2.8 million million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses were reported in 2022. One of the largest increases in cases reported happened in the transportation and warehousing industry sectors. And we can’t say we’re surprised considering the nature of labor-intensive work environments.

Lots of physical work, machinery, chemicals, electrical equipment, heavy workloads, and many other elements present in these workplaces can lead to accidents, illnesses, injuries, and other safety hazards.

Obviously, we want as few dangers in the workplace as possible. But whose responsibility is it to ensure this happens? The leadership suite and employees, of course. However, don’t forget about the HR department. After all, HR has a significant role in making sure employees are safe.

HR’s Role in Keeping Dangers in the Workplace in Check

The HR department plays a unique role in mitigating the dangers present in labor-intensive workplaces. These work environments are riddled with potential safety hazards that can harm employees significantly. And HR has a hand in keeping these dangers in check.

For example, when we examine common safety hazards in manufacturing, human error is a big one. Whether it’s lack of training, burnout, or simply not paying attention, employee mistakes can lead to serious physical injuries and disrupt the workflow.

When HR intervenes with proper safety education and training, safety checklists and signage, and immediate correction of hazardous situations, they can help reduce human error and many other safety hazards in manufacturing.

It’s important to note that HR isn’t responsible for everything and can only do so much regarding workplace safety. For example, they can create workplace safety policies, but the leadership suite must approve them. They can talk about the importance of workplace safety in recruiting, but they need managers to support this in the day-to-day operations.

Ultimately, HR plays a significant role in keeping employees safe. They are limited in what they can do. But still, their efforts are much-needed in making workplace safety a priority.

How HR Can Make Their Work Environment Safer for Employees

We’ve established that HR has at least some responsibility in ensuring the workplace is safe for employees. But what exactly does that look like? Here’s how you can make your workplace safer for your employees.

Start in Recruitment

One of HR’s primary duties is recruiting and hiring top talent. You’re essentially responsible for assembling a team that works well together, where each individual offers value and fits the company culture.

Workplace safety should be at the crux of your company culture. So, anyone you’re considering hiring should value workplace safety too. Discuss your commitments to workplace safety in the recruiting and hiring process and see each candidate’s perspective on this.

Based on what you learn, you can strive only to hire individuals who share the same commitment to workplace safety.

Addressing Substance Abuse to Improve Workplace Safety

One critical area HR needs to focus on for a safer work environment is addressing substance abuse among employees. Substance use is on the rise among the entire workforce, but it can be especially dangerous in labor-intensive sectors like construction, transportation, and manufacturing. This is a serious safety concern because impaired judgment, slower reaction times, and lack of focus can put everyone at risk in high-hazard work environments.

HR can help tackle this issue by implementing clear drug and alcohol policies, regular testing for safety-sensitive roles, and offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for those needing support. Educating supervisors on how to spot the signs of substance abuse and handle these situations with care is also key. Creating a culture where employees feel safe to seek help without fear of punishment is crucial for keeping the workforce healthy and safe. By focusing on prevention and support, HR can play a big role in reducing the risk of accidents and making the workplace a safer place for everyone.

Create and Reinforce Safety Policies

Safety policies and guidelines are a must. Without them, employees won’t understand how to keep themselves and their coworkers safe.

HR personnel can take the lead in creating safety policies for the entire workplace. Of course, they’ll have to work with company leaders for approval. But once the policies and guidelines are approved, you can put together a detailed safety manual for employees.

Now, don’t just hand the manual over to employees and make them figure the rest out for themselves. Instead, you must reinforce these policies by opening up the lines of communication with employees for them to ask questions or raise concerns.

You’ll also want to schedule regular safety training and education classes. These training sessions should start with basics and continue as new regulations, policies, and procedures are implemented.

Make It Easy to Report Safety Hazards

No workplace is exempt from safety hazards. They will arise. What’s important is having a process in place to report them so they can be resolved as quickly as possible.

Make it easy for employees to report safety hazards. What do you want your employees to do when they spot something threatening their and their coworkers’ safety? Here’s a general process you can use as the foundation of your process for reporting safety hazards:

1. Put something around the hazardous situation that notifies employees to stay away.
2. Shut down any part of the operation that’s affected by the situation.
3. Let management know where the dangerous situation is and what’s happening.
4. Management can then assess the situation and start fixing it.
5. Notify the rest of the workforce of what’s happening, how long things will be down, and what’s being done to resolve the situation.

Support Employee Well-being

Employee safety doesn’t start and stop with physical security. Psychological safety must be a priority too.

When employees aren’t mentally well, it affects their focus, concentration, and engagement. And when employees can’t focus, concentrate, and engage in their roles, mistakes follow. Mistakes that often cause injuries and illnesses.

Supporting employee well-being can help you avoid the above. Continuously build a positive company culture employees feel welcome in. Normalize mental health conversations and support in the workplace. And ensure employees know the resources available to help them to help nurture their mental and emotional health.

Conclusion

HR departments play a crucial role in ensuring workplace safety, especially in labor-intensive industries where hazards are more common. By focusing on proactive strategies like safety training, clear communication, employee well-being, and substance abuse prevention, HR can help create a safer, healthier environment. While they can’t handle it all alone, their efforts are essential in promoting a safety-first culture that benefits both employees and the company as a whole. When safety is prioritized, everyone wins.