Workplace Safety: 5 Questions You Need To Consider

Workplace safety is an ongoing responsibility for businesses of all sizes and across all industries.

Meanwhile, any employer can transform an ordinary workplace into a safe, productive and efficient work environment. To do so, it is important to know the ins and outs of workplace safety, as well as provide training and guidance to help employees identify and address workplace dangers.

Now, let’s examine five workplace safety questions that every employer needs to consider.

1. Why is workplace safety important?

The wip sgin at workplace limits the risk of on-the-job accidents, injuries and illnesses and ensures workers can perform their day-to-day tasks without putting their health in danger. As a result, workers can maximize their productivity and efficiency.

A safe workplace limits the risk of on-the-job accidents, injuries and illnesses and ensures workers can perform their day-to-day tasks without putting their health in danger. As a result, workers can maximize their productivity and efficiency.

Workplace safety programs frequently help businesses improve their bottom line, too. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) notes employers lose nearly $1 billion per week due to direct workers’ compensation costs associated with on-the-job injuries and illnesses. Fortunately, businesses that address workplace safety can reduce or eliminate these costs.

2. What are workplace health and safety procedures?

Workplace health and safety procedures define the steps employees must take related to various on-the-job activities. By following workplace health and safety procedures, employees can work safely and effectively at all times.

For employers, it is paramount to create workplace health and safety procedures and share them with employees. Training programs enable businesses to educate employees about workplace health and safety procedures and respond to employees’ concerns and questions. Employers must also update their workplace health and safety procedures regularly to address evolving on-the-job dangers.

Additionally, employees can provide valuable workplace health and safety insights. As such, business leaders should consult with workers during the development and implementation of workplace health and safety procedures. This ensures business leaders and employees – regardless of department – can work together to establish and maintain a safe workplace. 

3. What will happen if my workplace is unsafe?

An unsafe workplace puts a business and its employees in danger. It creates unnecessary risk that may lead to on-the-job accidents, injuries and illnesses. Plus, an unsafe workplace may cause a business to suffer compliance violations that lead to brand reputation damage and revenue losses.

Of course, an unsafe workplace is unlikely to achieve the best-possible results as well. If workers cannot perform their jobs safely, a business risks falling behind its rivals in a highly competitive global marketplace. The end result: this business may struggle to retain top talent and optimize its earnings.

4. How can I establish and maintain a safe workplace?

A cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training program is often a must-have relative to workplace safety. It empowers workers with the ability to provide lifesaving support to those in need. Also, CPR training ensures workers can gain the skills they need to stay calm, cool and collected in emergencies.

In addition to CPR training, other lifesaving training programs are available to help businesses establish and maintain safe work environments, and these programs include:

Basic First Aid: Teaches workers how to provide critical aid to those dealing with burns, chest discomfort and other on-the-job injuries or illnesses.

Basic Life Support (BLS): Teaches workers how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED), assist conscious and unconscious choking victims and perform life saving techniques in emergencies.

Pediatric First Aid and CPR: Teaches workers how to provide lifesaving support in pediatric emergencies.

Some life saving training programs require only a few hours to complete. Upon successful completion of a lifesaving training program, employees may also receive a certification card that stays valid for up to two years.

5. How can I increase workplace safety awareness?

A proactive approach to workplace safety is essential, and there are many things that employers can do to keep their workers up to date about workplace safety, such as:

Provide regular training sessions. Annual workplace safety training sessions teach employees about the latest workplace safety procedures. Employers should provide new employees with workplace safety training before they start and conduct training sessions any time new on-the-job dangers are identified, too.

Develop a comprehensive workplace safety training program. A workplace safety training program should account for first aid basics, medical and injury emergencies and environmental hazards and include CPR training and other lifesaving training. That way, employees can complete the program to obtain lifesaving skills that they can use in a wide range of on-the-job emergencies.

Reach out to employees for workplace safety feedback. Use surveys and questionnaires to find out how employees feel about workplace safety. With this feedback in hand, employers can take the necessary steps to further improve their workplace safety programs. 

Employers should also monitor and track workplace safety data. If employers stay committed to ongoing workplace safety improvement, they can create safe work environments and discover innovative ways to consistently enhance these environments. Best of all, businesses can protect their workers against on-the-job dangers and help their employees thrive.

Sources

• https://www.surefirecpr.com/the-importance-of-safety-in-the-workplace/
• https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2015/02/01/Prepare-Decide-and-Act.aspx
• https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/products/topics/businesscase/costs.html
• https://cpr.heart.org/AHAECC/CPRAndECC/Training/WorkforceTraining/UCM_477670_Workforce-Training.jsp