An accident could happen at any moment without warning. In some cases, the accident is someone else’s fault but you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Prepare a plan on how to get your employees to stay safe in the workplace.
Mention the Risks
Every dangerous task or piece of equipment has risks that your workers should know about. Using an excavator comes with the risk of damaging someone’s property. Mention all of these risks during the safety training sessions. Include the latest statistics about injuries, fatalities and financial damages.
Hang Up Work Safety Posters
A poster is a daily reminder of what your duties should be. A work safety poster serves as a blueprint for your workers to follow as they perform dangerous tasks. Nearly every business in every industry can benefit from having a list of safety rules on the walls. You can also post safety scoreboard signs to keep track of the company’s number of accident-free days. Overall, having safety signs in the same place where your employees work is guaranteed to reduce the risks of accidents.
Value Break Time
Give frequent breaks to help your employers stay focused on their work. The body is not designed to work for hours on end. You need proper rest to remain alert and focused. Devote your full concentration to doing the job right and remaining safe.
Install Security Cameras
Security cameras are designed to deter thieves, catch criminals and monitor employees. A camera in plain sight is a constant reminder that your workers that they are being watched. This also means that their actions, whether safe or reckless, are being watched, as well. The camera is an easy warning to get your team to follow the rules.
Require Personal Protective Equipment
In heavy-duty industries, workers are required to wear some form of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, goggles or clothing made with special materials. Tell your employees to dress up before they go to work. They’ll be reminded of how they need to remain safe before they arrive there.
Schedule Training Regularly
Schedule safety training sessions on a regular basis. Training could take place every two weeks, every month or once a year, depending on the company’s needs. However, if you want to keep your employees safe, it’s recommended that you schedule training at least once a year.
Assign Penalties
Remind your workers of the penalties they could face by being reckless in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) gives fines to companies and their workers who violate safety rules. Most penalties are monetary and result in fines that are tens of thousands of dollars.
The U.S. and the UK have special organizations that provide safety guidelines for workers in different industries. An example is the OSHA that many companies are required to follow or face hefty fines. To avoid these unnecessary fines, and to prevent the costs of preventable accidents, put worker safety at the to of your list. Continuously remind them about the importance of staying safe on the job.