Beyond Compliance: How to Elevate Your Safety Standards for a Safe Workplace Environment
Workplace safety has come a long way in the United States over the last one hundred years. We no longer allow children under the age of 14 to work – and never in dangerous environments. Basic workplace safety regulations, such as access to fire and emergency exits, are standard. Proper protections are put in place to limit the risk of harmful effects from chemical exposure. Tragedies such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911, the Radium Girls in the 1920s, and unsafe working conditions and lack of regulations led to suggestions for improvement in the workplace, and new policies and regulations were put in place. All industries use safety equipment to comply with laws and keep their employees safe.
Safe Work Environment: Basic Compliance
It took many acts of Congress and individual states to reach the levels of workplace safety we have today. The Employers’ Liability Acts of 1906 and 1908 paved the way for worker’s compensation. The Department of Labor was established in 1913. Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was passed in 1970, establishing OSHA as the primary workplace safety regulatory body.
Building codes, state and local regulations, and federal workplace safety guidelines from OSHA – together with The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC) work to ensure employees in the United States have a safe environment to do their jobs. Basic compliance with the rules and regulations that these federal acts lay out ensure the history of the early 20th century does not repeat itself. However, more can be done to create a safe workplace environment. Implementing new workplace safety tips and policies beyond the requirements only elevates your safety standards and further lowers the risk of an incident.
General Industry Compliance
Basic workplace safety compliance includes general standards for every environment. OSHA requires employers to provide a safe work environment, including the appropriate protective equipment, training, and a hazard-free work environment.
Personal Protective Equipment
Employers must provide each employee with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary. PPE can include respirators, safety glasses, face shields, earplugs, and protective gloves.
Training
Regulations require employers to provide appropriate safety training to employees, in-house or through a third-party. Training needs to prepare them adequately for hazards they may encounter at work.
Work Surfaces and Space
Ensuring work areas, including floors, storage rooms, and walking surfaces, are kept clean, orderly, and sanitary is part of OSHA regulations. Walking surfaces need to be strong enough to support the weight of workers, machinery, and equipment. Surfaces must also be free of hazards, including loose floorboards, spills, snow and ice, and similar hazards.
Fire Extinguishers
Employers must provide portable fire extinguishers and ensure they are readily accessible to employees.
Going beyond the general safe workplace environment regulations and compliance can further lower the risk of injury or accident and improve the overall workplace.
Establish a Safety-First Culture
One suggestion for safety improvement in the workplace is establishing a safety-first workplace culture. We’re all familiar with the phrase “safety first,” but safety-first culture puts those words into action. This means that every aspect of the work environment, from management to the newest employee, prioritizes safety above all else. Ensuring all employees understand the importance of safety and are trained to follow safety protocols is critical to maintaining a safe workplace environment. Meetings to review safety rules, discuss accident prevention, and debrief after any incidents can keep workplace safety top of mind.
Allow for Open Communication
Maintaining open communication between employees and management is part of a safe workplace environment. Employers should strive to create an environment where employees feel comfortable reporting hazards immediately and identifying potential areas of concern. An open-door policy can help facilitate this communication. Ensuring employees have a clear and anonymous way to report any safety violations or concerns and share suggestions for improvement in the workplace benefits everyone.
Daily briefings are standard in some industries, such as manufacturing and construction. Including safety talks in daily meetings can improve workplace safety in any industry. This can be a time for employees to bring up concerns, share workplace safety tips, or discuss a relevant safety topic.
Complete Risk Evaluations
Regular risk evaluations are crucial in identifying potential hazards and creating a safe work environment. While regular safety inspections are part of OSHA compliance, independent risk evaluations allow employers to stay on top of potential issues. Designating employees to be safety liaisons can empower employees and their teams to identify and communicate risks. Taking a proactive approach ensures that risks are assessed and appropriate measures are taken to mitigate them.
Provide Comprehensive Training
While OSHA requires employers to provide safety training to employees that prepares them for hazards they may encounter at work, providing comprehensive and ongoing training is taking that extra step toward a safe workplace environment. Training should evolve with new technology, tools, equipment, and updates to protocols and requirements. Safety training should be repeated annually to ensure the policies and procedures are fresh in employees’ minds. Properly trained employees help keep everyone safe by ensuring appropriate safety measures are in place; they are less likely to take greater risks and lower the risk of accidents or injuries. Additionally, in the case of an incident, well-trained employees understand what to do and how to assist. Training should also include general workplace safety tips for all employees to keep in mind.
Install Safety Equipment
Some safety equipment is required by OSHA and other regulations, at least on some level. Going beyond the bare minimum equipment necessary to comply with regulations can improve the overall safety of the workplace. Singer Safety Company is an expert in workplace safety equipment. Since 1950, Singer Safety has manufactured industrial protection products.
Noise Protection
OSHA has specific regulations about the levels of noise employees can be exposed to. While earplugs, earmuffs, and other forms of PPE can comply with these regulations, installing soundproofing systems in a facility goes beyond compliance and improves safety for everyone. Noise control products such as acoustic screens, ceiling baffles, and foams help to muffle noise and reduce sound vibrations, lowering the overall noise levels in a space.
Industrial Curtains
Industrial curtains can ensure facilities are within industry-specific compliance and are used beyond compliance needs to maintain a safety-first environment. Industrial curtains allow you to easily create partitioned areas in your warehouse, plant, or other industrial space. They create work zones, block sound, and protect workers from industrial hazards such as dust and fumes. Industrial curtains can help maintain regulation levels of noise and air quality while improving the work environment.