There were over 2.6 million workplace injuries in the U.S. in 2021, with slips, trips, and falls accounting for 26% of nonfatal injuries. Workplace injuries can have a lot of consequences. In 2021, more than 70,000,000 work days were lost to workplace injuries which also cost employers around $1,080 on average per worker.
But unlike most people would assume; workplace injuries are not limited to high-risk industries – even office workers who spend most of their day sitting are susceptible to sprains and strains. That is why ensuring a healthy and safe workplace is important these days more than ever.
You don’t have to wait until a serious injury occurs to make positive changes to enhance safety in your organization. In this post, we will be showing you some smart steps to create a safer office that will boost employee morale and improve productivity.
Smart Steps to Improve Workplace Health and Safety
#1: Conduct a workplace risk assessment
Before implementing any safety measures, it’s crucial to identify potential hazards and risks within your workplace. Workplace risk assessment is the first smart step toward improving health and safety. This process involves thorough observation and evaluation of the work environment to pinpoint areas that may pose dangers to employees.
When you are able to identify these risks, you can proactively take measures to prevent accidents and create a safer working environment for everyone. Remember, awareness is the foundation of a secure workplace.
#2: Get workers’ compensation insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance is a legal requirement for employers in most states (in fact, Texas is the only state where it isn’t legally mandated). Workers’ comp is basically a disability insurance program for employees who sustain injury or illness while on the job.
Injured employees are provided with financial compensation to cover the cost of medical bills, physical therapy, and lost wages. The cost of workers’ comp varies depending on the state and the nature of the job.
For instance, in California, the cost of workers comp is around 40 cents per $100 in payroll for low-risk workers, while high-risk labor jobs incur an expense of $33.57. In contrast, New York boasts lower costs, with 7 cents for low-risk workers and $29.93 for high-risk employees per $100 payroll.
Keep in mind, workers’ comp is designed to protect employers as well as employees — upon agreeing to take the insurance, employees forfeit their right to sue their employer. There are however some exceptions to this rule — such as, if the illness or injury was caused intentionally, or by faulty or defective equipment or tools, for example.
In this case, employees may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit as long as they do so within the existing time limit in their state. In Arizona, for example, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury. So, in this case, Surprise Arizona personal injury lawyers can help injured parties understand their legal options.
In New York, on the other hand, the statute of limitations is around three years. A personal injury lawsuit can provide greater compensation for damages, including pain and suffering and punitive damages.
#3: Improve office ergonomics
Ergonomic injuries, also known as musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injuries, are common among office workers who spend most of their time on their computers at their desks with poor posture or in awkward or comfortable positions.
These types of injuries can include pinched nerves, sprains, strains, tears, or carpal tunnel syndrome. But when office ergonomics are improved, you can keep MSD injuries at bay, and improve employee productivity.
In this case, you might want to consider providing your employees with adjustable workstations. Adjustable desks, chairs, keyboards, and computer stands to ensure the unique needs of each employee are accommodated. Adjustable standing desks, in particular, have reportedly improved lower back pain by 32% after a few weeks of use. You’ll also need to train employees to use adjustable equipment correctly, so they get the most out of it.
#4: Prevent sick building syndrome
Although the symptoms of “sick building syndrome” (SBS) vary from person to person, they commonly involve respiratory issues, like coughing, runny, stuffy nose, and sinus infection, as well as headaches, fatigue, nausea, and problems concentrating.
As for the causes of SBS, poor ventilation, dampness, cigarette smoke, office dust, dirty environments, and air conditioning are often to blame. In fact, according to the EPA, indoor air is even more polluted than outdoor air — with concentrations of some pollutants often being 2 to 5 times higher indoors.
Therefore, improving indoor air quality is key to preventing SBS. So, put in all the effort to make sure your office is well-ventilated. Open windows and doors as much as possible. According to Very Well Health, office occupants should receive a minimum of 20 cubic feet of outside air per minute per occupant. You can also install a HEPA air filter to trap unwanted pollutants like dust, tobacco smoke, pet dander, and pollen, and recirculate the room with fresh, clean air.
Final Note
Occupational health and safety should be a priority for every business owner. So, as you are putting great effort into delivering exceptional service and offering unique products, and reinforcing marketing strategies, you should also think of ways to improve health and safety in your workplace.
We have highlighted some crucial steps you can take to achieve this. We recommend you leverage the steps to better protect your employees, while also improving productivity, morale, and job satisfaction.