Six Ways to Promote Workplace Safety

Making sure that staff are safe at all times in a workplace has to be the number one priority of any organisation. Putting office safety measures in place means that hazards are avoidable plus staff morale and job satisfaction are boosted. Here are six ways to improve safety in the workplace –

1. Provide safety training

It’s vital that all staff members are familiar with workplace safety procedures. To ensure they don’t just pay lip service to them, create a training programme that inspires and encourages employees to want to reduce the likelihood of accidents or injury. Once you have devised an effective staff safety training programme, continue to send out safety reminders. Make sure you cover fire safety, cybersecurity, emergency evacuation procedures, first aid training, food handling and preparation (if applicable), instruction on the proper use of equipment, ladder safety and fall avoidance, staff health resources and violence protection.

2. Improve ergonomics

The risks of injury must be considered whatever the work environment. While it’s generally safer than working on the outside of a tall building or on a construction site, a plush office can present safety hazards if rigorous attention to accident prevention hasn’t taken place. It is always best to provide instructions on how to lift things, sit at a desk and move around the office in the safest way possible. Bad posture might not cause damage over the course of an hour or even a day, but give it weeks and/or months and you could be looking at employees with back pain, repetitive strain injury and other conditions.

3. Keep the workplace clean and orderly

Like any public space, an office should be kept clean and tidy. Wires, bins or other equipment can be a trip hazard if it’s not positioned adequately. Pay attention to hygiene too. Make sure that dirty mugs, utensils, etc aren’t left on desks overnight and that any food is stored in airtight containers – rodents could be quick to move in if they think there are food items going spare. Ensure that the office space is cleaned regularly and that includes keyboards, telephones if you have them, desks, etc.

4. Provide the necessary workplace facilities

When it comes to facilities management, it’s an employer’s duty to provide everything staff members need in order to work comfortably and safely.. You should have the right number of toilets and washbasins, an area where food can be eaten and a place to rest. Drinking water should also be provided. Ensure that the office space is the correct temperature and well ventilated. Make sure that windows can be opened and that all equipment is well looked after.

5. First aid training

According to statistics, 30,000 Brits experience a heart attack outside a hospital setting. For this reason, it’s vital that your office has at least one designated first aider who has been trained in emergency first aid at work. St John Ambulance, British Red Cross and St Andrew’s First Aid, all provide government recognised first aid training for the workplace. Make sure you have a fully operational first aid kit and information about first aid procedures that is available to all staff members.

6. Formulate emergency procedures

You must have a procedure in place for emergency evacuation, whether it be for a fire alarm, natural disaster or other incident. It’s vital that everybody can get out of the building in a calm and orderly fashion. It’s best to train staff members with mock evacuation drills, so that if and when the real thing happens, they are well prepared.

With a concierge office space, the facilities management and workplace safety is looked after for you and you can rest assured that your staff are working in a healthy, safe and happy environment. Contact us to find out more about fully serviced offices in London.