Join us in promoting Safe + Sound Week (August 12-18) in your workplace by raising awareness about the importance of working safely in any environment and getting more employees involved in safety programs.
Safe + Sound Week was created by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to recognize the successes of safety and health programs and to offer ideas for keeping workers safe. The goal of these programs is to help identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness – thereby, protecting workers and positively impacting the business from a financial standpoint. Businesses can benefit from improved safety programs as they can help prevent absent employees and worker’s compensation claims resulting from accidental injuries or illnesses. Here are some simple ways to promote safety awareness in your workplace.
Lead Safety Meetings and Training Programs
One of the best methods for ensuring your employees are more safety conscious all year round is to hold regular safety meetings and provide valuable training programs tailored to each department. Job-specific safety training can address issues that may not be covered in a more generalized company safety briefing and can provide an opportunity for each employee to raise questions or concerns within a comfortable setting.
Get Managers Involved
Instruct managers to place a higher importance on safety. If the focus is solely on productivity and meeting quotas, workers may cut corners or choose to engage in unsafe work practices in order to meet department goals. Managers should continue to emphasize safety as a core value to create a safe workplace culture.
Provide Visual Reminders
Visual cues, like signs and banners, are a great way to remind employees, vendors and visitors that your facility values safe work practices. Signs can range from generalized work safety slogans to specific safety rules tailored to each work area. You should also place warning signs wherever possible, such as stop signs at intersections where there may be heavy forklift traffic or required equipment signs for areas that require hearing or eye protection beyond a specific point.
Evaluate Your Work Environment
Continuously evaluate safety in your workplace year-round. This may involve forming a safety committee or asking employees for regular input as to new safety concerns. By developing a supportive environment in which employees feel empowered to share their ideas, you may be able to address safety issues before they progress.
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