As a business owner, you are responsible for creating a safe, secure workplace that your staff feels comfortable in. It can be a stressful job at times, identifying hazards and eliminating them. This can lead to standards slipping, and workplaces becoming more dangerous. Last year, roughly 611,000 people sustained an injury at work, so it’s important to stay safe.
But what if it didn’t have to be stressful? What if safety measures were also cost effective? You won’t have to blow thousands of dollars on equipment to protect you and your staff. There are a ton of simple, cheap things you can do to make even the most hazardous of buildings a tad more secure. This article will run down ten cost-effective ways you can make your business a safer environment – you owe it to your employees!
- Implement fire safety and evacuation procedures
It’s such a simple task to complete – yet many don’t bother. Make sure every single staff member is clear on what to do in the event the fire alarm goes off. Make sure they’re aware of their exit points. When you hire a new person, make teaching them this a priority. You should also run frequent fire drills so everyone can practice the procedure.
- Store a few first aid kits on-site
First aid kits don’t cost very much, but they can help prevent a more serious injury from developing. They can stop cuts getting infected, and scratches, splinters and bruises from getting any worse. Buy a couple and store them around your office. Spread them out so that people are always near one.
- Floor labelling and marking
There’s a running joke that people are always looking down at the floor when walking, so make the most of that. Labelling and marking your floors with general safety warnings and hazard alerts is a good way to grab your employees’ attention. You can get more information on this, and it’s worth considering if your building has a lot of potential safety risks.
- Have fire alarms checked
Every single building should have a fire alarm system installation, according to safety regulations. If they aren’t working, a fire could creep up on you and your staff really quickly – so don’t procrastinate. Have a check of them as soon as possible, and replace the unit/batteries if necessary. Just make sure your employees know you’re running a test first!
- Have carbon monoxide alarms installed
You could face a hefty fine if you don’t have any carbon monoxide alarms installed, so be sure to do so. Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for over 26 deaths a year, so be sure to make this a priority. Carbon monoxide has no smell and no taste, so unless you’re Superman, you’ll need help identifying it. Pretty much the only way is with a special alarm, and like first aid kits, they’re extremely cheap.
- Dispose of all hazardous materials safely
A lot of businesses will produce a lot of waste, so be sure to get rid of yours as safely as possible. If it’s toxic waste, take it to your local plant. If it’s non-hazardous waste, have a read of your area’s governing laws. Again, you could face a fine if you’re caught dumping rubbish where it doesn’t belong, so follow due course. Leaving this stuff lying around the office is also a safety hazard, so don’t be caught out!
- Place hazard tape across hidden steps
As the owner of the company, it’s your job to know your building inside and out. Sure, you may be able to tell where that hidden step is around the corner or through the doorway, but others might not. Have all potentially hazardous walkways and steps outlined with some vibrant hazard tape. A simple, five-minute job could prevent a serious falling injury further down the line.
- Keep hold of instruction/repair manuals for appliances
Exposed wiring, dodgy plugs and fluid leaks; we’ve all been there. Our appliances are the bits of equipment we can’t live without, but go wrong oh so many times. So, be sure you know what’s wrong with them when they break. Electrical items are dangerous if left in a broken state, so if you know how to fix them, you stand a better chance of improving safety.
On a side note, keeping hold of manuals and warranties can allow you to contact the manufacturer for a free repair. If your appliance is still in warranty, then fixing its safety issue usually won’t cost you a penny. It’s a cheap way to make your company a lot safer!
- If your office building is old, have it checked for asbestos
Asbestos can be found in pretty much any residential or communal building, so be sure to have yours thoroughly checked. If you’re launching a start-up, you may neglect to inspect a building before leasing or buying the space, so do so before you move in. If the building is an old one, then it’s utterly vital you have it checked. If it’s a new build, you may have less to worry about, but better safe than sorry!
- Wear protective clothing, if necessary
Depending on the sector of business you operate in, this may be unnecessary. If you’re in construction, hard hats and high-vis vests are the order of the day. If you’re in the catering industry, then some gloves and hair ties to protect your clients from germs is imperative. Above all, you should assess the needs of your company and the company’s building. If you feel that a pinch of protective fashion would help, then implement it. Most of these items aren’t very expensive, after all.
So, there you have it! Ten simple, cost-effective ways to improve the safety of your business and office. Of course, some of these will not apply to everyone, and that’s to be expected. That being said, if your business lacks even the most basic of safety measures, then that needs fixing. And quickly!
