Your workforce is your most precious business asset. Without them, it would be difficult to maintain your business operations thus potentially making you lose tons of money. No company would like that to ever happen.
Having proper health and safety training doesn’t simply mean orienting your employees on what and what not to do, but also implementing it within the company. This involves everyone including those in the upper management. Health and safety hazards are present in any industry, no matter how small or big the company is. Because of these potential dangers, it is important to train your employees regarding proper safety practices.
What is health and safety training?
Workplace health and safety training is a way to help everyone involved within the company including lower and upper management to perform their duties efficiently and safely. These are programs set to educate employees to be able to avoid health issues that may result from working in the company, eliminate hazards, and reduce safety threats that may harm not just themselves but other people and the company as well.
Why do you need health and safety training?
1. Prevent accidents and injuries
This is the number one reason why companies need to conduct health and safety training. Teaching them how to properly handle machinery and equipment can avoid mistakes and unnecessary risks. Doing so doesn’t just benefit employees, but the company as well. Having these trainings and making everyone aware of its importance and repercussions if not followed can help reduce potential injuries and eventually save lives.
2. Avoid potential lawsuits
As an employer, it is your legal and moral obligation to ensure your employees’ safety. Neglecting this obligation may result in potential lawsuits in case an incident does occur. Lawsuits are costly, that’s why companies try to avoid them as much as possible. Instead of wasting your money to fight legal battles, put it to better use by providing training for your employees. If possible, consult with an attorney as well who specializes in employment law to help you draft company policies and create an employee handbook that everyone should strictly follow.
3. Creates a safe workplace culture
By providing safety training, employees feel more at ease. When they see that employers care about their safety and well-being, it helps boost employee morale as well as work productivity. When tasks and boundaries are clearly defined and proper handling of machinery and equipment are thoroughly explained, employees can move more efficiently and safely. Not only this but providing health and safety training also helps the company’s reputation. Ignoring employees’ safety and well-being not only is against the law but may create company backlash as well. Nobody wants to do business with a company that has a bad reputation.
4. Creates a safety plan
Risk management is crucial in any business, especially for startups. Having training educates everyone involved in the company to create and execute a safety plan to avoid as well as know the next steps to take in case an incident does occur. For example, when an employee experiences sexual harassment in the office there has to be an effective channel assigned for such cases. And those in charge should be well-equipped to handle complaints in a way that victims will feel safe to give details of the incident to better access the situation.
Ways to create a safe and healthy workplace:
- Provide trainings or seminars
- Put up safety signs and reminders
- Implement safety protocols
- Provide high quality gears
- Prepare emergency plans
- Have a first aid kit
- Do regular machinery and equipment inspection
- Promote better communication
- Ensure safety and anonymity for complainants
- Set clear boundaries
- Promote mental health awareness
- Emphasize Accountability
- Investigate injuries and safety incidents
- Work with professionals (lawyers, trainers, HR specialists)
Conclusion
Ensuring the health and safety of everyone involved in the company, especially employees will continue to be an important aspect of your business operations. It will require ongoing collaboration between the management and employees to identify such hazards and avoid any possible incidents.
Don’t be the kind of company that only focuses on making money without regard to the people who keep operations running. The benefits of providing health and safety training far outweigh the cost and effort you need to put into it. More importantly, doing so would help save your employees’ lives and keep them mentally and physically healthy. Nothing beats an employer who genuinely cares for their employees’ well-being.
