For any business, safety is the most important asset. It ensures that your property is protected and your employees are safe from any form of danger. You need to remember that if your employees have an issue, your entire business will suffer. Other than Emergency Preparedness and Response Training, it is critical to ensure that your business has the right safety equipment. The tools each business gets will depend on the organization and budget. However, there are some of the items that the American Planning Association recommends as they come in handy for emergency responses.
Security Cameras. You want to have an eye on the business transactions that take place at work, regardless of whether you are a product or a service-oriented business. Installing them in critical employee areas will help keep your workers honest. It will also act as evidence when your business is raided or accesses by thieves or other intruders. Additionally, it will be helpful when accidents happen and customers or employees are injured. At such times, you are more likely to get a clearer picture of what happened which helps in the investigation.
Fire Alarms and Smoke Detectors. Many business owners lack proper fire systems at their shops because their businesses do not deal with open flames or high sources of heat like what is a result of cooking or welding. However, all businesses should have fire alarms in case of an emergency. There are lots of ways that a fire can be caused; electricity surges, a rouge employee with a candle, or fire from an adjacent property. You’ll need to be alerted for the protection of your employees. Ensure that these detectors and the alarms are tested at the required intervals to keep them working.
Fire Extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are necessary to ensure that small fires are put out before they spread and cause extensive damage. They can also be used to create a path for escape with employees evacuating the building. It is also important and necessary to ensure that employees are trained on how to use the extinguishers on a regular basis.
First Aid Kits. Every business, regardless of the industry they operate in, needs to have a way to handle small injuries that may occur. Sometimes, a worker may burn themselves as they get a cup of coffee or they may get cut by something as they work. Such injuries may be minor but if left untreated, could cause infections.
The contents of the first aid kit will depend on the industry the business operated. For instance, a company that deals with insurance or banking money may not need heavy first aid items as one that deals with toxic substances. Select items that suit your industry and the type of injuries that are likely to occur in the workplace.
Personal Protective Equipment. If your business is in areas where there are a lot of noises or your job involves dealing with machines that are very noisy, you have to ensure that your workers are adequately protected. Noise barring headphones will prevent temporary and permanent damage to the eardrum. It is also important that employees have protective clothes if they are dealing with chemicals or bio-hazardous materials.
There are a lot of hazards that are present in the workplace. Knowing what to protect against is the responsibility of the employer, according to OSHA.
Know what is needed by getting training, such as
OSHA 10 and
OSHA 30 Outreach Training that's specialized for Construction or General Industry. 360training.com offers these online in an easy to digest, interactive format.
