When it comes to doing the annual budgets for your business, there will be a great deal to think about. As with pretty much every company, there will need to be some cuts. There will also likely be some areas that you deem worthy of extra expenditure. So, which of these areas are worthy of that extra budget?
One area that is always going to be worthy is health and safety. This goes for whether your business in small or large, specializes in architecture, aardvarks or art!
The first way you that you can put the safety of your workforce and the environment they work in first is by finding the budget to do so. As for more ways, this guide is here to help. Read on to find out.
Reliable Software
There is a plethora of different software out there that promotes safety management. Whether you’re running five factories or one tiny store, there are always going to risks associated with this. There will also be compliance than needs to be enforced and an understanding of best practice right across the workforce. Furthermore, there needs to be an ability to evaluate. Without this, you simply cannot know what is and isn’t working effectively. Without every single one of these components, your workforce, customers and consumers are simply not as safe as they could be. Without every one, you are are not doing everything you can to put the safety of your workforce first. This is where safety management software comes in, and adds so much value. It allows for consolidation of data, and for you to see where you are excelling or could be doing better. The use of software of this nature demonstrates to everyone that you are putting your workforce’s safety first. Why? Because you are using the best method available.
Ample Training
While there might tuts and groans when you announce that you are doing a fire drill, or have new training, don’t be put off. Staff might find these things boring, but they know how essential they are. Nobody wants to be stuck in a potentially dangerous situation one day and not know how to deal with it. So, don’t skimp on training. When you do have sessions, be sure you make a note of people who have missed it or off work. Then, be vigilant about ensuring that they do the session or training ASAP upon returning to work.
Clean surroundings
If you were to pick 10 of your employers at random and as ‘what can an employer do to show they care’, they’d probably mention office cleanliness. A dirty office, workshop or store can translate as ‘we don’t care about the place you spend your days in’. The translation to ‘we don’t care about you!’ isn’t such a big leap. Some may consider this and think that the solution is to put the staff in charge of cleaning. While it might save you money, it is not the right move. For starters, your workforce have been hired for jobs- cleaning isn’t part of that job description. Even more importantly than that, it is not safe to put people in charge of cleaning chemicals. Without proper training, they are at risk of harming themselves or others.
This means that the single best way to ensure clean surroundings for your staff is to hire professional cleaners. There are two options for this. One; outsource from a dedicated cleaning organization. Two; hire an in-house cleaner. Either is viable; what is important is that they clean your environment in such a way that it is both safe and pleasant for your workforce. Take the winter months; if many people are getting colds and viruses, they may still be coming into work. When they do, they touch keyboards and door handles and kettles. This bacteria on their hands can spread quickly right across the office. The only way you can stop this from happening, if they insist on continuing working, is to keep everything totally clean.
Safe floors
Slips, trips, and falls are one of the most common causes of incidents and injuries in the workplace. Oftentimes, they are at the fault of the workplace, meaning that lawsuits and other such negative actions can happen. This is why installing anti-slip matting and flooring solutions are so crucial. Sometimes, something as simple as feet moving between two slightly different flooring surfaces can cause a fall. Matting at your entrances, exits and where surfaces change is one of the best methods to steady people and keep them safe.
