Management and Evaluation of Health and Safety in Workplaces

1. Management and Evaluation of Health and Safety in Workplaces

2. Overview • What are the characteristics of an effective health and safety system? • We are gradually answering this question by various types of research: • Studies of excellent enterprises • Studies of safety initiatives by governments • Intervention research in workplaces • Policy research

3. Overview (continued) The Answer • The best safety results are obtained from programs that are: • Applied systematically and consistently • Planned and documented • Comprehensive – all required components. • Enterprise level – inspection, evaluation, hazard control, prevention, training, etc • Managed and resourced

4. Overview (continued) • Components of effective health and safety programs are codified in: • International instruments • National legislation • Standards (national and international) • Codes of practice (national and international) • These components can also be used to develop audit tools to evaluate health and safety programs

5. Objectives • Describe standards used in Canada and internationally for the management of health and safety in workplaces • Show how these standards may be useful to help evaluate and document health and safety programs in the demonstration sites in Chongqing • Discuss the relationship of good health and safety to good management

6. Health and Safety Programs • A program is a systematic approach to manage health and safety activities in a workplace • The importance of a program: • Compliance – meet legal requirements • Demonstrate due diligence • Avoid accidents, losses and delays • Improve quality • Meet customer expectations • Support workplace health and wellness

7. Health and Safety Programs • A health and safety program succeeds by being integrated into the overall management functions of the enterprise. Good health and safety is good management.

8. The Elements of Health and Safety Programs • Recommended components of health and safety programs are provided by international and national instruments: • ILO standards • ISO standards • National programs

9. Health and Safety Management Standards • ILO-OHS 2001 • OHSAS 18001:1999 and 2007 (BSI) • CSA Z1000 • ANSI-AIHA Z10 • and others…

10. Accreditation/Recognition Programs • Accreditation for Ontario Workplaces • A standard for health and safety programs in Ontario • Certificate of Recognition (COR) • A standard used in several Canadian provinces • Companies are audited to see if their programs meet the standards • If meet standard, companies receive various incentives and rebates

11. The Elements of a Good Health and Safety Program • Examine the specific OHS program elements in the context of standards such as the Canadian standard CSA Z1000…

13. Employer Leadership and Commitment • Much research shows that employer leadership and commitment are necessary prerequisites for a successful plan. • The employer must: • Demonstrate commitment to good health and safety results • Show personal leadership • Invest adequate resources and time • Make health and safety part of management goals • Plan for continual improvement

14. Plan, Do, Check, ActPlan • Identify legislative requirements • Identify applicable industry standards • Identify health and safety priorities • Identify deficiencies and opportunities for improvement in the OHSMS • Develop health and safety policies • Establish objectives and targets that are appropriate to the organization

15. Plan, Do Check, ActDo • Implementation and documentation • Develop an implementation plan that includes: • Resources • Responsibilities • Targets and timeframes for completion • Measurement of progress

16. Plan, Do, Check, ActDo • Include: • Hazard identification and evaluation • Prevention and protection priorities • Emergency plans • Training • Communication • Procurement • Contracting • Documentation

17. Plan, Do, Check, ActCheck • Evaluatethe effectiveness of the program: • Are the goals and objectives of the program being achieved? • Have control measures been implemented and been effective? • Have losses and occurrences been addressed, including accidents, incidents, illnesses and near misses?

18. Plan, Do, Check, ActCheck • Evaluate the effectiveness of the program • Are training programs for employees effective? • Are communication programs effective? • Is information for the continual improvement of the program being produced, reviewed and used?

19. Plan, Do, Check, ActAct • Regular management review: • Progress to achieve policy goals • Effectiveness in preventing workplace injuries, illness and incidents • Any deficiencies identified in inspections and audits • Effectiveness and completion of action items from previous reviews

20. OSH Program Elements • The following pages show the main elements found to be required in an effective health and safety program.

21. OSH Program ElementsPolicy Statement • Statement of management commitment • General objectives and philosophy • General responsibilities

22. OSH Program ElementsIndividual Responsibilities • Assign responsibilities for OHS • Employer is accountable • Managers and supervisors must know responsibilities • Workers have responsibilities • Document individual responsibilities

23. OSH Program ElementsHealth and Safety Committee • Establish committees in work areas • Encourage worker participation • Identify objectives, responsibilities, procedures • Train members of committee • For example, “Certified Members” in Ontario • Document recommendations and actions

24. OSH Program ElementsCorrect Work Procedures • Specific rules for each task and process in the workplace • Based on job safety analysis of each task and process • Incorporate preventive measures specific to health and safety concerns • Maintain a process to identify and assess hazards and risks on an ongoing basis, set objectives and targets

25. OSH Program ElementsNew Employee Orientation • A high priority for OHS regulators in Canada • Proven ability to reduce injuries in new workers • Program should train new workers on health and safety rights and responsibilities, specific hazards, procedures, etc.

26. OSH Program ElementsTraining • Training required at the time of: • Commencement of employment • Reassignment or transfer to a new job • Introduction of new equipment, processes, or procedures • Accident • Inadequate performance

27. OSH Program ElementsWorkplace Inspections • Identify existing or new hazards and recommend appropriate corrective action • Legislation may require • Certain frequency of inspections • Annual reports to labour agency

28. OSH Program ElementsReport and Investigate Accidents • Report serious accidents to authorities • May be official investigation and charges • Link to compensation to injured worker • Accidents are investigated to uncover causes and prevent similar incidents in future (reactive) • Establish and maintain procedures for reporting and investigation • Review effectiveness of the preventive and corrective actions and modify if necessary

29. OSH Program ElementsEmergency Procedures • Develop plans to deal with emergencies such as fires, explosions, chemical releases, floods, and earthquakes • Develop procedures and responsibilities • Good communication is essential • Provide training • Perform tests of procedures • Do detailed review after any incident

30. OSH Program ElementsMedical Aid and First Aid Program • Medical and first aid facilities required in legislation • Training and qualifications of attendants • Procedures for transporting injured employees to outside medical facilities • Record keeping • Etc.

31. OSH Program ElementsWorkplace Specific Hazards • Identification and Assessment of Hazards • Safety • Falls from heights • Slips and trips • Injuries from machinery, tools, lifts, cranes, etc • Motor vehicle injuries • Electricity • Etc • Chemicals – fire, explosion, toxicity • Ergonomics – musculoskeletal disorders • Physical agents – noise, vibration, electromagnetic radiation, heat, cold • Biological agents

32. OSH Program ElementsWorkplace Specific Hazards • Prevention Programs • Safety • Lock-out procedures • Confined space procedures • Excavation safety • Procedures for work at heights • Safe work with lifts and cranes • Vehicle safety • Preventive maintenance • Engineering and purchasing standards • Etc

33. OSH Program ElementsWorkplace Specific Hazards • Prevention Programs (Continued) • Chemicals • Ventilation • Shields and enclosures • Personal protection equipment (PPE) • Purchasing procedures – substitution, modification • Fire prevention • Preventive maintenance • Procedures for spills and leaks

34. OSH Program ElementsWorkplace Specific Hazards • Prevention Programs (Continued) • Ergonomics • Control pace of work • Reduce forceful motions • Material handling procedures • Training and adjustments • Physical agents • Shields and barriers • Work scheduling • Biological agents • Isolation procedures • Protective equipment

35. Conclusion • Key elements of effective health and safety programs are found in international instruments • Management commitment is essential • Visible leadership and monitoring • Good management processes are also essential • Focus on practical results • Knowledge is the most important resource

36. Thank you