As a business owner or manager, you probably know that your employees are often your business’s most valuable asset. On top of that, they are also people, which means they have certain rights.
While unexpected things happen all the time, including in your workplace, it is your priority to try to keep your employees as safe as possible. Employee safety can mean many things, which can make it an overwhelming topic.
Luckily, we’re here to break it down for you and teach you some tips for keeping your workers safe in all the ways that count.
Keep them physically safe
Physical safety is the first thing people think about when it comes to safety, and for good reason. One part of this means making sure that the workplace is fit to work in. It should be clean, and there shouldn’t be any threats such as electrical problems.
On top of that, if your workers do jobs that could place them in physical danger, you need to ensure that the correct steps are being taken to prevent them from being hurt.
This will depend on what kind of business you have. If you have a construction company, have a look at construction safety management.
Keep them mentally safe
You might be wondering how you can keep someone safe mentally. Firstly, it’s always a good idea to have some form of confidential counseling that your employees can use if they are struggling.
Secondly, you need to be sure that the workplace isn’t negatively affecting your employees’ mental health in any way. Often, this can be as simple as growing positive company culture.
Other times, however, it may mean taking more drastic action. For example, if one worker is being harassed by another, you can’t just let it slide – it is your responsibility to make sure employees feel safe as well as heard.
Keep them legally safe
Legal safety is one aspect of safety that many people don’t think about, but it’s an important one for both you and your employees.
You need to have strict procedures set out so that people know the rules of your business as well as their rights according to the law. You also need to make sure that both parties – the business and the employee – are protected by an employment contract.
There are certain things that need to be included in an employment contract, so you can click here to learn more about them.
Keep them safe in an emergency
Finally, you need to be sure that your employees know what to do during an emergency so that they can stay safe. There are many things that constitute emergencies. There could be a fire or a weather disaster.
Someone could break-in, or someone could have a heart attack. Employees need to have a list of steps to take during an emergency. It may also be helpful to have them learn these quick first aid tips so that they know what to do if there is a medical emergency.
