Preventing workplace accidents and injuries requires a structured approach and a team effort. Simply implementing policies isn’t enough. Workplace safety should be an integral part of your company’s culture.
Identify Risks and Challenges
The first step is to understand the types of hazards that your employees might face. Request input from people at all levels and in all departments. Workers who perform tasks every day are in the best position to provide information on safety hazards. Encourage them to speak openly about their concerns.
Look for Solutions as a Team
Involving everyone in discussions and decisions about workplace safety can help you address problems in ways that will be effective and sustainable. Often, owners and managers devise plans that make sense in theory, but the people who actually do the work realize that those approaches are impractical or will make them less efficient.
Employees have a thorough understanding of how things currently work and the challenges they face. Ask them how they think problems should be addressed. They might suggest solutions that people in leadership roles wouldn’t consider.
Provide Appropriate Training
Your company should provide safety classes for all employees. Training should be relevant to the risks that people in each job or department are likely to face. Workers should receive practical, hands-on training and regular refresher courses so they can retain information.
Encourage Employees to Report Safety Hazards
When workers bring problems or concerns to your attention, thank them. Focus on addressing problems, not blaming or punishing the individuals responsible. Treat discussions about safety as learning experiences and opportunities to make the company better.
Keep Making Your Workplace Safer
Creating a safety-first culture is an ongoing process. Review your company’s safety plans and procedures on a regular basis and update them as needed.
You might try a procedure, then tweak it one or more times in response to feedback from employees. If your business offers new products and services or moves to a different location in the future, you might have to modify your policies and procedures or introduce new ones.
Look at Workplace Safety as an Investment
It might be expensive to provide additional training, develop new procedures, and upgrade equipment, but those changes will pay off in the long run. You’ll have fewer accidents, sick days, and worker’s compensation claims, as well as less need to worry about drops in productivity and missed deadlines.
Focusing on workplace safety can also boost morale. It will show employees that you respect and value them, help you retain your current team, and make it easier to attract new workers.
Schedule Workplace Safety Training
UniShield offers safety programs that address the diverse needs of businesses in Southern California. Training in CPR, first aid, and OSHA compliance is valuable for all types of companies, but we also offer courses that are relevant in specific industries, such as HAZWOPER, forklift, and bloodborne pathogen training. Contact us today to schedule workplace safety classes for your team.