Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Gesundheit / Español: Salud / Português: Saúde / Français: Santé / Italiano: Salute

Introduction/Definition

In the context of quality management, health refers to the practices, processes, and policies implemented within an organization to ensure the well-being, safety, and health of its employees, customers, and other stakeholders. It encompasses a holistic approach to managing health-related aspects in the workplace, aiming to prevent injuries, illnesses, and to promote a healthy working environment.

Description

Quality management extends beyond the mere assurance of product or service quality; it also emphasizes the importance of a healthy and safe working environment as integral to sustaining high-quality outputs. The concept of health within this context includes physical, mental, and social well-being, influenced by organizational culture, work environment, health policies, and practices.

Organizations adopt various health-related quality management principles to address these aspects, integrating them into their overall quality management systems (QMS). This includes adherence to occupational health and safety standards (such as ISO 45001), implementing ergonomic practices, promoting work-life balance, and providing health and wellness programs. These efforts not only aim to comply with legal and regulatory requirements but also to enhance employee satisfaction, productivity, and, ultimately, the quality of products and services.

The management of health in the workplace is a continuous process, involving risk assessment, implementation of preventive measures, regular health monitoring, and adaptation to new health challenges (such as those posed by pandemics). It also involves fostering a culture that values health and safety, encouraging active participation from all employees in health-related initiatives.

Application Areas

Health-related quality management practices are applicable across all sectors and industries, including:

• Manufacturing: Implementing safety protocols to prevent accidents and occupational diseases.
• Healthcare: Ensuring the health and safety of healthcare providers and patients.
• Construction: Adopting safety measures to protect workers from hazards inherent in construction sites.
• Corporate Offices: Promoting ergonomic practices and mental health initiatives to improve the overall well-being of employees.

Well-Known Examples

• ISO 45001: An international standard that specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system, providing guidance for its use to enable organizations to improve their OH&S performance.
• Wellness Programs: Initiatives like health screenings, fitness programs, and mental health support offered by companies to employees to promote well-being and reduce health-related absences.

Treatment and Risks

Neglecting health aspects in quality management can lead to increased employee turnover, higher rates of absenteeism, reduced productivity, and potential legal ramifications. Moreover, the reputation of a business can be significantly affected by its health and safety record. Conversely, a strong emphasis on health and safety can lead to a more engaged and productive workforce, reduced operational costs, and a stronger brand reputation.

Similar Terms or Synonyms

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Workplace Wellness
• Employee Well-being
• Health and Safety Management

Weblinks

• environment-database.eu: 'Health' in the glossary of the environment-database.eu
• fitness-and-health-glossary.com: 'Health' in the fitness-and-health-glossary.com
• umweltdatenbank.de: 'Gesundheit' im Lexikon der umweltdatenbank.de (German)
• allerwelt-lexikon.de: 'Gesundheit' in the allerwelt-lexikon.de (German)
• medizin-und-kosmetik.de: 'Gesundheit' im Lexikon von medizin-und-kosmetik.de (German)
• psychology-lexicon.com: 'Health' in the psychology-lexicon.com
• bremen-huchting.de: 'Gesundheit' in the bremen-huchting.de (German)
• allerwelt-lexikon.de: 'Health' in the allerwelt-lexikon.de (German)

Articles with 'Health' in the title

• National Health Service: National Health Service (NHS) in the context of quality management refers to the systems, processes, and standards in place within the NHS to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare services

Summary

Health, in the context of quality management, emphasizes the importance of creating and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment as an essential component of organizational excellence. Through the integration of health and safety standards, ergonomic practices, and wellness programs into their quality management systems, organizations can not only enhance their productivity and quality but also ensure the well-being of their most valuable asset—their employees.

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