The British Safety Council has recently released a new manifesto on workplace health, safety, and wellbeing. It calls on a future UK government to implement changes and responsibilities to support businesses in improving their workplace health, safety, and wellbeing practices.

In this blog, Richard Oldham, QHSE manager at Anabas, explores how facilities management companies can play a crucial role in ensuring that employee and guest safety, health and wellness remain top priorities in the workplace.

Taking control of environmental wellness

Lighting, temperature, and air quality can significantly impact employee comfort, wellbeing, and productivity. Facilities management companies can optimise these factors by monitoring them using sensors and technology and implementing the necessary changes to improve the employee experience. 

Additionally, more businesses are creating WELL buildings that centre employee health and wellness in their design. The WELL Building Standard was developed to help create a built environment that improves the nutrition, fitness, mood, sleep patterns, and performance of building occupants. In response, facilities management companies are proactively adapting their service delivery to meet and match these standards to support clients’ workplace strategies.

Maintaining safety equipment and procedures in the workplace

Facilities management companies are often responsible for the regular maintenance of safety equipment, as well as implementing processes and procedures that prioritise safety in the workplace. At Anabas, our teams go above and beyond to ensure safety across all our operations. We have received awards from the British Safety Council recognising our achievements and commitment to keeping our clients’ workplaces safe and healthy. 

Planned preventative maintenance systems and computer-aided facilities management systems are tools that our teams use to ensure that all assets are checked, tested, and inspected in accordance with legislative and guidance requirements. Additionally, we carry out regular workplace equipment inspections to ensure that all workplace elements are in good condition and pose no danger to employees. This is further supported by internal auditing of compliance along with operational health and safety delivery. 

Optimising spaces for wellbeing and productivity

A workspace’s physical layout and configuration can directly impact employee wellbeing and engagement at work. In response, activity-based workspaces are becoming increasingly popular for hybrid workplaces, and facilities management teams can play a crucial role in designing spaces suited to how employees use the office. Examples include implementing relaxation zones for downtime, creating open spaces for collaboration and connecting, or using single-occupant pods for focus work and privacy. 

Implementing healthy habits for improved employee health and wellbeing

By working with suppliers of nutritious food and catering options, facilities management companies can support employee health in the workplace. Nutrient-dense lunch options and fresh fruit and vegetables for snacking are just some ways to encourage healthy habits at work.

Additionally, FM teams can encourage physical activity to support healthy eating habits. Our teams can organise on-site lunchtime yoga sessions or even a simple company-wide step challenge to increase movement, which can, in turn, improve employee wellbeing too.

By prioritising health, safety, and wellness, facilities management service delivery can create a work environment that protects employees, cares for their wellbeing, and encourages them to thrive. At Anabas, our teams are responsible for ensuring that our people, and our clients’ people, return home safe and well after a day spent in the office.