Every manager understands why the office is so important for productivity and building camaraderie between your employees. Much of this begins with a positive workplace atmosphere, but it’s not merely about knowing how to maintain a tidy office and ensuring plenty of ventilation, good lighting and business phone system. Success comes from building a hazard-proof environment where employees and any visitors will feel safe.
Consider the most common injuries
The best place to begin when making your workplace hazard-proof is to look at the most common workplace injuries as outlined by authorities. Understanding these hazards means you can consider how to avoid them, whether through consistent clean-up routines or by outlining specific instructions for employees to remember and follow when at the office. The more aware people are of these hazards, the more careful they will be, and this will have a direct impact on reducing workplace injuries and making the space safe.
Think about more dangerous hazards
Depending on where you work, there could be hazards that are less common but still possible. This could include natural disasters or break-ins, as well as issues stemming from surrounding areas. If you work near industrial sites, protective measures such as fire resistant glass and effective evacuation routines will make your team and aunty customers or clients feel safe should something happen. Unlike other hazards, it’s difficult to predict when these dangers will occur, so it’s always best to have protective measures in place.
Make access exclusive
Many people will come and go from the business throughout the day. Most of these people are clients who visit for meetings or updates, but you could have someone who is not welcome enter your workplace and put everyone inside in danger. You are responsible for everyone’s safety when they are at work, so you must take steps to prevent these intrusions by making access exclusive, managers can achieve this by looking at access control systems, ID badges, and making people required to sign in at reception. Ideally, no one gets in without an appointment, although this may not be possible. The more exclusive you make your workplace, the less chance there is of someone getting inside.
Provide comprehensive training
Although you are in charge and responsible for everyone’s safety, you cannot be there for everyone all the time, especially if you are in meetings or seeing clients elsewhere. This is why you must understand the importance of safety training for your employees, as the more competent they are in safety procedures, the less likely it is that something will go wrong. Everyone goes through health and safety procedures when they start a job, yet you can’t rely on this information forever. As time goes on, they will forget routines and so regular refresher courses and updates will put everyone in a more comfortable position.
Safety first
Building a safe and hazard-free environment is the least a manager can offer their employees. If they feel safe and secure, they will have no trouble completing projects quickly and efficiently, which will bring the potential for more work. From identifying common issues to providing thorough training, you can make your workplace as safe as possible for everyone.
