Evaluation refers to the measuring of the effectiveness of an activity or a program that has been implemented for developing a wellness program or to improve or assure the delivery quality facilities (Aldana et al., 2012).

Two evaluation tools that can be used to measure the attributes of the wellness program are the health risk assessment (HRA) tools and employee interest survey. Credible sources like CDC publish health scorecards in order to take a look on the health promotion activities at the workplace (Eldredge et al., 2016).

A survey involving all the members is necessary and is an integral part of the development of a health wellness program. Gathering feedback from the employees can help to maintain the overall consistency of the wellness program (Osilla et al., 2012). There are certain sample questions that are required to be asked to the employees in order to gain an actual feedback about the workplace wellness programs. The question can be asked as open ended questions or in the form of a paper.

1. Any wellness program that you have participated before?
2. Did the wellness program mention about the risks factors of ergonomics?
3. Why did you participate in the program?
4. Did they inform you about the neutral postures that have to be maintained while working?
5. What extra do you want to incorporate in the wellness strategies?
6. Did the attributes of the wellness program supported good health?

Health risk assessment involves some of the complex methods such as risk evaluation. Ranking of the lists as per their severity, classifying the acceptability of the risks, risk control, designing of the safety control measures, implementation of the safety control measures, preventive measures, training and information, reviewing and updating of the events, documentation, application of the risk management tools (Aldana et al.,2012). Some of the common hazards related to workplace involve trips, slips, falls, exposure to noises, musculoskeletal injuries due to prolonged sitting.

Risk evaluation- Qualitative risk evaluation can be used to calculate the components of the risks. Qualitative risks mainly are calculated by using a matrix. Most of the risk factors that need evaluation are repetition of high tasks, forceful exertions and awkward postures while learning.

Risk classification- the risk values should be tallied with the standards defined by the legislation.

Risk control- Ergonomics improvement process involves whether the workplace is designed, keeping in mind the capabilities and the limitations of the workers. It should be checked that the improvement process reduces the risk factors leading to musculoskeletal injuries. For example it can be checked, how the workers sit in their chairs while working and assist them to sit in a comfortable posture.

Implementation of the safety control measures- In order to reduce the ergonomic hazards and keep the workplace fit for the workers, it is essential to improve the work policies and assist with protective equipments. Other protective measures include job rotation in the workers. A worker should be advised to maintain a body posture that is neutral, giving minimal stress on the body with joints aligned.

3 STRATEGIES for the SUSTAINABILITY OF THE WELLNESS PROGRAM

Three strategies for the sustainability of the wellness program are as follows:-

• To provide executive support to the client- the client should be imparted with the education regarding ergonomics, the hazards related to it and the preventive measures to avoid that. (Goetzel et al., 2014).
• To introduce attractive incentives to the employees who will complete the health and the wellness program.
• To keep the programs and the strategic interesting and fresh such that the employees stay interested.

It can be said that a proper evaluation and the documentation of any activities and programs can help in its sustainability and motivates the employees to maintain a healthy work force.

References

Aldana, S. G., Anderson, D. R., Adams, T. B., Whitmer, R. W., Merrill, R. M., George, V., & Noyce, J. (2012). A review of the knowledge base on healthy worksite culture. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 54(4), 414-419.

Eldredge, L. K. B., Markham, C. M., Ruiter, R. A., Kok, G., & Parcel, G. S. (2016). Planning health promotion programs: an intervention mapping approach. John Wiley & Sons.

Goetzel, R. Z., Henke, R. M., Tabrizi, M., Pelletier, K. R., Loeppke, R., Ballard, D. W., … & Serxner, S. (2014). Do workplace health promotion (wellness) programs work?. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 56(9), 927-934.

Osilla, K. C., Van Busum, K., Schnyer, C., Larkin, J. W., Eibner, C., & Mattke, S. (2012). Systematic review of the impact of worksite wellness programs. The American journal of managed care, 18(2), e68-81.