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Safety has always been one of the top priorities of any good employer. Staff health and safety is important in so many ways that they’re almost uncountable. First and foremost, you should want your staff to be safe due to morals and ethics. These individuals are working for you and generating you a profit. The least you can do in return is provide them with a safe space to work and to ensure that they aren’t asked to do anything that could prove detrimental to them. You also want to keep your staff safe and well to maintain productivity in the workplace. If your staff hurt themselves or become sick, you’re going to find yourself short staffed and you may not be able to get everything done that you’d hoped you’d be able to get done. But what measures can you take to maximize staff safety in the workplace? One area to focus on is the premises itself. Here are some steps you can take to achieve your goals!
Make Sure Outdoor Areas Are Well Lit
All too many accidents happen when employees are trying to make their way from their place of work to their car in the car park, or to their nearest public transport stop. During the winter months, when days are shorter, staff may get to work before the sun fully rises and may leave work when the sun has gone down. If you run night shifts, workers are likely to always arrive and leave in the dark. This can create scenarios in which staff are prone to tripping over things as they get to work and leave your premises. Fit lighting to illuminate any outdoor areas of your commercial property that staff regularly access or walk through. This can include alleyways, car parks and more. For some quality lighting, click this link here.
Provide Covid Essentials
We’re in the midst of a pandemic, so it’s important that you supply all staff with the relevant PPE required to keep them safe. PPE stands for “personal protective equipment” and - in relation to the pandemic - this can include face masks, face visors, barriers between workspaces where people from different households can’t stand more than two metres apart and more. You should also provide other essentials like antibacterial handwash in the bathrooms and hand sanitiser at various points around the business.
Have Temporary Signs Ready to Go
Chances are you’ve already highlighted permanent hazards in your commercial premises with signage, such as low ceiling signs or “mind the step” warnings. But you also need to have temporary signs ready for use. A prime example is a wet floor sign, which can alert people to spills until they’ve been cleaned up and dried.
Workplace health and safety is multifaceted, and this year, there are more potential hazards than ever before. But it is possible to keep your staff safe if you are rigorous and dedicated. Hopefully, a few of the above pieces of advice can help!