Small Changes for a Safer Workplace
Guest Post
You take the safety of your employees and coworkers seriously. Your office lacks nothing – emergency survival kits, fire extinguishers and first aid kits are all assembled and kept…somewhere. Where did you store the bandages, again?
In an emergency, you don’t have time to scratch your head and try to figure out where the emergency kit was stashed. Even if your safety equipment is up to date and in working order, it will do no good if people are scrambling in the dark to try and find a flashlight. Making small changes in your office can keep everyone safe and help you avoid potential tragedies.
Anti-slip tape
Those space rugs do a nice job of covering up the ugly flooring by the door, but they’re not stable. They’re always crumpling up under the door and sliding around when you leave for lunch. Using some anti-slip tape to stabilize the accent rugs will help prevent a potential fall and injury. This inexpensive product can also help on other slick surfaces, such as metal unloading ramps or on walkways. Keeping your people on their feet will help avoid increased insurance costs for your company as well.
Emergency Lighting
Have you checked your emergency lights lately? You know, those dusty signs and strobes that hide in the corners of the ceiling. While they’re not frequently used, checking your emergency lights regularly and keeping the bulbs cleared of dust will help keep your people safer.
Smart Storage
If your people have no way of knowing where emergency supplies are stored, they’ll be no good during a crisis. Purchasing appropriate signs and holding workplace safety meetings to go over the basics will keep your team informed and prepared. Consider placing emergency lights where emergency supplies are kept so that they can be easily found if power is lost.
Flashlights
Even if you plan for everything, there are still some emergencies that will override your preparation. If your emergency backup power is lost and your office goes dark, how will your people get out? Consider including small supplies such as an LED flashlight in your welcome package for new employees during the onboarding process. These small devices can give your team a bright backup light if the systems fail and keep them safe on their way out of the building. Have your people check these batteries monthly as well.
Even the right supplies can’t keep you ready for all emergencies. Small changes and tweaks to your workplace can keep your people safe and keep insurance costs and loss of work down. Consider these and other improvements to prevent possible tragedies from occurring to those you work with. Regular equipment checks and meetings to review processes for their use will keep everything and everyone working correctly. Keeping safety central to your workplace shows your care and concern for your employees and coworkers.
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