Safety at the workplace should not be compromised at any point in time. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), 6,500 people die daily as a result of work-related accidents, which amounts to about 2.3 million deaths every year. Physical hazards, usage of dangerous chemicals and psychosocial hazards pose health risks to workers, consequently affecting productivity and profit-making negatively. When more people get injured, they will need to stay at home long enough to recover fully. Some of them may die, creating a loss in human resources.
The call to create a healthy and safe working environment must not be underestimated. Health promotion in the workplace adds to the safety and health measures to improve the health and well-being of employees for increased productivity.
Employers are responsible for the provision of safety equipment to workers. Relief systems like off days and work leave should be made a norm so that employees can relieve stress from work, relax their minds for some time and get back to work active and healthy. Companies and organizations can also schedule health screening activities for their employees occasionally. Access to health insurance, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and logistics that prevent injuries at the workplace must be provided for workers.
Employees worldwide should exercise their rights by demanding a safe working environment free from accidents and all manner of health-imposed hazards, including an environment that promotes their mental health.
A safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental principle and a right that employers must enforce. Employees be empowered to demand a safe and healthy working environment. That is the best way to increase productivity and generate more income for individuals and organizations.
Resources spent to improve workplace health and well-being are huge investments in the most important asset of any organization; its workers.
