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As a business owner, you must oversee many tasks, including taking care of your customers and looking after the safety of your employees. According to the Health & Safety Executive’s Work Force Survey 629,000 workers in the UK suffered work-related injuries in the period 2013-2014¹. A number of these injuries led to lawyers bringing personal injury cases to court, resulting in millions of pounds in compensation. Many work injuries could be avoided if companies implemented effective safety procedures for their businesses.
These tips are provided by Carter Capner, personal injury law specialists in Australia.
Regular Safety Training
All of your employees should undergo a structured safety-training program that covers particular requirements for your type of business. This may include proper storage and use of chemicals, effective use of safety equipment, prevention of fires, spill cleanup² and other matters specific to your industry. Your business should have a designated implementation team that ensures that safety measures are followed throughout your facility and collects measurable data on safety problems that may occur during normal operations.
Be Aware of Fall Prevention
Falls constitute the most frequent cause of workplace injuries. Ensure that high-traffic areas in your facility are free of obstructions, boxes, equipment and other materials that impede walking and could cause a fall injury. All stairways should be clear and have secure handrails to prevent falls. Workers should immediately clean up any spills of water or other liquids. Appropriate footwear should be encouraged for all employees.
Provide Personal Safety Equipment
Carefully train workers on the use of personal safety equipment, such as gloves, eye goggles, earplugs, face masks and respirators. Ensure that adequate supplies of these items are available for everyday tasks. Assign someone to inventory and order safety supplies, as needed.
Educate on Proper Lifting Techniques
Ensure that your workers know the correct way to lift heavy items. Encourage them to seek help for carrying boxes or packages that may be too heavy for one person. Provide hand trucks, or other equipment to help transport large boxes and containers. Reinforce good lifting procedures on a regular basis to ensure worker compliance.
Institute Good Housekeeping in Your Facility
Attention to everyday facility housekeeping measures is an important part of any safety program. Storage of unused items, cleaning up spills and efficient intake and shipping systems are all part of an effective housekeeping program. Workers should be trained to implement these operations in their everyday tasks to ensure a safe environment for themselves and for others.
Ensure Customers Only Have Access To Safe Areas
If your customers visit your business on a regular basis, ensure that they have access to safe areas of the facility so that they do not have an accident. Although customers or clients may be curious about your business operations, their safety should be of the utmost concern.
Build A Culture of Safety
Provide warning signs, reminders, suggestion contests and other procedures to create an everyday culture of safety within your organization. If workers are looking out for other workers and reminding them of safe working practices, your company will experience a significant drop in workplace accidents. Compensation costs for personal injury litigation from lawyers will be eliminated, and your company will enjoy higher profits and increased worker morale.
References:
1. http://www.hse.gov.uk/Statistics/causinj/index.htm
2. https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/magazine/4