OSHA Lockout-Tagout Program - Research Paper Example

OSHA Lockout Tagout Program of the of the Introduction This research study is centered towards analyzing different aspects related to worker’s safety. Occupational safety is a major factor in any workplace scenario. Technological innovations have enabled an organization to incorporate best measures which shall safeguard employees. Hazardous energy needs to be controlled efficiently as it results into increased percentage of accidents in workplace. Appropriate Tagout or lockout procedures and practices protect employees from this form of hazardous energy. The research aim for this study is to evaluate OSHA program which is implemented for workplace safety. There are certain specific research aims for this study such as: To analyze different dimensions associated with occupational safety To determine impact of hazardous energy on worker’s lifestyle To critically study OSHA Lockout or Tagout Program To evaluate advanced technologies utilized in workplace safety like PPE equipment, automation, etc. The research question for the study is –“what is the significance of OSHA Lockout or Tagout Program on workplace safety?” This study would encompass a theoretical framework along with appropriate analysis of real time data. Literature Review According to Friend and Kohn (2014), workplace health and safety is mainly concerned with welfare, safety and health of individuals engaged in an organization. The goal of this safety and health measures is to enable a safe work environment. Health and safety parameters in workplace protect employers, co-workers, customers, family members and others who are affected by occupational conditions. This aspect is essential for financial, moral and legal reasons. There is a common law duty for employers in terms of taking care of their employees. Statute law usually develops on this form of law structure. It imposes general duties and includes specific duties to regulate safety issues at workplace. Details related to these duties usually vary across jurisdiction levels. Employee injury can be reduced to a great extent through occupational health and safety standards. It even helps to reduce costs associated with illness like sick leave, medical care and costs of disability benefits. Occupation health has three main objectives such as promotion and maintenance of working or health capacity of workers, work environment improvement to facilitate safety and health, and promoting smooth operation or positive social climate to enhance level of productivity. Working culture is closely knitted with various perspectives of workplace safety and health. This culture is highly reflected within managerial systems, participation principles, quality management, training policies and personnel policy. The occupational safety regulation is comparatively a new phenomenon. HM Factory Inspectorate was formed in 1833 to inspect nearby factories in United Kingdom so as to ensure that child textile workers are being protected from injuries. Royal Commission in 1840 summarized findings on occupational safety. This outlined scenario of mining industry that included a dangerous environment and was accountable for wide array of accidents. In 1884 the first worker’s compensation law was developed to enable workplace safety. This was the first law in favor of workers in Western World which was followed by inauguration of laws in other countries. These laws were framed so as to cater all forms of labor unrest. In many industries physical hazards are often regarded as the major source of injuries. Mining or construction industries are likely to cause such physical hazards and hence there is a need to adopt preventive measures. Apart from physical hazards, there are other forms of injuries also caused such as chemical and biological hazards. These hazards cause serious impact on health of workers. Biological hazards are related to virus, fungi, bacteria, tuberculosis and blood-borne pathogens. On the other hand, chemical hazards are strongly related to solvents, metals, fumes, petroleum, fire or explosion hazards, deflagration, fumes or evolution of harmful gases, etc. Psychological hazards are also a common phenomenon in workplace. There are different aspects which contribute towards these hazards. Psychological risks can be described as precarious work contracts, job insecurity feeling, enhanced worker vulnerability, aging workforce, work intensification, outsourcing or lean production, poor work-life balance, etc. In overall risk assessment, hazard assessment or identification forms an important element. Firstly hazards need to be identified then only can it be eliminated or controlled by the management. Hazard control can be classified as a dynamic mechanism of prevention. These hazard based programs usually indicates that there are different acceptable risks within an organization. The program being designed might not be able to eliminate all forms of workplace risks but active measure is encompassed to control risks to desirable extent (Friend and Kohn, 2014). In modern context, occupational and health legislation usually demands for a risk assessment program. There are certain steps to be followed in these programs like identifying hazards, determining victims of such hazards, evaluating risk and prioritizing control measures. These risk assessment practices are reviewed whenever there are changes in workplace practices. Data Analysis and Findings OSHA standard is regarded as an efficient measure undertaken for occupational health and safety. This standard is also known as Tagout or lockout program to effectively control wide array of hazardous energy. OSHA standard encompasses some procedures or practices to disable equipment or machinery in order to prevent workplace from hazardous energy sources. Employees in the meantime perform their maintenance or servicing activities. The standard highlights regulating hazardous energies like mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical, pneumatic or other sources of energy. Controlling these hazardous energy sources is essential since it might result into death or serious physical harm. When workplace has compliance with Tagout or lockout program it helps in preventing approximately 50,000 injuries and 120 fatalities per year. OSHA standard establishes responsibility of eliminating affect caused by hazardous energy sources. This standard provides every employee with flexibility to structure energy control program. The program to be designed by workers has to be aligned with workplace needs and equipment or machine type to be serviced or maintained. This objective is accomplished through affixing lockout devices to devices which isolates energy. It is basically done through de-energizing equipment and machines. Employees need to be properly trained so as to ensure that they are aware about hazardous energy control procedures. There are certain requirements of OSHA standard which needs to be followed by employers. Most critical requirement is to develop and implement an energy regulating program. Tagout devices can only be replaced by lockout devices when it is able to provide similar employee protection. Employers should be able to ensure that overhauled equipment possesses the ability of being locked out. The OSHA standard generally covers private sector workers and employers. It even comprises of public sector workers and employers and certain jurisdictions or territories under federal authority. There are some specific requirements in OSHA standard for employers like enabling fall protection, preventing cave-ins, preventing overall exposure to harmful diseases, ensuring worker’s safety in context of those entering confined spaces, avoidance of harmful chemicals, providing respirators and putting technological advanced guards on different dangerous machines at workplace. OSHA standard focuses on carrying out surprised inspections when agency witnesses employees to be working under unstable workplace conditions. These inspections are basically exhibited without any form of prior notice. This kind of activity is executed by well trained compliance officers. The tasks to be performed by the agency is also prioritized in the form of imminent danger, hospitalizations or fatalities, worker referrals or complaints, targeted inspections and follow-up inspections. OSHA standard is not only centered towards preventing any form of hazards at workplace but even maintain appropriate data set to ensure that similar accidental scenario is not repeated in future years. There are new technologies evolving which is magnificently contributing towards workplace safety and health. PPE or personal protective equipment is one such technology that helps to prevent workplace hazards. This practice indicates protective goggles, helmets, garments or other clothing which are used by employees in order to protect themselves from injury. Protective equipment usually addresses hazards such as heat, physical, chemical, electrical, airborne particulate and biohazards. This kind of technology based devices is introduced within the workplace when administrative or engineering controls is not able to reduce risk to desirable levels. Another technology utilized for worker’s safety is the approach of automation. Automation basically means usage of wide array of control systems so as to reduce the level of human intervention. All the workplace processes are automated in order to increase productivity and reduce the level of workplace hazards. Technology forms the pillar of automation where all devices are computerized and focus is on generating maximum output. Conclusion According to the research study, occupational health and safety are the major area of concern for management. Workers often witness unstable workplace conditions that might result into serious health hazards. There are new legislative laws structured for workers in order to protect them from any kind of occupational hazards. OSHA standards outline all those requirements which have to be accomplished by employees or employers for ensuring a safe workplace. Energy sources often results into various hazards for employees at times even leading to death. There are new technologies implemented in organizations to safeguard employees in terms of utilization of PPE equipment, automation, etc. To certain extent these approaches has prevented workplace hazards and reduced the level of occupational injuries. Reference Friend, M. A. and Kohn, J. P. (2014). Fundamentals of occupational safety and health. London: Bernan Press. Read More