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HOW DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IMPACT WORKPLACE SAFETY

By Grainger Editorial Staff 3/22/23


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Changing workplace demographics create challenges and opportunities for
occupational safety and health. Some workers may be disproportionally affected
in a diverse workplace based on their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual
orientation, age and other factors. Learn how diversity, equity and inclusion
(DEI) initiatives mean more than simply improving demographic data—they can help
workers receive equal treatment, training, advancement and representation that
can, in turn, help create a safer workplace.


WHAT IS DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION?

While diversity, equity and inclusion are frequently grouped together, they have
distinct meanings that may resonate differently with people. The following
definitions are how DEI will be referred to throughout this article: 

Diversity: Differences in race, gender, religion, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic
status and more.

Equity: Creating equal access for all types of people for fair treatment,
opportunities and advancement within an organization.

Inclusion: Ensuring all people in an organization, company, or group are being
valued, feeling welcomed and having an overall sense of belonging.


HOW DEI IMPACTS PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY 

An important but sometimes overlooked aspect of workplace safety is
psychological safety. According to Harvard Business Professor Amy Edmondson, who
first originated the term in 1999, psychological safety is “the belief that one
will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions,
concerns or mistakes.” Psychological safety enables workers to express their
full selves at work, including their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation
and parts of their identity, without judgment.   

Psychosocial risk, according to the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO), is the potential exposure to psychological work-related
hazards and the severity of an injury or adverse health effects it can cause.
Psychosocial risks can include social factors and aspects of the work
environment, including how work and equipment are organized and exposure to
hazardous tasks.

Recognizing this growing need, many safety professionals now include
psychological safety in ISO 45003 as part of an Occupational Health and Safety
management system. ISO 45003 outlines ways to manage psychological and safety
risks by addressing how poor communication, pressure, leadership and
organizational culture can impact workers’ health.

Psychosocial hazards can lead to poor health outcomes for workers, including
cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes, anxiety, depression
and sleep disorders. Psychological hazards can also reduce productivity and
overall job satisfaction. Michigan State University notes combining
psychological safety with diversity, equity and inclusion workplace initiatives
helps workers feel safe to freely share their opinions, thoughts or ideas and
creates a positive, open-minded and better-performing workforce.


WHY DOES DEI MATTER?

According to the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), DEI is
critical to occupational safety and health for a variety of reasons, including
helping to enhance the work environment, improving teamwork, performance,
safety, compliance and reducing workplace complacency.

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) notes how demographics are
changing and the U.S. workforce is becoming more diverse. The U.S. workforce now
includes significantly more people of color and workers over 55 than in 1979.
Heightened immigration, greater life expectancy and more women entering the
workforce are key factors helping reshape workplace demographics. 


UNDERSTANDING DIVERSE SAFETY NEEDS

While the workforce is becoming more diverse, numerous studies show that racial
and ethnic minorities have worse safety outcomes. Safety+Health magazine notes
language differences, training and cultural understanding of employees can
create safety barriers. Minority workers commonly face additional safety hazards
like stress related to harassment, communication difficulties, inadequate
training and job insecurity. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries found the number of Black or African
American workers fatally injured on the job reached an all-time high at 12.6% of
total fatalities in 2021. Latino and female workers also had disproportionately
higher fatality rates than their co-workers in 2021.

Safety professionals should understand the legitimate issues that women face in
different work environments. According to the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), women, especially immigrants and women
of color, are disproportionately affected by workplace violence, harassment and
discrimination. They also experience more unpredictable work scheduling,
negatively affecting their safety, health, and well-being. Working mothers often
lack sufficient workplace or societal support and resources to balance work
demands with caregiving or family planning. Improperly fitting PPE is another
growing challenge for women, especially as they transition into more hazardous
occupations like construction, since the wide range of U.S. workers’ body shapes
and sizes is not always considered during the design process.

Workers may also experience exclusion, discrimination and violence based on
their gender identity or sexual orientation. NIOSH notes the share of U.S.
workers identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) is
increasing, particularly among millennials. However, McKinsey research found the
LGBTQ+ community is still underrepresented in the workforce, particularly at
senior levels, and LGBTQ+ workers are more likely to experience microaggressions
and feel unable to talk openly and comfortably about themselves at work.

The growing multi-generational workforce may also create organizational and
safety challenges. In particular, the proportion of older workers within the
workforce is rising and is expected to grow through 2030, according to BLS.
Managing a multi-generational, aging workforce may bring additional health
challenges ranging from slowing cognition, difficulty with hearing and vision,
reduced physical ability and higher rates of musculoskeletal disorders and
chronic diseases. NIOSH notes older workers often have fewer injuries than their
younger colleagues; however, when injury or illnesses happen, they can require
more time to heal. Workers aged 15-24 are twice as likely to visit an emergency
room due to a work-related injury, while workers under 18 are especially at risk
for work-related injuries and fatalities, according to NIOSH data.

As safety standards require workers to have access to properly fitting PPE,
tools, machines, workspaces and wearable devices, safety professionals should
consider workforce diversity as new technologies and equipment are developed to
ensure equal safety and health protections for all workers. 


FOSTERING AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE 

Improving workplace diversity, equity and inclusion starts with greater
organizational awareness. Leaders can be trained to understand how racial
discrimination, language barriers and cultural differences can impact how
workers are trained and follow safety advice. Organizations can also review
their safety policies, procedures and communications to ensure they use language
that won’t exclude or harm others.

Safety professionals can help their organizations develop a plan to address
these disparities, including:

 * Reviewing policies and practices to identify and correct institutional bias
 * Working to remove language barriers and other factors impacting worker safety
 * Developing culturally responsive training and technology
 * Creating policies that encourage worker empowerment and safety, like
   anonymous reporting


DEVELOPING DATA-DRIVEN DIVERSITY

Understanding the needs of diverse groups of workers can be based on data, but
it’s important to choose the right metrics. Many companies assume diversity
metrics are all about the demographic numbers, including how many women, people
of color and other minority groups they employ and in what positions. While
important, the Harvard Business Review notes those figures are outcome metrics.
Although they can be a good indicator of institutional biases, for an accurate
representation of true workplace diversity, focusing on process metrics might
help identify potential issues in hiring, evaluation and promotion.

Instead of mandatory DEI training or skills-based pre-hiring tests, experts
recommend focusing on other initiatives such as recruiting, mentorship programs
and upskilling. When workers in upskilling programs try out various roles in an
organization, this helps develop underrepresented workers’ skill sets and
connect them with managers who might not otherwise work with them.

Supporting diversity in health and safety leadership can also help strengthen
workplace inclusivity. Employees often feel more empowered when they see
themselves represented at all organizational levels. Investing in training,
mentoring and recruiting is critical for organizations that want to build a
diverse and inclusive culture.




MORE SAFETY MANAGEMENT KNOWHOW FOR YOU



Safety Management

Environmental, Health & Safety Training Webinars

Grainger's EH&S webinars have industry information and updates to keep you
informed of environmental, health and safety trends affecting your operations.

Safety Management

Life Safety Code Compliance Documentation Tips for ASCs

Get some practical advice about how to document your Ambulatory Surgical
Center's (ASCs) commitment to Life Safety Code compliance.

Safety Management

Understanding Fit-for-Duty Testing in the Workplace

When workers are impaired, they could imperil safety of themselves and others.
Fit-for-duty testing could provide a path to identifying issues and using
existing polices to help keep people safe.


OUR LATEST KNOWHOW



Top 10 OSHA Violations: 2023

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year 2023.

PPE for Extreme Conditions: Ensuring Comfort and Safety in All Types of Weather

Learn more about the different types of specialized PPE designed to keep workers
comfortable and safe in challenging environments.

5 Key Safety Measures When Disposing of Rechargeable Batteries

Use our guide to help determine the best ways to safely dispose of your
batteries.








The information contained in this article is intended for general information
purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of
publication. No representation is made that the information or references are
complete or remain current. This article is not a substitute for review of
current applicable government regulations, industry standards, or other
standards specific to your business and/or activities and should not be
construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should
refer to the applicable standards or consult with an attorney.





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