According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are an estimated 2.7 million non-fatal work-related injuries each year.
What’s worse? Most injuries are entirely preventable!
To keep your team safe, we’ve detailed five of the most important workplace safety tips. Make sure to keep reading — it might just save a life.
1. Have an Exit Plan
A workplace emergency can break out at any time. Unless you have an exit plan in place, even a small emergency can lead to panic, which will only amplify the initial danger.
Practice your exit plan every few months. Look for ways to improve your evacuation routes and keep a map up for employees to reference.
2. Take Complaints Seriously
If an employee says something is wrong, be it a conflict with someone on their team or a workflow concern, you owe it to your workers to hear them out.
Make sure there’s a safe and secure place where employees can voice their concerns without fear of reprimand. When you do receive a complaint, have a plan to address it appropriately.
After all, you can follow daily workplace safety tips to a T. But if you’re not enforcing the rules, you’re only perpetuating a dangerous environment.
3. Take Breaks
Taking regular breaks is a bigger safety precaution measure than you might think. Sure, it’s a chance to catch up on your missed texts or scroll on social media. But it also keeps workers from getting fatigued, which can lead to injury.
Plus, short breaks serve as a mental reset. People come back from breaks refreshed and ready to take on difficult tasks again.
Encourage employees to get proper rest outside of work, as well. Research shows that 13% of workplace injuries are the result of poor sleep.
4. Keep Entrances and Exits Secured
Your building’s doors and windows are all that separate you from the outside world. Failure to keep doors locked or playing it fast and loose with key cards could result in someone getting seriously hurt.
And that’s not even accounting for mechanical door errors that could critically injure someone! Get more information here about how to prevent those, by the way.
The point is, your doorways are more vital than you may initially think. Take time to keep them secured and make sure only approved staff have key card access.
5. Undergo Regular Safety Training
Daily workplace safety tips change all the time, which is why it’s so important to stay up to date on the latest trends. You owe it to yourself and your staff to remain informed and undergo safety training at least once per year, according to OSHA.
It might not seem like much fun at the moment, but following proper training can prevent future disasters that may result in harm to your employees.
Stay Safe and Stay Productive With These Workplace Safety Tips
Safety is paramount. You should have all the info you need to keep your team safe with these workplace safety tips.
And remember, safety training never stops. Stay informed and make sure your team takes the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe.
For more tips on running a successful business, make sure to check out the rest of our blog.