Worksites can support and encourage employees in accessing preventative care. Over a third of employed adults in Vermont do not receive an annual medical exam, and many do not receive recommended screenings for their age and gender. A quarter of employed adults do not receive annual dental care and many delay getting care when needed. Worksites can also help limit the spread of illnesses by encouraging employees to stay home when sick and by promoting immunizations, such as annual vaccines. Along with supporting disease and infection prevention, worksites can also take measures to ensure the safety of their employees and help prevent injury.

 

Recommended Strategies:

Preventive Care

Education and Awareness

  • Use educational flyers, emails or other channels to share about the importance of preventative care, including cancer screenings, oral health, asthma management and staying up to date on adult vaccinations.
  • Promote cancer screenings at the workplace with national awareness months.
  • Promote free or low-cost screening services for under-insured or uninsured eligible employees through the You First Program.
  • Promote oral health, including dental cleanings and reducing sugary drink and food consumption.

On-Site Support

  • Provide on-site education on cancer screenings, asthma management, hypertension, diabetes prevention and management, and oral health.
  • Offer vaccination clinics on-site or post information on area clinics open to the public.
  • Request a free, no-penalty Project WorkSAFE consultation at your facility to help identify asthma problem areas and solutions.

Policy Change

  • Offer paid sick leave and encourage employees to stay home when sick.
  • Allow employees to use sick leave to access preventative care.

Safety

Education and Awareness

  • Request a free, confidential, no-penalty Project WorkSAFE consultation at your facility to help identify hazards and receive assistance in improving safety. Services include safety audits, chemical exposure assessments, noise monitoring, safety program development and evaluation. Priority is given to workplaces with 250 or fewer employers.
  • Educate employees on state laws and best practices related to safe driving, and develop workplace policies on seatbelt and cell phone use when using a vehicle for work purposes.
  • Provide information on risk factors for injuries, such as proper body mechanics to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.
  • Provide information on community resources for arthritis and chronic pain self-management.

On-Site Support

  • Offer ergonomic assessments to employees to ensure workspaces reduce the risk of injuries and chronic pain.
  • Maintain proper housekeeping practices throughout your facility. This is especially important for walking and storage areas.
  • Ensure walking areas meet requirements established in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
  • Provide relevant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as face masks, hearing protection, eye protection, safety shoes, hard hats, etc.
  • Offer health promotion programs in the workplace, such as nutrition, physical activity and tobacco cessation.
  • Offer opportunities for physical activity and stretch breaks.

Policy Change

  • Ensure policies support enough time for rest and recovery to help prevent accidents. Examples include:
    • Reducing the length of shifts.
    • Allowing more break times.
    • Ensuring enough staffing to rotate workers through tasks that are physically demanding.
    • Evaluate your organization’s disability management and return-to-work policies to support employees returning to work after injuries.

 

Related Resources:

Preventive Care

Safety

 

For more information, download preventive care and safety sections of the Worksite Wellness Toolkit! 

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