Safety Conscious Work Environment

Developing a safety conscious work environment is an important part of preventing workplace injury, violence and even fatalities. Encouraging your employees to participate in creating a safe work environment is the best way to reduce accidents and injuries. By training employees in the use of safety equipment, safety procedures and prevention, you can facilitate a safety conscious work environment that is to everyone's benefit.

Common Office Injuries

• Although people tend to think of offices as being free of hazards, there are actually thousands of serious injuries in offices each year, the most prevalent being injuries from falls. Educate employees on things they can do to reduce the potential for injury. For example, leaving desk and cabinet drawers open, laying electrical cords across walkways and leaving spills on the floor can cause serious injury. Make sure employees are aware of their role in preventing injuries.

Safety Procedures

• Creating detailed safety procedures for the workplace can not only educate employees, but also encourage an environment of safety consciousness. Safety procedures can cover subjects like how to respond to injuries, prevention of accidents and emergency drills. Set time aside once a month to discuss safety procedures with your staff. This helps ensure compliance with workplace safety procedures.

Safety Equipment

• Employees should always be instructed on the use of safety equipment, and safety equipment should always be available. For example, providing protective back braces and training on proper lifting techniques can prevent strains and sprains. Making sure safety glasses are available when employees use tools is another example. Create serious penalties for employees who fail to use safety equipment or follow safety procedures. This forces employees to think of safety as a top priority.

Workplace Violence

• According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, violence is most common in professions where workers exchange cash with customers. Prevention can include limiting employee access to cash, and training employees to recognize signs of potential dangers. Teaching workers to be conscious of strangers or other unauthorized individuals in the work environment is also an essential part of instilling safety awareness.

Encouraging Open Communication

• Open communication with management can be essential to encouraging a safety conscious work environment. Employees need to know they can come to management without fear of retribution to report violations of safety procedure. Encouraging open communication can also be instrumental in diffusing employee conflicts before they have a chance to reach a state of potentially violent confrontation.