page helps ensure OSHA compliance. And when everyone knows what steps to take, they won’t be scrambling to figure out what to do right smack in the middle of a crisis.
Incorporate Safety into Standard Office Procedures
Make safety a priority by having regular discussions during staff meetings and encouraging team members to contribute ideas. Add some coffee and donuts, and you’re sure to get extra participation. Form a Safety Committee responsible for keeping up with current legal requirements for training and reporting. Most businesses are required by law to keep, prepare and maintain records of occupational injuries and illnesses. Find out if this applies to your company by reviewing OSHA’s regulations.
Health and Safety Go Hand in Hand
Equally important to keeping your employees healthy and comfortable is to clean, declutter, and reduce environmental allergens as much as possible. Sanitize surfaces, periodically deep clean carpets and upholstered furniture, and get rid of or store unused items. Keep up with HVAC system maintenance as needed, clean filters regularly, and consider using an air purifier.
Having a reliable cleaning service is another important part of health and safety. At Jidan Cleaning, our monthly inspections consist of more than just discovering the dirt. Our state-of-the-art equipment, environmentally friendly cleaning products, and quality control software lead to sweeping transformations, healthier environments, reduced absenteeism, higher productivity, and happy staff members.
Contact us to learn more about our services.
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