If you’re thinking about starting a new business, then you’ll already have a million and one things to think about such as staffing, products, budget, salaries, vacations, customers – and that’s barely the tip of it! However, there is one thing that all businesses have in common; it’s your responsibility to make sure that your staff, customers and work premises are safe. And, with so many different areas to think about when it comes to prioritising safety, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or forget certain areas. With that in mind, keep reading to learn some tips and tricks on how to prioritise safety and not miss anything out.
Cyber safety
We’ve all read stories about hackers and keyloggers online and unfortunately, even though there are lots more preventative measures you can have in place, they are still very much at large. And, there’s absolutely no way of telling if someone is planning on targeting you. In fact, these days, hackers have ways of accessing your files without being detected at all, and unless you’ve got a trained eye to notice certain signs, it’s quite a scary thought.
Thankfully, there are lots of programs you can use on your devices that will prevent attacks on your systems. While there are lots of free versions of these kinds of software, you’re only going to be covered against a few things. You’re better off investing in complete cyber security for your business so that it can stay safe and give you one less thing to worry about. You might even benefit from having someone on your team that can regularly check and update your systems as an extra preventative measure.
Protective gear
When you think of protective gear in the workplace, your mind often goes to surgeons or construction workers. However, there are lots of industries that need protective gear in the workplace. For example, if you’ve got a warehouse and will have a team operating in there, they will need protective gear like womens and mens safety boots, high visibility jackets, and even hard hats to protect from any hazards.
Because of this, it’s worth checking before you launch your business to see what kinds of protective gear you’ll need to provide for your team. Not only will you prevent any harm or injury, but you’re protecting yourself against potential lawsuits.
Equipment management
If you and your team are using machinery in the workplace, there’s always a risk that something will go wrong and people will be in danger. Most of the time, injuries from equipment or machinery happen because of improper training, so make sure that before you let anyone loose with any machinery that you put them through extensive training on how to safely operate it. Again, not only are you preventing any injuries, but you’re protecting yourself from being sued if someone does get hurt.
You also need to make sure that all pieces of equipment and machinery are regularly maintained and updated. Machinery should be serviced at least once a year to ensure it’s working correctly, but if you notice anything different, make sure to get it repaired to avoid any injuries.
Workplace hazards
All industries come with some sort of workplace hazards. Whether it’s a trailing wire that someone could trip over in an office or machinery with sharp blades, there are dangers lurking around every corner. That’s why it’s important for you to identify what could be a potential hazard and write a workplace safety handbook that everyone has access to as a constant reminder of the safety rules that need to be followed.
When you employ a new member of staff, give them their own copy to read and sign so that you know they have read all of the safety rules. It’s also a good idea to have constant reminders of potential hazards around the workplace using signage and posters. While the safety of human lives is your biggest priority, you also need to protect your business too.
Safeguarding staff members
It’s not just hazards in the workplace that you need to worry about either. If your business deals with the general public (which you probably do), then you and your team are immediately at risk of physical and verbal abuse from an unhappy customer. Even when you and your team have tried to give the best service possible, it’s impossible to please everyone. And, it’s not unheard of for general members of the public to become violent when they don’t get their way.
Sadly, there’s no way of knowing when it’s going to happen until the situation arises. It’s your responsibility to make sure there are clear procedures in place for handling customers that are showing signs of aggression such as de-escalation techniques and even silent alarms behind kiosks. You should also train your team to stay calm and professional at all times as this can help make a huge difference to how the customer will act.
You should also put up signs stating that abusive behaviour in any sense will not be tolerated. Not only does this show your commitment to your team’s safety, but it helps create a working environment where your team feels protected too.
Security systems
It doesn’t matter what kind of business you run, you’ll always need to be vigilant against the threat of a break in. Sadly, it’s impossible to predict when someone is planning on breaking in, whether it’s to steal products, money, or even supplies. That’s why it’s a good idea to invest in a good security system from the start to protect your assets – and your team!
Thefts don’t only happen when the premises are empty either! Some people will attempt to steal things in broad daylight. Because of this, it’s a good idea to make sure you have cameras stationed in areas where there are high-cost products or potentially dangerous products like knives and tools.
You might even want to consider employing security guards to keep an eye on things. Not only can they detain people that might try and steal from you, but they will help keep you and your team safe as well.
Identity theft
There’s a good chance that somewhere on your business premises that you’ve got personal information about yourself and your team members such as names, addresses, bank details and phone numbers. It’s imperative that you find a safe space to store these details as it can lead to identity theft if it gets into the wrong hands.
This could either be in a physical safe that’s on site, or you might even choose to move these details to a different safe location. Either way, protecting the identity of you and your team should be another safety that you prioritise when starting your business.
Mental health
Physical safety often takes center stage, but mental health is just as important when creating a safe place to work. Running a business is stressful, and while you’re responsible for the business, your staff might feel those stresses too. And, when staff are stressed, they begin to burn out, which can then lead to mistakes, time off, or even leaving their job completely.
That’s why it’s important to protect the mental well being of your team as well. You should have available resources for them to use like access to a mental health professional and a quiet area to take a break if they need the head space. Making the effort to check in on their mental well being should also be something you make time for.
Emergencies
Whatever kind of business you’re running, there’s always a chance that an emergency can arise. If you’re not prepared, it could lead to chaos, injuries, or even the loss of life. That’s why it’s important to have emergency procedures in place in case of an emergency. Take the time to identify potential emergencies that could arise like fires, floods, power outages and earthquakes and put in place clear procedures to follow if an emergency arises.
You should also take the time to have drills a few times a year so that you know everyone on site knows what to do if that particular emergency happens. Set an easy to remember check in point outside of your premises so that you can account for everyone should the worst happen. Don’t forget to make sure there are fully stocked first aid kits around the workplace and at least one first aid trained member of staff.
Ergonomics
Finally, this one might not seem like a huge priority, but the way your workspaces are set up can have a huge impact on health and safety. For example, poor ergonomics like desks that are too high or chairs with no back support can lead to issues like neck strain or back pain.
That’s why it’s important to take the time to properly design your workspaces with ergonomics in mind. When kitting out your office, make sure you buy adjustable chairs, monitor stands and even standing desks so that everyone can customise their set up to be as comfortable as possible.