4 Ways To Keep Employees Safe At The Workplace ⋆ Beverly Hills Magazine

As a manager, keeping your employees safe should be your number one priority. In 2018, OSHA estimated that 5,250 workers died at the workplace, which translates to over 14 deaths every single workday or a staggering 100 deaths per week. This shows the gravity of the matter and why it should be taken seriously. (Image Credits: Yerson Yetamal

It’s crucial to follow safety practices that exist in your production and quality control units to provide a secure working environment and keep your staff feeling confident and valued. It’s a win-win situation for all parties because the more valued your workforce feels, the better they will perform their jobs.

With the war against Covid-19 being far from over, employers should also consider putting additional measures in place to keep all employees safe. Here are some helpful guidelines.

1. Invest in the Proper Gear And Equipment

It’s essential that you provide your employees with the right tools to help them carry out their jobs safely. If they are working at heights, you should learn more about fall protection harnesses and consider investing in one that meets OSHA compliance. These safety devices consist of a body belt or a full-body suit connected to an anchor point on the ceiling. It limits the free falls of workers in case of an accident, reducing the risk of severe injuries and death. On the other hand, if you are working with hazardous materials, such as asbestos or lead, you should provide respirators to protect workers against inhaling these toxins. From hard hats to fire-retardant clothing and safety boots, you should always consult the relevant authority to make sure that the equipment is sufficient for your type of job.

2. Be Committed to Staying Safe

Do not be motivated to use employees to drive your growth without thinking about their safety and health. Those procedures should be part and parcel of your business plan, especially in these problematic pandemic times. You can start by drafting a policy emphasizing how your brand places importance on the workforce’s safety. Also, invest your resources in safety systems at the workplace and educate your employees on safety standards before assigning them tasks. For example, as the Covid-19 virus prevails, you may want to install contactless access control systems at the entry points to your business offices. These will minimize the risk of exposing your employees to the coronavirus since they won’t have to touch door handles. In short, prioritize safety as much as you prioritize other aspects of the business.

3. Identify and Eliminate Hazards

Workplace hazards are threats to the health of your employees. But if you don’t identify them, how can you control them? Well, the following techniques can help you do that with ease. First, study the history of accidents and injuries and address the causes. Secondly, examine your machines for faults and fix them. Surveying your workplace, hunting for dangerous conditions, and performing job hazard analysis is also a good path to take. Once you figure out the hazards, correct them using engineering controls, administrative controls, and personnel protective equipment (PPE).

4. Highest Paying Industry Jobs Often Have Higher Risks

High salaries are more than likely to attract workers across a large span of industries to work in the most dangerous professions. However, it is your duty as an employer to make sure that their safety is a top priority. This also goes both ways. Workers themselves must follow proper safety protocols and be alert for possible safety violations and accidents. Highly-paid welding jobs for example are definitely going to require a strict protocol because these jobs are often performed in dangerous conditions like underwater welding or work on complex construction sites.

Take that matter into account. When you are calculating your costs for the top-paid workforce you should also consider the additional costs of ensuring proper safety. These kinds of jobs are more than likely to be unavoidable if you are in a manufacturing or in a maintenance business so having the right expectations of what you need to provide is important to prevent hiccups or bigger problems along the way.

Conclusion

Apart from acts of terror, your employees’ lives could be at risk due to natural disasters and other inconceivable threats. Depending on your industry, you may want to talk to workplace safety experts for more professional tips on keeping your enterprise safe for workers. The subject of safety is something that you can’t always handle alone. Even law enforcement officers are always ready to help if you seek their suggestions. Additionally, consult private safety and security firms for guidance on how to keep your workplace beneficial to your employees’ health.

As a business leader, you are not only responsible for your own safety. On the contrary, prioritizing the safety of your team is an essential part of your responsibilities which can cost you dearly if ignored. Follow the above safety tips and keep your workplace healthy for everyone.