Chapter-5

EMPLOYEE SAFETY & HEALTHDr. K.Narayan*

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETYDifferent Occupations: High Risk groups: Labourers, Machine operators, Repairers, Drivers, Miners, Scavengers,Fire and other safety workersOthers; Professionals like Engineers Foremen,nurses and doctors,pilots and sailors*

HAZARDS Hazards mean Exposure to risk of injury or ill healthPhysical HazardsMental HazardsMoral HazardsViolence in workplace

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Occupational safetyUnderstand the causes of HazardsMinimize exposure to hazardsTrain the employees and supervisors to avoid accidents and stick to safety practicesInvolve both management and employeesPreventive rather than reactive approach.Compensate where things went beyond control.*

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTSAccident and injury statistics from the past 50 years indicate that most accidents are caused by unsafe acts of employees.These include taking shortcuts and violating safety rules or job procedures Alcohol and drug use as well as the residual results *

Not taking guard where the equipment has mechanical parts that require guardingleaving running equipment unattended or perform maintenance on any machine while it is in motion.Using tools or equipment which became unsafe to use/out of date damaged switches, plugs, cords, receptacles, tools and other electrical hazards *

Not using eye protectionsloose-fitting clothing, long hair and jewelry that can get caught in machineryNot wearing the proper gloves/ shoesCreating conditions that promote fireswet or slippery floors and torn carpet or tile*

*Training the Employees and SupervisorsIt has been found that effective management of worker safety and health programsReduces the extent and severity of work related injuries and illnessesImproves employee morale and productivityReduces workers compensation costs

*The Guidelines - GeneralAn effective programIncludes provisions for systematic identification, evaluation and prevention or control of hazardsGoes beyond specific requirements of the law to address all hazardsWritten programIn writing less important than its effectivenessAs size and complexity of worksite or process increases, so does need for written guidance

*Major ElementsAn effective occupational safety and health program will include the following four elementsManagement commitment and employee involvementWorksite analysisHazard prevention and controlSafety and health training

*Management Commitment and Employee InvolvementManagement commitment and employee involvement are complementary Management commitment provides the motivating force and resources for organizing and controlling activities within an organization Employee involvement provides the means through which workers develop and express their own commitment to s&h protection

*Worksite AnalysisWorksite analysis involves a variety of worksite examinations, to identify not only existing hazards, but also conditions and operations where changes might occur to create hazardsEffective management actively analyzes the work and the worksite to anticipate and prevent harmful occurrences

*Worksite Analysis (contd)Recommended Actions:So that all hazards are identifiedConduct comprehensive baseline and periodic surveys for safety and health Analyze planned and new facilities, processes, materials, and equipmentPerform routine job hazard analyses

*Worksite Analysis (contd)Recommended Actions:Provide for regular site safety and health inspectionsProvide a reliable system for employees, without fear of reprisal, to notify management about apparent hazardous conditions and to receive timely and appropriate responses

*Safety and Health TrainingAddresses the safety and health responsibilities of all personnel, whether salaried or hourlyMost effective when incorporated into other training about performance requirements and job practicesComplexity depends on size and complexity of worksite and nature of hazards

*Safety and Health Training (contd)Recommended Actions:Ensure that supervisors carry out their safety and health responsibilities, includingAnalyzing the work under their supervision to identify unrecognized potential hazardsMaintaining physical protections in work areasReinforcing employee training through continual performance feedback and, if needed, enforcement of safe work practices

*Safety and Health Training (contd)Recommended Actions:Ensure that managers understand their safety and health responsibilities, as described under the Management Commitment and Employee Involvement element of the guidelines

Labour welfare Activities Statutory

Voluntary

Innovative*

Statutory welfare obligations* Factories act1948

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FACTORIES ACT, 1948A Comprehensive law for the persons working at a specific domain factories. Regarded as one of the Benevolent, Noble and a Comprehensive Labour Legislation which is in force in our country.Covers significant issues relating to the persons employed in factories.Secures - SafetyHealthWelfareRegulates -Working Hours

Ensures- Annual leaves with wagesProvides -Additional protection from hazardous processes Additional protection to women workmenProhibition of employment of childrenFACTORIES ACT, 1948Series of amendments have been made time and again to increase the scope of the Act.

WELFARE LEGISLATIONS IN INDIAThe Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1946 2. The Limestone & Dolomite Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1972 3. The Beedi Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1976 4. The Beedi Workers Welfare Cess Act, 19764.The Iron Ore Mines, Manganese Ore Mines & Chrome Ore Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 5The 6.Cine Workers Welfare Fund Act, 19816 The Building & Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment & Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 7.The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 8 The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979

.9 The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 15. The Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act 200810.The Unorganised Workers' Social Security Rules 2008 *

Health, Safety and Security Health is the general state of well being. It not only includes physical well being, but also emotional and mental well being. Safety refers to the act of protecting the physical well being of an employee. It will include the risk of accidents caused due to machinery, fire or diseases. Security refers to protecting facilities and equipments from unauthorized access and protecting *

For Health

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Ventilation & TemperatureDisposal of wastesCleanlinessDust and fumesArtificial HumidificationOvercrowdingLighteningDrinking waterLatrines and urinalsSpittoons

For Safety *For Safety

Fencing of machinery Work on machinery in motion Cashing of new machines Protection of eyes Hoists and lifts Self acting machinery Excessive weights Pressure plant Precautions against dangerous fumes Floors, stairs and means of access Precautions in case of fire Explosives of inflammable gas Safety of buildings & machinery Maintenance of buildings

For Welfare

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Washing facilities Facilities for sitting First aid appliances Canteens Rest rooms and shelters Crches Facilities for storing and drying clothing

Retirement BenefitsGratuity as per gratuity actProvident fund as per EPF ActPension as per regulationHealth benefits*

Accident/ Death benefitsLife insurance (group)Health insuranceESI schemeWorkmen compensation Act*

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