“Every day, 6,300 people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases more than 2.3 million deaths per year. 317 million accidents occur on the job annually; many of these resulting in extended absences from work. The human cost of this daily adversity is vast and the economic burden of poor occupational safety and health practices is estimated at 4 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product each year”-ILO
28th April is World Day for Safety and Health at Work and over the past year we have all realized that it is possible for a single virus to change everything and we may not be able to anticipate certain conditions but leaving everything to fate can be disastrous.
We have also been exposed over several years to conditions such as back and neck pain that can keep people away from work for months and also lead to loss of revenue. Imagine the sole bread-winner in a household is unable to work and gain adequate income. That opens the flood gates to poverty, malnutrition, risk of many more diseases and to make matters worse the little money available may be used for “cut-corner” medical care.
Safety at workplaces should not be limited only to corporate settings in flashy buildings but it extends to mom and pop shops, small container shops and even “apempemu” stores.
As we work at protecting our team members with face masks and sometimes face-shields in addition, physical distancing, proper handwashing options and sanitisers as well as helping to boost immune systems, we need to tackle other risks and challenges that put our health on the line.
We all agree that “decent work must be safe” yet we have all not shown enough commitment; Governments, Employers and employees all have duties, rights and responsibilities to ensure the highest priority is accorded to the principle of prevention. Statistics show that where institutions invest in prevention measures over a period of time, a significant decrease in work-related accidents and occupational disease takes place.
Let us spend the last few days of April assessing our work area; we can get professional help or we can start off on our own. Whatever it takes “just do it.” If you spend time walking around your office or shop with the intention of looking for risky situations etc. you will find them and then you can make adequate provision to modify and I dare say you will reduce the incidence of crisis.
Some areas that require prompt action in most workplaces include:
- Signaling that safety is a priority
- Right from the entrance to the workplace, appropriate notices should show the commitment to safety and health.
- Appropriate markings for walkways
- Vehicles and humans should not compete for the right of way especially in places with trucks etc. there should be clearly demarcated areas for pedestrians.
- Management of extreme temperatures
- In our setting, extreme heat is a major challenge. Workplace design should place emphasis on proper ventilation and in places that are already built, structural changes may be needed in addition to industrial fans and easy access to clean drinking water.
- Fire drills and evacuation plans
- If employees are not aware of what to do in the event of a fire for instance then it needs to be tackled immediately.
- There should be a plan in place
- First Aid awareness
- What does one do in the event of an injury or other potentially fatal event occurs? Employees and even employers need to be equipped with basic first aid skills.
- Ergonomics
- Many of the aches and pains we experience are caused by poor posture at work and even beyond. This affects those seated in offices as well as those operating machinery or working on the floors. Correct techniques, taking appropriate breaks and balancing effect on the body should be taught and practiced.
- Use of PPEs
- Many employees have access to these and know its use but still fail to make use of them. Regular knowledge sharing and understanding will eventually bring a positive change.
- Managing Stress
- Stress is a window to many disease conditions and poor performance and it is important all workplaces address this.
- Time management and wellness programmes including exercises help to combat this.
- Make sure you sleep adequately to prepare for work
- Avoiding clutter
- When your work area is messy, not only are you at risk of injury, you also feel harassed or stressed out and cause more errors.
- Items need to be arranged to avoid falling from heights that can injure people (even kill) or destroy things
- Exercise Breaks
- I am a huge advocate of taking short breaks from work to exercise, stretch tired muscles and joints and breathing properly to keep us refreshed.
- Remember being at work does not grant us the visa to eat any junk food and drinks. Prepare!
- Other Interventions
- I believe workplaces should have happy hours for more interaction (may not need to be physical especially in these times), they should also take part in programmes like DUMP where unused or expired medicines are collected safely and the appropriate agency contacted to help dispose off. Harbouring such medications has often resulted in poisoning, addictions etc. Watch that First Aid box!!!
- Once again won’t it be great if your workplace actively encourages “ICE” – IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. Save at least two numbers on your cell phone beginning with ICE e.g. ICE Kojo 090….. when you are not in a position to help yourself, anyone who picks up your phone will be able to contact someone who knows a lot about you.
The list is endless but let us start with the basics and work our way to a safe and healthy work environment with PREVENTION at the fore.
Employers need to be aware that provision of personal protective equipment is not the all in all. PPEs should be seen as the last line of defense for the employee. Prior to using the PPEs the employer must ensure that machines, equipment, processes and the premises are free of risk to the health of all workers.
Employees also play a crucial role and it is expected that they will all actively cooperate with employers in the implementation of the preventive and protective measures.
It is important that workplaces have a visible occupational health and safety specialist or in the absence of one a safety officer who will coordinate all processes such as risk assessment and management, monitoring of working environment and practices that may affect worker’s health, advice on planning and organization of work, designing and implementation of preventive programmes and even appropriate referrals to healthcare and rehabilitation.
If we made a conscious effort to calculate the money drained off that is related to lost working time, treatment of occupational injuries and diseases, interruptions in production, rehabilitation and compensation, it will leave no doubt in our minds that prevention is a PRIORITY!
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ St Andrews Clinic
Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise.
Thought for the week – “Economic recession or pressure to maximize profits cannot justify cutting corners in workplace safety” – Guy Ryder. ILO Director General. (28th April 2015)
“Almost 3 million workers die each year from occupational accidents and work related diseases. This is an unacceptable and avoidable human cost. We can and must reduce and eliminate such deaths, injuries and diseases from work.”
ILO Director-General, Guy Ryde
References:
- United Nations Website (un.org)
- International Labour Organization website
