Workplace safety is of the utmost importance. In a world where a lawsuit can be created because a cup of coffee is sold while it’s still hot, it’s important to thwart potential lawsuits before they start. This can be done by providing a safe working environment for all employees.

Hearing protection is necessary in areas where noise exceeds a certain decibel level. When in doubt, companies specializing in noise area can be contracted to study your environment and advise you of any potential problems. In the event that the contracted company does find problems, it will be the your company’s responsibility to provide hearing protection or other devices to protect the hearing of its employees. It is also prudent to hire an outside firm to test the hearing of all employees on a yearly basis to be certain that there are no potential problems. Hearing protection comes in many styles and colors. They also have different decibel ratings and the one chosen by your company should be rated for the noise level that is present in your business.

Forklift and large equipment usage in production and construction environments can also present safety hazards. Each employee must be trained in the usage and licensed or certified to operate the machinery. Safety training classes should be conducted on a regular basis to ensure that employees are apprised of current safety measures and procedures in place so that all employees can be safe in the usage area. For example, drivers of forklifts should know when it is appropriate to blow the horn before turning a corner.

They should also know how to increase visibility when using double lifts. Each employee should also know how to inspect his or her equipment prior to usage to be sure that the equipment is safe for use. A form should be used at each shift change to document any findings.

Eye protection is also required in these environments. The use of safety goggles must be standardized and must be randomly checked to verify that all employees working around chemicals, machine parts or other unsafe areas are wearing approved safety glasses. Safety glasses come in many styles and colors. They are also equipped with vents for hot areas and tints for areas where employees are forced to work in the sun. The more comfortable the equipment, the more likely employees are to wear them.

Large companies should be contracted with a medical provider for random drug testing and for treatment of workplace incidents. Finding drug usage before an accident happens can save a company millions of dollars in lawsuits in the long run. By treating workplace incidents with a contracted doctor, employers can obtain detailed reports about the severity of workplace injuries rather than relying on employees to provide the information.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Risk is part of having a construction or production company but taking basic safety precautions can minimize these risks.