Your small business faces numerous challenges, but the most crucial one may be ensuring the health and safety of your employees and customers. In most situations, you probably already have some safety and health policy in place. If you are in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, you already know how important it is to take steps to make sure everyone in your employ is working safely and taking the necessary precautions. Your insurance provider also has strong rules as well as suggestions for ways that you can make your workplace safer.
That said, don’t rely on others to guarantee the safety and health of those who work for you or do business with you. The buck stops with you. Here are five more ways to improve health and safety at your small business.
- Take Health Seriously at Work
Encourage good habits among your employees. Don’t buy junk food and fatty foods for the office, for example. Consider sponsoring athletic events and group activities amongst your employees. You can model good behavior yourself, as well, by making healthy choices.
- Install Important Safety Equipment
Don’t wait until an emergency hits before you take precautions. Purchase helpful tools in advance. For example, if your workplace is more than two stories high, consider adding a fire escape ladder like those sold by Res Q Ladder. By planning in advance, you’ll be prepared if and when an emergency happens.
- Use Ergonomic Furniture
In an office setting, some of the most common injuries are ones that occur because of sitting and working with improper posture and equipment. You can avoid these by using properly designed ergonomic furniture for your employees. These include ergonomic chairs, desks, keyboards, and other necessary tools like pens and phone headsets.
- Post Rules Clearly
Many times employees make mistakes because they forget the proper procedures. You can avoid this by putting up signs that remind people of the exact rules and procedures to follow. This will help to keep the important rules at the forefront of their minds.
- Practice Fire and Other Emergency Drills
Make sure that you’re ready for fire, storms, earthquakes, or even attacks by practicing with your employees. Make sure you have a routine that it clear and easy to follow. Your safety is too important not to take seriously.