Seven Ways to Make sure Your Business Meets Local Safety Standards

For all businesses, safety should always a top priority, and not only for the obvious reasons! Local safety standards and ordinances may come with substantial fines for noncompliance. Even if it costs you money, it's best to ensure compliance early to avoid paying much more in fines, or worse, injury or property damage settlements. Here's seven ways to make sure your business meets local safety standards.

1. Get a list of local safety ordinances.

There are some standards that every business anywhere should meet, but you won't be fully covered until you check your own specific local safety standards. Make a visit to your local government offices, check with building and safety inspectors, and talk to fellow business owners. If you are starting your business in an older building, there may be some updates or changes you will need to make in order for the building to comply with new standards.

2. Budget to ensure standards are met.

Safety can get to be a bit expensive, but remember that fines or injuries are much more expensive. When you start your planning for your new office, make sure you take into account any upgrades or changes you will need to pay for in the building. If you plan this in advance, you can adjust other parts of your budget to make up for it.

3. Get up to code for fire safety.

Fire is the most common business disaster in most parts of the world. Fire safety goes beyond just keeping a fire extinguisher on hand. Depending on the size and type of business, you may need much more - check Fire Seals Direct or a local provider for products and information that may be vital to your safety. You'll also need a plan for a smooth evacuation if there were a fire.

4. Stock up for other natural disasters.

Flooding, earthquake, wind, and various other local hazards need to be accounted for. Be sure to carefully plan for any disaster you may encounter.

5. Document emergency procedures.

Any steps you take to meet or exceed safety requirements should be documented. Safety procedures should be clearly communicated and made available to employees. Safety exits should be clearly marked and evacuation plans on display. Give each employee a copy of the plan in their employee handbook and then also post in on doors or in the break room.

6. Periodically check to ensure continued compliance.

Your safety equipment may well not last forever, so be sure to check every few months to make sure that your emergency plans and procedures still all work. Certain products like fire extinguishers need to be replaced on occasion. You'll also need to hand out new safety plans if anything changes.

7. Plan for the future, don’t regret the past.

Some 25% of businesses never recover from a disaster. A properly implemented disaster plan can be the sole difference between crushing financial failure and a speedy and healthy recovery. Make sure that our insurance and finances are in order at all times. It is much easier to recover from a disaster if you have the proper insurance and funds in your budget to continue normal work.

Safety planning isn't to be taken lightly. Proper preparedness is absolutely vital in the workplace. If you don't take care of it personally, be sure to designate a trusted employee as a Safety Coordinator. Soon you'll meet or exceed local safety standards and have a better workplace because of it!