Practical steps businesses can take to protect employee health, wellbeing and productivity
Looking after the health and wellbeing of employees is an important responsibility for every business, regardless of its size or sector.
For employers across Omagh and the surrounding area, good occupational health practices can help create a safer and more supportive workplace while also reducing absence, improving productivity and helping businesses retain experienced staff.
Occupational health is about preventing illness and injury caused or made worse by work, as well as supporting employees when health problems arise.
Why occupational health matters
A healthy workplace is not only good for employees, it can also benefit the business.
Taking occupational health seriously can help employers reduce sickness absence, improve staff morale, increase productivity and reduce employee turnover.
It can also help build a positive working environment where employees feel comfortable raising concerns before they develop into more serious problems.
Employers also have a legal duty of care towards their employees and must identify workplace health and safety risks and take appropriate steps to manage them.
Understand the risks in your workplace
Occupational health risks can vary significantly depending on the type of business.
For office-based businesses, problems may include poor workstation design, prolonged computer use, repetitive strain injuries, back pain, stress or unsuitable lighting.
Businesses operating in manufacturing, construction, agriculture or warehousing may need to consider additional risks such as manual handling, noise, vibration, dust, hazardous substances and changing temperatures.
Retail, hospitality and other customer-facing businesses should also consider issues such as workplace violence, bullying and harassment, including inappropriate behaviour from customers or members of the public.
Mental health and workplace stress should form part of an employer’s approach to occupational health too. Excessive pressure, difficult working relationships or poor work-life balance can affect an employee’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Create a healthy working environment
Businesses should regularly review their workplace and identify anything that could potentially affect employee health or welfare.
Basic workplace facilities are important. Employees should have access to clean toilets, drinking water, suitable working areas and comfortable temperatures.
Employers should also consider practical measures such as:
- providing suitable and ergonomic workplace equipment
- reducing excessive noise, dust or fumes
- controlling exposure to hazardous substances
- providing appropriate rest areas
- maintaining good communication between employees and management
- encouraging employees to raise health and safety concerns
- providing relevant information and training.
A workplace health and safety risk assessment can help identify the particular risks affecting your organisation and what measures should be introduced to control them.
Support employees when problems arise
Prevention is important, but employers should also respond quickly when an employee develops a health problem.
Early intervention may prevent a condition becoming more serious or resulting in a lengthy absence from work.
Depending on the circumstances, support could include changes to working hours, amended duties, specialist equipment, workplace adaptations or a phased return following sickness absence.
Employers should also remember their responsibilities around making reasonable adjustments for disabled employees.
Make occupational health part of your business
Occupational health should not simply be considered when something goes wrong.
Regularly reviewing risks, listening to employees and creating a workplace where health and wellbeing are taken seriously can benefit everyone.
For businesses in Omagh, investing time in employee welfare can help create a safer, healthier and more productive organisation while supporting employees to remain well and thrive at work.
