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By Henry Brown

When you run a small business, you assume the responsibility of looking after your employees and customers. As a company owner, you have a duty to ensure you comply with rules and regulations to promote safety. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what businesses can do to keep their customers safe.

Creating safe environments

Safe environments are often talked about in the context of reducing the risk of workplace illnesses and injuries. While employee safety should always be a priority, it’s also essential for business owners to be aware of guidelines for keeping customers safe and preventing accidents. Always ensure that you are up to speed with the latest legislation within your industry and try to create welcoming, inviting settings for your clients. Minimize the risk of accidents by carrying out regular risk assessments and implementing policies and procedures. Alert customers to potential hazards, wet floors for example are one of the many causes of slips and falls but are definitely the most common and notorious accident! You should provide training for your staff so that they are aware of safety risks and how to mitigate them for the welfare of customers.

Products and services

If you run a business and you provide customers with products, it’s essential to ensure that every item meets safety standards. Quality control plays a critical role in protecting customers and also enhancing your reputation. Invest in high-quality materials and components and make use of safety measures and devices. From a pressure regulator for an oxygen tank for medical use to switches to control heating systems and electrical appliances, safety should always be a priority. It’s also crucial to put safety first if you provide services for the general public or commercial or industrial clients. Any work that you carry out should meet the required standards and your team should have access to the relevant safety equipment, training and tools.

Hygiene

Hygiene has never been more important. As businesses start to reopen and aim to bounce back after the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s vital to ensure that customers feel safe when they visit stores, leisure and entertainment venues, showrooms or offices. Provide detailed information about the steps you are taking to keep clients safe and offer a range of options for those who might not feel able to visit you in-store or come to the office just yet. You could continue with virtual consultations or offer home delivery or click and collect, for example.

Assessments and feedback

Regular assessments are beneficial for businesses operating across all sectors. Routine checks and frequent risk assessments will highlight hazards and ensure that any problems are addressed swiftly. It’s also important to encourage employees and customers to report issues and to record details of any incidents that occur. Ask your clients for feedback and take the time to read reviews and comments. If anybody raises concerns about health and safety, respond promptly and take action.

Whether you run a store, salon or practice, your business is based in an office or you own a hospitality venture, it’s critical to ensure that your customers feel safe. Go the extra mile to offer reassurance, explain what you’re doing to protect them and make sure you are fully compliant with industry-specific guidelines and regulations.

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Henry Brown is an online marketing executive. When he isn’t talking shop, he’s roaming the streets of London, uncovering the extra-ordinary in the ordinary.