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How current health and safety legislation, policies and procedures are implemented in the work setting
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Occupational Health and Safety The term ‘occupational health and safety’ (often abbreviated to OHS), is used describe work practices that will keep employees safe. The absence of OHS can be detrimental to a company and its workers alike, as there is a high risk of serious injury. Safety on many worksites must be the top priority for any corporation. Though at our walk-around of Juggernaut Industries, we noticed it wasn’t monitored at all. The following is a list of possible effects and laws that will remind you of the consequences. Effects on Individuals and Their Possible Experiences With the lack of workplace safety practices, there can be tremendous effects on families and the community. This can come in the form of unwanted media attention …show more content…
These effects will most likely harm their daily health severely and could take its toll, with the exposure to asbestos, hazardous chemicals, stress, fatigue, extreme heat etc. The employee could develop diseases, such as forms of cancers, tumours, or physical injuries as such. Physical Injuries could include, cuts, bruises, sprains, etc. which require medical or first-aid attention. Injured employees, cannot work productively and will need time off work. Also, the family of the worker will also take the burden of financial costs associated with seeking medical attention and performing operations as such. These costs can further intensify when the injured family member cannot earn money due to their sickness, and where another family member may be forced to resign from their job in order to take care of the injured family member. Furthermore, hospital waiting times can also mean lost time for families being …show more content…
Otherwise, be prepared to handle the negative consequences which will indebt the company, and lose its accredited position in Australia. Laws and Legislation In New South Wales the organisation in relation to Occupational Health and Safety Regulation is SafeWork NSW, which falls under the umbrella of WorkCover NSW. These are both organisations created by the NSW Government and assist in administering the two main laws covering Workplace OHS. These two laws include the: Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011. These two laws are often used interchangeably and represent the regulations for Workplace Health and Safety in NSW. These laws and requirements give certain obligations that you must fulfil. As one of the leading managers of Juggernaut Industries you are considered a PCBU or a ‘person conducting a business or undertaking’, and therefore, are responsible for the health and safety of your workers, whether they be part of your company or are hired-contract workers. These certain responsibilities can include: First Aid is readily available on site. Protective Equipment is readily available on
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was formed as an agency of the federal government that is charged with protecting workers from recognized safety hazards within the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was created as a result of passage of the “Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 in response to dangerous working conditions across the nation and as a culmination of decades of reform” (Walter, 2011, para. 5). President Richard Nixon signed the act into law on December 29, 1970 and The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was officially established on April 28, 1971 (Walter, 2011). During the 41 years on the job, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has identified and addressed numerous work hazards, as well as provided solutions to mitigate and/or avoid placing workers in unnecessary danger. OSHA regulates as enforces regulations throughout the country, however the agency does declare that “states can run their own safety and health programs as long as those programs are at least as effective as the federal program” (http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-osha.htm). The states that choose to implement their own version of the occupational safety and health plan are referred to as OSHA states, whereas those who implement no plan are required to follow the federal regulations, as set forth by OSHA. OSHA effects all workers and employers in the United States, as the desired effect of the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act is “to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources” (Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act, 1970). OS...
McGuire, C. (2011, April). Workplace Safety 100 Years Ago. Safety Compliance Letter(2524), 1-6. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=60166397&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Explain the purpose of Work Health and Safety legislation, including the function of a WHS Act, WHS regulation and WHS Code of Practice:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration also known as OSHA is a U.S. regulatory agency that is used to implement the safety of employees, patients and the enviro...
Working as a nurse, patient care associate, or any other health care professional is not an easy job. Nursing profession has the highest rate of back and other injuries related to lifting, moving and transporting patients. Hospitals and other nursing facilities were experiencing increased numbers of injuries, which meant many lost work days, worker’s compensation costs and patient safety at risk.
Occupational science is an emerging academic discipline which is based on the traditional values and beliefs of the occupational therapy practice as articulated by Adolph Meyer, (Yexer ,1993), (Reilly, 1962) and others. It draws on a range of theories, research methodologies and approaches in order to understand humans as occupational beings. Also, it assumes that people’s experiences in engagement in meaningful and purposeful occupations influences both performance and intrinsic motivation ( Haertl, 2007)
People have focused on improving health and prolonging lifespan of people since the ancient times. Before the development of systems for health care such as NHS and CDC, people used home remedies and it was not as effective. WHO defines health as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” as adopted at the International Health Conference 19461. Ashton, John et al (1991) states that The Public Health Act 1848 was passed by the government, in response to the urging of Edwin Chadwick, an English social reformer. This was supported by reports, from local branches of the Health of Towns Association (formed in 1844), of poor and insanitary conditions in many UK cities2. Winslow (1920) defined Public Health as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting human health through organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals3.” The Alma Ata Conference of 1978 reaffirmed the critical role of public health in attaining health for all, with particular emphasis placed on the centrality of equity, community participation and intersectoral collaboration4. The main focus of Public Health is to ameliorate the
safety is maintained in the workplace will not jeopardize the company’s bottom line because of how large their profit margins are. As a multinational corporation, fulfilling these duties will shine a positive light on their company’s reputation for reducing the amount of workplace injuries and deaths that occur and also delivering a wage that demonstrates human dignity to abolish exploitation.
Stress is stress involving work. Stress is defined in terms of its physical and physiological effects on a person, and can be a mental, physical or emotional strain. It can also be a tension or a situation or factor that can cause stress.[1] Occupational stress occurs when there is a discrepancy between the demands of the environment/workplace and an individual’s ability to carry out and complete these demands.[2] Often a stressor can lead the body to have a physiological reaction which can strain a person physically as well as mentally. One of the main causes of occupational stress is work overload. Occupational stress is a major hazard for many workers. Increased workloads, downsizing, overtime, hostile work environments, and shift work are
As for employees, it is essential for them to work together and cooperate with one another to prevent any accidents from occurring and to not carry out any actions that may be reckless and bring harm to their fellow colleagues. They are ultimately responsible for the safety of their colleagues and themselves. Failing to do so will not only cause mishaps but it may also result in parties being convicted for breaching this act.
A candidly of risk occurs in every organisation. Governance principals and the occupational health and safety urge that the organisations take reasonable measures to hinder loss, charge or rage to the organisational and all stakeholders/management. Injury and accidents can even happen ultimately with stringent OHS and the fact that an accident when occurs, does not mean that someone is liable if all responsible steps for prevention or minimisation has been taken.
Employers negligent in providing health and safety in the work environment could become criminally charged, fined or sent to jail. Providing an unsafe workplace is no longer considered just as morally unjust, but an act of crime. Health and safety in the workplace has become more encompassing and broader, accepting new causes and problems that influence occupational health and safety. Health is no longer just defined as wellness of the physical body, but also wellness of the mind. Mental health is considered an area of workplace safety.
Although workplace accidents are very common, the majority of them can be prevented. As a company, you are obliged by the law to protect your employees, so it is important to take the necessary actions that will minimize the risk of accidents (Intelligent HQ, 2015).
Employers have a legal obligation to inform employees about safety and health standards that apply to their workplace. Employers must establish a written, comprehensive hazard communication program to ensure that employees who work with or near hazardous materials...
Zanko, M & Dawson, P 2012, ‘Occupational health and safety management in organizations: A review’, International Journal of Management Reviews, vol. 14, no. 3, p 328-344, viewed 2 April 2014, http://ro.uow.edu.au/commpapers/2832/.