When we think of office safety, we most often think of fire alarms and evacuation plans. But there are other ways you might be putting your employees at risk without even realizing it. Here are some pointers to keep your team healthy, happy, and safe in the workplace. 

Fire safety 

We all know about the importance of alarms, sprinklers, and evacuation plans. But how often do you check that your office is prepared for an evacuation? It’s a good idea to have designated staff who are trained to oversee the evacuation process. It helps if these fire wardens have high-vis jackets. They should be specially trained to keep calm in an emergency and follow agreed procedures. A part of their job could also be to carry out regular checks on the building throughout the week. They might check that emergency exits are clear, that the alarms are in working order, and ensure that the fire extinguishers are in their correct positions and freely available. 

Accessibility 

Your office needs to be accessible to staff and visitors with disabilities and reduced mobility. But this doesn’t stop at ramps. Take the toilets, for instance. Not only should you have a disabled access toilet, but you’ll need it to be properly kitted out to ensure safety. A disabled colleague could split and fall while using the bathroom and require emergency assistance. How would they alert attention? Install an emergency alarm in the disabled access bathroom and ensure the cord runs to the floor, where it can be reached in case of a fall. You might also consider a Kwikset emergency key to enable you to unlock the door from the outside. 

Protecting health 

Not all workplace health issues will end up with a visit to the emergency department. Some are slow-burning and potentially irreversible. For example, if an employee doesn’t have a suitable workstation with a correctly aligned computer, they might develop repetitive strain injury, or cause damage to their vision through eye strain. Many workplaces give out vouchers for free eye tests or partner up with occupational therapists who can advise on how to make the workplace more healthy. 

Sitting down for too long can also cause health complications. Protect your workers by encouraging regular stretching breaks throughout the working day. You could also invest in some sit-stand desks, which allow workers to choose to stand. Standing meets are also becoming increasingly popular for this reason. Another great way to encourage physical activity is to make it easier to cycle to work, for example, installing bike lock areas and even shower facilities. Many companies offer reduced gym rates as part of their benefits packages. Increasing the health and fitness of staff will benefit the company too, through better productivity and few days taken off sick. 

Cybersecurity 

As well as keeping your staff and clients physically safe, in the modern world, you’ve also got to consider their cybersecurity. That means ensuring that personal data is stored securely and that your communications systems are secure, too.