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Amazon Launches Program to Help with Physical and Mental Health Activities
Amazon announced its launch of WorkingWell. The new comprehensive program provides employees with physical and mental activities, wellness exercises as well as healthy eating support. The program was created to reduce the risk of injury by recharging and reenergizing. According to an article, this program is a part of the company’s investment of more than $300 million into safety projects of 2021. Its mission is to become the earth’s safest place to work.
Amazon says the safety and health of its employees is the company’s number one priority since the start. Amazon works with experts and scientists, conducts safety inspections daily and made changes due to employee feedback, leading to the development of the WorkingWell Program.
“Amazon takes our safety very seriously, and my managers have made it clear to me it’s more important than anything, even productivity and quality,” said Jeffrey Ku, operations employee at an Amazon fulfillment center in Aurora, CO. “WorkingWell is an extension of that—it makes sure we’re taking care of our minds and bodies. It encourages us to make positive changes to how we work, and since I started watching the program’s health and safety videos, I’ve incorporated a stretching routine into my day.”
According to an article, 40 percent of work-related injuries at Amazon are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Sprains or strains in repetitive motions are more likely to occur in newer employees. This is because this may be their first physical job. The WorkingWell program reduced these injuries and made positive impacts both inside and outside of work. WorkingWell, along with other Amazon initiatives, focused on MSD prevention and helped decrease injuries by 32 percent from 2019 to 2020.
“Amazon has identified some innovative technologies and approaches to address employee well-being and the implementation of training and wellness programs in their facilities,” said Jennifer McNelly, American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) CEO. “The occupational safety and health community thrives on sharing innovations, best practices and lessons learned. We look forward to Amazon continuing to share ideas and information about these new methods and approaches to improve workplace safety in the United States and globally.”
WorkingWell includes a number of components covering training and conditioning, wellness services and technology:
1. Scientifically proven health and safety education and exercises
2. Comprehensive and critical health and wellness services
3. Using technology to connect with employees in buildings and at home
About the Author
Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.