A pleasant and safe working environment; how exactly do you create one? How do you protect your staff properly? From the importance of regular maintenance to clear safety regulations, we list important aspects. With these tips and insights, you can create a safe and healthy working environment for your staff.
1. Have maintenance done in a timely manner
One of the most important parts of ensuring a safe working environment is carrying out maintenance on time. Regular maintenance of installations and equipment, for example, reduces the chance of dangerous situations, which you naturally want to prevent. You have probably heard of fires, electrical faults or other accidents in workshops. By regularly checking or replacing the equipment and systems, you ensure that they remain in good condition and defects are discovered on time. Simply replacing old wiring or damaged equipment can prevent a bigger problem.
Do you have a lot of electrical equipment? A step in the right direction is to have a electrical inspection. In addition to preventing potential fire hazards, this also helps to detect defects in electrical installations. It can even affect your insurance policy. In the Netherlands, it is not legally required to have an electrical inspection carried out, but it is required by the insurer.
2. Create clear safety instructions and ensure they are followed
Another important step in improving the work environment is to draw up clear rules and safety regulations. These regulations can consist of several parts and you can determine what you find appropriate for each work environment. Some examples are wearing protective clothing, such as helmets, gloves and safety shoes. But also specific guidelines for work processes and the use of equipment. By instructing your employees well about the correct procedures of machines, the use of hazardous substances and paying attention to fire safety, you ensure that the chance of accidents is significantly reduced.
You want to prevent personal injury. In addition to good maintenance and regular inspection of your equipment and sheds, it is wise to have a business liability insurance (AVB). Should anything unexpected happen when someone is working for you, the AVB will cover the damage.
3. Health comes first
In addition to safety, a healthy working environment is also important for employees. If you consider that your staff is present eight to nine hours a day, you can imagine that the health of the environment affects both the physical and mental health of your employees. What can you do? Provide sufficient daylight in the work areas, such as stables and warehouses. Light has a positive effect on well-being and manifests itself in a better mood and higher productivity.
When performing physically demanding work, aids such as lifting platforms, tractors with adjustable seats and work support equipment are extremely useful in protecting physical health.