No matter the type of office you work in, workplace safety is crucial. According to OSHA in 2019 there were 100 employee deaths a week or 15 per day. Every workplace has hazards, with the right training and safety strategies the risk of serious accidents, injuries, and fatalities are reduced significantly.
There are many health and safety tips for employees and managers to keep in mind. As the office safety manager, it's up to you to lead safety in the workplace. Here are a few guidelines to help you create a culture of safety in the workplace ensuring employees are aware, informed, and safe.
1. Assess Your Current Workplace for Safety
The first step in establishing and ensuring a safe workplace is to look around the office to scope out any potential safety hazards. Ask yourself these questions:
What kinds of equipment are employees using?
Have there been workplace injuries in the past? If so, what caused them?
What are some employee behaviors that might increase risks?
Are emergency exits clearly marked?
Are all employees aware of the steps to take in an emergency?
Completing this workplace assessment (we can help with a more in-depth assessment) will help you to focus on safety education specific to your office.
2. Equip the Office
In the event of a cardiac emergency, the last thing you want to do is NOT have an AED easily accessible and on the premises. Having the right equipment (and knowing how to use it) is an important component of any safety plan.
Consider the day-to-day tasks happening at your office and select equipment accordingly. If your workplace includes heavy machinery, you'll need protective gear, helmets, and sturdy footwear. If your workplace includes working with hazardous substances, personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential. All workplaces should have a stocked first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
Once the office has all of the necessary equipment, it's important to educate the employees on the location and proper usage of the equipment. Having a fire extinguisher on-site is great but if there is a fire, everyone will need to know where to find it and how to use.
3. Prioritize Training and Education
In your role as an office safety manager, you’re responsible for making sure that all team members are informed and educated on safety best practices. If your team is aware of any potential hazards and how to handle them, they’re of course more likely to avoid them.
Setting up some training courses will teach your team good safety tips at work. Courses in basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bloodborne pathogens, managing assaultive behavior, and active shooter safety will give your team the resources it needs to stay safe.
Learn CPR with Any Day CPR Training
Are you ready to take your safety skills to the next level? Training is an investment that has an incalculable ROI––your team’s health is invaluable.
Any Day CPR's CPR, AED and Basic First Aid course covers essential workplace safety skills, such as how to administer CPR, how to perform basic first aid, proper AED usage, and how to assist unconscious and conscious choking victims. Should an incident occur in the office, this knowledge will help you keep your employees and coworkers safe until first responders arrive.
Our group CPR training courses are a great way to get the whole office CPR certified at once. We know that your company has a lot on its plate––that’s why we can bring the training to you with an in-office course that fits into your busy schedule. Get a custom quote on our on-site CPR page. We also can help guide you with what types of first aid kits and lifesaving tools are needed for your team.