Employees working for small businesses account for the vast majority of the workforces around the world. But along with medium and large businesses they are equally compelled to take health and safety seriously and take care of their employees.
As a business, you always aim to have your employees improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability of the company but for that to happen the company needs to also play its part by taking care of the employees’ wellbeing so as to have a win-win situation. For example, a Safety Critical Medical is needed to monitor the health of employees and address any health concerns they may have.
“What can improve brand loyalty and a business’s performance?” says David Rowland, Head of Marketing at Effective Software. “That’s easy. More stringent health and safety policies. Doing this one thing, that remember you should be doing anyway, will make your employees happier, will increase their productivity, and will make your shareholders and consumers happier. It really is a no-brainer”.
Companies can embrace easy steps to a safe work environment which will build on the basic components of a health and safety program. Here are some essentials to consider:
- Creating a solid occupational health and safety program
This involves evaluating the hazards that are likely to occur at the work place and outline steps that can be followed to minimize or completely get rid of them. Get to communicate and share the plan with your employees and tell them what you expect from them. Have basic items like fully equipped first aid kits and fire extinguishers at place that are easily accessible by employees.
- Carry out regular inspections
Regular checks of the workplace equipment, tools, and structures to ensure they are up to standard, safe to use, and well maintained. For instance, if your workplace carries any type of hazardous chemicals or dangerous goods you will want to ensure that you have the correct bunding and spill management equipment in place at all times. You should also be regularly reviewing work procedures and getting to understand the ergonomics of your employees.
- Get Employee feedback regularly
You need to make your employees part of the program by involving them in the process. Meet up with them on a regular basis and get start conversations on identifying defects and how to avoid injuries. Have them share their ideas and thoughts on how to improve safety in the work place.
- Proper training for the employees
This is very vital, especially where there is a potential risk of injury at the workplace. Make sure employees have clear instructions when it comes to workplace safety and how to use equipment, for example, by making appropriate use of a work platform to ensure things from height are reached effectively. Supervise your employees to ensure that they are using their training to perform their job properly and safely.
5) Investigating incidents at work
Conduct incident investigation even for matters that do not lead to serious injury and help determine the whys and look at steps to ensure there is no recurrence. If you are unable to conduct these investigations, then you may benefit from hiring a local private investigator, as they will have the knowledge of how to perform these investigations to develop as much proof as possible, leading for you to have the best outcome should you take your case to court.
6) Keeping records
Looking at creating a database for records of all inspections, incident investigations, first aid treatment and training episodes. This information is vital to identify unsafe conditions or work procedures. The importance of promoting employees’ wellbeing is that it will ensure you have healthier and happier employees who will perform better at work.
Above that there will be; Better client experiences as your employees wellbeing affects the customer outcomes At the office you will find that the employees’ psychological and mental wellbeing improves that is reduced depression or work related stresses and a rise of positive attitude towards work. Employees who are well taken care of by a company become more committed thus allowing employees’ work flexibility, motivation and retention.
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