Occupational Safety and Health

Occupational Safety and Health

Introduction

Employees are the most valuable assets in an organization because they organize and coordinate other resources to achieve organizational objectives. A single organization may have different employees performing a range of functions based on their qualifications and experience. However, sometimes workers may sustain injuries while on duty, especially the ones who are exposed to hazards such as chemicals and live electrical wires. As a result, various industries and companies have adopted occupational health and safety (OHS) standards to protect workers from work-related injuries. This essay analyzes occupational health and safety management systems and its adoption in a startup company.

Question 1: Adopting a Management Systems Approach to Health and Safety

Getting the Company Interested in Health and Safety System

A health and safety management program or system is a critical aspect of every organization. The systems are suitable for all businesses regardless of their industry or stage in the business life cycle. However, some entities, especially the new ones, do not understand the occupational health and safety systems, and how they can be integrated into organizational culture (Jilcha 287-288). One of the ways of making a new company, such as in the HVAC Company, is explaining some of the concepts of occupational health and safety (OHS) systems and standards (Loeppke 587; Schulte 13). As a health and safety consultant, one of the areas that I would explain to the company is the health and safety guidelines that govern operations of businesses in the industry.

Secondly, I would also explain some of the essential elements of OHS systems, such as worksite analysis, prevention and control of workplace hazards, staff training, and the roles and responsibilities of the management and the employees (Loeppke 586-587). Introducing the owner and employees to the guidelines will help them understand the role of OHS systems in employee safety and organizational performance. Similarly, assuming that the owner and employees do not have adequate knowledge of OHS standards and practices, a detailed description of the elements mentioned above is likely to trigger their interest in the OHS system (Schulte 19).

Another strategy that I would employ to encourage the company to adopt a health and safety management system is pointing out some of the risks that the employees are exposed to in the course of their duties. For instance, from the scenario, part of the work of the two HVAC technicians involves troubleshooting live electrical controls. As a result, the two employees are at risk of being electrocuted while performing their duties. Furthermore, driving over a long distance may also increase the risk of work-related injuries due to fatigue.

The final approach that I would use to get the company’s interest in the OHS management system is highlighting some of its benefits to all the stakeholders (Loeppke 586). OHS standards protect employers, employees, and third parties who visit business premises from potential harm. Moreover, any rational being would want to adopt a system that guarantees a certain level of protection against factors that can disrupt their development or performance. For example, in the case of the HVAC firm, I would point out how having an OHS system can ensure continuity of organizational operations by reducing instances of preventable injuries on the few employees. I would also advise the owner that implementing an OHS system will reduce the cost of treating employees who have sustained injuries while on duty. Furthermore, assuming that the employees are concerned about the lack of a compensation system in case of an accident, I will advise them to push for and adopt a safety management system that protects them from preventable physical and financial damages.

Actions

Before engaging the company to discuss the implementation of a health and safety system, it is essential to have adequate preparation. The first step that I would take is analyzing the company to determine how the various elements of occupational health and safety system will fit in its structure. Some of the issues that I would look into include the types of work that the employees undertake incidences of occupational health hazards if any, the structure of the company, and the existing systems and infrastructure. Secondly, I would gather all the information concerning the available OHS systems that are suitable for the organization and the guidelines that will help the company in the implementation process. This information will help in demonstrating how an OHS system will work if the company decides to incorporate it into its structure. Furthermore, I will also assess the training needs of the company’s employees based on the available information. Finally, I will set up an appointment with the owner to discuss the way forward, together with the employees.

Question 2: Relevance of ILO-OSH 2001 to the Scenario

The international labor organization (ILO) established occupational safety and health framework that helps in the implementation of OHS systems in organizations. The body also gives guidelines on the adoption of a safety and health management system in various entities. The primary objective of the ILO-OSH 2001 is to reduce occupational hazards and eliminate work-related injuries and fatalities. Furthermore, the agency also recognizes the impact of national laws and regulations on OSH systems. The guidelines of the ILO-OSH 2001 are relevant to the HVAC Company for various reasons.

First, one of the objectives of the ILOSH 2001 is to guide organizations in designing safety management systems that meet their specific needs depending on their ‘size and nature of their activities’ (ILO 1). This statement indicates that ILO-OSH 2001 is a flexible framework that acknowledges the differences in the features or characteristics of various organizations. The size and nature of the activities of a company determine the levels and types of risks that its employees are exposed to when performing various tasks. Furthermore, the framework also advocates for the customization of OSH systems to match the existing risks or needs of employees and other parties (ILO 3-4). As a result, companies such as HVAC must first analyze its internal environment to identify the workplace hazards and use the ILO-OSH 2001 guidelines to establish their health and safety protocols. Additionally, the framework also highlights the responsibility and accountability of various organizational stakeholders, including employers and employees (ILO 7). The definition of the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders in HVAC will facilitate a smooth transition since every person will understand what is expected of them.

Secondly, the ILO-OSH 2001 guidelines also state that the safety and health management systems of organizations should be aligned to both the international and national standards (ILO 3). Therefore, although organizations can customize their safety management systems, they must ensure that the guidelines adhere to the various measures of occupational safety and security. This concept is crucial to organizations that operate in more than one geographical location. For instance, assuming that the HVAC Company will want to expand its operations beyond Toronto or Canada, it will be easier for the management or owner to get contracts or clients because their OSH system will reflect both the national and international guidelines.

Another aspect that makes the ILO-OSH 2001 relevant to the case of HVAC is that it also addresses the issue of contracting (ILO 13). From the scenario, HVAC sometimes subcontracts a similar company when they have large projects. According to the ILO-OSH 2001 guidelines, a company must ensure that the contractor applies safety and health standards that are similar to its OSH management requirements (ILO 13). Therefore, HVAC should evaluate the subcontractors before engaging them to ensure that their health and safety practices are compatible. Additionally, the company also needs to be in constant communication with the subcontractor to monitor its compliance with the organizational health and safety standards.