As a business law firm in FL, we know that it is always in your best interests and those of your workers to provide the safest workplace possible. You grow to care for your employees (and their families), as they are the most valued factor in making your company grow and prosper. Also, accidents might cost your entire operation time, money, and a stain on your reputation.

Below are some items to consider for managing the safety of your business:

  • Observe your employee’s working See how they operate and correct possible safety concerns. Are certain items too heavy to lift by one person? Are there chemical hazards that may pollute or toxify the air? Hunt for the hazards that may cause or instigate a safety issue. Be proactive in your thinking as prevention is your best course of action.
  • Look for common safety issues that are prevalent in your industry. By doing a quick internet search, you could uncover issues you may not have thought of.
  • When hazards are identified, find ways to mitigate or eliminate them. Pre-emptive measures are best and by setting up proper controls you will have the best chance of success in preventing mishaps.
  • Train your managers, and employees in these safety measures, and how to implement and handle them. Safety awareness is essential to keeping everyone safe. How they report hazards, respond in an emergency and prevent issues from occurring helps to keep everyone safe.

Although some accidents can be severe (especially in high-risk fields), don’t forget the common ones like slip & fall, back injuries, fires, etc. They too can usually be prevented, so give them the attention they deserve.

What Steps Should You Take?

Seek resources to help you. It’s true that professional safety training can be expensive and not all companies can afford it. Consult with your peers and search trade journals and you’ll possibly find ideas that will help you greatly and not break the bank. The Occupational Safety & Health Agency (OSHA) is responsible for federal regulatory issues pertaining to workplace health and safety in Florida. They provide and monitor the rules and regulations you need to know for compliance and your employee’s implementation.

If you’re in an industry where air quality can be compromised, the Florida Department of health could be involved, but their scope is very limited. Currently there are no state or federal agencies that regulate standards for indoor air quality in Florida.

The University of South Florida operates the USF Safety Florida Consultation Program under a federal grant. They have free information that you might find useful.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers a health hazard evaluation program for workplaces. Employees and employers can request a health hazard evaluation from NIOSH.

You will also find that a partnership with a local business law attorney can help guide you through this process and make sure that you are in compliance on all fronts.

How Can a Business Law Firm Help?

A business lawyer can be a valued partner in keeping your high-risk business in compliance with state and federal regulations and even provide help finding the answers you are looking for. A serious workplace accident or state compliance issue can be a financial disaster to a Florida small business.

These firms know not only the accident statistics in your industry but can suggest the best ways to implement steps to avoid them. State and federal regulations are always being changed, dropped, or added to. Many business owners simply don’t have the time to keep up. Your business law partner does and your attorney can provide the information you need.

Knowing and following the current legislation makes a positive contribution to employee relationships, and increases employees’ sense of fairness and trust in their employer. Ultimately it can also have a very positive impact in supporting strategic HR and business goals.

In the most basic sense, the benefit of implementing and following rules and regulations in business is that it helps protect your company. Consequently, by protecting the safety and health or your employees, you protect your company from loss of reputation, lowering of productivity, and financially crippling lawsuits.

Keep up the safety discussions, and training. Don’t just put some new procedures in place and move on. Communication and meetings at a scheduled time every month might help to keep new procedures and practices up to date and followed up on.

What Can I Do If I have an OSHA Workplace Safety Claim Filed Against My Business?

By doing your best to make your workplace safe for your employee’s, you are creating a win-win situation for all concerned. It heightens morale and gives your employee’s the knowledge that you value them as human beings. They feel safe in their day-to-day environment and remove fear and distractions that can lessen productivity.

You may also have legal obligations to provide your employee’s with a safe and secure working area and to do your best to keep up with these rules and regulations. This may still not stop you and your business from getting an OSHA, or “whistleblower claim” against you. Especially today, with the added fear and reality of illnesses, rules and regulations (the new CDC guidelines, etc.) have grown and added additional issues and costs to your operation.

So virtually every small or large business owner needs guidance to keep up with the safety and health concerns that seem to be changing on an almost daily basis. Lankford Law firm is a business law firm that can help you get ahead of these issues and stay there. More importantly, their risk management team is there to represent you when you really need it.