What is an occupational health and safety (OH&S) program?A health and safety program is a definite plan of action designed to prevent incidents and occupational diseases. Some form of a program is required under occupational health and safety legislation in most Canadian jurisdictions. A health and safety program must include the elements required by the health and safety legislation as a minimum. Show
This document reviews general elements of an OH&S program. In all cases, contact the OH&S authorities in your jurisdiction for specific requirements. Further details about these elements are also available in other OSH Answers documents. Because organizations differ, a program developed for one organization cannot necessarily meet the needs of another. Always customize the OH&S program to match the requirements and needs of your workplace. What is a policy statement?An organization's occupational health and safety policy is a statement of principles and general rules that guides action. Senior (or top) management must be committed to ensuring that the policy is carried out with no exceptions. The health and safety policy should have the same importance as the other policies of the organization. The policy statement can be brief, but it should mention:
The policy should be:
The following is an example of an occupational health and safety policy statement:
For more information, please also see the OSH Answers’ Guide to Writing an OHS Policy Statement. What are the program elements?While organizations will have different needs and scope for specific elements required in their health and safety program, the following basic items should be considered in each case:
What are individual OH&S responsibilities?Health and safety is the joint responsibility of management and workers. Managers and supervisors are accountable for non-compliance to health and safety legislation. Responsibility may be defined as an individual's obligation to carry out assigned duties. Authority implies the right to make decisions and the power to direct others. Responsibility and authority can be delegated to others, giving them the right to act for others, such as supervisors. It is important to note that, while some responsibilities can be delegated, the supervisor remains accountable for seeing that they are carried out. Individual responsibilities apply to every worker in the workplace, including the President or Chief Executive Officer. Stating these responsibilities means that all workers will then know exactly what is expected in health and safety terms. To fulfill their individual responsibilities, the people must:
Once all these criteria have been met, safety performance can be assessed by each individual's supervisor on an equal basis with other key job elements. Health and safety is not just an extra part of a worker's job: it is an integral, full-time component of each individual's responsibilities. What are examples of the responsibilities of workers?Examples of responsibilities of workers include:
What are examples of the responsibilities of supervisors?Examples of responsibilities of first-line supervisors include:
What are examples of the responsibilities of management?Examples of responsibilities of management include:
What are examples of responsibilities of safety coordinators?Examples of responsibilities of safety coordinators include:
What is the purpose of a health and safety committee?An effective safety program needs the cooperative involvement of all workers. A health and safety committee is a forum for collaborative involvement of employees representing both labour and management. Such committees are legal requirements for organizations of a specified minimum size in all Canadian jurisdictions. When a committee may not be required, a worker representative may be appointed. The responsibilities of members of the committee or representative are detailed in the health and safety legislation across Canada. A health and safety committee brings together workers’ in-depth, practical knowledge of specific jobs and management's overall overview of job interrelationships, general company policies, and procedures. The employer must establish a committee that is organized and operates in compliance with the law, is effective, involves the widest range of workers and management, and provides resources (e.g., time, money, meeting rooms) so the committee can do its work. To function properly, the committee needs an appropriate structure, a clear statement of purpose and duties, and standard procedures for meetings. The committee does this by establishing terms of reference and the employer provides support by allocating adequate resources. Common terms of reference include:
Each organization should set up their own terms of reference. More information is available in the health and safety committee documents listed below:
The health and safety committee members should be active participants in consulting, developing, implementing, and monitoring all phases of the health and safety program. Why are safe work procedures established?Government health and safety regulations represent minimum requirements. In almost all cases, organizations will exceed these regulations with rules or procedures that are specific to the organization, the work being done, the equipment used, etc. We need rules – to protect the health and safety of workers – but there are dangers in having either too few or too many rules. Too few rules may be interpreted as a sign that health and safety are not important, or that common sense is all that is required to achieve them. Too many rules may be seen as not treating workers as thinking adults and makes enforcement of all rules less likely. Following are some guidelines for establishing rules:
Compliance with health and safety rules should be considered a condition of employment. Rules must be explained to new workers when they start work or if they are transferred or retrained. After a suitable interval, these workers should be briefed to ensure they understand the rules applicable to their work. The employer must establish procedures for dealing with repeat rule violators. Supervisors are responsible for correcting unsafe acts, such as a breach of rules, and they must be supported in this duty. Points that should be considered in establishing procedures on this issue are:
How do you establish safe work procedures?Safe work procedures are the safest way of doing a job, job instruction, monitoring performance, and incident investigation. Job safety analysis (JSA), also known as "job hazard analysis", is the first step in developing the correct procedure. In this analysis, each task of a specific job is examined to identify hazards and to determine the safest way to do the job. Job safety analysis involves the following steps: 1. Select the job. 2. Break down the job into a sequence of steps. 3. Identify the hazards. 4. Define preventive measures. The analysis should be conducted on all critical tasks or jobs as a first priority. Critical jobs include:
Job safety analysis is generally carried out by observing a worker doing the job. Members of the joint health and safety committee should participate in this process. The reason for the exercise must be clearly explained to the worker, emphasizing that the job, not the individual, is being studied. Another approach, useful in the analysis of infrequently-performed or new jobs, is group discussion. A work procedure may consist of more than one specific task. In such cases, each separate task should be analyzed to complete a job safety analysis for that procedure. The final version of the safe work procedure should be presented in a narrative style format that outlines the correct way to do the job in a step-by-step outline. The steps are described in positive terms, pointing out the reasons why they are to be done in this way. Reference may be made to applicable rules and regulations and to the personal protective equipment required, if any. Workers who carry out the tasks should be consulted in developing the procedure.
Applicable Legislation: OH&S Act and Regulations: ___________________________ Date: ____________________________________________ Developed by: _____________________________________ Why is worker orientation important?Health and safety education should start with worker orientation when a worker joins the organization or is transferred to a new job. It has been found that inexperienced workers, in general, are involved in incidents at a higher rate than others. While experience can only be gained through time, both health and safety education and job skills training can be used to improve this record. Orientation sessions normally cover such items as an explanation of the function of the work unit, organizational relationships, administrative arrangements, and various policies and rules. Items related to health and safety that should be included are:
Security protocols (e.g., how to access workplace premises, after-hour access, etc.) A new employee can be expected to absorb only a certain amount of information in the first few days. Be sure to pace the training to ensure all of the information or skills are learned. Other tips include to provide written information that outlines the points covered in the orientation sessions. It also serves as a checklist for the person conducting the orientation. A buddy or mentor system is useful. This system allows for on-the-job reinforcement of the information presented to the new employee. This process also promotes the safety awareness of the experienced workers who are the "buddies". All workers, but especially new, inexperienced, or transferred workers, should be encouraged to ask questions at any time when doubt exists as to correct procedures or their ability to do the task safely. The orientation should address:
Soon after the orientation sessions, employees should be assessed on their understanding of the items discussed. In this way, both the quality of training and the level of understanding can be evaluated. Continue with education and training throughout their employment, as needed. How do you design an education or training program?The objective of education and training is to instruct recipients about health and safety procedures or specific job practices, and to raise awareness or skill levels to an acceptable standard. Occasions when worker education or training may be required are:
CSA Standard Z1001-18, Occupational Health and Safety Training, also outlines suggested training for supervisors. The standard states that a supervisor "should be competent (i.e., have adequate knowledge, training, and experience) on all processes and tasks over which he or she is exercising authority. Organizations should define what constitutes an acceptable combination of knowledge, training, and experience in relation to the supervision of others performing tasks." Topics that may be included in supervisor training include:
When providing training, an instructor should:
All instructors should:
Documented correct work procedures are very important in job skills training. What are workplace inspections?Workplace inspections help to identify existing hazards so that appropriate corrective action can be taken. Health and safety legislation requires workplace inspections as a proactive action to ensure workplace health and safety. The frequency of planned formal inspections may be set out in legislation. Records of previous incidents and the potential for incidents are factors to be included when determining if more frequent inspections are needed. Supervisors are responsible for conducting their own inspections (for the areas they are responsible for) and for taking action on unsafe conditions and acts as they are reported or encountered. General inspections may be conducted by health and safety committee members or representatives, especially if they have received training or certification. Other criteria for selecting the inspection team are:
Pre-planning any inspection is always worthwhile. Documents, such as previous inspections, incident investigations, maintenance reports, and committee minutes, should be consulted. If a checklist is to be used, it should be reviewed and changed to meet specific needs of the workplace. Checklists are useful aids in that they help ensure that no items are overlooked in an inspection. One type of checklist is the "critical parts inventory". This inventory itemizes parts and items that may result in an incident if they fail. While many ready-made checklists are available in safety literature, it is best to adapt these to your workplace. The health and safety committee should participate in the preparation of these tailor-made checklists. Sample Inspection List Date: ________________________________________________ Location/Department: ___________________________________
Notes: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ During the actual inspection, both work conditions and procedures should be observed. If a hazard poses an immediate threat is discovered, preventive action must be taken right away, not after the inspection. Notes are made, specifying details of the hazard, including its exact location. When completing the inspection report, it is a good idea to classify each hazard by degree of possible consequences (for example: A = major, B = serious, C = minor). In this way, priorities for remedial action can be established. Workplace Inspection Report Location:_______________________________________________ Department/Areas covered: _________________________________ Date of Inspection: ________________________________________ Time of Inspection: ________________________________________
Priority Codes: A - do immediately; B - do within 3 days; C - do within 2 weeks; D - other Inspections serve a useful purpose only if remedial action is taken to correct shortcomings. Causes, not symptoms alone, must be rectified. Corrective action should be taken immediately, emphasizing engineering controls, management failures, or the need for worker education, whatever applies. What should you report and investigate when an incident occurs?Occupational health and safety legislation in all Canadian jurisdictions requires that specific injuries and certain categories of incidents must be reported. There may be minimum legal requirements for their investigation. Many organizations investigate other events (e.g., where damage did not involve injuries) and "near misses." The health and safety program should specify:
Incidents are investigated so that measures can be taken to prevent a recurrence of similar events. The investigation represents an "after-the-fact" response for any particular mishap. However, a thorough investigation may uncover hazards or problems that can be eliminated "before-the-fact" for the future. After causes have been determined, prompt follow-up action is required to achieve the purpose of the investigation. Please note: The term incident is used in some situations and jurisdictions to cover both an "accident" and "incident". It is argued that the word "accident" implies that the event was related to fate or chance. When the root cause is determined, it is usually found that many events were predictable and could have been prevented if the right actions were taken - making the event not one of fate or chance (thus, the word incident is used). For simplicity, we use the term incident to mean all of the above events. What are emergency procedures and how are they established?Emergency procedures are plans for dealing with emergencies such as fires, explosions, major releases of hazardous materials, violent occurrences, or natural hazards. When such events occur, the urgent need for rapid decisions, shortage of time, lack of resources, and trained personnel can lead to chaos. The objective of the plan is to prevent or minimize fatalities, injuries, and damage. The organization and procedures for handling these sudden and unexpected situations must be clearly defined. The development of the plan follows a logical sequence.
Communication, training, and periodic drills are required to ensure adequate performance when the plan must be implemented. How do you establish first aid programs?First aid is generally prescribed under health and safety legislation or workers' compensation legislation. The OSH program must include the following information:
A policy on return to work after a lost-time accident might appropriately be included in this section of the program. In general, if injured workers are offered alternative employment:
Under no circumstances should the reduction of severity ratings be a reason for initiating a "modified work" program. How do you prevent violence and harassment in the workplace?All jurisdictions in Canada have legislation specific to harassment and violence (note that the legislation in the Yukon will be in force in September 2021). Please see the OSH Answers on Violence and Harassment in the Workplace – Legislation for more details. All jurisdictions specify elements required in harassment and violence prevention policies and programs. While there are variations between jurisdictions, there are many common elements such as:
How do you promote worker involvement in health and safety programs?Once the health and safety program has been set in place and the program appears to be running smoothly, effort is still required to maintain compliance, enthusiasm and interest. Safety awareness can be enhanced by:
Should workplace specific items be included in occupational health and safety programs?The elements of OH&S programs discussed so far apply to all general health and safety programs. In addition, specific items may be needed to address workplace specific activities. Examples of such items are:
How do you implement occupational health and safety programs?A good health and safety program provides a clear set of guidelines for activities that, when followed, will reduce incidents and cases of occupational disease. The key to success is the manner in which the program is implemented and maintained. Senior management must demonstrate commitment and support the program by:
The program must be communicated to all workers. Special emphasis should be given to new workers, newly appointed supervisors, and new members of the joint health and safety committee. Revisions to policies and procedures should be publicized. The program should be available in a single written document. However, if separate policies or procedures have been developed for various elements, such as incident investigation procedures or preventing harassment and violence, their use should be referred to in the main document. How is the effectiveness of OH&S programs evaluated?Incident frequency and severity rates are often used, but they are not always the only measures to use for evaluating the effectiveness of a health and safety program. Cases of occupational disease are often under-reported in these statistics. The emphasis is usually on injury-producing incidents, not all events. Since incidents may be rare events, in some organizations the basis for comparison may be limited. It is desirable to use an audit as a before-the-fact measure of the effectiveness of an OH&S program. An audit uses a checklist in which each element is subdivided into a series of questions. Each question is given a weighting factor depending on its importance. Records, observations, interviews, and questionnaires are used to evaluate performance for each sub-element. A number of audit systems are available. Annual audits appear to be more common, but reviewing critical elements in the program more frequently may be advisable. The audit team, which should include representation from the joint health and safety committee, must receive the appropriate training in audit procedures. The audit identifies weaknesses in the health and safety program. Establish a procedure to ensure prompt follow-up on deficiencies. This procedure should include target dates for remedial action and checks to confirm completion. Which of the following correctly describes occupational safety and health?OHS, or Occupational Health and Safety, is a multidisciplinary practice dealing with all aspects of health and safety in the workplace, with a strong focus on preventing workplace hazards.
What best describes the purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health?OSHA's Mission
With the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.
What does OSHA mean quizlet?OSHA. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It was created in 1970 to protect the rights and safety of the workers. Its responsibilities are to encourage employees and employers to reduce workplace hazards, improve existing safety, and monitor job related injuries and illnesses.
What is safety according to OSHA?The term "occupational safety and health standard" means a standard which requires conditions, or the adoption or use of one or more practices, means, methods, operations, or processes, reasonably necessary or appropriate to provide safe or healthful employment and places of employment.
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