Organizations that embrace holistic worker wellness as part of their safety strategy can move beyond compliance into the realm of cultural transformation.

Over the past 50 years, the electric utility industry has developed and implemented robust engineering controls, detailed work procedures and focused training to reduce injury and fatality rates among workers. However, the total well-being of the worker is another critical safety factor that utility organizations often don’t address.

Well-being encompasses physical health as well as mental, emotional and social dimensions that can significantly influence an individual’s capacity to make sound decisions, maintain situational awareness and successfully mitigate risks. Workers bring their whole selves to the job, which includes their stress, fatigue and other personal challenges. We leave serious gaps in our safety systems when we fail to account for these human factors.

The previous article I wrote for Incident Prevention provided an overview of total well-being and its impact on the workplace (see https://incident-prevention.com/blog/making-the-safety-connection-the-impact-of-total-well-being-in-the-workplace/). This follow-up article offers practical tips, ideas and other information to help leaders integrate well-being into their organizational safety culture. When workers are holistically supported, they are better protected from harm, more engaged and productive, and more likely to thrive. It is time for our industry to move beyond the traditional definition of safety by recognizing total well-being as a core component of risk management.

Start with the person.
Most safety systems are built around physical safeguards, policies, procedures and personal protective equipment. Workers are trained to adapt to these systems. But even the most advanced tools and well-written procedures can fail if the worker employing them is fatigued, stressed or distracted.

Organizational leaders must recognize the human at the center of the safety system and understand that risk increases when workers feel mentally, emotionally or otherwise unbalanced. Strive to foster an environment in which workers (1) understand the connection between their well-being and their ability to work safely and (2) feel safe to speak up when they are struggling.

Tip: Well-being should be viewed as a responsibility shared among workers and leadership, not an individual burden.

Idea: Introduce workers to anonymous self-assessment tools that prompt them to consider questions such as, “Did I sleep enough last night?” or “Am I feeling mentally focused today?” When integrated into daily routines, these and other simple reflection exercises can spur important conversations and proactive safety decisions.

Continue reading at Incident Prevention

For more safety insights for the electric utility industry, check out how to optimize arc flash protection, information about equipment stabilization, or some great information on hand protection from electric shock.