Occupational Health and Safety for Kimberly Diamond Company - Case Study Example

Occupational health and safety A report for Kimberly Diamond Company Insert Name Course, Class, Semester Institution Instructor Date OCCUPATION HEALTH AND SAFETY Introduction Established in the year 1900, our company, Kimberly Diamond is among the top ranked corporations in Australia. Having survived the great depression and the armed conflict of world wars I and II, our company is said to be the only company remaining in what was popularly referred to as the Australian silversmiths building. The corporation originally referred to as Kionka, having been named after its founder-German immigrant H.C Kionka, is a self-proclaimed one of a kind corporation in the industry. The company established its roots after the discovery of diamond in the South African states. Our company is known for quality across the globe. The company is in a supplier partnership with the Gem Society of America. The company deals in top class jewelry and runs a number of mine fields in a bid to be self-sustaining as far as continuous and stable supply of raw materials is concerned. In running its activities, the company has instituted a number of safety and risk management procedures in line with the Occupational health and safety provisions. This report outlines the risk management strategies in relation to the company’s operations. The report as well embraces aspects of the risk register, the hierarchy of control as well as the importance of communication and consultation in the process of risk management in Kimberly Diamond Company. The approach to risk management adopted by Kimberly Diamond Company Risk management has been described as the sum total of all the deliberate efforts by the management and other stakeholders of the company, to deal with the various perils in the organization, both inherent and foreign (Raman & Cameron, 2005). Kimberly Diamond Company, like any other company faces many risks. The risks faced by the company can be said to be in two phases; the first phase being the risks related to business and profitability and the second phase being the actual physical hazards that face the workers in the lines of duty. These are those risks that can cause an employee to file a law suit against the company in a court of law seeking workman’s compensation. This report focuses on the second phase of the risks. This relates to the health and safety of the workers in Kimberly Diamond Company. The approach of the company to risks can be discussed by the various components in the risk management process. Again the components considered under the company’s risk management process can be categorized into two. The first category of the components comprises risk assessment related elements and they are: risk identification, risk analysis and risk prioritization. The second category of risk components relates to risk control and embraces: risk planning, risk resolution and risk monitoring (Gunningham, 2005). To better understand the risk policy of our company, the components can be analyzed singly and elaborated in slight detail. Risk identification This refers to the process of pointing out the various particular risks facing the organization (Raman & Cameron, 2005). In Kimberly Diamond Company the risks can be identified in various ways. All the ways of identifying the risks, both inherent and those originating from outside the company process depend to a great extent on the effectiveness and reliability of the communication system. The communication and consultation systems put in place in our company enables the planning and risk management departments to identify the risks in good time. Proactive measures designed to handle risks are better than remedial measures. Risk analysis This is the evaluation process aimed at determining whether or not the risk is manageable and whether it should be accepted or avoided (Dhillon, 2010). The company has put in place various technical measures and pre-determined parameters in assessing the nature and severity of a risk. Risk assessments in the company assists the planning team establish the next course of action. Risk prioritization Risk prioritization refers to the level of attention to be given to a particular projected peril. The risks faced by the company vary in intensity and severity (CCH, 2009). The severity of a risk is determined by its projected consequences. The risks that are more likely to cause serious damage to both the workers and the assets of the company should be given much attention and assigned more resources. Investing more resources in attempts to mitigate an event with detrimental effects is justified in Kimberly Diamond Company. Risk control Risk control is the process of determining how to handle a particular risk in the company (Dhillon, 2010). In Kimberly Diamond Company the risk control personnel use the information provided to them by various internal sources in planning for the negative occurrences and coming up with the best decisions and solutions concerning the risk that has been identified. Risk planning This is the process through which an organization puts down the courses of action to be taken in the event that a particular risk has been identified or has actually occurred (CCH, 2009). Planning is more concerned with proactive measures than remedial measures. Planning is a proactive process in any organization. Planning in Kimberly Diamond Company relies to a great extent on the information provided from primary sources as well as historical patterns of risk in the company. Risk resolution Kimberly Diamond Company has three ways of dealing with the various risks. The first option is to accept the risk, the second option is to avoid the risk; and the third option is to share the risk. Some risks are acceptable as they do not interfere with the major processes in the organization. Such risks as a moderately noisy machine can be accepted as long a they do not interfere with the health of the workers and if remedying such a risk is unreasonably expensive (CCH, 2009). Risk monitoring This is a post resolution analysis process that concerns itself with assessing the effectiveness of the solution and the extent to which it has mitigated the particular risks. In Kimberly Diamond Company the risks are usually dealt with according to the severity. For instance those extremely severe risks are dealt with from the root cause. The purposes of the hazard register This is tool for risk management that keeps record of the perils and risks that face the company. The register outlines the in-depth details of the particular risks. This register provides information used in the decision making of the company. The register serves the purpose of enabling the company prevents the risks well in advance. It does this by identifying the particular risks in good time. A risk that is dealt with in its early stages has minimal chances of recurrence (Burke et al, 2011). The register enables the company to establish a pattern of the occurrence of the risks. This helps Kimberly Diamond Company plan for ways of coping with such risks and mitigating related risks. Analyzing the register can help the company establish the risks associated with different times of the year. It as well enables the company establish the type of machinery that should be employed in the company. The risk registers can be of prime importance when it comes to planning the workplace in accordance to the welfare of the employees (ILO, 1991). A good physical working environment minimizes the risks that are likely to occur in the organization. For instance the risk registers can be analyzed to establish which part of the workplace is associated with most risks. This will help the company restructure its operations. The information provided by the register can be used in improving the process of risk planning (Burke et al, 2011). This happens through the analysis of the pattern of the particular risks over time. The register is therefore said to be a secondary source of information that determines the long-term plans adopted by the company. In Kimberly Diamond Company, the plans are divided into three categories depending on the time period they cover. This means that the company has short term plans, middle-term plans as well as long-term plans with regard to risk. The long-term plans cover a distant time horizon. The hazard register is one of the most important tools that are used in designing pro-active measures of dealing with risk. The principles of the hierarchy of control Control measures are precautionary steps taken with regard to possible risks likely to affect the processes and activities of the organization. The hierarchy of control consists of the various levels. The various levels are discussed as under: Avoiding the risk This is the thing that should be done first in an organization. It is the first level of the hierarchy and entails elimination of the root cause of the risk (Rowlinson & Lingard, 2005). For example, eliminating a piece of machinery that is likely to injure the employees is one of the most effective ways of avoiding the risk. The risks that should be avoided are those that have serious consequences and are likely to paralyze the activities of the organization. Assessing the inescapable hazards These are those risks that are considered inevitable. The company can do very little about such risks. As such, the best the company can do is to find ways to mitigate the risks to the greatest extent within its capacity. This is the second level in the hierarchy. Attack the risks at root This is the process of dealing with the risk at the origin. Kimberly Diamond Company usually applies this approach when dealing with the serious risks that are likely to affect the overall performance and well being of the work force. Doing away with the root cause eliminates the whole risk. Adapting the place of work to the worker This entails planning and arranging the workplace with special consideration of the welfare of the workers (Burke et al, 2011). Working in a stressing environment is likely to lower the morale of the employees. It is also associated with so many risks and injuries. Kimberly Diamond Company takes the welfare of the worker as being a priority when designing jobs and physical working conditions. Aligning the place of work with technical progress This basically entails the installation of safer systems and equipment at the work place. The kind of technology and the tools and equipments used should be those that are least likely to cause unforeseen mishaps and injuries. Substituting hazardous systems with harmless options This is the process of doing away with those equipments associated with perils and injuries and replacing them with that equipment that is less likely to injure the individual (Johnstone, 2005). This level of the hierarchy has helped Kimberly Diamond Company reduce the amount of money spent on paying damages for the injured workers. Adopting prevention strategy Making proactive measures part of the safety strategy of the organization is a vital step towards the reduction and mitigation of risks. As mentioned earlier in this report is the fact that prevention is much better than trying to remedy the effects of the risks. Giving priority to collective protecting measures This is the process of giving prominence to those protective measures that can be applied at once to protect a number of employees (Erickson, 1996). For instance, if there is noisy machinery in a place of work, providing the employees with ear guards is not as adequate as is enclosing the piece of equipment. Training and instruction Training the employees on the various ways of mitigating hazards and protecting oneself is the last level of the hierarchy. As such a lot of effort should be concentrated here. Training and direction are among the most effective measures as they affect the employees directly. Benefits of communication and consultation in nominating risk treatment options Effective communication is associated with positive results and conformity to the legal structures governing the operations of the corporations in the industry (Rowlinson & Lingard, 2005). Consultation gives all the stakeholders the opportunity to have a say in the risk mitigation process. This increases the possibility of there being high quality and more valid solutions to the risks within the organization. Consultation is one of the ways of ensuring pooling of ideas. In Kimberly Diamond Company communication and consultation embraces such ideas as brainstorming. The end result is quality information. Communication and consultation helps the management of the organization acquire accurate information. Decision making in all organizations requires accurate information acquired from quality and reliable sources (Burke et al, 2011). Effective communication is the source of such information in an organization where trust exists between the management and the employees. Inaccurate information can mislead the organization as it may compromise the quality of decisions made. It is through effective communication and consultation that the roles and responsibilities of the employees can be made clear (Rowlinson & Lingard, 2005). Through well documented communication, the employees are capable of knowing their roles with regard to risk management. The opinions of the stakeholders can better be considered in a company where consultation and communication are effectively managed. Additionally, it is only through consultation that quality risk-related solutions can be achieved since the decision making body is heterogeneous and the risk attitudes of the members are different. Illustrations of how my team and I contribute to the implementation of strategies As a team leader in Kimberly Diamond Company, I have led my group in trying to come up with the best ways to mitigate risks and unforeseen causes of injury in the organization. We have come up with the use of protective gear such as the safety boots that protect the workers whose job entail a hands-on approach. This has gone a long way in reducing the number of injuries. Secondly, I would suggest that our company install a feedback system that is likely to communicate the views of the manual worker to the management. For instance, the department can prepare questionnaires that are circulated among the entire work force concerning a particular piece of equipment or a particular field of work. I would also recommend that the company hires quality experts that survey a particular area of work before the workers embark on the real job. This may mean for instance that engineers that have specialized in soil sciences can test the stability of the ground before the workers start working there. This may help in reducing the chances of landslides. A practical approach to safety of the workplace In the mining industry, a practicable approach to the management of risks entails various components where the major ones include: Severity of the hazard The approach should take into consideration the seriousness of the hazard. This means that the hazards should be handled differently with the severe ones being dealt with right from the root cause (Rowlinson & Lingard, 2005). The light risks can be accepted or handled at any stage. Probability of the risk The company should employ various procedures and techniques to be used in estimating the chances of the hazard occurring. Where there are high chances of the risk occurring the company should take proactive measures so as to avoid future losses. Current knowledge about the risk The information that is available concerning the risk should be evaluated. Assessing such information carefully may give the organization a way of dealing with the risk either proactively or otherwise. The available control elimination methods The company ought to evaluate the tools and techniques at its disposal. In evaluating such methods, the company should focus on the effectiveness and practicability with regard to the present or suspected risks Cost of controlling the risk The cost of controlling and monitoring the risk does not only relate to monetary expenses but also to the time and other resources such as personnel. The number of man hours spent on trying to work on a particular risk for example is part of the cost (Raman & Cameron, 2005). References Burke, R. Clarke, S & Cooper, C. (2011). Occupational Health and Safety: Psychological and Behavioral Aspects of Risk. Furnham. Gower Publishing Limited. CCH, Australia. (2009). Planning Occupational Health and Safety: A Guide to Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management (8th edition).Leichardt. the federation press Dhillon, B. S. (2010). Mine Safety: A Modern Approach. London. Springer-Verlag Ltd Erickson, P. (1996). A Practical Guide to Occupational Health and Safety. San Diego. Academic Press Gunningham, N. (2005). Mine Safety: Law Regulation Policy. Leichardt. The Federation Press Hopkins, A. (1995). Making Safety Work: Getting Management Commitment to Occupational Health and Safety. Sydney. Allen & Unwin ILO. (1991). Safety and Health in Open Cast Mines. Geneva. ILO Cataloguing Publication Data Johnstone, R. (2005). Occupational Health and Safety, Courts and Crimes: The Legal Construction of Occupational Health and Safety Offences in Victoria. Leichardt. The Federation Press Raman, R & Cameron, I. (2005). Process Systems Risk Management. Oxford. Elsevier Ltd Rowlinson, S & Lingard, H. (2005). Occupational Health and Safety in Construction Project Management. New York. Spon Press Read More