3 Workplace Safety Requirements Employers Commonly Overlook

Keeping up-to-date with the safety requirements of an organization along with safe working practices, is in the best interests of every employer, and there are a number of incentives for doing so. Protecting workers from harm, avoiding what are often costly fines, and making sure that production can continue uninterrupted without the risk of broken equipment; all are valid and worthy reasons for a company to ensure that all safety requirements are being followed. 

That said, it’s sometimes impossible to prevent certain safety requirements from being unintentionally overlooked, with some being easier to overlook than others. 

From something as seemingly simple as workers wearing the appropriate head protective gear, to the reviewing of safety manuals, here are three workplace safety requirements most often overlooked by employers:

1. PPE

Even with COVID-19 firmly behind us, personal protective equipment remains strictly regulated, and it’s important that employers evaluate their policies for workplace PPE on a frequent basis.  

While the majority of employers recognize that issuing their workers the right PPE for their roles is imperative, few know or recognize that OSHA dictates certain requirements with regard to this. They mandate that every position within a company be assessed to determine what PPE is needed in order for them to carry out their role effectively, and most importantly, safely. Known as a PPE Hazard Assessment, it must be carried out and documented properly, to avoid potentially serious consequences from OSHA. 

2. Monitoring alertness and health

Even if a worker chooses to push themselves to their limit while at work, it’s important that employers check just how hard they’re pushing themselves, and whether it might be having negative consequences for their overall health and safety. This is especially pertinent for those workers tasked with complex roles, who carry out potentially dangerous maneuvers, or operate heavy machinery, as doing any of these while feeling tired or unable to concentrate, could be extremely dangerous for them and their coworkers. 

Workers in roles with a higher risk of personal injury, should be monitored to ensure that they are in good health and are alert, before they begin working. Breaks should be scheduled and employers must check that employees are taking them, while workers who aren’t feeling well, should be encouraged to remain at home until they’re feeling better. 

3. Reviewing safety records and documentation

While it might be the bane of many a management team, keeping up-to-date and accurate safety records is crucial if a company wants to keep their workers safe at all times. 

All manuals and training tools related to safety in the workplace should be reviewed periodically, helping to ensure that they remain accurate and relevant. How often this is done may vary from company to company, but ideally, they should be thoroughly reviewed at least every three years. Should a company expand and adopt new roles or capabilities, or the standards issued by OSHA be updated or changed, such reviews become even more important. 

From safety audits and employee certifications, to onboardings and inspections, meticulous records should be kept to make sure that all licenses, protocols and regulations are up-to-date and accurate. 

Safety in the workplace should always be a top priority for employers, no matter the level of perceived risk, or the infrequency of accidents and injuries. While finding reputable hard hat suppliers and PPE companies for safety gear is half the battle, employers must also check that their employees are fit to carry out the role they’ve been assigned to do. Contact ASI Safety today and we’ll make sure every employee has the right gear to protect not only them—but your bottom line.