Spring Cleaning: Improving Safety in the Workplace

The clocks have sprung forward and Spring is just around the corner! Longer days with increased sunlight bring a sense of awakening and rejuvenation, a fresh look, and a fresh start. It’s time to start planning some spring cleaning and not only at home but at work as well. And it’s not just about clearing the dust, dirt and grime of winter away, this is an excellent opportunity to address health and safety in the workplace. A proactive, preventative approach can remove hazards, reduce risks, improve wellness and increase productivity.

Prevention is key to reducing on-the-job incidents and accidents; with a good spring cleaning it can be as simple as 1,2,3:

1. Clean and Declutter:

Deep cleaning all carpets, floors, walls, surfaces and equipment can stop the spread of bacteria, germs and allergens. A clean work environment is a healthy work environment. Taking the time to declutter workstations and worksites can create a safer workspace by removing slip, trip, and fall hazards while streamlining workflow. A neat and tidy work area can improve productivity.

2. Perform Safety Checks:

While cleaning and decluttering, incorporate safety inspections and/or maintenance checks throughout the entire workplace including: all equipment, tools, machinery and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Identifying the need for repairs, replacements, service and/or maintenance can address potential issues before they become problems. Ensuring First Aid kits and stations are replenished and appropriately stocked is an essential part of an effective health and safety management program. Accidents and injuries aren’t expected but properly equipped first aid resources should be.

3. Review Company Policies & Procedures:

After the workplace is clean, tidy and safety checks have been completed, it’s a good time to have all staff get reacquainted with important company practices including:

• Safety standards
• Fire drills
• Accident/incident reporting
• Near-miss reporting
• Drug and alcohol guidelines

Besides addressing complacency and reinforcing compliance, it’s a great way to identify areas where training, retraining and renewals may be required. Spending a little extra time spring cleaning now can help prevent Workers’ Compensation claims and costs in the future.

If you would like further suggestions on how to attack spring cleaning in your organization, you can contact us directly, during business hours, using our chat feature, by phone at 1-844-377-9545 or you can reach us by email at [email protected], [email protected], and you can always connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.