When employees come to work, they want to feel confident in their surroundings and know that their safety is prioritized. In fact, 89% of Americans have determined workplace safety to be more important than ever. Workplace safety isn’t just a box to check; it’s the foundation for building an environment where employees feel secure and takes ongoing effort to maintain. Establishing safety protocols is critical to developing a culture of trust, respect, and responsibility, supporting employee satisfaction and business success and maintaining legal compliance.
Safety laws and regulations help ensure employee well-being and empower them to effectively perform their duties without fear of injury or illness. Regulations concerning safety also help to preserve company equipment and property by requiring regular maintenance and inspections. Whether it’s operating heavy machinery, handling hazardous materials, or navigating busy workspaces, having up-to-date safety protocols reduces the chance of work-related injuries and safeguards your business. No matter the size of your business, guidelines are necessary to maintain optimal conditions for employee safety and productivity.
To create a workplace where employees feel confident in their safety, it’s crucial to identify vulnerabilities, understand how to prevent accidents, and promote a practice of safety.
Understanding Workplace Risks
In order to prepare for and prevent workplace accidents, it’s necessary to first understand the risks and vulnerabilities associated with your working environment. While working conditions vary by industry, there are common hazards such as slips and falls, exposure to hazardous chemicals or machinery accidents to be aware of and plan for.
In addition to physical risks, as a business owner, you have legal and ethical obligations to ensure your staff’s safety. Failure to meet these standards not only puts employees at risk, but can also lead to reputational harm, costly fines, and penalties. To implement the proper protocols and remain compliant with safety laws, you must understand the risks your work environment presents and anticipate possible incidents.
Proactive Measures
It is best to treat and prepare for accidents before they arise. The first step in taking a proactive approach to workplace safety is to conduct thorough risk assessments that can help identify potential hazards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends each workplace create a checklist of potential hazards, pertaining to categories such as electrical systems, equipment operations, fire protection, and more.
Furthermore, analyzing past incidents can help identify patterns and provide valuable insights into recurring issues and areas for improvement. To assure your business is actively reducing risks to employee safety, make sure you are taking the following precautions:
Establish safety protocols and procedures
Once possible hazards and risks have been identified, it’s vital to implement safety protocols and procedures that address the detected vulnerabilities. Safety guidelines should be documented and clearly communicated to employees. Making safety protocols easy to access supports employees in understanding the practices and swiftly locating them during emergencies. In addition, regularly review and update your protocols to keep up with evolving safety regulations and industry standards.
Provide training and education programs
To aid in enforcing protocols, comprehensive workplace safety strategies should include training and education in how to avoid accidents, handle equipment, and respond to emergencies. Providing safety training to all employees helps keep them aware of risks and everyone understands their role in maintaining a safe work environment. Research shows employees are 68% more likely to follow protocols when employers offer at least 20 hours of annual safety training. Along with general safety education, specialized training should be offered to any employee required to complete high-risk tasks.
Supply necessary safety equipment
Providing the appropriate safety equipment is critical to employees’ well-being. While hazards differ depending on the working environment, personal protective equipment (PPE) offers defense against many risks. From construction sites to health care facilities, PPE includes helmets, gloves, goggles, earplugs, respirators, and more. To uphold proper protection, safety equipment should be regularly maintained and inspected for any malfunctions. It’s also important to keep up with changing standards for safety equipment to guarantee employees have the best protective gear available.
How To Create A Culture Of Safety
In addition to following documented standards and protocols, your company’s overall mindset around safety and communication is also a key factor in protecting employees and equipment. Over half of Americans believe their employers’ communication regarding safety needs improvement. Beyond simply adhering to established guidelines, it’s imperative to cultivate a culture that prioritizes safety and promotes open communication.
Leadership commitment to safety
To boost buy-in and morale amongst employees, your company’s leadership must demonstrate their commitment to the health and safety of the team. Leaders can set a positive example concerning safety through their actions and decisions. When leaders actively engage in safety protocols, such as wearing PPE, they set the standard for others to follow. Investing in training, upgrading equipment, and allocating resources also displays dedication towards maintaining a healthy and safe work environment.
Encourage employee involvement and open communication
Reporting near misses should be encouraged as it allows you to identify potential hazards and address them before they escalate into more serious incidents. To foster open communication within the workplace, it’s essential to make employees feel comfortable sharing safety-related information without fear of reprisal. Promptly handling safety concerns also shows devotion to employee well-being and reinforces trust between management and staff.
Monitor and show continuous improvement
Maintaining effective workplace safety requires consistent effort. Conduct regular safety audits and inspections to identify potential hazards and deficiencies in existing safety protocols. Diving into past incident reports to find issues that may have been originally overlooked. By consistently refining safety procedures, you can enhance workplace safety and create a safer environment for all employees.
Stay Safe By Partnering With A PEO
A professional employer organization (PEO) can equip your business with the necessary resources and expertise to implement effective workplace safety protocols. When you partner with a PEO like GMS, you have access to safety experts who can offer professional advice and various services to guarantee compliance and protect your employees. We also offer courses and training to assist you in reducing workplace injuries and enhancing safety practices.
Our experts can help make your safety practices not only compliant but also tailored to the unique needs of your business. Contact us today to start improving your employees’ health and safety!