LABOUR LAWS AND WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMMES
UNIT 4 SECTION
INDUSTRIAL 5
RELATIONS Unit 4, section 5: Workplace health and safety programmes
What this section seeks to do is to outline what health and safety measures
can and should be put in place at workplaces. This section will enable you to
know just what occupational health and safety programmes there are and so
enable you know how to develop a workplace health and safety programme.
We hope you will find this session beneficial. All the best in your reading.
By the end of this section, you should be able to:
explain the rationale behind developing a workplace health and safety
policy
outline the four stages in conducting a risk analysis at the workplace
state two important things to do in case of workplace emergency
list three(3) OHS protective equipments
Now read on ………………………
Developing Health and Safety Policy
A health and safety policy is a written statement that shows the extent of
management commitment to the protection of the organization’s employees.
The policy consists first of, a declaration of intent that:
The safety of the workers is of paramount importance
Safety takes precedence over expediency
Health and safety laws will be complied with.
Second, the policy defines the means by which such intent will be realized
and third, a statement of the guidelines that should be followed by everyone
concerned. This is where responsibilities are allocated and disciplinary
measures are outlined.
Conducting a Risk Analysis
This is a four-step process to assess risk. Identifying the hazard, assessing
the risk associated with the hazard, taking action and monitoring and
evaluating. The purpose is to be aware of possible risks and thus take
preventive action.
Identifying the hazard – This is simply compiling the list of all the things or
situations that have the potential to cause harm. Eg. Strong chemicals.
Assessing the risk – there are two types of risk analysis, namely,
Quantitative and Qualitative.
The quantitative produces an objective probability estimate and with this,
risk is calculated by multiplying the severity estimate by a probability
estimate. That risk = Severity x probability. The probability ratings such as
the following are used.
Probable – likely to occur immediately or shortly
Reasonable probable – probably will occur in time
Remote -may occur in time
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Extremely remote – unlikely to occur
The qualitative is more subjective and is based on judgment backed by
generalized data. It is more preferred if only the specific data is available.
Even with the absence of data, it could still be done if only it is
systematically on the basis of analysis of working conditions, hazards and
informed judgment of the likelihood of harm actually being done. This may
involve finding answers to the following questions
What is the worst result?
How likely is it to happen?
How many people could be hurt if things go wrong?
Taking action – after the risk has been assessed action must be taken. The
action must be taken in a ranked or ordered potential effectiveness. This is
referred to as safety precedence sequence”.
Hazard elimination – use alternatives, design improvements and change
the process of doing things
Substitution – e.g. replacement of a dangerous chemical with one which
is less risky
Use of barriers – removing the hazard from the worker or the worker
from the hazard.
Use of warning systems – e.g. sign posts, instructions, labels etc
Use of protective clothing and equipments – helmet, nose masks, gloves
etc.
Monitoring and evaluation – here is where the hazard is monitored to
ascertain the effectiveness or otherwise of the control measures put in place.
The effectiveness of a control measure is evaluated on the basis of how it is
able to eliminate or at least reduce the risk to an appreciable level.
Providing Relevant Information
The information that is relevant and must be made available to employees
includes:
The health and safety risks associated with the various hazards.
Appropriate steps to take in the event of any serious or imminent danger.
The identity of persons in charge of health and safety issues at the
workplace.
Providing Health and Safety Training
Health and safety training is an important aspect of preventive workplace
programme. This training must be offered at all costs to new employees,
transferred employees and even be offered as refresher programmes for
existing employees. Any workplace occupational health and safety training
programme should:
Cover all members of the organization as appropriate
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Be conducted by competent persons
Include participants’ evaluation of their understanding and retention of
the training
Be reviewed periodically and modified as necessary
Be documented
The work place health and safety training would be effective when the
content is designed in consultation with employees or their representatives.
The content of such training may include:
Pertinent aspects of OHS legislation, such as the rights, responsibilities
and duties of all involved persons or groups
The nature and degree of hazards or risk as well as factors that may
influence the risks such as appropriate clothing
The correct and effective use of prevention, control and protection
measures especially technical controls (e.g. fire extinguisher) and the
employees’ own responsibility for using these measures
Procedures to be followed in cases of emergency
Providing Safe Work
Ensuring that the work is safe is a very fundamental workplace health and
safety programme. To ensure that work is safe, the required level of skill
and knowledge is often assessed to ascertain the ability of the worker to
perform a particular task prior to the initial assignment to a specific task. If
this is not done, health and safety problems are bound to arise. For example,
asking a technician to control a complex machine, thus perform the
functions of an engineer can lead to serious explosions.
Providing Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing
This provision is included in a workplace health and safety programme only
when it is impracticable or even impossible to eliminate, minimize and
control hazards. These provisions are often by law:
Without cost to the employee
Recognizes the types of work and risks
In consultation with workers and their representatives
A number of problems come with PPEC as they may:
be uncomfortable
provide a false sense of security
introduce additional hazards
Examples of such personal protective equipment and clothing are:
safety helmets / hard hats for head protection
goggles / screen / face shield for face and eye protection
gloves / gauntlets/ barrier creams/ appropriate protective clothing – for
hand and foot protection
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nose mask / respirators / breathing apparatus for respiratory protection
ear protectors – ear plugs / ear muffs
Contingency and Emergency Preparedness
Emergency planning and preparedness should be a part of any workplace
health and safety programme. These arrangements mean identifying the
potential accidents and emergency situations. In line with that, an
emergency response team can be selected, trained and an emergency
procedure can be put in place. This procedure may include:
Assessing the situation and determining whether an emergency exists
that requires activating the emergency procedures.
Sounding of sirens to alert all workers about the danger
Evacuating workers to designated assembly points
Fighting fire
Providing first aid
Providing resuscitation
Going through shut down procedures
Embarking on search and rescue
Here, it is important to establish a chain of command to minimize
confusion. Individuals in the emergency response team should be selected
before the emergency occurs.
Providing special protection
The provision of special protection as a workplace health and safety
programme is often in place. They may include:
Periodic medical inspection and examination of workers
Employment and social insurance and provide coverage such as
injuries, sickness, temporary and permanent disability etc.
Alcohol and related services
HIV/AIDS – measures to prevent the spread and mitigate the impact
on workers and their families and support services.
Welfare services
Welfare services may be provided for matters concerning workers but which
are not directly and immediately connected with their work. These services
are often provided for two main reasons, namely, social and economic.
Welfare services may be used as a social responsibility of organizations
towards those who work in them or for economic gains, as a way of
increasing the moral and loyalty of workers to work harder and to increase
productivity. Examples are:
Child care facilities
Sports and recreational facilities
Bereavement support
Counseling for domestic problems
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A number of things can be included in a workplace health and safety
programme. While some provisions that are often included have not direct
and immediate links to the work of the employee, others are directly related
and must be done as a matter of legal obligation or as a matter of social
responsibility towards the employees.
Self-Assessment Questions
1) State the first two stages in conducting a risk analysis at work.
2) List two personal protective equipment and/ or clothing you know.
3) What two things can be done in a workplace emergency situation?
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