Workplace safety is quickly becoming one of the most important considerations for employees. In the 2022 State of Employee Safety Report, 79% of employees said that occupational safety is of greater importance to them now than it has ever been. For employers, attracting loyal employees can be made easier by ensuring a safer workplace. And a safety committee can help get you there. In this blog post, we will provide safety committee ideas for your workplace. This includes engaging employees in safety initiatives and creating a great culture amongst your team.
Why Regular Safety Sessions are Important
Having regular safety training sessions, safety meetings, and safety talks that raise awareness about relevant safety topics for work can play a big role in creating a great workplace. Although work in manufacturing industries can come with some risks, it is really important that workers in all industries are alert and aware of any safety risks.
Workplace Safety Topics for Meetings
There are many workplace safety topics for meetings. Below are some safety committee ideas that leaders can give their teams. Topics can range from general safety tips to specific risks.
Ergonomic or Workplace Stress
Stress, like in physically demanding jobs such as manufacturing, can be long-lasting and painful. Employees should be aware of the risk factors related to strenuous physical labor such as lifting, assembling, or pulling. These can all cause chronic body aches and pains – or even permanent musculoskeletal disorders. Employees should be aware of proper ergonomic practices and should make sure to stretch and exercise in order to avoid injuries. But physical stress is not the only thing that can be impacted. Work-related stress, depression, burnout, and anxiety can also be occupational health issues. Communicating stress management techniques to your employees can build a lot of trust and promote a healthy work culture.
Slipping, Tripping or Falling
Slips, trips, and falls can occur in any kind of industry. They tend to occur more often than one might think. They can cause minor to severe workplace injuries including bruises, cuts, and fractures. Permanent impairments like damage to the spinal cord can also be caused by the workplace. Educating employees on fall protection is extremely important and can include identifying common slip or fall hazard zones. Make sure that your employees are able to identify slippery floors, poor lighting, and unsuitable footwear. For instance, employees can reduce risk by wearing non-slip footwear and employers can install proper signage.
Drug or Alcohol Abuse on the Job
The abuse of drugs or alcohol in the workplace can affect employees’ physical and mental states. This abuse can significantly increase the risk of injury and cause a range of personal problems. That is why it’s so important for employers to suggest that employees seek drug or alcohol treatment.
Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is another common problem in the U.S. with the national safety council stating that 20,000 injuries were due to workplace violence in 2020. This kind of violence can come from employees, customers, or visitors and be physical and verbal. Make sure to have safety talks in order to address workplace violence.
Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
PPE, the specialized gear (clothing and equipment) that workers use in order to protect themselves from hazards is very important in industrial worksites. If your workers deal with hazardous chemicals, heavy construction equipment, high heat or electricity levels, loud equipment, then your workers should know what PPE is and use it. Choose Safety Singer products for quality PPE equipment including hard hats, industrial gloves, eye protection and more. Employees should know how to use, store, and maintain protective equipment. They should also know why protection is needed and the risks that come with not using the relevant PPE.
Electrical and Fire Safety
Fire hazards exist in all workplaces, which is why it is very important to be mindful of fire safety. Electrical incidents can be highly damaging. Live wire contact can cause major electric shocks. Short circuits and overheated wires can cause fires. Making electrical risks and safety instructions a key topic is critical. Fire risk can be reduced if proper care is taken and safety practices are followed. Of course accidents happen which is why having an emergency plan in place is vital in order to prevent injuries or fatalities. Educate your employees on where fire extinguishers are placed and how to use them. Have evacuation routes defined and make sure employees understand them. All relevant training via fire drills or other methods is required (and mandated by OSHA). Reminding employees of electrical and fire risks and how to respond in emergencies can be a matter of life and death.
Equipment Safety
Employees should know how to safely use job-specific equipment. Even if they have skills and experience, training them on the safety practices to adopt while using your specific equipment goes a very long way towards ensuring their safety. Employees need to be aware of the safe use of every piece of equipment that they come in contact with.
We hope you were able to gain some useful information for your committee meetings in this blog. Always make sure to communicate to your employees all the safety practices and obligations that are important. If you’re in need of safety equipment, then contact Singer Safety to get the best safety products for your workplace! You can trust Singer Safety’s products to keep your employees safe in the workplace. If you need help determining which products are right for you, a Singer Safety professional can help. With our expertise and knowledge, you can be confident that you’ll have all you need for your safety committee!
