Learn Fire Safety Improve Productivity

Keeping the workplace safe is imperative for the wellness of employees, no matter the size and industry of business. Organization put their employees, customers, and reputation when they take Fire Safety for granted. Furthermore, failure to send their employees to Fire Safety Training heightens the risk of accidents and fatal injuries. Maximizing fire safety and Improve Productivity in the workplace comes hand in hand. When there are proper planning and training for fire safety, it lowers the risk of loss in income, damage to property, and lost time due to incidents and injuries. Thus, increasing productivity and profit.

According to a recent study in Occupational Health Science, “employees’ safety and health are of primary importance, as both are key elements in achieving an organization’s desired productivity and efficiency.” Furthermore, according to an article from Automation World, “manufacturers need to view safety and improve productivity as goals to achieve together, rather than ‘safety first’ after improve productivity.”

A company could save money and hours by ignoring a safety hazard or by pushing a review a few months past the deadline. By forgoing any downtime associated with a brief work stoppage, they increase their output by a fraction and are pleased if the workforce goes home healthy. Companies that behave this way tend to equate safety with the absence of accidents and end up tricking themselves into thinking that the precautions they’re taking are sufficient, when in reality, all they’ve done is gotten lucky for longer than usual. It’s a short-term thought process that parallels dangerously with tragedy and ultimately results in injury, stoppage, and loss.

On-the-job accidents actually account for significantly more loss than adherence to safety standards ever could. Losses include far more than a worker’s recovery time or damages, not to mention personal loss to the workers and their friends and family. Administrative costs, fines, and medical bills factor in. An inexcusable accident in the hands of a savvy social media activist could be a nightmare for public relations staff, particularly if the injury is not the first of its kind. Indirect variables, such as prestige and the company’s desirability as a landing spot for potential employees can also suffer, as they hinge upon having clean, marketable reputations.

An organization must equally balance production and safety using a concept called “safe production” rather than putting the two in competition. An organization should weave worker safety with safe production into the fabric of its culture. This merging can be done by including an emphasis on worker safety in its job descriptions and by talking about worker safety both formally and informally. Expectations on the project level and constantly reviewing and improving safety standards help companies reduce their accidents and see the highest, most consistent levels of production.

When a workplace or the work itself is unsafe, it means that employees may not be well-managed. That could result in less motivated and mindful employees who are unsatisfied and unhappy with their job. Poor safety management can not only put the team members’ safety on the line, but also operations and improve productivity.

Workplace Productivity

Workplace productivity refers to the amount of work accomplished by employees over a given period. Having a workforce that is engaged and committed can help maximize improve productivity.
Productivity levels can be measured by comparing input and work output. The quantity and quality of work delivered by each employee can either increase or reduce productivity in the workplace.

The Importance of a Productive Workplace

A productive workplace offers a wide range of benefits to the company, employer, and employees:

  • Increased Performance: Workplace performance and improve productivity go hand in hand. When performance is increased, so does productivity. Also, increasing productivity in the workplace can motivate employees to put in more effort, thus increasing performance.
  • Improved Employee Engagement: Efficient and effective productivity in the workplace encourages employees to be more involved in their work. Additionally, such employees are always ready to take on new tasks and often aim to be the best at what they do.
  • Greater Fulfillment: Increased productivity can give employees and employers a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Those in the workplace can be happy or unhappy based on the level of productivity.
  • Promotes a Healthy Work Culture: A productive workplace can improve employee well-being. Plus, when people achieve goals as a team, they are likely to form professional work relationships.
  • Better Revenue Generation: Long-term productivity in the workplace can maximize company profits. Organizations that are productive offer better services and can easily turn a profit.

ALWAYS REMEMBER: “EMPHASIZING WORKPLACE SAFETY INCREASES, NOT DECREASES, YOUR PRODUCTIVITY”

In the world of manufacturing and construction, safety, quality, and productivity are inextricably linked. It’s impossible to sacrifice one without sacrificing the others. When organizations put better care into maintaining their safety, quality, and productivity, they are also better able to serve their customers and protect their employees. Let’s learn the relationship between these three important elements of a strong, sustainable business:

Too often, businesses will see safety, quality, and productivity as interfering with each other, while they actually operate in concert. Organizations must not think of safety as a nuisance, but rather as an incredibly important component to business success.

Safety Improves Quality and Productivity

When operations are unsafe, they aren’t well-managed. Employees will not be motivated nor mindful, and employee churn will be far greater. Quality and productivity both suffer when employees are under stress, unsatisfied, or unable to complete their mission. But when businesses are safe, it frees up employees to focus on their quality and their productivity. The safer the organization is, the less frequently the organization will experience large scale disruption.

Quality Improves Safety and Productivity

Safety is a measure of pro-activeness. High quality work means better results and better products. The higher quality the work, the fewer re-works are needed, and the greater overall productivity is. When quality is high for a business, it can be assumed that standards for the business are generally high, including safety equipment, safety software, and safety processes.

Productivity Improves Safety and Quality

Carelessness is often what begets safety issues. With the appropriate (and productive) safety processes, safety can be improved, and quality can be improved as well. The more productive employees are, the less likely they are to cut corners on things like safety processes. The more productive they are, the more likely they are to put extra attention into the quality of their work.

As you can see, all three of these pillars really rely upon each other to improve upon the organization’s outcomes. When one pillar falls, the others follow. But when one pillar is strong, it strengthens the entire business. Companies need to take a look at their safety, quality, and productivity, so they can explore where they may be falling short, and where their business may be destabilized.

Traditional Barriers to Safety, Quality, and Productivity

It’s easy to see that safety improves business outcomes. Dangerous operations lead to lost time, injured employees, and a loss of morale. Nevertheless, many organizations fear that additional safety processes can take time and money. While true, it’s time and money well spent; it’s better to spend a small amount for preventative care than a large amount for an emergency.

In terms of quality, the primary issue is often expediency. Companies may feel they have to choose between fast, cheap, or high-quality. When companies are forced to reduce costs (cheap) and produce quickly (fast) they need to sacrifice quality. But sacrificing quality actually ends up driving up time and costs; unsatisfied customers demand reworks, which can often be upwards of three times the original budget.

Finally, productivity must never be seen to be at odds with safety or quality. Organizations may feel that safety and productivity are mutually exclusive, and that it’s difficult to maintain a productive office with increased regulation and safety processes. However, the opposite is true; it’s impossible for employees to remain productive in a dangerous environment.

Creating a Solid Foundation for your Organization

Safety is essential to a business. A business can always improve upon the quality of its products and the productivity of its employees. But a business that is dangerous and unsafe can establish a negative reputation that will follow it forever.

In addition to company culture, employers should embrace new business processes and business technology. Safety management software can be used to improve upon incident reporting and provide better real-time visibility, making it easier for companies to ensure that their employees are following enhanced safety protocols, and that any safety issues are being properly and expediently addressed. It isn’t always easy for an employer to improve their organization from the ground up, especially if it requires sweeping or structural changes. But when it comes to safety, it’s critical.

Also an organization must invest in Fire Protection equipment such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and fire suppression system reduces the ramifications of fire incidents in the workplace.

Tips to Maximize Fire Safety and Productivity in the Workplace

Identify Workplace Hazards

A Fire Safety analysis checklist can make a huge difference for a company. This checklist allows a business to identify and assess risks and plan appropriately. The checklist must center on the following concerns:

  • Equipment: Identify and assess the equipment and appliances that workers are using for their daily tasks with the potential dangers it can impose.
  • Environment: Evaluate the environmental conditions that may cause fire, accidents, and injuries.
  • Employee Behaviors: Examine the daily employee behavior that may cause unfavorable incidents

When hazards are identified, it is important that the employees are informed of these dangers. It is advised that accidents and injuries are recorded as well as the costs associated with them. This statistic will give a better data-driven approach in implementing improvements.

Invest in Fire Safety Equipment

A fire-safe workplace needs appropriate equipment and system. Here is a list of common fire safety equipment:

  • Fire Extinguishers
  • Fire Blankets
  • Fire Hose Reel
  • Fire Doors
  • Emergency Exit Lighting & Signs
  • Fire Escape Ladders
  • First Aid Kit
  • Fire Sprinkler System
  • Fire and Smoke Alarm System

Develop a Company-Wide Fire Safety Training Program

Installing fire protection equipment is not enough to keep the business safe. Make sure that employees are properly trained to use fire safety equipment. A fire extinguisher will help put off fire, but if it is handled by untrained hands could place the company in greater danger.

Keep Emergency Exits Clear

No one can ever tell when an emergency will happen or when employees need to evacuate the building immediately. It is important that there are emergency exits throughout the workplace. Emergency exits should have signs clearly posted and all employees must be aware of the locations of all exits. These emergency exits should never be blocked at all costs.

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