Whether it’s your first day or your tenth year on the job, safety is always a priority. Regardless of whether you are at the highest level or entry-level there are tactics anyone can take to enhance and improve the welfare of the work environment. Here are some workplace safety tips that all should follow. Adhering to these simple yet critical concepts will establish continuity and enhance safety in the workplace:

1) Always Be Up To Speed On Safety Awareness

A lack of safety training increases the likelihood of accidents. Safety training is not an option, it is a priority. Often new safety ideologies and methodologies emerge and outdated safety practices are often proven to be obsolete or ineffective. It is essential to keep all employees from ground to top level abreast and aware of safety practices. In fact, there is no such thing as too much safety training. This practice should be immersed in the very fabric of operations and workplace culture. A lack of safety training is the number one cause of accidents and emergencies.

2) Practice Emergency Preparedness

In the event of an emergency, a comprehensive plan can assure all employees and workers are protected from potentially deadly consequences. Regardless of whether you are a laborer or executive, it is imperative to be prepared for the unexpected. Implement a fire safety framework and response to any incidents that may occur. From these action plans, a course of action and a chain of command can be established and thus streamline and optimize responses in the unlikely event of a perilous event. It is essential that all employees know what to do in a variety of emergency situations. Failing to establish this framework is one of the greatest threats to any enterprise and can cause exorbitant trouble in the event of an actual emergency. Never be complacent and always stay one step ahead of the curve, continuously practice emergency preparedness.

3) Establish Team-Oriented Communication and Accountability

Regardless of title or station, accountability is essential for workplace safety. When you see something being done incorrectly or wrong, say something. If something appears unsafe or hazardous, be sure to address and rectify it. Ignorance is never bliss and there is no price on the value of safety for all employees. There is no such thing as a stupid question or stepping out of line. It is important to eliminate these negative ideals and replace them with progressive ideologies that bolster and encourage employee interaction and openness.  

It is also essential that management establish and retain this foundation by creating an open line of communication with subordinates and superiors. This practice enhances employee relations and thus creates a foundation of trust and support that will be proven resourceful in the event of an actual emergency. This narrative also serves as a great rudiment in establishing accountability and thus is likely to prevent and mitigate potentially dangerous scenarios from being intensified.