Business owners work hard to make sure the future of their business is stable and secure. This work includes many aspects, such as investing in new technology, reinvesting in the local community, and making sure you have the best staff for your business. One essential issue for any business owner is to plan ahead to protect employees from injury.
One important step is make sure that your employees and management staff are all properly educated on the most up to date safety protocols for your industry. This usually includes not only providing up to date service manuals, but also ensuring there is in person, on the job training. Most people think this training is important only for workers who operate heavy machinery, but typical office workers can also benefit from this type of training, as even carpal tunnel syndrome can be a compensable injury through workers’ compensation.
Another essential step is to make sure to provide safety equipment. Employers need to also make sure that the equipment is kept in good repair, and provide training to ensure the equipment is properly used. Employers should strive to cultivate a working environment that encourages the proper use of all safety equipment. Employers also need to create a schedule to make sure the equipment is up to government code and properly cleaned.
Next, employers need to make sure to maintain the proper staffing level. Workers who are pulling long hours and working a lot of overtime may be exhausted, which can easily lead to work place injuries. Maintaining the proper level of staff means that the employees are less tired, better able to focus, and less apt to be injured due to fatigue.
Employers should consider developing a safety plan and creating a safety committee. Safety plans provide concrete guidelines that every employee may study about how to conduct typical tasks. While this may seem like micromanaging, it can actually result in heightened awareness of potential risks from mundane tasks. Safety committees can also help reduce injuries by assisting in the development and implementation of these safety plans. Employers should also encourage an environment wherein employees are comfortable reporting potential health hazards.
If you have questions about workers’ compensation and how to help protect your workers. Call us today. We can talk with you about your business and how to make sure you are protected.