How to Manage Workplace Safety

Managing workplace safety is important.

In any workplace, the safety of employees should be a priority. Whether you work in a low- or high-risk job, the company and its managers should maintain a healthy environment where safety is taken seriously. Managing workplace safety is as important for the company as it is for the employees. Workplace safety is achieved by meeting the guidelines of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and teaching employees how to be safe.

Instructions

1. Make workplace safety a priority within the company. Provide enough resources—including training time and equipment-—to ensure all employees are working safely. Encourage and remind employees to follow safety precautions. Include the topic of safety in every work meeting.

2. Keep employees aware of safety regulations and emphasize them consistently. Encourage them to abide by safety rules and regulations for themselves and their co-workers. Set an example by following the rules and regulations set forth for safety.

3. Respond to and record all issues of unhealthy or unsafe working conditions, and investigate how they could be avoided in the future. Inspect the workplace regularly for hazards, even if they are not covered in legal safety regulations. Safety conditions should not be limited to only those covered by law.

4. Train employees to understand possible hazards associated with the job so they may deal with them safely. Provide new workers with a safety orientation and specific training about how to deal with certain job hazards. Provide training throughout the year, keeping employees up-to-date on changing standards or regulations.

5. Always be looking for ways to make the workplace safer. Review accident reports frequently, use the OSHA safety and health assessment worksheet to find areas of improvement and encourage communication between you and your employees about job safety and hazards. Inspect equipment often to ensure it is working properly.

References

• SafetyWorksMaine.com: Managing Safety and Health

Resources

• OSHA.gov: Safety and Health Program Assessment Worksheet