Health And Safety In The Workplace

wellness And Safety In The studyHuman resources be one of the most important features of many coursees. A business success relies heavily on the strong point to which this resource is managed. Policies and practices used by the firm, toughened out the standards to which they seek to aspire. They be designed to govern the action of the business especi eithery in todays economy where there is such a rise in proceeds industries (Biz/ed, 2010). This topic is of importance to us because it has proven to be a neglected field in todays unified world especially in Grenada. In this regard, this paper seek to highlight the importance of Workplace wellness and base hit to the business, to develop an understanding of how its effective precaution can affect the performance of a business, delimit how this can be effectively carried out with the interest of the company in mind.It is often said that, the wellness of a nation is the wealth of a nation (Fraser, 2004), the same concept applies to business. The wellness and gum elastic of a companys clement resource is an enormous contributor to the success of that business. Human resources account for a large symmetry of many companys costs it is the mass that invariably drive a business (Biz/ed, 2010)According to the Bureau Veritas, Workplace Health and Safety refers to, the evaluation of risks relating to the health and gumshoe of an organizations workers and differents (including the public) who whitethorn be affected by its activities (Bureau Veritas, 2007).Who im neighborhood study health and preventative?The health and safety of a workplace is established through divers(prenominal) sources. Firstly, on a national train occupational health and safety is instituted in ossification with lawful regulations that were created by legislative decisions and is enforced and monitored by agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health judgeship (OSHA), for the U.S., and the Ministry of Labour in Grena da. OSHA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Labour, has the right of assuring the safety and health of Americas workers by telescope and enforcing standards providing training, outreach and education establishing partnerships and encouraging (OSHA, n.d.).On a national and/or on a company level there are also instances of regular inspections by a safety representative. This can be ego requested or legally mandated. This is done to fit that companies follow the stipulated guidelines that are set to govern the safety and health of the workplace. Also, from a corporate standpoint, the health and safety standards of the company can be establish by the declaration of it in the Companys general worker manual and/or in the separate manual set aside for clearly laying out, the standards by which the company seek to keep its work environment and the people that use it safe and goodish. A more informal, but still an effective method is employee observation. This is simply employees acc ount hazards that go unnoticed to the inspection representative and/or management.These options are in place to ensure accordance of a company to monitor and envision the health and safety of the workplace, and to maintain it. In-adherence of regulations set by the supra regulatory bodies can result in an employer being fined or sentenced to jail time (Cascio, 1998).Reasons for Maintaining Workplace Health and SafetyThere are reasons why a business should maintain a safe and healthy workplace. It purges the environment of possible risks to everyone that uses the facility. An organizations productivity is directly related to the health and safety of its manpower. hence, proper health and safety practices safeguard the productivity of its employees. When the workforce is unhealthy it affects productivity quantity and quality. Proper practices maintain the health of the workers and it protects human rights the human right to a safe and healthy environment and the human right to a sa fe and healthy workplace (PDHRE, n.d.)A major reason for maintaining health and safety in the workplace is that misery to do so cost too much. The consequences of not up keeping proper health and safety practices can range from having expensive monetary payouts, to death (users of the workplace). Other repercussions areLower productivity levels project or injured worker do not produce the same quality and quantity as do health workers.Poor quality products and services the direct relation between quality of workforce and quality of products or service they produce.High levels of complaints from customers lower quality of products or services delivered to customers would stain them unhappy. want of customers and subsequently lower revenues if the quality of the production isnt addressed it can result in a way out in the customer base and later loss in revenues because of lower sales.Higher costs this add-on in cost can come from different sources including payment of insuran ce claims for damages, cost of substitution for sick(p) or injured workers (training and wages), and social welfares for sick or injured workers.Higher staff turnover as persons add sick or injured on the job they tend to leave. If the health and safety practices of the workplace are dreadful employees would not stay therefore higher turnover.Poor industrial relations poor health and safety practices would attract attention from unions who fight for the rights of employees.Thus, addressing safety and health issues in the workplace saves the employer capital and adds appreciate to the business (OSHA, n.d.). When workers remain safe and healthy, the direct cost-savings to businesses includelower workers compensation insurance costsreduced medical expendituressmaller expenditures for return-to-work programsfewer faulty productslower costs for job accommodations for injured workersless money spent for overtime benefitsSafety and health also result in substantial decreases in con firmatory cost (OSHA, n.d.). This is as a result ofincreased productivityhigher quality productsincreased team spiritbetter labour/management relationsreduced turnoverbetter use of human resourcesEmployees and their families benefit from safety and health because (OSHA, n.d.)their incomes are protected no financial shock because of illness or sufferingtheir family lives are not hampered by injury no loss of income destabilization because of illness and injurythey hurt less stress because of a comWorkplace health and safety extend way beyond the boundaries of the worksite. The families of workers and other users of the worksite can also be impacted by health and safety in the workplace (OSHA, n.d.).It is of a misconception that health and safety in the workplace only entails ensuring that there arent any hazards on the worksite however it should be noted that the hazard can be the employees themselves. Employees who are sick (communicable/non communicable), who have a drug or alco hol problem, who have psychological problems can also pose great threat to the health and safety of others in the workplace. Violent employees can also be classified as a hazard (Cascio, 1998). In this regard testing of the individual together with the worksite is necessary drug and alcohol testing, psychological tests etc.Whose responsibility is it?The health and safety of a workplace should be part of the business HR system. It should be an inaugural that is deeply rooted into the culture of a business. No one person should be accountable for it. inclined this, all employees, supervisors and managers should undergo training in this area to suit their position. Managers especially should possess an attitude that jump out good health and safety practices because it is usually mirrored by employees if the manager care about health and safety, the employees will do too (OSHA, n.d.).Both the employer and the employee are responsible for ensuring that the workplace is healthy and s afe for all users. Employers are legally obligated to maintain and provide a working environment that is conducive for snug operations. They also have to provide safe systems of work and facilities that would sustain the welfare of its employees. They are also responsible for providing employees with any information, instruction, training and/or supervision that is needed to ensure that workers are safe during operations no matter the job. As a result of this responsibility to ensure employees are safe at work, an employer may institute regulations and policies that would call for the attention from and compliance of employees (Directgov, 2010).Employees are also expected to play a part in ensuring proper health and safety of the workplace. They are to make certain their own personal health and safety and that of other persons in the workplace whether colleague, customer, supplier, etc. Importantly, workers are expected to adhere to the directions given by management to guarantee h ealth and safety. If workers are to ignore these directives it creates a hazard in the workplace not only for themselves but also for others (Directgov, 2010).Effective management of the resourceEach workplace is different and dynamic. Therefore the strategy used to effectively manage the human resource should also be different and dynamic. This strategy should include clear and concise plans for the addressing the types of accidents that and exposing the health and safety hazards that could occur at the worksite (OSHA, n.d.).An effective plan, as base upon the safety and health program management guidelines given by OSHA in January 1989 is the Four Point workplace Program.The Four Point Workplace Program as its name suggests, it is a program that contains four elements in approaching optimum effective health and safety standards. These elementsCommitment and Employee InvolvementThe manager or management team leads the way, by setting policy, assigning and supporting responsibility , setting an example and involving employees.Worksite AnalysisThe worksite is continually canvass to identify all existing and potential hazards.Hazard Prevention and ControlMethods to prevent or control existing or potential hazards are put in place and maintained.Training for Employees, Supervisors and ManagersManagers, supervisors and employees are handy to understand and deal with worksite hazards.ConclusionThe success of a business rests to a large degree on the quality of the workforce successful management of this crucial resource is critical (Biz/ed, 2010)The Employer has a responsibility to ensure that his/her employees are safe at work, and so may institute regulations and policies to ensure this. It is now the responsibility of the employee to make certain that they follow these rules. As an employee, one has rights and responsibilities for their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues and by extension the public (customers) (OSHA, n.d.). The underlying to the succ ess of a safety and health plan is to see it as a part of the business operation and to see it reflected in the day-to-day operations.As the implemented plan is incorporated into the business culture, health and safety consciousness will become engrained into the psyche of everyone. (OSHA, n.d.). Protecting people on the job is in everyones best interest our economy, our communities, our fellow workers and our families. Safety and health add value to businesses, workplaces and lives (OSHA, n.d.).