On National Workplace Remembrance Day, you might be wondering, “What’s this all about?” This day is a time to honor those who’ve lost their lives or been seriously affected by incidents at work, whether physical accidents or mental health struggles. It’s a somber day of remembrance, but it’s also a powerful reminder for all of us in leadership roles to stop and think about how we’re keeping our teams safe. It’s not just about remembering; it’s about taking action to prevent future harm and creating a culture of safety. And for anyone who has ever had to speak to family members of those affected, you will understand exactly where we are coming from on this...it is not something any of us ever want to experience!
As a business leader, particularly in small or medium-sized businesses where you are juggling so many priorities, it might be easy to become complacent and think safety is only a big concern for larger companies with entire safety departments. But the truth is, safety should be a priority no matter the size of your team.
1. Impact of Workplace Incidents
Workplace incidents affect far more than just the person involved. Unlike incidents with robots that are gone today and can be easily replaced tomorrow without consequences, when incidents affect your team members, this can have long-lasting emotional, physical, and costly financial effects, not only on the individual but also on their family, coworkers, and your business and potentially damaging legal implications.
The stats show that even small businesses aren’t immune. From minor injuries to serious accidents, the impact of workplace incidents can be huge, but the good news is, many of these can be prevented.
2. Creating a Safety-First Culture
Creating a safety-first culture isn’t just about writing policies and hoping for the best. It’s about making safety a key part of your business’s values. It’s about creating an environment where your team feels comfortable speaking up if something doesn’t feel right and where safety is top of mind every day.
Here’s how you can start building that safer workplace:
- Regular Risk Assessments: Regularly check your workplace for safety hazards, things like equipment, workspaces, and even the layout.
- Training and Education: Make sure everyone knows the safety procedures and, more importantly, why they matter.
- Encourage Reporting: Have an open-door policy where employees feel safe reporting potential risks without fear of retaliation.
- Clear Safety Protocols: Ensure everyone knows exactly what to do in an emergency, whether it's a fire, accident, or health issue.
3. Addressing Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental health is often overlooked when it comes to workplace safety, but it i’s just as important as physical safety. Struggles with mental health can lead to stress, burnout, and even more serious issues.
- Offer training to help employees recognise signs of stress, anxiety, or depression in themselves and others.
- Offer confidential counseling or employee assistance programs (EAP) to help employees before problems become serious.
- Promote regular breaks, time off, and a healthy work-life balance
- Make sure employees feel comfortable talking about their mental health, knowing they can seek help without judgment or fear.
Always check in with your employees, even if there are no obvious signs of distress and think about how you protect lone workers. We can’t even imagine how the management must have felt when a Wells Fargo employee was found dead at her desk 4 days after clocking in!
For us, this just shows the importance of having a company culture where all employees are valued and looked after.
4. Creating and Enforcing Safety Policies
Every business, big or small, needs clear, easy-to-follow safety policies. These should cover everything from emergency response to everyday safety checks. And just as important, make sure these policies are consistently followed. When your team sees that you take safety seriously, they’ll be more likely to do the same.
5. Supporting Employees After Workplace Incidents
If an incident does happen, how you respond matters. It’s about more than just following the legal requirements. It’s about showing genuine care for your team. Offer emotional support, mental health resources, and create a plan for reintegration if the employee needs time off. It’s also a time to reflect and take corrective actions so that similar incidents do not happen again.
6. The Importance of Remembering
National Workplace Remembrance Day isn’t just a day to remember; use it as a a call to action to help you reflect on the impact of workplace incidents and what you can do to avoid them. We can all learn how to make our workplaces safer and more supportive for everyone.
As a leader, you’re in a unique position to set the tone for safety in your business. Your decisions can make a huge difference in protecting your employees and creating a workplace where they come in and go home safe and in one piece!
Conclusion
On National Workplace Remembrance Day, let’s commit to taking action. Review your safety policies, invest in training, and ensure your workplace is safe for everyone. Creating a safe environment isn’t just a legal requirement, it’s a moral one too.
Need help improving your safety practices or building a stronger safety culture? We can help you put practical, effective HR and safety measures in place, protecting both your people and your business. Contact us at +44 (0) 1233 627 275 or at hello@dakotablueconsulting.com!