Techniques for Ensuring Safety in an Organization - Coursework Example

This paper evaluates different programs and their success in reducing unsafe conditions and acts.

The first technique is promulgating and enforcing safety standards to reduce hazards. This seeks to enhance safer working conditions for the workers. Most researchers recognize that a well-designed safety program with proper management can help reduce accidents and resultant costs. Ideally, safety concerns decline once an organization adopts an operative safety management system. The Safety management programs involve training and motivation of employees through incentives, inspection, and investigation of accidents, reinforcement of safe behavior, as well as safety committees (Verney, 2004). This defines a bottom-up approach that is worker-friendly and ensures the effective involvement of all stakeholders to enhance organizational safety.

The second technique relates to the use of personal protective equipment while working within an organization. Ideally, workers come across different hazards that may include toxic chemicals, sharp objects, machines, polluted air, and radiation that lead to long-term adverse effects. As such, all workers need to put on personal protective equipment. This is for the safety of the workers, their families, and the working environment. The use of personal protective equipment also enhances workers’ motivation since they reduce the risk of contracting any potential infection (LaMontagne, Oakes, & Lopez Turley, 2004). Such employees develop the courage to carry out their responsibility without fear of unknown hazards.

The third technique relates to hazard communication which offers relevant information to all workers in an organization. This is significant since it helps workers to beware of potential hazards so that they can be cautious. Communication is important in health and safety management since some workers ignore safety precautions as they seek to meet deadlines and targets without fail (Smith, 2003). It, therefore, becomes necessary that they get information on any potential causes of harm to enhance their cautiousness. The fourth technique entails training and education that fosters hazard communication. The training guides the workers on how to curb hazards and how enhance protection and handle harm in case it occurs (Smith, Ansari, & Harper, 2005). Apparently, training is a long-term measure that may reduce unsafe conditions and acts across different generations of workers in an organization.

The last technique includes developing an organizational health culture, by emphasizing and supporting health efforts. This may include proposing penalties for organizations that violate OSHA standards (Verney, 2004). As such, organizations should develop policies and procedures, and promote health programs as defined in OSHA standards. This ensures that organizations prioritize the health and well-being of the workers. Indeed, workers derive their motivation from the organization’s commitment to their well-being (Dessler, 2000). Thereby, workers and the organization work together towards enhancing health, safety, and security.