Your Guide to Crafting a TWH Program

Ensuring a safe, healthy and engaged workforce is no small task. However, with the Total Worker Health (TWH) program approach, organizations can adopt a comprehensive strategy to support both the physical and mental well-being of their employees. This strategy goes beyond traditional occupational safety measures to address overall worker health, including mental health, environmental conditions and personal well-being.

Keep reading as we explore what TWH is, why it matters for today’s workplaces and how you can develop an effective program that benefits both workers and the organization as a whole.

What is Total Worker Health?

Developed by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Total Worker Health® is an integrated strategy that combines worker safety with overall health and wellness programs. Unlike a traditional workplace safety program, which primarily focuses on preventing physical injuries, TWH prioritizes employees’ comprehensive wellness by addressing a broad range of health hazards, from chronic illnesses to mental health concerns.

At its core, the program encourages employers to go beyond the basics by promoting a holistic vision of occupational safety and health, and creating a supportive work environment.

Why Total Worker Health Matters

Total Worker Health is crucial not only for individual employees but also for employers. Here’s why:

Improving Worker Safety and Health

It enhances traditional occupational safety programs by expanding their scope from immediate hazards, such as machinery malfunctions or chemical exposures, to tackle issues such as disease control, mental health, stress management and more. This can reduce the risk of chronic health conditions and burnout, which are often overlooked in conventional programs.

Boosting your Bottom Line

Taking care of your employees isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s good for business. Healthier workers tend to be more productive and have lower absenteeism rates. By promoting workplace wellness and worker health, companies can reduce healthcare costs, minimize worker injury and improve overall workforce engagement. With less sick leave and lower healthcare expenses, businesses can save money in the long term.

Supporting a Diverse Workforce

Total Worker Health programs take into account the needs of diverse worker populations, including aging workers, those with chronic conditions and workers in physically demanding roles. By offering flexible work options, supportive mental health resources and ergonomic accommodations, organizations can ensure inclusivity in their occupational health and safety initiatives. Additionally, including worker engagement and participation in program development promotes a sense of ownership, which can boost morale and cooperation.

Key Elements of the Total Worker Health Approach

While designing a program this comprehensive might sound like too much to keep track of, it doesn’t have to be a confusing patchwork of industrial hygiene policies. Instead, here are three core areas to focus on:

1. Occupational Safety and Health

Total Worker Health is rooted in strong safety practices, meaning it is aligned with OSHA standards. Occupational health science (OSH) professionals can help ensure that the program is compliant with regulations and tailored to specific workplace hazards. Hazard identification is key, and regular assessments should be carried out to pinpoint risks related to personal protective equipment (PPE) and other safety concerns. Safety professionals can also advise on engineering controls and administrative practices that reduce workplace hazards.

2. Workplace Wellness

Promoting physical fitness, healthy eating habits and mental health awareness are core components of a TWH program. Employers can offer on-site fitness classes, healthier cafeteria options and stress management initiatives such as yoga or mindfulness workshops. Mental health services, like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), should be made readily accessible to help employees manage work-related stress and personal challenges. Encouraging work-life balance through flexible work arrangements and sick leave policies also plays a significant role in enhancing worker well-being.

3. Environmental Health

Last but not least, is the physical work environment — which has a direct impact on both employee health and productivity. Ensuring good indoor air quality is an essential starting point, as poor ventilation can contribute to respiratory issues and even the spread of diseases. Conducting regular air quality checks and using air purifiers can mitigate this hazard.

Ergonomics is another important factor in reducing physical strain; providing adjustable workstations, comfortable seating and adequate lighting can go a long way toward preventing different occupational injury types like repetitive strains. Safety in design, from clear lighting to effective layout planning, promotes both comfort and security for workers.

How to Develop a Total Worker Health Program

Before you jump into creating your own Total Worker Health program, you’ll need a plan. While each program design will vary depending on the workplace, there are four general phases you can use to draft your plan:

1. Assessment Phase

The first step is conducting an employee needs assessment. This can include anonymous surveys, focus groups and health screenings to better understand workers’ safety concerns and well-being needs.

A workplace evaluation is also necessary to assess current safety practices and environmental factors that demand attention, such as ergonomic risks, indoor air quality and any chemical hazards. Gathering this data ensures that your program addresses the specific challenges faced by your workforce.

2. Planning Phase

Next, set clear, measurable goals for your Total Worker Health program that align with both employee health and organizational objectives. This may involve dedicating resources to new safety professionals, wellness programs or employee health promotion initiatives.

Be sure to address any immediate health hazards and worker safety needs, particularly in industries with a high incidence of worker injury or illness. Consider how elements like mental health resources, flexible schedules and access to preventive medicine services will be integrated into your overall strategy.

3. Implementation Phase

Starting with a pilot program is an excellent way to gauge the effectiveness of your Total Worker Health strategy before rolling it out on a larger scale. Engaging employees at all levels — from management to frontline workers — is crucial for ensuring buy-in and participation.

Provide continuous education and training on workplace mental health, ergonomic practices and respiratory protection to maintain a culture of safety, support and wellness. This ongoing communication will help reinforce the value of Total Worker Health initiatives.

4. Evaluation and Improvement Phase

Finally, regular evaluations are key to ensuring that your Total Worker Health program is meeting its goals. Continuously monitor metrics like worker health, absenteeism and productivity to gain valuable insight into the program’s success. Set key metrics related to employee engagement and health outcomes to measure the impact of the program.

As you periodically reassess the program, it’s important to make adjustments based on feedback and new challenges. Scaling successful initiatives and staying aware of emerging worker well-being trends will help your organization ensure continuous improvement.

Want To Learn More About Total Worker Health?

A comprehensive Total Worker Health program benefits both employees and employers by creating a safer, healthier and more productive workplace. To dive deeper into how TWH can transform your organization, join FFVA Mutual’s upcoming webcast for valuable insights and practical strategies.

Don’t miss out — register today to watch our Total Worker Health webcast available OnDemand!