Negosentro.com | No matter if your business is big or small, workplace safety is important. A safe work environment increases employee productivity and morale. While it could take some time to set up guidelines, policies, and protocols, it can help create a positive work environment for everyone. Here are five tips to ensure that you are having a safe work environment.
Set Clear Guidelines in the Employee Handbook
The employee handbook is otherwise known as the company manual in which they can learn more about workplace behavior and responsibilities. In this handbook, you should set clear guidelines when it comes to computer usage, job expectations, sick leave, and vacation time. You should include a section on what’s required as acceptable behavior and what constitutes as harassment. Make sure that your employees read and understand the handbook. Provide copies so they can sign and date it.
Conduct Mandatory Harassment Training
Harassment training that outlines workplace expectations is a great place to start. Unfortunately, not all of your employees will follow suit. It’s important for your employees to understand what is and what is not acceptable just by reading this information. Some require hands-on training or visuals.
Rather than assuming your employees understand what’s expected of them, be proactive with your measures. Host employee harassment training monthly, bi-annually, or annually. Give your employees plenty of notice so they can schedule their work accordingly. You should also attend the training sessions to ensure that no one is exempt.
Enforce Proper Uniforms
Instead of relying on a dress code, require all of your employees to wear proper uniforms. They should wear their uniform at all times. Some uniforms are more than just a polo shirt and khaki pants. Some may require a smock or scrubs. It’s important for employees to be aware of this information during the onboarding process.
In addition, they should wear the appropriate safety equipment for the required task. Otherwise, they could get injured on the job. Some of this equipment includes earmuffs, earplugs, gloves, hard hats, masks, safety goggles, and special shoes with straps.
Safety-Proofing the Building
This involves more than just using signs about hazards and procedures around your building. A walk-through of your work environment and consider how it could be safer. Rubber mats can help collect water from shoes whenever you walk indoors. This can prevent puddles from forming and your employees slipping and falling. Something that is also underrated is the quality of air being placed into the building. To learn more about air quality and resources do research on how to provide the best for your employees.
Rubber padding on the steps can also prevent accidental falls. You should also consider installing motion-sensor lights in the darkest parts of the building. These are just some of the things you can keep in mind. Safety-proofing your building will give your employees greater peace of mind. This allows them to focus on work rather than accidents.
Host Monthly Discussions
These discussions should address productivity and safety concerns within your work environment. This provides an in-person forum for your employees to voice their own concerns. This open discussion improves employee morale and makes it easier to work in a safe environment. Your employees will meet their deadlines and will feel excited about returning to work.
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to protect your employees and create a safe work environment. It’s also your responsibility to get your employees involved with workplace harassment and safety efforts. Reward them or provide incentives for demonstrating great workplace s
