Oops, We’ve Had An Accident

Accidents are prone to happen in any environment. In fact, you’d be surprised to know that most common accidental injuries occur at home, especially in the kitchen around the festive season. Not that this article is designed to scare you about your Christmas celebrations, but it’s there to show that accidental mistakes happen anywhere and to anybody. The workplace is, of course, not an exception. Whether it’s someone sending the wrong email or an employee tripping over an uneven carpet, smooth and uneventful days can be rare at work. Some pessimistic minds would argue that something is always bound to happen as you can’t avoid human error. While there is some truth in the statement, here is not the place to judge whether errors are making us more human and less reliable. Instead, here’s the place to consider a different kind of accidents and mistakes that can take place in the workplace – whether it’s an office or a factory – and to help you deal with them as effectively as possible.

Image: stevepb

Health & Safety: how to avoid accidents and how to act

Health and Safety regulations are essential for every physical business, from the warehouse to the office. Surprisingly, they are becoming more and more an issue to introduce in startups and new businesses, as a lot of them have started their existence as a remote digital entity. The introduction of new rules is a novelty for these. As a rule of the thumb, H&S regulations are designed to protect the health of your employees and your customers and to make the workplace environment safer for all. It’s not only a nice thing to have, but it’s also a responsibility of every business owner, as you could encounter legal pursuits if you fail to train your staff to H&S standards in your industry. Consequently, you need to run a risk assessment audit with a specialist in order to define the best regulations for your company. You will then be able to assess the training requirements and necessary equipment for your situation. Failure to do so will always result in legal complications, especially in the case where people get injured on your premises.

The safety of the public

The problem with H&S regulations is that they apply primarily to your safety and the one of everybody on your premises. But at the end of the day, it’s about the safety of your team and customers. What about the safety of those who don’t work with you? That’s precisely where the need for a public liability cover arises, as a way to ensure that people outside of your premises can be protected – and more importantly that your business is covered against their claims. Imagine working on a construction site with your team, and suddenly a gulf of wind throws heavy bricks onto the cars parked in the street. The right cover can ensure that you’re protected from legal actions. It also covers damages on the belongings of others, as well as their health recovery costs.

What happens when you get something wrong at work?

What if you’ve noticed that you’ve made a mistake? The best approach is to own it as soon as possible, as the longer, you wait, the longer it will take to fix. There is a variety of strategies you can deploy to ensure that the mistake doesn’t affect a lot of people. You could offer a solution as you bring the issue to awareness. It will not only help move further towards a resolution, but it also shows you in a better light.

What if someone from your team makes a mistake?

When your employees make mistakes, it’s crucial that you remember that punishing is not always the best approach. In fact, a lot of leaders recommend expressing disappointment and assisting employees in ensuring that the mistake isn’t repeated. However, leadership strategies differ when it comes to interacting with your employees after a mistake. Some like to remain distant to emphasize their displeasure. Others are quick to forgive accidental errors, as they consider people should learn from their mistakes without fear. Accepting that mistakes will occur is essential to keep your team united.

What if your supplier messed up?

What if your supplier messed up and customers complain to you? You need to own the mistake in front of them, as their sole point of contact. Blaming it on someone else doesn’t look very professional. Then you can sort out the problem privately with the supplier.

Mistakes happen. It’s not always about avoiding them, but it’s about dealing with them in the most effective and professional manner.

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