Workplace Safety Starts with Management
Posted March 27, 2015
Keeping a safe workplace plays a big role in the overall productivity level of your staff. Additionally, no company is able to survive if it is paying out extra workers’ compensation and liability insurance premiums due to an unsafe workplace. One of the most important duties for any organization's management is maintaining a safe work environment for their staff.
Here are some tips on fostering workplace safety at your company.
Workplace Safety Depends on the Type of Work Performed
Of course, it's obvious, but the depth of your company's workplace safety program really depends on the type of work your organization performs. A small web development shop won't need the same level of program as a light industrial facility.
Performing a job hazard analysis is a necessary task that helps companies truly determine everything involved in creating a safe workplace. This is a good first step in the development of any workplace safety plan.
OSHA's Three Categories for Work-Related Injury Prevention
OSHA defines three categories for work-related injury prevention – engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment controls. A workplace safety plan needs to take account of each of these categories as it is developed.
Once again, the nature of the work performed feeds into the safety plan. Personal protective equipment could be an ergonomic desk for an administrative assistant or software developer – jobs that require typing. On the other hand, safety goggles and a protective suit are a likely requirement for working with hazardous materials.
Get Employee Input, Measure Performance, and Reward Success
It is vital to get your employees involved in developing the safety plan, as they provide valuable input from actually performing the work. Additionally, any plan must allow for reporting on its performance. Consider giving out safety awards each year if no work-related injuries happened during the previous 12 months – this reward system helps to get buy-in from your staff.
All of these actions take time. Being proactive requires planning and most people don’t enjoy planning for something, especially if it may never happen. However, planning in the area of safety should be a requirement for a company and an area where it prides itself. The culture of safety can become a calling card of your company, but it has to start from the top with a plan and then continuous monitoring and emphasis from management.
If your organization needs additional insight on developing a successful workplace safety plan, talk to the knowledgeable staff at Ambassador Personnel. One of the top general staffing agencies in the South, we offer the keen business insight and quality candidates able to make a positive difference for your company. Make it a point to contact us today.