Workplace health and safety is important for every organization, no matter how big or small. Employers have legal and moral obligations to keep their employees safe. But workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility.
These are ten of the most important tips that can help you to create a safe work environment. These should be communicated with your employees regularly, for example by pop-up notifications using DeskAlerts, to create a culture of safety:
1. Understand risks
Every work environment is different and these will vary from industry to industry and from job site to job site. It’s critical that employees understand the inherent risks that come with a particular job so they can take the proper steps necessary to avoid injury. Particularly if working with dangerous equipment or in a hazardous environment.
2. Be aware of your surroundings at all time
This builds on the previous point of understanding risks – but requires employees to always be aware of what is going on around them and to look for hazards constantly.
3. Know where the first aid kit/officer are
If someone requires first aid, do your employees know how to access it in the workplace? Ensure your staff know where the first aid kit is and if you have a designated first aid officer, ensure they know who that person is so they can get assistance should they need it.
4. Taking regular breaks
Many workplace injuries happen as a result of an employee being tired or burned out. By taking regular breaks, employees can stay fresh on the job.
5. Always using equipment properly
When machines and tools are used in the workplace, employees should always take proper precautions, never take shortcuts and never use the equipment for purposes other than what is intended. By doing so, the risk of workplace injury is greatly reduced.
6. Pay attention to signage
Signage is placed to indicate that there could be a potential hazard in the area and includes important information about maintaining a safe work environment.
7. Know where emergency exits are
All employees should understand where they should safely exit the workplace in the event of an evacuation.
8. Keep emergency exist accessible
Because employees need to access exits quickly in the event of an emergency, it is imperative that these be kept clear. Nothing should be placed in front of the exits that would block them or impede them from opening.
9. Reporting unsafe conditions
Employees should know how to report unsafe conditions so management can quickly address any safety risks or hazards.
10. Wear correct safety equipment
Every employee has a responsibility to ensure they are wearing proper protective equipment that will enable them to safely carry out their job.
