Train employees to properly and safely use equipment.
Broken equipment, faulty wiring, poorly trained employees and spotty record-keeping add up to a workplace health and safety nightmare. Employers want their workplaces to promote health and safety for a number of reasons. Accidents and injuries can be costly and time-consuming to address, and numerous incidents can lead to stressful interactions with government agencies or lost stature in the business community. Promoting principles of workplace health and safety helps establish sound business principles while keeping workers safe and productive.
Prevention
The most basic principle of workplace health and safety is prevention. Reducing the chances that injuries and accidents will occur leads to a safer workplace because risks are addressed or eliminated. Employers can keep workplaces safe and healthy by offering adequate sanitary facilities and keeping equipment up-to-date and in good repair, for example. Avoid cutting safety corners to save a few dollars.
Training
Training is another workplace health and safety principle that relates to prevention. Employers can equip workers with knowledge and training to help reduce or eliminate on-the-job injuries and accidents. Train workers to use equipment correctly and identify small problems (such as a broken ladder rung) before these trigger larger accidents. Promote workplace health by training workers to follow all laws and company policies for health and sanitation, such as hand-washing before handling food or using gloves when handling toxic chemicals.
Buy-In
Buy-in is a powerful principle of workplace health and sanitation. Employers must first set the example by modeling exemplary safety habits so that workers know they're expected to adhere to stated policies. If employers preach safety habits but are frequently seen welding without goggles, for instance, or mishandling food products in the restaurant kitchen, or modifying equipment rather than retiring or repairing tools, this decreases buy-in. Reward employees for demonstrating safe work habits, but don't discourage workers from reporting accidents in order to keep a safe work record on paper.
Record-Keeping
Promote workplace health and safety with accurate, detailed record-keeping. This includes documenting inspections (both internal and those completed by government agencies) recording maintenance and repair incidents and filing all appropriate documentation when accidents or injuries occur. Keeping accurate records demonstrates a commitment to safety; this conscientiousness can serve you well if ever investigated by authorities following accidents, because you'll be able to demonstrate diligence with scheduled inspections, repairs and trainings.
Emergency Plans
Although prevention is a key principle of workplace health and safety, it's always possible that accidents will occur. Prepare for this possibility by creating, posting and practicing an emergency action plan. Employees should know what steps to take in the event of workplace injury, equipment malfunction, fire, natural disaster or other incident. Periodically run through the emergency plan so that workers understand evacuation routes and assigned responsibilities when crisis strikes.
Wellness
Employers want workers to be safe, but health is also a priority. Sick employees diminish productivity, reduce worker morale, and incur expensive costs related to health insurance and workers compensation. Encourage programs related to weight control, stress management, quitting smoking or accessing medical services to demonstrate your commitment to the principle of employee wellness.
