5 workplace safety tips that you can’t ignore

Workplace safety requires careful planning and implementation. Here, we’ve listed some of the most tried-and-true safety tips that we’ve come across.

1. Keep your workplace clean and neat

According to WorkCover NSW, a simple slip, trip or fall at work can have major consequences, including the serious injury or death of a worker. Unclean and disorderly work areas can be a cause of accidents, such as:

• tripping over electrical cables or cords and even loose objects on floors and stairs
• slipping on slick or wet surfaces
• getting hit by falling objects

By getting rid of the clutter and keeping your work area clean, you’re likely to remove many hazards that can cause mishaps.

2. Make sure that all machinery and equipment are in good working order

As the boss, it’s your responsibility to make sure that all machinery and equipment are well-maintained and in good working condition. It’s important to repair or replace broken machinery as soon as possible to remove the risk of injuries.

3. Use appropriate signage

All potentially dangerous areas should be marked off with safety signs.  Make sure that your signage is easily read and has blunt and not sharp edges. Aside from being required by law, safety signs are critical as they can sometimes make the difference between life and death.

4. Get your workers on board

Your team will get on board and join your cause if they understand the benefits to themselves. Have a qualified person regularly conduct safety training and measures and engage your employees when it comes to safety assessments. Listen to their ideas and get their input. Workers who contribute are more likely to participate in your safety programs.

5. Conduct regular inspections and schedule maintenance

Regular workplace inspections and machinery/equipment maintenance are important for the overall safety of your workers. They help prevent injuries and mishaps. By carefully looking over your work area and assessing it for safety, you can then identify and correct any areas that are likely to cause hazards.

To make the workplace safer, check which possible health and safety risks are present. Find out where, what and how a worker is likely to become injured or ill.

Workplace safety is about preventing injury and mishaps to your most valuable asset – your workers. By keeping your workers safe and healthy, you are likely to save money on workers' compensation, insurance benefits, and the cost of hiring temporary workers.