How Workplace Safety Applies to Every Business

Any good business knows how to make money. But any good employer knows the important role employees play in their business. They perfectly understand that one of their top priorities is keeping their workplace safe for their employees. After all, there’s nothing like taking a huge blow when one or more of their employees get literally hurt.

Whether your business is a construction company, a hospital, or a law firm, part of your management responsibility is providing a safe and healthy workplace for your employees. You want to give them a comfortable environment and proper equipment so they can work in optimal work conditions.

As employers, you must take several things into consideration when ensuring safety in the workplace. The following are just some of them:

• Safety Programs, Plans and Policies

Hazards are a part of any job. It can be hard to address them when you have many employees, as well as departments having different work conditions. This is where safety programs, plans and policies come in.

By implementing these safety tools, you clearly communicate to your employees the right procedures in dealing with hazards. Fire prevention, occupational ergonomics program, electrical safety, and first aid/injury procedures are some important issues you can include in your safety programs, plans and policies.

• Safety Education and Training

Fear, they say, is the mother of safety. We believe, though, that knowledge makes for a better parent. By regularly educating and training your employees about occupational safety, you can better ensure that they follow the right standards and regulations in your company. Remember that part of training is supplying both your supervisory and non-supervisory employees with programs related to using equipment and performing procedures in the right way.

• MSDS

A Material Safety Data Sheet is a document providing information about a particular substance or product that is most commonly a chemical. This form includes instructions about the proper use and handling of a substance. It also gives information about the physical data (boiling point, melting point, etc.) of the substance as well as its hazards.

• Workers’ Comp

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance for employees who get work-related injuries. It comes in the form of compensation medical care and usually includes weekly payments in place of wages, compensation for economic loss, and payment or reimbursement of medical expenses.

Remember that all the requirements above must fully comply with the standards and regulations implemented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Take note also that every now and then changes are made in the regulations so it’s best to keep yourself regularly updated.

If you need help in customizing your own safety programs, plans, policies and other requirements, feel free to contact us.