Running a business is no easy task, but these days, it seems as if many companies forget what their most important asset is: their human workforce. Employers seem to put employee safety and health on the backburner too often and that is exactly when injuries occur. Employers are required to provide a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. Here are four ways business can provide improve surroundings for their workers.

1. Management Support 

Safety attitudes start at the leadership level and then trickles down to the rest of the workforce. Employers need to commit the time and resources into their hiring process to make sure their managers are committed to making a safe working environment. If employees understand that upper management is on board, they are more likely to dedicate themselves to safe practices. Employers must make sure all managers have a working knowledge of the safety initiatives and requirements.They need managers that will take the time to find the right solution for their direct reports and then implement it correctly. If management takes an active interest and shows their commitment to safety, the entire company will have a higher morale and ability to stay safe.   

2. Involve Employees

A safe workplace is everyone’s responsibility, including employees. To achieve this, employees must have a stake in the process and be held accountable for their part. Employers must actively encourage the involvement of employees if they want a program to be successful. Managers should keep employees informed about safety inspections, recent injury and illness statistics, and address other safety-related issues. Employers should also establish a clear system for reporting hazards, injuries, illnesses and close calls. It is essential that employers take a proactive—rather than reactive— approach to managing workplace safety and health. If you can find and fix a hazard before it vacuses injury, you will have a much happier and healthier workforce. This will happen much easier with employees cooperation and help.

3. Educate and Train

 Employers must provide safety training in a way workers can understand. By providing comprehensive training, workplace injuries can be avoided. All employees should complete a safety training course specific to their position. Since employee training is usually done when the employee is first hired, employers must provide intermittent updates about any changes in procedure. Employers must train personnel about the hazards they may be exposed to at work and how to protect themselves. Workers must be trained to identify and control workplace hazards. THey also need to understand OHSA regulations. Employers should consider enrolling workers in an OSHA outreach training course to improve the safety of everyone on site. Overall, keeping workers trained and informed will lead to safer work practices. 

4. Safety and Wellness

Both workplace safety and employee wellness will have a direct impact on the prosperity of any business. Accidents can happen when workers experience exhaustion or lack the ability to focus . Proper rest and nutrition are common components of wellness and good health—and research indicates they can also impact workplace safety. The National Safety Council (NSC) says workplace injuries cost U.S. companies well over $100 billion every year. If employers would offer wellness program encouraging comprehensive physical fitness, they would find it beneficial towards a safer workplace. If employers want to reduce accidents, injuries, and lost productivity, as well as higher labor and insurance costs, they should integrate their safety and wellness issues together as one system.

Every employee has the right to a safe and healthy workplace. THey also have a right to receive training from their employer. If employers would take the time to protect their employees they would have less incidents of injury and illness and see an improvement in their overall bottom line.