6 Tips to Keep Your Workplace and Your Employees Safe and Protected

As a business owner it is your responsibility to provide your employees a safe working environment, which is free from hazards. You should also make sure the workplace is healthy and clean so that your employees can enjoy working in it.

Apart from protecting your employees and your property, a safe workplace also helps in maximizing the productivity of your employees, retaining your staff members, minimizing absenteeism, meeting legal responsibilities and obligations, as well as reducing costs of worker compensation. After all, every employer would want his employees to look and feel great when they leave the workplace for the day.

Here are a few safety tips you might wish to implement in your workplace:

Make sure every corner of your workplace is free of clutter

Scattered objects and wires lying on the floor can cause slipping and tripping that can lead to injuries. As far as possible clean and organize things so that you workplace looks clean and fresh at all times. Decluttering your workplace every now and then can improve the physical as well as mental well-being of your employees.

Designate a safe storage area for combustible materials

Combustible and flammable materials such as oils and chemicals can become serious fire hazards if not stored properly. You have to find a place with good ventilation in order to store such materials. If they get spilt or splattered while working, you have to make sure the place is cleaned up immediately. Make sure you use protective equipment while handling these materials. Label them properly so that people will know what they contain and how they are to be stored. Install fire protection equipment nearby so that action can be taken before things go out of control in case there is a fire.

Provide proper training to handle heavy machinery

Employees who are assigned the handling of heavy machinery such as cranes, hoists, reach stackers, elevating platforms, scaffolds, and boilers should undergo proper training before they are put on the job. They should be fully aware of the risks involved and should hold the license to handle these machinery and equipment. Nevertheless, it is always good to stock up on First Aid kits when you have heavy machinery in your workplace. Also make sure the employees who would be handling these heavy machineries are properly dressed for the job with the right shoes, gloves, and protective equipment. Get your heavy machinery tested, inspected, and serviced regularly so that there are no mishaps.

Label the designated hazardous zones clearly

It is a good practice to label the areas where you may have stored equipment that could be hazardous in nature. Use proper signage to highlight the walkways that lead to these areas. Use tapes to mark these zones or paint black and white stripes on the floor so that accidents can be avoided even when the visibility is low.

Have proper plans to handle emergencies and implement them appropriately

Floods, fires, and earthquakes are all emergencies that don’t announce themselves. They can happen at any time. But if they do happen, you will need a plan to ensure your employees and your properties remain safe. Do your best to anticipate these emergencies, identify the risks that they pose, and take proper protection measures. For instance, you can install asp fire alarms to protect your valuables from catching fire. Make sure your employees know what they are supposed to do, whenever there is an emergency situation.

Make sure the furniture and equipment are all ergonomically designed

Providing a safe work environment also means making it convenient for your employees to carry out their tasks. Make sure you provide comfortable workstations for everybody with good computers, functional desks, and comfortable chairs. Focus on providing the correct amount of lighting. Use adjustable furniture to help your employees maintain their postures and reduce strains.

Every workplace will have some risks at least to a certain extent. Conduct a complete risk assessment in your workplace and identify the kind of risks your employees are exposed to. Make sure they are aware of these risks and know how they can handle them without getting injured. Give them training in first aid so that they are prepared to handle medical emergency situations.

Michael Kelly is a Freelancer Writer, Entrepreneur and passionate blogger. A writer by day and a reader by night.