Employers and business owners must ensure the security and well-being of all their employees.
If your workers are not safe at work, not only can their health be compromised, but their productivity will suffer.
Besides, a lack of security in the workplace can lead to liability problems for you as an employer. Read the seven ways below to make sure you have the safest work environment possible.
1. Know the Local Laws and Regulations
To ensure compliance with workplace security regulations, you must understand which health and safety requirements apply to your business and location.
Each state in Australia has its own Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws and a regulator to enforce them. Under Australian WHS laws, you are responsible for the health and safety of your employees.
You can find the laws and policies for each state and industry on the Safe Work Australia website.
2. Identify the Risks for Each Job
Correct identification of work hazards for each occupation is essential. These risks can come from many sources, including a tool or equipment in poor condition, a slippery floor, poorly maintained or adjusted chairs, and a lack of proper equipment.
You must identify and let your workers know how they can communicate these risks to avoid any injuries associated with them.
Workers must know the regulations related to the sector in which they work and, to a greater extent, choose whether to work in an environment of higher risk of accidents or injuries.
3. Set Safety Rules and Protocols
According to the World Labor Organization, more than half of workplace accidents occur within the first six months of a person’s starting date at work.
For this reason, companies must have a good risk prevention plan and provide the necessary guidance and training to employees to guarantee the minimum accident rate and prevent any occupational accidents.
By establishing rules and protocols, you are developing organized procedures that will guide your employees away from any problems or hazards.
A reliable safety protocol should include everything from required safety equipment (hard hats, goggles, gloves, etc.) to a fire drill and escape routes.
4. Educate the Staff
Once you have established the security protocols, inform all your employees. You should create a security manual that everyone can access.
Be sure to update it if any procedures change and report the change without delay to all workers.
You can also conduct in-office meetings and drills.
5. Place Security Signs and Recommendations
If you want to ensure your employees follow the established rules and security protocols, it is essential to make safety hazards obvious to them in their daily work life.
Place workplace safety signs and announcements reminding employees of occupational risks and safety procedures.
You may include warnings, posters, escape routes, first aid procedures, and others. Your employees must be able to recall the location of fire extinguishers and emergency exits easily, know what steps to take in case of an accident, and remember to use the appropriate and recommended equipment for all tasks. You can use workplace safety signs to help you do it.
6. Inspect Facilities, Equipment and Machines Regularly
When we talk about facilities, equipment, and machines, we refer not only to their conditions and technical characteristics, but also methodologies and worker’s behaviour when handling them.
Identify inadequacies in work equipment. Deficiencies can be caused by abuse of material or normal wear and tear.
Inspections help you discover if the equipment has been used to its limit or misused.
7. Supervise the Employees
The best way to ensure the prevention and safety of workers is through the review and supervision of their working conditions.
Offering a healthy and safe environment where working is the responsibility of everyone in the workplace, both employer and employee; however, supervision is critical to ensure all protocols are followed.
In the end, ensuring job security is a process that requires continual improvement. Regularly inform your employees of old and new safety procedures and expectations to ensure there is no confusion.
Always take the necessary steps to maintain a healthy and safe work environment. Make sure you repair broken windows, exposed wires, and keep a first-aid kit on the premises.
Being prepared is the best way to maintain a safe working environment for you and your employees.