How to Keep Your Employees Safe at Work

Work is like a second home to most people. Work is an important and integral component of our lives. People spend a significant portion of their waking hours at work. According to the CIPD, nearly one in every five UK workers is overworked. The average employee works five hours more per week than they want.

According to the report, 74% of UK workers are employed on a permanent basis, while 19% are self-employed. The line between work and personal life has been gradually blurring.

The workplace is changing. They are more enticing to employers because they are filled with creature comforts.

The responsibility of ensuring workplace safety falls on the shoulders of the employer.

Responsibilities of the Employer

As already mentioned above, the employer is responsible for the health and safety of its employees at work.

As a business owner, you must:

• Control any occupational risks to your health or safety.
• To address potential risks, conduct risk assessments.
• Risk information should be shared, and personnel should be trained in risk management.
• Employees should be consulted on health and safety issues.

The measures below will help you make your workplace a safer place for your employees.

1. Establish a Strong Safety Culture

What are some of the safety measures that your company already has in place? If you already have safety procedures in place, that is fantastic, but there is always space for improvement.

How about taking the conversation to the next level? Creating a positive company culture necessitates ongoing communication with your staff. Maintain an open line of communication about safety. Provide safety training and inspect the workplace for any potential safety concerns on a regular basis.

You cannot win by yourself. You have an unbreakable support system by giving your employees a voice. They will contact you with their safety concerns and suggest places where you can improve.

2. Safety Training for Your Employees

A workforce that lacks safety training is like an army that lacks defence. Employees must receive extensive training on safety protocols in order to increase safety standards, such as first aid at work courses in Manchester.

The following are some of the most critical training areas:

• First-aid
• Machinery
• Fire Safety
• Equipment
• Emergency Drills

Employees should also be able to access training resources. Before starting a new job, every new employee should receive training. You should also supply safety equipment, such as first-aid kits, as an employer.

3. Keep an Eye out for Potential Hazards

In a crowded workplace, danger lurks around every corner. If you are not vigilant in identifying and mitigating potential hazards, you may find yourself in the middle of a serious crisis.

Keep an eye out for those slick surfaces that could cause a tumble. If you cannot replace them right away, consider putting up a notice.

What about that piece of machinery that could provide a trip hazard? Or do you have a leaking roof that needs to be replaced?

The first step in resolving possible threats is to recognise them. It is usually easier to deal with a devil you’re familiar with.

Organizations can deal with issues that may pose a threat one at a time once they have been recognised. Start with the most significant threats first, as they are the most dangerous. Put up signs and warnings where they are needed.

4. Enlist the Help of Occupational Clinicians

With an expert, you can never go wrong. Occupational clinicians can help you figure out what you are doing wrong. Allow them access to your office.

They will assist you in identifying high-risk locations in your workplace and will offer suggestions on how to make it safer.

5. Display Warning Labels and Signs

One excellent approach to improve safety is to use safety signage.

Consider how many accidents have occurred because there was no warning of potential danger. You do not want to be held responsible for an accident that could have been avoided. After you have identified all of the potential dangers, assign someone to put up the proper signage.

Potential hazards can be communicated effectively via labels and signs. The majority of signs contain instructions on how to stay safe.

6. Reward and Encourage Safe Behavior

Your workplace is not a classroom, and your employees are not vying for gold stars. Even the highest-ranking employees, though, deserve a pat on the back every now and then.

Why not use incentives to promote workplace safety? Employees that follow safety procedures should be rewarded. Wearing safety gear and taking the necessary breaks are examples of this.

Remember that work overload can lead to accidents, especially when using machinery. Employees that follow safety standards should be praised.

Remind and reward those who fail the next time they follow protocol.

7. Provide Safety Equipment and Tools

Many employees are concerned about this.

Ascertain that your workers have access to the necessary tools and equipment. They should be taught how to avoid operational flaws.

Note that workplace injuries are frequently caused by machine malfunction. Tools and equipment should be kept in good working order. Regularly inspect, clean, and maintain them to ensure that they do not endanger the workers.

Similarly, you should ensure that your employees have the required workwear. The tight workwear helps keep the employees protected. You can acquire the best workwear for your employees here.

8. Keep Things in Order

A cluttered office is ripe for tragedy.

Empty the containers on a regular basis, and clean up spills as soon as they occur. Establish a working group to clean up the messes that arise from day-to-day activity.

The team can assist you in identifying potential threats. Tangled cords, leaking roofs, malfunctioning equipment, and sloppy floors are just a few examples.

While such a group may go unnoticed, they serve an essential function in every organisation.

9. Encourage Work Breaks

Stretching is a key tool for increasing workplace safety.

Taking pauses has been shown to help relieve muscle tension and release joints in studies. This can help to lower the risk of workplace injuries.

Your employees will be energised and eager to tackle the next assignment after taking that ten-minute break. Work breaks can be used for a variety of activities.

Consider teaching a short yoga class or a few simple stretching exercises on a regular basis. Your bosses will not only appreciate the respite, but they will be more productive as well.

10. Keep the Lines of Communication Open when it Comes to Safety

We can go as far as we want to make workplaces safer. Allow employees to bring their safety concerns to you.

Have frank conversations about potential threats. Allow them to contribute their suggestions for reducing the risks.

Set up a safety team that can report on the company’s progress on a regular basis, including any employee concerns that you may have overlooked.

Hold regular workplace safety meetings to review protocols and devise safety preventative measures.