In any workplace, from factories to office buildings, the safety of the workforce should be a prime consideration. Unsafe working environments can lead to industrial accidents, which can then result in costly litigation actions being taken against the employer by the affected party. In addition, a company that does not prioritize worker safety will have difficulty in attracting new talent as its reputation will be severely damaged by multiple accidents in the workplace. Put simply; no one wants to work in an unsafe working environment. Owners and senior managers should ensure that their workplace is always kept safe and that every reasonable step is taken to minimize the risk of accidents and industrial injuries. In this article, three specific actions that can be taken to keep your workplace safe will be explored in detail.
Electrical Maintenance and Servicing
It is estimated that approximately 4,000 workers are electrocuted in the workplace every year. These injuries can range from suffering minor electric shocks with minimal injury to death from electrocution. Local electrical services are crucial in various settings, as electrical accidents can occur not just in factories and heavy industries but also in offices. Most offices have many different electrical appliances, and poor wiring or faulty outlets can pose a risk to workers. All businesses should routinely arrange the inspection of their electric supplies and outlets. If your business is located in Ohio, search online for a commercial electrician Columbus OH to find professional and reputable contractors who specialize in electrical installations and routine maintenance. Such companies will be able to arrange site visits to your premises where they can test appliances (such as the PAT testing of electrical equipment using specialist devices). In addition, commercial electrical companies may be able to advise your organization on improvements that can be made to electrical infrastructures and monitor power usage when trouble-shooting premises.
Risk Assessments
In every modern workplace, it is of paramount importance to undertake a range of risk assessments. These can be in response to perceived dangers that have been noted by employees or routine risk assessments that provide assurances of general safety in the workplace. The health and safety team will generally conduct risk assessments to respond to identified risks and will commonly use a risk matrix when undertaking the work. This matrix uses a likelihood and consequence scoring system that provides a clear picture of the potential for danger and the outcome(s) if the risk becomes a reality.
A Reporting Culture
A final key action that can be implemented across an organization to improve worker safety is to instill a reporting culture into the workforce. Put simply; staff should be encouraged to report potential dangers, accidents, or “near misses.” This allows the organization to gain a clearer picture of the risks that are present in the workplace. In addition, by storing such information and then analyzing the data, a company can determine where remedial actions are needed whilst identifying common or re-occurring risks. Regular reports can be generated from this data that educate managers and the wider workforce on the dangers that may be present at work and what is being done to minimize these. In addition, a company that has embedded a strong reporting culture into its functioning will be able to know about emerging risks quickly and take remedial actions swiftly.
