We can all agree that workplace safety can be a daunting challenge. Thus, it’s something that should be tackled one step at a time. The worst thing you can do is try to get too far ahead of yourself. Instead, focus on tasks you can accomplish today that can create a safer work environment for your employees.

Whether you work in a traditional office or a manufacturing setting, fire is always a safety threat. Keeping fire extinguishers on hand and teaching employees about fire exits are both critical components of workplace safety. However, not everyone realizes that there are different types of extinguishers that serve different purposes. It’s up to company managers and supervisors to make sure they have the right one.

Maintaining a safe work environment requires a lot of things. For starters, it requires commitment and organization on the part of company managers and supervisors. But commitment and organization can only go so far if company leaders don’t provide employees with the proper safety tools and equipment. Ultimately, those are the tangible items that will keep employees safe while on the job.

Companies should never take chances when it comes to employee safety. Not only does this apply to protocols and training but clothing as well. Depending on their job, many workers require a safety jacket while they work so that they can be visible to vehicles on the roadway or work vehicles that zip around the warehouse.

Every business in the manufacturing industry should be familiar with NFPA 70E. It provides the basis for electrical safety and fire prevention inside the workplace. Needless to say, it’s a critical part of workplace safety, which also means that it contains a lot of rules and regulations that must be followed. Otherwise, companies can get into trouble with OSHA while also putting the health and safety of employees at risk.

More than a million workers participated in OSHA’s 10-hour training in each of the last two years, with most completing the construction industry training. This and similar programs are available to workers who want to learn more about basic health and safety topics as part of OSHA’s formal outreach efforts. While there’s a 30-hour program that covers more in-depth knowledge, the shorter program is intended to cover introductory concepts.

We can all agree that safety in the workplace, specifically a strong culture of workplace safety, is critical for any business in the manufacturing and construction industries. The problem is that a safe workplace is easier said than done. It’s not something that happens overnight; it requires time, dedication, and sometimes help from the outside.

Your safety team is only as strong as its members. And while much attention is given to safety officers, safety representatives, and managers, there are still critical roles that collect, generate and analyze safety data.

As a safety professional, you’re trained to recognize safety issues in the workplace. More than that, you have to train your workforce to recognize safety hazards when they arise and how to go about their workday safely.

All too often, we talk about safety as a question of policies, programs, training, and finding the right protective equipment. And while all those things are important in a safety program, the truth is, there are plenty of other topics that go overlooked while you’re addressing the usual suspects.