As more organizations are considering rolling back remote work, workplace safety is something that’s on everyone’s mind. However, a lot of the precautions and systems we previously had in place may not be so easy to remember once we return to the office and other work environments. Fortunately, a quick refresher on what we need to remember and look out for will often be sufficient enough to get us started. If you want to ensure the safety of yourself and your team when you get back to work, here are three workplace safety tips to keep in mind.
1. Make sure that everyone has been trained and remembers how to use workplace equipment.
Arguably, one of the most important things to do when you return to the workplace is to double down on training. An employee who doesn’t remember the safety procedures can end up suffering a serious injury, and that’s bad both for that worker and for you. After all, something as small as a slip can end up with a catastrophic injury. Before you know it, personal injury lawyers are placing a phone call to your office and discussing an accident case. While you, of course, have compassion for any injured people and understand that they deserve fair compensation, a personal injury lawsuit is still very bad for your bottom line.
For example, let’s imagine that one of the main types of equipment in your workplace is case erectors for packaging. While case erectors make it easier to package and ship out goods and often come with greater durability, sanitary and ergonomic designs, and safer features, accidents can always happen when the technology is not used correctly. Whether you’re working with employees who are experienced with these types of tools or oncoming employees who are unfamiliar with your systems, make sure that everyone gets the training on case sealers and erectors, as well as the refreshers they need to safely operate within their work environment.
2. Pay attention to small details, such as the cleanliness of your workplace.
Sometimes, it’s not the most glaringly obvious workplace hazards that pose a risk to the safety of your employees. Instead, it may be items that you haven’t yet considered. For example, one of the common types of personal injury cases includes slip and fall claims, which may very well be something that could happen at your office or warehouse. When it comes to safety at work, the best thing to do is to cover all of your bases. This not only means training staff to handle equipment like the case erectors mentioned above but to ensure that there is no possible way for them to get injured on the job by keeping areas clean and slip-free.
If you’re in a line of work where employees are coming and going in company vehicles, you will want to consider the safety of them outside of the immediate workplace as well. Otherwise, they may get into an accident and find local options like a Denver injury attorney to help them receive the fair compensation they need for a personal injury. The more precautions you take, the safer your workplace will be. A car crash in a company car may still be your responsibility, so you should have super lawyers on retainer in case of any legal issues that arise.
3. Do what you can to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Finally, it’s important to mention the most topical suggestion: COVID-19 workplace safety. Regardless of the type of environment your employees work in, make sure to follow the necessary precautions, including:
- Having employees wear masks when interacting with each other or with customers
- Washing your hands every time you come in contact with a foreign object or another individual
- Using hand sanitizer when washing your hands may not be possible
- Making sure that everyone stays at least six feet apart at all times
- Sanitizing areas and tools that are frequently used by multiple individuals
- Encouraging sick employees to stay home
Although you can’t guarantee that the virus doesn’t appear in your workforce, following these recommendations can serve to mitigate risk.
Workplace safety should be priority number one for any company that’s deciding to continue operations in physical space at this point in time. If you’re looking to keep your workforce protected, use the three workplace safety tips listed above to help you cover the most essential areas.
