health and safety among workers

CHRISNILU D. SANLAO

Reporter

Health and

Safety

CHAP

TER

13

OSH Act *Occupational Safety and Health Act legislation established comprehensive and specific health standards, authorized inspections to ensure the standards are met, empowered by the (OSHA) to police organizations

*Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - provides industry safety standards for four major categories of employers: general industry, construction, agriculture, and maritime.

*OSH Standard *Occupational Safety Healthy Standard – A set a mandatory OSH standards which codifies all safety orders being enforced prior to its promulgation.

*It contains administrative requirements, general safety and health rules, technical regulations, and other measure to eliminate or reduce OSH hazard in the workplace.

OSHA enforces the standards based on a five-item priority

OSHA Inspection Priorities

*Imminent Danger - refers to a condition where an accident is about to occur

• Serious accidents resulting death or hospitalization of three or more employee - that employee has the right to call OSHA and request an investigation.

*Current employee complaint - OSHA began to partner with state health and safety agencies and together direct their attention to those industries with the highest injury rates— industries

*Inspection of targeted industries

•Random inspection

Inspection

*The Philippines has two types of

*Technical Safety Inspection – inspection for the purpose of safety determination of boilers, pressure vessels, internal combustion engines, electrical installations, elevators, hoisting equipment and other mechanical equipment

*General Safety and Health Inspection - refers to inspection of work environment, adequacy of work space, ventilation, lighting, handling, storage or work procedures, protection facilities, location and operation of machinery other than those covered by technical safety inspection and other safety and health hazards in the workplace.

* Legal Basis of the Occupational Safety and Health and Standards

Book IV, Title I – Medical, Dental and Occupational Safety

Occupational Safety and Health Standards,

(OSHS)1978

OSH Standards:*PURPOSE – to protect every working man against the dangers

of injury, sickness or death through safe and healthful working conditions.

OSH STANDARDS

• SCOPE – shall apply to all places of employment except

land, sea and air transportation and safety in Mines.

INTRODUCTION TO OSHS

HOW DOLE ENFORCE OSH LAWS ?

INTRODUCTION TO OSHS

• Labor inspectors also disseminate

information, advocate and give technical assistance on OSH

Keeping Requirement - Under the OSH Act, employers in industries where a high percentage of accidents and injuries occur must maintain safety and health records.

*OSHA Record

*OSHA Punitive Actions

*An OSHA inspector has the right to charge a fine against an organization for noncompliance. A company that fails to keep its OSH Act records properly can be subjected to stiff penalties.

OSHA: A Resource

for Employers

*OSHA’s role is to promote the safety and health of working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.

• The National Emphasis Program (NEP) in identifies major health and safety hazards that require attention.

*Education and Training

Education and Training

*Education and training are a major emphasis of the OSHA Web site, and include handbooks for small business, e-mail newsletters, training program information, and interactive online training called “eTools” that covers dozens of occupational safety and health topics.

Assisting Employers in Developing a

Safer Workplace

* The four – part program is to assist the employers in developing a safer workplace. The four – part programs includes the following:

1.Management Commitment and Employee Involvement

2.Worksite Analysis Employer 3.Hazard Prevention and Control 4.Training for Employees,

Supervisors and Managers

*Management Commitment and Employee Involvement

*A first step toward safety is a strong management commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace.*Convincing employers to commit the time, effort, and expense necessary to protect employees.

*Consider the cost saving benefits following:

*Lower worker’s compensation costs*Reduced medical expenses*Better quality products*Increased productivity*Increased morale*Better labor/management relations

*How can a company get involved?

*Develop and post a company worker safety policy near the OSHA workplace poster. *Hold regular meetings on safety and health with employees.

*Require all management to follow the same safety standards as employees including wearing hard hats, safety glasses and footwear.*Create and post written safety responsibilities for line managers, supervisors, and employees.

*Allow adequate time and resources to determine hazards and correct them.*Regularly review and evaluate safety initiatives with employees.*Provide safety incentives including awards, prizes, or cash for workers or work units with excellent safety records

Worksite Analysis Employers

*It hold responsibility for understanding what is necessary to keep workers safe from harm.*Employee should be encouraged to report concerns honestly and promptly without fear reprisals..

Records of previous injuries and illness may indicate patterns that help prevent future

problem

*OSHA’s Top Ten

Violation

*Scaffolding *Fall protection *Hazard communication *Control of hazardous energy, lockout/ tagout *Respiratory protection

*Electrical wiring *Powered industrial trucks (PIT) *Ladders *Machine Guarding *Electrical Guarding

Hazard Prevention and Control

*Worksite analysis may uncover hazards that must be eliminated or controlled. Example of Hazard Prevention and Control

• Provide adequate training so all employees can understand and demonstrate the safe procedures.

*A company can also make compliance with the procedures more than voluntary *Employees may consider safety equipment or protective clothing to be bulky, hot, or uncomfortable and may need some encouragement to use it.

*The company disciplinary policy should be used by providing warnings and appropriate consequences to employees who do not comply with safety policies.*Employers need to make sure employees know why it is necessary and know when to use it and how to maintain it.

*Companies must maintain equipment regularly to prevent breakdowns and hazardous situations.*There needs to be a plan for fires and any natural disasters that an area is likely to experience and drills should be conducted so employees know how to respond quickly.

* Hazardous materials should be labeled and employees must have access to material safety data sheets.*Employers should consider asking a local doctor or nurse to provide assistance with planning for first aid or medical emergencies.

* Training for Employees, Supervisors and Managers

* OSHA state consultants or private safety consultants will be able to recommend and provide relevant training for every business. Do not forget to provide training to new employees, or employees who are moving to new jobs.

END