How do you keep workplaces safe?

There are lots of ways to ensure your workplace is safe. These include:

• Accident reporting
• First aid materials and training
• Effective training for machinery and equipment operators
• Fire and emergency procedures
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Some of these are mandatory, others depend on the type of work environment and the duties required of people on site. Regardless, it is always important to be aware of applicable safety measures – even if they don’t directly relate your job (for example, fire and emergency procedures).

Who is responsible for keeping a workplace safe?

It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure that everyone and everything in their business is properly protected. It is up to them to identify potential risks and problems and put measures in place to prevent or minimise these occurrences. It is a legal requirement for employers, but it is also in their best interest. Minimising risk will reduce the chance of damage occurring to valuable stock or infrastructure and avoid prolonged periods of downtime caused by on-site accidents.

Who implements safety on site?

In terms of leading the safety of a workplace, an employer might delegate responsibility to a designated member of the senior management team. This person could have one of several different titles; however, the most common is “Health and Safety Manager”. This is someone who’s sole duty is to ensure a workplace follows government guidelines and best practice regulations. They make sure that a facility and the people within it are compliant with the governmental regulations.

Other roles that may take on responsibility for workplace safety can include:

• Operations managers and directors
• Warehouse or factory managers
• Office managers
• Maintenance teams
• Members of the human resources department

Ultimately, everyone is responsible for following the safety procedures and guidelines at a place of work. By adhering to the rules of the workplace, everyone can minimise the potential for accidents.
 

At A-SAFE, we understand the problems and issues Health and Safety Managers face, from finding affordable solutions to getting safety systems signed off by upper management. We can provide you with all the relevant information and date you need to prove how essential site safety is at your facility. Get in touch to see how we can help.