Safety at Work
A new survey finds that 46 percent of Americans fear a coworker could turn violent on the job.
Workplace hazards kill approximately 140,00 workers each year – including 5,283 from traumatic injuries and an estimated 135,000 for occupational diseases in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That is 385 workers each day – and many worker protections are under threat as new challenges increase in the fast-paced work environment.
Historically, workplace and employee safety was largely associated with physical precautions, such as wearing protective gear and preventing slips and falls. However, evolving workforce demographics, shifting regulatory landscapes and rapid technological advancements are redefining what safety means in a nationwide survey of 1,000 American workers by EMCI Wireless, a Florida-based Motorola and two -way radio telecommunications provider, exploring worker perceptions and real-world experiences related to worker and workplace safety.
“The first thing I think about on the topic of employees not feeling safe in the workplace is workplace bullying,’’ said Karen Litzinger, owner of Litzinger Career Consulting in Pittsburgh, Pa. “As a result, they experience a lot of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression not to mention stress, physical problems and loss of confidence.’’
Litzinger points out that statistics show that in most cases it can’t be resolved and to start a new job search. “Most witnesses are too afraid to get involved,’’ said Litzinger. “Workplace bullying often results in trauma and my job search clients are extremely nervous about their next job and job setting, ‘’ according to Litzinger.
The survey also found that 43 percent of Americans have taken time off due to burnout or mental health stress and one in four have even quit a job over safety issues. And 53 percent of Americans have seen a hostile verbal conflict, and more than one in four were involved themselves.
Other workers like Jose Mendez of Philadelphia say they feel less safe at work because of ICE deployments. “I am going back to Puerto Rico to work; it is not safe in America anymore.’’ said Mendez, a skilled machinist.
Safety concerns are taking a measureable toll on focus and productivity. Forty-five percent of Gen Z workers report being distracted by safety concerns at least a few times a week.
When asked about calling out or taking sick days. Seventeen percent of American workers said they had done so out of fear of physical harm or feeling unsafe at work. An even larger share, 43 percent reported calling out due to stress, burnout or mental health exhaustion. That number rises sharply among Gen Z workers, with 58 percent saying they have called out due to stress or burnout.
Still, nearly one in four Americans accept dangerous responsibilities at work due to fear of being fired, prioritizing income over their own safety. The survey also found that 38 percent of American workers would feel less safe with guns permitted at work, but 48 percent of Gen Z say armed coworkers would make them feel safer.
Survey findings also confirm that safety concerns cause nearly one in three American workers to lose focus at work multiple times a week, and one in 10 are so burned out they want to quit every single day.
But help is on the way.
Dani Klein with Laughter On Call (LOC) said the use of humor to build teams can help stem the tide of safety issues at work.
Klein reports that LOC has run hundreds of events for Fortune 500 companies, mid-size businesses, universities, healthcare workers, and families worldwide – both virtually and in person. “All of our engagements, whether for team building or with those facing Alzheimer’s, are grounded in proven Improv tools that create joyful connection,’’ said Klein. “We make clear distinctions between laughing with and laughing at,’’ she added.
“We use affiliative humor, proven to bring people together, lend perspective and introduce levity to any situation,’’ said Klein.
The survey also found that workplace safety is no longer limited to ladders and fire exits. Mental and emotional well-being now play a major role. Gen Z leads all generations in reporting emotional harm or dual injury at work at 41 percent, while baby boomers are the least likely to report the same at 17 percent.
