As a small business owner or manager, you’ve got a lot to worry about. You need to ensure all elements of your business run smoothly, and one of the key ways to do this is by looking after your staff. A well-looked after team are happier. They’re productive, and they work hard. They are loyal, keen to improve their skills and happy to go the extra mile.
There are many things that we can do to take care of our employees. We can offer them flexible working and spend time finding ways to reward them and boost morale. We can encourage an open and honest workplace where socialisation is part of working life. We can offer them perks and incentives, and we can try to understand and cater to their needs. But, one thing that we should never forget or overlook, within everything else that we need to think about, is their safety.
You might just assume that your staff are safe. No one’s been hurt or injured, so it must be okay, right? Well, maybe not. Ask yourself if your team are really safe in your workplace?
Are They Comfortable and Warm?
Safety isn’t all about the big imposing risks. Sometimes, you are risking your staff’s health and wellbeing by not taking the time to consider their comfort. Your workplace should be heated and ventilated. If it’s a large building or site, perhaps with a Red Diesel Fuelbox. If they work behind desks, they should be ergonomic, comfortable and supportive, especially if they are sitting in them for long periods. It’s also a good idea to provide drinking water and regular rest breaks.
Are Your Risk Assessments Up to Date?
When we start a new business, open a new outlet or hire staff for the first time, we perform risk assessments. When a member of staff becomes pregnant, or we hire someone with additional needs, we might use a different evaluation. But, what about the rest of the time? Are the risks in your business still precisely the same as they were when you first completed the assessments? Or, has new machinery and equipment brought changes?
Walk around your workspace making a note of any risk, no matter how small. Then, check that each risk has been assessed. If not, use a risk assessment template and ask yourself what could be done to minimise or neutralise the threat, and if your staff are fully aware of and trained around it?
Are Your Staff Well-Trained?
Staff training is also something that we often neglect when we are busy. We train staff when they first start, but that’s often not enough. Risks change, practices change and bad habits set in. Even the best staff pick up bad habits and begin to cut corners. This can mean that they’re not as safe as they think they are. Make sure that you are regularly refreshing training, especially when something new comes into play. Invest your time in your staff, and they’ll be much safer than if you just leave them to it.
