Safety Meeting Contents Meeting Notice Leaders Guide Employee Handout Employee Quiz Meeting Sign-In Sheet Employee Puzzle PRIOR TO THE WEEKLY MEETING: - Post the meeting notice by the timeclock - Read through the Leaders Guide and Employee Handout to familiarize yourself with the topic for the week - Make copies of the employee handout (one for each employee) - Make copies of the employee quiz (one for each employee) - Make copies of the weekly puzzle (one for each employee) AT THE SAFETY MEETING: - Pass around the meeting sign-in sheet ensure all employees present at the meeting print and sign their names - Pass out the employee hand-out - Pass out the employee quiz - Pass out the weekly puzzle - Keep the meeting simple - Encourage discussion and questions
NOTICE THIS WEEK, OUR SAFETY MEETING WILL COVER TIME: DATE: PLACE:
Leaders Guide EURAMAX PROCEDURE REFERENCE: None MEETING OBJECTIVE: Work-related stress has been around for as long as workplaces have existed. But recognition of stress as an occupational hazard is a product of modern times. So your first job is to understand that stress really is a problem and to take seriously. Workplace stress hurts profits because it increases absences and cuts productivity. Want some good hard data that you can use to make this point? In September 2008, representatives of the 17 th World Congress on Health and Safety at Work issued a press release citing work-related stress as a growing source of injury and illness. Of the 40.2 million working days annually lost by businesses worldwide, 13.4 million are from stress anxiety and depression, the representatives found. The more stress workers experience at work, the more likely they are to engage in unsafe behavior. The result is more incidents involving personal injury and/or damage to equipment and machinery. The link between stress and incidents isn t just a matter of common sense; it s well documented. If you want a good study to cite, see F. Gordon & d. Risley (1999) The costs to Britain of workplace accidents and work-related ill health in 1995/96, Second Edition, HSE Books, London; and P. Dorman (2000), The Economics of Safety, Health and Well being at Work: An Overview, International Labour Organization, Geneva. MEETING PREPARATION: Review the employee handout to see if there are any other materials you wish to bring to the meeting. Use a flip chart during the discussion to write key points and employee responses. This technique visually reinforces your instruction. MATERIALS CHECKLIST: Flip chart and marking pens Page 1
Leaders Guide MEETING INTRODUCTION Today we are going to talk about stress. Surveys show that 25 percent to 40 percent of workers say they face very high levels of stress at their jobs. Stress reportedly costs American companies more than $300 billion per year in terms of poor performance, absenteeism, and healthcare costs. Workers who must take time off for stress-related problems average 20 days of lost time. At one time or another, nearly everyone complains about being stressed out, so it may be hard to accept that stress can be a real workplace issue with serious consequences for employees health and safety. The effects of workplace stress, and how to deal with it, have increasingly become the subject of studies by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and other organizations. The experts agree that stress can bring on such health problems as: headaches, stomach ailments, sleep disorders, and resulting fatigue, inability to concentrate and focus, raised blood pressure, that may lead to cardiovascular problems, and mental health problems. It stands to reason that employees who are tired, sick, or distracted because of stress are not gong to be as attentive to safety as they should be. This leads to more mistakes, more accidents, and more injuries. But they reverse can also be true: Reducing stress in the workplace can also reduce mistakes and accidents. In fact, one study showed that by instituting a stress-reduction program, a company in the medical industry was able to cut its rate of documented errors by more than half. Question: Answer: What are ways to deal with stress? Keep your sense of humor. There s usually something to laugh about no matter how bad things are. Get regular exercise. This will improve your fitness for dealing with all of life s physical and mental challenges. It is also a good way to shift your focus away from things which upset you or make you angry. A simple and effective response to an unhealthy stress problem is to rid yourself of the excess energy by doing something physical such as sports, running or walking. Page 2
Leaders Guide Eat right to maintain your health. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, the fresher the better. Fill up on complex carbohydrates such as whole grain bread, rice, pasta and potatoes. Skip the foods filled with fat and sugar. Get enough sleep. Individual sleep needs vary, but you should sleep long enough to wake up feeling rested and refreshed. Sleep patterns are often disrupted when a person is stressed. Cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine kick your body into high gear and can add to your stress level over the long run, so cut back or quit. If you need help in staying off alcohol or drugs, get help from a treatment program or self-help group. Manage your time wisely. Do the most important things first. Talk about your problems. The listener may not be able to offer solutions, but talking them out helps put your problems in perspective. Learn some relaxation techniques. Here s a simple one: Close your eyes for a few moments and breathe in and out deeply and slowly. Concentrate on the sensation of breathing. You can do it while you are at lunch or taking a break. Look on the bright side. Optimism is a good antidote for stress. Most people are well into unhealthy stress situations before they realize it. People around them can help by noting their symptoms and letting them know. Question: Answer: What are the physical symptoms of stress? Increased heart rate which increases blood flow to the brain and major muscles. Eyesight which improves as the pupils of the eye becomes dilated. Temporary increase in energy. The liver releases sugar for energy. Increased sweating. Perspiration increases to cool the body. Page 3
Leaders Guide Question: Answer: Question: Answer: What are the mental and emotional effects of stress? Anxiety, depression and an inability to think clearly or even to enjoy life. What are other signs of stress? An inability to concentrate on your task, daydreaming, brooding or excessive worrying can all be a sign of too much stress. Forgetfulness and a feeling or worthlessness can also be signs. Emotional tension is an indicator of stress. For example, feeling anxious and unhappy, having trouble sleeping and being easily startled. Other indications that you are under too much pressure may include feeling overwhelmed by your daily tasks and being unable to separate small difficulties from larger problems. SUMMARY: Stress everyone has it. It is a natural part of life, but too much stress can cause health problems and can affect your ability to work safely. Stress occurs when we are faced with situations that cause nervousness or even excitement. Stress isn t necessarily a bad thing, either. Most of us work better under pressure, and we learn better too. What does stress have to do with safety? It is important to reduce stress so that you can concentrate on doing your job well and safely. Accidents occur when people are distracted by stress. EMPLOYEE HANDOUT: A. Employee Handout B. Stress Quiz C. Stress Puzzles QUIZ ANSWERS: 1. False 2. True 3. True 4. Answers may vary but should include: Be a good listener. You might not be able to offer solutions, but allowing someone who is dealing with a crisis assists in reducing stress 5. True 6. True Page 4
Leaders Guide 7. False 8. False 9. True Page 5
Employee Handout Control Stress To Work Safely Stress - everyone has it. It is a natural part of life, but too much stress can cause health problems and can affect your ability to work safely. Stress occurs when we are faced with situations that cause nervousness or even excitement. These situations can range from increased production demands at work to heavy traffic during your commute. Stress can be caused by unwelcome events - such as a large unexpected bill, or even by happy events - such as a promotion. And stress isn't necessarily a bad thing, either. Most of us work better under pressure, and we learn better too. Physical symptoms of excessive stress can include headaches, digestive upsets, muscle tension, sweating, shaking, heart irregularities, fatigue and other discomforts. Emotional and mental symptoms can include nervousness, depression, confusion, inability to concentrate, mood swings and anger. Certain behaviors may also be symptoms of too much stress - excessive eating, drinking, smoking or drug use. Recklessness in driving and other activities may also be a sign of stress. All of us have experienced excessive stress and at least some of these symptoms at various times in our lives. Long-term stress has been linked to ailments such as heart disease, cancer and ulcers. In fact, research has indicated that the majority of human diseases may be related to stress. Since stress can't be avoided, it is important to know how to manage it to maintain health and safety. There are a number of different ways to reduce stress and to lessen the effect it has on us. Here are some tips: - Learn to manage your time better to avoid last-minute deadline pressures or work overload. Learn to delegate some responsibilities. - Tackle first things first. Learn to complete your work in order of priority - doing the most important task first and saving the least important for last. - Talk things over with somebody you trust. This helps you by letting off steam, and you may come up with some solutions. - Learn to focus on solutions rather than problems. Instead of just complaining about what is wrong, try to find ways to fix it.
Employee Handout - Learn some specific stress reduction skills. Many people find relief from stress by practicing techniques such as deep breathing, progressive relaxation or even meditation. Instruction in these methods is available from many sources such as tapes, books and community programs. - Get regular exercise. It will help you fight stress in two ways. First, exercise is relaxing and it gets your mind off your worries. Second, being physically fit can help you to handle stressful events better. - Eat regular balanced meals. You'll feel better and you'll improve your health. Don't overdo the caffeine because it can increase nervousness. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, many soft drinks and chocolate. Take it easy on sugar, as well as alcohol and other drugs. - Get enough sleep, and take time to relax each day. - Develop some interests outside of work. Spend some time on a recreational activity each day - even if you have only 15 minutes to spare. - Maintain your sense of humor. Today's crisis often becomes tomorrow's funny story - so why not laugh about it today? - If possible, arrange your work station to reduce stress. Comfortable seating, good lighting, fresh air and a comfortable temperature all make it easier to fight stress. What does all this have to do with safety? It is important to reduce stress so that you can concentrate on doing your job well and safely. Accidents occur when people are distracted by stress.
Employee Quiz Answer the following questions to see what you know about stress. 1. Stress only happen to us when we have a lot of time and resources to deal with it. 2. It can be helpful to talk to people when you are going through a time of stress. 3. People who are willing to help sometimes need to be told how to do so effectively. 4. What are some of the ways you could help someone who was dealing with a crisis, such as a death in the family? 5. When you are dealing with a serious crisis at work or in your personal life, it can be helpful to cut your other obligations down to a minimum. 6. You should try to get enough sleep even when you are dealing with stress. 7. Drug and alcohol use is a smart strategy for dealing with stress. 8. You should totally give up on physical exercise when you are coping with stress. 9. A healthy diet is important to maintain your health when you are under pressure.
Meeting Sign In Sheet LOCATION MEETING DATE MEETING CONDUCTED BY CONTENTS OF MEETING (Attach Handouts, etc.) ATTENDEES: Name (Print) Signature Name (Print) Signature 1 22 2 23 3 24 4 25 5 26 6 27 7 28 8 29 9 30 10 31 11 32 12 33 13 34 14 35 15 36 16 37 17 38 18 39 19 40 20 41 21 42
Employee Puzzle #1
Employee Puzzle #2