A Safe and Healthy Work Environment

A Safe and Healthy Work Environment Executive Summary This paper examines the issue of a safe and healthy workplace environment. A healthy workplace is an essential element that guarantees the well-being of employees. The health and safety of workers should be at the center-stage of company policies. This healthy workplace is the responsibility of not only the employer but also the employees. The costs that accrue from workplace injuries can be very hefty and should be avoided. Human relationships should be enhanced as much possible since the relationships greatly affect the mental as well as the physical health of the workforce. Workplace policies should clearly outline safety of employees and most importantly take into consideration the health of employees with disabilities. Potential hazards should be identified and proper measures to mitigate such hazards be put in place. Occupational policies regarding health and safety must be communicated and the nature of job should be used to determine what type of health policies should be instituted to safeguard workers’ safety.

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A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 2 Pre-examining employees before employment and periodic examination of employees would be helpful in ensuring a healthy and safe work environment. Housekeeping efforts such as tidying up the workspace, cleaning any spills and cleaning equipment after use are some of the aspects that can help greatly avoid workplace injuries. Workplace safety should not be a restrict for large businesses only but also for small businesses. In fact small businesses stand to implement workplace health policies easier than large businesses since relationship between workers is easier to manage. Finally, it should remain clear that great leadership is the core for workplace safety. Leaders contribute towards a less stressful working environment. As such, leaders ought to lead by example, support the workers, trust their workers and consult employees to understand the areas that need to be addressed to ensure that the workplace is healthy and safe.

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 3 A Safe and Healthy Work Environment Introduction A workplace is considered healthy if there are elements of occupational health and safety, health promotion as well as organizational health. These are the key factors that determine the well-being in workplaces (British Columbia, 2009). Companies must ensure that employees are enlightened with skills that will promote health and safety issues. This also serves as a chance of eliminating literacy in the workplace. In the day-to-day life, safety and security are required. Most of the workers in the society are working tirelessly towards providing secure products to the society (Chapman, 2003). They are also responsible of ensuring that the working environments are safe and that they are structured to the required standards. Companies must always ensure that all the products in distribution are delivered with integrity from departure to the patients. Employees, employers as well as all the people in the society must always ensure that the environment is safe and free from any hazardous elements (Australian Government, 2010).

A safe and healthy working environment is all about ensuring that any work-related injuries are prevented at all cost. The environment must be designed in a way that it is conducive for everyone. In order to achieve safety and healthy conditions, all the people involved must have the knowledge to do so. People must understand the correct procedures that should be taken in order to minimize injuries. Companies must ensure that there are protocols to be followed in identifying possible threats. For instance, they could include special departments in the workplace that are responsible of such cases. These departments would be able to asses the working environment and implement suitable measures for the identified risks (McKesson Corporation 2012). Companies should make use of suitable and the best security and safety equipment especially when it comes to physical security (Safe Work Australia, 2010). In addition to this, electronic security may as well be used. Special

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 4 assessment programs are important in the workplace because they assist the leaders to identify weakness in the actual security as well as the safety programs. Reports must be well documented as concerns these assessments so that all the procedures to be taken are executed in a timely manner. The workplace must also have a team that is chosen and given the responsibility of providing awareness as well as ensuring that all the workers strive towards protecting each other (McKesson Corporation 2012). It is very true that training promotes awareness and this should be emphasized.

Organizational Health The quality of human relationships can greatly influence the mental as well as the physical health of the workforce. The management must ensure that the workload is sensible and equally distributed among the workforce. Organizational initiatives in regard to health and safety must be balanced through home-driven and work-driven responsibilities. There must be proper communication which enables the workers to feel the presence of teamwork and cooperation (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, 2005). If all these aspects are considered, the employees feel satisfied and perform their duties with no stress. The quality of the service given to customers will be of high quality when the working environment is conducive. Some of the top drivers that enable employee retention include exciting and challenging tasks, personal growth opportunities, supportive management, communication at its best, and management recognition (British Columbia, 2009).

If the works are stressed emotionally, mentally or physically, then they are at great risk of developing health issues. An example of such a situation is when the job becomes too demanding which thereafter leads to frustration and or exhaustion. Some of the factors that may lead to stress include high job demands, role conflict, bad management of change within the organization, and poor relationships or communication at work, just to mention a few (Riedel et al, 2001). Stress is a negative element in a work environment because it leads to

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 5 low productivity and efficiency. It may also lead to frequent absenteeism, not forgetting increased expenses caused by frequent medical check ups.

Employers now have a chance to approach workers who are showing signs of stress and offer assistance where possible. Sometimes these stressors may be employer-related.

Managers as well must know how to conduct themselves or modify unethical behaviors that might lead to employee stress (Chapman, 2003). In order to achieve this, all the workers must be treated fairly and with respect and their jobs designed in a balanced manner. Since the employer has given workers the opportunity to work in his or her organization, he should give them the opportunity to control their tasks whenever possible. There is no need to keep on following someone just to know how they are performing their duties. The job demands must be reasonable in terms of deadline, working hours, and schedules. Employers must ensure that any kind of bullying or harassment is strictly avoided and dealt with accordingly.

Under no circumstance is the employer supposed to ignore sings that a worker is under stress (British Columbia, 2009).

Employer Responsibility It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that health and safety measures are implemented in the workplace. The procedures or measures put in place must meet the required standards. The employer must ensure that the workers are working in a safe manner and that the task they are partaking does not affect their health. The employer must also investigate and ensure that the tools used in the working environment are safe and to the standards. In cases where workers deal with hazardous substances, the employer must ensure that workers have instructions and proper training about these substances so that they can perform their jobs in a safe manner (Australian Government, 2010). It would also be important for the department heads to relate with employees and gather information about their safety and health in the workplace. Employees must be monitored closely and their

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 6 records kept for updates. It is also important to monitor the working environment through consultation with the involved employees and ensure that everything is in its required state.

When defining workplace policies, it is also important that employees with disabilities be involved in the safety and health drills (McKesson Corporation 2012). Sometimes one might forget that people with disabilities are still humans and have equivalent rights. They must be provided with special equipment to work in a safe environment, and in some cases proper adjustments be made in favor of their working conditions. Special adjustments and equipment enable these people to work happily in the sense that they feel to be part and parcel of the organization. They also have equal opportunities like the rest in terms of promotion, training as well as recruitment (Riedel et al, 2001). Comprehensive health and safety procedures help employees to identify any potential hazards that may be faced during their work-term or at home. It enables them to work safely even in cases when their responsibilities change.

A healthy, safe and supportive working environment enables the workers to perform to their best simply because there is the feeling of value and respect from the employer. The climate in the work space must be conducive and one that enhances human performance. A favorable environment is one that is safe, clean and pleasing to the workers. In areas that may pose threat to the employees’ health and safety, the employer must ensure that there are compliance measures in regards to heat, ventilation, and noise, among many others (Corporate Health Programs, n.d).

Nature of the work When a person secures a job in any organization, he or she must ensure that he/she is conversant with the occupational policies of health and safety. This will enable them to complete their requirements in a safe and healthy manner (Australian Government, 2010).

Employees must be briefed about the policies at induction. They must as well be trained

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 7 about safety and emergency procedures which may also include evacuation drills. However, this can only be achieved if the employer uses the correct channels of passing information.

The safety and health information must be presented in appropriate formats such as screen reading, Braille in case there are blind employees, and in enlarged fonts to suit those who are visually impaired (Chapman, 2003). Employees must be re-trained and also provided with information updates on a regular basis. In case where the company introduces new machinery and equipment, it must ensure that all the employees are given information and trained on how to use them. There are cases where injuries are inevitable and as a result one gets injured. If this is the case, then the employer must review as well as modify the procedures related to that work so that when the employee returns to work, they can be very cautious in preventing futures injuries (British Columbia, 2009).

A safe workplace is one with reduced or improved injury rate. It also entails implementation of incentive programs where employees are encouraged to take part in processes that will promote their health and safety. There has to be extended resources like a library where employees can gather information regarding accident prevention. A secure workplace is the one that encourages employees to report any kind of unacceptable behavior in accordance to violence policy. It must also be equipped with extensive security systems that may be used to protect critical assets. A secure working environment must also be incorporated with timely coordination in responding to crisis through various managements that are responsible (McKesson Corporation 2012).

Occupational health must entail pre-examination of employees before employment. It must also entail periodic examinations following the confirmation of an employee. The occupational health members are trained to deal with issues that relate to the responsibilities of an employee. They frequently monitor the workers to ensure that they do not have any potential health risks. In case they have signs of health defects, the team immediately comes

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 8 in and addresses the issue. Most companies do not have on-site health clinics. These are important entities of a company where workers are provided with immediate attention (first aid), before they are transferred to general hospitals in extreme cases (Chapman, 2003). The occupational health staff must be trained nurses and physicians who hold appropriate certification in fields they are specialized in.

The nature of the workplace must as well be considered when implementing safety and health measures. Examples of workplaces can be structures or buildings. Again, not all workers are strategically positioned (Safe Work Australia, 2010). There are those who work outside the organization’s environment like sales people or health care workers who move around the society providing health services. The managers must also take into account whether certain equipment and facilities can be available whenever needed (Chapman, 2003).

There are some companies that offer services twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. In such a case, there is certain equipment that can be dangerous especially when used during the night. The management must therefore ensure that appropriate equipment is provided, together with important facilities such as lighting. A proper lighting system will ensure that the worker accomplishes his or her task without straining or fear of getting injured (Safe Work Australia, 2010).

Importance of safe and healthy working environments The facilities that are mainly used in a workplace can contribute to a positive performance by ensuring that workers are well protected. Some of the facilities that a company must have include temperature, seating, toilets, change rooms, drinking water, entry and exit, workspace, and lighting, just to mention a few (Corporate Health Programs, n.d.).

All these facilities have their positive contribution if implemented well. A proper workspace will allow the workers to move freely and safely without obstructions. The temperature in the workplace must be appropriate for humans in order to improve comfort hence reducing

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 9 incidences of fatigue. Toilets are important because they meet the basic health of workers in a private manner (Safe Work Australia, 2010). Change rooms are important because employees can change with privacy, thus reducing or avoiding chances of spreading contaminating diseases. Lighting is also important because workers can work comfortably without straining their eyes. Washing facilities are equally important because they can help reduce chances of spreading diseases such as flu and cold. The importance of entry and exit is to ensure that workers move safely within the premises and also evacuate easily and quickly whenever there is an emergency (Safe Work Australia, 2010).

It would be also important to have separate entries for heavy equipment such as trucks, trolleys, or forklifts. This will reduce the chances of people getting hit or injured by these equipment. If the workers share a common route with such equipment or vehicles, then kerbs or clear markings may be used to separate the way and show designated walkway. If the entries are automatic or power-operated, then it is important to drill the workers on how to access them in case of emergency. All exits must be well marked so that in case of emergency, workers or anyone in the premises can follow the signs to exit without any difficulties (McKesson Corporation 2012). However, all these facilities will be of no help if composition of the workforce is not considered. For instance, the number of toilets in a workplace should be determined by the number of workers who make use of them. Toilets must also be positioned in a private manner especially if the workforce is composed of men and women (Chapman, 2003). People with disabilities must also be considered when designing these facilities. Employees must ensure that the workplace is clean and safe at all times. In case there are broken fixtures and fittings, the responsible department must ensure that they are fixed immediately to avoid danger (Safe Work Australia, 2010). Items like soap and hand sanitizers must be provided and replenished immediately in the washrooms.

House Keeping

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 10 A place that is kept untidy can lead to injuries. In this regard, it is important to implement practices of housekeeping. Wastes must be deposited in their rightful place and disposed as required. Any spills that are found on the floor and other surfaces must be immediately cleaned to avoid injuries (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, 2005).

In case there are walkways in the premises, then they must at all times be kept clear.

Anything that might obstruct the walkway should be removed and placed in the right manner.

All the working equipment and materials must always be cleaned after work and neatly arranged in their appropriate places. This prevents the equipment from falling due to stacking them in places where they do not belong (McKesson Corporation 2012). There are other instances where companies engage in rapid production of goods. In such cases, it might be difficult to keep the workplace tidy. However, workers can be trained through co-operation and acquire skills of keeping the place tidy. Equipment that is regularly used must be stored within or close to the workstations. This will avoid frequent movement of the equipment which may as a result cause injuries (Corporate Health Programs, n.d).

Importance of a healthy and safe work environment A safe working condition is the main source of positive mental and physical health.

Leaders in an organization must understand the link between the satisfaction of an employee and health (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, 2005). Keeping the workplace healthy is a business strategy that works perfectly well. People looking for jobs target companies that offer good benefits that include tremendous health and safety programs. In this case, companies must provide job satisfaction so that employees can find the work interesting. As a result, both the employer and the employee will benefit from the health benefits (British Columbia, 2009). There are other factors that are ignored in our day-to-day life, like the case of tobacco and obesity. Employers must support the workers and advise them on the risks that accompany smoking and other cases. Poor nutrition and wait gain are

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 11 also other factors that might affect the productivity of a company. In this regard, it is important for the company to address such issues in a humane manner (Corporate Health Programs, n.d.). Though the workers may decide to clean their work stations after work, it is equally important to appoint a specific team that conducts general cleaning. If this is impossible, then workers can be assigned to clean the work stations in fair schedules.

Small businesses A great percentage of workers are employed in small companies and they can as well benefit from building a healthy environment at work. Small businesses have certain advantages as compared to large businesses. In a small business, workers relate to each other well because the number of the workforce is less. There is a greater chance of people mastering each others’ traits as compared to large businesses where people are more concerned with their duties (Riedel et al, 2001). This statement simply shows how creativity in small businesses can be well put in place towards successful and healthy workplace.

Employees in this case can promote better health by realizing that wellness in a workplace is a priority and not an option. The upper management must as well come in and show their commitment to this matter. The company must also provide special opportunities where workers are screened for health defects. It is also important for the company to hire specialists who can investigate and determine whether the seating arrangement is perfect or needs alteration.

In cases where the work is physical, workers must be trained on proper ways of lifting products and equipment among other items, as well as proper techniques of stretching before and after work. The company should reward those who have stayed healthy and those who have shown some improvement; this can be done in terms of wellness incentives (British Columbia, 2009). By so doing, the company should not just relax and praise those who have

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 12 benefited; instead, it should track the progress of the rest of the crew and ensure that there is continual improvement in their health status.

Great leadership Great leaders play a major role in ensuring that the workplace is secure and one that promotes health. They contribute towards a less stressful working environment that will enable the workers perform their tasks effectively. Supportive managers will receive fewer complaints from the workers, a sign that they are productive. It is estimated that about 65 percent of workers think that their superiors are responsible for maintaining a healthy and secure working environment (British Columbia, 2009). Leaders are valued according to their leadership quality. In order to create a healthier working environment, the leaders must learn to trust the workers and vice versa. There must be a demonstration of fairness when it comes to implementing rules, regulations and policies. Great leaders also consult employees and get to know what satisfies them or what stresses them. It is also important for the leaders to be best examples to be followed. It is unethical to “preach wine and drink water”.

Conclusion It has been clearly proven that health and safety are important components that must be practiced and emphasized in a working environment. By so doing, workers can perform their duties without complaining hence promoting physical health and great business output.

It is also important to monitor colleagues closely and get to know if something bothers them.

There are those who choose to keep quiet simply because they are afraid of their bosses. This is not a good thing because it promotes fear which is not good at all. Leaders are also requested to be good examples when preaching health and safety. They must show interest in everything they support or talk about so that the workers can feel the atmosphere of a family within the working environment. Both personal and environmental conditions must be well scrutinized when defining the working conditions. There are some workers who perform

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 13 pretty well when working in cold, while others prefer heat. This means that the leaders in the top management must interact with the rest of the crew in the middle and lower levels and get to know their behaviors and traits. A healthy and secure working environment generates efficiency, productivity and wellness.

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 14 References American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, (2005). AACN standards for establishing and sustaining healthy work environments. Critical-Care Nurses. Retrieved 21 April 2012 <www.aacn.org> Australian Government, (2010). How to provide a safe work environment. Retrieved 21 April 2012 from http://jobaccess.gov.au/Employers/Before_you_start/Preparing_and_modifying_the_ workplace/Pages/How_to_provide_a_safe_wor.aspx British Columbia, (2009). Healthy work environments: A competitive advantage in today's economy and labour market. The WorkBC employer's tool kit: a resource for British Columbia Businesses. pp 8-20.

Chapman, L. (2003). Meta-evaluation of worksite health promotion economic returns studies.

Art of Health Promotion Newsletter, 6(6), 1-10.

Corporate Health Programs, (n.d.) Employee wellness programs: Safe and healthy work environment. Retrieved 21 April 2012 from http://www.corporate-healthprograms.com/employee-wellness-programs-safe-and-healthy-work-environment/ McKesson Corporation, (2012). A safe, secure and healthy work environment. Corporate Citizen Report. Retrieved 22 April 2012 from http://mckessoncorporatecitizenship.com/our-employees/a-safe-secure-and-healthywork-environment Riedel, J. E., Lynch, W., Baase, C., Hymel, P. & Peterson, K. W. (2001). The effect of disease prevention and health promotion on workplace productivity: A Literature review. American Journal of Health Promotion, 15(3), 167-190.

A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT 15 Safe Work Australia, (2010). Code of practice: Managing the work environment and facilities. Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational; Reform in Occupational Health and Safety. pp 4-34.