Six Simple Ways to Encourage Safety in the Workplace
Posted July 25th, 2016
Safety in the workplace requires participation on all fronts. By keeping everyone engaged in the activities, more safety hazards may be identified before they have the opportunity to injure someone. Here are six simple ways to encourage safety through employee awareness and education.
Acknowledge the Risk
It is very easy to have an, “It won’t happen here. It won’t happen to me,” attitude regarding safety. The truth is, it could happen here, and it could happen to you or someone with which you work. By acknowledging this fact you will be better prepared to lead your team.
Get Everyone Involved in Hazard Assessments
While many see high-level assessments as the job of management, getting everyone involved brings the issue to the forefront of everyone’s mind. Encourage employee input regarding potential hazards around the workplace, and provide a supportive response to all concerns.
Don’t Forget the Break Areas
While many businesses are diligent about safety on the production floor, some forget other employee areas. Make sure employees are aware of risks regarding improper food storage or cooking techniques, as well as hazards that can present when water and electricity are in the same area. Make sure that all employee areas are well lit and are free of unnecessary hazards, as well as clean and well maintained.
Encourage Input and Invest in Maintenance
In industrial manufacturing environments, maintaining equipment can improve safety. As machinery begins to age and wear, it may begin to malfunction in certain areas. When management isn’t supportive of such news, this can lead to higher incidences of employees making modifications so that production can continue. By directly responding to employee concerns and regularly investing in maintenance, you will be increasing the safety in the work environment as a whole.
Have a Plan
Just like the risk of an internal safety issue, the possibility of an emergency is always present. Make sure your company has a plan in place regarding how to handle an emergency. This can involve assigning duties to willing employees to help during an evacuation, allowing them to directly have a hand in the safety process of the company, as well as instituting standard procedures to ensure everyone has gotten out safely.
Practice Makes Perfect
Once the plan is developed, take the time to practice it. In an emergency, it can be challenging to remember safety steps if you haven’t familiarized everyone with them. By regularly participating in drills, you and your employees will become more comfortable with the procedures, improving response times when under stress.
When in Doubt, Seek Out Experts
If you aren’t sure how to proceed, consider contacting local experts for assistance. Speak with others who operate businesses with similar risks and ask questions about their policies, or contact a local workforce management or staffing agency, such as Bayside Solutions, for guidance. By focusing on local resources, you will make professional connections that you can return to in the future.
