The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways. When it ends, and hopefully it does soon, we are sure to step into a society that will be very different from what it was in the pre-pandemic era. Not only has it changed the dynamics of how we spend our days at home, but it has also altered the way we work. While several companies across the globe have adopted the work from home (WFH) model, many others are continuing with the traditional way of working, that is in the office spaces. And this is where organizations need to remain extra vigilant, cautious and resort to workplace safety training so that workplaces don’t become super spreaders.
Offices are typically spaces where people share a lot of common areas like the cafeteria, walkways, elevators, board and meeting rooms, common work desks, etc and the more you come in contact with common touchpoints, the higher is the risk of contracting the virus. So, it is imperative for workplaces to implement and follow strict protocols and provide health and safety training to employees to ensure their safety. This not only keeps your workplace safe but also sends out a positive message to your employees that their company is thinking of their safety.
Important points for keeping the workplace safe during the COVID-19 pandemic
The pandemic has brought about several drastic behavioral changed at our workplaces. They are not the same spaces where we used to unabashedly mingle with our colleagues and work in a fearless environment. In fact, workplaces have become zones where every employee feels more threatened and susceptible to contracting the virus. So, it is important that the employers provide the right health and safety training to the employees for a positive work environment and better productivity.
Follow safety guidelines:
The most important aspect of health and safety training is that one is made aware of the importance of adhering to safety guidelines. Maintaining and strictly following safety protocols is important to make workplaces safer. Not just that, if an organization strictly follows the safety norms, it develops a sense of confidence in their employees to work more freely, devoid of the fear of getting infected. This is a major part of health and safety training at any workplace.
Every employee should be trained to be vigilant and careful about following the safety norms so that an overall feeling of working in a safe environment can be developed. This can only happen if the company puts in place strict safety protocols and expects everyone to follow them without any fail. Things like wearing masks at all times, maintaining social distancing, and using sanitizers frequently are few basic things that can be inculcated in the work culture. These are simple yet the most effective ways of keeping the virus at bay.
Take care of their mental health:
The pandemic has made our life a lot more stressful. People are constantly living under the threat of contracting the virus and the safety of their family members. Job security, dwindling global economy, and an overall uncertain future have put extra pressure on people’s life. And a large part of the population is battling mental fatigue and stress. So, every employer needs to ensure the mental well-being of their employees. This also becomes an important part of health and safety training at the workplace.
Ensure that your employees feel motivated to work and come to the office. One very effective way of doing so is to interact with the employees and give these interactions a personal touch. Several corporate giants across the globe have made the mental health of their employees a priority.
Beating the stress, how to cope with the uncertain future and the general pressures of an ever-evolving workplace etc have become important aspects of health and safety training for employees.
Several companies are now investing in communication coaches, psychologists, and trainers to keep their employees in a happy and positive state of mind.
Press on the importance of health and hygiene:
The ongoing pandemic has made us aware of maintaining health and hygiene like never before. And this is something all employers should encourage their employees to follow. While most people follow the highest level of hygiene in their personal sphere, they tend to show a rather careless attitude towards overall hygiene in public or shared spaces. Training your employees to be more aware of their surroundings and keeping them clean and hygienic is an integral part of health and safety training. If your employees collectively follow these protocols, it will be beneficial for the overall well-being of every employee. This can either be done by conducting workshops or creating strict rules about maintaining public hygiene. Workshops and creating awareness always work better as it encourages employees to follow the instructions without feeling that they are being forced upon them. This also develops a feeling of voluntarily participating in the betterment of their colleagues, which is a positive sign.
While the above-mentioned points are important in maintaining a healthy and safe environment by the company, it is also every employees’ responsibility to adhere to the basic workplace safety training rules. A collective effort always makes big tasks look smaller. And if everyone can come together to ensure each other’s safety, we all will be able to overcome this challenge in no time.
