Employee safety is one of the most important aspects of any working environment, not least in an industrial workplace where there are so many potential dangers to navigate. Not only should you be ensuring your workplace is up to health and safety standards as a legal requirement but that you are able to cultivate a safe and inviting atmosphere to keep your employees happy at work.
If you want to avoid a conversation with the personal injury solicitors and keep your staff safe while maximising productivity and minimising the cost of injury and worker compensation, read on for some top tips.
Keep the workplace clean and organised – Slips and falls are some of the most common workplace accidents and they are amongst the easiest to avoid. Ensure that your workplace is kept clean. In an industrial setting, this can also include oil spills and loose wiring. You should also ensure that all slippery floors are covered with rubber mats. Dust control mats can also be used the reduce the number of germs being transferred.
Store combustible materials properly – Combustible materials are a common sight in an industrial setting and pose a serious fire hazard if left out in the open. These materials should all be stored away safely with proper ventilation.
Train employees around health and safety – It doesn’t matter how seasoned they might be at the job; any employee that is going to be using heavy machinery needs to go through proper and specific training. For certain pieces of equipment, meanwhile, it’s mandatory that employees have the appropriate licenses in their portfolio and that license might need to be renewed semi-regularly. Health and safety and general workplace safety training should also be a priority.
Provide appropriate clothing – Industrial workplaces often require industrial workwear to provide protection from fire and other hazards. Anyone working near open flames should be given fire retardant clothing and in a food processing environment, antibacterial fabrics and complete freedom of movement are a must.
Label hazardous zones – Any areas where there is potential for an accident at work should be clearly labelled. This includes danger and caution signs, as well as signs outlining when certain pieces of safety gear are required.
Ensure machinery is maintained correctly – If the machinery isn’t being looked at regularly then there’s no way of knowing with any certainty if and when it could fail. Mechanical failure is another major cause of workplace accidents and this can be mitigated almost entirely as long as the right maintenance measures are undertaken. This also includes undertaking regular risk assessments.
Reduce workplace stress – Finally, be aware that your workers are more likely to have a workplace accident if they are stressed, burnet out or feeling mentally unwell. Take preventative measures to ensure your employees are not feeling overwhelmed at work and be aware of any effects of workplace stress. Because workplace health and safety isn’t just about physical health but mental health too.
