Safety Considerations for Small Business Owners

March 5, 2008 By Mary White

As a small business owner, you have a responsibility to provide a safe work environment for your employees. Regardless of the type of business you are in, it’s advisable to establish sound workplace health and safety regulations. In order to be compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), it is your duty to take steps to prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace. This includes proactive risk management as well as taking prompt and decisive actions to correct hazards in the workplace.

It’s important for small business owners to become knowledgeable about OSHA regulations and their impact on their business operations. Learning everything you can about OSHA regulations can be very beneficial when it comes to preventing problems from occurring the workplace. As a small business, owner, it’s a good idea to participate in formal OSHA safety training, and to encourage your employees to do the same. The type of training you need may vary greatly, depending on the nature of your business.

Taking steps to make sure that your workplace is safe can also result in significant financial savings for your company. After all, employee illnesses and injuries result in additional expenses and reduced productivity. It’s certainly better for you and your employees if they are able to stay safe and healthy rather than having to cope with injuries or sicknesses that could have been prevented if proper safety procedures had been followed.

You can download a free copy of OSHA’s Small Business Handbook (publication OSHA 2209-02R 2005) from the agency’s website. Following the guidelines set forth in this publication is an excellent way to make sure that your company is in compliance with OSHA regulations at all times. Information provided in this publication will help clarify OSHA record keeping requirements, material safety data sheet (MSDS) obligations, and other issues associated with what small business owners need to know to provide a safe and compliant workplace for their employees. You can even use the manual as a tool to help your employees understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to workplace safety.

OSHA offers a number of services designed to help small businesses become and stay compliant with regulations. For example, the administration offers on site consultations, at no charge, to assist small business owners identify and correct hazards in the work environment. Taking advantage of this free service can be an excellent way to learn how to make safety a priority in your workplace, no matter how small your company might be.

Posted in Operations