Employers Paying Closer Attention to Preventative Measures

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 | 0

By Zachary H. Sacks
Sacks & Zolonz

As an employer, you want to do everything you can to prevent serious work injuries and provide employees with a safe working environment. By doing so, you can minimize costs and maintain productivity.

In fact, the need to provide a safe and healthy working environment is becoming all the more acute given recent economic conditions, rising insurance costs and the rapidly aging workforce.

In light of these concerns, many employers around the nation are now devoting more of their attention to preventative care, meaning they are actively identifying potential work-related health risks and implementing policies designed to protect the overall health of their employees.

Today's post will briefly explore some of the preventative measures that employers are taking to prevent serious work injuries.

Some of the more common measures now being executed by employers include:

Performing pre-employment physicals/fitness screenings to make sure that a prospective employee is physically able to perform the duties associated with the job
Reemphasizing the importance of ergonomics, particularly in office settings. This includes verifying proper keyboard, monitor, mouse, chair and desk settings, as well as educating employees on how to sit properly
Providing not only the necessary safety equipment, but also items that can minimize discomfort/strain, such as headsets, stools, armrests, etc.
Highlighting the need to stretch, utilize mandatory breaks and even drink water
Educating employees on stress management techniques and the need to maintain an active lifestyle
Introducing a shift in basic work culture, meaning providing healthier foods in break rooms or at meetings, as well as creating flex schedules that allow employees to set aside time for exercise during the course of the work day

These measures, while certainly not mandatory, could prove to be truly beneficial for California employers over the course of time.

Zachary H. Sacks is a founding partner of Sacks & Zolonz, a Los Angeles-area workers' compensation defense firm. This column was reprinted with his permission from the firm's blog, http://www.californiaworkerscompensationdefenseattorneys.com/