Business occupational health and safety practices and standards

Business Occupational Health and Safety

Employers must have a written health and safety policy statement that specifically lists the officer in charge of monitoring health and safety as well as any departments that are accountable. Employers should also set up a joint team to monitor safety. If a joint team cannot be created, then the employers are responsible for regular staff meeting to review and discuss safety measures. Employers must also provide training to employees regarding health and safety. Hazard management plans must be utilized in the event of an emergency. All work-related accidents must have a filed investigation completed by the employer. Finally, employers must conduct a regular review of all health and safety systems and verify that the systems are up-to-date (Managing Health and Safety).

Managers are responsible for holding the necessary staff meetings. Managers are also expected to supervise the employees and ensure proper safety measures are consistently followed (Roles and Responsibilities).

Employees must protect their own health and safety, avoid adversely affecting the health and safety of others, and use all provided health and safety equipment. Additionally, employees must follow health and safety instructions and comply with all literature. Finally, employees must be drug and alcohol free while at work (the OHS&W Act: Your Obligations).

Question 2: A health and safety committee is one of three internal monitoring systems that businesses can utilize to maintain proper safety protocols. At least half of the members of the committee must be employees and any union members must first consult their union before being permitted to participate. Employee members can be selected through either an election or nomination (OHS Committee Election Kit). The committee must be balanced with regard to the overall workforce including a proportionate amount of men, women, and occupational groups (Immediate Threat to Health and Safety).

This role differs greatly from the health and safety officers who are given the task of monitoring and making direct decisions on necessary safety procedures. The safety committee, rather, is tasked with monitoring current safety policies and finding new ways to educate and encourage enforcement of those policies (Resolution of Health and Safety Issues). Additionally, half of the safety committee is comprised of safety officers in order ensure that the needs of the employees are clearly heard and policy decisions based on their requests. Finally, health and safety officers are tasked with the full-time task of safety maintenance. This is their paid full-time position. Whereas safety committee members are simply members of the committee, but still have other jobs within the company.

Part Two

Educating the staff about the importance of health and safety measures within the company is an important goal and vital to a positive and safe work environment. While it is the job of the employee to protect themselves and keep themselves safe, it is just as important that they become apprised to any policy changes within the company. It is for this reason that I propose the following measures for the employees under my supervision.

Safety Meetings

New safety protocols and expectations are always buying released. To ensure that all employees are aware of the new policies and can respond appropriately, a staff meeting will be held once a month to go over new safety policies and update employees on all changes within the company. For urgent updates, department informal meetings will be utilized to give the employees notice of the changes.

Safety Awards