Workplace injuries are sadly a common occurrence at worksites and offices. However they don’t have to be. Here are a few ways to make your place of work safer:

Have first aid supplies accessible: Have basic first aid kits and supplies available to all staff. Check regularly to ensure supplies are kept stocked and any medications or supplies are not expired.

Get OHS and First Aid Trainings: Have first aid qualified staff on hand when workers are on-site. Make sure your workers and staff know who the current first aid attendants are at all times.

Perform regular safety briefings: These are great to do before every shift on worksites, during new employee orientations, and especially when anything on site changes.

Do regular workplace inspections: Have a staff member check your worksite everyday to make sure there are no safety hazards. This is especially important for outside sites as wind and weather can cause dangerous situations if not recognized and fixed.

Form a health and safety committee: Get your staff and co-workers involved in health and safety initiatives. This could include bringing in health and safety speakers or facilitating workshops.

Display health and safety reminders: We all need a reminder sometimes so be sure to post signage where hard hats, hearing protection, or specialized safety requirements or rules exist.

Require up-to-date equipment/tool trainings: Provide your workers access to skills upgrades and trainings on any and all equipment they may be using or come in contact with.

With a little foresight and initiative, you can make your worksite or office a safer place. For more information on health and safety in the workplace visit http://www.naosh.org or https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety.