The Staples of Robust Workplace Safety

It’s much safer to go to work today than it was one hundred years ago, when ‘workplace safety’ was barely a concept. The significant improvements that have been made to workplace safety aren’t an accident; they’re the result of a concentrated effort on behalf of business owners to make sure that their employees are kept safe while at work.

With that said, the battle for complete workplace safety has not yet been won. In Canada alone, tens of thousands of workers are injured each year. Some people argue that workplace injuries are inevitable, but that’s not the case. By taking proper precautions and preventative steps, businesses can significantly reduce — or even eliminate — workplace injuries.

In this post, we’re going to run through some of the key essentials of workplace safety. Make sure your business has followed this checklist, and you’ll be severely reducing the risk of work-related safety incidents. 

Understanding the Threats

All workplaces are different. The safety protocols that work in one environment may not work in another. To create a safe working environment, it’s essential to first become aware of the threats that are posed in the workplace. It’s usually possible to identify what might cause an injury ahead of time, but it might take a bit of investigating. 

If you don’t know what to look for, or you have a complex jobsite in which there may be hidden threats, then consider working with a safety consultant. They’ll provide a comprehensive overview of the safety threats at your workplace, and may also be able to offer training to your employees.

Personal Protective Equipment

Not all work environments require personal protective equipment, but for those that do, it’s not an exaggeration to say that it can make the difference between a serious injury and a near-escape. Most facilities that have a heightened risk of injury make equipment such as gloves, masks, safety goggles, and ear protection available, but keep in mind that merely having those items on-site won’t necessarily be effective. 

Injuries can still occur with PPE onsite if employees don’t use them or the products are of low quality. As such, it’s best to buy individual PPE for each employee and to ensure that it’s of high quality. 

Safety Training

Businesses that prioritize safety typically have far fewer incidents or near-misses than companies that treat safety as an afterthought. To prioritize safety, businesses must ensure that everyone at the workplace is on board. Workplaces are inherently safer when all employees have a solid grounding in safety training and protocols. 

You can’t expect employees to naturally be passionate about safety, but you can demonstrate that safety is important. One way to do that is by proactively investing in their safety training. That could involve providing first-aid, fire safety, and WHMIS training either before they start their role or in the first few weeks. In doing so, you’ll be elevating the safety of the whole workplace — just be sure to periodically hold refresher courses so that the skills they’ve learned stay at the forefront of their mind. 

General Safety Equipment 

You’ll have industry-specific safety equipment at your workplace, and individual safety equipment in the form of PPE. Keep in mind, however, that there are some items of safety equipment that all businesses need to have on-site. For example, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and emergency exit signs. Invest in quality products, and where appropriate, ensure that your employees know how to use them. 

Ergonomic Considerations

Some workplace threats are obvious. It’s not hard to see how a heavy piece of machinery could cause damage. But there are also quieter threats that can pose a danger to your employees. For example, if you have employees who spend all day at a computer, then they might be at risk of repetitive strain injuries and other injuries that relate to incorrect posture. For those employees, consider investing in ergonomic furniture, which offers an effective way to boost comfort. 

Perform Regular Equipment Maintenance

Equipment issues are a huge cause of workplace injuries. Ensuring that your staff know how to use equipment correctly is a key first step to preventing these injuries, but keep in mind that even well-trained employees might be helpless against equipment failure. Adhering to your equipment’s recommended servicing schedule, managing small issues as soon as possible, and training your team on what to do in the event of equipment malfunction are key to preventing issues. If an issue does occur, then fully investigate what happened — and make sure it never happens again.