The health and safety of laborers is one of the main concerns employers face during their day to day operations
. There are regulations set to make sure that the work environment does not compromise an employees safety and companies that violate them may face stiff penalties, especially when an accident occurs in the workplace. These standards are set to protect both the employee and the employer from having to deal with workplace accidents and other untoward incidents.
Health and Safety Standards
Health and safety standards differ from industry to industry. There are career paths that have minimum risk of health issues and accidents, while there are some jobs that are prone to these kinds of things. No matter what the risk factor is, employers should make sure that these standards are met and that employees follow the prescribed safety measures when they are in the companys premises or when they are doing their jobs on the field. Laborers working in the construction and mining industries have stricter regulations which should be followed strictly. Any incidents resulting from negligence may lead to civil and criminal liabilities.
Maintaining a Safe Work Environment
Health and safety regulations also cover the actual work environment. The workplace must have proper ventilation. Mechanical ventilation systems are usually installed to prevent the ill effects of working in an unventilated environment. The environments temperature also plays a big role when it comes to employees health. Companies should have fully functioning heating and air conditioning system to regulate the temperature to the recommended levels. This not only makes the people feel comfortable, it also reduces the risk of illnesses resulting from working in undesirable conditions. Lighting is also a big factor in maintain the workers health. This helps people move about safely and it also reduces the risk of eye strain. Working in a cramped environment takes a toll not just on a persons physical well being, but it can also affect ones mental health. A lot of office accidents also happen because the people are sitting too close together and they dont have adequate space to move around the office. Lastly, companies should maintain cleanliness in the workplace. This responsibility is shared with the employees and clean as you go campaigns help lessen the issues that stem from improper waste management.
Keeping people safe while under the companys supervision is very important. Employers are responsible for their people and they should make sure that their employees health and safety comes first.