There’s a lot that goes into running a small business and, as a business owner, you are responsible for many tasks. This includes ensuring the health and safety of your employees, something that should be at the top of your ‘to do’ list. Luckily, health and safety consultants are on hand to help.
A health and safety consultant plays a key role in helping businesses to create safe working environments. Below, we have taken a look at five tips from health and safety consultants that are sure to help your businesses maintain a safe and secure workplace, regardless of how small it is.
Health and Safety Consultant Tips Worth Paying Attention To
In the same way that a HR consultant is an expert in HR, a health and safety consultant is an expert at keeping a workplace safe. This is why their tips for small businesses are invaluable.
- Conduct Regular Risk Assessments – One of the key parts of ensuring workplace safety is conducting regular risk assessments. This means identifying potential hazards that could cause harm to employees or visitors, regularly inspecting all areas of your workplace to identify new risks, and coming up with ways to mitigate them.
- Establish Health and Safety Policies – Having clear safety policies is an essential part of maintaining a safe workplace. Health and safety consultants suggest having written guidelines and manuals, detailing everything from emergency procedures to how to handle equipment. These safety documents should be easily accessible to all employees and they should be regularly updated.
- Organise Safety Training – Safety training gives employees the knowledge and skills needed to overcome workplace hazards. A lot of health and safety consultants recommend organising training that’s specific to your industry and the unique risks associated with your business. Training should be done regularly to reinforce safety practices and to update employees on new safety protocols.
- Encourage Prioritising Safety – Creating a workplace that prioritises health and safety can reduce the risk of workplace accidents, injuries and hazards. This can be done by showcasing your own commitment to safety, showing employees that those in leadership positions are prioritising safety. This will encourage employees to follow suit. Employees should feel comfortable reporting hazards, and individuals who follow safety procedures should be acknowledged.
- Stay Up to Date – If you know anything about health and safety regulations, you will know that they’re continually evolving. This can make it difficult to stay compliant. Health and safety consultants recommend subscribing to industry newsletters, joining professional organisations and attending workshops to stay informed about any changes. You could also consider partnering with a health and safety consultant who can provide expert guidance that’s specific to your business type, sector and industry.
With the knowledge and insight of an expert consultant, it’s a lot easier to keep a workplace safe for employees, visitors and business owners. There’s a lot to keep track of when you are running and trying to grow a small business, but handling health and safety over to a professional consultant can help.
