International World Day for Safety and Health at Work is April 28th. An unsafe workplace is an issue of life or death for millions around the planet. Workers face environmental and physical hazards that affect wellness, happiness, and productivity. Earning a living shouldn’t cost you your life. Proper insulation plays a key role in keeping the workplace safe. Good indoor climate control and limiting excessive noise are linked to a healthy environment. It pays to have employees thrive mentally, emotionally and physically.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a United Nations (UN) agency dedicated to bringing together governments, employers and workers to set labor standards, develop policies and devise programs promoting decent work for all women and men. ILO was awarded the 1969 Nobel Peace Prize. The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a global blueprint for dignity, peace, and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future.
Safe working conditions cover a broad range of topics. These include how many hours you work in a day, rest periods, fair remuneration, mental demands, and workplace physical conditions. In the United States, you’ll find more specific compliance details for your region at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In Europe, head to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). Legal limits on noise exposure in the workplace and other guidelines related to hearing conservation are highlighted as important factors to keep workers safe and healthy on the job.
Workplace Mental Well-Being Matters
Wellbeing is a key feature in the UN’s sustainable development, worker safety, and health goals. People spend a large chunk of their lives at work. These experiences impact overall wellbeing. A workplace that supports excellent mental wellbeing enjoys increased worker productivity.
Promote good mental health in the workplace by enforcing health policies that involve employees in decision-making, putting in place employee career development programs, not bullying, rewarding employee contributions, implementing organizational practices that support a healthy work-life, and using Apps and other resources to identify and reduce workplace stressors. Key identified workplace stressors include excess noise and poor indoor climate control. Proper insulation provides solutions to both.
Two Ways To Increase Workplace Health, Safety And Wellbeing
Reduce Excess Noise
Excess noise is a known risk to mental and physical health. It doesn’t just lead to damaging your hearing but also leads to stress. Stress suppresses immunity, increases inflammation, and increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Proper insulation reduces the risk of poor health caused by excess noise. Provide workplace safety by choosing insulation tailored to the specific needs of your business and best to keep workers healthy. This includes choosing products that mitigate two sources of noise: airborne and impact.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Approximately 90% of our time is spent indoors. Inside air affects a person's health, comfort, and ability to work. The financial costs of poor indoor air quality are reportedly in the billions. A whopping 70% of office workers in the United Kingdom, for example, complain about poor air quality. Risks linked to poor indoor climatic conditions include the increased potential for indoor moisture and mold growth. The effects on workers’ health can include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Also, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer. Provide good indoor air quality by providing access to fresh, clean air. Also upkeep ventilation, heating and air-conditioning systems. To help regulate the indoor climate, choose stone wool insulation.
The Bottom Line
World Day for Safety and Health at Work is about dignity, peace, and prosperity for people in the global workplace. It’s not just about the bottom line. It’s about being part of the solution helping workers, and the planet, thrive.
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