, Consultant Occupational Medicine, MidCentral DHB, ACC

Traditionally health and safety programs have focused on keeping the worker safe from any injury or illness arising from work. This approach has leaded us to debates like zero harm and workers going home in the same health they came to work.

In June 2011, NIOSH launched Total Worker Health (TWH) Program as an evolution of the NIOSH steps to a healthier workforce. TWH raises the bar higher than just preventing injury or illness it is built on the recognition that work is a social determinant of health as identified by World Health Organization. The program is built on the appreciation that job-related factor: salary, hours of work, workload and stress levels, interactions with colleagues, and leave taken have an important impact on the well-being of workers, their families, and their communities.

Total Worker Health® is defined as policies, programs, and practices that integrate protection from work-related safety and health hazards with promotion of injury and illness prevention efforts to advance worker well-being.

TWH encourages employers and workers for a holistic understanding of the factors that contribute to worker well-being. As identified and voiced by a number of health and safety professional for years that risk factors in the workplace can contribute to health problems previously considered unrelated to work; now proven by scientific studies. TWH supports a whole person approach with our aging work force and changing needs for our future work demands. We need to address these concerns in a more proactive approach than ever before.

TWH explores the opportunities to not only protect workers, but also advance their health and well-being by targeting the conditions of work. TWH has identified twenty components for a comprehensive program, including guiding principles and practical direction for organizations to develop effective workplace programs leading to a safer, healthier and thriving workplace.