5 Ways to Create a Safer Workspace

Safer Workspace

Safer Workspace

Most people probably don’t think of an office as a place for hazards or injuries. This is particularly true for those in corporate settings. However, this lax and careless attitude is what puts office place workers at risk. 

The lack of property safety signs and equipment makes people more likely to suffer from preventable injuries. Improve safety and quality of life in the office with these five easy steps!

Pinpoint the problem areas.

The first thing to do is to analyze the problem areas in your office. Where are your employees most likely to get hurt? When was the last time you did a safety check in your facilities?

We recommend surveying to ask for the insight of your employees. They are the ones exposed to the risks, and they can provide valuable feedback that can improve safety for all.

Don’t forget about emergency evacuation protocols as well. This is a common mistake, as these procedures and protocols are often left outdated. Thus, employees are left confused when an unfortunate accident occurs. 

An annual review of emergency plans is necessary to keep your office safe. On top of this, we also recommend a biannual check on the safety equipment to make sure everything still works.

Remove hazards.

There should be a list of all the risks in your office. This could be a busted floor or the like, which managers must address immediately. Fixing any issues, no matter how small, should be a top priority. 

The employees must address even minor issues such as loose cords and open drawers. Everyone must work together to ensure a safe workplace.

You may have the most skilled staff, but that won’t curtail any hazards or injuries. Prioritize safety protocols to ensure that your employees won’t be exposed to any accidents.

Secure equipment

Secure equipment

The most common injury in the office is that of falling. This is most likely because spaces do not have enough proper equipment nor any safety regulations. A slippery floor can mean a dozen injuries if left unchecked.

Offices need at last a basic set of equipment to address these concerns. Some of the most common ones are:

  • Cleaning equipment for any mess, such as bodily fluids.
  • Fire extinguishers and fire alarms.
  • Warning signs for wet floors or slippery, newly-mopped floors.
  • Ladders and step stools.
  • First aid kit that is stocked with up-to-date medicine. May include disinfectants, cold compresses, etc.

These are just some but feel free to add more that you will see fit. It’s better to splurge on safety equipment rather than shell out money in the hospital.

Removing the causes of hazards will make the office feel safer for everybody.

Conduct safety training.

Training is essential to equip each employee with the information they need in case of emergencies. A quick safety meeting per month is usually enough to give a refresher on topics, but periodic, thorough safety training is necessary.

You must do tests for the safety equipment and protocols frequently to make sure they still work. By doing this, employees won’t waste time wondering what to do to get to safety because they’ve done drills for it.

Review and improve

You may have instituted a safety program, but there’s no assurance that it will still work a few years down the line. Hence, it’s essential to review and improve it every year or so.

Evaluate the programs you have in place, and be open to suggestions. If this is your first time evaluating in a while, you can even enlist experts’ help to help you pinpoint concerns.

Office safety is often overlooked, resulting in injuries and even revenue loss. It also erodes the trust of employees and diminishes productivity. Follow our tips above to create a safer working environment!

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About the Author: Derek John

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