Risk Management - Work Health and Safety - Coursework Example

Running head: WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY (RISK MANAGEMENT) Institution Name Abstract/Executive Summary This essay describes contemporary WHS (Risk Management) practices in the company and their impact to the workers. From this research, the company is at a great extent compliant with Workplace Health and Safety regulations in making work environment safe and healthier. However, the company is disinclined due to limited resources and thus it is difficult for it to train, replace or provide its workers with protection tools in their work. Otherwise, there is a positive preference of the management in developing a cost effective framework of WHS system. Introduction I currently work in a seed production company. The company has more than 3000 employees that facilitate different activities in various production units. Offloading, loading, transportation, driving, purification of seeds, sorting, branding, packing and storing are some of the tasks that workers perform in the company besides those who work as engineers in maintaining company’s machines and equipments run efficiently. Most of the working places in the company expose these workers to risks. Workers operating grinding machines get exposed to loud noise produced by these machines. Those working in the sorting department get exposed to chemicals. On the other hand, the company has limited housing to accommodate all the workers in the production plant. Therefore, workers that fail to secure a house within the company’s premise are forced to look for accommodation besides a busy road. These workers are stressed up with vehicles when they try to cross the road while coming to work and going back after work. The fly-over would be the best for them in reducing accident risks that perhaps may occur while crossing the road. These are the main Work Health and Safety (Risk Management) that concerns workers: Machine safety, chemical and hazardous materials, use of electrical equipment, noise, injuries from slips and falls, loading, offloading, transportation (heavy loads), dusts and housing. If we reflect on the working environment of the workers in USA, surely the company needs to improve on these working conditions since high productivity will only be reached by employees working in safe environment. Part II Risk Identification The company has WHS system that identifies risks using the following protocols; Review of the past accidents and incidents whereby workers and visitors are interviewed based on the close causes of those accidents, Consulting workers while focusing on WHS complaints. This describes the amount of tasks and responsibilities assigned to worker in the workplace. Hazard Inspection in workplaces by use of pro-forma done by Health and Safety Team and a supervisor and Reviewing of standards of equipment and machines used in the work place, for instance, WHS Regulation Requirements, Australian Standards, business experience and Code of practice in that particular work place. This system appears to be quite effective as reflected by the following data from the annual report of the company; Injury type 2006 2007 Back Pain 32.6% 29.9% Highway Incidents 9.7% 2.1% Mental Illness (work place stress) 27.5% 27% Chemical burns 12.5% 9.4% Injuries from falls and slips 45% 36% WHS and risk management systems in place (risk control process) Risk management involves eliminating, avoiding, reducing, transferring or insuring. Therefore, the department of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) of the company has ensured that; There is WHS Back Education Project which shares knowledge to the workers on how to treat a painful back. This treatment focuses on modifying the amount of load that causes back pain besides the clinical treatment and at the end of the day the risk will have been eliminated. There is WHS Quality Assurance Standards Committee that monitors and evaluates the current occupational and safety policies of the company and modifies if standards and precautions are outdated. The committee uses an assumption that when there is achievement of high performance standards, risks are normally low, therefore lost time linked to injuries are reduced. The company is dedicated to the legislative framework of consultation derived from WHS Regulations 2001- Chapter 2 and the code of practice which allows workers and management in identifying hazards, making decisions on how to eliminate risks, decision on adequate facilities and proposing changes that may affect the health of the workers. It also ensures that Emergency plans-Clause 43 and Electrical Equipment-Clause 162 is rightfully enforced. The company has complied with Control of Workplace Hazardous Substances-National Model Regulations 1994 by ensuring that workers in the department are provided with the required materials for handling chemical, for instance gloves, overalls and masks. The company also ensures that there is guidance on how to handle Hazardous Substances as the policy suggests-NOH&SC:1003. This has eased the departmental heads role in enforcing standards of Victorian Code of Practice and Regulations. System for Assessment at Workplace The company uses Human Resource Information System (HRIS) to identify, assess, evaluate and control hazards in the work place. This is because HR department normally concentrate in worker’s welfare. A risk matrix is used to analyze and prioritize these hazards whereby it calculates rate of impact of a hazard in causing harm. Therefore, those risks with high rate of impact are prioritized first than those with low rate which are controlled later. How it works (HRIS) Risk Management Team of the company audits WHS procedures, inspection reports, workplace reports, workplace meeting agendas, training plans, hazardous substance registers, equipment and machines maintenance, injury records and medical records. The information gathered from these audits is used to investigate an effective plan, environmental and behavioral system to either reduce the rate of exposure or to completely remove the hazard. It is also used to identify priorities in remedying these hazards. Hazard control: The system controls the hazard by; Developing a procedure of investigation-What type of injury/accident occurs frequently? Where do they occur frequently? What time of the day or of the week do incident occur? What type of machine/equipment leads to this accident? And which hazard results from this accident? Developing a hazard report form containing immediate action taken, place of hazard occurrence, time and date and recommended actions. Actions are taken by Health and Safety Committee by training workers, replacing faulty machines, purchasing safety equipment to the workers (masks and gloves) and consulting with workers. In managing specific risks, the company have stick on to the following legislations; Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (2007) on Hazardous Substances and Carcinogenic Substances-part 4.1 and Part 4.2 respectively, Drugs and Poisons Controlled Substance Act (1981), and Dangerous Goods Regulations (2000). For instance, the company has ensured that those workers working in chemical section are provided with gloves and masks to reduce the rate of exposure. In handling of noise, the company under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 has ensured that those workers working in grinding machines are provided with ear masks to prevent loud noises from damaging their earring ability. WHS Team of the company has also put in place a management plan that review and implement specific standards required by the policy. With the guidance of Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001, the company ahs implemented Systematic Risk Management Process which is sustained by Industry Codes of Practice, Australian Standards (AS), Australian and New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS) and the National Standards. Some of the Industry Codes Include Noise Management and Protection of Hearing at Work (1997), AS include AS/NZS 2293: 1995-Emergency Evacuation Lighting for Buildings. The organization uses Human Resource Information System (HRIS) when reporting accidents and incident of hazards. For instance, when a worker gets seriously injured, representative in the workplace notifies the organization about the injury which is thereafter followed up. The organization is guided by the Australian Standard 1885.1 when recording and keeping statistics of workplace injury that resulted to lose of time by a worker. Nevertheless, notification of other incidents for instance death or infectious disease is kept on recorded in risk register. Risk register is used to monitor worker’s health and safety performance, training programs that the worker has undergone and consultative meetings on risk management. WHS training program include procedures of how to develop risk management plan, labeling of substances to avoid confusion, introduction of new employees and the importance of using safety materials in the workplace (WHS, Labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) Regulation 2012 and National Code of Practice for Labeling Workplace Substances; NOHSC:2012 (1994)). The management chain of the company together with OHS members and representatives have integrated consultation process into the framework of Workplace Risk Management as it is the requirement of NSW OHS Act 2000. This action has keep employee safe, healthy and unharmed. Furthermore, through consultation employees have become conversant to the guidelines of WHS. Part III The management of the company requests all the departmental leaders to comply with OHS Regulations 2001 Chapters 3-Workplace Consultation, Chapter 4-Work site and working environment, manual handling, Chapter 6-How to handle Hazardous Substances, Chapter 8-OHS induction Training and work structure and Chapter 12-Review of Work Cover assessments. It is the responsibility of the employer as required by WHS Act to ensure safe work practice by use of safe equipments, to ensure that there is regular training and supervision of workers in their work environment, to ensure that workers are acquainted with safe work measures and to carry out ordinary risk identification, evaluation and control in the work environment. Job descriptions of the company contain all the responsibilities to be carried by the supervisors concern. These responsibilities are shared among the OHS committee members who ensure that; All the machines and equipment, whether for transport, handling or storage are safe without risks, There is an effective communication system for passing health information and training to workers and for auditing procedures as well. By and large, this assessment activity has guided me to know much on Workplace Health Safety of workers which is a significant avenue to organizational performance. These policies have greatly support the performance of the organization especially during the induction of a new worker in the organization. It provides stability and understanding as well when acquainting to WHS duties and responsibilities not only of the employers but also workers particularly when they are reporting incidences and accidents. Furthermore, WorkCover Authority of NSW facilitates formal OHS training by endorsing a registered training agency with an assessor. In conclusion, the overall structure of the company is in full support to manage work place risks. However, sensitization of other co-workers needs to press on to reduce more risks. Otherwise, team leaders are talking their responsibilities well in enforcing safety standards in the workplace. Reference Codes of Practice; Health and Safety Act; http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/legislation/modelwhsact/pages/modelwhsact.aspx New South Wales Government; WorkCover Authority of NSW; http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/newlegislation2012/Pages/default.aspx Safe Work Australia: http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/safetyinyourworkplace/hazardoussubstancesanddangerousgoods/pages/hazardoussubstancesanddangerousgoods.aspx Shewfelt, L. (2005). Occupational Health and Safety Magazine: Agricultural Injuries Comprehensive Report, vol 28, no. 2. Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia. (1997). AS/NZS, OHS Management Systems. General Guidelines on Principles, systems and Supporting Techniques. Australia: Homebush. AS/NZS 4804. Standing Committee On Law and Justice. (1997). Report on the Inquiry into Workplace Safety: Interim Report. Sydney: Legislative Council. Walters, D., Nichols, T., Connor, J., Tasiran, C. A. and Cam, S. (2005). The Role and effectiveness of Safety Representatives in Influencing Workplace Health and Safety. Work Environment Research Group. Cardiff University: Colegate. Read More