The topmost priority of an organization is to create a safe working environment for employees regardless of the company’s size or industry. Accidents could always happen despite your best efforts on safety measurement. However, taking concrete preventative safety steps could help to reduce accidents and workplace injuries.

Safe Working Environment

Employers have a responsibility to create and maintain a safe working environment and remind employees of how important it is. Following are 5 simple steps to get you started.

1.  Conduct Workplace Safety Training Programs

Workplace safety training program is to equip the employees to perform their work safely with basic skills and knowledge of safety measurement. Employers must account for safety regulations, set proper control measures, implement and develop OSH policies and more detailed options for their employees from the get-go. Different job tasks and industries could have different safety training requirements. Types of training include fire safety, environmental safety, equipment safety, workplace violence safety etc. The training educates employees to identify hazards, timely report them, and how to deal with incidents efficiently.

2.  Follow Proper Work SOPs

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by-step instructions to be followed by employees while performing a routine operation. SOPs are the policies, processes and standards that an organization needs to ensure its success. By following proper work SOPs, the organization not only benefits by attaining efficiency, uniformity of performance, consistency and reliability in production and service; but they also create a healthy and safe environment, reducing errors or accidents in all areas and providing guidelines on how to deal with the issues and obstacles.

3.  Place Colour Codes, Labels & Signs

Placing colour codes, labels and signs is an effective way that quickly draws attention of employees to potential hazards. Safety signs are usually simple and easy to understand with symbols or pictures on the signboard. Different types of safety signs all have different colours representing its respective meaning. With visible signs, employees are aware of the hazards around and able to take necessary precautions to minimize injury.

4.  Hold Departmental Safety Meetings Regularly

Organizations are advised to establish a safety committee and conduct a safety meeting regularly. The purpose of the meeting is to spread awareness, educate employees in the workplace about the hazards, dangers, and risks around them, and be prepared for every situation. Employees are encouraged to voice their opinion on potential hazards they encounter. It helps employers to take action on the hazards that may have gone unnoticed. With regular safety meetings conducted, both employers and employees will have the chance to review and discuss prevention in order to keep the workplace safe.

5.  Proper Emergency Plan

Do you know how to escape from your workplace in an emergency? Having a proper designated emergency plan is very important within a workplace. Employers should map out every emergency exit and make sure the exit route is clear. In addition, proper emergency equipment must be presented in the workplace such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Employers are advised to post the emergency plans and protocols in common areas so that employees are familiar with it. It is also important to have regular fire drill exercises to keep employees up-to-date with the emergency procedures.

Conclusion

Everyone wants to feel safe when they enter the workplace and knowing that the employer is looking out for them. It is employers’ responsibility to provide a safe working environment and ensure their employees’ safety. It is always better to take preventive steps, provide safety knowledge to employees and have open discussion with employees before an incident happens.