There’s no doubt that workplace injuries are likely to happen anywhere, whether you are working at an office building or a construction site. Nonetheless, employers have the responsibility of ensuring that their employees are secured from injuries and other incidents that can take a toll on their bottom line.

That being said, safety has to be prioritized regardless of the size of your business. Sure enough, there are several ways you can reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries and protect the health of your workers.

Here are some of the best approaches to ensuring workplace safety for your small business.

1. Orient your employees

First of all, workplace safety is not the sole responsibility of the management. One thing’s for sure, everyone has a stake in keeping the workplace less hazardous, so you need to train your employees on the company’s safety standards. For this, you may want to include an orientation on the subject when you’re training new recruits. This should cover the proper handling of equipment as well as detailed emergency procedures.

2. Provide mitigating measures

According to Scudder Seguin, the manufacturing sector accounts for at least 13,300 workplace injuries in North Carolina in 2016, citing figures from the US Department of Labor. If you’re operating a manufacturing business, it’s important that you apply mitigating measures that should protect workers from accidents involving machines. This should involve investing in protective gear. It’s also important to have the right safety facilities such as barriers and fences.

3. Assess your business

Before you consider adding mitigating measures, you will have to inspect your business first. You will have to conduct ample research on common safety concerns and how best to address them. You will also need to brush up on certain areas of improvement so you can have a better idea of the strategies you should apply to increase workplace safety.

4. Delegate a safety team

For sure, it helps to have a pair of extra eyes to oversee the performance and operations that are running under your nose. At least, this can also determine any safety issues and come up with a detailed plan to address them. Sure enough, you can appoint someone from your current staff to act as a safety supervisor. You also have the option of hiring someone with the right credentials, that is if your business is industrial in nature.

5. Keep everything well-maintained

Machines and equipment deteriorate over time and without proper care, they can become serious workplace hazards. Defective sockets, for instance, can short-circuit, thereby creating a fire risk. Likewise, your company vehicles can cause all sorts of issues, so make sure they are serviced regularly. A good rule of thumb here is to conduct an inventory of your equipment and facilities and conduct regular maintenance work. Apart from lengthening the lifespan of these assets, doing an inventory can help you identify safety issues and hazards early on.

With these tips in mind, you can effectively promote better workplace safety and avoid legal repercussions later on.