Critical Business Health and Safety

Critical Business Health and Safety

Health and safety are such crucial issues in the office environment. With many people spending a considerable amount of their day in a building, it is more vital than ever that workplace health and safety are at the forefront of your mind. But, unfortunately, so many small businesses put health and safety to the back of their mind. Unfortunately, this can be hugely detrimental to your company and long-term success.

You might have already taken general measures to ensure your company's wellbeing. However, there are numerous more minor ways you can improve the working environment for everyone.

Here are six ways to improve your office's health and safety:

1) Take breaks to ensure you're able to focus

It sounds like such common sense, but you will be surprised how many people neglect this step! It's straightforward to get so caught up in the work that you lose track of time and work for hours without stopping. While you're more productive when working long hours, this isn't healthy for your body or mind in the long run. Eventually, you will find yourself rundown and unable to work effectively. Therefore, taking breaks to rest and eat is essential. Make sure you're not just eating junk food either. Make an effort to get enough fruit, vegetables, and water in your diet!

2) Ensure all the equipment/appliances you are working with are safe for use

An excellent way to ensure this is portable appliance testing – PAT testing. This is a process by which an electrician checks appliances to make sure they're safe for use. This involves checking the appliance for things like overheating, loose wires, and frayed cables. If the appliance is unsafe for use, it will be marked 'unsafe' and taken out of commission until repairs have been made.

We recently spoke to a company that does pat testing in Birmingham, who said, "electrical safety is sometimes forgotten; more and more customers come to me after neglecting their appliances."

3) Don't overload sockets – this can cause a fire!

It's easy to plug all your equipment into one socket without realizing how much they're taking up. While each socket should be able to handle 2-3 amps (the amount of amperage that flows through a device), the total amount flowing through them is what counts. Keep an eye on these devices, so you don't overload them. If you see any sparks, shut it off before there's a fire!

4) Keeping your work area clean and organized

You may surprise yourself by seeing how much of a difference this makes in improving your working efficiency. When you have a clean workspace, you don't have to spend as much time looking for things. Therefore, you won't lose your important documents or notes. A clean workspace also helps with improving concentration. When everything is in its place, it's easier to focus on the task at hand! If people see that their work environment is messy and not taken seriously, they could get the idea that nobody cares about their health and safety.

5) Wash your hands

Germs are everywhere, including on the surface of your desk. It's tempting to wipe them off on your pants or sleeves. But, this can result in harmful microbes getting into food and other surfaces. The simplest way to try and reduce the contamination is by washing your hands regularly throughout the day! This will mean your office has a healthier workforce. You can then feel confident that you're upholding your duties as a boss. Check out this article to see how and when to wash your hands.

6) Make sure employees have access to the correct PPE and safety gear

Some employers think that enough training is all it takes to make their workers safe on the job. However, this isn't necessarily true. The risks they're exposed to depend mainly on what tasks they are performing. So, you need to provide them with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for their work. This includes things like dust masks, safety goggles, earplugs, and gloves. While some PPE may seem unnecessary at first glance (for instance, a hard hat or steel toe boots), they reduce the risk of injuries by protecting users from injury and reducing the likelihood of long-term harm. If you have employees at all, legally, you must ensure they have the right PPE for their job.

Remember that the best way to keep employees and yourself safe at work is to take responsibility for your health and wellbeing. Think of these six tips as a guide to staying healthy throughout your time at work. If you follow them, it should be easier to maintain a safe working lifestyle!

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