No matter what industry you’re in, you should always take the time to ascertain whether you’re working in a safe environment. For instance, the last thing you want is for an employee to be injured or put at risk due to preventable hazards. Not only could they get hurt, but they could also blame you for their injury, which would ultimately harm your business as well.
A single oversight can lead to serious consequences, not just legally and financially, but in terms of morale, trust, and productivity. And that’s why it’s essential to actively evaluate your workplace for signs of safety rather than assuming everything is fine. So what exactly are these signs, and what do they mean for you? Below, we’re going to look into the indicators you need to determine your workplace as ‘safe’, and why they’re worth paying attention to.
Number One: Your Workplace is Protected
The first thing you should be looking for is a shield around your workplace – and, as a result, your business. As a business owner, it’s your job to protect your business from liabilities, and this is done through attaining the right insurance for a range of possible scenarios. Whether it’s general liability insurance or workers’ compensation, having that coverage means you’re not just reacting to risks, you’re prepared for them – and it will form the foundation of a safe workplace by showing that you’re thinking ahead, valuing your team, and taking proactive steps to minimise harm should anything go wrong.
Number Two: Clear Safety Policies
You’ll also want to ensure, however, that no accidents can happen in the first place. A safe workplace begins with creating clear safety policies, designed to prevent incidents at every level of operation. From day-to-day tasks to emergency situations, everyone in the workplace should know exactly what is expected of them and how to act safely, and that means communicating these policies – which should be tailored to the specific risks of your industry and work environment – and making sure they’re completely understood.
Number Three: Ongoing Training
It goes without saying that your team should receive routine safety training, but a sign that your workplace is a safe one is that training is ongoing, up-to-date, and efficient enough to make a difference. From handling equipment to managing a fire evacuation, every employee should feel like they know what to do should anything go wrong, and have the knowledge to do the right thing, not just in theory, but in practice too. A workplace that values ongoing training, of course, demonstrates a proactive approach to safety, as it recognises that people forget, processes change, and new risks can emerge at any time. So make sure your safety education is current and consistent, and you’ll create a team that’s both fully trained and fully ready.
Number Four: Open Communication
It might seem like a juxtaposition, but another sign that your workplace is a safe one is if an employee approaches you and explains something that they feel is unsafe. What’s being demonstrated here is a culture where employees feel empowered to raise their concerns and suggest improvements without fear of retaliation, and that is a huge indicator that you’re fostering a safe and supportive workplace. You’re never going to get everything right all of the time. But a workforce that feels confident enough to show you where the gaps are is going to be the key to keeping your workplace secure and ensuring any issues are addressed before they escalate into bigger problems.
Number Five: Low Incident Rates
One last sign that your workplace is safe can be found, quite simply, in the incident rate! As a business owner, you should be keeping detailed records of all incidents and near-misses. Not only will that help you if any legal or insurance issues arise, but it will also provide valuable insights into potential risks and where your business is excelling. A consistently low number of incidents, for instance, is a strong indicator that your safety measures are effective and that employees are following procedures, but you’ll only know this if everything is documented and you have the right systems in place to analyse and act on the data. Once you have this, the signs that your workplace is safe will be right there in black and white!
