How to ensure a safe working environment

As an employer, you’re committed to keeping your people as safe as possible during their working hours. Nothing is 100 percent foolproof and unexpected accidents can still happen. But, you can go the extra mile to keep the odds low, and you can prepare for emergencies so that, if the worst were to happen, responses are as quick and effective as possible. 

Of course, maintaining a safe working environment is a legal obligation, so we’ll look at what the law says since it offers a great framework for addressing workplace risks. 

Employer responsibility to create a safe working environment

UK employment law states that employers are responsible for creating a safe working environment. To a certain extent, all your employees hold some level of responsibility. 

For example, if you prescribe safe work methods and employees fail to comply, they share responsibility for any failure. Or, if employees notice a workplace risk and fail to report it, they become co-responsible. 

However, someone has to take responsibility, and in workplace health and safety, it stops with the employer. For example, if there was a risk that workers would not comply with safe working procedures, it might be asked what measures the employer took to mitigate it. 

So, what does the law expect you to do? Here’s a quick summary. 

1. Risk assessment: Identify the possible risks that each of your employees may face in the course of their daily work.
2. Risk elimination or mitigation: If it’s possible to do so, eliminate risks altogether. If it isn’t, look for ways to reduce risk.
3. Training and education: Work to create a safety conscious culture by training your employees and safety representatives. Show them the risks they may face. Highlight the possible consequences of accidents, and teach them to implement safety measures to reduce risk.
4. Encourage participation: Team members must report safety concerns and incidents that may indicate that employees are at risk. Establish reporting procedures and hold regular health and safety meetings.
   
5. Inspect and maintain machinery and equipment: Set up regular inspections to ensure that PPE is in good working order. Implement maintenance schedules that keep machinery working well.
6. Keep records: Apart from creating a paper trail that shows you’re doing your best to keep workers safe, you can use your records to determine whether there’s more you can do to keep workers safe.
7. Establish emergency procedures and ensure that everyone knows their role: What should workers do in emergency situations? How will they sound the alarm? Who will respond? Make sure that everyone knows what to do in an emergency, and conduct drills to test their responses.
8. Get expert help: Risk assessment and mitigation is harder to do from the inside. What’s “normal” to you, sets off alarm bells to outsiders. Consider getting a risk assessment professional with experience in your industry to review your risk management strategies. 

Lone worker safety

During your risk identification and mitigation process, pay special attention to lone worker risks. A person who is working away from colleagues has no insider support and therefore faces elevated risk. Use this perspective when analysing their workplace risks. 

For example, a lone worker may face greater risks if they were to suddenly fall ill, be attacked by a malcontent, or fall victim to a workplace accident. This means that policies governing lone workers will be more stringent and the need for remote monitoring will be greater.

Read more about Lone Worker Safety.

Worker safety devices

PPE

When stipulating the use of PPE as a safety measure, remember that it’s a last resort. Removing risks, or removing people from the vicinity where risks occur, is preferable. If there’s no alternative, PPE may be among the best ways to keep employees safe. For example, healthcare professionals may work with people who have infectious diseases. Limiting the number of people who are in contact with such patients, and providing PPE for those who are exposed through contact helps to reduce their workplace risk. 

First aid kits

All workplaces are required to have first aid kits and people who are trained to administer first aid. Besides the basics that all first aid kits should contain, you may need a few extras depending on the type of injuries that may occur. 

Safety barriers, guardrails, access control and surveillance

Separating workers from risks through physical barriers is a simple and effective way to reduce risks. Access control systems help you to limit the number of people who can enter hazardous areas. The smaller the number of people with access, the lower the risk. Finally, surveillance cameras can do more than record what’s occurring in a hazardous area. They can also be programmed to raise the alarm if they spot anything out of the ordinary.

Communication devices

Communication devices allow you to coordinate activities so that they run smoothly and safely. They also allow workers to sound the alarm if they spot a dangerous situation, and they help you to keep tabs on lone workers who don’t have colleagues nearby to help them if they get into difficulties. 

But communication devices can do far more than send and receive voice messages. When they’re equipped with video capabilities, workers can “show” you that they’re following safe procedures or record footage when they suspect they’re at risk. GPS capabilities help you to find workers in emergencies, and fall detection or man down features alert you to possible accidents or medical emergencies. 

Safe work environment tips

Conduct regular risk assessments

Regular risk assessments help you to identify any gaps in your workplace safety strategies. You should conduct fresh risk assessments at least once a year, but if new risks come to light or you plan to introduce new work methods or activities, you should investigate and address worker risks immediately.

Create an organisation-wide safety culture

Create a strong safety culture in which everyone has an eye for workplace safety.  Encourage workers to report any dangers they may notice, no matter how small they may seem. Regular safety meetings help to underline your commitment to a safe working environment and encourage worker participation. Training is key. Every worker should know how to perform their duties safely, know how to react in an emergency, and understand their role in reporting unsafe conditions. 

Closely monitor high-risk activities

There are times when workers under pressure take shortcuts that may place them at risk. Supervise high risk activities to ensure that safe working procedures are followed. When workers perform their duties alone, implement regular check-ins or require them to activate body cameras so that you can verify compliance with safe procedures. 

Communication is critical

No worker should be without support when they are faced with a hazard or are unsure of what to do next. And, if the worst should happen, your employees must be able to call for help immediately. 

Safer, more efficient workplaces with Radiocoms

When seconds count, access to the right communication technologies will be vitally important. Equip your workers with body-worn cameras, two way radios, or BBPTT devices from Radiocoms. Workplace safety and access to support go hand-in-hand and great communication is at the heart of every successful endeavour. 

No matter how challenging your workplace environment may be, Radiocoms has the communications solutions you need. From heavy industry to healthcare and first responders, our track-record and access to leading technologies helps you fulfil your duty to provide a safe working environment. Let’s discuss your communications needs today. 

Read more about Workplace Safety.