Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
INTRODUCTION
Every business has official responsibilities, in order to guarantee the health and safety of
its recruits and other people involved; protection of the work environment should be a
priority. It is not appropriate to bring about only the minimal of changes which barely
meet the legal requirements. Constructive changes will benefit and promote your
business.
Underprivileged health and safety acts as a safeguard against illnesses and accidents. It
may increase your business costs considerably. However, keep in mind that
disproportionate energy consumption not only harm yours employees health, but it also
damages
your
profits
as
direct
result
of
his/her
sick
leave.
Fine health, safety and environmental performances pay for themselves. They also
develop a good repute of your business in the eyes of your clientele, the local area and
community, and the hired staff.
Your reputation can be an essential benefit to your business. A good standing in the
community will facilitate you by making it easy to draw and maintain a hold on
customers. It will make hiring new employees more convenient. It encourages traders to
trust you; therefore, they will be more inclined towards forging an alliance with you.
Your approach towards health and safety plays a very important role in building up a
strong reputation. Many companies have acquired phenomenal success due to their good
will in the market. Others have suffered a loss of clients and in some cases; employees
turned against them because they were not well served. It is always beneficial for
businesses to adhere to the environmental etiquettes. Not only does it help in making
customers and improving employee motivation, but it also proves your commitment to
being a good citizen.
The best way to manage health and safety measures is by placing down all the steps that
need to be monitored and then supervising the daily activity of all the prescribed
procedures. It becomes a moral responsibility on your part to constantly assess the
healthy and safe environment, which guards your reputation along with your employees who work hard to maintain your repute in the business market.
Once you have managed an assessment, you would be able to review all other probable
environmental threats. You should always update your evaluation on every occasion and
whenever something is modified - for example, if you purchase new equipment, hire new
employees, change your running performances and professional procedures. You should
look for potential health and safety or environmental problems. You should carry out mini
health assessments from time to time, so that there is no threat of any danger around your
workplace. Involve employees and encourage them to give you feedback for
improvements - options include a safety committee or a suggestion scheme. '
Keep up-to-date with what the most recent technology has to offer for new ideas and
ways to improve your health and safety parameters, whereby, diminishing any risk of
environmental clashes. Thus, it is very important to maintain health and safety in your
workplace; as it has a significant impact on the reputation of your business.
Getting hurt at work or becoming ill through work is not a pleasant subject to think about.
The reality is that 250 people a year lose their lives at work in Britain. In addition, around
156,000 non-fatal injuries are reported each year, and an estimated 2.3 million suffer
from ill health caused or made worse by work.
The mistake is to believe that these things happen in highly unusual or exceptional
circumstances that never occur in your workplace. This is not the case. Some basic
thinking and acting beforehand could usually have prevented these things from
happening.
Implementing health and safety measures doesn't have to be expensive, time consuming
or complicated, in fact, safer and more efficient working practices can often save money
but, more importantly, they can help to save lives.
This guide shows you the kind of things which cause the more common accidents and
harm to people's health. It lets you see what applies to your work activities, and tells you
how you can get more help and information. This is especially important if you are in
charge of work activities, e.g. you are an employer, because you have legal
responsibilities.
The key to employee productivity is to keep them motivated. Employees can remain
motivated if they feel safe and healthy at their workplace. This says a lot about the
importance of workplace safety. Workplace safety is immensely important for the very
reason of improved productivity. Its only when the employees feel safe at work that they
can invest the fullest of their capacities and exploit the best of their potentials to work.
Workplace safety is the management responsibility. It involves the formation and
implementation of safety and health programs. Employee insurance schemes and
employee safety policies help cover the risk an employee might suffer at work. Jobs,
which put the safety of their employees on stake, should also provide the employees with
the safety costs. Workplace safety and health involves training programs that are meant to
teach the employees to handle risks. The employees need to be trained to react to
impending dangers, if any; they should be trained to face risks and deal with accidents at
work. Its important for the management of a company to heed the safety needs of its
employees through risk covers as well as training programs intended to minimize the cost
of risks. The management should ensure the health and safety of the employees by the
means of safety education programs. The importance of office safety can be promoted
through the formation of a safety committee that is assigned the responsibility to
employee safety. Safety committees are helpful in increasing employee involvement.
Violence at workplace gives rise to serious issues pertaining to office safety. Acts of
violence eclipse the atmosphere in the organization and can leave a permanent scar on the
companys image. Violence at the workplace is sure to lead to frustrated employees in
turn leading to a decline in their productivity. The management should implement strict
measures to prevent acts of violence at work. It should implement policies that safeguard
the employees against harassment, torture or ill-treatment from other employees. Safety
and health is important at a workplace also because human resource is the most important
resource of an organization. Safety at a workplace, also known as office safety refers to
the safety of this valuable resource of an organization. Satisfied employees can earn for a
company what money cant buy. I am sure; you will agree with me, that human life is
priceless. It cannot be replaced by monetary compensations. An employer might be able
to replace an employee by another. But, what about the employees dedication towards
work? What about the expertise he/she has invested towards his/her work? Can they be
replaced? Definitely not! This makes it extremely important for an employer to cater to
workplace safety, and moreover, to the lives of the employees. Dont you think so?
Due to rapid industrialization, industrial workers are exposed to several types of hazards
and accidents. Every year lakhs of workers are injured due to mechanical,
chemical, electrical a n d r a d i a t i o n h a z a r d s a n d i t l e a d s t o p a r t i a l o r
t o t a l d i s a b l e m e n t . S o i n r e c e n t y e a r s , g r e a t e r attention is given to
health and safety due to pressure from government, trade unions, labor laws
and awareness of employers. The efficiency of workers depends to a great
extends on the environment in which the work. Work environment consists of all
the factors, which act and react on the body and mind of an employee. The primary
aim is to create an environment, which ensures the greatest ease of work and
removes all causes of worries. Occupational health and safety is a discipline with a broad
scope involving many specialized fields. In its broadest sense, it should aim at:
a) T h e p r o m o t i o n a n d m a i n t e n a n c e o f t h e h i g h e s t d e g r e e o f p h y s i c a l ,
m e n t a l a n d s o c i a l well-being of workers in all occupations.
b) T h e p r e v e n t i o n a m o n g w o r k e r s o f a d v e r s e e f f e c t s o n h e a l t h c a u s e d
b y t h e i r w o r k i n g conditions.
c) The protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors
adverse to health.
d) T h e p l a c i n g a n d m a i n t e n a n c e o f w o r k e r s i n a n o c c u p a t i o n a l
e n v i r o n m e n t a d a p t e d t o physical and mental needs.
e) The adaptation of work to humans. S u c c e s s f u l o c c u p a t i o n a l h e a l t h a n d
s a f e t y p r a c t i c e r e q u i r e s t h e c o l l a b o r a t i o n a n d participation of
both employers and workers in health and safety programmes, and involves
the
consideration
of
issues
relating
to
occupational
medicine,
is
that
issues
of
both
health
and
safety
must
be
Workplace health and safety procedures are necessary for the well-being of both
employers and employees. Violence in the workplace is an ever-growing concern in
todays business community. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), homicide is the fourth leading cause of fatal occupational
injury in the United States. Diseases and other health concerns also affect a worker's
ability to effectively perform his job duties. It is important for employers to take the
necessary steps to protect employees from the health and safety concerns of todays
corporate community.
Health Guidelines
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has created guidelines to help
employers and office workers understand how certain hazards can negatively impact the
workplace as well as how emergency situations should be handled. These guidelines
assist companies that conduct potentially dangerous job duties or work with dangerous
chemicals with following the proper workplace procedures to prevent illness or injury.
Employee Awareness
Workplace health and safety practices are important because they help prevent interoffice violence and raise employee awareness of the potential dangers they face. Violent
acts and behaviors of employees and other individuals within the workplace are cause for
concern because they threaten a companys overall well-being. Companies must take an
active approach in educating workers on the importance of practicing safe habits in order
to maintain a healthy and safe working environment.
employees -- or their families -- should have to suffer because of avoidable dangers in the
workplace. By creating a safe and healthy workplace, companies also protect themselves.
Employee Retention
An unsafe environment will probably make workers feel unappreciated. For instance, if
the company provides inadequate training about operating machinery, allows minors to
use heavy machinery or doesn't enforce a safety code, workers will probably feel the
company doesn't care about their well being. This may lead workers to feel less loyal to
the company and find work with companies that take better care of their employees.
Fewer workers will probably apply to work with the company, too, and the most skilled
workers will probably search for jobs elsewhere. Proper training will help employees feel
good about working for the company.
Company Finances
A company could run into serious financial trouble if an employee sues because of
workplace hazards or a resulting injury. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Act
(OSHA) require all employers to follow specific guidelines in creating safe workplaces.
Not following OSHA's rules could lead to serious legal and financial trouble. Keeping the
workplace safe involves a financial investment, but the investment will pay off by
ensuring the company avoids lawsuits and settlement payments. A newer company, or
one dealing with a hefty lawsuit, may not have the funds to continue operations if it falls
into such financial trouble. Additionally, keeping healthy employees healthy pays off by
avoiding higher insurance premiums that the employer might be subsidizing.
Company Productivity
Healthy employees who feel safe and comfortable in their work environment will work
more productively than employees who become injured or sick in the workplace. Fixing
workplace hazards will help to keep employees working at their best through each
workday, instead of taking time off to heal from an injury or illness. This holds true for
office workers as well as those working in jobs traditionally considered more dangerous,
because sitting for long periods of time each day can cause dangerous health disorders.
Office workers who are encouraged to take short breaks throughout the day to move
around may feel better, enjoy far better long-term health benefits and accomplish more
than workers who remain at their desks.
Company Reputation
A company will quickly develop a reputation as negligent if it allows employees to work
among avoidable hazards. The company's customers, competitors and the general public
will probably perceive the company as unprofessional if they learn of the company's
safety oversights. Fewer people may purchase goods or services from the company as a
result, and the company may have a more difficult time securing any loans it might need.
10
Other valuable employee health benefits that can significantly boost productivity and job
satisfaction among your human assets are smoking and alcoholism cessation programs. If
one or a dozen of your employees are suffering from addiction to tobacco or alcohol,
your productivity can be affected significantly. So make it a point to offer your
employees the opportunity to break free from these health issues.
There are many other health and wellness programs that can make a lot of difference to
your employees and your business as well. Healthy cafeteria dishes, diet counseling and
subsidized membership in gyms are just examples of those simple programs that will help
you ensure a healthy workforce at a fraction of a price you pay when an employee gets
seriously sick.
STATUTORY PROVISIONS
According to factories Act, 1948, the statutory provisions regarding the
health of the workers are stated in the sections 11 to 20. They are
11
Every factory shall be kept clean by daily sweeping or washing the floors and workrooms
and by using disinfectants where every necessary. Walls, doors and windows
shall be repainted or varnished at least once in every 5 years.
must
be
no
overcrowding
in
factory.
In
f a c t o r i e s e x i s t i n g b e f o r e t h e c o m m e n c e m e n t o f t h e Ac t t h e r e
m u s t b e a t l e a s t 9 . 9 c u b i c m e t e r s o f s p a c e p e r w o r k e r. F o r factories
12
built afterwards, there must be at least 4.2 cubic meters of space. The chief inspector
of factories can also prescribe the maximum number of workers who can work in each
work room.
13
in
any
facility
or
place
involving
the
be
securely
fenced
by
safeguards
of
substantial
construction.
Striking gear and devices for cutting off power (Sec 24):
In every factory, suitable striking gear or other efficient mechanical appliance
has to be provided, maintained and used to move driving belts.
14
No travelling part of a self-acting machine in any factory and no material carried thereon
shall be allowed to run on its outward or inward traverse within a distance of 18 inches
from any fixed structure which is not a part of the machine, if a person is liable to pass
over the space over which it runs.
Prohibition of employment of women and children near cotton openers (Sec 27):
Wom e n a n d c h i l d w o r k e r s a r e p r o h i b i t e d t o b e e m p l o y e d i n a n y p a r t
o f a f a c t o r y f o r pressing cotton in which a cotton opener is at work.
15
fragments
thrown
off
in
16
Every factory has to be provided with adequate means of escape in case of fire. Effective
and clearly audible means of giving warning in the case of fire have
t o b e p r o v i d e d . A f r e e passage-way giving access to each means of escape in case
of fire has to be maintained.
17
Blood Glucose Level Blood tests review for the presence of Diabetes.
Blood Pressure Both readings are taken using the sphygmomanometer (yes that
is what it is called). Background medical information and previous blood pressure
history is noted.
18
Forms All participants have the option to enroll in wellness programs and must
agree in writing to submit blood work and medical information for the purpose of
pursuing health promotion.
Physical Activity The amount and duration of exercise has a direct impact on
health risks
Referrals If participants have health issues, a referral form should be filled out
and signed by the employee. A requisition to ascertain the referral visit occurred
accompanies this form.
Stress Workplace stress has a huge impact on health and wellness. Determining
where the stress is generated can begin a solution-based plan to deal with and
reduce the incidence of work-related stress.
Surveys Data collection and its application is the foundation of every successful
workplace wellness plan. Internal promotion of surveys and recruiting employees
to participate in them can be pursued during the employee health screening.
Weight Body weight, height and fat ratios should be recorded for tracking
purposes and demographic referencing.
19
qualified professional. A blood pressure reading exposes two categories: systolic and
diastolic.
Systolic pressure is the higher/top number in the result. It is a measurement of the rate at
which the blood circulates through the arteries.
Diastolic pressure is the lower/bottom number and is a value for the rate at which the
blood circulates through the arteries between heartbeats.
Normal blood pressure is approximately 120 (systolic) over 80 (diastolic). Normal blood
pressure fluctuates a bit over the course of a day and should be lower during resting
times. High blood pressure does not follow this sort of pattern; it remains high during
resting phases. This is called hypertension.
OCCUPATIONAL ACCIDENTS/DISEASE
What is an occupational disease?
20
noise
vibration
radiation
21
Gradual reactions, like asthma or dermatitis (skin rashes), can get worse and
persist when you are exposed over days, weeks or months. These reactions tend to
last for a longer time.
Delayed reactions or diseases that take a long time to develop, like lung cancer or
loss of hearing, can be caused by long-term exposure to a substance or work
activity. These reactions can be noticed long after the job is over.
Work-related accidents or diseases are very costly and can have many serious
direct and i n d i r e c t e f f e c t s o n t h e l i v e s o f w o r k e r s a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s .
For workers some of the
Direct costs
Of an injury or illness are:
a) The pain and suffering of the injury or illness;
b) The loss of income;
c) The possible loss of a job;
d) Health-care costs. It has been estimated that the
Indirect costs
Of an accident or illness can be four to ten times greater than the direct costs, or even
more. An occupational illness or accident can have so many i n d i r e c t c o s t s t o
workers that it is often difficult to measure them. One of the most
o b v i o u s indirect costs is the human suffering caused to workers' families,
which cannot be compensated with money.
22
23
and
levels
of
management
must
make
s a f e t y a p r i o r i t y . T h e y m u s t communicate this by
going out into the worksite to talk with workers about their concerns and to observe work
procedures and equipment. In each workplace, the lines of responsibility from top to
bottom need to be clear, and workers should know who is responsible for different health
and safety issues.
Importance of training:
Workers often experience work-related health problems and do not realize that the
problems are related to their work, particularly when an occupational disease,
for example, is in the early stages. Besides the other more obvious benefits of
training, such as skills development, hazard recognition, etc., a comprehensive
training programme in each workplace will help workers to:
a)
24
Effective workplace health and safety programmes can help to save the lives
of workers by r e d u c i n g h a z a r d s a n d t h e i r c o n s e q u e n c e s . H e a l t h a n d
s a f e t y p r o g r a m m e s a l s o h a v e p o s i t i v e effects on both worker morale and
productivity, which are important benefits. At the same time, effective programmes
can save employers a great deal of money. For all of the reasons given below,
it is crucial that employers, workers and unions are committed to health and safety.
a) Workplace hazards are controlled - at the source whenever possible.
b) Records of any exposure are maintained for many years.
Both workers and employers are informed about health and safety risks in the workplace.
c) There is an active and effective health and safety committee that includes
both workers and management.
d) Worker health and safety efforts are ongoing.
25
26
27
policies, and procedures. Safety regulations and generic safety programs are not sufficient
means to discover hazards because they are not specific to the individual workplace. A
safety audit program is site specific. Whenever a safety deficiency is found, prompt
action is required both to overcome the hazard and to reinforce the message that safety is
more than a priorityit is a core value shared by all employees.
8. Safety is Good Business
Reducing workplace injuries and illnesses reduces the costs of workers' compensation,
medical expenses, potential fines, and the expenses of litigation. Effective workplace
safety is not an expense, its an asset.
A properly managed safety culture based on these 8 Principles of Workplace Safety will
produce employees who:
Participate actively in training,
Identify and alert each other and management to potential hazards, and
Feel a responsibility for their safety and the safety of others.
Accepting safety as an ethical responsibility demonstrates a sincere concern for each
employee, which establishes the foundation for an effective safety culture.
28
29
Train your employees about hazards associated with their job. Provide safety
training for all new employees and for any employee who switches jobs or takes
on new tasks. MEMIC can help you design your own programs.
6. Keep records:
In order to help you maintain your safety program, it is important to keep records
of your actions. You should:
o Take notes at safety meetings
o Keep notes of weekly safety talks
o Record all inspections and audits
o Document regular maintenance
o Maintain OSHA 300 form, which will also help track any accident trends
o Note all safety training activities
o Document all aspects of on-the-job accidents
30
31
Trips
Items left sitting out in a high-traffic corridor, extension cords that are not properly taped
down and carpeting that has come loose all are contributors to tripping employees and
sometimes causing more than just stubbed toes. Poorly lit hallways and stairs are danger
spots, too, because they obscure the ability to see what is underfoot.
Toppling Objects
If tall pieces of furniture such as bookcases and filing components are not securely
anchored, an earthquake could cause them to pitch forward and dislodge their contents,
putting nearby workers in peril. Workplace injuries also can be caused by heavy objects
such as supplies and file boxes that are stacked on high shelves and are shifted
precariously to the edge each time they are put back or the structure gets bumped.
Hazardous Materials
Protective clothing, eye wear and gloves are mandatory for employees whose jobs require
them to be around hazardous materials, chemicals and toxic waste. Slip-ups in these rules
can result in burns, explosions, respiratory diseases, blindness and skin infections.
Repetitive Motion
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common occurrence for workers engaged in repetitive
motion activities that put pressure on the median nerve, causing numbness and pain in the
fingers, wrists and hands. Typists, key data operators and beauty salon employees are at
particular risk for developing this excruciating condition.
Lifting
Many back injuries and pulled muscles that occur in the workplace are the result of
picking up something that is too heavy, not bending the legs, not asking a partner to assist
or trying to lift or hold a heavy object above the shoulders.
Workplace Violence
Despite increased security measures and limiting office access to individuals who have a
legitimate reason to be on the premises, innocent victims are often involved when
estranged spouses, disgruntled former employees or even total strangers with a vendetta
32
show up with an intent to commit harm. Managers and workers must likewise stay
sensitive to suspicious mail or packages, phone threats and evidence of any security
violations.
Collisions
Opening a door too quickly or turning a corner too fast are the frequent setups for
unintended collisions with co-workers. While it may not be with enough force to knock
one or the other unconscious, the potential for injury escalates if there are hot liquids,
sharp implements or heavy objects involved. Leaving file drawers pulled all the way out
is as dangerous at shin level as chin level, especially if a co-worker won't see it until the
point of impact.
SUGGESTIONS
1) The company has to create the awareness for the workers regarding health and safety.
2)
is better to provide frequent health and safety training, at least once in a year.
The company has to provide enough drinking water facility available at all the time.
4) The
5)
management has to take necessary steps to reduce the stress level of the workers.
Orientation programmes can be conducted to make the workers to feel that their
The maintenance department has to maintain the machines properly to reduce lead-
time.
7) Proper
8)
Meditation practices can be given to avoid electric shocks, finger injuries etc. due to
lack of concentration.
9) Safety
33
10)
The company has to conduct the regular inspections to ensure higher level
CONCLUSION
The Health & Safety program has been elaborated in order to prevent the risk of workrelated incidents and to facilitate the intervention of those concerned during the
construction job site. Health & Safety law requires employers to look after the health,
safety and welfare of their employees. They also must consider who could be affected by
their work, for example clients, contractors and visitors to their premises. Employers also
have a duty to identify, assess and control safety risks and must write down the
significant findings of their risk assessment if they have five or more employees.
Providing a safe working environment need not be a difficult or time-consuming exercise,
particularly if in a low-risk environment. The most important thing is to make safety part
of our business culture driven by a commitment from the top of the organization. Benefits
of working safely include fewer accidents, reduced insurance premiums, a bettermotivated workforce and peace of mind. The affects was indicate that are three things are
for human, money and law. That is not only protecting the physically but its benefits for
the companies, do not spent extra money to recover the unwelcome accidents happened.
Employees whoever involved in construction works they have to know their right, safety
and health and what the company care and responsible on them. All those regulations and
conditions at site are important to everybody who was been at site, because they were
always in risk. The Company has to ensure that works under its control and carried out in
such a way to minimize the risk to the health & safety for employees and any other
person who could be affected.
34
BIBLIOGRPHY
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-of-Health-and-Safety-in-theWorkplace&id=3602139
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-workplace-health-safety-4973.html
http://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/Global_Sustainability/Health_Safety_and_Environment
/Employee_Health_and_Safety.htm
http://www.wsib.on.ca/en/community/WSIB/230/ArticleDetail/24338?
vgnextoid=db584c23529d7210VgnVCM100000449c710aRCRD
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/424257/occupationaldisease/14274/General-health-education-and-surveillance
http://www.safetyprogramnow.com/Resources/SPN04_PrinciplesOfSafeWorkplace.pdf
http://www.memic.com/SAFETYACADEMY/PopularSafetyTopics/WorkplaceCulture/7S
tepstoaSaferWorkplace/tabid/92/Default.aspx
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/top-10-causes-workplace-injuries-11298.html
http://www.google.co.in/#hl=en&tbo=d&sclient=psyab&q=importance+of+employees+health&oq=importance+of+employees+health&gs_l=
serp.3..0i30l2.5635.6745.0.7627.6.4.0.2.2.0.194.724.0j4.4.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.3.psyab.RuWTm54j0nc&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=88443f5010723790&biw=
1280&bih=860
http://www.scribd.com/doc/44373980/Project-Health-and-Safety-Measures-of-Employee
http://greatworkplace.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/the-incredible-benefit-of-healthyemployees/
http://ghazzpro.wordpress.com/2010/11/23/2-4conclusion-of-safety-health/
35