Employee Wellness
To maintain a positive and productive workplace, business owners may need help adjusting to new work environments, accommodating an injured employee or simply making the office more accessible for all. Great American offers a broad range of articles that can help companies prepare for the unexpected while keeping their employees’ well-being top of mind.
Employee Wellness Articles
How Nonprofits Can Navigate Background Screening for Justice-Involved Individuals [Guide]
Nonprofits working with justice-involved individuals face the challenge of balancing safety with fair hiring practices. This guide helps leaders navigate legal and ethical complexities in background screening, from understanding laws to choosing appropriate tools and offense criteria.
Fri Jul 11, 2025
Ladders Last: Choosing Safer Alternatives for Working at Heights
Falls are the top cause of construction site fatalities, with ladders accounting for a third of these incidents. Explore safer alternatives, and learn how to implement a 'Ladders Last' policy to enhance job site safety.
Wed Apr 16, 2025
Trenching and Excavation Safety: Quick Guide to Preventing Hazards
Trenching and excavation are common types of work on construction and utility projects, but can present unique and significant hazards when work is active. Learn how to properly plan for and adhere to safe practices to help prevent accidents.
Wed Apr 16, 2025
Liquor Liability: Best Practices for Responsible Alcohol Service
Learn essential strategies for managing liquor liability and ensuring responsible alcohol service at your venue. Keep your guests safe and compliant.
Tue Apr 08, 2025
Tomahawk Throwing: Key Tips for a Safe Experience
Tomahawk throwing is an enjoyable activity that requires strict adherence to safety measures, including proper range setup, regular equipment inspections, and correct throwing techniques, to help prevent accidents and ensure a safe environment for all participants.
Wed Apr 02, 2025
Developing and Implementing a Respiratory Protection Program [Checklist Included]
Safeguard your team with practical steps to develop and enforce an effective respiratory protection program.
Thu Jan 09, 2025
The Importance of a Hearing Conservation Program and How to Establish One [Checklist Included]
Hearing is a critical sense that greatly influences our quality of life. Implementing a robust hearing conservation program is essential to protect workers’ hearing, enhance productivity, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Fri Dec 13, 2024
Steps to Help Develop a Construction Site Health and Safety Training Program
Creating a comprehensive health and safety training program for a construction site is important for helping ensure the well-being of workers and the smooth operation of construction projects.
Mon Nov 18, 2024
How to Help Prevent Workplace Violence in the Construction Industry
Workplace violence is a serious concern in the construction industry. As construction employers, managers, and supervisors, it is important to establish effective prevention programs to help ensure the safety and well-being of all employees.
Thu Nov 14, 2024
Creating Effective Policies for Personal Use of Company Vehicles
Develop clear policies for personal use of company vehicles to reduce liability, control costs, and protect your business.
Thu Nov 14, 2024
Managing Smoking on Construction Sites: Smoke-Free Policies and Safe Practices
Smoking on construction sites poses significant health and safety risks for workers and productivity challenges for employers. The best approach is to prohibit any smoking or tobacco use on your construction sites.
Thu Nov 14, 2024
How Can Organizations Develop a Culture of Safety? [Checklist Included]
Creating a highly effective safety culture can be essential for any organization aiming to ensure the well-being of its employees and the smooth operation of its processes.
Tue Oct 22, 2024
A Comprehensive Guide to Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs for Construction Companies [Checklist Included]
Maintain a safe and productive workplace with a comprehensive drug and alcohol testing program for your construction teams.
Tue Oct 22, 2024
Security Evacuation FAQs
A security evacuation is the urgent and coordinated effort to move individuals from a hazardous area to a place of safety due to imminent threats of severe injury or fatality. This process ensures the orderly and managed relocation of people from danger zones to secure locations.
Thu Sep 05, 2024
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome: The Hidden Risk of Vibrating Power Tools
Help protect workers from long-term injuries by managing vibration risks in power tools.
Mon Aug 19, 2024
Promoting Ergonomic Safety in Construction: Proper Posture
One effective strategy for reducing the risk of work-related injuries is to prioritize proper posture and ergonomic environments.
Wed Jul 24, 2024
OSHA Recordkeeping on Construction Jobsites: Requirements, Fines and Penalties
Effective management of construction recordkeeping is crucial. Proper handling provides competitive advantages during contractor selection while mishandling can lead to substantial penalties and safety performance issues. Take recordkeeping seriously to ensure workplace safety and compliance.
Wed Jul 24, 2024
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
Lithium-ion batteries are generally safe and likely to function properly. However, like many electronic products, certain hazards emerge under improper conditions. Like any other exposure, companies and employees or individuals benefit from being knowledgeable and prepared.
Thu Dec 21, 2023
Dog-Friendly Dining: How Restaurants Can Promote Safety and Comfort for All Patrons
Keep customers and pets safe by implementing guidelines for dog-friendly dining environment.
Wed Mar 15, 2023
Help Protect Your Governmental Entity from Employment Liability Claims
Address legal risks by implementing proactive strategies for managing employment issues.
Fri Mar 03, 2023
What to do When a Hurricane Threatens
The very first step in hurricane preparedness is an assessment of your risk. Do you know what you currently have and how you anticipate it will fare against hurricane-force winds and the resulting substandard living conditions?
Tue Jan 10, 2023
Stay Safe While Hanging Holiday Lights Outside
Hanging lights can be one of the most exciting parts of setting up holiday decorations. Unfortunately, falling off ladders can cause many injuries during this time of the year. A few steps can be taken to help ensure you stay safe.
Tue Dec 13, 2022
Are Christmas Tree Fires Businesses’ Biggest Threat this Holiday Season?
Discover how seasonal decorations can endanger businesses, and learn essential tips to reduce fire risks and protect your property.
Mon Dec 12, 2022
Apply Ergonomic Best Practices When Working from Home or on the Road
Reduce injury risk and improve comfort by applying ergonomic best practices when working from home or on the road.
Mon Aug 15, 2022
Understand the Concerning Trend of Inmate Suicide in Local Jails
Understanding the data, such as demographics and characteristics of local jail suicides can help identify those at risk.
Wed Jul 13, 2022
Work from Home Safety – Are Businesses Responsible?
Is an employer responsible for the health and safety of an employee working from home? Learn how to help protect your business and most importantly, your employees.
Tue Jul 12, 2022
Help Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Create a respectful workplace environment by implementing strong anti-harassment measures.
Thu May 12, 2022
Help Prevent Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries
Help prevent slip, trip and fall injuries by implementing proper safety measures.
Thu Jan 27, 2022
Safely Use Pressurized Gas Cylinders
Gas cylinders present a unique risk for organizations. When gas leaks from cylinders, it is often impossible to see or hear.
Tue Dec 21, 2021
Use Safety Committees to Help Reduce Losses and Costs
Safety committees can play an effective role in any organizational risk management effort.
Mon Dec 20, 2021
Help Detect and Prevent Burglary
Strengthen security and help safeguard assets by implementing proven burglary detection measures.
Mon Dec 20, 2021
Stay Safe While Cooking
Commercial cooking can pose significant risks, which can cause fires that could burn entire buildings.
Mon Nov 08, 2021
Help Your Organization Assess Its Security
This assessment is a tool that can help your institution identify areas of strength in your overall security and areas that may need some improvement.
Mon Oct 11, 2021
Help Employees Stay Safe With a Drug-Free Workplace Program
Help protect your workforce and maintain compliance with a strong drug-free workplace program.
Fri Aug 20, 2021
Help Control Noise in Your Workplace
Create a safer, quieter work environment by applying effective noise reduction strategies.
Fri Aug 13, 2021
Stay Safe on the Roads This Winter
During the winter months, your vehicle should be routinely inspected due to the dangerous driving conditions, and you should be sure to follow all state and local weather warnings when in effect.
Fri Jul 30, 2021
Help Prevent Vehicle Theft in Your Organization
Learn how you can reduce theft risks and improve fleet security.
Thu Jul 22, 2021
Stay Safe While Performing Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work
Hot work, such as welding, cutting, brazing and/or grinding can present a significant opportunity for fire and/or injury. The purpose of this guide is to help ensure a safe and healthy environment exists whenever hot work is conducted.
Thu Jul 15, 2021
Help Your Organization Prevent Cyberbullying
Bullying and harassment can be traumatic for people of all ages. In recent years, cyberbullying has become especially concerning. Cyberbullying can be defined in two different manners
Thu Jul 15, 2021
Help Protect Your Organization With a Risk Management System
Ask anyone in your organization and likely everyone would tell you that they did not show up to have an accident. So, if no one wants to have an accident, why do they still happen?
Fri May 28, 2021
Help Minimize Risk Through Third-Party Risk Transfer
Avoid unexpected losses by implementing structured risk transfer measures.
Fri May 21, 2021
Safe Drone Use for Public Safety and Government Agencies
As a law enforcement and public safety professional, you should consider the following information and resources to help understand drone safety practices and regulations.
Thu Apr 01, 2021
Manage Your Risk in Online Learning Environments
You should manage the risks associated with online learning to help your organization stay on course toward fulfilling your mission and serving others.
Fri Mar 05, 2021
Why You Should Be Listening To Your Safety Manager
If your organizational safety manager is not actively involved, then you are missing out on a great opportunity to help protect your assets and control your insurance expenses.
Thu Mar 04, 2021
Hiring, Onboarding And Engaging
Staff and volunteers are the face of your organization. It’s crucial they’re informed of potential risks, curating a culture of safety and trained to handle sensitive circumstances appropriately.
Tue Jan 26, 2021
Selecting and Qualifying Professional Drivers
All companies are responsible for hiring competent and qualified employees. If a company has no formal hiring policy, the legal theory of negligent entrustment suggests that the company could be exposed to serious liability for acts of its employees.
Tue Dec 22, 2020
Negligent Entrustment: What It Is and Why You Should Be Concerned
Under a charge of negligent entrustment, an employer may be liable for the damages caused by an incompetent employee. Generally, an employer has a duty to hire competent and qualified employees to conduct the business of the company.
Mon Dec 21, 2020
Understanding Federal Regulations: Is Your Vehicle Regulated and What Does That Mean?
Based on the characteristics of your organizational vehicles and their use, your organization may be subject to regulations at both the state and federal levels.
Wed Dec 16, 2020
Protect Your Business with a Violence Prevention Program
Different types of violence can occur in many workplaces. To help prevent workplace violence, management must provide visible support for a violence prevention program and communicate that there is zero tolerance for violence.
Fri Dec 04, 2020
Are Space Heaters Safe? What You Need to Know
Reduce fire hazards this winter by understanding the significant safety risks space heaters pose, and the proper precautions and maintenance steps you can take.
Thu Nov 12, 2020
Supervising Workplace Accident Investigations
When an accident occurs in your department, it is an indication that something has gone wrong. Accidents don’t just happen, they are caused.
Wed Nov 04, 2020
Ergonomic Hand Tools – Help Prevent Workplace Injuries with Proper Equipment
Improve worker health and efficiency by implementing ergonomic hand tools that lower injury risks.
Tue Nov 03, 2020
Operational Change Management Checklist
Resiliency and adaptability are necessities in today’s quickly evolving world.
Wed Oct 28, 2020
Workstation Ergonomics
Anyone who spends much of their time sitting at a computer can feel better and work smarter by following the guidelines of a structured Ergonomic Program.
Fri Oct 02, 2020
Ergonomic Control Measures - Standing Work
Reduce fatigue and injury by applying ergonomic control measures for safe and efficient standing work.
Thu Sep 24, 2020
Ergonomic Control Measures - Seated Work
Improve productivity and well-being with ergonomic tips for reducing stress during prolonged seated work.
Fri Sep 18, 2020
The Most Common Distractions Drivers Must Manage
Discover the top distractions drivers face and learn practical tips to reduce risks and drive safely.
Thu Jun 20, 2019
Hurricane Cleanup and Recovery
The potential for serious injuries associated with hurricane cleanup and recovery efforts for workers and the public can be avoided by following appropriate safety and health precautions.
Fri Sep 14, 2018
Get Familiar with Electric Shock Drowning
Help prevent tragic accidents by understanding electric shock drowning and how to stop it.
Fri May 18, 2018
Top 15 Winter Safety Tips to Help Protect Your Business
Protect your employees, clients, volunteers and property this winter by taking precautionary measures to reduce the likelihood of damage caused by common winter hazards such as freezing pipes or icy parking lots.
Mon Dec 18, 2017
Stay Safe During the Holidays
The hectic holiday shopping season means parking lots and stores full of people, which can also bring the increased possibility of theft. Thieves are not just looking to steal newly bought Christmas gifts; they may be out to steal your identity. Consider following these 9 helpful holiday shopping safety tips.
Thu Dec 07, 2017
Mosquito Bite Prevention for Travelers
Mosquitoes spread many types of viruses and parasites that can cause diseases like chikungunya, dengue, Zika, and malaria. If you are traveling to an area where malaria is found, talk to your healthcare provider about malaria prevention medication that may be available.
Thu Aug 24, 2017
Tire Safety for Passenger Vehicles and Light Trucks
Protection against avoidable breakdowns and crashes, improved vehicle handling, better fuel economy, and increased tire life – these are just a few of the reasons to take five minutes every month to check a vehicle’s tires.
Thu Aug 24, 2017
Robot Safety
A robot is a mechanism, guided by automatic controls, which performs repetitive work such as moving portable tooling into position, moving workpieces from one location to another, and/or assembling one or more workpieces.
Wed Aug 23, 2017
Loss Control Categories
Take proactive action to prepare for different types of loss.