It is critical for all workplace environments to have a system in place that can guarantee the safety of employees. Without this, the employees are in constant threat from all types of hazards. So what types of hazards should be addressed to guarantee that workplaces are nearly accident-free?

On Job Hazards

There are a lot of on job hazards. Some of them are a risk for employees severe injuries, others to minimal injuries. Both of these should be on top of the organization's list of priorities. They should be reduced at all cost and employees should have very limited exposure to these at all times.

Apparently, simple safety regulations are all that's needed to avert the chances that an employee will meet an accident within the premises of the workplace. Tripping hazards should be removed from all areas of the workplace. Dim-lighted corridors should receive sufficient lighting. There shouldn’t be any blind spots. Where they cannot be avoided, employees should be made aware of their presence to prevent any untoward accidents, especially collision. Wires and cords should be hidden and whenever possible, secured away. There should be no bare electrical wiring; everything must be covered with appropriate insulators.

Regulations on fire and electrical safety should be made. Employees should always be informed about any safety regulation. Every employer is responsible for having a fire evacuation plan and have it posted in several areas of the workplace where it is easily and repeatedly viewed by the workers. Each workplace should also be completing fire evacuation drills at least once per year.

 

Health Hazards

Global pandemics have happened before, they could happen again. Often, they begin in unexpected places such as offices, malls, airports, and subways. Prevent worker-spread medical conditions by creating regulations that will compel all sick employees to refrain from going to work. Appropriate programs should be made to ensure that sick employees are kept from a safe distance from perfectly healthy employees. Such programs include paid sick leave and others.

Health hazards can be avoided by very simple regulations. Encourage employees to frequently wash their hands, for example, to avoid the spread of communicable diseases. Also, disinfectants should be used in workplace areas where they are most needed such as in the cafeteria and in the men's and women's room.

 

Chemical Hazards

Industries where strong, if not hazardous chemicals are used, should have comprehensive chemical hazard safety regulations to ensure their employees' safety. Chemicals, for example, should be labeled and stored appropriately. This simple measure ensures that chemicals that are not supposed to be mixed are not mixed together or that unwanted results do not crop up due to negligence or ignorance.

Every employee should be trained on WHMIS 2015 formerly every 3 years and then a review every year. The training must include the new GHS modules which have the updated placards and hazard descriptions.

 

Fire Hazards

Fire hazards could be anything from paper, combustible chemicals to faulty wiring. Periodically run maintenance and check-up procedures to spot any accident that is waiting to happen. Also, ensure that fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, and fire/smoke detectors are installed in the workplace.

Each employee should also be trained on the proper use of a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers must be well maintained and charged in the case they are required. Employers must also make sure that the extinguishers are the proper class for the fire they may be used on.

 

Whistleblower System

Sometimes, it is a necessity to adopt the whistleblower system. This can help ensure that the safety standards of the organization are increased as well as maintained by engaging each and every employee in keeping the safety standards in place.

Encourage employee participation by making them fully aware of the behavior of their colleagues. Any suspecting behaviors should be reported to prevent incidence of violence, physical harm, coercion, abuse, or sexual harassment.

These can be done anonymously without the threat of any repercussions from the company.

Above all, remember to keep it simple in order for better retention rates by all your staff. Need help, contact us today and we can work with you to simplify you workplace health and safety.