How to Improve Safety in the Workplace

Prevent injury and lost work time

Having a safe workplace is vital to productivity. Here are steps to improve the safety in your office or work area.

Things You'll Need

• fire extinguishers
• first aid kits
• signs
• evacuation plan
• safety meetings
• safety gear
• incentives

Instructions

1. 

   Hold monthly safety training meetings. A staff member can tackle this assignment to line up topics and speakers or videos to inform staff. Proper lifting, using a fire extinguisher, tripping hazards, using first aid kits, and safe handling of tools are examples of safety meeting topics. Each meetings may have to be held twice or even more times to ensure that all staff can attend. Have attendees sign to show they received the training.

2. 

   Have an emergency evacuation plan. Make sure staff understand it.
   Hold fire drills and evacuation drills so people can practice their assigned roles. Make sure all exits are marked and that the required fire extinguishers are in place and fully charged.

3. 

   Make sure there are adequate safety gear (googles, lifting belts, hard hats, etc.) and that people know how and when to use them. You may have to reprimand people who don't use them. After a few times, all the staff will be more conscientious.

4. 

   Post warning signs at point of use. As a reminder, put the signs next to equipment reminding users of key safety practices.

5. Install safety devices on equipment. Whether it's office equipment or industrial, check to see what kind of guards or preventive devices can be fitted to the machines.

6. 

   Mark hazardous areas to alert people to use care.

7. 

   Appoint a staff member as the Safety Czar. Have them walk around the workplace with a safety checklist at the first of the month looking for problems. If they find any hazards (cords to trip over, safety devices removed, etc.), they must take action to see that it is corrected right away.

8. Provide incentives for low or no-accident days. Some workplaces make this competitive between departments. The section with zero or the lowest rate of accidents gets rewarded.

9. Have first aid kits in each section and make sure staff know where they are. Have the Safety Czar check the first aid kits for restocking on a regular basis. The link below tells what should be in the first aid kits.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with the public library, OSHA, and the state's department of health for safety DVDs to borrow.

• Contact the local fire department to see if they give fire safety talks.

• Don't overlook computer ergonomics. Poor arrangement of keyboards and monitors can cause staff injuries.

Resources

• Samples of safety signs
• Links to Safety Sites on the Internet
• Stocking first aid kits