No one should feel unsafe at work. It is a place where people spend around a third of their adult life, and so it should present an atmosphere of positivity and workplace safety and security.
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But accidents do happen in the workplace. There were over 5000 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2021, with many thousands more minor accidents. Of these incidents, many would have been the result of negligent employers. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to create an environment in which your staff can be free from risk of harm.
You may think your office is a safe haven for your workforce, but have you really taken the time to assess the many different risks that could befall an unsuspecting member of the team? If something bad happened to one of your employees, the consequences could be dire. Not just for their own health but for the future of your business. They may perceive the company as to blame, and file for workman’s comp, potentially costing the business a great deal of money and putting its reputation at stake.
You can avoid this situation by taking a few simple steps to keep your employees safe at work. Here are some of the things you can do to reduce the risk.
Create a risk assessment
Are you aware of the multitude of risks present in your workplace? Maybe you haven’t even taken the time to think about it. But it’s important to take stock of your work environment and note the possible dangers that could befall your workforce. Create a risk assessment that takes in all potential risks, from fires to floods to falls. It should assess the likelihood of these accidents happening and the steps you should take to prevent them.
Promote healthy working practices
Training is often required to keep staff safe. This ensures everyone knows how to work safely and can prevent accidents from happening. This may include fire safety training, manual handling training, and advice on protecting posture and vision when sitting at desks for extended periods of time.
Make repairs
If you have an old office that has fallen into a state of disrepair, this is an accident waiting to happen. Any loose floorboard or ceiling tile could pose a danger, while old electrical systems and machinery could be fatal. It’s worth spending the time and money to make repairs, so you can be assured that you did everything possible to protect your employees.
Prioritize mental health
It’s not just your staff’s physical safety you should be aware of. Mental health is just as important. Stress is a big risk in the workplace, and if your staff are overwhelmed and overloaded, they could risk succumbing to burnout. Take the time to speak to your employees and do what you can to ensure they aren’t doing too much and can enjoy a healthy work-life balance.
Review safety procedures
Reviewing your safety procedures on a regular basis can enable you to identify new risks and better safety measures to protect your team. Remember – a safe workplace is a happy workplace.
