4 topics your safety committee should be talking about in 2021

January 4, 2021 | By MultiCare Health System

Your safety committee may be responsible for worksite walk-throughs, injury prevention tactics and monitoring safety goals for your organization. These are very worthy priorities, but just like everything else in our lives, 2020 has flipped the way we think about certain aspects of workplace safety.

Your committee might consider adding these four topics to its agenda in 2021.

1. Investigate Workplace Injuries and Illnesses
In the same way that safety committees investigate workplace injuries and establish corrective measures, you may consider investigating illnesses spreading around the workplace. If employee absenteeism is spiking due to sick days, you might look into sanitation practices or add hand washing stations in additional locations.

2. Video or Virtual Safety Trainings
It’s common for a safety committee to coordinate relevant safety messages and recommend training opportunities to leaders. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we communicate to and train employees. How can you ensure important safety messages are accessible online and available for remote workers? There are many ways to go about this, so your organization will need to discuss what is best for you.

3. COVID Vaccination Recommendations
Many workplace safety committees have played a big part in their company’s COVID-19 prevention plan. Depending on your industry and work environment, employers may recommend or encourage their workers get vaccinated. Rather than mandating vaccination, safety committees can help communicate how the vaccine may make the workplace safer or work with leaders to provide paid time off for workers to get vaccinated.

4. Partnering with Occupational Medicine Clinics
Employee health is a bigger priority than ever. Partnering with MultiCare Occupational Medicine can reduce time away from work and ensure proper protocol is followed when injuries occur. From pre-employment screening to workers’ compensation, our team of experienced providers helps manage the details, so employers can run their business – and employees can get well.

The Occupational Health and Safety Association (OSHA) recommends that safety programs be reviewed annually to make sure they are up to date, and the beginning of the year is a great time for your safety committee to do this. Look for changes in procedures, available equipment, facilities or contact information.

Workforce Care You Can Count On

MultiCare Occupational Medicine is dedicated to helping Washington employers and employees navigate workplace safety, employee health and workers’ compensation. We can address any questions you have or guidance you need related to COVID-19 in the workplace, injuries on the job, pre-employment services and more.