In 2018 there were over 5,000 fatal workplace injuries. Unfortunately, safety accidents are incredibly common. The damage they do can be lasting both to the individual and to your small business’ reputation.
Luckily there are ways to protect both your employees and yourself from problems caused by workplace injuries. All it requires is a workplace safety plan. If you want to know how to avoid on-the-job accidents, read on.
Create a Policy and Be Committed to Safety
Clearly spell out the goals of your safety plan and include it in your company’s mission statement. This allows you to hold yourself accountable when you are not meeting your goals and to modify them whenever necessary.
This will also set the tone at the top and ensure that your employees know that you are serious about your safety goals.
Be Aware of Legal Safety Requirements in Your Industry
The best way to educate yourself on the risks in your industry is by looking at the OSHA guidelines on workplace safety.
Another good option if your business can afford it is to hire a consultant who is an expert in your industry to help you design your workplace safety program. Your company should also set up a workplace safety budget that will help you find the funds to address any safety concerns.
Be Aware of the Risks
Early on in the process of creating a workplace safety program make sure that you address any common safety hazards that might come up. Be aware of the different workplace accidents that can happen and how to deal with them.
In this step make sure that you document anything that you see that’s a problem so that your small business can address it later.
Create a Reporting System
For example, if you have employees working in a nursing home that experienced slip and fall injuries they need to have a way to discreetly report these injuries without fearing for their job.
The reporting system should work to protect the identity of the employees and to ensure that any industry is swiftly and efficiently dealt with.
Educate Your Employees on the New Workplace Safety Program
If other employees don’t know about your plan your company will never be able to adhere to it. Regular team meetings allow you to discuss when you are falling short of your safety goals. Make sure that you are giving workplace safety training to any new employees and anyone who has been transferred.
Set a Good Example for Your Employees
The most underrated step to implementing a system is making sure that you’re modeling the behavior that you want your employees to display.
Looking For the Latest News in Your Industry
The steps to creating a great workplace safety program include creating a policy becoming aware of the risks and educating your employees. But the most important factor in your plan is being aware of all of the regulations and threats in your industry.
If you want to know how to keep up with the latest and most urgent news in your industry, check out some of our other articles.
