Offices are where most employees spend most of their time every week. It’s where they develop their careers and create a better future for themselves and their family. However, how can they do these things if they are always in fear of an accident that can maim them or, in worse case situations, outright kill them?
Workplace accidents are unfortunately all too common. In fact, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there were nearly 3 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported in 2017 alone. And while some of these accidents may have been beyond anyone’s control, there are many things that offices can do to help prevent them from happening in the first place.
Here are some essential things that your office must have for safety.
Properly Stocked First Aid Kit
Workplace accidents can happen at any time and often without warning. This is why it’s so essential for every office to have a properly stocked first aid kit. By having a first aid kit on hand, you can ensure that employees will have the supplies they need to treat minor injuries and wounds until medical help arrives.
A properly stocked first aid kit should include bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, and more.
Working Smoke Alarms
One of the most common workplace accidents is fires. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were an estimated 1.2 million fires reported in the United States in 2019 alone. And while some of these fires may have been caused by factors beyond anyone’s control, such as electrical problems or faulty equipment, many of them could have been prevented if the proper precautions had been taken.
One of the best ways to prevent a fire from breaking out in your office is to install working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms can give you and your employees an early warning if there is a fire so that you can evacuate the premises before it has a chance to spread.
Fire Extinguisher
Another way to help prevent a fire from breaking out in your office is to ensure that you have a fire extinguisher on hand. Fire extinguishers can be used to put out small fires before they have a chance to spread. It’s mandatory in some states for offices to have a fire extinguisher.
Spill Kits
Another common type of workplace accident is a slip and fall. These accidents often occur when a spill has not been cleaned up properly. This can be problematic if elderlies are working in your office.
To help prevent these accidents from happening, it’s crucial to have spill kits available in your office. Spill kits typically contain absorbent materials that can quickly soak up spills, preventing them from becoming a slip and fall hazard.
Emergency Lighting
In a power outage, it’s essential to have emergency lighting in your office so that employees can safely evacuate the premises. Emergency lighting is typically battery-operated and comes on automatically when the power goes out.
Evacuation Plans
In the event of an emergency, it’s essential to have an evacuation plan in place so that everyone knows what to do and where to go. Therefore, evacuation plans should be posted in a visible location, and employees should be regularly trained on how to execute them.
Security Protocols
Unfortunately, workplace violence is a reality that many offices have to deal with. To help prevent these incidents, it’s important to have security protocols in place. These protocols can include security guards, metal detectors, and ID badges. You should also add a robust medical alert system to your protocol. This way, you can respond faster to injuries.
Safety Data Sheets
Safety data sheets (SDSs) are an important part of any office’s safety program. SDSs contain information on the hazards of chemicals and other materials that are used in the workplace. They also provide guidance on how to safely use and store these materials.
Personal Protective Equipment
In some workplaces, employees may be exposed to hazardous materials that can cause serious injuries or even death. To help protect these employees, it’s important to provide them with the proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
PPE can include things like respirators, gloves, and eye protection. This is essential during the pandemic to decrease the chance of infection inside your office, so make sure you invest in them.
Regular Safety Inspections and Training Programs
To help ensure that your office is safe, it’s important to conduct regular safety inspections and training programs. Safety inspections can help identify potential hazards to be fixed before an accident occurs. Training programs can help employees learn about the proper way to use equipment and handle hazardous materials.
Following these tips can help make your office a safer place. You can help prevent accidents and injuries from happening in your workplace by taking these steps.
