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October 23, 2013

Aim for a healthier and safer workplace

 

By David Thompson

 

It’s an old maxim that a healthy, happy staff is a more productive staff and successful business owners and managers know this to be true. But despite the many rules and laws that pertain to Health and Safety in the workplace, there are still many employees who take time off work due to injury, illness and stress. With minimal outlay, there are measures that can be taken to ensure that a workforce is working at its highest level.

Health and Safety

There are plenty of laws that lay down the minimum standards that need to be enforced, relating to the maximum number of hours that can be worked, the number of breaks to be taken and the minimum standard of training that should be given. Different laws apply in different industries, so the first and foremost thing that should be done is to become aware of any legal obligations that may apply to that particular industry.

Not only do Health and Safety laws provide protection for employees, breach of the law can lead to criminal prosecution and if found guilty of a breach, sanctions can be placed on the business in question. If you are unsure about which laws apply to the business you are running, then advice can be sought from specialist health & safety solicitors. The small outlay that comes from such a consultation can help protect staff and businesses alike by preventing hefty fines if a breach is discovered. No matter how small your business may be, there will be Health and Safety legislation that applies.

Beyond Health and Safety

Health and safety laws outline a minimum standard of protection for people in the workplace, but there are many ways in which the workplace can be made a friendlier place for employees and management alike. Although it is impractical to provide every employee with a view of the outdoors, studies have shown that providing green plants in offices improves happiness and motivation. A few green-leaved plants placed around the office are a relatively cheap way of improving morale and therefore productivity. Providing a suitable place where employees can take their statutory breaks can also improve morale. Staff should be encouraged to move away from their desks for meal breaks and rest breaks, as this has been shown to reduce stress and reinvigorate employees.

Another quick and easy way of improving staff morale and productivity is to change the colour of the walls. It’s tempting to use a cheap magnolia or white for walls, but for an increase in productivity, try using a colour such as blue or green; blue has been shown to boost motivation, whereas green provides a source of calm and relaxation. Of course, such measures are easier to implement in an office environment, but the colours can also be introduced in a manufacturing environment, even in small sections.

Finally, an employee who feels valued is less likely to take time off with stress-related illness. Employee suggestion boxes are easy to install and if you take the time to read the input, you may find ways in which your business can be streamlined and made more productive. Often, it’s the workers who come up with great ideas to improve a business, as they have a day-to-day working knowledge of the company. Provide a reward system for good suggestions and your employees will feel valued.

There are plenty of other minor ways to improve the day-to-day working life of your employees, so take the time to look into how their work environment can be improved and they will repay you with a happier work environment and a greater productivity. Your first step should be to seek advice from health & safety lawyers to ensure that your legal obligations are met, then the other measures can be introduced. 

 

David Thompson is a member of the Health and Safety Lawyers Association, Road Haulage Association and Law Society Personal Injury Panel. He specialises in regulatory law, defending companies and individuals facing charges relating to corporate crime and professional misconduct, health & safety, environmental and transport. He is also a member of the Law Society’s Personal Injury panel. 

 

What makes us susceptible to burnout?

In this episode  of the Safety & Health Podcast, ‘Burnout, stress and being human’, Heather Beach is joined by Stacy Thomson to discuss burnout, perfectionism and how to deal with burnout as an individual, as management and as an organisation.

We provide an insight on how to tackle burnout and why mental health is such a taboo subject, particularly in the workplace.

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