Workers’ Day: Healthy workplace boosts productivity, relationships, experts say
By Joan Odafe /Oluwakemi Oladipo
Lagos, May 1, 2018 (NAN) May 1 every year, workers take out time to appreciate their contributions, as well as seek for better remuneration and other working conditions.
According to ILO, 6,300 people die every day as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases and about 317 million accidents occur on the job annually with over two million resulting to death.
The economic burden of poor occupational safety and health practices is also estimated at four per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually.
Experts, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, agree that as much as wages and rights are important for efficiency and loyalty, a workplace that is not conducive has negative toll on the physical, mental and social health of workers.
Also, an unsafe work environment will not create the enabling environment to boost productivity of workers.
Ms Joy Asuquo, Human Resources/Admin Manager, El-Lab Medical Diagnostics and Research Centre, advised that every organisation should have a protective policy to help reduce risks and occupational hazards.
According to her, every organisation stands the risk of occupational hazards, depending on what they do and if workers know that they are protected, they will be motivated to take risks and work extra.
“Companies and organisations need to realise that they function because of their workers; so, they need to put some measures and policies in place that could help limit those risks.
“This will help reduce the risks of accidents, as well as degenerative ailments that may creep in on workers.
“For example, in a laboratory, staff who do not have anything to do with samples, should not be allowed anywhere close to the laboratory where samples are being taken or investigated and where special tests are done.
“The only administration staff allowed there should be sanitation officers, who have been trained to work there.
“People, who work in hospitals, oil and gas, construction, laboratories should be given Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which includes; gloves, masks, caps, lab gowns and shoes, so also for environmental workers and those that work in industries.
“For those who work with computers, there should be special shields or screen guards on the computers to reduce the damage to their eyes,’’ she said
According to her, the PPE doesn’t only protect the staff from ailments and accidents but also ensures there are no errors in investigations or foreign bodies in samples or foods and drinks for consumption.
She also recommended training for staff, to give them information and help them know the risks to occupational hazards and communicable diseases at the workplace, as well as how to prevent them.
“All these will go a long way to make employees know that the organisation cares about them,” she said.
Also, a general physician, Dr Tosin Olowojebutu, says that organisations should provide conducive and flexible working environment for their employers to help their health and safety.
On the effects of an unsafe workplace policy and unhealthy work environment, Olowojebutu, the Medical Director of Liberty-Life Hospital, Ogudu, Lagos State, told NAN that employees who work for hours without resting were always less productive and at risk of health related issues.
“So many studies have shown that sitting for long can be responsible for sudden death and can also lead to some diseases including obesity, high cholesterol, stroke and aches.
“The rise of internet such as computers, android phones, games, can also contribute to being inactive physically, of which leads to short-term dangers and long-term.
“If workers are indisposed, there is loss of manpower, also, resources are spent on hospital bills; for the loss of life, it also takes more time and money to replace and train more staff.’’
Consequently, Olowojebutu advised organisations to always care and make their workers’ health their priority by providing a relaxing room, clean environment with functional toilets and potable water, as well as implementing exercise classes within the break time.
According to him, providing a routine health and blood screening for employers at least every month is very important.
Olowojebutu advised workers to maintain their health by inculcating a healthy lifestyle, doing regular exercise at least 30 minutes a day and eating healthy food.
Also speaking, Mr Adegoke Akinfeleye, a physiotherapist, urged people, irrespective of their age and status, to take short cuts in between work schedule to walk about.
Akinfeleye, who works at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, said that prolonged sitting in front of computers could cause musculoskeletal pain, which leads to chronic back pain.
“Workers should not be at a place for a long period of time, especially if you have not been trained for it like the people in the force.
“People, especially workers who sit for long hours, should improve their levels of physical activities through exercises, walking and stretching because regular physical activities have immediate and long term health benefits to improve quality of life.
“If not, the risk of chronic non-communicable disease such as heart disease, autoimmune disease, cancers, hypertension, respiratory as well as eye diseases are increased.
“Lack of activity can also cause pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness of joints in the body,’’ he said.
According to the experts, our bodies are designed to move but technology and modernisation have made it possible to do almost anything sitting.
“So, organisations should be in place health and safety measures and policies that will enable their employees work better and be happier; a grumpy employee is not productive.
“People need to fight for their health by doing the necessary things which include using protective equipment, knowing the rule of their peculiar jobs, doing regular check-up, eating healthy and participating in exercise classes,” he said.
Mrs Oge Anuforo, a psychologist and counselor, urged employers to create environment for employees to communicate their views and expectations better.
“There should be insurance covers for workers.
“Organisations should also be sensitive to the needs of workers.”
Anuforo urged workers to always have positive attitude and learn to relate better with one another because “a greater part of our working lives are spent with our colleagues.”
She advised workers to always observe their annual leaves and take out time to relax and get refreshed. (NAN)
JOJO/OKG/VIV/AFA
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Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Felix Ajide