Outsourcing HR for Workplace Safety

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a significant number of injuries and work-related health issues arise in the workplace each year. Based on the National Safety Council (NSC) reports, slips and trips account for the highest number of injuries.

These records show that safety should be a key consideration for any business operation. Having a safe working environment requires a certain level of awareness and knowledge from all parties about safety hazards.

Let’s explore some of the workplace safety issues that have a bearing on every employer in all industries.

1. Substandard Housekeeping

Sound housekeeping is an excellent first step when you want to minimize or curb workplace hazards. Besides cleanliness, effective housekeeping covers the neatness and orderliness of the workplace. Here, the plan is to ensure all your floors, halls, and other spaces are free of hazards. Other housekeeping needs include routine removal of waste materials from the working areas and assessing the conditions and placement of safety equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, plus emergency sprinklers. Where effective housekeeping is lacking, incidents of employee accidents and injuries are more frequent.

2. Cleaning Products/Agents

All workplaces have cleaning agents. Some of these products can pose safety concerns, especially after you store them for an extended time. Moreover, some agents in a number of these cleaning chemicals can be corrosive—this means they can irritate a subject’s skin, cause rashes, or even severe burns once they come in contact with your skin or eyes. OSHA policies require every employer to provide a safe working environment for all employees who use cleaning agents and train staff on the safe use of such cleaning chemicals.

3. Extension Cables

Using extension cables for an extended duration poses a safety hazard. Inadequately grounded electrical cables can be a fire hazard, while cables that cut across common areas or floors pose safety concerns. For individuals to avoid falls and slips, it’s best to add proper outlets to cater to your changing electrical needs.

4. Communicable Diseases

Employees might opt to come to work while feeling unwell in some instances instead of taking time off work. This concern is primarily due to sick days/paid time off benefits limitations. Now, when employees report to work ill, they place others, especially those struggling with suppressed immune systems, chronic illnesses, or pregnant individuals, at serious risk of contracting infectious diseases.

How do you make the working environment safer for everyone? First, take favorable steps to implore sick employees to stay away from work. Next, introduce hygienic practices in your organization to help limit the spread of such diseases.

Outsource Your Organization’s HR Services

As your organization grows, the need for additional staff increases. Employers must take care of the safety of their employees in the workplace. Outsourcing some of these health and safety compliance tasks to a knowledgeable and dedicated HR service provider frees up your time to concentrate on what matters most—your core services.

Let us help you focus on running your company’s operations. As a professional employer organization, we can advise you on strategies you need to implement to improve your employees’ health and safety, plus minimize the organization’s liabilities and compliance issues.

To learn more, get in touch with one of our expert business advisors today!