walkway that encouraged walking and discussion during meals, even in nasty weather. Make nutritional information available in the company lunchroom. Many Web sites and food distributors provide free posters listing nutritional content and encouraging food-healthy choices.
on their co-workers due to the elimination of secondhand smoke. Nearly every state, the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, and even cigarette manufacturers provide an enormous amount of information and tools an employer can use to create and enforce a smoking policy in their particular situation.
Weight Loss This can be a touchy subject. While it is always good to encourage healthy weight management and a healthy body mass, everyone’s body is unique. What may be a comfortable muscle fat ratio for some may not be for others. Unless you are specially trained or an expert on this topic, you should avoid making specific suggestions and comments to any individual. It is important not to create an uncomfortable environment for any employees. All the same, this doesn’t preclude an employer from making available weight loss opportunities to the entire staff. For instance, if enough employee interest can be demonstrated, Weight Watchers will bring weekly meetings onsite to offices. Also, local and county departments of health may be able to provide a multitude of free or low-cost weight loss incentives, programs, or advice.
Counseling Wellness is not simply about physical conditioning. Employee wellness should be both physical and mental. Many health insurance programs provide behavioral and mental health counseling. And these mental health counselors can further direct employees to other specific counseling resources such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, suicide hotlines, and even lactation counseling for breastfeeding support and education.
Smoking Cessation Although the U.S. continues impressive declines in the number of smokers, this group still accounts for close to 20% of adults who are 18 and over. At the same time, a little over 20% of the population are former smokers. Assisting smokers in giving up this habit will have an immediate impact on their wellness and might have a long-term impact Twitter @WaterWellJournl
Vaccinations Although there are some groups and public figures that deny the validity of vaccinations, the scientific and medical communities are consistent in their recommendation for the widespread use of vaccinations. Larger employers may be able to host a seasonal flu vaccine clinic in their offices. Smaller companies can encourage their workers to take advantage of free clinics provided by state and local governments and some pharmacies. The only cost to the employer in promoting attendance at free vaccine clinics is providing the opportunity for employees to attend to get their shots. For each employee vaccinated, that person’s ability to contract an illness has been eliminated and has also reduced that person’s potential to spread the illness to others who haven’t been vaccinated. Immunity can occur with as little as a 20% vaccination rate. This means the population has significantly reduced its chances of a widespread epidemic.
Physicals No one should undertake a new physical routine or make drastic changes to their lifestyle without first seeking the advice of a qualified medical professional. Providing for, or encouraging, the entire staff to get a general physical promotes their ability to make good decisions about their health and wellness and may also provide early detection of a previously unknown condition. These physicals can be provided under the employee’s own medical insurance at an occupational medicine clinic or even at a mobile clinic that comes right to the company’s doorstep. Investing in these physicals is a surefire way to show the staff their employer truly cares about their well-being and wants to encourage improvement.
Healthy Habits There’s a reason why the habit of hand washing starts to be drilled into youngsters in preschool. It’s the easiest and one of the most effective ways there is to prevent the spread of communicable illnesses. Outdoor work site crews should always have clean water, soap, and towels they can use to wash up following dirty tasks, prior to eating and drinking, and after using the restroom. This simple step will go a long way to reducing illness as well as reducing exposure to hazardous substances.
Indoor Air Quality Our environment is key to our wellbeing. For example, changing filters on the HVAC system and inspecting the operation of dampers, motors, and fans helps to ensure employees are working in a safe and healthful atmosphere and can provide a good base to launching a new employee wellness program.
Coaching We’re not talking here about the grizzled football coach screaming at you to push harder. Coaching includes providing information to make good choices, instructing how to use fitness equipment, and giving advice on how to create and maintain a healthy diet. Coaching can also incorporate the traditional fitness coach who pushes someone to reach their next milestone. Do not underestimate the value of management’s leadership by example. Whether a company has 12 or 1200 employees, seeing and knowing their managers, supervisors, and owners are actively participating in the company’s wellness program is the most effective coaching of all. WWJ
Have Detailed Tailgate Talks Discussions on safety are easy with Safety Meetings for the Groundwater Industry. With the set of 52 sheets, you can have weekly safety meetings on different industry-specific topics. Go to www.NGWA.org and the Online Bookstore to get your copy.
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