In the last six years, healthcare costs almost reached $60 billion over debilitating injuries and illnesses. Researchers have determined that for the majority of these complications, overexertion was the common denominator. Likewise, overexertion was the result of overworking oneself at work. Individuals with demanding jobs are particularly vulnerable to these disabling effects, as these workers spend most of their workday conducting hard labor to achieve project goals. Although employers are good about paying the costs for these injuries, their plans to prevent further employee health damage are lacking. This article discusses four ways to maintain a safe work environment, whether or not your job requires a hardhat.
1. Creating A Safe Workplace: Begin with Workplace Culture
It’s not only hard labor workers who are vulnerable to injury. Workers who sit in cubicles for most of the day are prone to injury and disability as well. Lack of movement, inadequate hydration, lack of sleep, and heavy stress loads contribute to illness, injury, and disease. Not to mention repetitive injuries from typing all day. For these reasons, workplace leaders must do their part to achieve a safe workplace, and this begins with actively promoting a safer workplace culture for everyone in the company. Encourage your employees to take breaks throughout the day to get some water, use the restroom, and take a walk. Set up an inviting break room available for employees to take a breather as needed. Consider implementing voice policies that encourage your workers to come to management if and when they feel overwhelmed with their workload, so that they can discuss any changes that are needed to reduce stress. An, since workplace injuries are inevitable no matter how many safeguards you put in place, make sure you invest in workers’ compensation software to help manage claims efficiently.
2. Keep the Work Environment Clean
Especially considering that we are still in the middle of a global pandemic, it’s essential to maintain safety standards. Hire a professional cleaning crew to sanitize and wipe down surfaces, vacuum, and disinfect the workplace at least once a week. Cleaning should take place in common areas and all workplace bathrooms as well. Inform your employees that active measures are being taken to keep the workplace clean. This may alleviate some concerns for personal safety at work. Encourage remote work opportunities for those employees who feel particularly hesitant or unsafe about returning to the office. Moreover, keep hand sanitizer, face masks, and gloves available for employees at work. Take things even further and commit your business to going green for overall environmental cleanliness.
3. Hold Meetings and Trainings on Workplace Safety
Maintaining a safe workplace culture requires leaders to coach employees on the importance of safety in the workplace. Business leaders can schedule monthly meetings that inform colleagues on ways to keep themselves and others safe during these trying times. You can also offer workplace-safety training courses for your team. Another thing to consider is the overall social movement towards embracing self-care at work and at home. Consider embracing these trends by keeping the break room stocked with water, healthy snacks, and perhaps health-minded reading materials for light reading during employee breaks. You can even set up a snack delivery service, so you’re always stocked.
4. Offer Rewards for Safety
Keeping your employees focused on safety may be challenging now that the COVID vaccine is out. Some people may reduce the amount of time that they wear their facemasks or avoid practicing social distancing in the workplace. Create opportunities for employees to continue practicing safety behaviors as encouragement so that the work environment stays safe. Some ideas include running raffles for those who follow office safety standards—people are always incentivized by run rewards like gift cards—or doing a group catered lunch if employees work together to keep the workplace safe for the month.
But, you also have to think about what you can do to maximize safety in your place of work. Following health and safety guidelines is essential to making this happen, but it doesn’t stop there. You also need to be seen to be protecting your employees in their place of work, which means putting in a little bit of extra effort. This can include adding extra security measures where needed such as extra CCTV or security personnel, or even looking into helping employees get in touch with an aggravated assault attorney if there is an incident where it’s needed. The last example is an extreme scenario, but it happens and you need to take steps to ensure their safety and their comfort.
The Bottom Line
Consider your company’s safety needs and apply them accordingly. If you can, partner with exceptional medical providers so your employees receive ideal health benefits. Do what you can to avoid the consequences of overexertion and make workplace safety a priority—both you and your employees will be thankful you did.