How Small Businesses Can Create a Safer Workplace On a Budget

Emma Sturgis

April 15, 2016

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Many entrepreneurs and small business owners never think about workplace safety until it is too late. For companies with a tight budget, even a minor injury can result in devastating medical expenses or a lawsuit that ties up assets for months at a time. If you are ready to create a safer work environment for you and your employees, here are a handful of tips you can start implementing today.

Lead by Example

The best way to create a safer work environment is to lead by example. When employees notice their team leaders placing an emphasis on safety, they will quickly recognize it is unacceptable to work unsafely, no matter what deadlines are coming up. Not only is this an effective way to improve workplace safety, but it will also cost you nothing.

Update Your Hiring Practices

It might be tempting to make a quick hire when your company is short-staffed, but bringing an incompetent worker onto your team can be a major liability. Even your entry-level positions should have a thorough screening process to weed out any underqualified workers. Cutting corners during the hiring process could cost your company thousands of dollars down the road.

Create a Comprehensive Training Program

Every industry has its fair share of health risks, no matter how harmless the work might seem. This is why most risk assessment specialists suggest that companies create a comprehensive safety training program well before they open their doors. Team leaders can then go back and reevaluate the program once or twice per year in order to adapt to new risks.

Take Safety Seriously

Safe workplace practices are important because they protect you, your business, and your employees. Poor health and safety practices can lead to hazardous contamination in the workplace. Dangerous materials, like asbestos, can pose a serious threat to your employees. According to a meso lawyer, the common injuries caused by asbestos exposure include lung cancer and mesothelioma--conditions which no employee should ever have to suffer from. By taking safety seriously, you may prevent an injury or avoid a loss in productivity.

Reward Safe Practices

Business owners might not realize that they are encouraging unsafe practices when they praise team members for getting the job done as quickly as possible. Encouragement is an important part of being an effective leader, but you need to think about the long-term implications of encouraging unsafe behavior.

Don't Stop Looking for Ways to Improve

There is no single safety program that is going to remain effective forever. Business owners and their team leaders must lay the groundwork for a program that is as adaptable as possible. When new risks become apparent, everyone on the staff should have the opportunity to voice their suggestions and concerns.

No matter how much time and money you have invested into your business, a major accident could destroy all of that hard work. These few tips will help you improve workplace safety while operating on a shoestring budget.