Workplace Health and Safety - Essay Example

Workplace Health and Safety Question One In all workplaces, fire is a potential hazard lying in wait for the optimum chance to strike. Fire safety measures should be at the fingertips of every employee working in company. Being a member of the Occupational Health and Safety, my responsibilities includes those of designing effecting firer safety procedures, anti-smoking policies, and manual handling in case of fire hazard outbreak. The fire safety-learning program will incorporate several steps. The initial step would be to assess and analyze the fire risk of the company. This will establish the most appropriate means of the learning program. Next will be the designing of learning objectives on fire safety. This will provide guidelines for the outreach plan. The next step would be designing compelling messages that streamline vast knowledge and information on fire safety. The few resonating messages will incorporate definition of fire safety, the challenges, and possible solutions, spread through such media like pocketsize booklets, power point presentations, and schematic diagrams and instructions on the fire emergency system that is in place. In addition, there will be creation and design of optimal fire safety workshops and campaigns within the company’s environment. The workshop will oversee the implementation of the set objectives and tactics to enhance fire safety in the workplace. The last step would be tracking the results of the learning strategy. This revolves around measuring the outcome of the strategy through observation of fire drills at the workplace. In case the objectives are not met according to expectation, there will be adjustment of the tactics used. Manual handling education will include learning strategies organized into sessions in structured training programs by facilitators. Theses programs will include exercises, practical activities, and assessment to impact skills and knowledge in safe handling methods common in industrial encounters. The training part will incorporate task and work skill analysis for identification and rectification of poor handling techniques, identification of causes of accidents, and understanding back pain mechanism (back pain is one of the common health problem in industrial set ups). Besides workshops, manual handling posters will be erect in strategic positions in the workplace premises. Anti-smoking learning strategies will include educational programs incorporating a fear-based element to pass through the harmful effects of smoking, which will include videos highlighting the health effects of smoking. The programs will include strategically designed information that tackles all the health problems associated with smoking (Grammeno, 2009). These programs will be under carefully selected environment and company workshop, with the main speakers from among the workers themselves. In addition, posters will also be erect prohibiting smoking at the workplace. The OH&S department will develop a website that incorporates fire safety, manual handling, and anti-smoking information on an easy to understand platform. Question Two Considering the observations that Heather has made during her induction, she seem quit sensitive on the issue of occupational Health and safety. From this point of view, Heather should take initiative to enhance the safety measures at the workplace. Since she is still new in the company, she should form an association with the fellow employees first, then raise the issue of safety of the premises. Having a back up from the relatively older employees may enable her to raise the issue to the Grumble, Bludge and Scrowl Lawyers’’ administration. She should also try to obtain the OH&S history of the company together with the representatives from colleagues. Armed with the information, she will be at a position to face the representatives with facts and opinions about the OH&S position of the company. The two workers should analyze the looming safety hazards in the workplace and draft remedies for countering safety (Grammeno, 2009). They should draft a careful proposal plan for safety measures in the company which must includes the current safety issues (as observed by Heather) and their impact to the company, OH&S proposal schedules and budgets. After acceptance of their proposal, the OH&S representative should start implementing the safety measures and solutions to the current safety hazard in the premises. To begin with, the representative should enlighten the staff members at the company on the safety hazards existing in their environment. An informed staff force may assist largely with the haphazard positioning of the boxes. According to the description by Heather, the employees are the cause most of the hazards. Prevention of hazards from the boxes positioning and the staples in the base of photocopiers is possible through proper education of the employees on safety measures at the workplace. The OH&S representative should also strive to set up regulations for the arrangement and maintenance of order inside the premises. The safety emergency system (including the fire exit corridors) should be well illustrated and kept clear. In addition to these, the OH&S should request the management to fix the ‘hot’ tap in the kitchen to eliminate the risk posed by the boiling water. He should also propose re-designing of the marble stairs between level 23 and 24 with a flooring material that is safer. After managing the existing hazards, the representative should organize seminars, workshops and safety drills for the workers in the company where control measures and their importance will be the subject. Question Three The renovation of the kitchen incorporates many safety and health hazards that require analysis and observation. I would classify the whole work under three major tasks: removing the old features that I need to renovate, putting up the new features, and finalizing on the renovation. All the stages of renovation are associated with serious health and safety hazards (Lingard & Rowlinson, 2005). The initial task of removing the old features in the kitchen requires physical involvement. Pulling down the old cupboard doors and removing the linoleum exposes one to the risk of self-injury. This may be a result of mishandling one of the tools used in the removal of the doors, or even mistakes occurring from manual handling of the doors. Physical injuries, especially on the hands, are highly probable. The measures to consider in such a scenario is proper handling of tools and other objects in the kitchen, and wearing a pair of construction gloves to prevent extreme injuries to the hands. Having a construction overall with a helmet and a waist belt that holds all the tools is necessary. Construction glasses and facemasks to prevent injuries from flying object and inhalation of dust are also very necessary. Besides these cautionary measures, avoiding unnecessary distractions will be an added advantage. Abrupt distractions may result to injuries. After removal of the features due for replacement, all potentially harmful material should be position properly. Careful placement of nails or sharp objects will prevent injuries. The second task will be moving the new features in place and fixing them to the designated positions. The risks involved in this stage are similar to those encountered in the first task, but with the addition of manual handling risks (Lingard & Rowlinson, 2005). Fixing the new kitchen cupboards will require transportation and careful positioning of the same. With the construction suit in place, the only concerns will now be the handling of the tools and the new features. Careful positioning of the doors and the linoleum components will prevent potential bodily injuries. The final task that incorporates the paintings and final touches will involve extreme caution. Replacement of the construction suit with a painting suit is necessary. The essentials that have to be included are facemask to prevent inhalation of the paint, headgear, and proper clothing. The ladder (if used) should be stable enough to sustain the painting process. In addition, packets of milk or any other drink that may subsidize the effects of paint incase of swallowing or choking will be available. Question Four A proper induction program covers a wide base of the business operation of the company. A basic overview of an induction program includes a good reception of the new employee. The line manager or production manager will spend some time with the employee on the first day. Perusal of the necessary documentation and paperwork for the employee is also important, and includes any relevant health certificates if necessary. The program will also include an outline of the employee’s work structure. Next will be a thorough overview on the basic safety and healthy information in the company. The new employee will be given the company’s employee handbook, or the guidelines that concerns dress codes, break times, welfares, and other issues. The last factor will be allowing the employee to exhibit some practical skills. Designing the induction programs for two new employees will need considerations of their different roles in the company. The program design for the two employees should be different, as Overton will require office hazards education while Stubbs requires information on factory hazards and safety management. This difference is a result of their different working environments. Nevertheless, the two employees will undergo similar OH&S briefing and education with differences occurring in the training part. The OH&S representatives may also be different, so each employee will have a formal introduction to their respective OH&S supervisors separately. Below is the induction program checklist for both the employees that follow the guidelines of a departmental/job induction-training checklist due to their different job descriptions. (NB: All roles follow job-specific duties) Departmental induction program checklist Where When Person Responsible Done (When) Evaluation Follow-up Departmental amenities, washrooms, catering Departmental attendance and time, security, holidays, sickness, absenteeism Departmental emergency procedures Departmental structures Departmental orientation tour Departmental aims and functions Team and management Departmental people and personalities overview Related departments and their functions Departmental work and relation to others Protocols, unwritten rules, politics Departmental workflow Service flow and customer service standards Management, communication, and reporting structure Work jargon, terminology, and definition of departmental terms Care and use of issued equipments Workstation or workplace Departmental housekeeping Supplies and stationeries Job description, including scope, duties, authority, coverage, area, and territory Current priorities, standards and expectations Use of job specific tools, equipments Use of job specific substances, materials, consumables Storage and handling Technical training- with regards to job description and department Product training - with regards to job description and department Service training - with regards to job description and department Job specific safety and health training Job specific administration, training Performance reporting Performance evaluation Analysis methods of job specific training needs and next steps Training plans after initial induction Training assistance, support, mentor support Who to call, where to go, who to ask for advice and help Beginning of one on one coaching Training review dates and time Development of personal objectives and goals Self driven development opportunities Groups, virtual teams, and projects open to job roles Social clubs and activities Initial induction debriefing and feedback Next training actions confirmation Wider site and amenities tour Question Five The latest legislation on health and safety at work to become law is the Work Health and Safety Act in Queensland parliament on May 26, 2011 (Catanzariti). The act is part of the harmonized workplace health and safety expected to take effect in January 2011 in Queensland and Australia. The major changes in the act include; removal of the reverse onus proof requirement, trade unions will no longer have the power to carry on with proceedings against employers, and the extension of liabilities for directors and officers of corporations. The new law holds officers and directors responsible for violation of the occupational health and safety requirements. The officers are classified as those individuals involved in making decisions for the organization, those who have the capacity to influence the organization’s financial status, and administrators, liquidators and receivers. The penalties have increased to a maximum of up to six hundred thousand dollars and/or a five years jail term. The bill focuses on the involvement of officers and directors of companies. With barely a month to effect of the act, the focus will be to establish a culture in the workplace that ensures health and safety measures are taken seriously. All the officers in the management level of the company will be required to take responsibility of health and safety of their employees through conducting a careful diligence procedure. The procedure will include: i. Ensuring that the necessary resources are in place to minimize or eliminate any health and safety hazard ii. Understanding and evaluating the health and safety hazards prone to the daily operation of the business iii. Designing and implementing the necessary changes that are required by the new health and safety act 2011 iv. Efficient and timely response to health and safety incidents that may affect the workers v. Updating the subordinates and supervisors on the new legislations and keeping an eye on any health and safety issues that affect companies In general, the old health and safety regulation at the workplace needs revision, or change if necessary. Officers and employees of the company will receive clear and concise information concerning the new rules, and a culture of adherence to the OH&S regulations. The officers will receive briefing on their new obligations, and the consequences that may follow if they neglect them. Both the officers and workers should embrace a positive attitude towards safety and health issues. References Catanzariti, J. Occupational Health and Safety Insights. Retrieved on November, 14 2011, from http://www.claytonutz.com/publications/newsletters/occupational_health_and_safety_insights/20110602/ohs_harmonisation_update.page Grammeno, G. (2009). Planning Occupational Health & Safety. Victoria: McPherson’s Printing Group. Hughes, P. & Ferrett, E. (2010). Introduction to International Health and Safety at Work. Oxford: Elsevier Limited. Lingard, H. & Rowlinson, S. M. (2005). Occupational Health and Safety in Construction Project Management. New York: Spon Press. Rasbash, D., Ramachandran, B. & Kandola, B. (2004). Evaluation of Fire safety. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Read More