Promoting Employee Health and Safety Through Organizational Culture - chap 3 Flashcards
why organizational culture in health and safety
- it makes good business sense, being a cost-oriented employer recognizes the cost of injuries and having high employee turnover.
organizational culture
culture is the “personality” of the organization.
- it can gradually change over time and takes great effort so that the founder’s core beliefs remain the same (they guide how employees behave)
example of organizational culture
when Steve Jobs died and then Tim Cook took over.
Apple’s culture was very much aligned with Jobs’s vision, yet Cook has created a more inclusive and open company.
His particular style is more like a coach who trusts his staff, and he isn’t manipulative the way Jobs was.
employee engagement
this is the commitment and dedication to their roles to achieve organizational outcomes.
- Engagement refers to the interplay of attitudes, behaviours, and dispositions related to organizational outcomes such as turnover and productivity.
how to achieve a high level of employee engagement
it is critical that leadership focuses on empowerment and NOT CONTROL
- engagement leads to less frustration
how many workplace injuries occur in Canada in 2018?
over 264,000 workplace injuries occurred in Canada throughout 2018.
Also, in that year, 1027employees died in work-related accidents
occupational injury
any cut, fracture, sprain, or amputation resulting from a workplace accident or exposure to an accident within the work environment
ex. A construction worker falls from scaffolding while on the job and breaks their leg.
occupational illness
an abnormal condition or disorder resulting from being exposed to something from environmental from within the workplace
ex. A nurse develops a respiratory condition after years of exposure to disinfectant chemicals in the hospital.
occupational disease
a disease that came from the particular processing, trade, or occupation in industry.
Asbestosis in construction or shipyard workers who were exposed to asbestos over a long period.
(differs from illness because it is more specific and long-term)
due diligence
this is when the employer takes every reasonable precaution possible to ensure the health and safety of employees.
ex. Regina v. Wholesale Travel Group
- they were charged with misleading information
The court also confirmed that the company could avoid conviction by proving due diligence
what about youth workers
Young workers get hurt more than anybody else. This is usually attributable to a lack of work experience and insufficient training.
- combat this through an organization that promotes health and safety
employer responsibilities
- hazard free work place
- comply with laws and regulations
- inform employees about health requirements
- keep records (of all accidents)
- provide safety trainning
- report accidents
employee responsibilities
- comply with rules and regs
- report hazardous conditions
- follow rules
- the right to refuse work
manager responsibilities
- advise employees of potential hazards
- ensure that employees are following health and safety
- ensure employees wear safety equipment
- provide written instructions
- due diligence
Joint Health and safety commities responsibility
- advise employers on health and safety matters
- investigate matters
- train others in health and safety
what are the consequences for NOT following health and safety
- they can vary across provinces and territories
- ex. the ontario occupational health and safety act fines up to $500,000 and can be sent to jail.
what is worker’s compensation
financial benefits for injured or ill employees as a result of the work environment
- the aim is to get an employee to return to their original job as soon as possible
what is problematic for employee compensation?
stress-related compensation
Challenges:
Cause and effect can be hard to prove (e.g., lung disease in a miner who smokes).
Claims are costly, leading to deficits in compensation boards.
Shifting focus:
From just assessments and payments → to prevention and safety, encouraging employers to reduce injuries and claims through better practices.
how is stress disabilities divided
Stress-related disabilities fall into 3 categories:
Physical injury → mental disability (e.g., depression after an accident)
Mental stress → physical condition (e.g., migraines, ulcers)
Mental stress → mental illness (e.g., anxiety over workload → depression)
ways to reduce workers compensation COSTS
- perform an audit assessing the workplace
- prevent injuries by ergonomic designs
- provide high-quality medical care to employees by physicians with experience
- manage the care of an injured worker from the injury until the return to work. Keep a recovered employee on the sight.
- provide etensive health and safety training
safety programs
Safety programs in an organization typically involve a health and safety committee.
These have both manager and employee members, and the specific composition and responsibilities are governed by legislation.
Typical duties: safety concerns and ensuring that proper training and communication is provided throughout the organization.
employee behaviour
- using proper safety devices
- using proper work procedures
- complying with accident- and injury-reporting procedures
- wearing required safety clothing and equipment
- avoiding carelessness or horseplay
penality for violation
They include an oral or written warning for the 1st violation, suspension or disciplinary layoff for repeated violations, and, as a last resort, dismissal.
However, for serious violations—such as smoking around volatile substances—even the 1st offence may be cause for termination.
what is incidence rate
the number of injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees during a given year
- good for making comparisons between orgs and departments
