Methods of Controlling Hazards

Methods of Controlling Hazards

Organizational wise, the most effective approach to shield the workers is to remove or eliminate the hazard associated through the incorporation of various control methods. The elimination can be done through the use of multiple ways, such as substitution (Bennett, 2013). Substitution involves relieving toxic chemicals, gadgets or work approaches with safer and less toxic ones. In most cases, elimination may not be feasible, and when it applies substitution becomes the best approach to hazard mitigation. A good example is substituting toluene for benzene or Saw Stop table saws for existing traditional table saws.

Another most effective method of hazard control is the use of engineering controls, which comprises a variety of ways for minimizing hazards. The process control, enclosure and isolation, and ventilation are the conventional methods for engineering control. Process control changes how a particular job is performed to mitigate the risk associated. For example, the wet method can be used when drilling to minimize vapour generation. Enclosure and isolation are timed with the primary aim of keeping chemical in and the researcher out or the other way round. For instance, interlock systems for lasers and machinery are excellent examples of enclosure and isolation process (Bennett, 2013). The other important segment of an engineering control is ventilation. The standard strategy used in the approach, especially in research labs, is localized systems. These ventilation equipment like fume hoods are critical in removing harmful substances such as dry ice from the air. The ventilation system should be designed to match a particular process and chemical or contaminant in use. The method is believed to be very useful if designed, tested and maintained appropriately.

Administrative controls are also an integral part of hazard control method, although it is categorized as the least method of controlling. The approach primarily compromises how a task is conducted or performed. The alteration may consist of policies, training, operating protocols, personal hygiene exercises, as well as work time table Methods for Controlling Hazards. (n.d.). Typically, these administrative controls are meant to mitigate the exposure vulnerability to the hazard. The approach should only be used in cases where disclosure cannot be entirely reduced via elimination and substitution, and engineering controls. Another vital and critical part is the use of Personal protective equipment (PPE). The approach that is acceptable hen engineering or administrative controls cannot offer full protection.

Gap Analysis and its Importance

In the line of executing a project, challenges are always encountered that compromises outlined goals. The general idea is that appropriate and effective tools need to be put in place that is essential in accessing the requirements. To track down if the business is in the right track, a gap analysis is critical in helping to identify and monitor the performance. Primarily, gap analysis is a process that is used to make a comparison of the actual performance versus the anticipated performance (Bail, 2018). The differences between the real and anticipated return are prepared by incorporating various processes. Describing the general area is the initial step that is important when in need of analyzing and improving through highlighting the area under and not under investigation. The action helps in evading scope creep and maintains the rest of the analysis focused. Identifying specific improvement areas for enhancement within the general area becomes critical steps. The third process involves determining targets that encompass bench-marking process. In this process, several attributes are recognized, such as a competitor’s performance in the same area. The results of bench-marking will significantly portray jurisdictions underperformance that is avoided for improvement areas. The fourth and fifth process consists of determining the current state and action step, respectively (Bail, 2018). Assessing the current state helps in grounding a realistic action plan and make it easier to observe if there is substantial progress towards the desired state. The action step is meant to show the intended position of provided the most significant return on investment by concentrating on critical gaps or targeting on low hanging ones.

The primary significance of gap analysis is to rheostat diverse facets of a project with data. Gap analysis is critical in helping identify any shortcoming to overcome for improvement purposes. Through performing a gap analysis, business efficiency and improvement are realized. It will primarily highlight some of the critical aspects that are unusual in the business, and employ appropriate measure through concentrating on available resources and energy required. Using gap analysis tools assist in having an overview of the entire project and at least particular roles. As such, it becomes an integral variable to managers to see whether they have adequate resources for the realization of the intended vision and mission Bunse, et al., (2011). The gap analysis is critical in comparing performance with potential and incorporate the appropriate approaches that help encounter challenges found on the market. The other benefits associated with gap analysis is that identification of strengths and weaknesses is possible, one is aware of opportunities and threats, and budgetary restraints are considered. Also, regulatory controls are clearly understood, and a transparent process of improvement is significantly established.

OSHA Compliance and its Importance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a critical federal department of labour assigned the responsibility of ensuring employers establish stable ground and maintain a safe workplace environment for their employees. OSHA has persistently extended several regulatory standards, and updated existing standards to reflect its exponential growth. The standards are that there are stipulated rules and regulations that have to be adhered regarding a particular enterprise (Ko, Mendeloff, & Gray, 2010). The standard is an integral segment of the Codes of the Federal Regulations part 26 and 29. There are standards for virtually every type of business activity where in areas where a specific rule does not cover particular action OSHA differs from the general clause. General Duty Clause is a lengthy statement that decrees workers have a responsibility to establish and keep a safe workplace for their workers.

Some of the conventional standards that need to be complied are that almost all OSHA has an employee training platform that demands employers to offer training to their workers. The practice may be of particular hazards associated, and maintain documentation to prove that the training has happened. The employee training should be done annually as a refresher to create workers and as new training for recent years. Business entities, to assure compliance with OSHA standards they need a safety manager on staff or access to compliance aid via organizations, such as Employers Resources (Ko, Mendeloff, & Gray, 2010).

Before OSHA was established, the National Safety workplace in the United States was absolute, and the employee’s injuries and deaths were rampant. The standards created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, primarily shields the safety and health of workers. The primary significance of OSHA is that it has facilitated a safe working environment. OSHA agencies issue standards and protocols when it learns that a workplace posse threat or its unsafe. Such rules aim to ensure that injuries and illness among the workers are significantly reduced. OSHA has partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to focus on the hazardous environment, chemical exposures and, contagious diseases (Ko, Mendeloff, & Gray, 2010).

OSHA is also critical in inspecting workplaces for compliance. According to the OSHA Act, employers must keep a conducive and friendly environment at the primary worksite and foreign jurisdictions. In the case of fatalities, hospitalizations, amputations or loss of an eye OSHA rules and regulations require employees to make reporting. Other importance of OSHA is to issue citations and penalties, especially when a company does not abide by OSHA standards. The agencies write citations and give time for error correction, and the employers must place quotes near the place where the violation was realized (Ko, Mendeloff, & Gray, 2010). The penalties to the employers who consistently violate the standard are penalized substantially for each violation.

Worker’s Compensation and its Importance

Worker’s compensation is a state-mandated insurance program which offers value to employees who suffer job-related injuries and illness. In the United States, each state has laws and programs for worker’s compensation. The federal government has a distinct and separate worker’s compensation program, particularly for federal employees. Through agreeing to receive worker’s compensation, workers also conquer to give up their rights to litigate their employers in case of negligence (Moore & Viscusi, 2014). Workers typically give further recourse in exchange for guaranteed compensation while employers consent to a certain amount of liability while evading significant damage of a large-scale negligence lawsuit. The workers’ compensation insurance primarily covers medical care from the injury or illness, replacement income, costs for retraining, compensation for any permanent injuries, and benefits to survivors of workers who are killed on the job.

Worker’s compensation ideas cover medical fees concerning injuries realized as a direct result of employment. In some cases, workers can receive the equivalent of sick pay while they are on medical leave. The death of a worker as a result of work engagement, worker’s compensation also makes payments to the beneficiaries such as family member or any other dependent. Ultimately, not all work-related injuries are covered by worker’s compensation. The exceptional is given in instances where the employee is intoxicated or uses illegal drugs; the settlement does not apply (Moore & Viscusi, 2014). The cover may not be considered where there are self-inflicted injuries, injuries occurred. At the same time, an employee was committing a severe crime, and when damage occurs when a worker performs violated company policy.

Therefore, apart from worker’s compensation is a governing law, it has played a critical role in providing benefits to employees and families. For example, if an employee cannot work anymore because of work-related injury insurance will cover the cost of wages while the employee is in recovery mood. Also, the worker’s compensation policy helps in protecting the business. The system grounded is essential in preventing the company from severe financial burden in cases an employee medical care is required (Moore & Viscusi, 2014). Worker’s compensation insurance offers economic importance for workers who experience job-related injuries or illness to reimburse medical expenses and lost wages.

Return- to- Work Policy and its Importance

When a worker’s experience illness or injury, their workability and ability to perform is primarily compromised. A return-to-work policy is mostly meant to provide a transition period for an injured or partially disabled worker to return for work and eventually become effectively productive. The system primarily works in collaboration with the leave policy, which an employee shall refer to the adequate leave policy for defined terms (SHRM, 2018). Several critical scenarios concerning a workers’ ability to return to work after realizing an injury, illness or disability. These scenarios include but not limited to returning to work on a regular schedule with no restrictions and with restrictions, and receiving duty assignments if available. Also, the scenarios integrate returning to work on a maintained schedule with or without limits, and potentially being substituted in a modified duty assignment, if applicable or inability to return to the workplace. These regular or reduced schedules with temporary job restrictions are supposed to be backed with medical evidence documented on doctor’s release to return to work form.

Having a return-to-work policy is critical for a business entity and an employee. Businesswise helps to save money and spend less energy during the workers’ compensation process. The system allows an employee to return to light tasks as they recover from work-related injury or illness. Some of the benefits a company can accrue when sick workers get back to work in a safe and timely manner include; controlling of direct and indirect absenteeism costs, and reducing lost productivity (SHRM, 2018). Also, the cost of training new staffs in significantly reduced, and maintaining the set skills valuable for employees. Another critical significance is to provide a proactive approach to improve the ability to manage injury claim and any restrictions.

Similarly, a return-to-work policy can play an essential role in an injured or sick employee that can produce quick recovery, reiterating self-worth, getting a job back or finding a similar responsibility, and preventing salary interruption. Other benefits associated with the return-to-work policy is boosting workers morale, discouraging abuse, illustrating a consistent procedure, and creating a solid ground for communication and organization. Return-to-work programs don’t only benefit the company but also the employees (SHRM, 2018). Implementing the program, it significantly portrays that injured workers are cared, and their well-being is valued. The sense of security and stability and a productive mindset is maintained. Ultimately, many companies fail to implement policy programs due to inadequate or expertise to get started.

Emergency Preparedness and its Importance

Emergencies can create a hazard for employees in impacted areas. Formulating a solid grounds before the crisis plays a critical role in ensuring that employers and employees have the appropriate tools, know where to go, and know how to keep themselves safe when an emergency is realized. Since 2001, and other recent Hurricane Katrina, American realized the importance of having robust emergencies preparedness to respond to such critical scenarios (Goodwin Veenema, 2018). The Government of the United States, have offered guidelines through various organizations and community-based services such as the Red Cross to handle emergencies. Individuals with disabilities are more vulnerable during and after emergencies. Most disasters are natural while others are human-made with others having elements of being predicted, such as hurricanes. An example of natural disaster are floods, blizzards, tornadoes and earthquakes. Human-made disasters encompass explosions, fires, chemicals, as well as biological attacks. There are conventional ways of emergency preparedness that are critical to producing effective results. Discussing what to do during evacuation without forgetting disabled, in a project if business premises establish unique evacuation routes is critical (Goodwin Veenema, 2018). Posting an emergency phone number that targets the agencies that can help, such as police and ambulances, can help mitigate an emergency.

In a particular project, it is essential to understand that every area is susceptible to extreme weather a making a comprehensive preparedness can help save the business and the worker from the risk associated. For example, at the time of predicting natural disaster such as hurricanes, it is essential to provide workers with proper attire to cope with the catastrophe. In a business entity, it is critical to provide equipment such as fire extinguishers and offer training to workers on how to use them in case of a disaster. Through collaboration among volunteer managers, local authority, emergency top officials, and non-profit organization, they help in saving lives and providing aids (Goodwin Veenema, 2018). At the time of emergency, it is critical to cultivating healthy relationships in a pre-disaster environment. During an emergency, it is essential to follow the instructions given by professionals that may be sent in messages from the trusted sources like Emergency Management, police, and Public Safety. In a Company, as such offers, all the resources required in instances of unexpected situations.

Importance of Orientation to a New Employee and how it Reduces risk

The orientation of employees primarily refers to the process of introducing new hires to their jobs, the co-workers, the assigned responsibilities, and the working environment itself. Orientation gives employees rooms to feel comfortable within their new working teams, departments and their new roles and responsibilities (Heathfield, 2019). Asking and answering the questions that an employee may have concerning a new colleague or a company is delivered through orientation. Also, practical orientation makes the new employees aware of the company’s policies and what is expected and makes them feel valued and comfortable in their new position.

Clear communication between employer and employee that is grounded through orientation enables the new employees to start being productive as soon as possible. As such, it reduces new employees turnover realized as a result of misunderstanding and unmet expectations. Clear policies for employees orientation ensures that new workers get conventional and similar training and information within and outside the company. A practical orientation should cover some of the critical aspects that offer stable guidelines for a new employee (Heathfield, 2019). Reviewing job description gives clear guidance of what is expected, gives the intended vision and mission of the business. Also, orientation is essential in providing the overall work rules, compensations and associated benefits as well as a tour of the workplace.

Employee’s orientation has portrayed essential characteristics that can be used to reduce the risk associated when ignored. Form the initial point, the risk associated with not knowing what a particular company requires an employee explicitly leads to inferior performance. The inferior performance increases employee’s turnovers and another associated negative impact such as low morale of the new team. Failure to offer communicative orientation such as the company’s rules and protocols, the guiding rules and the intended purpose of the business the risk of poor performance id always at the tip. The associated risk and hazards that are predictable in an organizations needs to be orientated to new employees and a training program be offered to them on how to prepare and respond. As such, places the company and the employees at a safe environment at the times of emergency. Therefore it is critical as a person assigned the role of orienting new team to understand the importance of orientation, understand orientation can help in trimming workers turnover and be aware that proper saves time in the long run.

Conclusion

In summation, project management is critical to structure how the activities are going to run throughout in an organization through the incorporation of adequate and proper organizational structures. These organizational structures need to follow a particular pattern of various levels of power/authority for an entity to run smoothly and register high performance. In the process of structuring and grounding organizational hierarchy, it is also critical to put in consideration psychological risk and how individuals or organizations can respond to such dangerous instances. The hazard assessment and risk assessment need to be put in considerations and done by professionals to avoid any harm or loss of valuable items, including employees in an organization. Hazard and risk assessment need to follow particular steps to produce stable and comprehensive results.

After determining the associated hazards in a project, several methods such as elimination and substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls can be integrated to mitigate the problem. As such, significantly help an organization and the workers to be safe and have a conducive working environment. Ultimately, in a particular project, it is essential to conduct a gap analysis to track the actual and anticipated performance. In the process of monitoring done down the performance aspect such as emergency preparedness need to be considered, and ground on how to respond when there are injury and illness scenarios. In the process where the injuries or illness has occurred to the employee, it is critical to comply with OSHA requirements and standards to help such workers and facilitate an effective return-to-work policy for the sake of the company and the employee. Finally, in a project, orienting new employees is a critical aspect that each organization should perform to reduce risks, and facilitate the effective running of the project for exponential growth and development.

References

Bennett, J. M. (2013). U.S. Patent No. 8,439,123. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Moore, M. J., & Viscusi, W. K. (2014). Compensation mechanisms for job risks: wages, Workers’ Compensation, and product liability (Vol. 1060). Princeton University Press.

References

Bail, J. (2018, January 23). Gap Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.projectmanagement.com/wikis/233055/Gap-Analysis

Bunse, K., Vodicka, M., Schönsleben, P., Brülhart, M., & Ernst, F. O. (2011). Integrating energy efficiency performance in production management – gap analysis between industrial needs and scientific literature. Journal of Cleaner Production, 19(6-7), 667-679. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.11.011

Ehrenberg, R. G., & Smith, R. S. (2017). Modern Labor Economics. doi:10.4324/9781315101798

Goodwin Veenema, T. (2018). Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness. doi:10.1891/9780826144225

Heathfield, S. M. (2019, October 31). You Can Quickly Integrate a New Employee With a Successful Orientation. Retrieved from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/new-employee-orientation-employee-onboarding-1918195

Ko, K., Mendeloff, J., & Gray, W. (2010). The role of inspection sequence in compliance with the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) standards: Interpretations and implications. Regulation & Governance, 4(1), 48-70. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5991.2010.01070.x

Methods for Controlling Hazards. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://safetyandhealth.ufcw.org/committeeguide/controls/

SHRM. (2018, November 20). Return-to-Work Policy. Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/policies/pages/returntoworkpolicy.aspx