Highlights:

1. Strengthen risk management by gaining insights into workplace injuries, cultivating a safer environment under the guidance of HR leaders.
2. Prioritize human factors in metrics, striking a balance between organizational goals and employee well-being.
3. Underscore the significance of the Lost Time Injury Rate, assisting organizations in establishing objectives for a secure and productive workplace.

In the quest to identify the most crucial health and safety metrics for organizations, we posed this question to human resources (HR) leaders. From prioritizing the monitoring of workplace injuries to measuring occupational injury and illness rate, here are the top four insights these professionals shared.
 

 

• Prioritize Monitoring Workplace Injuries
• Emphasize Mental Health Awareness
• Track Lost Time Injury Rate
• Measure Occupational Injury and Illness Rate

Prioritize Monitoring Workplace Injuries

HR leaders play a pivotal role in shaping the organizational culture, ensuring that both the welfare of employees and the strategic objectives of the company are met. They understand the intricacies of balancing human needs with operational demands.

One of the key health and safety metrics that organizations should prioritize when assessing the effectiveness of their programs is the frequency and severity of workplace injuries. Monitoring and analyzing this metric provides invaluable insights into potential areas of risk and vulnerabilities within the workplace environment.

Furthermore, comparing year-over-year statistics after implementing safety programs or initiatives can offer a clear picture of their success or areas for improvement. HR leaders can then make data-driven decisions, ensuring safer working conditions. Such proactive approaches not only uphold the well-being of employees, but also demonstrate the organization's commitment to safety.

Melissa Pennington, HR Director

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Emphasize Mental Health Awareness

A metric that comes to mind is mental health awareness. Many of the metrics that companies put in place don't invite people to achieve metrics. Perhaps that metric might be to achieve a 10% increase in customer satisfaction.

So, one is moving towards a simple goal. Everything seems fine, but as the movement toward goal achievement happens, people and circumstances change. Customers are not happy. Customers can't and won't pay. The customer service representative is having to deal with conflict and an agitated manager and their leader.

We have great SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) goals, but we never ask the employee how they do their job and what human factors they encounter along the way. It's the checking in from a human element to me. Asking about, "How did you think that call went?" and zoning in not only on business drivers but also human endurance. People are definitely burned out, frustrated, and overwhelmed. While metrics matter, so do the people as well.

Tanya Turner, MBA, SHRM-CP, PHR, HR Director, SALTO Systems, Inc

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Track Lost Time Injury Rate

Organizations should evaluate the effectiveness of their safety programs by focusing on the lost time injury rate (LTIR). This metric measures the number of workplace injuries that result in lost working days per 100 employees.

Why is it so important? Well, the LTIR directly reflects the impact of workplace safety efforts on the well-being of your employees. When your LTIR is high, it indicates that injuries are occurring often and leading to lost productivity. This can result in increased healthcare costs, reduced morale, and potential legal liabilities for the organization.

To drive improvements in workplace safety, organizations can closely track the LTIR, set achievable reduction targets, and implement proactive safety measures. As the LTIR decreases, it signals that these efforts are working, making the workplace safer, improving morale, and saving the organization money and resources. Remember, the well-being of your employees is at the heart of a successful business.

Mindy Honcoop, Fractional HR Leader and Advisor, Agile in HR

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Measure Occupational Injury and Illness Rate

The occupational injury and illness rate (OIIR) is a vital metric for assessing the effectiveness of health and safety programs. It measures work-related injuries or illnesses per 100 full-time workers over a specific period, typically one year. Tracking the OIIR helps organizations identify workplace hazards, implement preventive measures, and measure safety program effectiveness.

A lower OIIR indicates successful efforts in keeping the workplace safe. Regularly monitoring the OIIR helps organizations identify areas that require focus on health and safety. An increase in the OIIR may indicate underlying issues with workplace safety measures or training that need attention. By addressing these issues and reducing the OIIR, organizations can create a safer working environment for employees.

Ryan Hetrick, CEO, Epiphany Wellness

Author Bio

Brett Farmiloe is the Founder/CEO and currently the CHRO of Featured.

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