Business News

Thu Oct 10

5 Protection Tips to Prevent Workplace Injuries

Written by Katrina Fernandez

While most companies take precautionary actions to ensure workplace safety, injuries are bound to happen. The truth about workplace accidents is that it can occur anytime without warning. Accidents are inevitable simply because of unforeseeable events. In many cases, workplace-related injuries are a direct result of carelessness or failure to obey the company’s safety precaution.

Top causes of workplace accidents:

Improper handling of materials
Accidentally struck or collided with an object
Slips, falls, and trips
Improper use of equipment and tools
Overuse of injured body part or cumulative injury

Common types of workplace-related injuries:

Sprain/strain
Cuts and punctures
Contusions
Inflammation
Fractures

Workplace accidents and injuries are more common in construction, manufacturing, and heavy industrial jobs. A single workplace accident can cost your company thousands of dollars for the payment of medical bills, employee compensation, and even lawyer fees. Injuries can also lower the morale and productivity of your employees.

Here are some helpful tips to protect your staff from the risk of workplace injuries and keep the productivity level to a maximum:

Provide Proper Security Equipment - It is important to provide your workers with proper security equipment, such as safety gloves from somewhere like unigloves, protective eyewear, secured shelving, and adding safety casters to material-handling carts to easily maneuver heavy or bulky loads. This reduces the risk of back, leg, and arm injury due to improper lifting and carrying techniques.

Employee Safety and Wellness Program - Having a safety inspection in Toronto in place encourages your employees to practice cautious behaviour and support all-around wellness. This helps them to be physically and mentally conditioned to work well and be more alert of the potential hazards; hence increasing the productivity and reducing the operating costs.

Keep Workplace Clean and Organized - Many people may not realize how keeping the workplace in order A messy work environment can increase the likelihood of accidents in the area. Heavy equipment operators will find it difficult to maneuver in, increasing the risk of collision. Also, keep computer cables and cords organized so it prevents the risk of tripping. In many, encouraging your staff to practice cleanliness and organization helps prevent accidents.

Follow Instructions - Seasoned employees may think that they are experts at work that why become complacent. No matter how many years they have been operating the heavy equipment, always follow the standard operating procedures in the production area and pay close attention even to minute details to prevent accidents resulting in serious injuries. Lastly, refrain from taking shortcuts; work with diligence and always be alert of your surroundings.

Create a Culture of Safety - Take the lead and show your staff you prioritize workplace safety. This will encourage them to follow your lead. Take, for instance, rushing to complete their tasks. Although time is of the essence and your employees need to meet deadlines, it is still highly important to provide your employees with an adequate and realistic amount of time to complete all their duties. Always remind them to observe the proper SOP even if it means working at a slower pace, but do not penalize them. Entice them with incentives such as bonuses with completing their work on time without any workplace accidents.

Ready Machinery understands you can never play it too safe when it comes to ensuring the safety of your employees in the workplace. Potential hazards can pounce unexpectedly, but they can be prevented through strong and proper supervision and immediately addressing potential dangers.

Image by Ilkka Kumpunen from Pixabay

Wed Oct 9

How to Use Gift Cards to Grow your Hair Business

Written by News Company

Gift cards are brilliant ways to grow your hair business. According to research, about 74% of customers love receiving gift cards. These cards are a great way to improve and grow your business and clientele. Also, according to research, the gift card industry reached an all time high of $160 billion in 2018 alone. That is a completely untapped revenue stream for your business. To make your business stand out you could also include free gifts like hairdressing scissors to the gift cards either for the purchaser, the user or both. Here are some of the ways gift cards can grow your business.

Exposure

Gift cards introduce your business to customers who may never come into your shop. If your services are top notch, the easiest form of recommendation would be from loyal customers who purchase gift cards for friends and loved ones. These newly minted customers might go on to become repeat customers and the cycle continues.

Another way gift cards can get you exposure is by adding them as gifts to be won, say at your local charity function. You may add things related to your business like one of a kind limited edition hairdressing scissors, making the gift cards more desirable. Not only does it get you more customers, it also creates opportunities to advertise your brand. It’s really a win-win situation.

More Profit

Did you know that people tend to spend more when they have gift cards? According to statistical data, the average person spends over $30 more than the value of the gift card. Not only do you make more from gift card users, but the likelihood of the purchaser of the gift card spending more at your shop is at a 70% high.

Most salons see gift cards as low sellers. This perception is not true. Create awareness on the gift cards, spruce them up to look snazzy and worth every penny, give your buyers something unique and watch your bottom line increase.

Increases Loyalty

This is a no-brainer. You can use gift cards as the central point in your reward program. Here’s how you win; you not only keep reluctant customers happy, fulfilled and satisfied with a gift card, you also increase your sales. You should give gift cards for a specific amount of purchases, especially during the holiday season. This drives more traffic to your salon, and increase sales because the incentives to spend more increases as rewards get bigger.

Do not limit your gift cards to just physical purchases, add them as e-gift cards on your website. Give people the option of purchasing them online, reloading them or transferring them as gifts to people who use your business’ website. With this the possibilities are endless. You can get an intimate knowledge about your clients purchasing.

Use Gift Cards to Drum Up Staff Morale

Companies usually have an employee discount. While you might not be able to afford that, giving your staff gift cards as a reward for their stellar work motivates them to do more.

Give offers to employee of the month, add them to the salary package of your staff and give out discounted rates to families of staff. With all of this, not only will your staff give their best, you also get referrals from their families and friends. In the end, you create a staff reward program with gift cards that rewards your business too.

Give Your Clients a Bang for Their Buck

In other words, make the gift cards too tempting to resist. Scout for creative and ingenious ways to create the best look for your clients. You can do this by creating a variety of designs and options for your clients to choose from. For higher value cards, give a complimentary box or just a branded satin bag or ribbon with your salon name printed boldly on top. Offer gift bags to place the cards too.

Most businesses make the mistake of printing higher end gift cards on a thin slip of uninspiring paper. That is a waste of time for your business, especially since gift cards are just that, gifts. Pay attention to the appearance of the card while also paying attention to other key factors. Sometimes the look of the card is enough to sell it. On a side note make sure that your terms and conditions are placed on the gift card in a discreet but obvious place. This is necessary to avoid any disagreement on the services being offered.