Accidents are preventable, as long as you take a proactive approach to health and safety. By implementing a system of hazard identification and risk control, you can prevent workplace injuries and diseases. These are the basic steps:
Consider every area of your workplace when looking for hazards. Think about conditions or work activities that could put employees or guests at risk. For example, you might find hazards such as unguarded machinery in the kitchen or a wet floor in the front entrance of your workplace. Ask your staff if they have any specific health and safety concerns.
Once you have identified a hazard, evaluate the risks associated with it. There are two basic questions to ask when considering a hazard: how likely is an accident, and how serious would it be if it occured? A risk assessment will help you prioritize the hazard so you know which ones to deal with first.
PPE provides protection against hazards. It should be used when other safety controls are not practical, or in addition to other controls. For example, to help prevent slips, strips, and falls, make sure your employees wear slip-resistant footwear.