Safety in the workplace is important for a number of reasons. First, it keeps employees happy and able to function while doing their job responsibilities. Likewise, being safe in the workplace reduces the risk of litigation because of an employee's injury. It also decreases the probability that an employer will need to pay workers' compensation if the employer is not already mandated by law to do so.
Prepare
Look around the workplace and assess any hazard risks that exist. Depending on the kinds of jobs your employees have, each one might have different hazards associated with his position. In order to create an effective and safe workplace, any potential injury should be considered. Consider how long it would take for emergency response to get to your workplace. Based on this, you can determine what types and how many first aid supplies are needed on site. You also can determine what kind of first aid training is needed for employees. First aid equipment should be well-stocked and easily accessible. Accidents occur all the time without any notice. It is always best to be prepared.
Establish an emergency response program. If it is not feasible for all employees to be trained in first aid, CPR or other life-saving techniques, choose at least a few employees from each department or area that can be trained. These employees can be called on to help out in an emergency.
Prepare for disasters. Although it may not be likely that a disaster will happen in the workplace, it is always best to be prepared for one just in case. You can do small things around the office to reduce the amount of damage to property and to lives that would occur if a disaster like an earthquake or a tornado were to hit. For example, you can nail bookshelves to the walls to decrease the risk of them falling if there is an earthquake or some other kind of natural disaster. This reduces the risk of somebody being injured by a falling bookshelf.
Prevent
To prevent day-to-day injuries on the job, make sure that employees are trained and understand the risks associated with their jobs. For example, requiring construction workers to wear steel-toed boots and hard hats is a good place to start. If the workplace is inside of an office, teaching employees that paper cutters should be latched closed and that the briefcases should not be put in areas where people walk can decrease the likelihood of injuries in the workplace.
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