 Maintaining a safe workplace is not only critical for the success of your business, but it's also your responsibility as an employer. The developments and implementation of a safety program should be as important a part of your business plan as marketing and sales. Every industry is different. A low risk office won't need as many safety procedures as a chemical plant. The important thing is that you develop a safety program that works for your business.
How do you develop such a safety program? Follow these steps:
- Commit to workplace safety and health.
Dedicate the time, money, personnel and other necessary resources to upholding safety policies. Respond to reports of unsafe work conditions. Investigate all injuries/illnesses in order to remedy the issue.
- Identify hazards and take steps to remedy them.
Review accident/injury records and look for common factors, such as type of injury, location or department. Survey employees — who often know more about safety conditions than managers do. Inspect the workplace regularly to locate potential hazards.
- Make a plan for improving safety practices.
Prioritize potential hazards and first remedy the ones that are likely to cause injury/illness. Research industry best practices for ideas on remedying hazards. Implement changes and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Train your employees and involve them in the entire safety process.
Teach a general safety orientation for new employees and employees moving into other departments. Offer more specific training on individual jobs and how to perform them safely. Inform employees of any changes to safety policies and safety-related issues. Make employees responsible for certain safety inspections and hold them accountable during performance reviews. Establish a system for reporting hazards and injuries. Recognize employees who contribute to workplace safety and discipline those who behave recklessly. Encourage employee input and feedback in regard to safety policies.
- Continually work to improve workplace safety.
Conduct routine inspections and take steps to remedy potential hazards. Review injury statistics and investigate all injury/accident reports. Document safety efforts and make note of necessary safety improvements.
The right coverage should be a part of every safety program. Call DF Global Insurance Advisors at (800) 335-2423 for more information on St. Louis business insurance.
Posted Thursday, May 29 2014 8:45 AM
Tags : business safety, workplace, hazard removal, training, remedies, St. Louis, Missouri
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