World Day For Safety And Health At Work: Making Workplaces Safer And Saner For All

It is another special day on the calendar. Today we observe World Day for Safety and Health at work. Since 2003, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has earmarked 28th April for the occasion.

Adopting better Work Cultures

In recent times there has been a lot of talk and emphasis on health and safety in the workspace. Especially since the truth is we live in times where working insane hours, sacrificing one’s physical and mental health has been rewarded. It has led to an unhealthy work culture.

In the rat race of the corporate ladder, humans have become machines and in turn, machines have taken over us. In fact, the downside of technology and automation is that in some cases machines are even dictating our lives and causing all kinds of health problems.

It has been seen when someone has shown up for work popping a pill to finish a deadline it has been rewarded. Working all-nighters without a break during a product launch is becoming the new normal. While there is a lot of talk, is there enough action?

Rewarding unhealthy behaviour which helps the product but at the cost of an employee’s health is certainly something that must stop.

Health and Safety at Work: Multiple Dimensions

While organizations are making an effort and committees and workshops have already been set up, a lot is still left to be desired when it comes to safety and health at work.

Health and safety at work has multiple dimensions to it. Physical, emotional, and mental aspects must make a person feel they are operating in a healthy working ecosystem.

Advantages of a healthy, safe, and secure working environment

It helps to keep the workers motivated and happy in the workplace. Adding to their productivity and helps a person to work at their optimum best.

Organizations and employees can work together to keep the workplace safe and conducive to a healthy work environment.

Also, read: Researchers Found Out a Shocking Truth Related To Brain Activity

The Roadmap to a Safer and healthier workplace environment

According to the health and safety trainer manual, MEPSC the following points can be kept in mind to achieve this goal:

• Ensuring a proper dress code as your working condition. If the work requires safety or special equipment it is the best available in the market. E.g. PPE kits, headgear, etc., and the like to be provided as per the demand of the job.
• Emergency, evacuation, and exit routes are to be properly designated and displayed at key places in the office space.
• Discussing safety rules and safe working practices covering all aspects i.e. physical, metal, and emotional well-being.
• Getting regular feedback to identify any hazards, concerns, and things where there is a need for improvement.
• Inspection of workspace and building to identify any potential hazards. Whether it is the seating arrangement or any spills or leakages in the office or in the field it should be monitored.
• Having a healthy and safety policy in place.
• Promoting health standards through orientation and workshops at the workplace. Making sure people are trained in security and safety matters.
• Having assigned safety supervisors and coordinators.
• Provision of first aid services
• Even injuries caused by overexertion or due to long hours of standing are considered a hazard. Psychological stress due to work pressure are all in the domain of health and safety concerns.
• Having a POSH committee to overlook any matters of sexual harassment in the organisation.

It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to Identify any potential hazards i.e. anything that can harm the health and safety of a person.

Help improve your workspace today by being part of the structure of healthy practices.

We spend the better part of our days at the workplace and it would do all of us good if we became a part of the safe practices culture. If you find any potential hazards of any kind do report to the concerned safety authorities and make your workspace a safe place .

If your organisation is a safe and healthy place to work, give them a shout-out in the comments section.

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