Tripping and slipping, overexertion, and mishandling of equipment are the leading causes of work-related injuries. In a working environment where repetitive motion is central and physical effort is needed, safety measures are of utmost importance.
The welfare of your workers affects your collective productivity, so there are certain things you need that’ll help you make sure that nothing goes wrong. If by some unfortunate turn of events something does go wrong, you must be able to deal with the issue swiftly and effectively. The following health and safety essentials will help you do just that.
- Commitment to Equipment
Are your workers clear on how machinery is cleaned? Do they know what to check before operating any of it? Think of it like driving a car – you can’t just jump in and take off. Rather, you need to put your seatbelt on, adjust your mirrors, and so on.
In addition to training and clarity on procedures, you need to ensure everyone understands the importance of things like lighting towers and their personal protective equipment (PPE). Investing in safety is not a waste of money; it’s a natural form of insurance that makes sure you don’t suffer when the unexpected strikes.
- Laying Down the Law
It’s best that all workers know what’s expected of them. For example, they need to know they can’t work under the influence of any mind-altering substances. It should be common knowledge that running on work premises is not allowed and if they need to see it in bold letters on a white backdrop, put up a sign that calls for complete concentration in work areas.
- Preparation
Before someone even starts working with you, they need some sort of orientation that’ll prepare them for what’s to come. A security policy also needs to be put in place to deal with potential risks and facilitate the management, reduction, or eventual removal of those risks.
Are you open to having a fire drill for your worksite? Not all workspaces have the same needs and characteristics, so you need to know what’s needed for your particular space.
- Serious Supervision
Accidents are less likely to happen if someone keeps an eye on things, and health hazards can be nipped in the bud before a single lawyer hears about it.
Whether you choose to install surveillance cameras or you want to hire a supervisor or security team is up to you. The fact of the matter is that you can’t have a safe work site when you’re clueless about what happens on it.
- Feedback
Communication is a major part of workplace health and safety. How do workers know when there’s an emergency? How can they stay informed about the hazards lurking in the workplace? How do they know if your safety plan is working, and how does one worker warn everyone else about impending danger?
You need to put provisions in place that allow information about health and safety to reach workers instantly and effectively. See if you can enlist a cutting-edge reporting system that’ll keep everyone up to speed on potential threats to their wellbeing.
Living Life On the Safe Side
Any time you compromise on health and safety, you’re risking too much to make the small monetary saving worthwhile. A safety incident can affect your business’ future, and employee wellbeing is connected to overall business wellness. That’s why it’s important to take health and safety seriously.
With the right coordination and planning, a little bit of communication, and a vigilant approach to risk, you can stay on the safe side with not an injury or work-related illness in sight.
