The list of things that are important for every business is pretty extensive. From marketing to bookkeeping, there are certain things that no business can succeed without. But there is one aspect of a business that is, perhaps, the most important of all and yet it’s also the one that gets ignored the most. Health and safety. Now, health and safety may not be particularly glamorous, but it is undoubtedly a genuinely indispensable element of your business. You need to make sure that your employees are in a safe environment and that all the appropriate steps are taken to ensure that no accidents occur. The main issue is that, on top of any injuries that occur, if there is an accident and you didn’t take the proper precautions, you’re going to be liable. With that in mind, here are some aspects of health and safety in your business that you might be neglecting.
Space
Recognizing hidden dangers: 25 steps to a safer office
When it comes to office space, the temptation is to use it as efficiently as possible. This usually means rows of desks that are close together which allows you to squeeze in as many as possible. Even with open plan offices, the aim is to use the space to accommodate as many people as possible. The problem with this is that it not only creates a cramped, unpleasant work environment but it also means that there are less clear walkways for people to use in the case of an emergency. It also makes the likelihood of someone tripping and falling significantly higher. You should make sure that you not only have plenty of space between each desk but that there is extra space at every exit to ensure that there is no bottleneck when people are trying to exit the office.
Equipment
Modern businesses are constantly using technology, some of which is on all of the time. This means that you need to make sure that all of that equipment is properly ventilated to avoid overheating and you need to make sure that it is all function as well as possible. Things like a USB type-c cable tester are fantastic for helping to monitor your cables to greatly reduce the risk of fire. Make sure that all of your computers are regularly tested and replace any equipment as soon as any problems appear.
Training
Importance of Safety Training
One thing that far too many business owners forget is that health and safety is everyone’s responsibility. You can’t just have procedures in place without providing your staff with the correct information about them. Make sure that every staff receives thorough health and safety training and ensure that refresher sessions are offered at regular intervals. You should also make sure that there is plenty of information for employees located around the office. By doing this, you not only create a safer, more responsible environment for everyone, but you avoid a great deal of liability than if you hadn’t provided your employees with the correct amount information.