Creating a safe workplace is an important part of creating an atmosphere that is conducive to productivity and wellbeing. Workers who feel comfortable and secure in their workplace are more motivated to work, have better attendance, and are more loyal to their employer. A safer workplace will also help you avoid costly occupational health and safety expenses, resulting in higher profits.
A safe workplace should involve a comprehensive approach that includes employee participation and communication. Encouraging employee engagement will increase the likelihood that employees will report potential safety issues and suggest solutions to improve your safety program.
Safety policies should be reviewed frequently. Effective policies cover a variety of areas, including injury prevention, hazard communication, equipment checks, and incident reporting. In addition to reviewing your policies, you may need to update them to keep up with current workplace hazards.
Ensure your workplace meets the https://www.northstreamsafety.ca/services/employee-training/ standards set by local occupational safety authorities. If your work area has hazardous materials, consider placing signs to inform employees of proper handling techniques. Electronic message boards can also serve as a quick way to communicate bite-sized messages to employees.
Ensure that employees know where to find first aid kits and tools. Make sure that emergency exits are clear and accessible. If your employees have access to mobile phones, provide them with a mobile safety app or news feed. Injuries caused by slips and falls are one of the leading causes of fatalities in the workplace. If your workplace has slippery floors, install non-slip mats. If you need to conduct safety training, consider re-training existing employees or requiring new workers to undergo a refresher course.
Invest in an efficient workplace safety program that emphasizes achieving goals, monitoring performance, and evaluating results. You should include a reward program that rewards employees for preventing injury and accidents. A reward system can be assigned departmentally or individually. Some examples of rewards include gift cards, time off, or money.
Establish a workplace health and safety committee to regularly review and update your safety policies. Including representatives from all departments, it is a good idea to hold a meeting at least once a month to share information and solicit feedback from the entire workforce. In turn, the committee should inform the senior management team about these updates.
Establish a formal safety all-stars program to recognize individuals who demonstrate outstanding workplace safety. This can be done on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. This can reinforce the safety training and remind employees of the importance of practicing safe behaviors. Similarly, you can use rewards to motivate employees to comply with workplace safety rules.
The new federal Work Health and Safety Act increases the responsibilities of employers to ensure a safe workplace. The law requires more consultation with employees and penalties for non-compliance.
A hostile work environment is characterized by a lack of open communication and transparency. It is likely to contain bullying, intimidation, and discrimination. A safe workplace is free of these threats.
