August 18, 2023
The end of the year holiday rush is upon us, bringing added pressure to executives, managers, and hard working front line employees. For freight, shipping and delivery companies, this means onboarding seasonal employees, long hours and more cargo than ever before, creating a hotbed for injury.
We’ve gathered 5 tips to prepare your team to aid in the reduction of injury and make them feel supported as you head into this busy season together.
1. Actions Speak Louder than Words: Show Appreciation
You don’t have to risk your bottom line to show your teams that you support them. Offering daily refreshments, lunches, or additional short breaks is a way that you can demonstrate your acknowledgement of the additional workload and the gratitude from the top down. Your staff is inclined to work harder and smarter if they feel meaningful support from leadership.
2. Foster a Community of Healthy Communication and Support
Regular one-on-one check-ins and laying the groundwork for an opportunity to provide feedback can help you unearth high-risk activities to get ahead of injury. Creating action plans for feedback follow-ups and addressing these risks can help in injury reduction, especially during busy times.
Ensure your staff is equipped with the right way forward for when an injury does arise. Do they know the recording and communication procedure when something happens? Post and share materials that could support employees in the event of injury.
3. Regular Movement Screenings for to Reduce Injury
From heavy lifting injuries to repetitive strains or slips and falls, there are many accidents that can in warehouse and en route that can take an employee off the job. The average workers’ compensation costs associated with falls or slips is $48,575. Getting ahead of workplace injuries by prioritizing regular movement screenings can help employers understand fitness levels at the individual and population-wide level.
Regular scanning doesn’t have to take long, and the data gathered from a 2-minute screening can be cross referenced by similar cohorts to inform triage, assess risk, and proactively plan for additional staff.
4. Educate Employees on Wellness Benefits
Posters and newsletters are a great way to educate employees. Share facts about fitness and injury organized in engaging, punchy infographics to heighten consumption of fitness-related content. Encouraging staff to avoid repetitive tasks and movements is a great way to reduce injury in the workplace.
Prioritize self-care through education. Share materials on how to recharge through self-care activities that range from during-work mental breaks, to at home resting. Your employees will feel supported by this acknowledgement of their mental wellbeing as well as their physical.
5. Promote a Fitness Culture
Motivate employees to improve their scores and stay fit with swag, points, awards, and more. Discounted gym memberships, on-site yoga, and contests for those who wish to participate go a long way toward a well-being culture.