Workplace Safety is in Everyone's Interest!
I know, I know — you're probably saying, “What does workplace safety have to do with starting a business?” The answer is — a lot! The fact is that fortunes can be lost over lack of workplace safety. Once you have a bad safety record, it's hard to shed that image, and everything, including insurance (which is absolutely necessary) becomes more expensive! Not to mention the fact that you could get sued, losing your business entirely.
Tips to Maintain Workplace Safety
- Ensure that the work area is clean and free from hazardous material. The productivity of employees working in a clean area is much greater.
- Take steps to ensure that modern engineering solutions and safety guards are deployed for the protection of employees, instead of stressing entirely on personal protection. It is important to update your knowledge about innovative safety products and devices being introduced in the market.
- Work instructions to employees should be clear, precise and unambiguous. Make sure that they understand the correct operations pattern, instead of simply furnishing them with a list of instructions. All written communication and procedures should include detailed safety instructions.
- Be genuinely concerned about the welfare of your employees. Monitor and check machine maintenance and condition them regularly. If you ever become aware of a machine posing a safety hazard, have it shut down at once. If a machine needs to be replaced on account of excessive wear, make sure that it is replaced immediately.
- It is important for you to know about the work procedures of your employees. You may have worked in a similar position, but there could be changes in the way the work is done now. Check the procedures and the practicality of the approach. If you find that work being done differently from correct procedure and instructions, it is imperative to find out the reasons and either correct the anomaly or formalize the changes. Safety guidelines should be modified accordingly.
- Keep unnecessary hazards at bay by adhering to the safety guidelines of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA.
