Employee Health Promotion

Make safety a key concern when creating physical exercise in your worksite. An accident or injury will not “sell” the program and may end up costing the business. This section will assist you in taking the necessary steps to avert an accident or injury.

Hiring 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 prudent to ask the instructor for references. When you hire instructors, be sure that your insurance protects both the instructor and your business.

Risk Management

Whether we like it or not, liability is an issue these days. Risk management plans need not be complex or expensive. For example, part of the plan might require that employees 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 business. Ask employees to fill out a waiver when participating in both worksite and offsite activities. For liability reasons, employees must be aware of the risks involved in participating in the exercise and be aware that they are waiving their right to sue. The employee ought to not be asked to sign the waiver just before the exercise. The waiver may be invalid if employees state that they didn’t completely be aware the risks.

Other Safety Tips

Here’s a list of some other safety tips to keep in mind when creating physical exercise. Look at the environment where employees are active:

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

Provide medical assessment for employees participating in activities:

• PAR-Q
• PAR-MEDX for Pregnancy

Below are some other valuable 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 exercise background.