Occupational Health and Safety Administration - Essay Example

Occupational Health and Safety Administration: Question One: Developing Professional Expertise in awareness and methods of managing the compliance of OSHA guidelines in an organization: The act concerning the administration of occupational safety and health requires employers to follow the health standards developed by OSHA, or by the health standards developed by a state, which is approved by OSHA. Section 5 (a) part 1, of the occupational safety act observes that employers must put in place measures that would guarantee work place security, to their employees. Employers must minimize risks that are likely to cause deaths, or serious body injuries (Reich, 6). In developing professional expertise and methods of managing OSHA compliance within an organization, there are five basic questions that require an answer. These questions aredescription of the value of the value of health management guidelines, the value of safety precautions, methods of educating employers on OSHA compliance, effects of incentives to management, risks that might emanate from inadequate management(Connors and Gena, 4) It is important to identify the value of health management and safety precautions in an organization. Employees within an organization have a right for the safeguarding of their health, and it is the duty of the employer to initiate measures that will ensure employees are protected from the health risks that emanate from their works. On this note therefore, observance of the values of health management in an organization is an important procedure of professionally creating awareness and methods of managing OSHA compliance within an organization. It is also important to analyze the efficient methods that OSHA experts can use in educating employers on OSHA regulations. This is because without their collaboration, it is impossible to achieve the objective of OSHA regulations (Reich, 9). It is employers who implement the OSHA regulations, and it is they, who are charged in case they fail to implement these regulations. In developing my professional expertise in the awareness and methods of managing OSHA compliance in an organization, it is important therefore to know and understand the most efficient method of educating employers on the importance of OSHA regulations. It is also important to understand the types of risks that employees of an organization can face. This is for purposes of developing an effective plan on how to mitigate and prevent the risks that might occur in case an organization does not comply with OSHA regulations. This would also guide the professional into knowing the kind of incentives to offer to employers so that they might observe the OSHA regulations. The process of assuring OSHA compliance within an organization: The first step in ensuring that an organization complies with OSHA requirements is to assess the risks and hazards the organization faces (Connors and Gena, 5). In carrying out the assessment, it is essential for the inspectors to develop a survey that includes members of the organization, in trying to identify the risks and hazards that the organization faces. After their identification, the next step is to review the training standards of the organization. A serious organization has standards and measures of training its staff in order to insert skills that reflect the needs of the organization. On this note therefore, there methodologies of training can be hazardous, or can have risks. In regard to this, an OSHA inspector will analyze the quality of the organizations training programs. The next step is to analyze the policies of an organization, and whether they comply with the standards set up by OSHA. An OSHA inspector would also analyze whether an organization has a system that outlines the responsibilities of complying with OSHA regulations. This is a crucial step, because it will identify whether the organization is OSHA compliant (Connors and Gena, 7). If the organization does not comply with OSHA regulations, it is important to educate the employers of the organization on the importance of complying with the regulations, and the legal challenges they face, if they do not comply. By following these procedures, it would be possible to ensure that organizations within a state are OSHA compliant. Question Number Two: Meaning of Safety Profession: Safety profession is a career that concerns itself with the prevention of injuries and any other form of harm to the environment, people, and property. In the prevention of injuries and harm, safety professionals use techniques drawn from disciplines such as medicine, management, education, psychology, physiology and many others. The profession concerns itself with preventing accidents, out breaks of fire, diseases, and other acts that might cause damage to the environment, people and property(ASSE,3). Work of Safety Professionals: Safety professionals use a variety of skills drawn from engineering, medicine, management, health sciences to prevent losses and human suffering that emanate from disasters and accidents. The roles of these professionals depend on their experiences, and qualifications. Safety professionals provide training to managers, and employees of an organization on how to manage risks. They also control the hazards that might cause damage to the environment, by ensuring that chemicals which have a capability to cause injury and damage are properly stored, procured and disposed. They also act as inspectors to ensure that an organization complies with safety standards put in place by the government. Safety professionals also control health hazards caused by noise, radiation, or chemical exposures. Where they Work: Safety professionals can work in different organizations depending on their qualifications. For instance, safety professionals who have a PHD are found in institutions of higher learning, and research centers. They are involved in conducting research, and teaching on safety methods and their importance. Those with masters and bachelor’s degree are found in insurance companies, Federal and State agencies such as OSHA, and the various manufacturing and service industries in United States of America. Employment Outlook for safety professionals: There are numerous employment opportunities for safety professionals. But this depends on the skills, education, experience and professional affiliation of the professional under consideration (ASSE, 17). Those with masters and bachelor’s degree are most likely to be absorbed by the government and private business institutions. For instance, the Federal government, through OSHA requires on a constant basis safety professionals who have the capability of monitoring business establishments on whether they comply with safety guidelines. The insurance industry also requires these professionals, because it concerns itself with the compensation of injuries and damages. These people can advise the companies on viable safety procedures, and on whether a company initiated safety standards, when they claim their insurance benefits. The professionals also earn high salaries, which range from as low as $ 30,000 to as high as $ 150,000. On this note, the employment prospects of safety professionals are high. Should a person become a safety professional: A profession in safety management is respected, and it gives a sense of satisfaction. It has opportunities for growth, and its compensation benefits are high. Therefore, I would strongly recommend that a person should follow the career. The Career I identify with: The professional that I identify with is Marcia Anne Kraemer (ASSE, 35). The woman has a degree in occupational safety and health, and two years’ experience in safety management. She holds a professional certificate in safety. I would like to follow her career path, to be a professional on safety management. Works Cited: ASSE ."Career Guide to the Safety Profession."Career Guide. American Society of safety Engineers and board of certified professionals, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2012. . Connors, Bryan, and GenaKoufos. "Ensuring OSHA Compliance in Healthcare: Strategies for Creating a Safer Workplace."IMN Email Marketing Services & Newsletter Management.N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2013. . Reich, Robert. "Process Safety Management Guidelines for Compliance."Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2013. . Top of Form Bottom of Form Read More