Welp MagazineStarting your own business is an incredible achievement, and it’s one of the most rewarding things in life. But being a business owner comes with many responsibilities – safety and security being at the top of that list. If you want to ensure that your company continues to grow and reach its full potential, then taking steps to improve that aspect when it comes to the company itself, as well as all of the employees there, are as safe as possible at all times, should be your first priority. While some things will depend from company to company, there are 6 essential but easy steps you need to follow in order to improve workplace safety.
1. Get An Injury Claims Attorney
Even if you have the highest standards in effect at your company, accidents can still happen, which is why it’s important to have an established relationship with an experienced injury attorney. As it’s explained in the “No win no fee lawyers from Perth” article, having a lawyer on your side that can work with the injured employee to gain the most satisfactory compensation possible from the insurance company means that your employees don’t have to worry about how they’ll get by when medical bills start piling up. It’s also a relief that you don’t have to worry about as much, as your attorney will handle everything and ensure you don’t pay out of pocket for anything. They can also advise your firm on safety procedures that need to be put into place, as well as how to protect yourself from any legal actions that could potentially be taken against you after the injury has occurred.
2. Provide Adequate Safety Training For Employees
If you want to avoid any accidents happening in your workforce, you need to ensure that all employees have received the proper training. Making sure all your employees know the basics – such as being properly trained on fire safety and first aid – is an absolute must. These are things that can come in handy no matter what position an employee has, and whether they work in an office, a lab, or a warehouse. The more employees understand safety and what to do in specific situations, the better off both you and they will be. The best thing about making sure your employees get proper training is that it not only makes them productive members of staff but also ensures they feel comfortable and confident enough to speak up if they see something wrong happening. Of course, you should also train them in things closely related to your niche. If you deal with heavy machinery, dangerous substances, or any other things that could potentially cause injuries, you need to make sure they have been trained, and constantly re-trained on how to properly use them.
3. Cyber Security
The dreaded “hackers” are no fun. And, when it comes down to cyber attacks, you can never be too careful because hackers don’t play by any rules and could potentially cause serious damage to your business if they want to. Hiring an IT firm that specializes in cyber security is something you might want to consider, because not only can they help protect your business data from potential hackers and other malware, but they can also train your employees on how to use the internet and business computers safely. It’s another aspect that can be quite beneficial, as you’ll know for sure that everyone in the office is not only on the same page about how to avoid cyber-attacks but also knows what they’re talking about when it comes down to things like phishing emails or other spam messages. You don’t want any of your employees having their data compromised or falling for a scam and handing out personal information because you never know who might be on the other end waiting to use it against them.
4. Encourage Breaks
One of the most common reasons for workplace injuries and accidents is people getting tired and compromising their own safety by not paying attention to the task at hand. If you want your employees to be as productive as possible, it’s important to encourage them to take breaks during their workday. Not only does it make them more efficient when they come back after a quick walk around for ten or fifteen minutes, but it also makes them more alert and boosts their concentration levels. This reduces the risk of workplace injuries occurring because your employees are not only working hard but they’re also taking notes on how to do things properly, instead of just trying to get the job done as quickly as possible. Being overworked and tired is never a good precursor to ensuring workplace safety. When you create a company culture that normalizes taking small breaks throughout the day, instead of just one big lunch break, you’ll not only improve workplace safety, but you’ll also gain more satisfied employees that are glad they get to work for your company.
5. Regular Maintenance
Whether you’re running an office, a retail store, or any other type of business that requires property upkeep, it’s important to spend some time doing regular maintenance on the equipment and machines that are used by your employees. This includes everything from ensuring the break room is stocked with coffee every morning so everyone gets their caffeine fix before lunch to making sure the machinery used for things like metalworking is always up-to-date, clean, and well maintained. For example, if you have a paint sprayer that’s over ten years old, it’s only a matter of time before the belts on it break and start causing problems.
6. Communication And Company Culture
While we’ve mostly discussed safety in the context of accidents, or external threats, it’s also important to consider it in the context of internal threats. No employee should ever feel like they aren’t safe when they come to work. A toxic working environment, or one that’s filled with tension and negativity, is something you should always try to avoid as a business owner. This can be done by communicating often with your employees about their tasks, what they’re doing right, and how they can improve. You also need to make sure you have an open-door policy where anyone from any department within your company can contact you about a safety concern. Of course, there should be no tolerance for bullying or discrimination of any kind, so having clear rules on what is and what isn’t an acceptable form of communication can help you build a healthy and pleasant company culture that will provide safety for your employees.
When it comes to running a business, there are a lot of different aspects you need to consider. You always want to make sure that your employees feel safe and secure while they’re working with you, but you also want them to be as productive as possible. Ensuring workplace safety isn’t all about accidents involving physical injuries either – it can help your employees work better, and also cut down on your company’s expenses. Utilizing these six steps will make it significantly easier to improve workplace safety in the long run.
