Health Monitoring: What Are The Benefits?

Health monitoring is an important aspect of maintaining a safe and productive workplace.  For business owners and employees health monitoring provides a variety of benefits that can lead to improved outcomes for everyone involved.  Here’s why it’s essential for New Zealand businesses to prioritise health monitoring in the workplace.

Legal Requirements: A Duty of Care

The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) requires businesses ensure the health and safety of all employees in the workplace.  Employers are required to take “all reasonably practicable steps” to ensure that employees are not exposed to health risks while carrying out their work. 

Health monitoring in this context, plays a key role in helping employers meet their obligations under the law.  For example:

1. Workplace Health Risks:  These are identified on the Person Conducting A Business or Undertaking (PCBU) Risk Register.  When health hazards are clearly identified appropriate health monitoring can be implemented to accurately assess workplace hazards against employee health.

2. Occupational Health Monitoring: Monitoring the health of workers who are exposed to specific health risks (e.g. noise, chemicals or repetitive physical tasks) can help detect potential illnesses before they become problematic.  This proactive approach helps meet compliance requirements, ensuring a safer work environment. 

Failure to comply with health monitoring regulations can result in serious consequences including fines, penalties or legal action.  For business owners, investing in health monitoring is a necessary step in fulfilling their legal responsibilities and reducing the likelihood of health related accidents or claims.

Benefits for Business Owners

The benefits of implementing a health monitoring system in the workplace are far reaching.  Here’s how it can positively impact your business:

1. A Safer Work Environment: Health monitoring can identify early warning signs of hazards which are impacting employees' health.  This allows businesses to take preventative action before the employee's health is affected. 

2. Data Driven Decision Making: Health monitoring can generate valuable data that businesses can use to refine workplace practices, policies and health programmes.  This data helps identify trends and changes against previous health monitoring results which may be related to known and unknown changes (new machinery or practice changes) occurring in the workplace.  This can lead to targeted improvements in workplace conditions.  By making decisions based on data, businesses can create more effective work programmes which meet the needs of the business and employees.

3. Increased Productivity and Reduced Absenteeism: Regular health monitoring can lead to a healthier more productive workforce, fewer sick days and improved overall performance.  Proactive preventative measures can be taken when hazards to health - actual and potential are identified early.

4. Cost Savings: By identifying health hazards and health issues early businesses can prevent costly medical treatments or long term absenteeism.  Furthermore, a healthier workforce generally leads to fewer workers ACC claims and insurance costs. 

5. Enhanced Reputation: Businesses that prioritise employee health are seen as responsible employers, improving their reputation in the marketplace. This can be particularly beneficial when attracting talent, securing clients or establishing partnerships.

Benefits for Employees

When businesses implement health monitoring programmes employees also gain.  Some key benefits for employees include:

1. Safer Work Environments: Health monitoring contributes to safer working environments by identifying the impact of workplace hazards on the health of employees.  As a result hazard reduction or management and changes to work practices can be made to reduce risks to health.  Health monitoring can also highlight the effectiveness of hazard reduction initiatives on employees' health.  This can lead to a greater sense of employee security and comfort, knowing their work environment is a safe one. 

2. Early Detection of Health Issues: Regular health monitoring can detect potential health problems at an early stage, allowing employees to seek medical treatment before a condition becomes more serious.  This leads to better overall health outcomes and improved quality of life. 

3. Workplace Wellbeing: Employees are more likely to feel supported and valued when their employer invests in their health.  Health monitoring is part of a broader approach to workplace wellbeing that focuses on preventing illness and promoting health lifestyles, ultimately improving employees physical and mental health. 

Implementing Health Monitoring in Your Workplace

To effectively implement health monitoring in your business, consider the following steps:

• Identify Risks:  Assess your workplace and identify health risks.  Depending on your industry certain types of health monitoring may be necessary.  Get that Risk Register up to date!

• Choose the Right Health Monitoring Programme:  Work with occupational health experts to provide a tailored monitoring programme specific to your industry and workforce.   A good relationship with your occupational health expert will add value to your business.

• Educate and Support Employees: It’s important to communicate the value of health monitoring to your employees.  Ensure they understand the benefits and feel comfortable participating in the programme.  Let them know health information is treated with the utmost privacy. 

• Maintain Records and Ensure Compliance:  Keep track of health data in a secure and confidential manner.  Regularly review your health monitoring programme to ensure compliance with the New Zealand Health and Safety Act (HSWA)  and Regulations and specific industry requirements. 

Conclusion

Health monitoring in the workplace is not just a legal obligation - it’s a crucial strategy for improving business outcomes and enhancing employee wellbeing. For business owners, it’s an investment in the health of both their workforce and their bottom line.  By fostering a culture of health and safety you are not only complying with the law but also building a more resilient, productive and satisfied workforce.  In the long run this will benefit everyone - from business owners to employees and the community at large. 

If you haven’t already, consider integrating health monitoring into your workplace today.  The positive impact on both the health of your employees and the success of your business will be well worth the effort.