What Policies Might an Organization Develop as Part of Its Commitment to Health and Safety - Assignment Example

Name Business January 26, 2017 What policies might an organization develop as part of its commitment to health and safety? To guarantee the integrity of a company or organization is vital for all business to come up with policies that will be adhered by all office personnel. The policies are developed in such a way that they align with the company's objectives, goals, and values to ensure a conducive and safe working environment. These policies are as follows- 1. Employment and termination. It's significant for an organization to generate a policy that describes and outlines the basic terms and condition of employment as well as acceptable reasons for termination. The policy ought to be formal in a written document addressed to all employees who are expected to have signed the document before commencement and termination of the employment 2. Work environment An organization’s image and reputation are important in determination the success of the business. It is, therefore, significant for the company to administer policies that encourage and enforce office etiquette. The policies will be aimed at proving a sense of fairness to all employees involved at all levels and most importantly convey a positive image towards its clients (Cleverism, 2017). Question 2 For policies to be effective, they have to be elaborated to all existing and new employees. It is the role of the employer to explain the importance of the policies and how to adhere to them considering the implications that are accompanied with them if not complied. If new policies happen to be introduced, the employer ought to well explain the purpose of the policy in line with the set objectives of the organization.Also provide workers with sufficient time of notice about the new policy so as to allow adaptation to the new working environment.it is also vital for the employer communicate any changes to employment contract related to the new policy. Activity 2 Question 1. In any organization, each member must have a clear understanding of who their superior is, their duties and corresponding expectations and the level at which they can make decisions. Roles are simply the general terms and conditions of a job while responsibilities represent the specifications of the job. When defining responsibilities, the management should pay attention to the job description which will entail all tasks and functions to be carried out and the experience and educational requirements needed for each position in the organization. It is also significant to define a proper mechanism of evaluation of the employees on their responsibilities and performance. Question 2. The WHS Act defines a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) as one that is obligated to carry out the primary duties and functions of an organization. The PCBU conducts the business either alone or others and can be a corporation, partnership or sole trader. The PCBU concentrates on the arrangement of work and the methodology carry out the tasks. On the other hand, an officer is one who makes or participates in decision making that are important in influencing the organization's operations and financial standings. An officer of a PCBU is obligated to ensure that PCBU adheres to their responsibilities under the WHS legislation. If a person is only engaged in the implementation of already made decisions, they cannot be considered as officers. Question 3 The PCBU has a primary duty of care by ensuring that all employees are not exposed to risks that will affect their working conditions or endanger their health. The duty of care is owned by the PCBU immediately when it influences the tasks carried out by a worker or has full control of the workplace (Pcbu.com.au, 2017). Activity 3 Question 1. Responsibilities to ensure safety and health management ultimately is determined by the employer although it is the responsibility of each associated in the organization to provide a conducive working environment. To achieve this, each person ought to have clearly defined duties documented and passed to them. Accidents that usually happen in a workplace can be attributed from failure to control and therefore it is important for organizations to comprehend how human factors influence safety and health performance. In regards to achieving a healthy workplace, senior managers ought to ensure that appropriate organizational structures are employed and proving training sessions for new recruits where tasks are technical in nature and require usage of heavy machinery (nibusinessinfo.co.uk, 2017). Question 2. Communication is crucial in our daily lives and most times we find ourselves in conversations leading to terrible misunderstandings and as result hopes of coming to an agreement are dimmed. Some of the factors that can contribute to a poor communication system in an organisation include: attitudes- emotions such as anger and being extremely nervous, problems related to the structural design of the workplace which will hinder flow of information and information overload where workers will require more time to digest and process a lot of information which may overwhelm and distract them from important topics. Activity 7. Question 1. Some information sources might assist in determine what constitutes a hazard. List four Physical Mechanical Biological chemical Question 2. What the consequences of a hazard about risk assessment. Hazards can cause either reversible or irreversible damage to an organization. Therefore, the effects can be said to be acute can be only be felt as soon as the company or person comes into contact with the hazard. Question 3. Moderate. Each day organizations are involved in making decisions that affect the entire operations of the business, therefore, increasing chances of risks when implementing such decisions. Activity 8. Question 1. The process of planning involves the arrangement of various tasks following a schedule and allocation of resources. To identify hazard during the planning and evaluation phase, one has to examine and scrutinize each work task to determine its viability and see if any risks can be attached to the work. Question 2. Hazards and their effects Workplace hazard Example of hazard Example of harm caused Material Aluminium ladder Electric shock Condition Wet ladder Slips, fall Thing Gutter Cut Process Fixing, welding Metal fume, cuts (Ccohs.ca, 2017). Activity 9 Question 1. Level 1 Once a hazard has been identified, a risk assessment process has to be conducted considering all possibilities of occurrence of the same risk and the level of damage the risk is probably going to cause. Acknowledging the magnitude of the risk will aid to determine the kind and quantity of resources needed. In conclusion, a risk should be handled as soon it's identified and measured. Question 2.Hieracy of controls HIGHEST LOWEST (Ccohs.ca, 2017). Question 3. I would employ level 3 of hazard control by using personal protective techniques and reducing the exposure of being run over by a car. Activity 10. Question 1. All hazards are usually dealt with considering their priority and the magnitude of effects the risk is probably to cause. If a risk cannot be eliminated once identified then attempts should be made at minimizing it. Inadequacy in the hierarchy can be identified where hazards are beyond control, and the magnitude of consequences are beginning to be felt. Question 2. When allocating resources for the various hazards, one should consider factors such as the occurrence of the risk, the size of damage the threat would cause and the availability of the required resources. The urgency of the risk will also determine the kind of resources to be allocated. Activity 11 When a hazard was not identified at an early stage, and the effects seem to lose control the affected parties can then seek advice from a specialist to at least control the damage. Activity 12 The three primary sources of information used by organizations and business to get information about work health and safety include government documents and publications, the media and industry associations. Activity 13 Question 1 Cuts, Metal fume fever Leukaemia Shocks, electrocution Mesothelioma from asbestos materials Question 2 It's usually critical to be protective when dealing with workplace injuries or diseases especially if they are contiguous. During cuts, there always the fear of contracting HIV if the both the infected and the person offering first aid have open wounds. Another instance is when a workmate has flue which is airborne and easily contagious and it, therefore, vital for such persons to be isolated till they get better. Activity 14 Question 1 A safety management system uses all various elements in a workplace that require attention to ensure a conducive and safe working environment. These elements include- Monitoring Supervision and reporting Policies and procedures A safety plan and Training and induction (Healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au, 2017). Question 2 For any organization administration to be successful, there ought to be well-defined objectives, goals, and policies that stir the business forward. The managers should also employ careful risk management techniques that will see through all planned processes and activities. Activity 15 Question 1 Improvements and adjustments are very crucial in the growth of any organization. With time the business ought to adapt to a new style of management that are on trend with the advanced technology so as to keep both clients and workers up to date. Question 2 Changes in the health and safety management system could be realized where the tasks are technical in nature and require new ways of execution. New machinery will mean more training to workers to adapt to the new technology and therefore new ways of maintaining safety in the workplace. Activity 16 Question 1 Government policies are significant in ensuring companies operate legal businesses with limited freedom. To make sure a firm is compliant with the legislative standards, the company will be required to file returns and submit annual audits to justify the operation of the business. Question 1 The presence of legislation policies aid an organization to know its limit of operation and expectations it's required to meet from the government. The main aim of the safety and health legislation is to ensure there is safe and conducive working environment for both clients and workers. Employers are therefore obligated in ensuring that each employee adheres to the laid down policies of safety in the organization. He is required to formulate regulations that encourage safety and care for the well-being of its workers. Question 2 Hazard is anything that carries the potential to cause harm while risk on the hand is the likelihood of the harm occurring. The purpose of risk assessment to ensure the hazard is analyzed and examined to determine the damage it could cause. A risk can be identified through proper examining of all tasks and how they will be carried out. Question 3 Level 1 -control measures- it is the most effective means of eliminating hazards and any risks accompanied. Level 2 control measure-this involves substitution with a substance aimed at reducing the risk and isolation of hazard, for instance, locking out chemicals in store rooms. Level 3 control measures- the control options, in this case, are administrative procedures and use of personal protective tools and training in its application. For instance protecting feet using safety boots Ccohs.ca, 2017). Question 4 It's important for the regulatory authority to be acknowledged regularly of incidents that happen in an organization. The incidents could be injuries as a result of electric shocks, cuts or ill-health. The report provided to the regulatory body should include the event of the incident, potential consequences related, recommendations, communication of results from the findings and cautions in using accident and ill health data. Project ABC is a chemical industry. Therefore, it will be required by the legislature to adhere to policies regarding Industrial Relations Act, Anti-discrimination Act and Occupational Health and Safety Act. The location of the company puts the whole business at risk due to the frequent accidents witnessed at a busy intersection. The company also lacks the emergency equipment to counter any emergent hazard that could occur. The personnel operating the technical equipment also lack training and in the safe handling of the machines exposing themselves health hazards. To eliminate or reduce the risk at hand, ABC is advised to follow the following steps- Identify hazards, Asses the risks, Implement control solutions and Monitor controls Work cited Cleverism. (2017). How to Define Roles, Responsibilities and Handovers. [online] Available at: https://www.cleverism.com/how-to-define-roles-responsibilities-handovers/ [Accessed 26 Jan. 2017]. Pcbu.com.au. (2017). PCBU Duties | PCBU. [online] Available at: http://www.pcbu.com.au/pcbu-duties/ [Accessed 26 Jan. 2017]. Hsa.ie. (2017). Safety and Health Managment - Health and Safety Authority. [online] Available at: http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Managing_Health_and_Safety/Safety_and_Health_Management_Systems/ [Accessed 26 Jan. 2017]. nibusinessinfo.co.uk. (2017). Writing and communicating staff policies | nibusinessinfo.co.uk. [online] Available at: https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/writing-and-communicating-staff-policies [Accessed 26 Jan. 2017]. Ccohs.ca. (2017). Hazard and Risk : OSH Answers. [online] Available at: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/hazard_risk.html [Accessed 26 Jan. 2017]. Healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au. (2017). 6 elements of an effective safety management system. [online] Available at: http://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/6-elements-of-an-effective-safety-management-system/ [Accessed 26 Jan. 2017]. Read More