The Infamous Blame the Victim and Other Approaches to Occupational Health and Safety - Case Study Example

THE INFAMOUS ‘BLAME THE VICTIM’ AND OTHER APPROACHES TO OHS. By (Insert both names) (Name of class) (Professor’s name) (Institution) (City, State) (Date) ‘The Infamous ‘Blame the Victim’ and other approaches to Occupational Health and Safety’. Introduction. The central purpose of this OHS report is to highlight the infamous ‘blame the victim’ and other approaches to OHS and to recommend on the approaches that are suitable to foster a safe work environment. Human resource management is a central aspect in an organization and thus OHS approaches cannot be isolated from HRM. The report will briefly discuss the proposed advancement in this field by examining a range of widely published journal articles, published books and internet sites on the topic of occupational health and safety in Australia. Through a critical study and analysis of the sources of information, the report will discuss one approach used by managements in the department of human resource management as far as occupational health and safety in Australia is concerned. The report will lastly recommend the suitable approaches required to enhance safety, health and welfare of employees at the place of work. A background outlook of human resource management in relation to occupational health and safety in Australia. The management in many organizations is often too quick to use the ‘blame the victim’ approach when employees are involved in injuries at the place of work or in severe cases when employees are killed while working. Under the Australian law on Occupational Health and Safety, the management fails in their duty of care to the employees. The department of human resource management is tasked with concerns of the employees (Bohle Quilan and Lamm 2010). The approaches adopted by this department are the focus of concern in this report. Human resource management is an important aspect in any company or organization because it helps an organization to manage the environmental challenges that are faced by both employers and employees. Organizations over the years have come up with human resource management rules and policies that genuinely portray and reflect the beliefs and principles of an organization also the relationship between the management and employees within it. The policies are also designed to deal with the emerging problems and requirements central to an organization. The practices adopted include the selection and recruitment, the development and training, management, performance, systems for remuneration, industrial relations, occupational health and safety, the impact of recent or current legislations and human resource information and management system (Kramar Bartram & De Cieri 2011). Occupational Health and safety hereinafter OHS is an area that is cross-disciplinary which is concerned with protecting the welfare, safety and health of people engaged at the place of work. Synopsis. The underlying principle is that an organization’s management through its HRM department has responsibilities regarding the safety, health and welfare in the place of work. The report begins by highlighting the research under this subject. It will later provide a discussion on the same. It will then make a conclusion that highlights the lesson learnt from the research and discussion. Finally, the report will make suitable recommendations as regards the same. PART A: Research. In September 2008, one of the largest brewery companies in Australia, Foster’s Australia Limited was fined an amount worthy millions under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The company was convicted and then fined for two breaches under the Act. The conviction and the fine that was awarded were because of the death of a worker at the premises of the company. The incident took place at the company’s inner Melbourne brewery. The neck of the worker had been crushed between a pneumatically operated door and a handrail. A follower worker rushed him to hospital but he died a few days later. The deceased left behind a widow and three children. The prosecution of the Foster Company was by the Director of Public Prosecutions under Work-Safe in Victoria. He called upon the company to report accurately in their Annual Reports on Health and Safety (Kramar Bartram & De Cieri 2011). Foster’s five year OHS strategy. FOCUS AREAS. 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 FIVE YEAR OBJECTIVE ASPIRATIONAL GOAL Manage our significant hazards. 1. No deaths or permanent injuries. 2. A decrease in RCIFR to Read More