Health and safety are two of the most important factors that should never be overlooked as any workplace should highly depend on them.
Workplace safety is something that needs to be a high priority to help you avoid work-related injuries and accidents.
The conscious effort to make staff, contractors, and clients aware of anything related to safety practices starts with a clear and accurate display of information.
One way on how you can effectively communicate health and safety at work is through the use of safety signs. Such signs may include:
- Emergency information panels
- Dangerous goods class signs
- Dangerous goods labels
- Hazchem warning signs
This can be quite challenging to keep track of – luckily, our signage experts are here to help you out!
How can we prevent hazards in the workplace?
Reducing workplace-related accidents and injuries starts by conducting safety awareness campaigns as part of your workplace culture.
Proper training and knowledge in health and safety is a must for every staff member as it gives them an awareness of the risks that they can be exposed to everyday.
Here are some ways on how you can improve your workplace culture, especially when it comes to safety:
- Discuss safety frequently
- Set an example yourself
- Reward safe behaviour
- Keep lines of communication open to address any health and safety concerns
Businesses that make a conscious effort in improving workplace safety show that they put the wellbeing of their staff as the highest priority.
Looking for ways to inject safety into your workplace? Make your staff feel protected and valued with the following tips.
1. Conduct safety training
Awareness of safety practices starts with regular and comprehensive safety training.
Safety training will help employees to respond correctly when their safety is at stake or they have detected a hazard.
From an introduction session to refresher courses, every staff member needs to know the health and safety risks at work and be familiar with safety protocols and procedures that they need to observe, apply, and react accordingly.
Safety training will most likely improve your business’ safety standards and will reduce any accidents and other workplace-related injuries from happening.
Make safety a part of your day-to-day operations and processes – safety should be something every team member keeps front of mind at all times.
2. Implement safety protocols
Any workplace should have safety protocols required for them to follow as part of their safety requirements.
Even before an employee gets hired, such protocols may even be addressed and discussed in the interview.
Staff should also be encouraged to actively voice concern or capture photos of any safety and health hazards that they may encounter at work.
With open and welcome feedback policies, an organisation can improve its health and safety standards by truly listening to its valuable people.
What are the main general safety rules we need to cover?
Some basic and general safety rules regarding hygiene, safety behaviour, and other safety information include:
- Identifying any workplace hazards and apply safety precautions before working
- Being aware of emergency exits and the routes required to reach them
- Minimising all chemical and dangerous goods exposure as well as safe handling and transport of dangerous goods
- Using safety equipment for its assigned purpose and in the correct manner
Of course, this list is not exhaustive and should be tailored to your unique line of business.
3. Choose clear, uncomplicated, and straightforward safety signage
To consistently remind staff of safety standards, businesses rely on workplace hazard signs and safety signage to quickly and easily communicate safety practices.
For example, let’s look at dangerous goods and substances. In this case, Emergency Information Panels (EIPs) quickly and clearly communicate the type of substance, the class label, the UN class number, as well as name and contact numbers required in an emergency.
Another example is safety gear, tools, and equipment.
When emergencies happen, employees should have clear and simple directives to follow to locate tools such as first aid kits or fire alarms.
Health and safety signs in the workplace are critical in communicating the correct location of safety equipment when time is of the essence.
Why should workers pay attention to safety signage at their workplace?
Safety signs at work help staff enjoy a healthy and safe working environment.
The absence of workplace safety signs means failure on the part of the company and management in ensuring that safety standards are met.
Signage will benefit staff in a number of ways, including:
- Creating safety awareness
- Reminding people of potential hazards
- Leading people to emergency equipment
- Promoting a healthy and safe culture
4. Ensure a clean and clutter-free workplace
A cluttered and dirty workplace is a potential hazard waiting to happen.
Hazards can range in severity depending on your environment, but in high-impact or dangerous workplaces such as factories, where expensive, powerful machinery is in operation, ensuring a clutter-free space is critical.
That could mean:
- Keeping pathways clear
- Designating specific areas for vehicle deliveries and pickups
- Disposing of rubbish correctly
- Prohibiting access to the general public or unauthorised persons
Remember, clutter is not always just a danger to people – it could also pose a fire risk and put pressure on your building’s physical structure.
5. Continually assess and inspect safety risks at work
Safety guidelines should be revisited and assessed frequently. Here are just three examples that negate assessment:
- Every time there are changes to your workspace (such as new equipment, products, or processes), new safety hazards or risks may emerge, too
- Each time a new team member starts, they will have to be appropriately trained and educated on safety practices and standards
- And of course, overall, safety measures should be assessed in order to minimise risk and keep business running smoothly!
Additionally, in the unfortunate event of a workplace accident, safety practices will need to be reassessed.
Of course, we want to prevent this from happening in the first place, but it is regrettably one more reason why risk would have to be re-evaluated.
How can safety awareness be improved in the workplace?
Find out how Signsmart can help you today!
Your safety signs are an effective tool in communicating health and safety in your workplace.
Shop for safety signs, hazchem signs, Emergency Information Panels, and dangerous goods labels at Signsmart today.
Shop our range online now – we have thousands of designs in stock ready to ship anywhere in Australia.
Signsmart can also customise smart signs and designs according to your business and workplace requirements. We have a quick turn-around and can send you signs fast!
Ensure a safer and healthier workplace and business with the help of Signsmart! Contact us today on (03) 9687 3050 or fill in this form if you’ve got something custom in mind.