In 2022, resolve to be prepared for anything

 Wow, what a year! 2021 went by so fast, it’s hard to imagine it’s already that time again when we set organizational safety resolutions aimed at helping us be the best we can be in the coming year. At MidSouthWest Safety Training and Consulting, we believe that setting safety resolutions sets the tone for the entire year. Why set safety resolutions?

• Provide focus on safety
• Send the message that safety matters
• Use goals as part of safety reward or incentive programs
• Build positive safety culture
• Send a cohesive message to all staff about what’s important this year
• Start the New Year off with a positive message about the year to come
• Increase engagement and commitment when you work toward common goals

 
Not sure where to start? We’ve listed some safety resolutions for 2022 below. 

Creating a culture of workplace safety can have a positive impact on the bottom line as a result of reduced lost time, increased productivity, and a happy and healthy workforce.

Resolution 1: Have Back-up Plans

In 2020, we learned many hugely important lessons due to the unprecedented and unplanned-for COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 we learned to be flexible and prepared to pivot quickly in the face of great adversity. In 2022, resolve to be prepared for anything. We don’t know what 2022 will bring. Some people think we’re due for more closures, while others are predicting an economic boom that coincides with re-opening. Resolve to be ready for anything by having back-up plans (more than one!) in place. This will help you avoid the need for panic in the event you need to pivot yet again in 2022 to meet the growing and ever-evolving challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
A pandemic plan is a great place to start to increase your chance of survival if your organization is faced with another unprecedented situation. Back-up plans are the safety net that supports the pandemic plan. They require you to think of everything and plan for anything. 

Resolution 2: Focus on Wellness and Recovery

 This year, resolve to focus on the recovery of your people. The COVID-19 pandemic caused workers a lot of stress last year, including job loss/layoffs, stress at work, financial stress, worry over the pandemic, and juggling childcare with home learning. Resolve to recognize that trauma and help employees work through it so that they can bring their best self to work and home moving forward. Consider what wellness benefits you can add to your program to help employees:

• An EAP (Employee Assistance Program) where they can receive counselling or other support
• On-site wellness features such as relaxation rooms, rest areas, or quiet rooms
• Lift the requirement for notes for sick time
• Allow employees to take time off to care for sick children sent home from school or daycare without reprisal or loss of pay
• Manage with compassion
• Support employees who express fears or concerns
• Protect employees from risks as effectively as possible
• Offer help employees learn to navigate the new normal with opportunities for input into work practices or development training

 

When was the last time you gave your safety program a thorough review?

Resolution 3: Revitalize your Safety Program and Include Remote Workers

Refresh your safety program by resolving to give it a thorough review. Start the New Year off right. Review your health and safety policy and program elements. As you go through the various policies, procedures, forms, and processes keep this primary objective in mind:
 
Does this element do what it’s intended to do?
 
Forms, paperwork, and policies all need to function as intended. If you aren’t sure they do, it may be time to bring in a consultant to help you identify deficiencies and make improvements.
 
This year, you may need to create new policies and procedures and put new safety practices into place to cover remote workers. Remote work is a new reality in the wake of COVID-19, and just because they’re working at home doesn’t mean that remote workers aren’t covered by the health and safety program, or that they’re not at risk.

Start your Safety Program Review

Resolution 4: Motivate Your JHSC

A motivated Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is an effective JHSC! Resolve this year to ensure that your JHSC is motivated and that they’re operating at peak efficiency.
 
Having an effective JHSC has numerous benefits, such as:
 

• Lower injury and illness rates in the workplace, resulting in less lost time
• A more positive safety culture, resulting in proactive safety initiatives and programs
• Happier and healthier workers with better productivity rates

 
Your organization can expect to see a positive impact on the bottom line as a result of reduced lost time, increased productivity, and a happy and healthy workforce. Keep your JHSC motivated this year by setting goals and offering incentives to give them something to work toward. And don’t forget to reward the JHSC for their hard work and efforts!

Resolution 5: Never Stop Learning

Make 2022 the year that all your employees take the training required to keep them compliant, safe, and well at work. This may include getting workers re-trained or re-certified if their training has expired, providing new or updated training to all employees, or committing to getting all JHSC members certified.
 
What better way to enter 2022 than by setting safety resolutions for the New Year!

Trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting

MidSouthWest Training and Consulting provides JHSC training in association with Langlois Safety Training and Consulting Services, an approved CPO Provider. We also offer a full catalogue of health and safety training, as well as consulting services. You can trust MidSouthWest Training and Consulting to provide you with cost-effective training solutions tailored to meet your organization’s unique health and safety needs. 

​To learn more, contact us online or call 289.309.1143. Visit us 24/7 on the web at midsouthwest.ca.

​Last updated November 29, 2021