In a recent survey, it was discovered that 27% of small business owners do not offer workplace safety training for new workers they employ, and among those who do offer workplace safety training, only 52% make it a requirement. Many small business owners don’t recognize the importance of workplace safety, but the truth is that between OSHA standards and other government policies, it’s incredibly important. So if you’re looking to improve employee safety, here are four tips to live by.
Identify Potential Hazards
Business owners should always take steps to identify and assess potential hazards around the workplace so employees can be properly informed. In addition, monitoring these hazards can prompt preventative training and solutions.
Provide Proper Education and Training
Providing your employees with proper education and training through health and safety software is essential to you employee safety program. Safety management starts with proper and thorough training so that all employees are aware of potential hazards and risks, as well as informed on how to properly and safely complete their tasks. These types of training sessions should especially be held whenever new substances, processes, or equipment are introduced into the workplace.
Ensure Management and Employee Participation
Unfortunately, quality software can only go so far in training and informing your employees. As an employer, you should encourage employees to voice their opinions and concerns when it comes to on-the-job safety procedures. Employees should feel that they play an active role in the creation and implementation of an employee safety program. That means managers, too. As higher-level employees, they are responsible for implementing and enforcing safety procedures.
Evaluate the Effectiveness of Your Program
Before placing all of your faith in employee training software, you should evaluate the effectiveness of your current program. Is it actively informing employees of safety procedures and inviting them to voice their opinions? Does it provide a comprehensive education of all workplace hazards? Answering these questions may help you determine whether or not your current program is working to its full extent.
In the workplace, there is nothing more important than providing a safe, educational environment for your employees. If your safety program is outdated or simple ineffective, use these four tips to help you improve and create a program that works to protect your team.
