Have you taken your time to look at the fire extinguishers in your office recently? Do you know when you turn on the emergency lighting or looked for visible plug socket defects lately? If you are like many business persons, workplace health and safety in
Workplace Check-ups: Catching Issues Before They Become Emergencies
Have you taken your time to look at the fire extinguishers in your office recently? Do you know when you turn on the emergency lighting or looked for visible plug socket defects lately? If you are like many business persons, workplace health and safety inspections likely do not rank at the higher end of people’s priorities. But they should be. Failure to regularly service your essential business systems and tools in your business may result in; catastrophe, mishaps, penalties, or worst deaths. Nobody lays down the tools in order not to get hurt orfall sick and that is why workplace safety is something you should consider giving your best for between you and your employees or your company and your customers. Performing apparently trivial audit and inspection works periodically will be useful in assessing possible problems before emerging as emergencies. Here’s your chance to put on your-do gooder hat and get ready to inspect your business! These checks must not be done away with because the gains to be made by forgoing them are simply too monumental to be imagined.
Conduct Regular Workplace Inspections
The famous words of Benjamin Franklin, ‘“a stitch in time saves nine,” are appropriate here that bears the reciprocal, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This way minor issues that may cause future disruptions, accidents, or worse can be detected before they happen.
• Wandering through it at least once a month, look for new potential dangers such as loose wires, water sources or fire danger spots. Identify areas that require a fix up, washing or tidying.
• Walk around compound to check equipment and tolls set aside for repairs for signs of wear and tear. See that the safety guarding of machinery is in place and the protective devices fitted into the machines are in good working order. Any object that may have become defected or might be a danger to the residents should be replaced as soon as possible.
• Ensure that safety items such as fire fighter extinguishers, eyewash stations, first aid box are properly stocked, well labelled and visible and well placed. Refer and restock or replace when the above supplies run low or out.
• Maintain good sanitation through public areas by eliminating anything that can cause a fall, removing obstruction in corridors and exits, and proper disposal or storage of chemicals, products and wastes.
• Offer periodic care to some of the key common utilities such as electrical installations, heating, ventilations, and lighting, and plumbing. To predict the early signs of possible interruptions or abrupt failures, let qualified personnel conduct inspections.
• Developing and updating/checking emergency response as well as safety procedures with personnel. Repeats procedures to memorize each of them to avoid confusion in the event of an actual emergency.
• Have a method of recording your inspection and also any action you take to rectify any problem. Procedures should be established to keep records leading to a consistent definition of fundamental and recurring problems as well as records of the evolution of safety in the workplace.
Train Employees on Proper Safety Procedures
To also ensure safety and efficient running of your workplace you should ensure employees conform to safety measures.
When introducing new employees to their workplace, ensure that they understand the company’s emergency response plan, the evacuation procedures and even basic first aid. State measures to be taken in case of hazardous material handling and safe use of equipment. Allow the company to revise general rules of conduct at the workplace, anti harassment policies, and workplace diversity policies etc. It is clear that a little effort expended in the beginning will go a long way in replacing the existing hazards with a more secure and efficient workplace.
There is also the need to do follow ups for the other existing employees every now and then. Conditions and precautions change over time and yearly refresher programs make sure everyone is in compliance. This means that you could use one actual emergency each session, such as fire, weather events, or medical emergencies, to base discussions around. Use activities such as drills or simulation in order to ensure concepts already taught are revisited.
Promote a culture of safety
Training is only effective if lessons are actually applied. Foster an attitude of collective responsibility for health and safety. Encourage employees to speak up if they notice risks or have concerns. Provide incentives for identifying potential hazards or coming up with new safety procedures.
Make following safety rules and procedures an expectation of employment. Be consistent but compassionate in addressing violations. The goal should be education and cooperation, not punishment.
With training, open communication, and the right mindset, you’ll build a workplace where safety is second nature. Employees will feel empowered to prevent accidents and emergencies before they happen. And that benefits both your team and your bottom line.