Creating a safe workplace is a company’s primary responsibility. It can help improve productivity, increase retention, and decrease legal expenses. Employers can achieve these benefits by prioritizing safety, implementing preemptive safety measures, and encouraging employee participation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines for general occupational health safety. The goal of safety is to create a culture that encourages positive behavior change in employees. In addition, improving workplace safety practices can lead to quality products and services.
A safe workplace should be built on policies and procedures that comply with federal and state laws. If an employer does not follow OSHA regulations, they may face serious legal consequences. If an employee reports an unsafe working environment, the employer is not allowed to retaliate against the worker. In addition, the company must ensure that injuries are properly reported and investigated.
A safe workplace is also built on communication. Providing an open-door communication policy encourages employees to report safety hazards and concerns. It also provides the company with a way to gather feedback on current safety practices. The https://www.northstreamsafety.ca/services/rehabilitation/ feedback can be used to identify and fix safety issues.
A safe workplace should include a return-to-work solution, an up-to-date handbook, and a policy for remote work. An unfavorable working environment can deter prospective talent. It can also lead to expensive treatments for injured employees.
In order to create a safe workplace, companies should conduct safety audits. These audits identify hazardous areas in the workplace. Some of the most common hazards in the workplace include slips and falls, falling objects, incorrect lifting, and repetitive strain injuries. In these cases, the company might need to install additional slip hazard signage, post non-slip mats, or make changes to existing safety policies.
In addition to creating a safe workplace, it’s important to train employees. New employees need to be trained on safety requirements, and existing workers should receive refresher courses. The guidelines should be given in language that the employees can understand.
An effective workplace safety program can have a dramatic impact on a company’s financial performance. Studies have shown that an effective safety program can reduce sick leave by up to 27%, as well as reduce healthcare costs by up to 26%. Additionally, an effective program can help companies realize insurance benefits. For example, Liberty Mutual’s Workplace Safety Index found that for every $1 a company invests in workplace safety, they can realize $4 in productivity gains.
When a company invests in a safe workplace, it boosts morale and helps employees stay invested in the job. It can also improve a company’s reputation. Customers see an unsafe workplace as unprofessional. It can also increase the risk of litigation, which could cost the company millions of dollars.
The University of Colorado is committed to building a safe working environment. Its training programs are designed to ensure that members of the university community follow safe practices. The university encourages the use of personal safety equipment, and it requires members to dispose of hazardous agents, such as poisonous chemicals, waste, and radioactive materials.
