OHS Programs Flashcards
List the general distribution of responsibilities for workplace safety – describe the role of the ER
1) ERs - ultimate responsibility
- final say in what should or shouldn’t happen
- responsible for planning, organizing, leading, and controlling results
- provide and enforce a safe and healthy workplace
- provide training for supervisors & EEs
provide first aid facilities
List the general distribution of responsibilities for workplace safety – describe the role of the supervisor
2) supervisors - administrative responsibility
- act on directions and guidance given by management & ensure desired results are achieved
- training new EEs
- enforcing H&S requirements
- ensure proper handling, storage, and maintenance of equipment & material
- reporting and investigating all accidents & incidents
List the general distribution of responsibilities for workplace safety – describe the role of the EE
3) EEs - immediate responsibility
- responsible for own & coworkers’ well-being
- ensure safety conditions are maintained and safe procedures are followed
- follow all safe work procedures
- report unsafe acts and conditions to their supervisor immediately
- offer suggestions to enhance workplace H&S
What are the common goals and objectives of an OHS program?
- reduce the number of accidents, injuries, and occupational illnesses
meet legal requirements - improve EE relations by ensuring morale is not degraded by high injury & absenteeism rates
- ensure good relations with labour by demonstrating a genuine concern for the well-being of EEs
- avoid unnecessary costs that result from accidents & failure to meet legal requirements
- reduce the personal liability of supervisors & managers for failing to provide reasonable standards of workplace H&S
As a minimum what issues does a Formal OHS program address versus what issues does a Less Formal OHS program address?
Formal OHS program addresses:
- establishing a policy statement signed by senior management
- inspecting premises to prevent & correct hazards
- discussing injury & accident trends, and accident -prevention at management meetings
- establishing a joint OH&S committee
- providing first aid services
Less Formal OHS program addresses:
- holding regular monthly safety meetings with all EEs to discuss safety issues and correct hazards
- keeping minutes of issues discussed at the meeting
- who is responsible for addressing the issues and action dates
List and describe the key program activities found in an OHS program (note this is 4 slides worth of material)
1) meetings to discuss OH&S
- managers & supervisors discuss OH&S issues and plan safety activities
- analyze hazards, accident reports, inspection results, and current statistics to provide a framework for improving the program
2) written and practical safe work
- development of safe work procedures, aka standard operating procedures (SOPs) & disciplinary / enforcement policies
- enforcement of these rules and procedures is documented
3) training of workers & supervisors
- safety orientation for new & transferred EEs
- on-the-job training specific for each job
- people with supervisory responsibility need to be given specific training & direction to enable them to carry out their duties effectively
4) supervision of workers
- supervisors are held accountable on the use of safe work procedures by EEs to ensure workplace H&S
List and describe the key program activities found in an OHS program (note this is 4 slides worth of material)
(continued)
5) regular inspections and monitoring
- ER establishes guidelines for conducting inspections
- inspectors focus on both physical conditions in the workplace and safe performance of work duties
- if hazards are identified, managers & supervisors & EEs take corrective action
- inspection reports are reviewed by the joint OH&S committee
6) hazardous materials and substances
- ER maintains an up-to-date inventory for harmful substances that enter the workplace
- presence of material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each hazardous material on site
- EEs are trained in chemical hazard warning info and safe handling requirements
List and describe the key program activities found in an OHS program (note this is 4 slides worth of material)
(continued)
7) occupational hygiene
- control identified hazards
8) first aid services and equipment
- first aid injuries are recorded
- first aid attendants should know the emergency procedures (e.g. when an EE is exposed to harmful substances)
9) investigation of accidents and diseases
- recommendations are made to prevent a recurrence
10) joint OH&S committee
11) records & statistics
- sufficient records and statistics are compiled and maintained
- reviewed by OH&S committee & by management
Define an OHS policy statement – what is a good policy statement and how can it be communicated
OHS policy statement defines management’s commitment to H&S, and to the general program responsibilities.
A good policy statement:
- outlines the objectives of the program and may also include the org’s OH&S philosophy
- describe in general terms the roles and responsibilities of the ER, supervisor, and worker
- is current with a signing date included in the policy
- signed by the ER
Can be communicated during new EE orientation, during crew talks & staff meetings, in EE safety handbook, in safety program manual.
Describe Written and Practical Safe Work Procedures – compare and contrast the two types
Designed to reduce and control the hazards that are likely to be encountered in the workplace
- includes the rules and procedures that supplement or add to the minimum legal requirements
- procedures include a “how-to” list of the steps required to safely perform a task
- ideally, development of the rules and procedures includes EE input
2 types:
1) general written work procedures
- steps for accomplishing general tasks that are common to all EEs (e.g. emergency evacuation)
2) specific written work procedures
- steps for accomplishing specific tasks that apply to certain EEs or work processes (e.g. specific equipment lock-out procedures)
What is the minimum requirement for new worker training?
- new EE orientation
- skills training (including on-the-job training)
- verification of pre-existing training and qualifications
- follow-up to establish consistent results
- crew talks
Describe a skills verification process
- records of all training provided, including evaluation results
- verification of trade qualifications (e.g. journeyman certification)
- records of attendance at crew talks & topics discussed
- records of situations where a supervisor corrected an EE
- records of EE observations and evaluations
What is a crew talk – list basic guidelines for crew talks should be outlined in the safety program manual
Crew talk is used as a means to discuss hazards and provide info on how the organization will minimize or remove the risk of injury (part of the process of refreshing skills and maintaining interest in safety)
- should be centered on a single topic (e.g. a recent incident, safe job procedure, inspection results)
- having a weekly crew safety talk can be an effective way for supervisors to demonstrate their commitment to safety
Basic guidelines for crew talks:
- to be held at least once a week, and before the staff of each different scope of work
- each supervisor will conduct safety talks with their crews
- all workers must attend the crew talks
- essential safety info is presented for the purpose of ongoing education of workers
Describe the supervisor training component of a OHS program
Supervisors are key personnel in the implementation and overall success of the safety program, therefore, they must receive adequate training to fulfill their H&S responsibilities.
Need to be trained on:
- the dangers associated with a job, their potential effect on EEs, and the rules, procedures and work practices for controlling these dangers
- how to investigate accidents and take corrective & preventive action
- how to conduct workplace inspections
What are procedures to be included in inspections – list types of inspections
Procedures:
- what is to be inspected or monitored in each work area and why
- what the acceptable standard is for each named condition
- how and when the inspection and monitoring will take place
- who is going to do the inspection or monitoring
- what actions to take when the conditions do not meet the standard
Types of inspections:
- pre-use or start-up inspections for tools, equipment, machinery
- informal and ongoing inspection process for identifying hazards
- planned and formal inspections by management, supervisors, joint OH&S committee, or other personnel
- special inspections required due to process or part failures
