The Occupational Health and Safety Roles and Responsibilities of Staff within the Organization - Term Paper Example

Name Instructor Date OHSMS systems 1 Introduction OHSMS are concerned with the safety and health of people that are engaged in a certain working environment. It is a basic human right where the enjoyment of these standards of work is accessible to every worker (Fairfax 54). Despite the nature of workers, it sis required that they work in environment that is safe and secure or free of hazards. Therefore, these working rights are set in such a way that they make sure that employees have a clear mind over their obligations as well as the consequences they are likely to bear for neglecting them. 1 OHS system sections In order for an OHS system to be effective it can comprise of the following sections. Senior management leadership and commitment; Active involvement of each individual in the workplace; Effective communication through consultation; Provision of appropriate information, education and training; Hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control at workplace level; and Development and implementation of OHS management information systems The following diagram is a simple representation of a OHS system sections 1.1. OH&S policy and compliance. The policy and aim of the system will be to set all the communication arrangements and policy review. The safety standards of the system are based under the following aspects; equipment public safety, and accident compensation (Kamardeen 49). The application of the policy comprises of all the operations even in situations where employees work offsite. 1.2. The OH&S roles and responsibilities of staff within the organization. Implementation of the policy is not a one party task; however, every representative in management is accountable. The annual performance review will be used to measure it. The management responsibilities include; maintenance and work place provision in a condition that is safe. They are also responsible in ensuring that employees perform their tasks in a safe environment (Fairfax). The employees, on the other hand, should ensure that the clearly follow the safety procedures and policies. It’s the responsibility of an employee to report any case of hazard to the manager or supervisor. 1.3. OH&S resources and staff requirement The main aim of the system is to protect workers from health threats and hazards in the working environment. OH&S sets the procedures on all the work place parties (Fairfax 120). In addition, it also establishes expected and required procedures for handling hazards that are in the work place. All the staff has a key role to play within these work places to make the process and system adapt to the organization easily. 1.4. OH&S documentation and record keeping All the issues concerning feed back on the application and adoption of the system procedures with the operations of the organization will be collected from all relevant stakeholders .The process will involve through filling of questioners where employees and other organization members will give their views on the effectiveness of the system 2. Sections of OH&S system that cover participative arrangements within your organization: These sections involves all the system stakeholders and their effectiveness and procedures followed are as indicated in the following areas 2.4 Recommendations for participative arrangements These arrangements are reviewed, in consultation with stakeholders, to ensure they meet legislative requirements and are realistic, practical and acceptable in the workplace. 2.1. The OH&S induction and training program The Processes to provide necessary OHS information and data design goes in line with the in consultation of all involved stakeholders (Rocha 50). In addition, processes that enables individuals and groups to be consult concerning workplace OHS factors and OHS input decision production are in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. 2.2. Alternative methods to communicate OH&S information and procedures to staff. Employees training are an alternative communication method to allow effective participation. These methods are clearly identified and documented (Kamardeen 1). The training session can be done in groups to ensure an easy adaption to the system procedure. 2.3. Processes on consulting with staff to obtain their feedback on OH&S issues. The senior management that is concerned with the operation and application of the system will hold meetings in order to pass the information concerning the system. There will also be training session as a way of updating people on the system. 2.4. Actions on issues and problems are raised. The senior management and all the involved stakeholders will be ready to act on the feed back got from the system users with immediate effect (Rocha). The raised concerns will be dealt with without ease as a way of improving and ensuring a continued effectiveness of the OH$S system. 3. Sections of OH&S system that cover risk management In the case of identifying activities and task that are considered to have or pose health risk, all the business units and departments are involved. This process is made possible by looking up for hazards in the following areas; Toxins and chemical areas Biological and human Manual management area Physical surroundings or workplace plan e.g. restricted spaces Electrical Traffic organization Organizational and technical arrangements Psycho-social environment and task design The following areas are also important when it comes to selecting more hazards: Conducting an inspection of the workstation Collecting views from staff Holding ordinary OH&S meetings Enquiring from the OH&S group and, examination manufacturer directives 3.1. Hazard identifying Current procedures Step 1 -to recognize probable hazards Step 2 -to review the jeopardy linked with each one hazard Step 3 –choosing appropriate exposure controls Step 4 –To put into practice the chosen controls Step 5 –To review the selected control effectiveness 3.2. Procedures for assessing the level of risk resulting from identified hazards. After a hazard is indentified, the following brief procedure can be used to asses the level of risk that results from the hazards indentified (Gallagher). The risk can be identified by putting into consideration the probability of an event combined with the harm severity of the event. In the case of probability, the factors are arranged in a descending order of importance. Frequent –Probable –infrequent –Remote –implausible In the case of Severity, descending order is also used as shown Disastrous –Critical –subsidiary –Negligible 3.3. Hierarchy of control This is the golden rule that is reliable as well as cost effective method of hazard control. The procedure is as shown below; Eliminate: this means trying to do away with the hazard. Substitute: In most case it is not possible to eliminate an hazard, therefore substituting it with a much lower risk hazard is an option Isolate: this is the third option in the hierarchy. This can be isolating a certain personnel from the risk or otherwise. Engineering: These involve aspects such as applying guards, switches among other aspects. Administration: Examples in this level includes coming up with work place procedures, offering specialist training, among others. Protective Equipment; this is the final step in the hierarchy. These safety equipments involve aspects such as goggles, as well as, glasses. The hierarchy is as shown in the diagram below \ Elimination Substitution Engineering Administration Protect equipment 3.4. Procedures for identifying hazards. These procedures are contained in a safe work method statement. In this assessment there are certain procedures such as: Activity identification All the risks associated to the set activity are identified n as well as safe attributed to those hazards The measures to control the risk are suggested even before the activity starts. And finally it gives a clear description of how the measures are to be reviewed and monitored This process can also be addressed as shown in the following diagram 4. System effectiveness and compliance process System compliance refers to the fact that all the involved parties ensures that the system functions as planned and expected. In order to make sure that they operate and achieve the set goals, the following attributes are applied: There is a high level of involvement from the senior level management and internal audits, inspections, as well as motivation of others in the organization. The senior management is also involved in the accountability (Gallagher 35). The managers on the other hand are able to demonstrate workers concern OHS where they give it back up through actions. Finally, there is a supervisor involvement expectant; active participation of safety and health legislature who holds a broad role; effective OHS committees; intended hazard recognition and risk evaluation together with hazard eradication control emphasis. 4.1. OH&S system complies with all relevant legislation. In order to make sure that the OH&S system complies fully with the relevant legislation, it is ensured that all the legal and other requirements are made accessible to employees and contractors. These are done by ensuring that; recognizing and monitoring permissible and other relevant requirements, providing Updates to the OHSMS on new and tainted legislation, communicating legal, as well as, other necessities, Compliance evaluation, and seeking legal advice where needed 4.2. OH&S system major areas of application There some of the OH&S system that cover the following major areas of the organization as indicated in the following broad areas: 4.2.1. Policies and procedures for monitoring changes in OH&S legislation Changes in the legislation laws can be reviewed on regular basis, It is also advisable to seek relevant advice on this are from the law experts to make sure that every thing goes on as required. 4.2.2. Policies and procedures for evaluating the OHSMS, Evaluating a system is mostly based on the area of its operation; the users of the system are can help in the valuation process (Gallagher 40). The best method to use is through the use of questionnaire and appraisal forms based on the system operation through this it is possible to collect views in line with the system after getting the relevant data analyzing it will be possible to make conclusion in line with the system. 4.2.3. Policies and procedures for improving to the OHSMS These procedures are based on ensuring that there are relevant and immediate Report of hazards within the workplace to the relevant management supervisor as soon as possible after they are identified. The point here is to ensure that the system operates effectively. In addition the injuries and illness should also be reported. Works Cited Gallagher, Clare, Malcolm Rimmer, and Elsa Underhill. Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems: A Review of Their Effectiveness in Securing Healthy and Safe Workplaces. Sydney: National Occupational Health and Safety Commission, 2001. Print. Kamardeen, Imriyas. Ohs Electronic Management Systems for Construction. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2013. Internet resource. Occupational Health and Safety Management System: An Aiha Guidance Document. Fairfax, Va: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 1996. Print. Rocha, Robson. Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems - an Institutional Analysis. København, 2008. Print. Read More