ASSE seeks to mesh occupational safety, health with wellness programs

Combining health protection and health promotion activities could lead to significant savings on workers' comp costs, according to a recent study. With that idea in mind, the American Society of Safety Engineers has announced a new group focused on improving employee safety and health.

A health and wellness branch was formed as part of the health care practice specialty, one of ASSE's niche specialty groups available to its members. The idea is to raise awareness about the benefits of integrating occupational safety and health with company health promotion programs.

"Many companies are beginning to focus on the relationship between how health and wellness affect employees' job performance and safety," ASSE said in a statement. "Effective health and wellness programs are valuable, because they assist employees in achieving lifestyle improvements that can yield improved safety performance and increased productivity."

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The new branch will provide a forum to raise awareness and educate its members and the general public on the benefit of personal and global health and well-being. The branch will promote what it defines as health and wellness essentials -- good nutrition, proper weight control, exercise, and controlling risk sources such as smoking, alcohol, drug abuse, and adopting a positive approach to living.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

September 27, 2011

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