As a business owner, workplace safety is your responsibility. However, you must do more than comply with local laws and look after your team. You must build a safety culture that is more than compliant—it looks to safety first in every situation. While you cannot completely avoid accidents or injuries, you can reduce the risks your team will face every day.
Additionally, you want to support your employees in a manner that rises to a level they deserve. Use these tips to make workplace safety a priority.
Workers’ Rights
Workers have the right to:
- Workers’ compensation (where it’s required by law)
- A safe work environment
- A productive work environment
- Proper safety training
- Safe equipment that is properly maintained
- Proper supervision to ensure all work is completed safely
Moreover, workers have a right to know what to do when an injury or incident takes place. If your team doesn’t know—you haven’t told them. If you need help, reach out to our team for support.
What Are Your Responsibilities as an Employer?
As an employer, you have a few responsibilities that are either required by law or good sense. Businesses should:
- Abide by OSHA regulations (and hire a safety coordinator if necessary)
- Carry workers’ compensation insurance
- Offer employee benefits that support everyone’s health and wellbeing
- Carefully review company policies, train employees, and maintain your safety equipment
- Create a chain of command and procedure to use in the event of an injury, incident, or accident
A note about the chain of command and procedure you should use for accidents or incidents. Your team should:
- Call 911 in the event of a serious incident or injury
- Report injuries to their immediate supervisors
- Supervisors should report these incidents to your insurance broker or HR staff
- Moreover, you want to record all these incidents on paper so that you have a paper trail that notes precisely what occurred
Should Employers Provide Safety Equipment to Employees?
Yes. Employers should provide safety equipment to their team as much as they possibly can. Yes, you want your staff to carry some equipment of their own, but there comes a time when you must draw a line between “buy your own boots” and “we have all the gear you need.”
Work with your employees or a consultant to determine all the safety gear your business should keep on hand. Carry extras of every item, and teach your team where to find these items, how to use them, and when they should be used. Without a robust inventory and clear policy, you’re not building a safety culture.
Contact HomePort Insurance for More Information on Workplace Safety
Contact our team at HomePort Insurance when you need assistance with insurance for the workplace and workplace safety tips. Our partners at The Liberty Company offer a range of safety trainings and support, and our team will help you insure your business properly, across a wide range of liabilities.
