Whether you are a business owner, supervisor, safety professional or employee of an organization, everyone must consider the importance of developing and maintaining a strong safety culture at your workplace. In a secure and safe work environment, you and your employees and customers will be at ease and will avoid possible incidents as well as life-changing injuries.
As an employer, you are responsible for the safety of your employees. Employers must have the right equipment, have safety procedures in place and communicate what to do in case of emergency. Always remain mindful of potential hazards and dangerous situations by keeping the following tips top-of-mind.
Assess your Environment
It is crucial to always assess your overall situation and environment so you can develop the necessary safety procedures and protocol. Be sure to inspect your building and all of its components such as doors, windows, flooring, and equipment. In many instances, business owners opt into additional security by upgrading their equipment such has specialized transaction and cash drawers, pass thru cabinets and bulletproof glass to assure the safety of employees and assets.
Educate your Employees
Make sure all employees are well versed on company policies and procedures. It is especially important to maintain a healthy safety culture at your business so employees feel secure and are able to produce their best work. Each new team member should initially be trained on all protocols so they can consistently implement and practice them each day. Each industry requires different types of safety training and safety tools and it is essential for the employees to understand the importance of adopting and executing each procedure regardless of the industry. Construction workers must be thoroughly trained on the safety of operating their equipment just as a bank teller should be well trained on working with deal trays and bulletproof barriers so they provide the safest and most convenient transactions to their customers.
Come to Terms with Reality
It can happen at your business. A perpetrator can strike in both high crime and low crime neighborhoods so it’s imperative to make sure you are prepared. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, homicide is the fourth-leading cause of death in the workplace. There is a disturbing amount of cases involving firearms, so businesses must be prepared and keep their team safe. There is no such thing as “too much security” and many employers are constantly adding additional security features such as bulletproof glass to prevent fatal injuries due to rising crime.
Develop a Plan
As mentioned previously, be sure every member of your team understands what action to take in a crisis. Whether it is a natural disaster plan or an attack by a violent person, it is critical to create a plan of action and consistently educate employees on the plan you have set in place. Each emergency plan should be documented in a policy or procedure document so it is readily available to employees whenever they need to reference it. Having these protocols in your business shows your employees that you take their safety seriously.
Sustain your Efforts
To keep up with the ever-changing environment, companies must continue to evaluate and improve their safety efforts. As things evolve so must your business so employers should often be reassessing, measuring and adjusting their current policies to fit the current landscape. Continuing to do this promotes safety at work and gives everyone peace of mind allowing them to be more productive overall.
There is no such thing as being over prepared. Especially when it comes to your business and those who help keep your business successful. By following these tips to increase the security and safety of your employees you are not only helping your company, but you are also allowing your team to provide the best service by securing them and letting them know they are protected.
Find out how Creative Industries can help you and your team stay safe! Contact Creative Industries for a consult today!