When you run a business, you have so many things going through your head that it can be easy to miss certain areas that really should hold priority. Health and safety are, unfortunately, often one of these. The result? While company owners and managerial figures are busy focusing their attention and efforts on product development, feedback and reviews, product development, and other aspects of the company and its success, accidents can occur, setting the business back dramatically. Customer health and safety should always be a priority. Sure, we are told this time and time again, and we pass the sentiment on to staff during training too. But don’t let it slip to the back of your mind and always keep on top of it! Here are a few things that you can do to ensure that you really do put safety first in your business operations.

Avoiding Slips and Trips

Some of the most common accidents that occur in commercial spaces are slips and trips. While a small fall may seem relatively minor, you never know how it can end. Especially when it comes to more vulnerable individuals such as children and the elderly. A surprising number of falls result in hospitalization, with the most common injuries being broken bones, head injuries, or hip displacement. These are all pretty major issues and can have life-changing repercussions for the individual experiencing them. Not only might the incident be physically painful for them, but it can also be followed by an uncomfortable healing period and longer lasting emotional or mental trauma. Not only is this bad for customer relations with the individual who has fallen, but there can be a whole backlash from the individual incident. It is likely that the person will file some sort of court case against you. They can’t be blamed for this. After all, most of us would call in professionals like Jones Wilson Injury Lawyers to fight our corner if we were to experience a similar situation ourselves. On your part, however, this can prove extremely costly. Your reputation as a caring company can also suffer, with other customers losing faith in you and your commitment to customer care. This will reduce the number of people passing through your doors and have a detrimental impact on your profits. Luckily, there are plenty of things that you can do to reduce the risk of slips and trips in your commercial property, keeping these problems at bay. First, ensure that you are vigilant with spills. Mop up any spill as soon as it is spotted and place a wet floor warning sign in the area. Also scour your commercial property, identifying any small steps or changes in the incline of the floor. These should be marked with easily visible warning signs, such as “mind the step”. Ensure that there are no wires across the floors too. This may mean leaving certain activities such as cleaning until hours when your store is not in operation or open to the general public.

Fire Safety Equipment and Protocol

Every commercial property should have fire safety equipment at hand and protocol should a fire establish itself. Not only do you need to be aware of the whereabouts of equipment and the emergency routine, but you should ensure that your staff are familiar with everything too. This means that they will be able to help customers should a problem occur. Let’s start with equipment. No matter how small your commercial property may be, you need to ensure that a smoke detector is fitted. If you have more than one floor, there should be a smoke detector on each floor. It’s also a good idea to fit one in any staff rooms where your staff members might use appliances such as microwaves or kettles. These should all be checked regularly to ensure that they are operating correctly. It is generally recommended that you do this weekly. It’s probably best to carry out this check outside of your hours of operation if possible. This reduces disruption to your customers while ensuring that everything is still working well. Next: fire extinguishers. There are various types of extinguisher out there, so check out which are best for your business’ needs. The requirements for a restaurant with a kitchen, for example, will be different to those for a standard store. If you like, you can also have sprinklers fitted for extra safety. Set out escape routes and ensure that exits are clearly marked. Don’t forget to set a meeting point for staff once they have exited the building so that everyone can be accounted for.

These are just two different areas that need to be considered when it comes to ensuring the health and safety of customers on your commercial property. But there are plenty more to consider. Use these as a starting point!