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“Good health is good business.”

– Paul Drechsler, Chairman/CEO, Wates Group Limited

 

 

Paul Drechsler rightfully quotes that a healthy body and mind affect nearly all facets of an individual’s life, including their career. Reports show that healthy employees are 67% more likely to feel engaged at work which in turn benefits the entire organization.

 

Since human resources are the most valuable asset of an organization, monitoring their safety and wellbeing is the top most priority for HR. An organization’s talent’s health and safety directly affect its innovation and growth and help it gain a competitive edge.

 

Maximizing the collective safety and well-being of employees is a critical challenge for employers, even in 2021.

 

Some astonishing facts about H&S in the Indian corporate world!

 

    According to a survey conducted by ASSOCHAM, 43 percent of Indian employees suffer from depression, out of which at least 23 percent suffer from obesity.

 

    70 percent of Indians spend their complete salary on healthcare, and due to high medical costs, 3.2 percent of Indians are deficient.

 

    17–21% of employers say they have no intentions to invest in the H&S area.

 

What are the aspects of HR that influence safety performance?

 

For a company to function effectively, there needs to be a Workplace Health and Safety program which is the responsibility of HR. Following are the most pressing aspects of HR which impact the success of the Workplace Health and Safety program.

 

1. Job design

 

The following aspects of job design play a critical role in the prevention of workplace injury:

 

       workload,

       shift work,

       rostering,

       clarity of reporting relationships and direction,

       supervision, and more.

 

Physical injuries can be prevented or minimized by carefully considering the ergonomics, physical exertion, and repetitiveness of tasks in human resourcing planning.

 

2. Recruitment and selection

 

Recruitment and selection can help in preventing workplace injury and employee illness. It is extremely important that the candidates shortlisted for selection are committed to safe working practices.

 

Also, the WHS suggests that candidates should be subject to psychometric testing to ensure workplace safety. This way HR can contribute to the WHS program.

 

3. Organisational culture

 

HR needs to develop a generative and proactive safety-first culture instead of the traditional pathological and reactive culture of safety.  The senior management and HR play a vital role in driving the Workplace Health and Safety program of an organization.

 

4. Induction and Orientation

 

Statistics have shown that new employees are more likely to be injured at work. Therefore, it is important that safety information specific to each role is provided during the orientation and induction process.

 

These processes can be conducted either before the commencement or on the commencement of job. The orientation must include session on information regarding procedures and policies relevant to the role, followed by a practical induction into specific safety equipment, practices or risks that exist in their new role.

 

5. Performance management

 

Linking the workplace health and safety program to employees’ performance can ensure that all the safety and health measures are taken seriously by all. These management processes may include:

 

       appraisals,

       performance standards,

       reward and recognition, and

       performance recovery

 

It also makes sure that no safety or health standards are compromised in pursuit of meeting any business objective.

 

6. Training and development

 

In order to successfully meet the workplace health and safety standards includes providing regular training to employees relevant to their job roles. 

 

It also includes that the individual conducting any specific procedures or working on particular equipment possess the relevant licenses or qualifications.

 

7. Health and wellbeing

 

Employee health and well-being programs which focus on creating awareness on physical and mental health can potentially have the benefit of reduced workplace injuries and illnesses. It also improves safe work practices commitment.

 

Also, encouraging physical conditioning linked with exercise programs can improve posture, work tolerance and strength, etc.

 

8. Absenteeism management

 

The absenteeism data tells you a lot about an organisation and its work units. High absenteeism may indicate:

 

       low job satisfaction,

       conflict between employees or managers,

       physically or mentally taxing job demands, etc. 

 

To manage absenteeism in an organization, each of the issues are to taken care of which may help to improve the health and safety charts as well.

 

9. Working conditions and amenities

 

All organizations are legally required to provide and maintain a minimal level of facilities for the welfare of workers. These facilities include access to first aid and amenities such as safe working conditions, clean drinking water, proper ventilation, and washing facilities.

 

10. HR policies and procedures

 

HR policies and procedures on workplace bullying, discrimination, harassment, alcohol, and substance use, and grievance reporting all are a part of the WHS program jurisdiction.  Breaches of such policies and or procedures can lead to injury and workers’ compensation claims. Thus, burdening the company with increased costs.

 

How to monitor workplace health & safety? | Overcoming the HR challenges

 

Following are a few ways that HR can adopt to overcome the health and safety challenges in an organization:

 

    Establishing health standards as part of company culture and ensuring that they are completely adhered to.

 

    Improving channels of communication so that HR can listen to the employees’ concerns and provide necessary solutions.

 

    Updating warning signage around the office as the nature of dangers and hazards that the workers are exposed to is constantly changing.

 

    Dealing with workplace violence is an important function of HR. A minor disagreement could ignite a fierce argument resulting in elevated stress levels. Tackling with such violent individuals is the responsibility of HR to ensure the health and safety of all the team members.

 

Final words…

 

It is believed that employers can support their own cause by providing an environment that encourages a work-life balance, which, in turn, forms a healthy foundation for the team members.

 

Employees are much happier and healthier when the organization provides them with sponsored exercise, stress management, and other general wellness programs. As a result, they attain better retention and engagement and improved productivity.

 

Employee health and safety are also important from a cost savings perspective. Better health reduces absenteeism, saves company insurance costs arising out of workplace accidents.

 

Thus, employee health and safety is a critical challenge in 2021 that requires particular attention from HR to make employee health an asset instead of a liability.