Managers and business owners tend to focus so much on productivity when designing office workplaces. While productivity should be a priority, there is more to creating a good office environment than making it conducive to work.
Business owners should want to create office environments that are healthier and safer. As a business owner, you must provide a safe working environment. It is also in your best interest to protect the health of your employees. Healthy employees will be more productive. A better office environment can also reduce employee turnover.
What can you do to maintain a safer and healthier office environment? Read on for a few tips!
Tips for Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Office Workplace
Develop Health Safety Policies for the Office
You won’t be able to create a safe and healthy workplace if you don’t set guidelines. An office manager can’t expect people to always know what to do in every situation. You also can’t fault people for not following the rules if they don’t exist.
The correct rules will vary depending on the office. However, the laws and regulations concerning health and safety are a good place to start. You might have other rules concerning the use of equipment in the office. Some managers might benefit from working with safety professionals to develop the rules.
Keep the Office Clean
One of the most important rules for health and safety will cover keeping the office clean. Set standards for cleaning and make sure employees know them. For instance, you might not want employees putting food waste in desk trashcans. You could also set policies for washing hands, not leaving items in walking areas and more. Keeping a clean break area will also be important for protecting the health and safety of workers.
Hire Professional Cleaners
As much as your employees can work to keep the office clean, they can’t do everything. Most offices should have cleaners come in at the end of the day to provide a thorough cleaning. This will ensure the floors, work areas, break room, and bathrooms are clean and ready for work the next day. A higher level of cleaning will benefit your employees and your business in many ways.
According to a pro from Compass Cleaning Solutions, “A clean office helps prevent the spread of germs and disease. It can save businesses money on lost productivity and fewer sick days. Cleanliness can also boost morale and prevent issues with employee satisfaction. A clean office will also look better if you have clients come by for a meeting.”
Train Your Employees
Training can be another way to make sure you have a safer and healthier workplace. To start, employees should have the training to use any equipment they encounter in the workplace. You can also train people on health and safety procedures. Beyond that, you should also teach people about being aware of other people in the workplace. Adding a little health and safety training to the onboarding process can go a long way.
Keep a First Aid Kit in the Office
Regardless of training or how careful your employees are, accidents will happen. When they do, you want your office to be ready. Part of that readiness will be having a first aid kit in the office. This will allow you and your employees to address minor injuries that may occur in a working environment.
One option is to buy a premade first aid kit. You could also build your own first aid kit. Either way, you must ensure the kit has everything you need. Along with that, you want to keep the kit in a place that is easy to access. You will also need to check the kit and restock the supplies occasionally.
Get Better Office Furniture
It can be tempting to buy the cheapest office furniture. Depending on the office, you could save a considerable sum. However, this is shortsighted. Good office furniture can do a lot to improve posture and prevent back pain. Employees will also be more productive and able to work longer with better furniture. You will also have happier employees if you provide them with comfortable workstations.
Natural Light and Indoor Air Quality
Lighting and air quality can also be important for creating a healthier, safer work environment. Employees can see better in natural light, which generally helps create a happier, more positive work environment. A study from Cornell also showed that exposure to natural light reduced symptoms like headaches, eye strain, and blurred vision in office workers. Similar findings have been made about indoor air quality as well.
If you want to create a healthier, safer workplace, you need to find ways to increase natural light and improve indoor air quality. Having big windows with fewer obstructions can be good for increasing natural light. If you can open the windows, it should improve the air quality in most offices. You could also consider upgrades, repairs, and cleanings for ventilation systems.
As a final tip, perform regular safety reviews and hold occasional safety meetings with your team. It is always possible for new safety issues to arise. It can also be a good idea to have meetings so you can remind employees of safety concerns and keep them aware of new developments.