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What would you say are the two strongest drivers of lost productivity due to a health-related problem at your workplace? According to Lisa Jing, program manager of integrated health at San Jose, CA-based Cisco Systems, these are depression and anxiety.
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You spent all your resources and time encouraging employees to make healthy lifestyle choices. Then, he or she is offered free donuts at every meeting and candy baskets during the day.
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If you assume that your workforce has better than average health statistics due to programs for nutrition, fitness and smoking cessation, you may be sadly mistaken. On the other hand, you may have far fewer obese employees than the national average.
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During a meeting with an employee about a worker's compensation issue, you encourage him to take advantage of a discounted YMCA membership.
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Expect more regulation. Like a sleeping giant that awakens with a roar, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is moving forward with new initiatives, including the first steps toward a possible airborne infectious diseases standard and renewing proposed recordkeeping rules on musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injuries.
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Every occupational health program requires resources, ranging from tens of thousands of dollars for a fitness center to a few hours spent on educating employees. How do you decide whether these are best invested in a diabetes lunch-and-learn, a weight loss competition, or otherwise?
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How widespread are chemical hazards in health care? The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) seeks to find out and is proposing an online survey, which would be targeted to members of professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association.
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Non-compliance with state or federal regulations can put a company out of business even faster than escalating health care costs. But too often, the important role played by occupational health in facilitating compliance is not understood by senior leaders.
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Lack of interest by either mid-level or senior leaders in the safety and health program. Employees who don't really believe that safety and health are of major importance to the company. Lack of participation of the engineering department in the maintenance of equipment. Failure to perform health and safety audits.
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The nation's most comprehensive safe patient handling law is now in full effect: Hospitals in Washington state must have equipment to reduce injuries by Jan. 31.