Five steps to improve workplace safety

1.

 

SORT

Are you resolute about recycling?
Do you regularly discard and recycle any unwanted materials? Go through all items in each section. Consider using red tags for ‘questionable’ items. Store red tagged items in a dedicated area. Dispose items that have not been reclaimed after one week.

 

2.

 

SET

Are you smart about storage?
Do you have set places where equipment and materials are stored, which can be easily accessed by everyone? Define dedicated location for every item. Store items together and in right sequence if they are used together. Store infrequently used items away from the point of use. Make sure frequently used items are available, where needed. Mark dedicated locations for items.

 

3.

 

SHINE

Are you keeping the workplace clean and maintained?
Do you regularly clean down work areas and keep equipment in good condition, ensuring anything faulty is fixed and inspected? Fix root causes of abnormalities such as leakage and spillage. Set cleaning and inspection schedule per zone to plan the implementation and tracking of activities. List every cleaning/inspection activity and indicate necessary frequency. Appoint colleagues to take charge of cleaning/inspection activities. Perform cleaning/inspection activities according to defined frequency. Conduct periodic implementation tracking. Shift leader to check performance level of implementation.

 

4.

 

STANDARDISE

Are you strict about standards?
Do you know about the common methods you can adopt to help keep your workplace up to scratch? Set up checklist for implementation and continuous monitoring. List all the necessary activities and indicate required implementation frequency of each activity. Check if activity was carried out and indicate improvement potential. Define processes and how to proceed in case of non-compliances, and define actions In case of inspections specify criteria for “fit for use.”

 

5.

 

SUSTAIN

Are you serious about safety? 
Do you have an ongoing commitment to upholding standards and inspire your colleagues to do the same? Ensure the situation is maintained and inspections are done as required. There are important benefits from regular checks. Teams are motivated through reviewing success cases and adapting lessons learned from other places. It is also important to identify weaknesses and develop countermeasures if standards are not met.