by Nigel Hilton

We’ve come a long way when it comes to what the staff expects from their employer. It’s no longer enough just to hand over a wage, as it was in the past. Today, staff are increasingly demanding that their higher-ups take steps to ensure that they’re satisfied and happy in their work, that the relationship goes beyond simply business, and that they’re kept safe while they’re working. Indeed, a company who doesn’t take the latter point seriously will find a discontented team of employees, and also may find themselves in trouble with the law. 

If you’re starting a company, or just think that things could be improved on the safety side of things, then take a read below. There, we’ll outline some tried and tested methods for increasing your worksite’s safety credentials. 

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Controlling Access

The first step towards having a safe workplace is to make sure that nobody is there who could do harm. If people are able to walk in off the street, then there’s an increased chance of something going wrong. You can help to secure the access by having keypad entry, or a security guard at the entranceway. Additionally, you’ll also want to perform a criminal background check when you’re thinking of bringing an employee on board. Things can get pretty messy if there’s someone on the inside that wants to do harm.

Limiting Risks

You never know what’s going to happen, so it’s never a good idea to assume that nothing can go wrong: it always can. The important thing to do is to ensure that those risks are limited or contained. You can do this by identifying what those risks are, and then working with an outside company to help come up with solutions should they occur. You can also build safety into your company’s infrastructure by working with a company like SG Architectural Specialties, who provide smoke curtains and doors. Reduce the risks of things going wrong, and your staff can have additional peace of mind that you’re looking after their welfare. 

Employee Training

It’s critically important that you’re training your staff on the importance of keeping things safe, and what to do if something goes wrong. It’s not always the most exciting task in the world, but it might just come in handy one day. This should be an ongoing thing, too -- people tend to forget their safety training, so plan refresher courses every few months or so.

Hidden Threats 

You might think that the big threats to your company’s safety only come from, well, the big things, such as a fire. But this isn’t the case. Very often, it’s those easily overlooked aspects, such as too much clutter and dirt, that cause problems. Make a policy of keeping the work site clear and spacious, and also hire a cleaner so that high standards of cleanliness are maintained. It’s also important to keep an eye on any old technology and appliances you have, since they’re at an increased risk of causing fires and other threats.