Alert Media’s latest Employee Safety Report shows poor communication from employers and lack of proper training have led many people to feel not completely safe at work, according to Safety+Health magazine.
Alert Media surveyed more than 2,000 full-time U.S. workers and 1,000 more in the United Kingdom regarding their perceptions of workplace safety. Although 96% of respondents said being physically safe at work is important to them (with 77% saying it is “extremely important”), 56% said they do not feel entirely safe in the workplace.
Eighty-one percent of workers reported experiencing an emergency or safety incident on the job. The most common emergencies were technology disruption, severe weather, transportation and infrastructure disruptions, mental health incidents/emergencies, cybersecurity issues, harassment, crime and workplace violence.
Twenty-six percent of workers said their safety fears have “skyrocketed” within the past few years, and 46% of workers said they do not feel completely safe and feel unprepared for an emergency.
Ninety-five percent of respondents consider mental health important on the job, with 67% saying it is “extremely important”; 49% cite high stress levels as a contributing factor for not feeling safe at work.
The top reasons why workers feel unsafe were poor communication (39%) and inadequate safety training (23%). The report recommended employers create anonymous, straightforward channels for employees to report safety concerns without fear of retaliation; integrate mental health support by offering resources such as counseling services, stress management training and access to employee assistance programs; actively seek and integrate employee opinions into safety initiatives; ensure critical information reaches everyone quickly and clearly; and build a culture of safety and transparency.
