As an employer, you have a duty to protect your employees from harm. That may be through providing special training or installing specific safety measures. At the very least, you need to follow the government’s Health and Safety guidelines; otherwise, you may be at risk of legal action.

If you want to keep your business and employees protected from workplace accidents, keep reading our short guide.

Understanding your legal obligations

As an employer, you have multiple legal obligations to keep your employees safe and secure. These obligations include providing a safe working environment and adequate safety training so that your team knows how to keep themselves and each other safe. If these standards are not kept, it may lead to an accident at work claim.

The UK government has strict guidelines on the minimum efforts you need to make as an employer, but going above and beyond is a great way to motivate your team further and ensure operations continue smoothly.

Conduct regular risk assessments

One way employers can keep their team safe is with regular risk assessments. These tests are completed to ensure safe working environments and to alert workers to any potential dangers. This can include anything from minor trip hazards to more dangerous exposed machinery. While the specific risks you’ll need to be aware of will depend on your industry, all employers should complete regular risk assessments.

Undertaking a detailed risk assessment means analysing an area in detail, as you try to be aware of any potential issues that could arise. For example, if stock is placed on the floor near the corner of a shelving unit, this could create a visually obscured trip hazard.

Prioritise training and supervision

One key piece of information you should be aware of is that well-trained personnel are less likely to make mistakes which lead to accidents. To ensure your team is as well-trained as possible, we recommend starting their training from day one.

When a new employee joins your organisation, they typically have to go through an induction process. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce them to risk prevention training, alongside risk awareness.

Of course, your training shouldn’t be limited to new employees. To ensure your team remain safe, they should undergo regular safety training refresher sessions. This can help them recall ways to avoid hazards, while also updating them on any new methods for risk prevention.

Finally, if a worker is new or temporary, they should always have the relevant supervision. By pairing them with a trained and trustworthy employee, you can eliminate the majority of risks and hazards.

Promote a culture of safety and reporting

Another excellent way you can protect your team is by promoting a culture of safety and reporting. In a culture where employees are afraid to speak up, they may not announce when they’ve noticed an issue. In turn, this issue could grow and develop into something more serious, injuring an employee or worse.

By promoting a culture of safety and reporting, you encourage and reward your team for noticing issues and making them known to others. This type of behaviour helps to prevent accidents, and can be hugely beneficial to team morale and productivity.