Improving workplace safety isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also a wise investment in any company’s future. Businesses that recognize the importance of workplace safety are more likely to succeed. Making safety a priority starts with outstanding health and safety training.
Beginning with OSHA compliance
The Occupational Safety and Health Standard includes guidelines for sanitation, first aid, hazardous materials, ventilation, personal protective equipment, safety exits, and other topics. Although following OSHA requirements is a must for any business, and failure to comply can result in thousands of dollars in fines, reviewing the guidelines is the best place to begin any occupational safety and health improvement effort.
However, complying with OSHA is merely the beginning. For example, in unionized workplaces, safety obligations are frequently included in employee contracts, and failure to protect workers can result in lawsuits and compensation damages.
Even if no explicit rules or regulations cover an apparent safety risk, corporations are nevertheless exposed to liability. Companies should consider hiring consultants who can identify workplace safety issues and recommend solutions if necessary.
Training in occupational health and safety
It’s a good start to hire occupational safety and health specialists to give training, but it’s also critical to acquire the correct training that will benefit corporate employees the most. Starting with a job hazard analysis, which documents each step of on-the-job tasks as well as any potential safety issues that arise from each task, is advised. This study identifies the most dangerous tasks, allowing businesses to prioritize safety training.
Offering these possibilities comes with a slew of advantages for your business. Not only do thorough, continuing workplace safety training programs help to lower the likelihood of a catastrophic accident, but they also help to:
Encourage a culture of safety. When safety is addressed on an ongoing basis rather than simply once a year, it becomes engrained in the business culture and part of every employee’s expectations.
This increases customer loyalty. Employees who believe you care about their well-being are more likely to be loyal and productive.
improve the corporation’s reputation. The reputation of your firm affects everything from how customers see you to your ability to attract top employees. A dedication to worker safety contributes to your company’s reputation as a wonderful place to work.
Spend less money. Training aids in the prevention of injuries and absences, which raise operating costs. Evidence of continual safety education may also assist in minimizing insurance costs. In the event of an accident, demonstrating that you took all reasonable precautions to avoid the situation will help decrease any fines that may be imposed against you.
Make workplace safety a continuous priority
Teaching one safety class and assuming workers have received all of the necessary training is a dangerous undertaking. Managers and other leaders should check in with department heads, foremen, and other supervisors to see if workers are putting the training they’ve received into practice.
If a worker performs a task in a dangerous manner, coaching or retraining should take place as soon as possible. Assistance provided at the moment is significantly more effective than assistance provided after an injury has happened.
In fact, establishing a safety culture requires workers to take ownership of occupational safety and health within their work environments. After all, their lives are on the line. Employee participation is increased by involving them in the formulation of safety and health policies and training.
It also ensures that their training is current and addresses the challenges that are most typically encountered in that particular work setting. Some companies form safety committees on their sites or within their operations, which are managed by people rather than managers.
When it comes to safety issues, they become resources for their colleagues, and they can also report issues, such as poor equipment function, before they cause injuries. They become crucial eyes and ears when it comes to safety issues because they are closest to the actual task.
Giving employees responsibility for the health and safety of the workplace also entails demanding accountability. Every job description should include safety obligations, and performance reviews should include adherence to safety policies and practices. Employees who engage in unsafe procedures or behaviors should be reprimanded and, if required, retrained.
In a nutshell: safety training dos and don’ts
Keep the following do’s and don’ts in mind to create an employee safety culture and prepare your people to accomplish their duties safely:
Do:
Examine OSHA rules for your firm and put in place the necessary safety practices.
Analyze the work environment to identify safety concerns and establish risk-mitigation strategies.
Set safety-related objectives.
Invest in continuous safety training programs that address specific workplace dangers, best practices, and trends.
Employees should be retrained as needed.
In order to keep employees motivated, involve them in safety planning and training.
Hold employees responsible for their own safety.
Employees that go above and above to ensure a safe workplace should be recognized.
Implement an injury or illness protocol as well as a system for reporting instances.
Don’t:
Employers should not rely on a single training session to effectively educate them about safety excellence.
Defer correction or retraining. Immediate action is the most effective way to change behavior.
Accept the bare minimum in terms of safety training, equipment, and protocols.
Ignore employee feedback or concerns.
Forget to record all safety-related information, like training, injury statistics, and corrective actions.
Allow for retaliation for reporting safety issues or accidents.
Putting people first in safety
Many firms discover that improving safety results in greater production outcomes and fewer expenses associated with injury and illness. Most importantly, an emphasis on safety transmits an essential message to workers.