Regardless of an organization’s size and nature, employers have a legal duty of care to ensure their employees’ health, well-being, and safety. They satisfy this legal obligation by providing a safe working environment and conditions to protect employees inside and outside the office.
Employers can protect their employees by implementing recommended safety programs and practices. Consider six effective strategies an employer can use to improve workplace health and safety:
Conducting Regular Inspection
Regular inspection is a proactive step that improves workplace health and safety by identifying and correcting potential hazards to prevent accidents and injuries. This inspection aims to ensure regulatory compliance with safety standards and legal requirements.
Employers must develop and implement a consistent schedule for regular inspection. They must also emphasize the importance of transparency in reporting and effective follow-through on inspection reports to ensure workplace safety.
Providing Employee Training
Proper employee training can significantly reduce healthy and safety risks at work. Employers who neglect training are considered to have failed their duty of care and risk a lawsuit. Regular health and safety training improves employees’ awareness of potential hazards and provides the knowledge and skills to mitigate risks.
Provide regular training, especially when new workers are onboarded, or new safety standards, practices, or machines are introduced. Make the training exercise engaging and practical to encourage understanding and adoption.
Implementing a Safety Policy
Employers must establish a safety policy that outlines organizational health and safety practices. This policy assures employees that their health and safety are prioritized and encourages compliance with the policy and practices.
In your policy, outline the recommended organizational safety practices and define employee expectations and responsibilities. A clear safety policy encourages employee participation in ensuring workplace health and safety and provides accountability at various management levels.
Using Safety Signs
Safety signs visually alert employees and visitors to potential hazards at work and provide clear safety instructions. These signs help reinforce safety training and ensure regulatory compliance.
Use clear and well-placed signs around the workplace to prompt safety compliance among employees. Clear signs help prevent accidents, promote safety, and protect employers from liabilities.
Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a good safety investment in many jobs. They are especially important in jobs that expose employees to hazardous environments and chemicals.
For example, engaging employees in jobs that expose them to asbestos without PPE can invite a mesothelioma lawyer for a workplace injury claim. Ensure to provide modern and ergonomic PPE to cause fewer distractions and discomfort and encourage continuous usage.
Hiring a Safety Professional
Safety policies and regulations are not always readily implemented at work. Employees who ignore safety standards and practices contribute to workplace injuries through contributory negligence.
Hire a safety professional to design and implement safety policies and practices. These professionals are experienced with workplace safety rules and regulations and can help ensure compliance to promote workplace health and safety.
Endnote
The employer’s duty of care obligates employers to ensure their employees’ health, safety, and well-being. Employers satisfy this duty by conducting regular inspections, providing employee training, implementing a safety policy, using safety signs and PPE, and hiring a safety professional.
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