Health and safety can be a pretty dull topic to focus on. It definitely isn’t as exciting as market research, product development, or advertising and marketing. But at the end of the day, it’s one of the most important aspects of running a business. There are a number of guidelines, rules, and regulations that you need to understand and implement into the working environment you’re placing your employees in.
It can include a host of knowledge on routines, regimes, training and equipment and more. If someone were to become injured as a direct result of your company’s lack of health and safety, you could find yourself facing some serious consequences. Not only would the results of your lack of care entail physical pain, emotional trauma, and unwanted lifestyle changes for the individual who has become ill or hurt, but it will have negative consequences for your business too.
You could see your reputation as an employer damaged, you could face compensation claims, and you could see a loss of profits as a result too. So, here are a few areas to focus on to make sure your staff are safe and well at all times while they’re working for you.
Fire Safety
Fires are extremely dangerous in any situation. But they can prove extremely dangerous when there are lots of people in one space at once. Every office is at risk of fire, no matter how precautious you may be. Electrics can fault and create sparks, which can go on to start ablaze.
So, it’s important to make sure fire safety measures are in place at all times. These can include a few simple steps, such as making sure you have high-quality smoke detectors fitted around the entire company building, ensuring your business has the right fire extinguishers in place, guaranteeing there are plenty of fire exits, offering fire curtains and fire blankets, and training all staff in a fire protocol that they can follow calmly if fire does ever establish itself.
Safety Equipment
Some hazards can be prevented by having the right equipment on board in the first place, for example, you can reduce spills that people can spill – just contain oil and fuel spills with oil stop valves. Simple measures can significantly reduce risk!
Safety Signs
Some potential risks can’t be completely avoided. If there’s a step in your building that could create a trip hazard, it might not be able to be removed. If there’s a low ceiling where people could bump their head, you may not be able to raise it. If there’s a temporary spill on the floor, it will take a moment to clean it up. This is where safety signage comes into play. Signs can ensure people are aware of hazards around them and avoid them.
CCTV
CCTV cameras are a common sight in commercial properties. We often use them to prevent theft of stock and damage to the building and to have evidence when we find the individual accountable for these crimes. But CCTV can prove important for staff safety too. CCTV really can help to guarantee better health and safety in the workplace. A CCTV in a commercial space will give people a warning not to act in an aggressive behaviour – there will be evidence if they do and they could be prosecuted.
These simple steps should help you to create and maintain a much safer and healthier workplace for all, so implement them into your business as soon as possible!
