Employee health and safety should be a priority for any American business owner. Not only is it a legal requirement, but it makes sound financial sense, too. A safe and healthy environment is more productive, has less sick days to contend with, and is attractive to prospective employees. Here are the top five issues that employers should be most concerned about.

Slips and trip

Want to know the number one cause of an accident in the workplace? According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, it’s slips, trips and falls. There is a lot for employers to think about. Walkways should be clear of any obstruction, and there should be a policy of clearing up liquid spills as soon as possible. Companies should also look into placing non-slip materials or carpets in dangerous areas. Make sure that your employees know their responsibilities for reporting incidents or areas of concern.

Electrical devices and power points

Another significant danger in the workplace is from electricity. All businesses use power of some description, and it’s vital that employees understand the hazards they work with on a daily basis. It’s a legal requirement for all businesses to check electrical equipment regularly. They should also have regular checks of all working environments. Finally, make sure that you encourage employees to report areas where they feel unsafe. Those who have suffered from electrocution should get immediate Electrical injury care to avoid further complications.

Violence

Unfortunately, another major issue for health and safety in the workplace results from violence. It’s important to understand that this doesn’t just cover physical abuse. It also includes sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and bullying. Make sure your company has a robust procedure in place to deal with such incidents. You could also offer counseling services to employees that are having a rough time at home or in their personal lives.

Illness

Don’t underestimate the impact of your workplace on employees health. Stress is a major factor, of course, but employers should also be aware of environmental issues. For example, a broken air conditioning unit can lead to causing illness for people with breathing conditions. Make sure you hire air duct cleaning contractors regularly and that they use professional grade air duct cleaning equipment. It’s the same for any other equipment you use, from heating systems to factory machinery. Maintenance will help you avoid accidents and long-term illnesses, so get things checked on a regular basis.

Additionally, addressing pest control concerns with reputable services such as pest control janesville wi is crucial to maintaining a healthy work environment for employees.

Visitors

You can have the most willing staff in the world, but still have a lot of workplace accidents. Why? Because of the visitors, that come to your offices. The trouble is, you are responsible for their health and safety as soon as they set foot in your premises. Be sure to have a robust check in process with any visitor to ensure they understand the dangers. You can also setup a temperature scanning system at the entrance of your office to help protect everyone’s health.

As you can see, there are plenty of things to think about when it comes to health and safety in the workplace. These are just five of the most frequent problems, and, of course, there are many more. Make sure that you address these – and the others – to ensure you are exceeding your legal requirements.