Creating a strong 'health and safety' work environment is one of the biggest challenges for most organizations. Nevertheless, numerous companies have successfully developed safety cultures that have helped them achieve more efficient and productive work units. But, even more challenging than this is the ability to maintain those safety measures. One tactic that works in creating a safe work environment is active employee engagement.

Employee engagement means that employees are involved in creating, operating, evaluating, and improving safety work initiatives. They help a company fulfill its mission and meet its objectives by applying their ideas, expertise, and efforts to solve problems and make decisions.

Why Should You Involve Employees in Safer Workplace Initiatives?

Companies that have a safe work environment have highly involved employees in developing and implementing safe work initiatives. Therefore, it is vital to include employees in safer workplace initiatives because:

• - They are directly affected by safety issues. Employees are the ones who face potential safety and health hazards daily.
  - Employees will more likely support and use programs in which they have input.
  - Employees who can freely share their ideas and whose contributions are taken seriously are more satisfied and productive at their work.
  
  

How can you get employees involved in safer workplace initiatives?

Here are three ways in which you can engage your employees in workplace safety:

1. Housekeeping

To some, the word 'housekeeping' might call to mind cleaning surfaces and washing floors, but in a workplace, it means much more. It's crucial to safe workplaces. It can prevent injuries and improve productivity. Housekeeping involves all employees in such tasks as storage, organizing clutter, cleaning spills, and tool maintenance. Aside from the fact that it leads to fewer work injuries, it also leads to better inventory control, more efficient equipment maintenance, and less property damage.

2. Safety Inspections

Safety inspections are crucial for all businesses, no matter their size. Routine safety inspections are an excellent opportunity for employees to identify hazards and their causes. It also gives a chance to employees to voice their concerns and point out dangers others might miss. Finally, routine safety inspections can help to put in place realistic solutions to safety issues.

3. Safety Observations

Proper safety observations are the backbone of a safe workplace environment. They must be correctly done. Observations identify job site hazards, conditions, controls, manage exposure to risks, reduce vulnerability, and reduce injury.  

Take Away

An adequate Safety and Health program includes the meaningful participation of employees. They have much to gain from an effective plan and the most to lose if it fails. Employees also typically know the most about potential hazards associated with their job positions. A good Safety and Health program uses this knowledge base. The more engaged your employees can become, the better the results will be.

For creating a safe work environment, it is important to do a proper facility and equipment inspection. Audit and inspection software such as The Checker will be of great help in this process.