Safe working environments are vital for smooth running operations within any organization. Cybersecurity remains a hot topic in company safety due to rising cases of cybercrimes. However, an organization’s workforce and revenue-generating assets also need protection to ensure the business remains operational and profitable.
The occupational safety and health laws lay out the framework for health and worker safety measures. Below are seven ways an organization can boost office security and nurture a conducive working environment.
1. Identify Potential Workplace Safety Concerns
Before embarking on any safety policies, an organization should first identify and understand all potential workplace hazards in their operating environment. These hazards may include chemical pollutants, noise pollution, and mechanical hazards. Furthermore, the organizations should assess the risk of injury and property damage from weather, falling objects, and obstructed views.
2. Define and Implement Company Safety Policies
After understanding all potential workplace hazards, the organization should implement company safety policies that guide employees on the best safety procedures while at the workplace. Employees can refer to these policies when faced with uncertain circumstances. Employers should ensure their employees comply with all internal and state guidelines on workplace safety.
3. Staff Training on Worker Safety
Business proprietors must ensure that all existing staff receives appropriate workplace safety training to minimize safety concerns. Training should be conducted in a language that is understandable by all employees.
Worker safety training must be available for all new hires, with frequent refresher training for existing staff members. Organizations should train staff on contingency measures whenever there’s a breach in system security. Knowing how to react under such situations can save the organization from significant property loss, financial loss, or reputation damage.
4. Provide Adequate Fire Safety Equipment
Fire outbreaks can be a damaging affair for any company that is inadequately equipped to tackle fire hazards. Organizations should safeguard business premises by providing adequate equipment such as fire extinguishers and cabinets. Early detection is crucial in containing fire outbreaks hence the need to invest in reliable fire alarm systems. More importantly, organizations should purchase fire safety equipment from a reliable and trusted company.
5. Provide Safety Signage in the Workplace
Sometimes it may be impossible to eliminate safety hazards. In such cases, the organization should provide safety signage to alert and remind employees of existing threats. For example, cautioning employees and clients about wet or slippery floors can minimize injury from slips and falls.
6. Establish a Safety Team
Consider establishing a safety team comprising staff from all departments within the organization. The safety team should be a mix of senior and junior employees. It should meet on a monthly or quarterly basis to discuss and update the company’s safety policies.
7. Restricting Unauthorized Entry
Organizations should protect their physical assets from theft and vandalism by enforcing measures restricting unauthorized entry. Consider adopting access control that requires biometrics or special keys when assessing critical areas within the organization.
Consider offering different layers of biometric control to limit traffic in sensitive areas such as data warehouses.
