OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Occupational Health and Safety



Occupational Health and Safety

Introduction

Health is the greatest asset of the individual. The health of employees is an essential condition for the effectiveness of their work and therefore, the image of our State to the public. Santé au travail, Health, accident prevention and safety installations facilities are key objectives. They prevail in any case on economic considerations. To achieve these objectives, it is considering the latest state of the art, occupational medicine, hygiene of work, ergonomics and occupational psychology. The implementation and continuous improvement pointed to the company implementing the system, sees all involved staff at the company because the protection of health shared objective: it is an essential component passing through the mobilization and commitment of all.

Discussion and Analysis

OHSMSs may focus on not only injury and illness prevention, but also the promotion of health and wellness. There is a wide variety as to what includes in a fitness and wellness program, and they can range from a membership at a local fitness club, to health risk assessments, to educational programs targeting smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, or any combination of initiatives. Fitness and wellness initiatives that focus on mental wellness, often identified as Employee Assistance Programs, may include on-site counseling after serious injuries or fatalities at work sites, free counseling sessions for the employee and his/her family, and other measures to improve mental health (e.g. weekend retreats, meditation sessions, etc.). Fitness and wellness programs go beyond regulatory compliance, and are unique from industrial hygiene activities, such as monitoring of exposure to noise and chemicals, or activities associated with worker's compensation, such as a return to work programs or medical assessments, which are often heavily regulated (Smallman, 2010).

Workplace Health and Safety Officers / Managers (WHSO)

The Workplace Health and Safety Act (1995) require the University to train and appoint Workplace Health and Safety Officers (WHSOs) to assist in the effective management of workplace risk. In departments and sections where work activities present the potential for significant risk to the health and safety of staff, training and appointment of a WHSO is considering necessary. In Faculties, Institutes and Schools where the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Committee believes there is sufficient risk, a dedicated OH&S Manager may be appointed. Where this is the case, the OH&S Manager must be an accredited WHSO and carry out the functions listed for a WHSO, in addition to the responsibilities, of an OH&S Manager. In summary, an OHSMS can include measures to prevent, minimize, and treat injuries and illnesses resulting from activities in the workplace.

Preventative and minimizing measures include human factors programs, fitness and wellness programs, safe work procedures, safety audits and workplace inspections, education and training programs, conformance with standards and compliance with regulations, and emergency preparedness. Treatment and minimization of injuries and illnesses can be in the form of emergency preparedness and response, medical and first aid, counseling sessions, drug and alcohol abuse treatment, and smoking cessation sessions (Faucett, 2004).

OHSM Cycle

Employers

Morale enhancer: Employers want their workers to be ...