Workplace safety is essential for every organization, whether small or large. Some countries also require organizations to take measures for the safety of their employees and business assets.

Even if a country does not require the organizations to take safety measures, every business should create a safe environment for its employees. There are many things a business can do to make a workplace safe for employees. Let us explore the best ways to create a safe workplace for employees.

14 Ways to Create a Safe Workplace

#1 Eliminate potential hazards.

Keep your office free from all types of hazards, both physical and chemical. Follow the OSHA rules, standards, and regulations to ensure that your workplace is free from all dangers. Educate and encourage your employees to identify and report the potential problems and take steps to resolve them immediately.

#2 Implement safety protocols from the beginning.

Workplace safety starts from the day you start your business. You should communicate the safety protocols to your employees when you hire them. If the employees perform their job as per the required process and follow the safety protocols, it would be easy to maintain safety at the workplace.

#3 Create a quick response team.

Emergencies can happen in any business at any time. Employees are not trained to take quick action that is required in case of emergencies. Businesses can create a quick response team and train them to respond in emergency situations. This quick response team should be responsible for evacuating the employees from buildings and communicating with the higher authorities in emergency situations.

#4 Install safety devices.

There are a variety of safety devices available that organizations should install on their premises. Every business should install smoke alarms, water sprinklers, fire extinguishers, security cameras, and sufficient lights on their premises. Every safety device has its own function and contributes to enhancing safety at the workplace.

#5 Create an evacuation plan.

Employees need to evacuate a building quickly in case of emergencies. An evacuation plan helps the employees to get out of a building safely. Evacuation should always be carried out under the supervision of a chief warden or trained quick response team.

#6 Waste disposal system.

An improper disposal of waste can be dangerous for organizations. Bins full of waste paper can catch fire quickly. Therefore, bins should be emptied regularly and should never be full of waste. Regular disposal of waste also so keep the workplace clean and hygienic.

#7 No smoking zone.

An organization should not allow its employees to smoke inside any of its buildings. You can create a smoking zone away from the buildings where employees can smoke in the breaks. Building a separate smoking zone reduces the risk of fires to a much extent.

#8 Operation of machinery.

If you are a manufacturing company or a production unit that involves the usage of heavy machinery, it should be done only by skilled professionals. Organizations should write clearly in their policy about the usage of equipment and machinery. Heavy machinery should be allowed to be used only by limited people who are qualified and trained to use them.

#9 Allowance of items.

Organizations should write clearly in their policy about the items that are not allowed on their premises. Weapons and harmful items that can harm people in any way should not be allowed on the premises. Businesses should employ security personnel at every entry and exit point to check the belongings people carry while entering or leaving the premises.

#10 Keep things organized.

It is essential to keep things organized to avoid a messy workplace. Make sure to stack the boxes safely and ask your housekeeping staff to clean the spills as soon as they occur. It is important to take a round of your office at least once a day to check that everything is organized and things that need improvement. Keeping everything organized reduces the chances of accidents and improves safety at the workplace.

#11 Use signs and labels.

Signs and labels are an effective and inexpensive way to communicate important information to employees and visitors. The information about hazard and safety procedures can be communicated with simple signs and pictures. They serve as reminders and warnings for new and existing employees as well as visitors.

#12 Encourage employees to report safety issues.

Organizations should encourage their employees to report safety issues to the concerned person. Business owners may not be able to identify all the potential safety concerns. If the employees identify any health or safety issues that you might have missed, they should report it to the concerned authorities in your organization.

You can appoint a safety captain or chief warden who should be responsible for listening to the safety concerns. If your business is too small and you have less than 50 employees, then safety concerns should be reported to the HR manager.

#13 Ask from employees.

It is best to organize monthly meetings and ask the employees about the problems they are facing with safety at the workplace. Asking the employees is the best way to know about their safety concerns. Ask them how they manage to come to the workplace and get back home. Offer them suggestions on how they can arrive at the office and get back safely. Talk to the chief warden or security officer to resolve any issues reported by your employees.

#14 Take care of Women’s Safety.

Women employees require special safety if your business is located in a non-urban area. Make sure you monitor the arrival and departure of women employees. Also, keep informed that they reach their home safely. Women are always willing to join and work for the long term in an organization that works on women’s safety. If you offer a pick and drop facility, make sure that the first pick and last drop should not be a woman.

Workplace Emergency Management offers a wide range of emergency plans and services like fire safety training, emergency plans, training, fire equipment testing, work health, and safety for businesses and other organizations. The company has been offering workplace emergency procedures Melbourne to organizations for over 15 years in Australia.

Final Words

These were some ways to create a safe workplace for your employees. Every organization can use these tips to make their workplace safe. However, every location and organization is different. So, it is best to plan safety according to the conditions in your company and the location of your business. Following these tips can help small businesses and startups to create a safe and secure work environment for their employees.