6 Seasonal Strategies for Worker Well-Being
The holiday season is a time for family and celebration, but it is also one of the busiest times of year. Stress can easily creep in, creating safety hazards at work and at home. Staying mentally alert and focused during this period is key to preventing incidents.
Personal finances are among the most common seasonal stressors that can distract us during critical moments that demand our full attention. Time management, too, often becomes an issue in December as we push to meet year-end deadlines while juggling an assortment of social obligations. Disrupted schedules have the power to wreak havoc on our daily safety habits, but we must not rush through safety inspections, skip over PPE requirements or take other risks.
Beware Those New Year’s Hazards
In the U.S., most holiday safety advice focuses on the weeks just before Christmas. Keep in mind, however, that problems can also arise in January once the workforce has returned to a normal operating schedule. Employees who took time off from the hustle and bustle of the standard workweek might feel a little rusty but cannot forget appropriate safety protocols or unintentionally omit or transpose steps in their work processes.
Given these factors, well-timed safety reminders are particularly important. Here are six to share with your employees in the coming weeks.
1. Resist the urge to rush. Time scarcity increases potential for errors and incidents. Be realistic when setting daily goals, prioritizing what must be accomplished and delegating tasks. Ensure that even in the most hectic environments, employees know that (1) their well-being is valued above all else and (2) they must never, ever forgo hazard analyses, tool and equipment inspections, required PPE or other safety procedures – not even one.
2. Prioritize self-care. Carve out time each day for sufficient sleep and nutritious meals, which give us energy and improve our focus. Find ways to work physical activity into your day, and ensure proper hydration, particularly in physically demanding environments. A healthy body supports the clear mind necessary for safe decision-making.
3. Use healthy coping mechanisms. Talk to your supervisor or a trusted peer when you feel rushed, distracted, overwhelmed or otherwise unprepared to safely complete your work. Explore deep breathing and other mindfulness techniques to lower cortisol levels. If you have access to an employee assistance program, reach out to the program administrator for more information about support services. Managing your mental health as well as your physical health aids in preventing mistakes.
4. Employ the STAR self-check tool. To regain focus and reduce errors on the job, remember the STAR acronym: stop and think about the task you are about to perform, act, and then review your performance by comparing desired versus actual outcomes.
5. Ease back in. Upon returning to work after the holidays, huddle with your team for a refresher on safe work procedures. Lead the conversation with reminders about hazard awareness and stop-work authority.
6. Treat safety as a shared responsibility. Establishing and maintaining a safe working environment is a collective effort, not the sole duty of the designated person in charge. Each of us must do our part to protect our brothers and sisters and ourselves. This includes speaking up when we see or otherwise sense a threat to someone’s physical or mental wellness, as well as checking in regularly with coworkers, particularly those that we know are struggling in some way.
The Bottom Line
By valuing and prioritizing both our personal well-being and the welfare of others, we lower our risk of incidents and injuries – even now, during one of the busiest times of year.
About the Author: Clint Lozar is HSE manager for Terex Utilities (www.terex.com/utilities). He has 18 years of industry safety experience, specializing in manufacturing operations, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.