Does Your Company Have the Right Safety Equipment?
How safe are your employees? Every business must prioritise the safety and well-being of their employees and anyone who could be affected by their work. Your company must have a detailed safety policy in place and approved procedures for every task that your employees must complete. Ensuring that safety procedures are followed is vital for the safe operation of your business, but it is only half of the solution. Established procedures won't keep everyone safe unless you have the safety equipment to accompany them.
What safety equipment is needed?
Specific safety equipment needs will depend on your business environment. If you are working in an office, you should be purchasing suitable emergency exit signs and appropriate lighting to show people the way out in the event of an emergency. If you are working on a building site, your needs will be very different. In a construction, maintenance, or industrial environment, you may need to purchase safety hats, goggles, and footwear. You may also need to think about safety harnesses, breathing apparatuses, face shields, or a range of other pieces of safety equipment. Understanding what safety equipment is needed and ensuring that it is available when needed is central to the safe operation of your company.
What are the risks?
To determine what safety equipment is needed by your employees, you must consider several factors. You must look around the environment where they will be working and identify potential hazards. Look for areas where it may be slippery or uneven underfoot. Consider whether there are any chemicals or harmful substances stored or used in the area. Are there any materials kept there that have the potential to be dangerous? Next, think about what your team will be doing on the site. Will they be working at height? Do they need to move items that are heavy or hot or corrosive? A careful examination of the site and the activities of your workers should make it plain what safety equipment you must purchase.
Can your employees still work?
One of the most significant problems with safety equipment is that it is frequently not used. An employee may find a protective coat too bulky or a safety harness too unwieldy to fit. When buying safety equipment, check with your employees to ensure that your choice of equipment will not stop them from working effectively. If your team have any concerns, it is best to discuss the options with them and work together to find a solution that can keep everyone safe while still allowing your team to be productive.