Element 1 - Why we should manage workplace health and safety Flashcards
Exam: What documents can a client request from a contractor to select the safest contractor for the planned work?
It is good practice to select a contractor carefully on the basis of their health and safety competence. To help do this you can ask to see evidence of competence, such as:
* A copy of their health and safety policy.
* Examples of risk assessments and method statements.
* The qualifications and training records of staff.
* Membership of a professional organization or a certified body.
* Records of maintenance and tests for plant and equipment.
* Names of previous or current clients to use as references.
* Accident history records.
* Records of enforcement actions taken by authorities against them.
* Proof of adequate resources, such as access to specialist safety advice
Exam: Outline responsibilities for H&S:
a) directors’ and senior managers’ responsibilities b) middle managers’ and supervisors’ responsibilities
Director and Senior Mgt:
- ensure H&S responsibilities are met
- H&S aims, objectives and overall approach is suitable
- actively participate in the implementation, maintenance, and promotion of H&S system
- lead by example by participating in H&S and visiting work sites
Middle Mgt
- ensure equipment is safe and H&S is being followed
- order and ensure PPE is available and worn
- Conduct safety meeting and communicate H&S related topics
- Ensure appropriate training is given
- Ensure adequate supervision
- cooperate with other managers
- participate in investigations
- ensure corrective actions are implemented
- ensure H&S record are kept
Exam: What sources of information can you use to search national H&S standards?
Information on national standards can be obtained from the relevant national regulatory bodies, who publish guidance documents which provide information on the legal standards required.
Many of the regulatory bodies have websites which are valuable sources of information, such as: * Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK at: www.hse.gov.uk * Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the US at: www.osha.gov * European Agency for Safety and Health at work (EU): https://osha.europa.eu * Worksafe in Western Australia at: www.commerce.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe
Exam: What are employees’ responsibilities and rights in accordance with ILO C155 and Recommendation R164?
Article 19 of C155 states that all workers and their representatives have to co-operate with their employer so that they can fulfil their safety obligations.
R164 provides more detail on this general duty. R164 says that workers should:
* Take reasonable care of their own safety and that of other people who might be affected by the things that they do and the things that they fail to do.
* Comply with safety instructions and procedures.
* Use all safety equipment properly and not tamper with it.
* Report any situation which they believe could be a hazard and which they cannot themselves correct.
* Report any work-related accident or ill health.
Article 19 of C155 gives workers the following rights: * The right to be provided with adequate information on actions the employer has taken to ensure occupational safety and health.
* The right to the necessary training in occupational safety and health.
* The right to be consulted by the employer on all matters of occupational safety and health relating to their work.
* The right to leave a workplace which the worker has reason to think presents an imminent and serious danger to their life or health, and not be compelled to return until it is safe.
Exam: Whare are employers’ general and specific responsibilities to ensure workers’ Health and Safety in accordance with ILO C155 and Recommendation R164?
Article 16 of C155 identifies some basic obligations placed on employers:
1. “…to ensure that…the workplaces, machinery, equipment and processes under their control are safe and without risk to health.
2. …to ensure that…the chemical, physical and biological substances and agents under their control are without risk to health…
3. …to provide…adequate protective clothing and protective equipment to prevent…risk of accidents or of adverse effects on health.”
R164 expands on what they might mean in practice. It identifies some practical obligations to meet the objective of Article 16 of C155. Specifically, Article 10 of R164 puts the following obligations on employers:
* Provide workplaces and work equipment, and use work methods, which are safe and pose no risk to health.
* Provide appropriate instructions and training. * Provide necessary supervision.
* Put in place health and safety arrangements adapted to suit the size and nature of the undertaking.
* Provide any necessary personal protective clothing and equipment free of charge.
* Ensure that the hours of work do not adversely affect employees’ safety and health. * Take measures to eliminate any extreme physical and mental fatigue.
* Stay up-to-date with knowledge in order to comply with the above.
Exam: What is the role of ILO and ISO international standards in promoting workplace Health and Safety?
The ILO develops conventions that set out requirements for H&S based on best practices. Those ILO member countries who ratified conventions, are required to implement them in their countries as national laws. This promotes best practices and harmonized a global approach to H&S.
ILO Convention C155 and Recommendation R164 are functional international regulations in the field of H&S. They set out the employer’s responsibility and the employees’ rights and obligations with regard to H&S. Convention C155 and Recommendation R164 place an obligation on the employer to ensure that workplaces, processes, equipment and substances are safe and do not cause health risks. Employees must cooperate with the employer and take care of their own H&S and the safety of other co-workers.
Countries and companies that follow ILO requirements provide safe workplaces and conditions and improve H&S in general.
ISO, the International Organization for Standardization, develops international standards, including H&S management systems standard. ISO standards are referenced by national legislation. Compliance with recognized ISO standards contributes to safety.
ISO has developed three standards for quality management systems (ISO 9001), environmental management systems (ISO 14001), and occupational safety and health management systems (ISO 45001). These standards have become the basis of many corporate management systems. They also provide an opportunity to integrate and certify all three systems, which ensures the effective implementation of management systems and contributes to the improvement of H&S.
Exam: Name FOUR costs and organization may have after an accident, which are usually not covered by insurance.
Fines issued by regulatory authorities
Hiring of temporary personnel
Accident investigation costs
Loss of company’s reputation and image
Additional training of employees and managers
Exam: List FOUR DIRECT and FOUR INDIRECT costs an organization may incur after a serious accident.
DIRECT COSTS:
Worker’s compensation and payment for worker’s claims
Payment for 3rd parties’ claim
Damage to assets (buildings, equipment, vehicles)
Penalties and fines issued by regulators
Payment for repairs
Loss of raw materials
Damaged products
Increased insurance premiums
INDIRECT COSTS:
Suspension of business activity
Responsibility for the quality of products
Hiring temporary personnel
Investigation and administration costs
Overtime pay
Additional training costs
Loss of company’s reputation
You could have also noted that indirect costs exceed direct costs by 8-40 times.
Exam: Explain THREE reasons for managing workplace Health and Safety.
- Moral reasons are related to the employer’s moral duty to employees and third parties whose Health and Safety may be adversely affected by the employer’s activities. Most of the world’s population spends a third of their adult lives in the workplace. The right to health and life in the workplace is considered a fundamental human right. Modern society considers suffering, injury, and occupational disease morally unacceptable.
- Financial reasons are related to the fact that work-related accidents and diseases cost a lot of money. When accidents occur, companies incur large costs. It is true that safety requires serious investment. But accidents cost more. To calculate costs and losses from an accident, one needs to take into account direct and indirect costs. The employer can insure some of these losses, but not all, otherwise insurance premiums could be too high and disadvantageous for the employer.
- Legal reasons are related to the regulations governing employers’ obligations for H&S. The employer must provide a safe place of work, safe equipment, safe systems of work, and training and supervision. The employer should also ensure the competences of his employees. In many countries non-compliance with H&S regulations could be considered a criminal offence and lead to legal liability - civil, administrative or criminal.
Exam: Explain the following terms:
a) health
b) safety
c) welfare
Health is the absence of ill health (both physical and mental). For example, inhalation of asbestos fibers could lead to a serious lung disease, asbestosis. Vibration from working with a vibrating hand tool could cause an occupational disease of the upper extremities. Occupational diseases can also be mental. For example, exposure to extreme stress at work could lead to an anxiety.
Safety is the absence of a risk of serious injury to an employee in the workplace. For example, standing under a load during a lifting operation is hazardous because of load falling could cause a serious injury or death. Staying away from the hazard can ensure safety.
Welfare is the provision of facilities to create comfortable work conditions, such as toilets, wash basins, changing rooms, areas for rest, places for preparing and eating meals, access to drinking water and first aid arrangements.
REVIEW: Consider the case study and identify three human effects or consequences that came from the incident (page 2)
REVIEW: List two good reasons, with a description of each, for preventing accidents in the workplace.
REVIEW: What sort of financial costs would a company incur as a result of having poor health and safety standards?
REVIEW: What are employer’s health and safety responsibilities?
REVIEW: What is meant by the terms: absolute, practicable, reasonably practicable and reasonable?
REVIEW: What factors should the employer consider when selecting an individual to fulfil the role of health and safety practitioner?
SQ: What is meant by the terms direct and indirect cost of a health and safety incident, with an example for each? (8)
SQ: What are the social reasons for preventing accidents/incidents and ill-health in the workplace?
SQ: What are responsibilities and rights of workers in the Occupational Safety and Health Convention C155?
SQ: What is meant by practicable duties placed on employers?
SQ: Why are ISO international standards not in any way binding on either governments or industry merely by virtue of being international standards?
