3 Steps to Improve Workplace Safety Through PPE
Preparedness is the name of the game. Business leaders are used to being prepared and in control. From budgets and schedules to strategy and product development, entrepreneurs want to be in control of their activities. It’s one of the reasons they became business owners in the first place. Of course, one thing business leaders can’t control is a crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic has placed extraordinary demands and responsibilities on business leaders. While executives may not be able to control a crisis itself, they can control how they react to it and how they lead their employees through the crisis. Here are 3 steps business leaders can take to protect employees and customers and improve workplace safety through Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Understand the Role of PPE
With workplaces reopened or reopening, business owners are facing the challenge of knowing how to protect their places of business, and that starts with understanding the role of PPE. Masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and antibacterial wipes all have different functions, but their ultimate goal is still the same, to protect the wearer from hazards.
Understanding the role of each type of PPE will help business leaders determine both the types and number of products they will need. However, owners don’t need to tackle these decisions alone. Your Safeguard advisor is here as an expert source of information. Your personal advisor can help you to understand what types of PPE work best for each type of job and employee at your company. Working together, they can help you manage your inventory and make sure your employees have the supplies that they need. They have PPE stocked and ready to deliver in bulk when you need it.
Know When PPE Should Be Used
Do your employees interact with customers? Do they have shared office spaces? Business leaders know they need to implement physical distancing, provide safety products, and institute rules on cleaning in order to keep employees and customers safe. Yet, it can be overwhelming to know exactly when, where, and how that can occur. Schools, auto dealerships, offices, and retail settings will each have different needs and will need to use their PPE in different ways.
As the leader, it’s your job to know when and how PPE should be used, and it’s one of the ways your Safeguard advisor can help. Safeguard has everything from cloth masks and sanitizers to custom printed safety signage and sneeze guards. Together with your Safeguard advisor, you can improve workplace safety by ensuring your employees have the PPE they need and communicating to your employees how to use it properly.
Make PPE Part of Your Workplace Safety Culture
Safety isn’t just for some employees; it’s for everyone. Just like fire drills and other safety procedures, PPE should become part of your workplace safety culture. Make sure employees understand not just what to do, but why, and how their participation in using PPE benefits everyone. If your business has customers or visitors, make sure that they become part of your workplace safety culture as well. You can require visitors to use PPE and provide them with safe and clean PPE to use if they don’t bring their own.
Two keys to maintaining a positive workplace safety culture are communication and leading by example. If leaders and managers commit to workplace safety, employees will follow. Your employees need to see those in charge taking policies and procedures seriously. Don’t cut corners, don’t take risks, and don’t neglect safety practices. In a positive workplace safety culture, employees need to know that getting their tasks done safely is the most important priority.
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered workplace safety, and your business is likely operating very differently than it did previously. Business leaders are facing new workplace safety challenges, and you may find the idea of building or changing your workplace safety culture overwhelming. That’s why you need to rely on your Safeguard advisor, who can help you navigate this uncertain time.
For over 60 years, customers have relied on their Safeguard advisor for products, services, and advice. We believe in building lasting relationships and helping you build a path to success. Safeguard is your one-stop-shop for all of your PPE needs, with PPE products you need in bulk, in stock, in the US, and ready to deliver. Contact Us to get started. https://www.promoplace.com/essentialitemscovid19
Key Takeaways
Safety isn’t just for some employees; it’s for everyone.
Masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and antibacterial wipes all have different functions, but their ultimate goal is still the same, to protect the wearer from hazards.
Understand the role of PPE, know when PPE should be used, and make PPE part of your workplace safety culture.
Safeguard is your one-stop-shop for all of your PPE needs.
