Creating a safe and secure work environment is not just a legal obligation; it is also an ethical responsibility that every employer must uphold. A well-protected workplace not only fosters productivity and employee morale but also demonstrates a genuine commitment to the well-being of your most valuable asset – your workforce. In this blog post, we will explore 12 workplace safety tips that employers should be aware of to protect their employees. By proactively addressing potential hazards and promoting a culture of safety, you can cultivate a thriving and accident-free workplace. Note* This blog is general and not industry specific.
1) CREATE A SAFETY CULTURE
A safety culture refers to the shared values and behaviors within an organization that prioritize and promote safety as a core value. It involves proactive efforts to identify and mitigate hazards, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement. OSHA identifies many keys to building and maintaining a culture of safety, but the first step is top management buy-in. Encouraging company leadership to accept safety as a core value is especially important.
2) COMPLY
Comply with all OSHA regulations that are applicable to your workplace and workers. OSHA’s website provides excellent publications and information on a range of safety topics. Additionally, providing regular employee training on OSHA requirements and establishing a culture of accountability and reporting can significantly contribute to meeting OSHA compliance standards.
3) DEVELOP A RISK ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
This program helps identify what jobs or tasks are the most dangerous on the job. It also makes sure that workers understand the risk, are properly trained, and have all the equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary to stay safe.
4) USE NEAR MISS REPORTING
Implement a system to track and learn from close calls that could have resulted in am injury or fatal incident. There should be a near miss/incident report that your company uses to stay consistent.
5) UTILIZE EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT
Involve employees in the safety process whenever possible. This could include having employees participate in workplace audits and training, share their experience and expertise in workplace, and having meetings when purchasing of new equipment. Additionally, holding safety meetings or toolbox talks can keep safety top of mind and give employees a platform to share.
6) CONDUCT EMPLOYEE TRAINING
Provide employee safety training and education that is specific to their job. Consult a OSHA representative about training requirements.
7) USE JHAS/JSAS.
JSAs or “Job Safety Analysis” is a process used to identify the dangers of specific tasks of a job in order to reduce the risks. In a JSA, each step is analyzed to identify potential hazards and to recommend the safest way to do the job.
The process of developing a JSA is typically broken down into four steps:
- Choose the job you want to analyze
- Break the job down by tasks
- Determine the risks of each task
- Identify ways to eliminate or control risk
The construction industry commonly uses JSAs, but industries with jobs that can cause severe injury or that have complicated job requirements could benefit. Also, make sure to perform pre-job risk assessments, especially for non-routine tasks.
8) OBSERVE YOUR WORKERS
Observe employees working to make sure they use safe work practices on the job – especially non-routine work, new employees, and during high-risk jobs or projects
9) ANALYZE REPORTS
Take a look at past accident reports and OSHA logs. This will help you to identify accident trends. Once identified, you can work to prevent recurrences of these accidents. One way to do this is have claim review meetings.
10) PROVIDE PPE
OSHA requires that employers provide workers with the necessary PPE to stay safe. Not only should PPE be provided, but proper procedures should be in place to make sure they are maintained.
11) ENCOURAGE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Encourage workers to maintain an orderly workplace. Poor housekeeping can cause serious health and safety hazards and accidents. The layout of the workplace should be free of trip hazards and debris and have adequate and clear exit routes.
12) IMPLEMENT A DRIVER INCENTIVE PROGRAM
If your company has drivers or company vehicles, think about implementing a driver incentive program. This motivates employees to drive safely every day. Safety incentive programs can be an important part of an effective loss control program and it helps to protect the company’s bottom line. Here are the steps to creating a successful program:
- Define the objectives
- Establish a budget
- Include all employees on decision making (make sure managers buy in)
- Designate a program leader
- Select incentives
- Establish reward frequency (monthly, quarterly, etc.)
- Communicate with employees (let them know what they will be evaluated on, rewards, and frequency)
- Evaluate the effectiveness
By implementing these 12 safety tips, employers can establish a robust safety culture that safeguards their employees and creates a thriving workplace. Remember, prioritizing safety is not just a legal obligation; it is an investment in the well-being and success of both your organization and your workforce.