All Australian businesses are expected to comply with Workplace Health and Safety regulations. Different businesses are governed by different regulations, but every business has the responsibility to ensure the safety of employees, customers and visitors.
Let’s take a look at a few tips to improve workplace health and safety.
Ensure You’re Compliant By Knowing the Laws
In order for your business to be compliant with Workplace Health & Safety regulations, you first need to know what they are. You’ll also need to be aware of local government regulations that govern your industry, as these can vary from place to place.
It’s important for business owners and managers to understand WH&S regulations so you can guarantee your business is both compliant and safe.
Keep the Workplace Free Of Rubbish and Clutter
One of the most common incidents in any workplace is someone tripping over or slipping on something. This can lead to a sprain, broken bone or cuts and bruises. This is why it’s so important to keep the workplace free of junk, rubbish and other clutter. Most accidents are avoidable just by keeping the area clean and free of obstacles and debris.
If all employees are diligent about keeping clutter to a minimum, then the risk of an accident is greatly reduced.
Place Mats and Signs On Wet Or Slippery Floors
Slippery floors are also a common way accidents occur. Some floors may not even be wet, but just have a slippery surface. In this case, you’ll want to permanently place rubber mats on surfaces that are a hazard.
Likewise, if the floors are in an area that gets wet or they’ve just been mopped, then placing warning signs is necessary to avoid someone slipping over and injuring themselves.
Another kind of mat that is handy in any workplace is a dust control mat. These mats are designed to trap the dust when shoes are wiped on them, thus making it easier to keep the floors clean and more bacteria-free.
Has Everyone Been Trained In Handling Equipment and Machinery?
If your industry involves the use of equipment and machinery that can be hazardous, have all workers operating this equipment or machinery been properly trained?
Many workplace accidents occur due to hazardous machinery, so every operator needs to be thoroughly trained in the proper and safe use of that equipment. All operators need to remain focused at all times and take a short break if they are getting tired and losing concentration. The latter will also help in avoiding workplace accidents.
Have Proper Uniforms and Protective Gear Been Provided?
Obviously, this will only be necessary for certain industries, but if your workplace requires clothing such as high-visibility shirts and vests or some form of protective clothing, have all workers been provided with the appropriate gear, and do they all comply by wearing the clothing they are required to wear?
It’s up to owners and management to remain diligent about this aspect of WH&S to both avoid incidents and potential lawsuits.
Install a Workplace Health & Safety Management System
Purchasing software can help you remain compliant with the law as well as making it easier to manage risks in the workplace. Businesses need a WHS management system to really stay on top of things.
Workplace Health & Safety software will go a long way towards keeping your business safe for everyone involved, as well as helping you stay on the right side of the law.
The software can also be used to report incidents that occur, as well as recognise risks in your business so you can eradicate them before they cause an accident or injury.
Another thing this type of specialist software can do is allow you to monitor your operation and perform a self-assessment of your workplace. You’ll also be able to link registers and recognise trends that lead to accidents. This is a very handy tool to have so you can avoid accidents and prevent incidents from occurring.
In Conclusion
There can be a lot to consider when it comes to WH&S, but getting familiar with the regulations that govern your industry, ensuring your operation is compliant and having software that helps you achieve these outcomes all goes a long way towards guaranteeing your business is a safe and healthy environment for everyone concerned.
