Occupational Health And Safety And Injury Management - Research Paper Example

Summary Health and safety measures are an integral part of any production unit. In the past, a company’s well being was solely gauged on its financial performance. But, with growing awareness and improving technologies, social initiatives have become a must for companies to thrive. However, due to their complex nature, their implementation is much more difficult than their planning. Following report briefs about the safety, health and learning issues faced by a furniture company and details the implementation and reporting of the suggested initiatives. Table of Contents Introduction 2 Background 4 Issues 4 Conclusion 7 Works cited 8 Report on Learning Development and Occupation Health, Safety and Injury Management Introduction In the past, safety and health initiatives were considered as cost centers to manage regulations. However during the last few decades the view has gradually shifted from “compliance and humanitarian concerns” to value adding measures. This transition was essentially driven by the cost associated with such accidents and increasing social needs. “It has been estimated that the indirect costs of an accident or illness can be four to ten times greater than the direct costs, or even more. An occupational illness or accident can have so many indirect costs to workers that it is often difficult to measure them”(International Labour Organization,n.d). On the other hand the employers also bear enormous costs for occupational accidents. According to International Labour organization there are at least “250 million occupational accidents occur every year worldwide. 335,000 of these accidents are fatal”(ILO,n.d).Today, it is a well accepted fact that safety and learning issues impact company’s long term image and performance. Magnum Interiors had seen frequent occupational accidents and one law suit in last five years. In order to avoid future damage the company is looking forward to OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) and ISO 9001:2000 certifications. According to an external certification representative, the company needs to streamline its basic safety measures and reporting first. The following report addresses to the most crucial safety and learning problems present in the company’s production unit. It also presents the reporting and responsibility for the same. Issues to be reviewed Magnum Interiors deals in furniture manufacturing. Furniture making involves both carpentry and painting processes. These processes have presented many managerial and functional challenges in the past including hesitation of the workers to adapt to new technology, improper usage of machines, health hazards due saw dust and paint fumes and excessive noise. Following report presents a detailed analysis of these issues and recommends necessary measure to improve safety and performance. Objectives of analysis This study is aimed at Analyzing major safety issues arising from the installation of new machines Analyzing health issues in production operation The measures that can be adopted to minimize or eradicate these issues. Role of training and learning development in improvement. Implementation of those measures Scope of the study This scope of this study is limited to the specified company i.e. Magnum Interiors only. The issues analyzed are limited to the ones that relate to spray painting process and the newly installed table saw. However, the measures recommended are regular in nature and can be applied in other companies of similar nature as well. Background Production operations and management structure of The Magnum Interiors are studied in detail to analyze issues and recommend solutions. Standards, monitoring and reporting are recommended keeping in view the existing structure. Methodology used Both primary and secondary data is used for the study. Primary data includes findings from interviews of workers, supervisors and HR executives. A visual inspection of the workshop was made and findings recorded. Secondary data includes data from online libraries, articles and websites. Company’s system manual has also been referred. International Labour Organization website and, Occupational Health and Safety reports and manuals have been studied for appropriate measures. Issues Paint fumes Most of the painters work without personal protection. Extensive exposure to paint fumes can lead to several health hazards including “bone marrow, hepatitis and brain disease. Wet paint is also known to cause allergy and other health problems. People exposed to wet paint can develop problems such as occupational asthma, rhinitis and dermatoses. Long term exposure to solvents has been shown to be associated with sinunasal cancer”(Rongo,2005). Interview findings confirmed that the workers were unaware of the hazards associated. Many workers reported skin and respiratory problems and complained of nasal infections and sneezing. Fire hazard The workshop for paint processes lacked ventilation. Apart from health hazards this also presents a fire threat for the workers. A mixture of gas, volatile fluids and dust makes the area highly flammable. Wood dust Wood dust contains chemical in the form of resin acids and/or preservatives. The workers worked without wearing masks in carpentry section. These carpenters were also exposed to solvents in glues and varnish. In wood section many workers complained about coughs, chest pains, sneezing, headache and nose irritation. Inappropriate usage of tools and machines The table saw operator did not replace guards after they were removed for a critical piece. Some of the workers left their tools on the floor after work hours. Improper training It was also noted that the saw operator had no formal training of the machine. Although facilities were provided, the workers were not using them due to lack of awareness and training on safety measure. Preventive and corrective measures All the above mentioned issues more or less relate to awareness and learning development in the production department. An effective on job training and health and safety awareness program can address these issues. Table 1 illustrates the Corrective and preventive action for the same. Issue Correction Prevention HR policy Benefits Challenges Reporting Responsibility Paint fumes 1.The area should be cleaned . 2. Health checkups should be done and treatment should be given if needed 1. Exhaust fans to be installed. 2. Wearing masks should be made mandatory Policy on wearing face masks 1. Health benefits 2.Fewer employee sick leaves Uniform implementation Audit report Workshop Supervisors Fire hazard Premises should be cleaned 1.Fire fighting equipments should be installed 2.Fire escape should be made and demarcated 3. Adequate ventilation should be provided Policy for installation and maintenance of fire fighting equipments Prevention of property and lives Maintenance of equipments 1.Audit reports` Maintenance department Wood dust Premises should be cleaned 1.Dust collectors to be installed 2. Wearing masks and glasses should be made mandatory 1.Policy on wearing face masks and glasses 2. Policy on maintenance of collectors 1. Health benefits 2. Fewer employee sick leaves Uniform implementation and awareness amongst workers Audits Supervisors Inappropriate usage of tools and machines Tools should be checked 1. Training of workers on safety 2. User manuals and stickers 1. Policy on safety training 1. Reduced accidents Training effectiveness Audits Operators Wearing glasses, masks, gloves and shoes should be made mandatory in the workshop. Adequate ventilation should be ensured and exhaust fans should be installed in both carpentry and paint section. Arrangements should be done to remove the saw dust at regular intervals. Recommendations External audits from OHS representatives Awareness amongst workers Introduce hygiene practices: wash hands, take showers and change clothes Use masks or respirators and gloves Remove dust frequently Wear glasses Introduce gas collection system in working area Ensure adequate ventilation and install exhaust fans Conclusion Occupational accidents can be reduced to a great extent by providing adequate training to workers. Effective learning development also leads to “reducing errors, defects, waste, and related costs (4) improving responsiveness and cycle time performance; (5) increasing productivity and effectiveness in the use of all resources throughout the organization; and (6) enhancing the organization’s performance in fulfilling its public responsibilities and service as a good citizen”(Dwarkanath & Mala,n.d). Therefore the past notion of health and safety initiatives being a cost centers do not hold true. With proper initiatives the company saves its operating and legal costs. With the initiatives listed above, the company can look forward to international certifications. This will help in motivating its employees and reinforcing its image. Works cited International Labour organization. “Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety”. actrav.itcilo.org. n.d. 6th Oct 2010 Dwarkanath, P & Mala, M. “Effective learning and Development Programs- Best Practices”. Tata Consultancy Services. n.d. 6th Oct 2010. “Occupational Health and Safety”.ohsonline.com. 2010. 6th Oct 2010. Rongo, L. “Health Risk Related to Chemicals used in Small scale Industries in the Informal Sector”. East African Journal of Public Health.2005. 7th Oct 2010. Read More