Despite the perceived rise in remote and hybrid working models, there’s no doubt that most employers still require their staff to attend the office on a regular basis.

Remember, prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus, some 1.7 million people in the UK were suffering from a work-related illness, while a further 441,000 individuals sustained an injury at work through 2020/21.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at safety in the workplace while asking how a robust approach to health and safety can be beneficial for employers as well as staff members.

Why Is Safety in the Workplace So Important?

Let’s start with the basics, as companies that move to provide a proactive and robust health and safety management process tend to be well-respected by employees.

The reason for this is simple: this type of provision shows strong leadership to both employees and customers alike, while highlighting that those in charge respect and care for those who work for them.

Even on a practical level, taking steps to actively protect workers in various settings reduces health hazards, thereby minimising staff absences in the process and improving productivity as a direct result.

Ultimately, you also have a strong moral and legal obligation to protect your employees as a business owner, with a negligent approach likely to lead to injuries, lost earnings and significant compensation claims over time. 

How to Improve Health and Safety in Your Workplace

The question that remains, of course, is how can you go about optimising health and safety in your workplace? Here are some steps to keep in mind:

1. Identify Key Relevant Workplace Risks

Every workplace is different, from factories and warehouses to open-plan offices. The layout of such spaces also varies from one location to another, so you’ll need to conduct detailed risk assessments that identify specific risks within your workplace. From here, you can recommend relevant and actionable changes that benefit the wellbeing of your employees.

2. Make PPE a Key Watchword

If you do operate a warehouse or factory, you should not underestimate the importance of PPE equipment. Each of your employees will require items of personal protective equipment to keep them safe, including goggles, gloves, hard hats, and reinforced footwear. High-visibility jackets are also recommended in most manual work settings, so these should be available as a matter of course.

3. Define Your Safety Policies and Ensure That They’re Followed

It’s also important to clearly define your company’s safety policies as an employer, to create transparency and clarity for everyone in the workplace. The next step is to ensure that all individuals within the organisation follow such steps by accurately reporting accidents as they happen and putting robust processes in place. Having safety handbooks conveniently located around the workplace can help in this regard, while this can also provide a valuable reference as and when required.