Optimising safety in the workplace

Whether an employee is sitting comfortably at their desk all day or is scaling up a building like Spiderman, all workers are entitled to conduct their duties in a safe environment. The responsibility of workplace safety lies within the owner of a business. It is therefore within everyone employers’ best interest to optimise the safety of their company’s working environment.

Take a look at the following measures all companies need to utilise in order to ensure the workplace complies with health and safety legislation so that employees can conduct business in a safe environment.

First aid

Having a basic first aid kit available in an office, factory, building site or any kind of workplace is essential. It is a minimum requirement that low-risk workplaces such as a small to medium-sized office appoints a person in the company who has the responsibility of checking and maintaining the first aid equipment so that the kit includes all the necessary items should an accident occur at work. This same person should also be in charge of first-aid arrangements, such as calling for the emergency services should an emergency break out or if an accident occurred.

In workplaces that are considered to be of a higher health and safety risk, such as a factory or building site, a professionally trained first-aider should be present.

Fire safety

There are numerous strategies a company can adhere to in order to ensure that a building has optimal fire safety precautions in place.

Having quality, properly maintained and appropriate fire alarm systems in place is essential. Alarms that detect excessive heat or smoke alerts the occupants of a building that a fire has broken out, meaning that employees can then immediately vacate the building.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers designed specifically to extinguish a certain type of fire need to be installed into the correct places in all working environments. Fire extinguishers can act as a vital tool in putting out flames and smoke and can help prevent damage to a building and save lives. It is important that all fire extinguishers in any location are easily accessible and are not concealed in any way.

Fire drills

Fire drills should also be conducted at regular intervals throughout the year. Fire practices play an extremely important role in workplace safety. The objectives of fire drills are to give employees the opportunity to practice emergency procedures in a safe environment. Fire drills also determine whether employees understand and can effectively carry out emergency duties. This essential fire workplace precaution also evaluates the effectiveness of evacuation procedures and determines whether any amendments are required to improve fire evacuation performance and to optimise the safety of employees.

Provision of suitable equipment

Any employees using specialist equipment in a workplace must have received adequate training. The equipment must also be regularly checked and maintained so that it is safe to use. As well as working at their optimum, equipment should be clearly labelled and include any pertinent safety information.

Provide health and safety information and highlight specific hazards

Employers should always either put a poster on display which marks out different aspects of health and safety law or provide employees with such information in the form of a leaflet or in the employee handbook.

Specific hazards in a building must also be marked clearly, informing workers of the potential hazard. It is also advisable that employers display their certificate of liability insurance. This compulsory insurance act of 1969 means that most employers are required by law to insure against liability for injury or illness to their employees arising out of their employment.

The Safety Centre provides high quality alarm systems designed to optimise the safety of workplaces. The Safety Centre’s alarm systems would be an invaluable feature of any building striving to have comprehensive safety measures in place.