Workplace hazards: How to avoid them and promote a culture of safety

Employers or managers who operate in high-risk environments are tasked with the responsibility of keeping their workers safe. Managing workplace hazards, safe work practices, safety policies and the flow of safety information is already a challenge. The addition of training management, staff supervision and ultimately, the health of your workforce can be overwhelming.

The effects of workplace accidents are incredibly destructive to both the business in operation and the personal lives of workers. Avoiding them is a top priority for anyone who works in a high-risk environment.

The key to keeping your workers healthy is promoting a culture of safety amongst your workers and getting them to pro-actively identify workplace hazards themselves. Changing the culture of a workplace isn’t simple or easy, but in doing so, you and your employees can prevent accidents from happening. This will ensure the business remains profitable while workers go home safe and sound.

Below are 3 ways to avoid workplace hazards and promote a culture of safety.

1) Commitment at the business level

The first step is making a commitment to avoiding workplace hazards at the business level. This commitment needs to be factored into your business plan and integrated into all aspects of your operation. Consult your health and safety representatives (HSRs), project stakeholders, regular contractors and day-to-day employees to tailor a safety policy specifically for your business.

Commit your resources to ensure this safety policy is implemented at all levels of the business. If staff require further training, make the necessary time, money and personnel investments to ensure everyone is across safe work methodologies in your business.

2) Keep your employees accountable

In a high-risk environment, every worker needs to pull their weight to avoid workplace hazards. Each and every individual employee needs to be accountable for their time management, productivity and safe work methodologies. You need to let your staff know they’re expected to follow the safety policies you have put into place.

Make it clear to each and every staff member that it is their personal responsibility to continually create a safe work environment. By not doing so, they place themselves and their workmates at risk of workplace hazards and fatal injuries. As part of a routine check up on your workers, have them take quick quizzes so you know if there are knowledge gaps that need to be filled.

Image of workers passing bag wearing masks

 

3) Utilise a buddy system

Introducing a buddy system into your high-risk work environment is a great way to ensure the junior members of your workforce are trained properly in safety. Pairing them up with safety conscious senior staff will see that safe work practices and thinking will be successfully passed to them.

Senior staff will be able to reinforce important aspects of the work and workplace, further ensuring that workplace hazards and accidents will be avoided.

Is avoiding workplace hazards a top priority for you?

If the answer is yes, you may want to consider implementing BodyGuard’s safety solution into your company’s safety policies and practices. Our system has saved workers from fatal accidents over the years and continues to do so.

Feel free to contact us. Consultation is FREE.