What’s a Health and Safety Program? and Why It is Important for Your Business
As the owner of your business, being compliant with health and safety regulations includes having a safety program in place.
This written plan of action captures the practice commitment to identifying hazards and preventing injuries. Whether your company needs a formal or informal plan depends on staffing numbers and the risk involved with the work performed. In today’s workforce, especially within health care, COVID-19 adds additional risk and challenges.
Following Public Health Officer’s orders and updating your COVID-19 safety plan, is always a good idea. Check out the following Health Care related COVID-19 resources:
- SafeCare BC COVID-19 Safety Plans
- WorkSafe BC COVID-19 Prevention
- WorkSafe BC Health Care based COVID-19 resources
- BC Centre for Disease Control for Community -Based Health Care Providers
What are the Benefits?
Now more than ever, maintaining a safe and healthy work environment is a daily challenge. For solo practitioners, implementing a safety program can counter these challenges by addressing the hazards with appropriate control measures. When measures are in place, you would feel better supported and safer while performing your job. Other perks include:
- Supports good business practices
- Improves worker motivation
- Lowers injury rates
- Reduces risk
- Promotes safety culture
WorkSafe BC has useful resources available on safety documentation, including developing a health and safety program and implementing a formal health and safety program. Ensure you complete WorkSafe BC’s Due Diligence Checklist and confirm your documentation.
It takes Buy-in to Be Successful
It takes involvement and consultation from all levels, and most importantly, input from colleagues and your own experience for the development and implementation of a successful program. Ask for their opinion and concerns and draw upon their shared experiences to help mold your own program.
Other ways to be successful:
- Have constant and consistent communication
- Be transparent
- Promptly address concerns
- Educate yourself and staff constantly
- Incentivize hazard reporting
Once a safety plan is developed and implemented, be sure to regularly review to close any control gaps. Provide yourself and any staff training on the risks and control measures involved with the work you all perform and confirm their understanding.
Need assistance with developing and implementing a safety program in your workplace? Margo Wipf with The Safe Way – Workplace Safety can assist you and your team with creating a plan that meets your business needs and regulatory compliance.
Disclaimer: This information is provided in an attempt to heighten sensitivity, increase awareness, and enhance judgments on this topic. We encourage our audience to contact their legal advisor and regulatory body to learn more.
Resources
Covid-19 safety plans: What you need to know. Safecare BC. (2022, January 12). Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://www.safecarebc.ca/2022/01/12/covid-19-safety-plans-what-you-need-to-know/
Health Care. WorkSafeBC. (2022, January 9). Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://www.worksafebc.com/en/covid-19/industry-specific-information/health-care
Community-based health care. BC Centre for Disease Control. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2022, from http://www.bccdc.ca/health-professionals/clinical-resources/covid-19-care/clinical-care/community-based-health-care
COVID-19 Prevention. WorkSafeBC. (2022, January 7). Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://www.worksafebc.com/en/covid-19/covid-19-prevention
Health & Safety Programs. WorkSafeBC. (2021, April 22). Retrieved December 30, 2021, from https://www.worksafebc.com/en/health-safety/create-manage/health-safety-programs
Due Diligence Checklist. WORKSAFEBC. (2021, April 22). Retrieved December 30, 2021, from https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/checklist/due-diligence-checklist?lang=en
How to Implement a Formal Occupational Health and Safety Program. WORKSAFEBC. (2021, April 22). Retrieved December 31, 2021, from https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/how-to-implement-a-formal-occupational-health-and-safety-program?lang=en
About the Author
Margo Wipf,
Programs Director, The Safe Way – Workplace Safety and Human Resource Corporation
Margo is a solutions and values-based safety consultant and Director of Programs with The Safe Way – Workplace Safety and Human Resources Corporation. Her safety company’s vision is to ensure safe work behaviours and environments for all workers, including the continuing care sector.
She excels at helping business owners establish a system to identify risk management issues, employment standards; Worksafe requirements, and much more.
Her method of approach is what sets her apart; she coaches, motivates, and builds relationships that promote safety culture and mitigate risk. She collaborates with solo practitioners creating safety policies and procedures that fit company needs and meet regulatory compliance. For the solo practitioner, these deliverables save money, provide peace of mind, and more time to focus on business and client needs.
To learn more about Margo and how she can help your business, please visit her website at www.thesafeway.ca
Ready to make the switch?
Try Our Platform Free for 14 days.
See CompanyOn in Action
Schedule A Free 1:1 Personalized Demo