Safety and security are two of the most important elements of all workplaces. Ensuring the safety of everyone who spends time on your premises not only protects people from coming to harm, but also helps to create a positive work environment where people feel comfortable and productive.
Unfortunately, workplace incidents continue to be a significant cause for concern for employers in all niches. Here’s what you need to know to increase safety and security in the workplace, no matter your area.
Risk assessments
You can’t prevent an incident from occurring if you don’t know where it might occur – to identify risks, the first thing you need to do is carry out risk assessments. This involves identifying potential hazards, such as dangerous equipment and fire hazards, and then evaluating the risks they pose to employee safety.
Other factors that deserve consideration include things like employee behaviour and external threats such as break-ins. Once you’ve identified potential risks, you can take steps to try to ensure that they don’t occur.
Implement safety procedures
Safety policies are essential for ensuring that employees understand what’s expected of them, in terms of workplace safety. These procedures will obviously vary in different areas. Depending on the workplace, it might include anything from wearing personal protective equipment to ensuring that all tools are unplugged from the mains overnight.
Employee safety training
Safety procedures won’t implement themselves, and training is absolutely essential for ensuring that employees are up to speed with all workplace safety protocols. This includes providing training on the safe use of equipment and machinery, emergency response procedures, and accident logging. Regular training courses are also essential, to ensure that employees remain up to date on these protocols in the long run.
Leverage technologies
While you can achieve a lot with employee training, it’s important to use the technological solutions at your disposal as well. Security measures such as smart access control systems, surveillance cameras, and specialised security shutters from services such as LBS Group can all play a part in risk mitigation.
It’s important that you choose security measures that are appropriate for your industry and the threats that you might face. For example, a fruit and vegetable store may require a very different approach to security measures compared to, say, a law firm.
Screen job applicants
Screening job applicants is another way to improve workplace security. Conducting DBS checks, verifying employment history, and checking with references can help to ensure that your work team is made up of honest, experienced individuals.
Continue to evaluate security measures
In the long run, monitoring the effectiveness of your security measures will be essential to ensuring their ongoing effectiveness. Regularly reviewing incident reports, conducting safety audits, and evaluating the effectiveness of training programs can help identify areas for improvement, ensuring that no risks arise that go unnoticed.
Increasing safety and security in the workplace requires a proactive approach, that involves identifying potential hazards, implementing safety policies, leveraging technological security solutions, and monitoring the effectiveness of those measures in the long run. By taking these simple steps, you can help to ensure that your workplace is a safe, secure environment for your employees and customers alike.