Improve Workplace Safety Without Breaking Your Budget

Improve Workplace Safety

 

Workplace safety is something that should never be taken lightly. In 2014 alone, there were “nearly three million nonfatal workplace injuries reported by private industry employers at a rate of 3.2 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers.” One reason why employers may skimp on certain areas of safety is because they think it’s going to be inherently costly. But there are several ways to improve workplace safety without breaking your budget in the process.

Start With a Policy

You could make the point that safety starts at the top and trickles down. If you incorporate safety into your workplace policies, this helps you establish a safety-centric culture, which is important in the long run. If you haven’t done so already, it’s a good idea to write a formal health and safety policy for your staff to follow.

These rules and procedures will provide an effective framework so that employees have a solid understanding of what’s expected of them and which specific measures they must follow when carrying out daily tasks. For guidance on this process, please consult this resource.

Incorporate Safety Training Into Onboarding

Whenever you’re getting new hires up to speed, it’s crucial that you fully cover the topic of safety. Using your workplace safety policy as a guideline, you’ll want to provide instruction on safety best practices and the do’s and don’ts of maintaining a safe working environment. Start by educating them on safety procedures for performing day-to-day tasks.

Also show them what to do in an emergency situation so that they’ll be prepared even in a worst-case scenario. The time and resources spent on safety training is only minimal when you consider the long-term impact it can have. There are also plenty of free safety resources where you can obtain training material. In particular, this resource from OSHA can be helpful.

Hire the Right Workers

One way that some employers get themselves in trouble is being hasty with hiring. Maybe they need a position filled immediately and don’t necessarily examine all of the details when making a hire. This can lead to trouble if an individual lacks certain core competencies and isn’t safety conscious.

To prevent this problem, it’s recommended to take your time when hiring and ensure that a candidate possesses the necessary skills and qualifications. Better yet, it’s smart to look at their track record from a safety standpoint and to implement interview questions that address how they approach overall safety. It may take a little longer, but it can prevent a lot of headaches and drama later on when your employees consistently follow safety best practices.

It’s definitely possible to improve workplace safety without breaking your budget. By placing your attention on a few key areas, you can establish a safety-first culture and greatly mitigate any risks.

Need help finding and hiring top tier talent? Contact the professionals at SelecSource today.

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