Safety Planning and Management Solutions for Small Business
It is the law that all workplaces have a Health & Safety program. Small businesses often find it difficult to develop a program due to lack of knowledgeable staff and resources including time and money. These problems are not a good enough reason for small business managers to avoid workplace H&S planning. The only option is to develop an appropriate workplace safety program.
Where to start? Committed managers, with or without the help of a Health & Safety Consultant, can develop an effective safety program. The Workplace Safety & Prevention Service offers the “Roadmap for Small Business” which is an online resource that outlines easy to follow steps for developing a compliant workplace Health & Safety Program in Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of Labour also has many useful references.
To get started:
- Learn about and commit resources to the project.
- Assign employees to develop the program.
- Put the minimum requirements in place:
- Provide required training to employees (H&S awareness, WHMIS, First Aid, etc.)
- Maintain a Health & Safety bulletin board
- Identify and train about workplace hazards
- Keep appropriate records
- Do workplace inspections
- Report injuries and incidents appropriately
- Start monitoring and evaluating program outcomes
- Plan ongoing program development.
Employers cannot ignore their responsibility to manage workplace Health & Safety. Due diligence is expected as Ontario actively enforces legislation with work stoppages, fines and prosecution recommendations for companies that violate Occupational Health & Safety laws.
Read more about H&S Program Development Solutions for Small Businesses:
Roadmap for Small Business, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.
