Wellness Library : Make safety a key concern when creating physical exercise in your workplace. An accident or injury will not “sell” the program and may end up costing the business. This section will help you take the necessary steps to avoid an accident or injury.
Posted in Corporate Wellness, Wellness Library | By admin | Tags: Corporate Wellness, health, medical, Wellness Library
Points to Keep in Mind
Hiring Certified Professionals
Enlist professionally certified instructors to lead fitness classes (whether on or offsite) or to run worksite lunch and learn meetings. It’s also a good idea to ask the instructor for references.
When you hire instructors, make sure that your insurance protects both the instructor and your business.
Risk Management
Whether we like it or not, liability is an issue these days.
Risk management plans don’t have to be complicated or pricey. By way of example, part of the plan may require that employees complete fitness appraisals and sign statements accepting the possible risks involved in physical exercise. It pays to be prepared. Safety and emergency policies and procedures decrease the risk of loss both to individuals and to your employer.
Ask workers to fill out a waiver when participating in both onsite and offsite activities. For liability reasons, workers must know the risks involved in participating in the exercise and know that they are waiving their right to sue.
The employee ought to not be asked to sign the waiver just before the exercise. The waiver may be invalid if workers state that they didn’t completely understand the risks.
Other Safety Tips
Here’s a list of some other safety tips to keep in mind when planning physical activity.
Look at the environment where staff members are active:
• Sidewalks must be clear of ice and snow, away from falling debris or snow, and have clearly marked curbs and safe crosswalks.
• Stairwells ought to be well-lit and in great condition and have handrails and safety features, so that workers are not locked out of floors.
• Fitness facilities must have proper flooring, great ventilation, and access to water and an emergency phone.
Provide medical evaluation for staff members participating in activities:
• PAR-Q
• PAR-MEDX for Pregnancy
Below are some other valuable safety factors:
• First-aid kit and automated external defibrillator on site.
• Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place and practised.
• Commercial grade fitness equipment (not donated, “hand me down” equipment).
• Documented equipment inspection and maintenance schedule.
• Orientation of equipment and programs done by certified professional with a physical exercise background.
Tags: Corporate Wellness, health, medical, Wellness Library