All businesses, large or small, must ensure the safety of their workplaces. Employers have an obligation to ensure the safety of their employees, and for this, there are a number of elements that should be in every workplace.
First aid kit
First aid kits are essential in any workplace; they allow minor injuries to be treated quickly and can prevent the situation from getting worse. Some basic items to put in a first aid kit include: bandages (various sizes), bandages, gloves, scissors, painkillers, sterile dressings, an aluminum sheet, and microporous tape.
Every workplace should also consider having a high-quality burn treatment kit designed specifically for the treatment of major or minor burns. This should include nitrile gloves, burn dressings, appropriate bandages, microporous tape, and utility scissors.
Defibrillators
Because every minute is critical to saving a life, a defibrillator is a vital piece of equipment that every workplace needs. NHS data show that every year 30,000 people in the UK go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital, and only 18.5% of them survive. However, if defibrillation is performed within the first four minutes after the casualty has lost consciousness, nearly half of the casualties are successfully resuscitated.
PPE
It goes without saying that the need for PPE has skyrocketed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The legal requirement to wear a face covering no longer applies. However, the UK Government recommends that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with people you do not normally meet. Customers, visitors, or employees may wear face coverings in all settings.
Personal protective equipment is widely available and can be purchased in large quantities at an affordable price.
Sanitizers and disinfectants
All employers must take reasonable steps to protect workers and others from the coronavirus and any other harmful virus that may thrive in such environments. Hand sanitizers and surface sanitizers are biocidal products that are regulated by the Health and Safety Administration (HSE) and are vital to keeping the workplace clean and safe.
Goods for the safety of roads and paths
Employers must also ensure that all roads and paths in the workplace are safe and non-slip. In the event of snow and ice, winter safety equipment such as salt spreaders and shovels should be used to minimize risks in car parks, walkways, steps, and all major building entrances and exits.
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