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16
Managing
Workplace
Safety
and Health
Challenges
• How can employers maintain a
safe and healthy work environment?
• What are basic provisions of workers’
compensation laws?
• What is OSHA and what does it do?
• What are some of the main health and safety
issues in the workplace?
Workplace Safety and the Law
Laws governing workplace safety and
health:
• States have Workers’ Compensation laws
• Federal law Occupational Safety and
Health Act (1970) - OSHA
Workers’ Compensation
Prior to states enacting laws:
• Doctrine of Contributory Negligence
• Fellow-Servant Rule
State Workers’ Compensation laws:
• Workers’ Compensation Theory – work related
accidents are costs of doing business that the
employer should pay and pass onto the
consumer (no fault employee)
Workers’ Compensation
Goals of Workers’ Compensation laws:
• Providing prompt, sure, and reasonable medical
care to victims and income to both victims and
their dependents
• Providing a “no-fault” system
• Encourage employers to invest in safety
• Promoting research on workplace safety
Workplace Safety and the Law
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
To be eligible injury or illness must have
occurred “in the course of employment”
• Total disability benefits
• Impairment benefits
• Survivor benefits
• Medical expense benefits
• Rehabilitation benefits
Employer cost is directly affected by accidents and
payments, premium modified by safety record,
employers must be aware of fraud
Workplace Safety and the Law
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
• Provide safe, healthy work
environment
• Comply with occupational
safety and health standards
• Keep records of
occupational injuries and
illnesses
• Clarifies who is considered
an employee
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
Primarily responsible for enforcing OSHA:
• Occupational Standards
• Variances
• Workplace inspections
•
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•
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Situations of “imminent danger”
Fatalities or hospitalization of 5 or more employees
Follow-up to employee complainants
High hazard industries
• Citations
Contemporary Issues in Safety and Health
• Managers must deal with variety of practical, legal
and ethical issues involving careful balancing of
individual rights (privacy) and the needs of the
organization
• Challenge of employee commitment to safety
• Understand link between safety measures and the
bottom line
• Participative approach works best
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard
As part of the “Right To Know” program, the
following will be looked at:
5 Elements of RTK Program
Written
Policies
Chemical
Inventory
Your RTK
Program
Training & Safety
Awareness
MSDS
Labeling
OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standards
• Exposure Control Plan —Outline the procedures
identify workers at risk.
• Universal Precautions
handle all blood and body fluid as though
contaminated
• Cleaning Protocols
identify decontamination methods and
procedures for handling waste
© 2004 by Prentice Hall
Terrie Nolinske, Ph.D.
16 - 11
OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standards
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
provide gloves, masks, goggles
• Hazard Communication
warning labels/signs identify restricted areas
• Information and Training
• Record-keeping
keep records of staff exposed to risk while employed
plus 30 years
Develop an AIDS Policy
• Rights to be covered (confidentiality, workplace
accommodation)
• Define benefits employees with AIDS receive
• How communicate AIDS policy to employees
• Identify training needs
• Deal with affected workers’ productivity issues
• Provide support / referral services?
Violence in the Workplace
• Harassment, threats, assaults, sabotage
• Occupations with greatest risk of violence:
– Police officers / Security guards
– Taxi drivers
– Prison guards
– Bartenders
– Mental health professionals
– Gas station attendants
Managing Sabotage
• State that sabotage will not be tolerated
• Expense of damage is employee’s responsibility
• Hire best people for the job and treat well
• Training in conflict management
• Offer a 3rd-party hotline for employees to report
incidents of workplace sabotage
Profile of People
Prone to Workplace Violence
• White men, 30 - 40 years
• Socially isolated - a “loner”
• Stress in personal life
• Work is person’s sole focus
• Cannot deal with criticism, anger
• Low self-esteem
• Cannot deal with authority
• Fascinated with weapons
Cumulative Trauma Disorders
(repetitive stress injuries)
• OSHA proposed
ergonomic workplace
standards to reduce
CTDs
• Socially responsible
firms minimize risk of
CTDs
To Avoid CTDs
• Stretch 2 - 3 times per hour
• Maintain good posture
– Sit erect.
– Feet flat on floor.
– Bend elbows at a
comfortable angle.
– Sit about 18-28 inches
from the screen.
– Place documents at the
same height and angle as
monitor.
OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program
for excellence in safety and health programs
STAR status -- work sites that provide outstanding
safety and health protection to employees
MERIT status -- work sites committed to providing
the best worker protection
DEMONSTRATION status -- work sites pilot-testing
cutting-edge safety and health strategies that
may eventually alter STAR program requirements
Safety Programs
• Safety committees of people from all
departments
• Communicate safety using multimedia
approach
• Use positive reinforcement / incentives to
encourage safe behavior
• Communicate safety rules and enforce them
• Conduct regular inspections and accident
research
• Make improvements to the workplace
Employee Assistance Plans and
Managing Burnout
Characterized by
emotional
exhaustion,
depersonalization,
illness, reduced
personal happiness
and work
accomplishments
Wellness Programs
• Identify potential health risks through
screening and testing
• Educate employees about health risks
(high blood pressure, smoking, poor diet,
and stress)
• Encourage employees to change lifestyles
through exercise, good nutrition and
health monitoring