Running a business involves taking on responsibility for the safety of employees and customers. If you own a company, it’s essential to prioritize health and safety. In this guide, we’ll outline some simple steps to help you prevent accidents and injuries and protect your reputation.
Keep up to date with health and safety regulations
Health and safety regulations are there to protect employers and employees and create safe workplaces. It’s not possible to prevent every accident or incident, but keeping up to date with regulations and implementing effective procedures can help to lower risks. Make sure that your business is fully compliant and that every individual understands health and safety laws.
Understand industry-specific risks
Some jobs carry more risks than others. As a business owner, it’s crucial to understand industry-specific risks that apply to your workforce and the sites you operate or utilize. There are often more robust rules and regulations within sectors that carry a high risk of severe injuries and fatal accidents, for example, construction, agriculture and mining. Carry out regular risk assessments, analyze data to spot trends, address safety issues as quickly as possible and ensure that your team is aware of the risks involved. In mining, for example, there is a risk of induced seismicity caused by activity that increases pressure on the rock mass. If you can identify risks, you can then be proactive in preventing accidents. Work with companies that offer services to enhance safety and eliminate dangerous practices and ensure that your employees have the relevant protective equipment.
Review and revise policies and guidelines
Every workplace should have safety policies and guidelines in place to raise awareness of hazards and encourage safe working practices. It’s important to communicate clearly with your team to ensure that everyone is familiar with guidelines and to review procedures regularly to make sure that they are relevant. New hazards may emerge, which means that it’s beneficial to update protocol frequently.
Provide training
Health and safety training is hugely beneficial for teams across most industries. Training highlights common issues and risks and educates people about the dangers of undertaking certain tasks or working in different environments. It also helps employees to understand how they can adapt the way they work to reduce risks and protect themselves and others. Look for industry-specific training programs and courses and encourage your team to participate in training on an ongoing basis. Training can decrease the risk of workplace accidents and give employees confidence and reassurance. If you are proactive in protecting your workers, this will also enhance your brand image and reputation and it could boost employee retention rates. It’s beneficial to ask for ideas and suggestions from your team when searching for courses and workshops.
Running a business involves taking on responsibility for the safety of your employees and customers. If you own a company, it’s critical to be proactive in protecting your workforce and creating safe workplaces. Keep up to date with rules and regulations, identify and address industry-specific hazards, provide staff training and review policies and guidelines regularly.