When it comes to the subject of workplace health and safety and providing a safer work environment, images of manufacturing businesses and the like often come to mind, places with heavy machinery, forklifts and loads of physical activity going on. While industrial operations certainly face hazards, the humble business office space also needs to remain a safe working environment as well. Therefore, let’s focus on the office in this article and take a look at some tips to keep your business as hazard-free as possible.
#1 – Use Mats On Slippery Floors
One of the most common incidents that can occur in any workplace is a slip and fall accident. Potentially, slipping over on a wet floor could lead to a serious injury, such as a fractured skull.
If floors are known to be slippery and the weather is wet outside, you’ll want to place rubber-based mats with lots of grip in any locations where there’s a slippery floor hazard. Having large mats at the entrance to the premises will allow people to adequately wipe the moisture off their shoes before entering the office.
Likewise, placing warning signs at any location where floors are wet is also a mandatory safety practice.
#2 – Keep the Workplace Free of Clutter
Clutter can definitely create hazards, especially if it’s on the floors. Anything on the floor can become a tripping hazard and sharp objects can potentially cut someone as they move past them. The best way to reduce clutter is to get rid of things that are no longer needed or to create adequate storage space for anything you do need to keep.
Another important factor in keeping clutter to a minimum is to ensure every member of staff puts things back where they got them after they’ve finished with them. Often, clutter build-up can be due to laziness, or not allocating specific places where each item should be stored.
#3 – Organise Those Electrical Cords and Wires
Office environments are notorious for having loads of electrical cables and wires snaking all over the place. Computers, printers and other electrical equipment are generally everywhere in an office, so it’s important to organise those wires and electrical cables so they don’t become a hazard in any way.
Wires can be a tripping hazard, where someone could fall and hurt themselves or, even worse, cause equipment to come crashing down. Electrical cables also present hazards in other ways when they are not organised and out of the way, such as causing an electrical short if something gets spilled onto a plug or extension board. This could lead to equipment failure, power failure or even electric shock.
Task someone with organising all of the electrical cables within your office space, or call in an electrician to make sure all those cables and wires are safely and neatly tucked away out of harm’s way.
#4 – Ensure Everyone Is Aware of Fire Safety
A fire can break out in any type of work environment. Your office should be fitted with fire alarms and have fire extinguishers placed at various locations about the office. Not only do you need to have fire extinguishers handy, but everyone in the office needs to know how to operate them. Every second counts in the event of a fire breaking out and someone fumbling around with a fire extinguisher because they don’t know how to work it could prove the difference between life and death.
Fire drills and an effective office evacuation plan are also essential for everyone’s safety. There should be a set gathering point outside somewhere, well away from the building.
Take Advantage of Workplace Health and Safety Software
Workplace health and safety software can help you organise your workplace, keep it safe for everyone involved and, just as important, ensure your business remains compliant with the laws that regulate it.
This is dedicated software that can also be adapted to your specific business, so it’s tailor-made to suit you. You can even download mobile app versions of the software, so you can monitor your business practices even when you’re not there.
Stay on the right side of the law with the help of dedicated workplace health and safety software.
In Conclusion
Keeping your workplace safe is often more about common sense and being organised than anything else. It’s a team effort and everyone in the workplace should be involved in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
