Maintaining a safe workplace is not only a legal and ethical obligation but also an essential factor for fostering a productive and thriving workforce.
As a supervisor, you play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of your team members. Understanding the most common safety risks in workplaces, specific concerns across various industries, your responsibilities as a supervisor, and the legal expectations placed on you are crucial steps in creating a secure work environment.
Click on each corresponding link to jump ahead:
- Common Safety Risks in Workplaces
- Industry-Specific Safety Concerns
- Supervisor Responsibilities and Legal Expectations
ACUTE Environmental is your go-to resource for obtaining the necessary legal training to excel in this vital aspect of your role as a supervisor. Contact us today to set up your safety training!
Establishing and Managing a Safe Workplace
1. Common Safety Risks in Workplaces
Promoting a safe workplace is the top priority, regardless of the workplace.
Workplace safety encompasses a wide range of potential risks, many of which can lead to injuries, illnesses, or even fatalities if not properly addressed. Some of the most common safety risks include:
- Slips, Trips, and Falls: Uneven surfaces, wet floors, and cluttered walkways can result in accidents. Regular cleaning, appropriate signage, and proper storage of materials can help mitigate these risks.
- Manual Handling and Ergonomics: Lifting heavy objects, repetitive motions, and poor ergonomics can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. Training employees on proper lifting techniques and providing ergonomic workstations are essential preventative measures.
- Electrical Hazards: Faulty wiring, exposed electrical components, and improper use of electrical equipment can lead to electrical shocks or fires. Regular maintenance and proper training on electrical safety protocols are essential.
- Chemical and Hazardous Materials Exposure: Industries dealing with chemicals or hazardous materials need strict protocols for storage, handling, and disposal. Proper labelling, personal protective equipment (PPE), and training are essential. If you haven’t already, make sure your employees have received their workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) training and completely understand how to read a safety data sheet (SDS).
- This is not an exhaustive list, talk with your workplace Health and Safety committee/representative for more insight.
In most cases, employees will lead by example. As the supervisor, it is your responsibility to practice safe habits in the workplace and do whatever it takes to create a safe workplace and form a positive culture.
2. Industry-Specific Safety Concerns
Different industries have distinct safety concerns that require tailored approaches. Consider the following workplaces and their safety concerns:
Construction:
- Working at heights
- Handling heavy machinery
- Exposure to falling debris
Given these risks, providing workers with proper fall protection equipment, safety harnesses, and comprehensive training is crucial for creating a safe workplace.
Furthermore, if you work in the construction industry as a supervisor, make sure your employees have received the following training:
Manufacturing:
- Machinery-related accidents
- Exposure to harmful substances
- Noise pollution
Due to these risks, adequate machine guarding, personal protective equipment (PPE), and training on safe equipment operation are essential for producing a safe workplace.
If you work in the manufacturing industry as a supervisor, make sure your employees have received the following training:
Healthcare:
- Needlestick injuries
- Exposure to infectious diseases
- Patient handling
Therefore, proper disposal of medical waste, immunization, and training on infection control protocols is imperative for establishing a safe workplace.
If you work in the healthcare industry as a supervisor, make sure your employees have received the following training:
- Worker health and safety awareness
- Workplace violence and harassment
- 40-hour HAZWOPER
- 8-hour HAZWOPER
- Spill response
- Respiratory protection and fit testing
- WHMIS 1988-2015
- And more
For a full list of our training courses at Acute Safety, click here. Also, if you have any questions about required safety training, contact us.
3. Supervisor Responsibilities and Legal Expectations
As an employer, make sure you schedule safety training on behalf of your new employees.
In Ontario, Canada, all health and safety laws and standards are provincially regulated. These regulations can be found under the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA), which is enforced and administered by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
It is critically important to follow these laws and regulations revolving around health and safety in the workplace because non-compliance can lead to wealthy fines upwards of $100,000 and in extreme cases, even imprisonment.
As a supervisor, you hold a critical role in maintaining a safe workplace. Your responsibilities include:
- Risk Assessment: Identifying potential hazards, evaluating their severity, and implementing preventative measures.
- Training and Education: Providing initial and ongoing safety training to employees, and ensuring they are equipped to handle workplace risks.
- Supervision: Monitoring employees’ adherence to safety protocols, addressing unsafe behaviours promptly, and fostering a culture of safety.
- Incident Reporting and Investigation: Promptly reporting accidents, injuries, and near misses, followed by thorough investigations to prevent future occurrences. You should also ensure employees feel safe and comfortable with reporting such incidents.
- Emergency Preparedness: Developing and communicating emergency plans, including evacuation procedures and first aid protocols.
Ontario employers working in the construction industry, for example, have the responsibility of ensuring that their workers meet the following requirements:
- Workers must have successfully completed a valid working at heights training course in Ontario or fall protection training from Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Workers should receive proper training on the specific fall protection equipment they will be using during their construction project.
- The training received by workers should be from a training provider approved by the Chief Prevention Officer at the time the worker underwent the training.
Please note that if a worker is hired and possesses valid training certificates meeting the above criteria, they are not obligated to undergo another training program.
Also, as a supervisor, you are responsible for keeping records of each employee’s training record.
Final Thoughts
Fostering a safe workplace is a paramount responsibility for any supervisor. By understanding common safety risks, tailoring strategies for specific industries, embracing your role’s responsibilities, and seeking out resource cues like ACUTE, you can contribute to a culture of safety that not only protects your team but also enhances productivity and well-being. Remember, a safe workplace is not just a legal requirement – it’s a fundamental element of a successful and thriving organization.
Work With Acute Safety
ACUTE can help you create a safe workplace.
If you are in charge of supervising health and safety in the workplace and are looking for high-quality online safety training or in-person safety training, book a course with ACUTE. Also, if you have any questions regarding how to foster a safe workplace, contact us.
Here are some of the benefits of working with ACUTE:
- Open Door Instructor-Student Partnership – ACUTE’s training services emphasize client participation, staff foster relationships with clients and serve as a touchstone for advice anytime moving forward.
- Serving Your Team and Industry – With a vast array of clients in manufacturing, construction, health, academic, and government sectors, ACUTE brings the best safety practices from across the spectrum to your workplace.
- 100 Years Combined Experience – ACUTE provides comprehensive health and safety training, on-site safety services, and consulting services. With over 100 years of combined experience, our company staff offers more than theoretical or abstract ideas. ACUTE offers solutions!
- Track Record of Success – ACUTE is rated 4.9/5 stars on Google reviews, demonstrating our commitment to our clients, our quality, and our passion for training.
What Our Customers Are Saying…
We were referred to ACUTE on behalf of our employer for an n95 mask fitting – the staff here are professional, personable, and informative.
I’d come back here for any safety-related training in a heartbeat.
Acute has been a staple in supporting my companies over the years and have always delivered quality and dependable service. Training programs are top shelf and a great facility for practical application. couldn’t recommend them more. keep up the great work folks.
Outstanding service provided by Acute, right from the customer support end, right through to the delivery of the session. Always professional, quick to respond, and always delivering services that exceed my expectations. Acute has an amazing team that is always helping us achieve better health and safety performance. So are grateful to have such a tremendous resource in Acute!
Hours of Operation and Contact Information:
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Phone: (519) 747-5075
Fax: (519) 747-4608
Email: info@acuteservices.com
