4 Best Practices for Workplace Safety

1. Perform Post-Employment Testing

The Physical Capacity Testing System is beneficial when hiring and onboarding new employees. PCP testing is used to determine whether an employee is fit to perform a certain job, particularly in industries that demand a higher amount of physical labor.

These post-employment tests help to determine if your employees are still fit and capable to perform the daily tasks. There will be times when we experience illnesses and injuries that may disrupt our capabilities of fulfilling our tasks at work, which is why it's important to implement the testing in a workplace.

Frequently practicing post-employment testing will improve workplace safety, especially when it comes to injuries. You get to determine your employees' physical limitations, so this prevents any injuries from happening in the workplace.

2. Eliminate Any Hazards

To keep your employees safe. Ensure there are no life-threatening hazards in the workplace by having frequent checks to make sure all hazards are eliminated. These are some common office hazards you need to keep up-to-date with.

Fire Safety

You need to reinforce fire safety in your workplace, by ensuring there are no threats of possible fire breakouts. This can be achieved by monitoring any fire hazards in the office that could become a possible threat. You also have to have a fire extinguisher on hand, in case an emergency does occur.

In the case that a fire does start, it’s important to have a controlled, safe procedure in place of what to do in such an event. There also needs to be an escape routine that helps you get through worst-case scenarios. Even though you’re practicing methods to prevent this from happening, it’s vital to prepare for it.

You and your employees can be prepared by practicing fire drills frequently. This helps them to know the procedures that must take place in such an emergency. It also makes them aware of the fire escape routes, so they can all get out safely.

Air Quality

Air quality plays a big role in your employees' long-term health. This can gradually impact your employees by creating underlying health issues that harm them in the long-run.

It’s important to track the air quality in your workplace. There may be harmful substances in the air impacting your employees. Make sure there’s no mold, carbon monoxide, or pesticides that could be at a harmful level.

Another thing to consider is the ventilation in the office. There needs to be a good amount of ventilation in the office, so people are getting enough fresh air. Oxygen is so important for workers to be productive and healthy. Open windows and doors, so there is good airflow.

If you’re using an aircon, you can leave doors and windows closed, but ensure the aircon filters are clean. This helps to keep the air coming in through the aircon clean and safe.

3. Create A Safe Working Environment

Your employees deserve a safe work environment that is good for their health. Keep it clean, tidy, and clutter-free. This makes it a safer workplace for everyone. A messy environment can lead to many detrimental issues such as the following:

• Slipping. If the floor is mopped and a warning sign isn’t visible, it could be a slipping hazard and this may result in injuries.
• Tripping. When the office is messy and cluttered, it becomes a tripping hazard. Anyone can trip on the clutter and hurt themselves.
• Ergonomic injuries. These injuries are a result of sitting in uncomfortable office chairs for countless hours. Provide your employees with comfortable chairs. Motivate them to get up and walk around occasionally.

4. Focus on Responsibility

All these office safety tips are only effective when all employees take part in them. Reinforce the importance of everyone taking part in keeping the workplace safe. Each employee must have responsibilities that help them to keep the work environment safe and healthy. A few responsibilities you should reinforce with your employees include:

• Clean up after yourself. If you make a mess in the office, you need to clean up after yourself. This avoids the mess and prevents any accidents from occurring.
• Follow safety protocols. Employees must take the time to memorize and remember the safety protocols. This means they’ll know what to do in the case of an emergency.
• Keep your part of the office up to standards. The office will be a safe environment if each person keeps their area clean and hazard-free.

Although it’s unlikely for your office to burst in flames or for someone to slip and fatally hurt themselves, it’s still better to be safe than sorry. Your employees are so important, so it’s vital to put their workplace safety first. In order to learn more about the PCP Testing system and how it can help maintain a safe working environment, click here.