Employees Health and Safety Measures INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Every business has official responsibilities, in order to guarantee the health and safety of its recruits and other people involved; protection of the work environment should be a priority. It is not appropriate to bring about only the minimal of changes which barely meet the legal requirements. Constructive changes will benefit and promote your business. Underprivileged health and safety acts as a safeguard against illnesses and accidents. It may increase your business costs considerably. However, keep in mind that disproportionate energy consumption not only harm yours employees health, but it also damages your profits as a direct result of his/her sick leave. Fine health, safety and environmental performances pay for themselves. They also develop a good repute of your business in the eyes of your clientele, the local area and community, and the hired staff. Your reputation can be an essential benefit to your business. A good standing in the community will facilitate you by making it easy to draw and maintain a hold on customers. It will make hiring new employees more convenient. It encourages traders to trust you; therefore, they will be more inclined towards forging an alliance with you. 1 | Page Anna Leela College of Commerce And Economics
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Employees Health and Safety Measures
INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
Every business has official responsibilities, in order to guarantee the health and safety of
its recruits and other people involved; protection of the work environment should be a
priority. It is not appropriate to bring about only the minimal of changes which barely
meet the legal requirements. Constructive changes will benefit and promote your
business.
Underprivileged health and safety acts as a safeguard against illnesses and accidents. It
may increase your business costs considerably. However, keep in mind that
disproportionate energy consumption not only harm yours employees health, but it also
damages your profits as a direct result of his/her sick leave.
Fine health, safety and environmental performances pay for themselves. They also
develop a good repute of your business in the eyes of your clientele, the local area and
community, and the hired staff.
Your reputation can be an essential benefit to your business. A good standing in the
community will facilitate you by making it easy to draw and maintain a hold on
customers. It will make hiring new employees more convenient. It encourages traders to
trust you; therefore, they will be more inclined towards forging an alliance with you.
Your approach towards health and safety plays a very important role in building up a
strong reputation. Many companies have acquired phenomenal success due to their good
will in the market. Others have suffered a loss of clients and in some cases; employees
turned against them because they were not well served. It is always beneficial for
businesses to adhere to the environmental etiquettes. Not only does it help in making
customers and improving employee motivation, but it also proves your commitment to
being a good citizen.
The best way to manage health and safety measures is by placing down all the steps that
need to be monitored and then supervising the daily activity of all the prescribed
procedures. It becomes a moral responsibility on your part to constantly assess the
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healthy and safe environment, which guards your reputation along with your employees -
who work hard to maintain your repute in the business market.
Once you have managed an assessment, you would be able to review all other probable
environmental threats. You should always update your evaluation on every occasion and
whenever something is modified - for example, if you purchase new equipment, hire new
employees, change your running performances and professional procedures. You should
look for potential health and safety or environmental problems. You should carry out
mini health assessments from time to time, so that there is no threat of any danger around
your workplace. Involve employees and encourage them to give you feedback for
improvements - options include a safety committee or a suggestion scheme. '
Keep up-to-date with what the most recent technology has to offer for new ideas and
ways to improve your health and safety parameters, whereby, diminishing any risk of
environmental clashes. Thus, it is very important to maintain health and safety in your
workplace; as it has a significant impact on the reputation of your business.
Getting hurt at work or becoming ill through work is not a pleasant subject to think about.
The reality is that 250 people a year lose their lives at work in Britain. In addition, around
156,000 non-fatal injuries are reported each year, and an estimated 2.3 million suffer
from ill health caused or made worse by work.
The mistake is to believe that these things happen in highly unusual or exceptional
circumstances that never occur in your workplace. This is not the case. Some basic
thinking and acting beforehand could usually have prevented these things from
happening.
Implementing health and safety measures doesn't have to be expensive, time consuming
or complicated, in fact, safer and more efficient working practices can often save money
but, more importantly, they can help to save lives.
This guide shows you the kind of things which cause the more common accidents and
harm to people's health. It lets you see what applies to your work activities, and tells you
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how you can get more help and information. This is especially important if you are in
charge of work activities, e.g. you are an employer, because you have legal
responsibilities.
The key to employee productivity is to keep them motivated. Employees can remain
motivated if they feel safe and healthy at their workplace. This says a lot about the
importance of workplace safety. Workplace safety is immensely important for the very
reason of improved productivity. It’s only when the employees feel safe at work that they
can invest the fullest of their capacities and exploit the best of their potentials to work.
Workplace safety is the management responsibility. It involves the formation and
implementation of safety and health programs. Employee insurance schemes and
employee safety policies help cover the risk an employee might suffer at work. Jobs,
which put the safety of their employees on stake, should also provide the employees with
the safety costs. Workplace safety and health involves training programs that are meant to
teach the employees to handle risks. The employees need to be trained to react to
impending dangers, if any; they should be trained to face risks and deal with accidents at
work. It’s important for the management of a company to heed the safety needs of its
employees through risk covers as well as training programs intended to minimize the cost
of risks. The management should ensure the health and safety of the employees by the
means of safety education programs. The importance of office safety can be promoted
through the formation of a safety committee that is assigned the responsibility to
employee safety. Safety committee’s are helpful in increasing employee involvement.
Violence at workplace gives rise to serious issues pertaining to office safety. Acts of
violence eclipse the atmosphere in the organization and can leave a permanent scar on the
company’s image. Violence at the workplace is sure to lead to frustrated employees in
turn leading to a decline in their productivity. The management should implement strict
measures to prevent acts of violence at work. It should implement policies that safeguard
the employees against harassment, torture or ill-treatment from other employees. Safety
and health is important at a workplace also because human resource is the most important
resource of an organization. Safety at a workplace, also known as office safety refers to
the safety of this valuable resource of an organization. Satisfied employees can earn for a
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company what money can’t buy. I am sure; you will agree with me, that human life is
priceless. It cannot be replaced by monetary compensations. An employer might be able
to replace an employee by another. But, what about the employee’s dedication towards
work? What about the expertise he/she has invested towards his/her work? Can they be
replaced? Definitely not! This makes it extremely important for an employer to cater to
workplace safety, and moreover, to the lives of the employees. Don’t you think so?
Due to rapid industrialization, industrial workers are exposed to several types of hazards
and accidents. Every year lakhs of workers are injured due to mechanical,
chemical, electrical and r ad i a t i on haza rds and i t l e ads t o pa r t i a l o r
t o t a l d i s ab l emen t . So i n r e cen t yea r s , g r ea t e r attention is given to
health and safety due to pressure from government, trade unions, labor laws
and awareness of employers. The efficiency of workers depends to a great
extends on the environment in which the work. Work environment consists of all
the factors, which act and react on the body and mind of an employee. The primary
aim is to create an environment, which ensures the greatest ease of work and
removes all causes of worries. Occupational health and safety is a discipline with a broad
scope involving many specialized fields. In its broadest sense, it should aim at:
a) The p romot ion and ma in t enance o f t he h ighes t deg ree o f phys i ca l ,
men t a l and soc i a l well-being of workers in all occupations.
b) The p r even t i on among worke r s o f adve r se e f f ec t s on hea l t h c aused
by t he i r work ing conditions.
c) The protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors
adverse to health.
d) The p l ac ing and ma in t enance o f worke r s i n an occupa t i ona l
env i ronmen t adap t ed t o physical and mental needs.
e) The adaptation of work to humans. S u c c e s s f u l o c c u p a t i o n a l h e a l t h a n d
s a f e t y p r a c t i c e r e q u i r e s t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n a n d participation of
both employers and workers in health and safety programmes, and involves
the cons ide ra t i on o f i s sue s r e l a t i ng t o occupa t i ona l med i c ine ,
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indus t r i a l hyg i ene , t ox i co logy , education, engineering safety, ergonomics,
psychology, etc.
Occupational health issues are often given less attention than occupational
safety issues because the former are generally more difficult to confront. However,
when health is addressed, so is safety, because a healthy workplace is by
definition also a safe workplace? The converse, though, may not be true - a so-
called safe workplace is not necessarily also a healthy workplace. T h e i m p o r t a n t
p o i n t i s t h a t i s s u e s o f b o t h h e a l t h a n d s a f e t y m u s t b e
a d d r e s s e d i n e v e r y workplace.Work plays a central role in people's lives, since
most workers spend at least eight hoursa day in the workplace, whether it is on a
plantation, in an office, factory, etc. Therefore, work e n v i r o n m e n t s
s h o u l d b e s a f e a n d h e a l t h y . U n f o r t u n a t e l y s o m e e m p l o y e r s
a s s u m e l i t t l e responsibility for the protection of workers' health and
safety. In fact, some employers do not even know that they have the moral and
often legal responsibility to protect workers.
HEALTH OF THE WORKERS:
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not
merely the absence of diseases. It’s a positive and dynamic concept which
means something more than the absence of illness.
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IMPORTANCE OF WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETYIMPORTANCE OF WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY
Workplace health and safety procedures are necessary for the well-being of both
employers and employees. Violence in the workplace is an ever-growing concern in
today’s business community. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), “homicide is the fourth leading cause of fatal occupational
injury in the United States.” Diseases and other health concerns also affect a worker's
ability to effectively perform his job duties. It is important for employers to take the
necessary steps to protect employees from the health and safety concerns of today’s
corporate community.
Health and Safety Hazards
Hazards are considered to be potentially dangerous substances or behaviors that can
cause harm or injury to an employee. There are several hazards employees can be
exposed to in the workplace. Health hazards can range from infectious diseases spread
from one worker to another to poisonous chemicals that are not properly stored and
maintained. For example, some industries are exposed to dangerous gases such as carbon
monoxide. These industries must follow specific safety procedures in the event of an
emergency situation involving the substance.
Health and Safety Enforcement
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is responsible for enforcing
laws regarding safety in the workplace. OSHA is charged with ensuring employers
provide a healthy and safe work environment for their employers by establishing
guidelines and safety standards. They investigate complaints regarding safety violations
and ensure that any hazards or dangerous work environments are corrected.
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Health Guidelines
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created guidelines to help
employers and office workers understand how certain hazards can negatively impact the
workplace as well as how emergency situations should be handled. These guidelines
assist companies that conduct potentially dangerous job duties or work with dangerous
chemicals with following the proper workplace procedures to prevent illness or injury.
Health and Safety Programs
Health and safety programs are an important part of preventing injury and illness in the
workplace. Health programs help employers and employees understand the potential
hazards they are exposed to on a daily basis. Effective health and safety programs
educate workers on the benefits of practicing proper workplace behaviors. For example,
the “Safety Pays” program helps employers determine the cost workplace injuries and
illness have on a company’s profit margin. When companies understand the impact
injuries have on their bottom line, they are more inclined to implement programs to keep
their workers healthy and safe.
Employee Awareness
Workplace health and safety practices are important because they help prevent inter-
office violence and raise employee awareness of the potential dangers they face. Violent
acts and behaviors of employees and other individuals within the workplace are cause for
concern because they threaten a company’s overall well-being. Companies must take an
active approach in educating workers on the importance of practicing safe habits in order
to maintain a healthy and safe working environment.
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IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYEES SAFETY
Employee safety should hold tremendous importance for every company. First and
foremost, every employee has the right to work in a safe and healthy environment. No
employees -- or their families -- should have to suffer because of avoidable dangers in the
workplace. By creating a safe and healthy workplace, companies also protect themselves.
Employee Retention
An unsafe environment will probably make workers feel unappreciated. For instance, if
the company provides inadequate training about operating machinery, allows minors to
use heavy machinery or doesn't enforce a safety code, workers will probably feel the
company doesn't care about their well being. This may lead workers to feel less loyal to
the company and find work with companies that take better care of their employees.
Fewer workers will probably apply to work with the company, too, and the most skilled
workers will probably search for jobs elsewhere. Proper training will help employees feel
good about working for the company.
Company Finances
A company could run into serious financial trouble if an employee sues because of
workplace hazards or a resulting injury. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Act
(OSHA) require all employers to follow specific guidelines in creating safe workplaces.
Not following OSHA's rules could lead to serious legal and financial trouble. Keeping the
workplace safe involves a financial investment, but the investment will pay off by
ensuring the company avoids lawsuits and settlement payments. A newer company, or
one dealing with a hefty lawsuit, may not have the funds to continue operations if it falls
into such financial trouble. Additionally, keeping healthy employees healthy pays off by
avoiding higher insurance premiums that the employer might be subsidizing.
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Company Productivity
Healthy employees who feel safe and comfortable in their work environment will work
more productively than employees who become injured or sick in the workplace. Fixing
workplace hazards will help to keep employees working at their best through each
workday, instead of taking time off to heal from an injury or illness. This holds true for
office workers as well as those working in jobs traditionally considered more dangerous,
because sitting for long periods of time each day can cause dangerous health disorders.
Office workers who are encouraged to take short breaks throughout the day to move
around may feel better, enjoy far better long-term health benefits and accomplish more
than workers who remain at their desks.
Company Reputation
A company will quickly develop a reputation as negligent if it allows employees to work
among avoidable hazards. The company's customers, competitors and the general public
will probably perceive the company as unprofessional if they learn of the company's
safety oversights. Fewer people may purchase goods or services from the company as a
result, and the company may have a more difficult time securing any loans it might need.
IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYEES HEALTH
Human resource is the most important asset that a company has. This is why the
employees' health should be an important concern for all employers. This does not need
to be argued because several studies have proven time and again that healthy employees
are productive employees. Hence, if your company is slacking in this part, better include
workers' wellness now in your strategic action plan for next month or next year.
If you are clueless on how to go about this plan, consider hiring the help of business
consultants. These professionals can assist you in designing an employee health plan and
how to implement it. They can also help you find the right healthcare providers that meet
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your needs and budget. Meanwhile, as to what kind of services and benefits should you
include in your company's wellness program to improve and maintain employee health,
there is a wide spectrum of actions or services you can choose from. However, you must
not forget to include in your plan the most important ones.
The most essential wellness benefits that must be included are health screening services,
such as annual physical check-ups, flu shots, blood tests, etc. These are basic services,
which can provide great financial relief to your employees.
Other valuable employee health benefits that can significantly boost productivity and job
satisfaction among your human assets are smoking and alcoholism cessation programs. If
one or a dozen of your employees are suffering from addiction to tobacco or alcohol,
your productivity can be affected significantly. So make it a point to offer your
employees the opportunity to break free from these health issues.
There are many other health and wellness programs that can make a lot of difference to
your employees and your business as well. Healthy cafeteria dishes, diet counseling and
subsidized membership in gyms are just examples of those simple programs that will help
you ensure a healthy workforce at a fraction of a price you pay when an employee gets
seriously sick.
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STATUTORY PROVISIONSSTATUTORY PROVISIONS
According to factories Act, 1948, the statutory provisions regarding the
health of the workers are stated in the sections 11 to 20. They are
Cleanliness (sec 11):
Every factory shall be kept clean by daily sweeping or washing the floors and workrooms
and by using disinfectants where every necessary. Walls, doors and windows
shall be repainted or varnished at least once in every 5 years.
Disposal of wastes and effluents (sec 12):
The was t e ma t e r i a l s p roduced f rom the manufac tu r i ng p roce s s mus t
be e f f ec t i ve ly disposed of wastes.
Ventilation and temperature (sec 13):
There must be provision for adequate ventilation for the circulation of fresh
air. The temperature must be kept at a comfortable level. Hot parts of
machines must be separated and insulated. The State Government may make
rules for the keeping of thermometers in specified places and the adoption of
methods which will keep the temperature low.
Removal of Dust and fumes (sec 14):
If the manufacturing process used gives off injurious or offensive dust and steps must be
taken so that they are not inhaled or accumulated. The exhaust fumes of
internal combustion engines must be conducted outside the factory.
Artificial humidification (sec 15):
The water used for this purpose must be pure. The State Government can
frame rules regarding the process of humidification etc. The water used for
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humidification shall be taken from a public supply or other source of drinking
water and must be effectively purified before use.
Overcrowding (sec 16):
T h e r e m u s t b e n o o v e r c r o w d i n g i n a f a c t o r y . I n
f a c t o r i e s e x i s t i n g b e f o r e t h e commencemen t o f t he Ac t t he r e
mus t be a t l e a s t 9 . 9 cub i c me t e r s o f space pe r worke r . Fo r factories
built afterwards, there must be at least 4.2 cubic meters of space. The chief inspector
of factories can also prescribe the maximum number of workers who can work in each
work room.
Lighting (sec 17):
Factories must be well lighted. Effective measures must be adopted to
prevent glare or formation of shadows which might cause eye strain.
Drinking water (sec 18):
Arrangements must be made to provide a sufficient supply of wholesome drinking water.
All supply points of such water must be marked “drinking water”. No such points
shall be within 20 ft. (or 7.5 meters) of any latrine, washing place
etc.Factories employing more than 250 workers must cool the water during the hot
weather.
Toilet facilities (sec 19):
Eve ry f ac to ry mus t p rov ide su f f i c i en t numbe r o f l a t r i ne s and u r i na l s .
The re mus t be separate provisions for male and female workers. L a t r i n e s a n d
u r i n a l s m u s t b e k e p t i n a c l e a n a n d s a n i t a r y c o n d i t i o n . I n
f a c t o r i e s employing more than 250 workers, they shall be of prescribed sanitary
types.
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Spittoons (sec 20):
A sufficient number of spittoons must be provided at convenient places, in a
clean and hygienic condition. The State Government may take rules regarding
their number, location and maintenance.
SAFETY OF THE WORKERS:
Safety is a measures or techniques implemented to reduce the risk of injury,
loss and d a n g e r t o p e r s o n s , p r o p e r t y o r t h e e n v i r o n m e n t i n a n y
f a c i l i t y o r p l a c e i n v o l v i n g t h e manufacturing, producing and processing of
goods or merchandise
.
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According to factories Act, 1948, the statutory provisions regarding the
safety of the workers are stated in the sections 21 to 41. They are
Fencing of machinery (Sec 21):
In every factory, every dangerous part of any machinery, every moving part
of a prime mover and every flywheel connected to prime mover the head-race
and tail-race of every water wheel and water turbine, and every part of an electric
generator, motor or rotary converter, every p a r t o f t r a n s m i s s i o n m a c h i n e r y ,
m u s t b e s e c u r e l y f e n c e d b y s a f e g u a r d s o f s u b s t a n t i a l
construction.
Work on or near machinery in motion (Sec 22):
It is necessary to examine any part of the machinery while it is motion. The examination
and lubrication of the machinery, while in motion, should be carried out only
by a specially-trained adult worker wearing tight-fitting clothing.
Employment of young person’s on Dangerous machines (Sec 23):
A young person should not be allowed to work at dangerous machines unless,
has been sufficiently instructed and received sufficient training.
Striking gear and devices for cutting off power (Sec 24):
In every factory, suitable striking gear or other efficient mechanical
appliance has to be provided, maintained and used to move driving belts.
Self-acting machines (Sec 25):
No travelling part of a self-acting machine in any factory and no material carried thereon
shall be allowed to run on its outward or inward traverse within a distance of 18 inches
from any fixed structure which is not a part of the machine, if a person is liable to pass
over the space over which it runs.
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Casing of new machinery (Sec 26):
Al l mach ine ry d r i ven by power , eve ry s e t - s c r ew , bo l t o r key o r any
r evo lv ing sha f t , spindle, wheel or pinion, spur, worm and other toothed or
friction-gearing has to be properly encased or guarded in order to prevent danger to
the workmen.
Prohibition of employment of women and children near cotton openers (Sec 27):
Women and ch i l d worke r s a r e p roh ib i t ed t o be emp loyed i n any pa r t
o f a f a c to ry fo r pressing cotton in which a cotton opener is at work.
Hoists, lifts, lifting machines (Sec 28&29):
L i f t i n g m a c h i n e s , c h a i n s , r o p e s a n d l i f t i n g t a c k l e s m u s t b e o f
g o o d m e c h a n i c a l construction, sound material and adequate strength and free from
defects. They are to be properly maintained and thoroughly examined by a competent
person at least once in every 6 months.
Revolving machinery (Sec 30):
The maximum safe working peripheral speed of every grindstone or abrasive wheel
shall be permanently affixed. Safe working peripheral speed of every
revolving vessel, cage, basket, flywheel, pulley or disc has also to be ensured.
Pressure plant (Sec 31):
In any f ac to ry ope ra t i on i s c a r r i ed on a t a p r e s su re above t he
a tmosphe r i c p r e s su re , effective arrangements shall be taken to ensure that the safe
working pressure is not exceeded.
Floors, stairs and means of access (Sec 32):
In eve ry f ac to ry a l l f l oo r s , s t ep s , s t a i r s , pa s sages and gangways
sha l l be o f sound construction and properly kept and maintained.
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Pits, sumps, openings in floors (Sec 33):
Every fixed vessel, sump, tank, pit or opening in the ground or in a floor, which may be a
source of danger shall be either securely covered or securely fenced.
Excessive weights (Sec 34):
No person is to be employed in any factory to lift, carry or move any load so heavy as is
likely to cause him injury.
Protection of eyes (Sec 35):
The state government may require the provision of effective screens or suitable goggles
if t h e r i s k o f i n j u r y t o t h e e y e s i s c a u s e d f r o m p a r t i c l e s
o r f r a g m e n t s t h r o w n o f f i n t h e manufacturing process or from
exposure to excessive light.
Precautions against dangerous fumes (Sec 36):
In any factory, no person shall be allowed to enter any chamber, tank, vat,
pipe, flue or other confined space in which dangerous fumes are likely to be
present to an extent involving risks to persons.
Explosive or inflammable dust, gas (Sec 37):
All practicable measures have to be taken to prevent explosion by, effective enclosure
of plant and machinery, removal or prevention of the accumulation of dust, gas etc and
exclusion or effective enclosure of all possible sources of ignition.
Precaution in case of fire (Sec 38):
Every factory has to be provided with adequate means of escape in case of fire. Effective
and c l ea r l y aud ib l e means o f g iv ing wa rn ing i n t he c a se o f f i r e have
t o be p rov ided . A f r ee passage-way giving access to each means of escape in case
of fire has to be maintained.
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Power to require specifications of defective parts or tests of stability (Sec 39):
The factory inspector to serve on the manager of a factory to furnish
specifications of defective parts or he may order the manager to carry out
tests as he may specify and to inform him of the results.
Safety of buildings and machinery (Sec 40):
Eve ry f ac to ry shou ld adop t t he measu re s t o ensu re t he s a f e ty o f t he
bu i l d ings and machinery. The factory must employ the required safety
officers according to the number of workers working in the factory.
Power to make rules (Sec 41):
The state government has the power to make rules to supplement the
provisions relating to safety contained in the act.
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EMPLOYEE HEALTH SCREENING TOOLS: USES ANDEMPLOYEE HEALTH SCREENING TOOLS: USES AND
IMPORTANCEIMPORTANCE
When an employee health screening test is administered, it covers standard
measurements of vital function. Most often, employees are aware that they have health
issues, but have not been tested to determine the level of severity or the risk to their
health that these problems represent.
The extent to which their health has deteriorated is often an ignored variable. Chronically
ill employees have come to accept their present level of illness as normal. The
documentation of health risks is necessary in order to be processed for treatment and
accessible for admission in employee health care initiatives.
Most employee health screening tests, employee Health Risk Appraisals and employee
Health Risk Assessments take into account the following measurements:
Blood Glucose Level – Blood tests review for the presence of Diabetes.
Blood Pressure – Both readings are taken using the sphygmomanometer (yes that
is what it is called). Background medical information and previous blood pressure
history is noted.
Cerebrovascular/Stroke Condition – Blood is taken to determine if there are
blood vessel abnormalities
Cholesterol – Healthy cholesterol and unhealthy cholesterol readings are
screened using a blood sample. Diet choices and use of medication is recorded.
Coronary Disease – Routine questioning detects heart health or previous heart
failure.
Demographic Information – Gender, age, weight, height, shift, department, race,
marital status, and geographical location should all be part of the data collection
process. This kind of information makes further study of and improvements to
wellness programs more accurate.
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Family History – Thorough investigation of past health issues, previous surgeries
and patterns in the family tree help to detect the probability of future health
issues.
Feedback – In order to promote an awareness of self-help options, the employee
health screener elaborates on the significance of any discovered health risks and
the solutions to reduce their impact.
Forms – All participants have the option to enroll in wellness programs and must
agree in writing to submit blood work and medical information for the purpose of
pursuing health promotion.
Physical Activity – The amount and duration of exercise has a direct impact on
health risks
Referrals – If participants have health issues, a referral form should be filled out
and signed by the employee. A requisition to ascertain the referral visit occurred
accompanies this form.
Stress – Workplace stress has a huge impact on health and wellness. Determining
where the stress is generated can begin a solution-based plan to deal with and
reduce the incidence of work-related stress.
Surveys – Data collection and its application is the foundation of every successful
workplace wellness plan. Internal promotion of surveys and recruiting employees
to participate in them can be pursued during the employee health screening.
Tobacco Use – Nicotine addiction is a major focus in the wellness industry.
Employees will be assisted, at their prerogative, to get help to stop tobacco use.
Weight – Body weight, height and fat ratios should be recorded for tracking
purposes and demographic referencing.
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Employees Health and Safety Measures
The Purpose of Blood Tests
There are government standards to adhere to for extracting and testing blood samples for
physical fitness and employee health screening. Extracting should only be done by a
qualified professional. A blood pressure reading exposes two categories: systolic and
diastolic.
Systolic pressure is the higher/top number in the result. It is a measurement of the rate at
which the blood circulates through the arteries.
Diastolic pressure is the lower/bottom number and is a value for the rate at which the
blood circulates through the arteries between heartbeats.
Normal blood pressure is approximately 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic). Normal blood
pressure fluctuates a bit over the course of a day and should be lower during resting
times. High blood pressure does not follow this sort of pattern; it remains high during
resting phases. This is called hypertension.
The Purpose of Cholesterol Testing
Blood testing to determine cholesterol levels is a task for a skilled medical professional.
It requires a specialized program and applied field knowledge to interpret the results.
Similar to blood pressure testing, there are national guidelines to follow for testing and
evaluation.
Some cholesterol in the diet is considered healthy. These levels show up as HDL
cholesterol readings. Other cholesterol in the diet is unhealthy and is observable as LDL
cholesterol readings. Both blood pressure and cholesterol testing are key indicators of
cardiovascular disease. If there is a family history of heart disease and if the employee
uses tobacco, alcohol, has a high cholesterol reading and/or high blood pressure, this
places the employee in a high risk category as well as indicates a need for health
promotion efforts, nutrition counseling, exercise options and education.
20 | P a g eAnna Leela College of Commerce And Economics