Have you been to workplaces that are too hot or too cold for the people to work in there? Or the offices have too much direct sunlight that employees have to squint while working on the computers during the day? Or the place is so noisy for someone to concentrate? Or people are sitting on broken or unsuitable seats?

Aside from employees’ safety at work place, Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) looks into the employees’ welfare to ensure that the conditions and terms of work are conducive and does not pose any risk to health.

Employee welfare entails everything from services, facilities and benefits that are provided or done by an employer for the advantage or comfort of an employee over and above the wages. It is undertaken in order to motivate employees and raise the productivity levels as well as mitigate any health risk resulting from employment.

1. Drinking Water: provide sufficient clean drinking water for employees at all the working places within employees’ convenience.
2. Safe and clean work environment: Proper workplace maintenance should be conducted to minimize the risk of injuries and exposure to health hazards.
3. Facilities for sitting: In every organization, suitable seating arrangements should be provided. Poor ergonomics in the workplace can lead to health issues such as sore joints and muscles, tingling in the hands, fingers and limbs, pain and stiffness in the neck and back etc. Possible ergonomic hazards include; poorly adjusted chairs or workstations, regular lifting, incorrect posture, overuse of thumbs on laptops.
4. Lighting: Proper and sufficient lights are to be provided for employees so that they can work safely including during the night shifts. Straining of the eyes looking at screens all day long is a possible ergonomic hazard.
5. Proper Ventilation: open the windows, provide fans or ACs to allow for adequate air circulation. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to headaches, poor concentration and irritation of eyes, skin & nose.
6. Workers health services: external counselling services, emergency aid, medical check-ups, health education.
7. First aid kits and training: First aid appliances are to be provided and should be readily accessible and employee trained on how to administer first aid.
8. Rest rooms: Adequate number of toilets and urinals that are well maintained in a neat and clean condition. Provision of sanitation services i.e. toilet papers, handwashing soaps, sanitary bins, waste disposal.
9. Canteen facilities: Cafeteria or breakout areas are to be provided by the employer so as to provide employees with hygienic environment for taking their meals.
10. Provision of safety equipment:  i.e. helmets, ladders, aprons, goggles, first aid equipment, well maintenance of equipment. Musculoskeletal disorders (injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs) are extremely common type of workplace injury. To prevent them, workers need to follow ergonomic best practices. This includes safe lifting techniques, good posture, and use of safety equipment and protective gears.
11. Harassment Policy: To protect an employee from harassments of any kind, guidelines are provided for proper action and also for protecting the aggrieved employee.
12. Working hour limits: as per the labor laws and any overtime is compensated.
13. Nursing room: for breastfeeding mothers to have a hygienic and safe place to express and store milk

These are just a few ways to improve the employee welfare to maximize productivity.

What else do you think should be added on the list?