5 Ways You Can Increase Safety on a Tight Budget (Pt2)
You need your team to work hard and meet deadlines, but ultimately, nothing is more important than their health and safety. Job sites are filled with potentially serious hazards, so it’s crucial that all measures are taken to avert these risks.
In 2017, 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The last thing you want is for one of your employees to be included in next year’s numbers, so find out how to keep your team safe without breaking the bank.
5 Ways to Increase Safety on a Tight Budget
Provide the Right Tools and Equipment
One of the simplest ways to keep your team safe is giving them the proper tools to do their job. Accidents happen when people are forced to use equipment for unintended purposes, so conduct an audit to make sure everyone has the resources needed to work safely. Do note, beyond having the right tools in place, equipment must also be in good condition to be used safely.
Thoroughly Train Each Worker
Every company has its own processes and procedures. No matter how skilled a new hire is, they need to complete a training program specific to your company. Ensuring they’re on the same page with the rest of the team reduces the risk of injury — or even death.
Of course, training isn’t something that should be limited to new employees. When new equipment or processes are introduced, all impacted team members should be required to complete a training program. It’s also extremely beneficial to hold periodic brush-up training sessions, to keep employees’ skills fresh.
Lead by Example
As the boss, employees look to you for guidance. If you advocate safe workplace practices, but don’t actually follow them yourself, they’re going to follow suit. It’s up to you to set a precedent for safety that makes its importance crystal clear.
Give Praise for Following the Rules
Be careful when doling out praise to employees, because you might be sending the wrong message. If you congratulate people for doing whatever it takes to meet or exceed deadlines, you might inadvertently be advocating skipping out on safety measures. It’s much better to do the job slowly and safely, than cutting corners and having someone get hurt.
Request Feedback
You create safety guidelines, but employees are the ones actually doing the work. Consequently, they have firsthand knowledge of ways to improve safety, so encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions. They might bring up issues that otherwise never would’ve occurred to you.
Workplace safety is something you can’t put a price on. At MAC Incorporated, we frequently share safety tips on our blog to help you keep your team strong and healthy. Check back often for advice, and the next time you need to fill an engineering, maintenance, or operations management position, contact us to connect with safety-minded professionals who can’t wait to join your team.
