Workplace safety should always be at the top of a business owner’s priorities. After all, employees are the lifeblood of any enterprise. Risking their safety is never acceptable, both legally and ethically. As such, it is important to take the right steps in ensuring all workers are safe whilst they are performing their duties.
Anything is almost always easier said than done, but in the case of workplace safety, all you need to do is remember two steps: assessment and adjustment.
The Assessment Phase
The assessment phase is where you identify all sorts of hazards in the workplace. By definition, a hazard is any item that could cause harm to you or to anyone else. B&S Printing noted that it is important to use a take 5 hazard assessment tool to spot where these hazards are. You should do a thorough inspection of the premises to ensure you’ve taken note of every hazard in the area.
The Adjustment Phase
Assessment is the easy part, but an adjustment is a bit trickier. This is the part where you have to take steps to ensure these hazards don’t get in the way.
Now, there are many ways to do just that. First, of course, is the elimination of the hazard altogether. Remove the item from the premises and keep it away from the workers. Substituting the hazard with a safer option also works in most cases. It also pays to isolate the said hazard and restrict access to it only to those who truly have to use it.
Then again, adjusting is not just about you dealing with the hazards. The adjustment phase is also about the workers being more aware of their surroundings. It is helpful to acquaint them with the many hazards they face at work and what they can do to prevent accidents. Making sure that they wear the right personal protective equipment (PPE) is of great significance.
Hazards are inevitable in any workplace, but that doesn’t mean there’s no way to avoid the risks these bring. With the two-part approach of assessment and adjustment, accidents are less likely to happen.