Industrial Safety

The Importance of Health Safety and Environment in the Workplace

The importance of health safety and the environment in the workplace cannot be overstated. It is through health safety and environmental awareness that we are able to ensure that workers at all levels remain safe and protected while performing their job duties. Whether you’re working as an office manager or you run your own company, it’s vital that you take every possible step to ensure the health safety, and environment of all employees on your team. Here’s what you need to know about this subject.

HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS

In most countries, health safety standards are laid out in legislation such as OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) and COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health). The US COSHH standard is highly detailed; for example, it details how to store, label, and dispose of hazardous materials. It also dictates what protective equipment must be worn by workers handling these materials. Failure to comply with health safety regulations can lead to prosecution, fines, and even imprisonment. In addition to legal requirements, there are generally accepted industry standards that dictate minimum levels of hygiene within a workplace. These may include: - All staff must wash their hands before entering food preparation areas or work stations - All staff should wear hairnets or caps when preparing food - Gloves should be worn when handling raw meat or other potentially infectious material - Staff should not eat or drink at work stations where they handle food - Personal items should not be stored on work surfaces where they could contaminate foodstuffs, etc.

SAFE WORK PRACTICES

You know to stay away from a loose power line, but are you aware of all possible safety hazards in your workplace? It’s important to be aware of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) practices around your job site. While you might know some common precautions such as not smoking or wearing high-heeled shoes, there are other more subtle dangers lurking about. To avoid these potential threats to your health, it’s vital that you develop good work habits.

RISK ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

When it comes to health, safety, and environmental issues, there are many risks associated with various occupational activities. To minimize or eliminate these risks while ensuring a high level of occupational health and wellness, companies should have robust risk assessment procedures. Risk assessments can be conducted for any number of reasons: for example, if an employee has been injured on the job or if an employee has filed a workers' compensation claim. However, employers are required by law to conduct routine risk assessments as part of their OHS management systems; moreover, they should do so at least once every year. In addition to identifying new hazards (or hazards) that might exist within an organization's workplace environment, risk assessments also help employers identify what controls they already have in place (or controls) that mitigate those hazards and make sure those controls continue to work properly. The goal is always zero harm—that is, zero injuries or illnesses that occur during work hours due to unsafe working conditions.

SAFETY TRAINING

One way to help keep your employees healthy is to make sure they’re trained on how to be safe at work. An Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) course on how to prevent workplace injuries will teach workers how to recognize hazards, avoid risks, and keep themselves safe while doing their jobs. You can also put together a training program of your own that targets key safety issues or teach a specific skill set relevant to your business. No matter what approach you take, it’s important to remember that safety should be an ongoing conversation between management and employees. In addition to formalized training programs, you should encourage open dialogue about health-related topics so everyone knows what they need to do—and why—to stay safe on the job.

HEALTH PROGRAMMES

Employees are required to undergo health checks on a regular basis, which may include general health exams, stress tests, cardiovascular disease tests, pulmonary function tests, or other examinations. These tests can help determine possible areas for improvement in your work environment that could potentially lead to injury or illness. Also known as occupational health programs (OHP), these practices protect both employees and employers from issues that may arise from work-related injuries. OHPs also ensure workers receive timely treatment if they do become injured. This is important because research shows that after an employee has been injured at work, they often return to their job before they are ready due to financial pressures—which increases their risk of further injury. OHP’s provide you with a way to keep track of how your employees are doing and whether there is any cause for concern regarding safety or overall well-being at work. They also give you an opportunity to proactively address any issues before they become major problems. For example, if you notice one worker seems more tired than usual lately or another worker is experiencing chronic back pain, you might encourage them to visit their doctor and/or schedule time off so they can rest up properly.

COMMON HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE

Many workplaces have a number of common safety risks that employees must be made aware of. Employers are obligated to inform workers about these potential hazards so that they can prepare for or respond appropriately to potential safety issues. Hazards vary based on industry, but workplace dangers typically fall into one or more common categories 1) physical hazards; 2) chemical/biological hazards; 3) ergonomic factors; 4) noise/vibration factors; 5) electrical and power-related factors; 6) fire, explosion, and flammable gas/liquid/solid related factors; 7) traffic-related factors; 8) environment-related factors. COMMON HAZARDS IN THE HOME: In addition to workplace safety concerns, many people also need to take precautions at home.

OSHA GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEE SAFETY

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that enforces standards for workplace safety. It is important to understand how these guidelines apply to workers. In order to stay safe on the job, employees should follow all OSHA regulations, including • Wear personal protective equipment provided by employers when necessary. For example, if you work with chemicals or heavy machinery, you may be required to wear safety goggles or ear protection. These items are usually available at no cost from your employer. If you don’t wear them when required, you could be fired or face other consequences from your employer. • Know what hazards exist at work and what steps you can take to prevent injuries or illnesses related to those hazards. • Report unsafe conditions immediately so they can be corrected before someone gets hurt. For example, if there is a broken step on an exit staircase, report it immediately so it can be repaired before anyone falls down it.

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE YOUR WORKPLACE

A well-maintained workplace not only boosts worker productivity but also provides a healthier, more comfortable environment for your employees. You can create an improved work culture by encouraging workers to participate in discussions about their job satisfaction and health and safety concerns. If you notice that many employees are concerned with specific conditions or issues at work—such as poor ventilation or a lack of proper equipment—it’s time to make changes. Even if these improvements aren’t required by law, they will benefit both your business and its employees.

 

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE STANDARDS FOR CHEMICALS

 

Hazardous chemicals are used by both businesses and individuals. These chemicals can be extremely harmful to workers if they are not handled safely. That’s why federal, state, and local governments have adopted occupational exposure standards for a variety of substances. These standards are designed to protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances during their jobs by limiting how many chemicals employers may expose them to on a daily basis, depending on different factors such as age, gender, physical condition, etc. While these exposure limits are set at levels that pose no significant risk to workers who follow standard safety procedures, it is important that all employees receive proper training and follow all relevant safety precautions. An example of an occupational exposure standard is OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for lead (total dust), which states that no employee shall be exposed to more than 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8-hour workday. This limit applies to the general industry, construction industry, shipyards, long-shoring operations, and marine terminals industries. For more information about OSHA standards or other workplace, regulations visit www.osha.gov/SLTC/standards/.