Stress from a traumatic event at work—or a too-high probability of such an event—can be as debilitating as a physical injury. This stress can affect employee productivity, not to mention every other aspect of their lives.

Business leaders should be well aware that injuries are not just a financial cost. You can't put a price on the quality of life lost to injuries and illnesses. Workers can suffer from loss of independence, low self-esteem, debilitating mental health issues, and other medical problems. 

Simply put, your personnel have the right to a safe and secure working environment, and every enterprise is obliged to provide that. It’s the company’s moral duty and responsibility. 

Awareness

Just as with physical injuries, psychological injuries can result in lost time and diminished productivity, as well as the possibility of workers' compensation claims and increases in group insurance premiums.  Being aware of the causes of these mental injuries is the first step in avoiding  them. 

The most common workplace-related stressors are long hours, heavy workload, tight deadlines, lack of support, over-supervision, poor organization, and the lack of a safety culture. These stressors can lead to illnesses or depression.

So, instead of waiting for something to happen, it’s better to take the necessary safety measures to decrease any stressors. One such measure is conducting regular safety audits and inspections, which will let businesses know about the particular hazards that can occur at the workplace so they can be corrected.

Work Environment

An employee's workplace influences their mood, motivation, and overall performance. The key to creating a healthy work atmosphere is to provide a supportive, safe, and protected environment. If their workplace is a safe zone, your personnel will be much more likely to be properly motivated to perform to the best of their abilities. 

Safety Measures

The most-productive organizations build safety procedures for nearly all the steps in their day-to-day operations. When your personnel are well-trained and know how to follow safety measures, they will feel protected and valued. Regular safety procedures such as safety audits and inspections lead to a thriving safety culture that increases efficiency by avoiding productivity-sapping mental stress.

Takeaway

Employee safety is a crucial business issue that affects the mental health of all personnel. When employees feel valued as humans and not just as cogs in the wheel—and when they feel truly protected as much as possible—they will be happier and more-satisfied at work, leading to increased productivity. 

The Checker is fully cognizant of how beneficial and vital consistent safety measures are. That's why we designed our Checklist Books and The Checker Software. Take a look at these solutions. You'll be glad you did.

Image: Shutterstock

Tags: why inspect?, safety management, safety awareness, workplace safety, inspection management

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