Feature
Innovating for better health and safety and mental health
Employers need to focus on mental health risks and health communications in the workplace, writes Steven Walsh of Gallagher Bassett.
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orkplace harm extends beyond injuries at work. It’s estimated that about 100 people die from workplace accidents every year in New Zealand while the economic and social cost of work-related injuries is $3.5 billion. One in five New Zealanders experiences mental health issues every year, and the annual cost of serious mental health is estimated at 5% of gross domestic expenditure. Add to these issues has been the impact of Covid-19 on employees and their families. These work-related injuries and illnesses represent a huge cost to workers, their families, employers and society as a whole. However, many workplace injuries and improved mental wellness can be avoided through improved employee education and communication. As a global multi-line Third Party
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December 2021
Administrator (TPA), Gallagher Bassett is focused on delivering custom claims management solutions that suit the requirements of our individual clients, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. This extends through to our free online service, Poster Designer, designed to help employers around the globe run targeted health and safety campaigns in their workplace. In most organisations and businesses around New Zealand, health and safety staff (or management) develop in-house campaigns for their workplace that address the key risks their workers face – in order to educate their workers about prevention strategies. Not only can this be a timeconsuming process, but also an expensive one that may sometimes require input from graphic designers to create
