Employee Wellness Newsletter : Make safety a key concern when creating physical activity in your workplace. An accident or injury will not “sell” the program and may end up costing the employer. This section will assist you in taking the necessary steps to avert an accident or injury.

Points to Consider

Using Certified Professionals

Enlist professionally certified instructors to lead fitness classes (whether on or offsite) or to run worksite lunch and learn meetings.  It’s also a good idea to ask the instructor for references.

When you hire instructors, make sure that your insurance protects both the instructor and your company.

Risk Management

Whether we like it or not, liability is an issue nowadays.

Risk management plans don’t have to be complex or expensive. By way of example, part of the plan may require that staff members complete fitness appraisals and sign statements accepting the possible risks involved in physical exercise. It pays to be prepared. Safety and emergency policies and procedures lower the risk of loss both to individuals and to your organization.

Ask employees to fill out a waiver when participating in both workplace and offsite activities. For liability reasons, employees must understand the risks involved in participating in the exercise and understand that they are waiving their right to sue.

The employee must not be asked to sign the waiver just before the exercise. The waiver may be invalid if employees claim that they didn’t completely understand the risks.

Other Safety Tips

Here’s a list of some other safety tips to keep in mind when planning physical exercise.

Look at the environment where employees are active:

• Sidewalks should be clear of ice and snow, away from falling debris or snow, and have clearly marked curbs and safe crosswalks.
• Stairwells should be well-lit and in great condition and have handrails and safety features, so that workers are not locked out of floors.
• Fitness facilities ought to have proper flooring, great ventilation, and access to water and an emergency phone.

Provide medical screening for employees participating in activities:

• PAR-Q
• PAR-MEDX for Pregnancy

Below are some other significant safety factors:

• First-aid kit and automated external defibrillator on site.
• Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place and practised.
• Commercial grade fitness equipment (not donated, “hand me down” equipment).
• Documented equipment inspection and maintenance schedule.
• Orientation of equipment and programs done by certified professional with a physical activity background.