Everyone has the right to feel safe at work. But safety at work is an ongoing and complex process that can quickly change or contain legal aspects. In addition, while you may not be responsible for the safety systems of leased property, as an employer, you are ultimately responsible for everyone inside the building. Therefore, you should use all of your power to keep employees from harm.  

Hazard Prevention Systems

Various hazards can befall a workplace. Fire, earthquake, gas leaks, and terrorism are all genuine threats. The owner of the premises is responsible for hazard safety. As a business owner or manager, you should strive to ensure that top-quality fire prevention systems (learn more here) and safety alarms and systems are installed. Additionally, checks should be made to ensure that they work correctly.

Workplace Training

While not everything at a site requires legal training, you can maximize safety. You can do this by ensuring that everyone at your business is trained in the correct operation of anything employees use. For example, supermarket meat slicers don’t require formal training or licensing. Still, the inherent danger of improper use warrants some form of training for the, particularly hazardous machine.

Licensed Operators

In addition to workplace training, your business might require legally licensed operators for specific machines and systems by law. For example, heavy machinery like JCB diggers requires training and licensing for someone to legally operate them. Should an accident occur, then you will be held just as liable as the operator. 

Criminal Record Checks

The subject of criminal record checks is controversial to some but a necessary and/or legal component for specific industries. For example, anyone working with vulnerable people such as children, the disabled, or the elderly must be checked for a criminal past. However, as an employer, you are entitled to perform a criminal record check on anyone you wish to employ. This can help prevent incidents at work such as those perpetrated by violent individuals or convicted sex offenders. 

Emergency Procedures

You can install the best hazard prevention systems in the world, but they don’t mean much if your employees don’t know what to do when they activate. The simple act of regular fire drills will contribute significantly to helping prevent unnecessary incidents should the worst happen. In addition, all employees should know what to do in a given situation and where their safe exits are located.

Health & Safety Seminars

Health and safety at work is one of the most prominent issues of our time. In the UK alone, slips, trips, and falls at work cost the nation’s businesses around £512 million per year. But many are easily preventable by simply educating personnel on incorrect procedures for everyday occurrences. Some examples include the safe storage of bags and coats in the office, placing signs on wet floors, and setting rules about food and drinks around electrical equipment.

Regular Inspections

Almost every business requires some type of machinery or equipment for operation, and these need to be maintained. For example, electrical PAT testing can detect the early warning signs of degrading electrical items. Daily vehicle inspection will also help reduce issues with cars, vans, and trucks. Lights, tread, and the engine should be checked before each use. Additionally, all emergency equipment should be inspected at least weekly. Fire alarm tests, extinguisher checks, and security equipment should be included.