Workplace Tools & Safety

Are you providing your employees with the right tools and safety procedures at work? No matter which industry your company falls into—whether it’s construction, hospitality, finance, retail, health care, or financial services—it’s important for you to offer your employees the tools they need to do their job. When employees have the right tools, it creates a safer workplace, improves efficiency, and saves money.

Increasing Workplace Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Act, which is enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), requires employers in many industries to provide certain types of personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees. Depending on the type of work involved, employers may be required to provide PPE for an employee’s head, face, eyes, nose, and mouth, extremities, or even their entire body. Providing the required PPE improves workplace safety and ensures compliance with OSHA regulations.

Safety Training

OSHA requires employers to provide training to workers who face hazards on the job. Education and training provide employers, managers, supervisors, and workers with the knowledge and skills they need to do their work safely and avoid hazards that could place them and others at risk. Having this awareness and understanding helps them know how to identify, report, and correct a safety issue or hazard. Workplace safety and training are vital, as it enables management to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.

Improving Employee Efficiency

When workers have the tools and equipment they need to do their work, and when those tools and equipment are in good condition, it reduces their frustration and stress and enables them to focus on the job at hand. The more comprehensive the toolset, the more engaged employees are, and the more positive the workplace culture, because employees realize that their employer has taken steps to provide for their needs. In turn, employees are likely to be more loyal and less likely to seek employment with another company that might prioritize employees’ safety and well-being.

Saving Money

Costs—both tangible and intangible—skyrocket when employees don’t have the tools they need to do their work. Employees who lack the necessary equipment or technology to perform their work become frustrated, causing their productivity to plummet and hurting the company’s bottom line. They may also try to find ways to cut corners or make the best of what they have, raising the risk of mistakes in their work as well as accidents. Employee accidents can significantly raise the cost of doing business, particularly if the company is at fault for not providing the required tools or PPE. Lawsuits from employees and citations from OSHA for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act can be expensive, not to mention the cost to your company’s reputation and increased premiums because of workers’ compensation claims.

The Bottom Line

It can be expensive to purchase all the tools and equipment that employees need, but it’s a necessary expense that can end up keeping your employees safer and helping them become more productive and engaged. Plus, it can help your company avoid the cost and headaches of litigation as well as administrative penalties from OSHA.

For more tips on how to remain compliant with federal, state, and local labor laws, check out the Poster Compliance Center website.