1.2 NDipA Societal Factors Influencing An Org H&S

Question 1

List 8 Societal Factors which influence an Organisations H and S standards and priorities?

Answer 1

1. Economic Climate
2. Government Policy and Initiatives
3. Industry or Business Risk Profile
4. Globalisation of Business
5. Migrant Workers
6. National Level of Sickness Absence
7. Incapacity
8. Societal Expectations of Equality

Question 2

Societal factors which influence an organisations H and S standards

Economic Climate

Answer 2

Wealthy countries
With access to necessities - food, clean water, shelter

Can afford to spend on improving OHS standards

3rd world countries give H and S a lower priority

Question 3

Societal factors which influence an organisations H and S standards

Government policies and initiatives

Answer 3

Gov influences OHS policy as it can create legislation and set standards to improve OHS

Government published a document entitled
‘Working for a Healthier Tomorrow’

In which they advisers that Improving the health of the working age population is critically important for everyone to secure higher economic growth

I.e Life expectancy in UK is higher, but millions of days are lost to work related illness

I.e Working population is healthier than those who do not work

Question 4

Societal factors which influence an organisations H and S standards

Industry or Business Risk Profile

Answer 4

Higher risk (e.g. Nuclear)

Require higher standards of control

As appears to a business who runs a call centre….

Question 5

Societal factors which influence an organisations H and S standards

Globalisation of Business

Answer 5

Businesses operate in different countries

which have different standards for OHS

EEs and countries have different culture towards OHS

Question 6

Societal factors which influence an organisations H and S standards

Migrant Workers

Answer 6

More in the UK (due to EU membership)

Differences in Culture

Communication affects OHS

Question 7

Societal factors which influence an organisations H and S standards

National Level of sickness Absence

Answer 7

150 million days lost to sickness absence each year

Question 8

Societal factors which influence an organisations H and S standards

Incapacity

Answer 8

Higher today

10% of working age population receive allowances as unable to work due to ill health or disability

In 1970 it was 2%

Question 9

Societal factors which influence an organisations H and S standards

Societal Expectations of Equality

Answer 9

Equality Act 2010

legally gives EEs with disabilities rights

Reasonable adjustments

Access and egress