Business owners need to be mindful of the safety of their employees at all times, ensuring that proper procedures are in place to minimise the risks of accidents. Depending on the scale of your business and the type of industry you operate in, some safety risks may be more prominent that others.
For example, construction and manufacturing industries that involve heavy machinery and equipment will often have the biggest safety risks. However, all businesses need to manage safety and provide the right tools and equipment to allow employees to be productive without risking injury. In this article, we’ll share some of the most useful safety equipment your business can’t do without.
Safety Tags
These are simple tags which can be attached to any piece of equipment or tool, providing a detailed log of inspections and maintenance. Safety tags are used to inform employees about whether or not something is safe to use, as regular inspections help prevent damage which could lead to accidents. This site offers a wide selection of safety tags which can be used on different equipment, including ladders and scaffolding.
Many safety regulations require safety tags to be used by law, and these should include specific information such as the date and time of the last inspection and when the next inspection is due. In many cases, it will also include a checklist for users to follow before operating the equipment to ensure proper usage.
Lockout tags are another form of safety tag which warn employees not to use equipment which is unsafe or undergoing repairs. Lockout tags prevent the machine from being used, with the tag specifying the date and time of the lockout.
Personal Safety Equipment
Following the correct safety procedures helps to reduce the risk of accidents, but it can’t prevent them entirely. In some cases, accidents may occur, but the severity of injuries can be reduced with the right personal safety equipment. These include hard hats, eye protection, face shields, gloves, boots and ear protection.
The type of personal safety equipment required will depend on the conditions in the workplace and the type of hazards that employees are likely to come into contact with. For example, working in areas with heavy equipment or machinery, high visibility vests and hard hats can reduce the chances of an accident and also limit the damage caused. For an office environment, ergonomic furniture will help prevent back problems and issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
First Aid Equipment
In the event of an accident, it’s important that first aid is administered quickly to help reduce the damage caused. All job sites should have at least one person trained in first aid on duty. This way, they can respond to any emergency situation to provide first aid and ensure the injuries are treated. Most workplaces have a designated first aid provider, and there should also be first aid kits widely available throughout the site.
First aid kits should include a variety of materials such as bandages, adhesive tape, scissors, gloves and antiseptic spray. Many worksites also include specialised equipment such as defibrillators, which can provide emergency assistance in the event of a heart attack. Employees should always be trained to use this equipment to ensure it’s effective.
Safety Signs
Signs are used in workplaces to warn of potential hazards and remind employees of the correct safety procedures. These should be positioned around machinery and other tools that are likely to cause accidents if used incorrectly. Signs should be clear, easy to see and simple to understand. They should reinforce ideas and concepts that are taught during training.
