In the UK, employers are legally obliged to provide a safe working environment, so far as is reasonably practicable. But safety isn’t just a legal concern. Safe workers tend to be better motivated, and to take fewer days off. Anything that can be done to improve it is therefore, in many cases, worth doing.
The good news is that it’s often easy to find cost-effective ways to improve the safety of your workers, without adding to your administrative burden. Let’s take a look at some of the best of these.
Illuminate Your Immediate Work Area
When workers can actually see what they’re doing, they’re much less likely to suffer injuries. The cable snaking through a dingy corridor might be more easily spotted, and avoided, when a worker is carrying portable LED task lighting.
A combination of head-mounted torches and overhead lights can make a major difference, depending on the nature of the workspace.
Provide PPE That People Actually Want to Wear
PPE won’t be effective if it isn’t being worn. That means getting your workers onside with the benefits, and helping them to develop the right habits. Just think about your approach to modern PPE safety footwear.
When work boots are comfortable and flexible, a worker might think nothing of slipping into them. When the boots are rigid and restrictive, the same worker might hesitate. This can impact safety, as well as dampen morale.
Create a Dedicated Charging and Storage Station
One major advantage of modern lithium-ion batteries is that they allow you to do away with dangerous trailing cables. But these devices can actually create a fairly serious fire risk, especially when they’re left to charge in a disorganised space.
By providing a central, sensible area for charging, you can be sure that all of the necessary batteries are neatly arrayed, and that workers can deposit and collect batteries without having to wade through clutter. The same principle applies to tool storage in general.
Make Your First Aid Kit Genuinely Useful
Your first aid kit can be a valuable resource in the event of an injury. But the standard kit might not be able to deal with all of the injuries that might potentially occur on your site. Make sure, when assembling your kit, that you cater to the hazards faced by your workers. Larger wound dressings might be appropriate if you’re dealing with wood or metal, for example.
Use a Daily Hazard Whiteboard
If you want to convey the presence of specific hazards to your workers, then installing a whiteboard in an entrance area or lift might be appropriate. Use it to convey the necessary information in a way that’s succinct and legible. A few words here and there might make the difference between safety and major problems.
To read more : Birmingham Journal
