We can all agree that adapting to change isn’t always easy.
The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the biggest changes the modern world has ever faced. Not only did the global population’s physical and mental health suffer, but so did our once-safe work environments.
In other words, protecting workers and maintaining our employees’ well-being has never been more important than in the 2020s.
On the bright side, returning to work amidst the pandemic taught many organizations how to implement workplace safety measures.
In today’s guide, we want to re-emphasize those workplace safety tips. By the time you’ve finished reading this article, you’ll know how to help your business maintain its post-pandemic work strategies.
Why You Should Maintain Your Workplace Safety Measures
Although the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted for some time now, COVID-19 is still dangerous.
Michelle Williams, Dean of the Faculty at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, sums it up perfectly:
“Of course, the virus is not done with us, and what we really need to do is make sure that policymakers understand that we’re continuing to see new variants.”
So, what you should take away from this statement is that safety in the workplace is just as important as it was when we first returned to the workplace.
Making your work area safe won’t just prevent injuries and illnesses either.
By creating a safe workplace, you will improve your employees’ engagement.
Source: Engage for Success
After all, how can your employees engage with their work if they don’t feel like you value their safety?
What’s more, employee engagement has its own perks. Just look at this quote from Gallup’s State of the American Workplace report:
“Employees who are engaged are more likely to stay with their organization, reducing overall turnover and the costs associated with it.”
What this means is that employee engagement is crucial for employee retention.
Ultimately, fostering a workplace safety culture is of monumental importance, pandemic or not.
Tips To Help You Protect Your Employees' Wellbeing At Work
The return to the office represented the return to safety and normalcy (whatever that is).
We want you and your employees to enjoy that safety indefinitely.
For that reason, we’ve provided you with some tips to help you create a happier, healthier, and – above – all safer workplace.
Install Hand Sanitizer Dispensers 🧼
Hand sanitizer is an effective way to stop a disease in its tracks.
You should place dispensers for hand sanitizer around the office. You should also place them in common areas like the kitchen, outside the elevator, inside the doors, and so on.
Put up signs to let people know where to find the dispensers and encourage everyone to use them.
Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ⛑️
PPE is the equipment that will protect your employees from health and safety risks at work.
During the pandemic, we all had to get familiar with PPE, such as face masks and clean gloves. And while you should still provide such equipment, PPE covers more than just COVID-related protective measures.
For instance, goggles, high-visibility clothing, and safety helmets are all forms of PPE. Of course, depending on the nature of your business operations and services, you won’t need certain forms of PPE.
Needless to say, you won’t need to provide helmets to your employees if they work in an office all day.
But, regardless of which PPE you provide your employees with, it’s important that you do it to prevent any workplace injuries or illnesses.
You should also provide adequate training that shows your employees how to use the PPE provided.
Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
After all, PPE is there to protect your employees, so they should know how to use it confidently, right?
Offer Health & Safety Training 🧑⚕️
As an employer, you’re no stranger to providing your employees with valuable resources.
And health and safety training is one resource that you should always provide.
Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Here is a list of some courses that you should offer and encourage your employees to participate in:
- First aid training ➕.
- Mental health first aid training.
- Electrical safety training ⚡.
- Computer security training.
- Asbestos awareness training.
- Manual handling training.
- Fire safety training 🔥.
- Risk assessment training.
You should also take part in these courses. You know what they say, lead by example.
When you and your employees have the appropriate training, you’ll inspire confidence. Not only will everyone feel safer at work, but in the case of a crisis, you’ll all have the knowledge to handle it effectively.
You never know; you could save one of your employees’ lives with this training.
Promote Positive Mental Health 🧠
Look at this quote from an article written by the Mayo Clinic:
“Worldwide surveys done in 2020 and 2021 found higher than typical levels of stress, insomnia, anxiety and depression.”
It’s no secret that our mental health suffered on a global scale as a result of the pandemic.
And since the pandemic, a lot of us have been working remotely more than ever before.
Source: Owl Labs
So, how does this relate to your employees’ mental health? Well, if your employees have remote or even hybrid work schedules, they can face the negative impacts of social isolation.
Social isolation can lead to an increased risk of mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
So, what can you do as an employer?
- You can invest in some modern messaging software that will help your employees stay connected to one another 📳.
- You can provide resources that support open, honest conversations about mental health.
- You can schedule regular meetings with your employees to discuss any issues they might be facing.
- You can increase mental health awareness through training and campaigns.
- You can educate the workforce on the significance of mental health.
- You can appoint workplace mental health champions 💪to challenge stigma and encourage positive mental health.
Send Sick Workers Home 🏠
There’s nothing worse than managing a huge stack of work when you’re ill. What’s more, when you come to work sick, you risk infecting your co-workers.
This can put a real dampener on productivity and morale.
So, if you notice that one of your employees has any of the following symptoms, it’s best to send them home.
- Fatigue.
- Dry coughing.
- Headaches or muscle aches.
- Digestive problems like vomiting.
- Fever or chills.
- Cold symptoms like a runny nose or a sore throat.
It just so happens that these symptoms are also common indicators that someone could have COVID-19.
In the case that you or your employees exhibit these symptoms, you should sanitize any surrounding surfaces, practice social distancing, and encourage everyone to take rapid lateral flow tests.
Workplace Safety Measures: Final Thoughts
The pandemic changed the workforce in a way that we could not have fully prepared for.
However, the pandemic caused businesses worldwide to gain a newfound appreciation for safety measures that should always be in place.
We hope that you feel more confident when implementing or maintaining your post-pandemic work strategies. Together, we’ll create a safer workplace culture.
For more advice on employee wellness and workplace culture, check out our blog!
USA 
AU 
UK 
ES 
FR 
BR 
TH 
IN