When it comes to keeping your staff safe, there are typically a large number of different considerations to keep in mind and they’re usually based on your workplace itself. For example, keeping your staff safe in a laboratory is a lot different from keeping them safe in the kitchen. There are many unique laboratory hazards that you’ll need to consider and it often requires a specialist to help examine your workplace and inspect it for potential issues.
With that said, there are a couple of ways to help ensure that your staff are always safe regardless of the unique circumstances that they’re in. So in this post, we’ll be looking at a few ways to protect your staff at all times.
Understand what you’re exposing your staff to
Consider what kind of environment you’re exposing your staff to. Try and live a day in your staff’s shoes and look at what potential dangers they face.
For instance, if your staff work with customers that can get a little aggressive, then you should consider that to be a potential danger that you’re exposing them to. In a case like this, you need to have a plan prepared to improve employee safety around aggressive customers. For example, you could have CCTV cameras in place or an alarm system that they can use if they feel threatened.
However, it’s also important to consider the types of chemicals that they might be exposed to at certain times of the day. This is something that will depend on your workplace, but you’ll often find that staff can be exposed to dangerous chemicals throughout the day.
A good example is understanding the potential for toxic exposure in the workplace. This might sound like something reserved for laboratories, but there are actually many toxic chemicals that we encounter on a regular basis. For instance, paints and paint removers can be considered toxic due to their fumes. In some cases, lubricants and even bug spray can be considered toxic.
If you’re exposing your staff to these kinds of chemicals then it’s vital that you give them the right protection to keep them safe. For example, if you expect your staff to clean your office or store after hours, then make sure they’re given protective equipment to help prevent the toxic chemicals getting into their system.
Listening to staff concerns
While you should be responsible for your staff, there might be a situation where you’ve missed something or neglected something due to inexperience or a new process that you’re unfamiliar with. In a case like this, encourage your staff to give feedback as well. Make sure you listen to their concerns and don’t just ignore what they’re saying.
For example, if one of your staff members is concerned about the loud noises caused by a machine they have to use, try and equip your staff with hearing protection. This can be a great way to nurture a friendly atmosphere in the workplace while also protecting your staff. It gives them peace of mind and helps them understand that you’re an employer that listens and cares for their employees.
