Show your employees that they and their concerns are taken seriously. This not only helps to improve workplace safety, but also boosts motivation and, as a result, performance.
In many companies, regular employee appraisals have long been standard practice for discussing future prospects and often bonuses. Combine them with a regular review of potential workplace hazards and benefit twice over.
Sample questions for the appraisal
Use these questions to raise potential hazards during the appraisal. They cover both physical and psychological strain, which are part of the risk assessment under Section 5 of the German Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG).
- Are there any tasks or work steps where you feel unsafe or have already experienced a near miss?
- How well do your workstation, work equipment and protective equipment suit your tasks?
- Are there any physical strains, for example from heavy lifting, awkward postures, noise or heat?
- How manageable are your workload and time pressure? Can you get your work done within your working hours?
- How well does information flow within your team, and how well do you work together?
- What would make your work safer or easier?
Record the answers and use them to derive specific measures.
Alternatively, you can run an employee survey independently of the appraisal, focusing specifically on the risk assessment.
