Did you know that private industry employers reported nearly three million non-fatal workplace illnesses and injuries in 2019? To make matters worse, 2020 introduced employers to a global pandemic that has also put various health and safety concerns at the forefront of their minds.
No matter the issue, it is important that business owners take time building out and regularly improving upon safety standards throughout their workplace(s). Here are a few ways to build towards a safer workplace.
Improving Workplace Safety
Building a safe workplace can take a great deal of time and resources, but it's all worth it to help protect the safety of your employees. Here are a few common areas where positive changes can be made.
Follow Guidelines
Established in 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces protective safety and health standards for organizations throughout the U.S. These standards describe the guidelines in which employers are legally required to follow to protect their employees.
That said, look to OSHA and other legal guidelines when building or improving upon the safety of your workplace. You should also regularly inspect any safety measures that are put in place, in order to correct potential hazards.
Prioritize Training
Training is key to any successful workplace safety program. Employers can start this process right out of the gate by including safety training as part of the employee onboarding process.
Regular training should also be considered, as rules may change and procedures may be forgotten. All members of the team should be included in these trainings as well.
If you or your management team are not comfortable conducting these trainings, find a professional resource to assist.
Talk to Employees
In the end, your employees will be the ones spending the most time in these workplace environments, and will have the most expertise when it comes to the potential causes of workplace accidents.
Business owners or managers should regularly check in with their teams to discuss any concerns that they may have about their safety. Not only can employees offer solutions that you may not have considered, but including them in the process also makes them feel more valued.
Consider Outside Help
As mentioned previously, bringing in professional support can help you find flaws in your workplace's safety that you might not have found otherwise. They can also help you navigate the many legal requirements put in place by organizations such as OSHA.
These resources can also provide unique safety trainings and meetings, inspect and review work sites, provide potential safety suggestions, help build safety manuals, and so much more.
What's Next?
It's no good having workplace safety procedures in place if you don't know how effective they are. Check out part 2 of this topic, where we share a few ways to measure workplace safety.
Are You Looking for Support With Workplace Safety?
If you're looking for support with your workplace safety systems and implementation, then you're in the right place.
SynchronyHR offers a wide range of risk management services that help protect both you and your employees. We can also help with HR support, payroll, and employee benefits!
To learn more about how we can help you improve your workplace safety, contact us today.