As we embark on our business endeavors, there will always be a few setbacks and unforeseen circumstances along the way. Some people will help us reach the heights that we set out to reach, while others will weigh us down.

It should go without saying that your employees are no longer just “a labor force”, but rather, an asset to the business. They are your primary resource in your pursuit of entrepreneurial success. They are the lifeblood of your business.

But they can also be the downfall of your dreams if you aren’t able to take proper care of them. On that trail of thought, we can then surmise that workplace safety should be a top priority.

So, what are the most vital aspects of workplace safety?

The Planning Phase

Before anything, you need to establish a proper safety plan. This includes consulting with both safety experts and your employees during the planning stage. This allows you to be able to create a safety plan that addresses the most likely issues in the most efficient and effective manner. Safety precautions need to be tailored to match the existing conditions that your employees come in contact with every day.

Execution and Maintenance

Once a safety plan has been established, the next step is to enforce the policies that were discussed. This also means that employees need to undergo workplace safety training. Provide clear instructions for both the workplace and for the proper use of machinery. It may also be necessary to provide these instructions in languages other than English.

Apart from this, employers also need to ensure that the workplace is clean and organized, and that the equipment is in top condition. The purpose of maintaining a clean work environment is to help avoid or at least minimize the likelihood of workplace injuries than can arise from falls, tripping, slipping, and other similar accidents.

Failure to adhere to these basic safety standards will not only result in an employee getting injured, but also  in a lawsuit potentially filed against the business, according to this workers compensation attorney.

Employee Performance Evaluations

Regardless of what industry you find yourself in, you’re going to have to evaluate your employees periodically. And one metric in every employee evaluation has a heavy focus on safety. As unsavory as it may sound, you need to determine what safety violations are unforgivable and thus warrant a termination. For the less serious violations, you may opt instead to assign the employee for retraining. Whatever the case may be, you are essentially weeding out the liabilities from your workforce.

Reevaluation and Adaptation

Much like the market that you seek to establish your business in, the factors that influence the effectiveness of your safety plan are also dynamic. Whether it’s in the form of a change in safety standards set by the OSHA, or in the form of a law that has recently been passed, you need to reevaluate your safety plan and adapt it accordingly to the new standards set by the powers that be.