The first step in creating a safe work environment is to make sure you are following all of the laws and regulations in your geographical area. Not only can doing this help guide you in making a safe workplace, but if someone was injured on your commercial property and your company was found to have not complied with local, regional or national business laws, your firm could end up in serious legal trouble. Government booklets from workplace safety agencies can provide you with specific information to help you make a safe work environment that also fulfills your company's legal responsibilities. You should constantly be monitoring all employees and work spaces to make sure a safe, non-hostile work environment that meets all required safety codes is being maintained at all times.
Many companies make at least one of their employees a safety monitor. This person is then responsible for ensuring that the business follows safety laws and requirements. He or she may keep in contact with local or regional safety agencies for updates on new requirements. A workplace safety monitor also usually conducts regular fire drills; in small companies in which there is no human resources department, the safety monitor may also serve as the employee complaint contact. To avoid possible employee lawsuits, you should do everything possible to create and support a positive, safe work environment.
All staff should be treated respectfully without harassment. Company policy regarding employee behavioral expectations should be created and enforced in compliance with the law. Any complaints, either from employees or customers, should be handled promptly and in accordance with the law. Employees who behave in any way that could endanger anyone should be warned or terminated as required to both follow legal handling of the situation and ensure a safe working environment for everyone.
Your company should also be prepared in case of an emergency situation. A first aid kit and emergency food and water supplies should be stored accessibly with the items changed periodically to ensure freshness. Emergency preparedness drills and meetings can help your company work toward a safe work environment as would be possible in case of a natural disaster such as a flood.
Electrical and other hazards should be avoided in the workplace through proper maintenance. Equipment should be regularly serviced and precautions such as wearing safety goggles or other gear including helmets, gloves or steel-toed work boots should be enforced by your company. A safe work environment is something that the company as well as its staff should constantly be focused on achieving.
