Management Basics: Creating Healthy Work Environments

Abstract

Repetitive motion injuries, poor ergonomics, sick building syndrome and workplace violence are among the seemingly unlimited range of workplace maladies that reduce worker productivity and create headaches for library directors. Given the demands placed on library managers to provide services, it’s easy for workplace health and safety to take a backseat to more immediate concerns such as staffing the circulation desk or cutting an additional 5% from the budget. As with many aspects of library control, however, even a small investment into health and safety can yield significant savings to the library in terms of reduced absenteeism, higher productivity and lowered worker’s compensation premiums. Moreover, despite the seemingly technical nature of occupational health and safety, it should be an integral part of basic library management.