A 2013 study from the National Safety Council suggests that the safety culture of a business can influence customer satisfaction. In other words, safety can affect your bottom line. Federal law requires you to have safety procedures in place to protect your employees and your customers. However, those laws aren’t foolproof. That is why it is important to ingrain safety in all business operations: create a safety checklist; include the checklist in all onboarding and training of new employees; ensure every employee understands the role they play in maintaining the checklist and update the checklist regularly to adjust to regulations and new procedures.

Business owners should identify all potential safety hazards and come up with a plan to mitigate those hazards to prevent safety missteps. An easy way to approach an effective safety plan is to create a preventative checklist. Creating a checklist should not be an afterthought, nor something you tackle on your own. Your employees, government organizations, safety management software, and third-party consultants must all work together to ensure a robust safety program.

A safety checklist should include job, workplace, equipment, electrical, chemical, and emergency procedures. Let’s consider the specific questions to ask in each area.

Managing Job Safety

Safety is more than a protocol; it is a culture. Some questions that you should ask yourself include the following:

• Is there a process for consulting employees about health and safety issues?
• Are there ongoing safety training opportunities for employees?
• Do you provide health and safety information (i.e. emergency contact numbers, the location of first aid kits) for all employees?
• Are hazards thoroughly discussed with employees for each task?
• Is there a manual that defines instructions or procedures for all work with risks?

Workplace Environment

This is a great opportunity to walk around your business with your employees and look for hazards. Some items to consider:

• Cleanliness
• Storage for equipment, tools, and products
• Air quality and ventilation
• Temperature control
• Walkways and stairs (both inside and outside)
• Location of cords and rugs

Equipment, Machinery, and Tools

Machines and equipment have many moving parts and the actions of these parts can have sufficient force to cause serious injuries. When creating a checklist for this category, carefully consider these questions:

• Is the correct equipment being utilized?
• Have employees been trained to use the tools, equipment, and machinery at your business?
• Is there adequate workspace around the machinery?
• Are tools, equipment, and machinery regularly maintained and cleaned?
• Do you keep a log of when tools, equipment, and machinery are used?

Electrical Hazards

Electricity remains a serious workplace hazard for business owners. Generators, extension cords, and equipment can cause electric shocks, burns, and electrocutions. Prevention is key to protecting your employees and customers. Consider these questions:

• Do you have any faulty plugs, sockets, or electrical leads?
• Do you utilize extension cords? If so, are they near any doorways or walkways?
• Is water located near any plugins or power cords? This can include sinks, water fountains, and washing stations.

Chemical Hazards

Cleaning supplies, paints, solvents, toner, and other chemicals can cause burns. If they leak, they can also be a hazard for slips and falls. When creating a checklist for this category, consider the following items:

• Labels
• Storage
• Ventilation
• Training and handling
• Disposal

Emergency Procedures

You should have procedures in place that cover emergencies such as fire, explosion, chemical spills, medical emergencies, and even crime. Those procedures should include the following:

• Clearly marked exits
• Displayed evacuation plan
• Regularly scheduled emergency drills
• Working emergency equipment (i.e. smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, first aid kits)
• Required first aid training for employees

More than 4,800 fatal work incidents were reported in the United States in 2015, according to the United States Department of Labor. Thousands more are hurt every year, harming families and adding up to millions of dollars in Worker’s Compensation claims and lawsuits. If someone gets hurt at your business, the financial, legal, and PR costs can be devastating to your organization. Implementing a robust safety checklist builds the foundation of a safety program that will protect your business, your employees, your customers, and your brand.

RizePoint makes it easy to perform safety audits across multiple business locations. To learn more about how RizePoint can help your business meet its safety goals, visit https://rizepoint.com/mobile-auditor/.