How to improve employee safety in a business

by Startacus Admin
Ensuring your employees are safe in the workplace is a must. Here are a few of the best ways that you can do just that.
Whether you have a team of ten or a team of a hundred, ensuring staff safety is vital for business. According to latest figures from HSE, 142 workers were killed in work accidents in 2020/21, with agricultural, forestry and fishing, and construction sectors being the most dangerous. Employers have a duty of care to protect staff, from not only physical harm, but mental harm too.
Of course, employees also have a part to play in workplace safety, but this can only be achieved if there is a good relationship between employee and employer. The benefits of making safety a priority not only positively affects the employee’s quality of work, but it can increase productivity and staff retention; all of which have an impact on the bottom line.
Workplace training
One of the best ways to improve employee safety is by providing ongoing workplace training. Inadequate training is one of the main contributing factors for employee injury and even death. Implementing a training programme for not only new starters, but for long-standing employees to attend refresher courses is essential.
After training, employee feedback can help employers ascertain what parts of the training is missing and how it can be improved upon.
Ongoing assessments and inspections
One you have a robust health and safety policy in place that sets out the responsibilities of the employer and employee, it’s important you carry out regular risk assessments. This will help you evaluate your workplace and where any potential hazards can be found that could impact the safety and security of your staff and business.
Comfortable surroundings
Employee surroundings can have a huge impact on employee safety. From ensuring they have the correct office set-up with regards to supportive chairs and screen height to installing anti-fatigue mats, like these offered here, which should be available to staff who spend the majority of their day standing.
Making the work environment more comfortable can have a long-term positive impact on employee’s health.
Open communication
In order for employees to feel safe and secure at work they must feel like they are able to talk openly and honestly with their employer and team members. That way, if health and safety issues arise, you know you will be informed as soon as possible, and you can therefore affect a change.
You should also encourage your employees to share their own ideas about how to improve health and safety. This can be done anonymously or during 121 monthly catchups.
Encourage mental health support
In recent years we’ve seen a marked increase in mental health-related sickness absence, with Mind finding that one in six people report experiencing mental health problems in any given week. Implementing a robust mental health support system is therefore essential for safeguarding employees.
In fact, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers are legally required to protect employee mental health. This can be anything from stress and depression to anxiety or another condition.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Over 100 organisations come together via The Micro Business Alliance to help provide a voice for the UK's startups, micro businesses and small businesses.

The lowdown on London-based hearing wellness startup Mumbli and its mission to help businesses provide inclusive spaces for all hearing abilities and preferences.

Tech Nation calls for tangible support to secure capital, talent, growth and exits needed to accelerate the growth of UK tech in decade ahead.

Glasgow-based This is Milk seeks investment for Neve Learning, its cloud-based Ed-Tech platform that has inclusivity and accessibility at its core.

With the UK facing a clear digital skills gap, Amy Caton, Digital Talent and Impact Senior Manager at BT Group shares some insights on what businesses should do to close that divide.

The lowdown on Berlin-based Beazy and its innovative solution that helps teams to plan, produce and deliver creative content and helps businesses to connect with talented content creators.

The lowdown on Fluffy, the app offering dog training, 24/7 vet messaging and insurance to give pet owners peace of mind and support them with their pet care responsibilities.

Huckletree's new Web3 HQ aims to put London’s West End at the forefront of Britain’s tech superpower ambitions.

Leading sports marketing platform, OpenSponsorship announces move into music sector, the first new vertical industry for the trans-Atlantic martech business.

Kingussie High School scoops first place for Junior and Senior categories at this year’s Growing Future Assets Competition.
Published on: 17th September 2021
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- Micro Business Alliance launches to represent 75% of the UK’s businesses 28th Mar 2023 Over 100 organisations come together via The Micro Business Alliance to help provide a voice for the UK's startups, micro businesses and small businesses.
- Tech Nation report reveals UK Tech could quadruple in value by 2032 with right conditions 23rd Mar 2023 Tech Nation calls for tangible support to secure capital, talent, growth and exits needed to accelerate the growth of UK tech in decade ahead.
- Neurodiverse learning and training platform Neve shares major six-figure investment opportunity 22nd Mar 2023 Glasgow-based This is Milk seeks investment for Neve Learning, its cloud-based Ed-Tech platform that has inclusivity and accessibility at its core.
- Huckletree opens new London hub for tech companies pioneering Web3 solutions 16th Mar 2023 Huckletree's new Web3 HQ aims to put London’s West End at the forefront of Britain’s tech superpower ambitions.