Why is protection of physical safety important?There are numerous high-risk sectors and jobs, and employers have a responsibility to operate within occupational health and safety guidelines to ensure there are adequate practices and protocols in place to mitigate risks to workers’ physical safety. That being said, physical safety goes beyond the policies and practices aimed specifically at maintaining safety. A worker’s perception of their physical safety at work has an impact on their psychological health and safety which, in turn, impacts their ability to carry out their work efficiently and in a safe manner.
Protection of physical safety is present when a worker’s psychological, as well as physical, safety is protected from hazards and risks related to the worker’s physical environment.
Why is protection of physical safety important?
Workers who perceive the workplace as protective of physical safety will feel more secure and engaged at work. Research has shown that when staff have higher levels of confidence in safety protection at work, they experience lower rates of psychological distress and mental health problems.
The sense of physical safety protection is enhanced by:
- Adequate training with regard to physical safety.
- Trust that the employer minimizes physical hazards.
- Confidence that the employer responds quickly and effectively to safety incidents.
- The opportunity to have meaningful input into workplace policies and practices.
Protection of physical safety is especially important in workplaces with high levels of safety-sensitivity.
Safety climate is consistent with, and part of, the larger culture or climate of the organization. A psychologically safe climate is one where there is a shared and lasting belief in, and commitment to, the importance of promoting and protecting the physical and psychological safety of all involved. This involves timely actions to identify and address risks.
What happens when workers’ physical safety is not protected?
Workplaces that fail to protect physical safety are likely to be more dangerous. Also, workers who do not see the workplace as protecting physical safety will feel less secure and less engaged, and this will increase their vulnerability to psychological distress and potential mental health problems.
An organization that protects physical safety would be able to state that:
- The organization cares about how the physical work environment impacts mental health.
- Workers feel safe (and not concerned or anxious) about the physical work environment.
- The way work is scheduled allows for reasonable rest periods.
- All health and safety concerns are taken seriously.
- Workers asked to do work they believe is unsafe, have no hesitation in refusing to do it.
- Workers get sufficient training to perform their work safely.
- The organization assesses the psychological demands of the job and the job environment to determine if it presents a hazard to workers’ health and safety.
How to improve physical safety at work
Remember, it’s not only important to work toward keeping workers physically safe in their workplace, but to also manage workers’ perceptions of safety in the workplace.
Appropriate actions may include:
- Policies to protect team members’ physical safety.
- Training in safety-related protocols.
- Rapid and appropriate response to physical accidents or situations identified as risky.
- Clearly demonstrated concern for workers’ physical safety.
Physical safety and workplace policies and procedures
It’s essential for physical safety to be embedded with workplace policies and procedures. Not only is it important for an organization’s policies to protect workers against physical hazards in the workplace, but the organization’s vision and values should include protection of workplace physical safety.
Organizations should also maintain up-to-date protocols for monitoring, reporting and responding to physical hazards, as well as implement policies to protect and support workers who report physical risks.
Protection of physical safety is psychosocial factor 13 from the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety (PH&S) in the Workplace (CAN/CSA-Z1003-13/BNQ 9700-803/2013 – Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace). For more information, see also Guarding Minds at Work (Samra et al.).
