In modern workplaces, environmental, health, and safety (EHS) programs can no longer focus solely on compliance and risk mitigation. To truly protect and empower the workforce, organizations must embrace a more holistic approach - one that recognizes the interconnectedness of occupational safety, health, and overall well-being.
This is where Total Worker Health (TWH) comes into play. TWH integrates traditional workplace safety with broader strategies to promote worker well-being, both on and off the job. In this blog, we'll explore why Total Worker Health is more than a buzzword. It's an increasingly critical component of a forward-thinking EHS program that drives engagement, productivity, and long-term organizational success.
what is total worker health?
Total Worker Health was originally developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a modernized approach to occupational health and safety. NIOSH, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), defines Total Worker Health as an EHS approach that encompasses policies, programs, and practices that protect workers from work-related safety and health hazards by promoting injury and illness-prevention efforts to advance worker well-being.
The TWH approach takes a comprehensive view of the workplace, integrating all aspects of work to support employee safety, health, and well-being. Rather than addressing these areas in isolation, it promotes coordinated interventions that:
- Focus on modifying the work environment to eliminate or reduce risks while promoting overall health
- Recognize the connection between job-related factors and conditions outside of work, expanding beyond traditional safety and health concerns
- Present a holistic framework for enhancing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the workforce
- Foster creativity, innovation, and productivity by cultivating workplaces that are not only safe but also health-conscious and purpose-driven.
Total Worker Health as an approach and concept has evolved since being developed by NIOSH. EHS professionals around the world have adopted TWH into their health and safety programs to take a more holistic approach to worker health, safety, and well-being.
To get a better understanding of how organizations approach TWH in the real world, we spoke with several EHS professionals and experts to learn how they define and view TWH.
Mireya Rifá Fabregat, Former President of the European Network of Health and Safety Professionals Organizations (ENSHPO), views TWH as "a holistic approach that prioritizes the health and well-being of employees within their work environment. This concept signifies a paradigm shift in workplace safety that transcends traditional occupational health and safety measures by integrating mental, physical, and social health dimentions."
Dr. Jana Brauweiler, Professor for Integrated Management Systems at the University for Applied Sciences Zittau/ Görlitz, described her view of TWH: For me, health means physical, mental, and social well-being! It is much more than the absence of disease, hazards or risks, because it is not only about ensuring that people are in the best possible state of health, but also about building, strengthening and maintaining their resilience - their ability to withstand stress and strain."
By addressing the full spectrum of factors that influence worker well-being, organizations can create environments where employees thrive both personally and professionally. As insights from EHS professionals show, Total Worker Health is not just a strategy - it's a mindset that redefines what it means to truly support the workforce.
why you need to care about total worker health
Total worker health has multiple benefits for employees, employers, and communities. Organizations that take a TWH approach can gain a competitive advantage in terms of reputation, recruitment, employee retention and satisfaction, community engagement, and sustainable workplace culture.
Workers and employees should care about TWH because it expands the traditional scope of workplace safety to include all the factors that impact a worker's overall well-being, both on and off the job. Here's why it matters:
- Improves Safety and Reduces Incidents: By addressing physical, mental, and social health together, TWH helps identify root causes of risk that might be overlooked in traditional safety programs, leading to fewer injuries and illnesses.
- Enhances Employee Engagement and Retention: Workers who feel their well-being is valued are more engaged, loyal, and motivated, key factors in reducing turnover and absenteeism.
- Drives Productivity and Performance: Healthy , well-supported workers are more focused, resilient, and innovative, directly impacting operational efficiency and business outcomes.
- Strengthens Organizational Culture: Integrating TWH fosters a culture of care and respect, which improves communication, trust, and teamwork across all levels.
- Future-Proofs the EHS Role: EHS professionals who adopt holistic strategies like TWH position themselves as strategic leaders in workforce sustainability and health promotion.
TWH aligns people-centered values with safety outcomes, making it an essential tool for forward-thinking EHS leaders. By embracing a TWH approach, all stakeholders from workers to business leadership to the communities they serve can reap these benefits and more.
how to integrate total worker health into your business strategy
To take advantage of the benefits we mentioned, your organization needs to integrate the TWH approach not only in your EHS program but also in your overall business strategy. To fully embrace TWH, organizations need to ensure they are doing so at all levels of their business, from top leadership to frontline workers.
Mireya Rifá Fabregat provided the following roadmap for organizations to begin implementing TWH:
- Take a systematic approach: " Integrating TWH into business strategy necessitates a systematic approach. Organizations should conduct a thorough assessment of the existing workplace health programs, identifying gaps in both safety and wellness considerations. The integration of worker well-being into risk management frameworks is essential, as highlighted by the EU-OSHA, which asserts that a preventive approach is integral to promoting well-being at work."
- Educate your stakeholders: " Creating a culture that prioritizes total worker health requires engaging all stakeholders in meaningful dialogue. Training and educational sessions for management and staff can underscore the importance of health and well-being, fostering an inclusive organizational environment. Additionally, leveraging resources from international organizations, such as the ILO's holistic guidelines, can help in establishing relevant interventions that promote TWH."
- Implement new policies: " Organizations must develop and implement comprehensive policies that extend beyond traditional safety practices to address aspects of mental health, workplace culture, and social support systems. Collaborating with health professionals and regulatory bodies can further enrich these initiatives, ensuring conformity with EU directives on occupational health and well-being. By embracing TWH, businesses position themselves not only as responsible employers but also as leaders in enhancing workforce resilience and productivity."
To build on the above roadmap, Dr. Jana Brauweiler suggested, "To integrate this holistic understanding into business strategy, occupational health and safety needs to combine risk and hazard reduction measures with health promotion and resilience-building measures, such as mindfulness training or stress management seminars."
The NIOSH also offers a Total Worker Health program to help organizations embrace TWH and prioritize safety and improve physical and psychological outcomes. You can learn more about the program and resources the NIOSH offers here.
how to take your EHS program to the next level
Implementing The Total Worker Health approach into your business is only one way to improve your EHS program. If you're ready to level up your EHS program and improve the health and safety outcomes of your workers, then grab a copy of The No-Nonsense Guide to EHS Excellence to learn how to go above and beyond the regulatory bare minimum to create a thriving EHS program.