Workers ‘Must Be Equipped For Safety’

Employers are being reminded that it’s their responsibility to ensure that staff have the equipment they need to complete their jobs safely, from high visibility clothing to wheelchairs.

Business Matters Magazine has put together a concise checklist that employers should use to cover the bases when making sure that workers are properly equipped to go about their daily duties safely.

Protective clothing

Also known as personal protective equipment (PPE), high visibility clothing, safety helmets, gloves and safety shoes can all reduce the risks to a worker when used properly. Employers should draw up risk assessments and provide the necessary PPE to mitigate any potential hazards, the magazine suggests.

Disability equipment

Disabled workers may need special equipment to complete their job safely and it’s a legal requirement to provide this. People with disabilities may require equipment like wheelchairs and ramps to work safely.

Safe signage

Some hazards cannot be dealt with straight away - uneven floors, spillages and other hazards should be pointed out through clear signage so that staff can be made aware of the dangers and take the appropriate action to avoid them.

Fire safety

The risk of fire should be assessed to determine any hazards and areas of the workplace most likely to be at risk. Fire equipment like extinguishers should then be bought and installed close to these areas. Staff should also be briefed about how they should respond in the event of a fire.

Lifting equipment

Injuries can be caused at work through unsafe lifting across all industries. While there are recommendations for lifting in industries like healthcare and construction, if you work in an office where lifting is occasional it might be wise to consider installing castors on items that need moving to reduce risk.