Every workplace can take simple steps to reduce injury risks and improve safety. While offices may seem less hazardous than industries like construction or aged care, risks exist everywhere. Common causes of injury include slips, trips, poor manual handling, incorrect workstation setup, lack of breaks, and repetitive strain. Left unaddressed, these issues impact productivity, morale, and absenteeism. Employers can follow 8 practical steps to minimise risks and create safer, healthier workplaces.
A healthy workplace is not only good for your workers, it can also be very beneficial for your business. Implementing Wellness or Work Health Programs that focus on preventative health and lifestyle improvement often lead to greater productivity, less absenteeism, fewer injuries and a reduction of longer term costs. Even small changes can have a huge impact. For 5 Tips for a Healthier Workplace
Approximately 1 in 3 workplace accidents result from manual handling related injuries and inexperienced employees often being at the greatest risk. Whether onsite or in offices these injuries can be avoided or minimised with appropriate training. Good posture and lifting techniques can help reduce the risks. Evidence also suggests workplace changes can also be effective strategy to minimise injuries.
Mental health issues are becoming increasingly common in Australian workplaces and from a workers compensation perspective they are 7-8 times more expensive than physical injury related claims. A recent PWC study found mental health issues cost Australian businesses $10.9B a year in lost productivity. The study also suggests poor mental health is likely to impact 1 in 5 employees. So what are the common mental health disorders?
October is Australia’s Work Safety Month and the theme of “Be Safe. Be Healthy. Because…” is something we here at ABILITY GROUP are passionate about. What is also important about workplace safety is the consequences injuries have to workers. Depending on the seriousness of the injury, or in the tragic situations of a workplace fatality, government bodies can issue businesses material fines to complement the other effects.
Actively promoting workplace safety is an important ABILITY GROUP function. At times we unfortunately need to manage tragic consequences of workplace accidents. Businesses that adopt a safety first approach are making an important step towards avoiding accidents and injuries. A court recently found a leading Australian paper manufacturer liable for the death of an employee fining them $400,000.
