As a business owner, ensuring your employees work in a safe environment should be a priority. Not only is it ethically the right thing to do, but workplace injuries and illnesses can lead to reduced productivity, higher insurance costs, lawsuits, and damage to your company’s reputation. Adopting proper workplace safety measures is crucial. Here are six key tips every business owner should follow:
1. Conduct Regular Safety Training
One of the most important things you can do is provide regular safety training to employees. Make sure they are educated on proper procedures and protocols for their specific job duties. Training should cover topics like emergency preparedness, hazard identification, proper use of equipment, correct posture and lifting techniques, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and more. Update training whenever procedures change. Have employees sign off that they understood the training.
2. Perform Thorough Risk Assessments
Conducting thorough risk assessments allows you to identify potential hazards in the workplace. Walk through all areas of your facility and critically examine equipment, processes, materials used, and layout. Consult safety specialists if needed. Identify any dangers that could lead to slips, trips, falls, exposure to hazardous chemicals, repetitive strain injuries, or other accidents. Develop plans to eliminate or minimise identified risks.
3. Implement Safety Rules and Policies
Once risks are identified, implement clear rules and policies designed to keep employees safe. This includes things like requiring PPE for certain tasks, providing safety guides, designating restricted areas, banning smoking on premises, and standardizing procedures across departments. Enforce policies consistently and have supervisor oversight. Review policies regularly and update if needed.
4. Inspect Facilities and Equipment Regularly
Facilities and equipment should be regularly inspected for safety hazards. Check for things like frayed electrical cords, damaged flooring, blocked fire exits, broken machinery, and other dangers. Fix issues immediately. For equipment, follow preventative maintenance schedules and protocols to keep everything functioning properly. Keep records of all inspections.
5. Encourage Reporting of Incidents
Make it clear employees should immediately report any safety incidents, injuries, or “near misses.” This allows you to fully investigate what went wrong and make corrections. There should be no retaliation for reporting. Review incident details with staff to raise awareness and prevent future occurrences.
6. Lead By Example
As a business owner, you set the tone for the entire company when it comes to workplace safety. If you dismiss or downplay safety issues, your employees will too. But if you consistently model safe behavior and make safety an obvious priority, others will follow your lead.
There are several things you can do to lead by example:
- Use proper personal protective equipment (PPE) yourself whenever required for the task at hand. Never act like certain rules or equipment don’t apply to you.
- Follow all safety protocols, procedures, and policies at all times, even when no one is watching. Never cut corners.
- Promote open discussion and reporting of safety concerns. Welcome feedback and ideas from employees.
- Spend time properly training any new employees you oversee. Ensure you pass on sound safety knowledge.
- Keep your own work area clean and hazard-free. Do not allow clutter or potential risks.
- Take every injury, incident, or close call seriously to prevent recurrences. Investigate thoroughly.
- Shut down any unsafe behaviour you observe. Be strict about enforcement.
- Recognize employees who excel at safety. This motivates others.
Your commitment to workplace safety through your own actions is vital. Lead by example, and your team will follow.
Making workplace safety a priority takes continual effort but pays dividends through reduced injuries, improved morale, lower costs, and avoiding potential legal issues. Following these tips can help you create a significantly safer environment. Protect your people and your business.
