Special Topics in Emergency Service Occupational Safety

and Health

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Chapter 13

Learning Objectives

• Describe the legal considerations of the safety and health program.

• Describe ethical considerations of the safety and health program.

• Describe financial considerations of the safety and health program.

• Describe health and safety considerations in the diversified workforce.

• Describe the safety and health program implications of future trends and technologies. 13-2

Introduction

• Legal, ethical, and financial issues could affect safety and health programs

• Increasingly diverse workforce and future trends and technologies may affect the safety and health program

• Grants are one means to fund health and safety programs, as suggested in the Life Safety Initiative 10

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Legal Issues

• Tort liability– Strict liability – Intentional liability– Negligent liability– Warrant liability

• Issue of liability is complex and changing with every court decision

Cont. 13-4

Legal Issues

• Americans with Disabilities Act• Individual with a disability is a person who has one or

more of the following:– Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits

one or more major life activities– Has a record of such an impairment– Is regarded as having such an impairment

Cont. 13-5

Legal Issues

• Age Discrimination in Employment Act– Federal regulation– Should be a consideration in the safety and health program– Protects individuals who are 40 years of age or older from

employment discrimination– Based on age and applies to both employees and job

applicants

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Ethical Issues

• A consideration in every business or organization• Confidentiality essential • Trust and respect of confidential information is

essential for the success of the program• Members involved must follow the ethical standards

required by the organization

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Financial Issues

• Annual budget process• Common grant funding programs

– Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP)– Department of Justice– Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA)– Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)

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Safety Considerations in theDiversified Workplace

• Workforce 2000 findings– Population growth will slow– Average age of workforce will rise– More women will enter the workforce– White males will be a smaller percentage of the workforce– Minorities will be a larger share of the new entrants into the

labor force

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Future Technologies and Trends

• Exciting prospect in the field of safety and health• As technology improves; the market will drive the

price down• Issues impacting safety and health programs in the

future

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Summary

• Must look at legal, ethical, and financial issues as well when creating a safety and health plan

• Ethics are a part of every organization• Future technology and trends will affect the safety

and health program• The safety and health officer must have a working

knowledge in a variety of subjects

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