How Safety Protocols Improve Employee Productivity and Health

The importance of workplace safety cannot be emphasized enough, especially in industries that involve high-risk environments, heavy machinery, dangerous tools, or hazardous chemicals. As an employer, keeping workers safe isn’t just a thoughtful act. It doesn’t just directly impact their health and productivity but also your business’s continuity and success. 

In 2023, the U.S. private sector witnessed 2.6 million nonfatal ailments and injuries, of which 946,500 cases required Days Away From Work (DAFW). As you know, increased absenteeism translates to more operational interruptions and compensation costs.  

So, let’s delve deeper into the need for workplace safety, the most preventable emergencies, and how safety protocols boost employees’ health and productivity.  

Why is Safety Important in the Workplace? 

Establishing and implementing appropriate safety protocols in workplaces, in line with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, can do more than boost workers’ well-being, productivity, and efficiency. 

You will be able to minimize OSHA recordable incidents, avoid penalties, boost your brand’s image, pay less towards healthcare costs, and reduce attrition. Achieving business goals will also become more manageable when you are not constantly distracted by the possibility of dangers and accidents.   

Which is the Most Preventable Type of Workplace Emergency? 

There is no single answer to this question, as you can avoid multiple common emergencies when you take workplace safety seriously. These include: 

• Workplace violence (due to disagreements, biases, mental health issues, etc.)
• Falling from a height
• Injuries incurred during the maintenance or repair of dangerous equipment 
• Falling objects 
• Getting caught in a machine
• Fires 
• Accidental slips 

Adequate training, protective gear, proper signage, and situational awareness can prevent such situations.  

How Safety Protocols Enhance Employee Health and Productivity 

The importance of workplace safety lies in the different ways in which it can boost a worker’s health and productivity while also benefiting your business: 

1. Better Situational Awareness 

Safety protocols make employees more aware of their environments and potential risks. They become more confident about navigating dangers or tackling problems with the right solutions, like fire extinguishers, first aid kits, emergency exits, etc. In other words, they don’t worry unnecessarily and can focus better on their jobs. 

2. Fewer Sick Leaves

Following safety protocols at the workplace means fewer accidents, injuries, and illnesses. Hence, your employees won’t request or require too many sick leaves or restricted profiles. Even if a worker encounters a dangerous situation, taking the maximum possible precautions will help them recover and resume work quickly. This means greater workplace productivity and fewer operational delays without compromising employee health and well-being.  

3. Efficient Equipment Handling

In any heavy industry, complicated machines and sharp tools are widely used to complete different jobs. You can prevent serious and minor accidents by maintaining them properly and training your employees to use them correctly. Your workers will also be able to operate such equipment smoothly and drive up the output. It is one of the best ways to ensure safety and productivity at a factory or site.  

4. Improved Mental Health 

The increased focus on mental health has magnified the importance of workplace safety in recent years. When employees are trained and educated about mental health, equipped with protective equipment, and encouraged to voice concerns, they feel valued, less anxious, and more at peace. Problems like anxiety, depression, fear, and rage become easy to manage. Naturally, workers feel more engaged with the task at hand, and better outcomes result.  

5. Effective Retention of Top Talent

Emphasis on workplace safety boosts job satisfaction in your existing employees, which means they find it sensible to continue with you instead of looking for other safer jobs. Consequently, you must spend less time, energy, and money on hiring and frequently training new people. Most importantly, implementing safety protocols helps retain the most productive workers and even attract new talent, which is worth the recruitment cost. 

6. Greater Focus on Growth 

When workers feel safe, seen, and cared for, they stress less about their future health and the well-being of their dependents. They know that they won’t have to battle with drawn-out ailments, suffer disabilities, or experience income loss due to a hazardous work environment. In other words, they focus more on professional growth, learning new skills, and improving their income potential. When employees work harder and smarter, workplace productivity shoots up.  

What to Do If a Worker Still Gets Injured?

While you know by now that safety and productivity go hand-in-hand in any heavy industry, accidents still happen. So, the solution is to address an injury as soon as possible, no matter how far your worksite or factory is from urban facilities. The idea is to avoid unnecessary ER visits since it will also drive up your OSHA recordable rate and healthcare expenses. At the same time, the affected worker must get the physical and mental support required and recover as soon as possible. 

Availing workplace injury triage services led by doctors can help in such scenarios, whereby licensed MDs will assess the situation remotely and suggest the best treatment plan. You won’t have to transport the patient long distances to get to a hospital or wait long for an ambulance to arrive at the workplace.  

Conclusion 

The importance of workplace safety in preventing emergencies and ensuring employee well-being cannot be overstated. When businesses prioritize workplace safety, employees can focus on growth and productivity rather than worrying about potential hazards, leading to better overall outcomes.

In case of an accident, you can consult workplace injury triage doctors anytime and get the injured employee immediate medical attention. Experienced occupational health physicians will assess the injury remotely, determine its severity, and decide whether the patient needs an ER visit or on-site treatment. They will also boost employee morale, handle doubts, and monitor recovery.  

Boost Workplace Safety and Productivity with WorkPartners USA

At WorkPartners, we understand how workplace safety is closely linked with employee productivity and DAFW. We also know how a safer workplace can reduce OSHA recordable claims and healthcare costs. Hence, our triage doctors are available 24/7 to help you with any emergency and ensure injured employees return to work. As a leading provider of industrial, medical services in Minnesota, we also offer specialized first aid kits, massage therapies, and customized exercise instructions for musculoskeletal injuries in partnership with Athletico. To learn more about trending workplace safety protocols and ways to boost employee productivity, get in touch with us or call (800) 359-5020