Managing Human ResourcesManaging Human Resources

Safety and HealthSafety and Health

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Strategic Importance of Workplace Safety and Health

• Benefits of a Safe and Healthy Workforce:

Higher productivity

Increased efficiency and quality

Reduced medical and insurance costs

Lower workers’ compensation rates and payments

Improved reputation as an employer of choice

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Consequences of an Unsafe and Unhealthy Work Environment

• Injury and Disease Back injuries are most

prevalent Exposure to Chemicals

Undetected effects, possible long-term risk

• Mental Health Psychological symptoms

can affect productivity and life away from work

• Deaths and Violence• Economic Costs

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Workplace Safety and Health in an Integrated HRM System

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The External Environment

• Global Consideration There are substantial differences in national standards regarding

workplace safety and health.

• Global Organizations International Labour Organization (ILO) World Health Organization (WHO)

Strengthen international and national policies. Develop practices for improving health at work. Promote health at work through technical assistance/support. Develop human resources for the field of occupational health. Establish relevant and useful registration and data systems. Raise public awareness. Strengthen research on occupational health.

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Workplace Safety and Health Hazards

• Occupational AccidentsOrganizational Qualities

Factors most affecting workplace accidents:– Working conditions and times– Tools and technology available to do the job

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Individual Qualities: The Unsafe Employee• Characteristics that make people more

susceptible to accidents:Emotionally “low”Stressed

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Violent Employees

• Homicide is leading cause of workplace deaths after highway accidents

• Signs of potential violence: Verbal threats Physical Actions

Intimidation Show weapons Try to gain access

Frustration mania

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Occupational Diseases

• Disease-Causing Hazards:Arsenic, asbestos, benzene, bichloromethyletherCoal dust, coke-oven emissions, cotton dustLead, radiation, vinyl chloride

• Workers most likely to be exposed:Chemical and oil refinery workers, miners, textile

workersSteelworkers, lead smeltersMedical technicians, painters, shoemakers, plastics

industry workers

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Diseases Linked to Workplace Hazards

• CancerLiver, lung, brain, kidney

• Lung DiseaseWhite, brown, and black lung

• Leukemia• Bronchitis, emphysema• Lymphoma, aplastic anemia• Central nervous system damage• Reproductive Disorders• Skin Diseases

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Accident Prevention

• Design a safe work environmentGuards, handrailsSafety goggles, helmetsWarning lightsSelf-correcting mechanismsAutomatic shutoffs

• ErgonomicsChange job environment to match

capabilities limitations of employees

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Accident Prevention (cont’d)

• Health and Safety CommitteesAt the department level, do implementation and

administrationAt the organization level, formulate policies

• Behavior ModificationSmall percentage of workforce responsible for

majority of health insurance claimsMeasure, communicate, monitor, and reinforce

desired behavior

• Assessing Intervention Effectiveness

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Disease Prevention

• Reducing the Incidence of DiseasesRecord keepingMonitoring exposureGenetic screening

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Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970• Mission of OSHA

To assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards providing training and education establishing partnerships with businesses encouraging continual improvements in workplace

safety and health

Coverage of employees—all nongovernmental employers and employees; state and local government employees

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Provisions of OSHA

• OSHA StandardsApply to general industry, maritime, construction, and

agriculture Cover the workplace, machinery and equipment,

material, power sources, processing, protective clothing, first aid, and administrative requirements.

• Enforcement of the ActThe Secretary of Labor is authorized by the Act to

conduct workplace inspections, to issue citations, and to impose penalties on employers. Inspections are conducted by the Occupational Safety

and Health Administration of the Department of Labor.

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Creating a Safe Work Environment

Safety Awareness Safety Awareness ProgramsPrograms

Safety Motivation Safety Motivation and Knowledgeand Knowledge

Enforcement of Enforcement of Safety RulesSafety Rules

Accident Accident Investigations Investigations and Recordsand Records

Elements in Creating a Safe Elements in Creating a Safe Work EnvironmentWork Environment

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Creating a Safe Work Environment (cont’d)• Promoting Safety Awareness

The Key Role of the Supervisor

Communicating the need to work safely.

Proactive Safety Training Program First aid, defensive driving, accident prevention

techniques, hazardous materials, and emergency procedures.

Information Technology and Safety Awareness and Training

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Creating a Safe Work Environment (cont’d)• Typical Safety Rules

Using proper safety devices

Using proper work procedures

Following good housekeeping practices

Complying with accident- and injury-reporting procedures

Wearing required safety clothing and equipment

Avoiding carelessness and horseplay

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Creating a Healthy Work Environment

• Recognizing and Controlling Health Hazards Related to Hazardous Materials and Processes

Use substitutes for hazardous materials.

Alter hazardous processes and engineering controls.

Enclose or isolate hazardous processes.

Issue clothing to protect against hazards.

Improve ventilation.

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Key Elements for a Successful Ergonomics ProgramKey Elements for a Successful Ergonomics Program

• Provide notice and training for employees.• Conduct pre-injury hazard assessment.• Involve employees.• File injury reports.• Plan and execute.• Evaluate and assess the ergonomics program.

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Workplace Violence

• Reducing Violence in the Workplace

Commitment to prevent violence

Identify areas of potential violence

Develop violence prevention policies

Provide violence prevention training

Evaluate program effectiveness

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Building Better Health

Alternative Approaches Wellness Programs

Health Services Focus on Nutrition

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Employee Health• Cleanliness ( sewerage and sanitation) • Air ventilation and temperature (maximum 25 – 30 degree Celsius)

Cross ventilation, required no of fans and exhaust fansThermometer kept in visible place

• Dust Sucker, Mask • Lighting• Safe drinking water

Minimum 4 ltr per dayMin 6 mtr away from toiletsWater cooler ( 250 employees and more)3 ltr saline water if neededToilets

one / 25 (female) up to first 500one / 40 (male) up to first 500

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Employee Safety• Safety of building equipment and other infrastructure• Fire fighting and safety ( emergency door, 2 per room, emergency

staircase)• Fire fighting equipment• Safety against electrical wearing and connections• Crane and lift etc• Turbine