How To Make YourWorkplace Safer

Many small businesses start at home. This means that during its infancy, your company’s health and safety protocol will be rather straightforward (if it exists at all). However, as you begin to expand both your services and your enterprise and bring your first employees on board, you must also refine your health and safety protocols.

There are various reasons why health and safety regulations are a necessity amongst all businesses. For example: 

• They help to keep your employees and customers safe.
• They reduce the chances of an accident occurring which would require the employee to take time off, interfering with the running of your business.
• They protect you legally and financially when an accident does occur.
• Studies suggest that employees are happier and more productive in safe workplaces.

However, setting up a safe business premise, be that an office or a factory site is much harder than setting up your home office. With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to make your workplace safer!

• Eliminate unnecessary risks. Within every industry, there is some element of risk when things go wrong. As an employer, it’s your responsibility to minimise (or eliminate) these risks where possible. For example, if you run a construction company, you can eliminate the need for manual at-height working, by carrying out drone surveys instead. These surveys will provide you with an accurate view of your current project instead of setting up scaffolding. 

• Carry out risk assessments. Another way in which you can make your workplace safer is by carrying out regular risk assessments (for example, whenever you introduce new tech or machinery). There are various reasons why a risk assessment is a necessary part of your business plan when starting your own business. Not only is it the law, but it also reduces the chances of an accident occurring. 

• Ensuring employees receive appropriate training. There is a clear correlation between insufficient employee training and the number of accidents that occur each year. As a result, you should ensure that all of your employees receive appropriate training as soon as they are welcomed into your team. For example, you should make sure that they know how to use all of the equipment, and are aware of all of the steps they should take should an incident occur. During the trial period of their employment, they should also be supervised as much as possible, as this is the easiest way to help them get up to speed. It can also be useful when it comes to employee bonding. 

• Invest in safety equipment. When your business is in its early years, you’ll likely always be on the lookout for ways to save money. However, there are some things – such as safety equipment and PPE that will always be worth the money you spend, especially when it comes to keeping your employees safe. For example, right now you should ensure that you are taking steps to make your business COVID safe, especially if your employees are feeling anxious about returning to work. One way in which you can combat this issue is by investing in PPE such as face masks, alongside hand sanitizing stations and social distancing markers.