The easiest way to avoid costly clean-ups is by not neglecting things in the first place.
One of the most common questions I run into after helping clients “get their house in order” is, “Now that we have spent all this time, money and effort, how do we keep it this way?” My answer is almost always the same: “Cleaning up the obvious is easy. Keeping things in order and training your employees is going to be the hard part.”
Compliance is the act of following rules, regulations or requests. In order to protect your employees and reputation, your employees need to know the laws regarding health and safety. An understanding of compliance requirements must be woven into the fabric of a facility, and that takes time.
Employees are the lifeblood of any company, so, in order for a compliance program to work, they have to take personal responsibility for that program’s success. This is easier said than done, however. You will most likely have senior people that will be difficult to change and new people who are not even fully up to speed yet.
Rather than simply telling people what to do, effective compliance training asks questions and invites learners to decide on a course of action based on what they think is the appropriate way to behave in a situation. Actively soliciting feedback from employees can help encourage them to reflect on what their perception of what is acceptable and what the law requires. People tend to learn what they live, so making it relevant will also engage them in their day-to-day work. Make policies clear and procedures easy for them to follow.
Compliance is almost always the last item that people think about in the workplace, but it results in the most negative consequences if not addressed. At ACTenviro, our occupational health and safety consultants partner with our clients to develop plans and protocols that reduce workplace injuries, allowing you to focus on your strategic business goals.
– Bruce Wescott, Senior Account Manager