Unfortunately, in today’s environment, we do need to think about how we can keep employees safe. We should not just assume we won’t have any issues in our work environment and instead, make plans to increase awareness in staying safe.
Do you have a policy on visitors? Does your staff know what it is and what to expect? Are they expected to confront strangers or is there someone they can contact? Do they even know how to identify “strangers” or potential danger (for larger organizations or those with an ongoing expectation of various individuals coming on site)? What are the specific dangers within your organization?
We also need to think about domestic violence and the possibility that it can invade our work environment (no matter what type of industry you’re in). Have you provided resources to your staff if they’re in that situation? Do you have an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) that provides information and help to employees?
Identify potential concerns targeted to your work environment. Talk with staff/others to see if they have any specific questions. How confident are they that safety is a priority? Would they feel comfortable reporting any type of concern? If not, is there a hotline or other unbiased method they can utilize?
Remember, safety isn’t just from strangers, there are lots of injuries caused each day due to equipment issues, lack of training, improper usage or even just joking around. When someone is hurt on the job, do you investigate no matter what? Do you reinforce what needs to be done to limit workplace injuries? Every injury should be investigated and anyone involved should know how to prevent a repeat.
Safety needs to be a priority for all organizations, regardless of size. Ensure you’re doing what you can to keep everyone safe. Make sure your employees know that safety is ALWAYS a priority!
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