Every year, April 28th marks the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This day brings global attention to the importance of creating a safe, healthy, and supportive working environment.
While this may seem like just another date on the calendar, it’s actually not true. It holds a very powerful reminder that employees are humans too. We see them as “resources,” but is it really necessary? Though we understand the urgency in a workplace of meeting deadlines and doing work, this also represents a powerful reminder: the well-being of employees is not just a legal or organisational duty- it’s a human one.
Importance of Celebrating World Day for Safety and Health at Work
Workplace safety isn’t just about helmets and warning signs- it’s about culture.
It’s about making the employee safe in a place where he is dedicating so much time and effort of his own. It’s about creating an environment where every employee feels valued, protected, and empowered to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.
Observing the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a reminder that the wellness of employees is necessary to maintain productivity in them.
It emphasises proactive approaches like regular safety drills and mental wellness checks. After all, physical injuries are just one part of the puzzle and should be maintained. But mental health and emotional well-being are equally critical components of overall workplace safety.
Prioritising the Culture of Safety and Well-Being at Workplaces
Real change begins with culture. Companies that prioritise health and safety in everyday operations create a ripple effect of positive outcomes. Such as reduced absenteeism, higher job satisfaction, and increased retention rates.
It’s important to understand that safety is not a one-time initiative- it’s an ongoing practice. That builds the future of an organisation.
Here are some ways to build a culture of workplace safety for a longer period of time:
- Doing regular training and drills.
- Try to have open communication for reporting hazards timely.
- Organising mental wellness programs.
- Encourage employees to follow clear policies for emergency protocols.
In addition, teaching self-care to employees can greatly benefit the organization, like encouraging employees to take stretch breaks every one or two hours for a mind refresh, and Habuild’s 14-day yoga challenge is a perfect way to kickstart that journey. All of these efforts help organisations go beyond basic necessities for the employees and align with the mission of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
Strategies for Maintaining Workplace Safety:
To align with the objectives of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, organisations can adopt several strategies:
- Implement Updated Safety Training on a Regular Basis:
Regular training with employees helps the organisation to stay up to date with the current safety guidelines. - Update Technology for Safety Monitoring:
Utilising AI and digital tools can help spot any issues with monitoring compliance with safety protocols at the earliest. - Promote a Culture of Safety in Your Organisation:
Try to encourage your employees to opt for open communication about safety concerns, as it fosters an environment where they feel empowered to report issues. - Keep a Regular Review of your Safety Policies:
If you keep a check on your safety procedures at work periodically, it will help you in adapting to new challenges and maintaining high standards of health and safety. - Actively try to engage your Employees in Safety Initiatives:
By involving workers in safety planning and decision-making processes, their commitment to maintaining a safe workplace improves, and they feel valued.
Challenges in Implementing Workplace Safety:
Despite increased conversations around employee wellness, many organisations continue to face several roadblocks when it comes to implementing effective workplace safety strategies. These challenges extend beyond physical safety and increasingly impact mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.
1. Following a Sedentary Work Culture:
Most organisations involve sitting in front of screens for 8–10 hours a day. This prolonged inactivity contributes to posture-related issues, obesity, fatigue, and chronic stress. Yet, a lot of workplace safety policies often focus more on fire drills and hardware protection than on changing the basic lifestyle interventions.
2. Neglect of Mental and Emotional Health:
Pressure from personal issues, stress, burnout, and anxiety is often overlooked in traditional safety checklists. These are important issues to address for a positive workplace. The organisation can show its support by encouraging employees to join our 14 day yoga challenge, as it involves meditation and breathing exercises, which help reduce stress and promote overall well-being.
3. Lack of Awareness and Encouragement:
Even in MNCs, most employees are often unaware of small habits that can make a big difference, like stretching between meetings or taking breaks. Without awareness and giving them time to follow such habits, preventive wellness gets pushed down the priority list.
5. Reactive vs Preventive Approach:
Many safety actions are reactive, companies take action only when extreme situations arise, such as stress leaves, burnout cases, or employee resignations. A shift toward a preventive, proactive wellness culture is essential to truly safeguard employee well-being.
Celebrating Progress by Inspiring Action:
Each year, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is celebrated with a global theme.
In 2024, the focus was on creating a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work. And now, as we move forward, future themes may explore different roles in technology, sustainability in safety at the workplace, and understanding the importance of inclusive strategies for vulnerable workers.
Employers can mark this day by organising interesting workshops or awareness campaigns at their workplaces or simply just taking a look at the existing safety policies. Just as World Health Day encourages us to take care of our personal health and National Safety Day reminds us to be cautious in all environments, the World Day for Safety and Health at Work makes us realise that our workplaces should not just be productive but truly safe as well.
While the workplaces are constantly evolving, with hybrid models, gig work, and automation. We should not forget the basic need for the employees, which is the safety protocols. The principle always remains the same: every worker deserves a safe space regardless of their age, gender or caste.
It’s true that we are working on machines, but we are not working machines, we are working humans, and definitely we are more than just a resource.
So let’s make it happen and strive for a safe and happy workplace that we all deserve!
