Your employees rely on you to establish a safe workplace where their well-being is prioritized. Understanding the necessary steps to create such an environment can be overwhelming for employers. To assist you in this endeavor, we offer a few valuable tips to optimize workplace safety.
Workplace emergencies and disasters can strike anywhere and at anytime, creating a variety of hazards for workers in the impacted area and bringing workplace injuries and illnesses along with them. Preparing for the worst case scenario before an emergency incident takes place is paramount to ensuring your workforce has the necessary equipment to protect themselves, knows where to go in the event of an emergency, and knows how to keep themselves safe when an emergency occurs.
While it is the job of the safety professional to reduce incidents and provide a safer workplace, accidents are going to happen sometimes. In order to be prepared for accidents to occur, OSHA requires employers to provide medical and first aid personnel and supplies in proportion to the hazards in each workplace. The specifics of a workplace medical and first aid plan will be different depending on the needs of each workplace and employer, but OSHA does provide general guidance.
If you want to progress along the path to higher levels of health and safety achievement, routine evaluation of your company’s workplace and safety practices and programs is key. Conducting self-inspections and audits is a great way to assess and address areas for improvement. A checklist is one example of a valuable tool that can be leveraged to evaluate and improve an existing system, or bridge potential compliance gaps. Regular evaluations also benefit employers by mitigating risk, preparing your workplace for an unannounced OSHA inspection, keeping your people safe, and preventing accidents. Checklists can be used by themselves, or as part of an overall compliance system. As a best practice, employers should refer to OSHA’s standards for complete, specific standards that may apply to your work situation.
A PPE program should be implemented in the workplace to discuss job hazards; the selection, use, and maintenance of PPE; and the training of employees. Download this six step guide complete regular audits of your PPE program in order to ensure safety and health of your workers and maintain OSHA compliance.
The federal and state guidelines for safety training can vary. Using EHS training software to ensure your employees are up-to-date with current standards is important. Make an informed decision about which training software to choose.
For over 10 years, Swanson Group has been using EHS Hero’s tools to track and manage workflows across its different sites. With the ease of the Incident Reporting and Investigation Tool, Swanson Group is able to submit comprehensive forms to its claims adjuster that paints the full picture of any incidents.
When it comes to workplace safety, diligent adherence to thorough policies and procedures, coupled with consistent implementation, can significantly reduce the occurrence of incidents within your organization. The sought-after goal of zero incidents isn’t out of reach with the right equipment, training, and employee involvement.
As an EHS professional, what challenges must you be ready to face in 2023? Stay ahead of the curve and get a clear understanding of the upcoming EHS challenges so that you can stay in compliance and keep your workers safe. Join BLR Senior Legal Editor, Timothy Fagan, for an information-packed, 20-minute webinar providing insight into regulatory action in 2022 and what it indicates is ahead in the new year and beyond.
Conducting regular safety meetings and training is paramount in both keeping your people safe and fostering a positive workplace safety culture within your workforce. Download this complimentary calendar with a year’s worth of safety meeting topics and observances.