Your employees will probably spend around a third of their adult life in the office. This substantial time commitment underscores the importance of a safe work environment. This is a monumental portion of their existence, and so, as their manager, you need to do what you can to ensure they are happy and healthy at work.
There are many ways to achieve this, from creating a positive company culture and providing a great work-life balance, but it’s also important that you protect your employees from physical harm. This should go without saying, but there are nearly 3 million workplace-related accidents and injuries each year in the United States. This is a monumental figure.
Keeping staff safe at work is your priority, and it is in your best interest to do so. Obviously you don’t want anyone to get hurt, but if they do injure themselves on your watch, you might get a visit from one of the top accident attorneys. You could end up in the middle of a lengthy legal battle, bringing disrepute to your business and costing you a great deal of money.
To avoid these consequences, there are several things you can do to make your office a secure environment.
Safety First: A Quick Guide to a Healthy Workplace
1. Make repairs
All it takes is a wonky stair runner or loose bathroom tile to cause a devastating accident. Although you might think it’s unlikely, you never know when disaster might strike. Make an effort to keep up with office repairs, either doing them yourself if you have the DIY skills, or calling in a tradesperson. Not only will these fixes reduce the risk of injuries, it will make your office look more professional.
2. Get feedback
As a manager, you might not see everything that is going on. But staff who are in the office all day and every day will know where the dangers are. Talk to your employees in meetings to get feedback and how safety in the office could be improved. Perhaps there’s a loose ceiling tile that needs fixing, or maybe they would feel safer with better lighting outside the office at night.
3. Create a sexual harassment policy
Creating a safe work environment necessitates addressing the significant risk of sexual harassment. Studies show that 40% of women and 18% of men have experienced some form of sexual harassment at work. Minimise the risk by creating and sharing a sexual harassment policy, outlining the types of behaviour that are unacceptable, as well as the consequences for breaching these rules. This will show that you are serious about this issue, and will hopefully make your employees feel safer.
4. Promote good working habits
One of the biggest causes of workplace injury is bad posture. So many of us sit at our desks all day, often hunched over a screen and not taking enough breaks. Over time, this can play havoc with your spine, neck, and joints. Not to mention the impact on your vision from staring at computers and phones for long periods. Providing ergonomic chairs to promote good posture is a great start, but you should also be proactive in ensuring people take regular breaks to get away from their screens, walk around, and stretch.
Creating a safe work environment is essential. Following these tips will contribute to a much safer, and more comfortable, environment in which to work.
