5 ways to improve the safety culture in your workplace this World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Friday 28 April 2023 is World Day for Safety and Health at Work (World Day). We have compiled five health, safety and wellbeing activities for you to implement at your organisation. Pick one or two that suits your workplace. 

1 – Book a floor walk

One of the most important activities onsite healthcare providers can do is outside of the treatment room. In order to fully understand your workplace and your workers, they need to observe the actual work. One way to do this is through floor walks. In order to be of most value, floor walks should be scheduled in advance and accompanied by a supervisor and/or OHS officer. Find out more here. 

2 – Schedule a stretching and warm-up session

When engaging in any physical activity it’s important to prime your muscles, joints and neurological system in preparation for the task at hand. Stretching and warm up activities benefit manual handlers as well as office workers. Why not schedule a stretching and warm session prior to the start of a shift? Check our stretching posters for some ideas.

3 – Offer manual handling training for your workers

You might have previously inducted your workers in correct manual handling techniques, but we know that regular training is important and can reduce injury rates. This could involve stretching, warm-up exercises and correct techniques specific to the tasks they perform. 

4 – Make mental health a priority in the workplace

Every year, 1 in 5 Australians will experience a common mental illness. World Mental Health Day is on the 10th October, so why not celebrate it by inviting your staff for a walk around the block, followed by a wellbeing breakfast? 

5 – Encourage staff wellbeing

Well-planned wellbeing programs (smoke cessation, healthy eating, physical activity) combined with onsite injury management can contribute to reduced Work Cover claims and absenteeism. Your staff wellbeing activities could include health talks, information on quit smoking programs, EAP counselling, an onsite mini gym, and any others applicable to your workers and industry sector.