Your small business may have begun with one or two employees, including yourself. In the beginning, the focus is usually on finding enough capital to survive, creating a client base, and getting your venture up and running. The team often expands more slowly for a smaller business, and you may be learning as you go, from how to manage a payroll and a complex schedule, to dealing with a wide variety of employee issues and regulations.

You may be forced to spend more time at work than home when building a business, and your team probably feels like an extended family. Because of that, most likely you want to reward your employees with good pay and benefits, a comfortable atmosphere, and a safe work environment. Your employees will appreciate it, and such preventative measures may have a positive impact on their health later. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also requires you to offer a safe work environment, and employees have the right to speak up if they are being denied basic safety on the job, whether being supplied with safety gear, avoiding unhealthy toxins in the environment, or being able to report and document injuries properly. Be familiar with OSHA rules, and as you begin working on or improving safety protocol, focus on the following:

Basic safety – take every precaution to make sure your team does not fall victim to accidents that could have been easily avoided. Slipping and falling is a common problem, and more so in restaurants and retail spaces. Make sure you and your team have the tools to clean up after a spill and that there is a ‘wet floor’ sign always available to notify everyone, especially customers too, of a slippery area. This is crucial during weather events too where both the front and rear entrances may be wet or icy. Also, basic hygiene practices should be required, with supplies such as soap, disinfectants, and more for the bathrooms and kitchen areas.

Security – this is especially important if your company deals with retail sales or keeps cash and valuable inventory on site. Be certain that any front window areas are clear of signs or furniture blocking a view to the outside, recommend frequent safe drops if customers are coming in and paying for items frequently, and install a hardwired panic button, as well as one that employees working late alone (or at any time they may be vulnerable) can wear or carry wirelessly. Security codes should never be given out to unauthorized personnel either.

Environment – the facility should offer clean airflow and be free of any toxins or health hazards.

Fire safety – your local fire marshal or fire safety company can come and do a safety check to make sure your facility has a working sprinkler system, fire extinguishers, an electrical system that is free of hazard, along with proper fire exits and signage.

If you have questions about business protocol or another legal issue, let us help. Call now at 949-333-0900 or email us at Shane.Coons@seclawoffices.com.