Every year, there are just under 3 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses. Not only can this cost you in time and labor, but medical care afterward will put a dent in your business too.
This is why hazard controls are vital for running your business successfully. With a good plan in place, you and your employees will know exactly how to handle hazardous situations, especially if they get out of hand.
Read on to find out how to create a program for hazard prevention.
Perform a Job Hazard Analysis First
A job hazard analysis is the first step in hazard control. It allows you to find out what the most dangerous jobs are at work.
From there, you can identify specific hazards that can happen at each step. Then, you can follow the hierarchy of controls.
Hierarchy of Controls
The hierarchy of controls allows you to take certain steps in mitigating workplace risks. In order of most effective to least, they are:
- Elimination
- Substitution
- Engineering controls
- Administrative controls
- PPE
First, you should try to physically eliminate the hazard. If you can’t, then the next option is to replace it.
If you’re unable to do either of the above, then you need to isolate your workers from the hazard. And as a last resort, provide your employees with personal protective equipment (PPE) when they need to work around the hazard.
Come Up With a Hazard Control Plan
First, list out the hazards. Then, apply the appropriate control from the list above. Assign someone to be responsible for carrying out the controls.
Not only do you need to assign responsibility, but you also need to set a target date for when these controls need to be applied. make sure you keep up with tracking progress so they don’t fall behind.
Have Steps to Follow for Emergencies
No matter how good of a hazard control plan you have, it’s inevitable that your employees will be exposed to hazards at some point. So you want to be prepared for that.
Set out clear steps for what needs to be done should an emergency happen. Think of all possible scenarios and assign certain employees to handle these emergencies.
You should also procure equipment that can control emergency situations before they happen.
It can also be helpful to have emergency drills regularly, as well as inspections. That way, your workers know exactly what to do in the heat of the moment and you can ensure your equipment’s working. This can save them from serious injuries or even death.
Have Good Hazard Controls in Place at Your Business
Hazard controls are a must if you want to keep your business safe and running. By developing a plan to handle workplace hazards, you’ll be able to provide a workplace that people feel comfortable being in.
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