Business leaders have a responsibility to run a safe workplace. That means investigating current practices and making upgrades when needed. Staying on top of safety concerns is the best way to retain employees and attract new clients.
To get a good look at your processes, you need to perform yearly safety inspections. This opportunity will allow you to discover what’s working and what needs some improvement. Make sure to check these things in your annual safety audit to ensure compliance.
Security Systems
You need more than locked doors to have a safe business. Your security system should include cameras and an alarm system, at the very least. A robust system may even have biometric analysis, automatic locks, and remote access control.
An outdated security system leaves your employees and assets vulnerable to danger. Make sure all features work correctly and use the latest software. Check your entryways for damage that could prevent doors and windows from closing completely.
Electrical Equipment
Electricity isn’t something to take lightly. All businesses have electrical systems, even if you aren’t in the industrial sector. Check for exposed wires, overloaded outlets, extension chords, and improper cable placements near metal objects or water.
The safety inspection is a good time to ensure your workstations have proper lighting. Broken lights and low visibility can lead to injuries and low productivity. You should also restrict access to dangerous areas storing electrical equipment.
Emergency Procedures
No matter how diligent you are about following safety practices, accidents can always happen. That’s why one thing you should always check in your annual safety audit is your building’s emergency procedures. Your plans can’t just work in theory; they must also work in real-world scenarios.
Make sure all emergency plans include a current map of the facility. You should also have adequate signage that directs people to the nearest exits. Create plans for fires, extreme weather, hazardous waste spills, and any other situation unique to your industry.
Employee Compliance
Your safety procedures mean nothing if people don’t follow them! Your safety audit should include employee compliance. Check people’s workspaces for inadequate equipment handling, insufficient storage, and unsafe office setups.
Keep detailed records of every injury and safety violation so you can look over them during your yearly inspection. Repeat offenders should take training refreshers to prevent any more accidents. Have staff members complete a daily checklist that goes over common safety hazards so everyone knows what to look for.
Businesses must maintain safety conditions to comply with OSHA and other federal agencies. If you include these checkpoints in your annual safety audit, you’ll be in the clear every time.
