8 Employee Safety Tips for a Secure and Productive Workplace 

More than 155 million people in the United States are employed. And every 7 seconds, one of them is injured on the job.

When it comes to workplace injuries and even deaths, no industry is immune. The good news is that most–if not all–accidents on the job can be prevented by implementing and following basic workplace safety tips.

Workplace safety tips

The following tips are some of the top safety precautions for businesses that will help ensure safety in the workplace.

1. Know your workplace risks

Some risks are universal; for example, all brick and mortar businesses have some level of risk for things like fires or theft. But many businesses also provide services that present additional, more specific risks to employees.

If you own a roofing company, for example, your employees are more at risk for falls or construction-related accidents than an office worker who is sitting down all day. Or, if your business provides cleaning services, your workers are more likely to be exposed to potentially harmful chemicals.

Knowing the risks that are unique to your business will help you create the most appropriate safety guidelines. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has an extensive list of industries and job titles that outlines potential risks, as well as safety procedures for workplaces and employees.

2. Have a safety plan in place

All workplaces should have a safety plan in place that includes the following:

• What to do when an injury occurs in the workplace
• Procedures for reporting injuries
• Procedures for reporting equipment malfunctions
• Phone numbers for emergency responders
• Clear instructions/maps for evacuating the building or area
• Contact information for questions or concerns

In addition, you should also hold regular drills so your employees know what to do and where to go in the event of a fire, active shooter, or natural disaster that would cause the building to evacuate or require them to take cover.

3. Hold regular employee safety training

Before they even begin working, all employees should be thoroughly trained in safety procedures for their job duties. This includes appropriate attire, handling of equipment, personal protective gear such as gloves or hard hats, and guidelines for preventing fatigue or overuse injuries.

You might also want to consider testing employees on workplace safety rules that were covered in your training. This helps ensure everyone understands and remembers safety guidelines.

4. Monitor the workplace with wireless cameras

Installing surveillance cameras in your place of business provides a number of benefits. When it comes to workplace safety, cameras can:

• Help you monitor areas or sites to ensure proper safety procedures are being followed.
• Provide valuable training. Showing employees clips of both proper and improper procedures can be a powerful visual tool to help prevent future accidents.
• Insight into accidents. If an accident does occur, cameras can help the investigation to see whether proper safety guidelines were followed.

With Vivint security cameras, you can check your camera feeds right from your phone, no matter where you are, so you can check on your employees and worksite as needed.

5. Keep your workplace uncluttered

It's easy for equipment, boxes, or merchandise to pile up over the course of the day. However, slips and falls account for 25% of all workplace injuries, and many of these can be prevented if employees make sure their workspaces are kept clear of clutter, spills, and other debris that could cause someone to trip.

A few tips to keep things tidier (and safer) include:

• Clean up any spills immediately to keep floors dry.
• Keep all aisles and exits clear of debris, tools, and merchandise.
• Never block emergency exits.
• Prevent falling objects by stacking the heaviest items on the bottom or using safety nets.
• Store unused materials out of the way.
• Cover trailing cables and cords to prevent trips.

6. Make sure all alarms are up to code

At minimum, your workplace should have the appropriate number of smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide detectors required by law.

You may also want to consider upgrading your equipment for faster detection. Vivint smoke alarms, for example, are equipped with photoelectric sensors that sound an alarm if increased heat or smoke are detected. This means your employees will hear the alarm before they smell smoke. When it comes to fires, every second counts.

7. Prevent repetitive motion injuries

Some people may think office workers aren't at risk for workplace industries, but repetitive motion injuries are the most common workplace injuries. These are not usually caused by strenuous activity, like lifting heavy boxes. Instead, they are the result of performing the same tasks that use the same muscles, like typing, clicking a mouse, or holding tools day after day.

A few safety tips to prevent these types of injuries include:

• Provide ergonomic equipment, such as chairs, computer mouses, and keyboards.
• Encourage employees to take frequent breaks.
• Post examples of stretches and exercises that can help prevent injuries.

8. Install smart locks for keyless entry

Smart locks are another safety precaution you can take to help keep your workplace safer. Smart locks use a specific code rather than a physical key to lock and unlock doors, which provides a number of safety benefits.

Doors can be set to lock automatically, providing a more secure environment. And since 50% of all workplace burglaries occur through an unlocked door, it also helps protect workers from intruders.

Keep your workplace safe with Vivint

A state-of-the-art security system from Vivint can help protect your business and employees from a number of safety threats, such as intruders, fires, and more with features that include:

• Burglary detection through motion sensors that sound an alarm when motion is detected and the system is armed.
• Smart locks that not only lock automatically but use unique codes to help you identify who is coming and going.
• Door and window sensors, including glass break sensors, to protect your premises from unlawful entry.
• Carbon monoxide detectors for fast, accurate detection of deadly carbon monoxide.
• Outdoor cameras with the innovative Smart Sentry AI that identifies lurkers, then lets them know they've been spotted.
• 24/7 monitoring to ensure your business is protected around the clock.
• A one-touch panic button that immediately contacts Vivint's 24/7 security monitoring

With a Vivint commercial security system, you're always connected to your business. You can also access camera feeds, arm and disarm your system, lock and unlock doors, and more remotely via the Vivint app.

Safety precautions protect everyone

As an employer, the most important thing you can do for your employees is help cultivate a safe workplace.

By implementing these workplace safety tips, you can help keep your employees safe, productive, and accident-free.

Let Vivint protect your business

To find out how Vivint can help protect your business and employees, contact our Smart Home Pros today at 800.646.1469 for a free quote.