ASSIGNMENT 14-HR MANAGEMENT

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Human Resource Management: Functions, Applications, Skill

Development by Robert N. Lussier and John R. HendonChapter 14

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Workplace Safety and The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) 1970

OSH Act requires employers to pursue workplace safety.

Workplace safety deals with the physical protection of people from injury or illness while on the job.

� Employers must meet all OSHA safety standards, maintain records of injuries and deaths due to workplace accidents, and submit to on-site inspections when notified.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

OSH ACT (continued)

General duties clause covers all firms, and says that:

�Each employer shall furnish a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

�Employees have a duty to comply with occupational safety standards, rules and regulations.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The division within the Department of Labor that is charged with overseeing the OSH Act, and that was created to “ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.”

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

What does OSHA do?

� Sets and communicates federal safety and health standards to employers.

� Occupational safety and health inspections, made without any advance notice in response to:

� Imminent dangers.

� Catastrophes.

� Worker complaints.

� Targeted inspections.

� Follow-up inspections.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

OSHA Inspections and Employer Rights

�To get the inspector’s credentials, and receive information on the reason for the inspection.

�To refuse to allow the inspection without a court order.

�To get a copy of the complaint (without the employee’s name).

�To have a company representative accompany inspectors.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

OSHA Inspections and Employee Rights

� To refuse to be interviewed, or if they agree to interviews they can request an employer representative be present or that the interview be held in private.

� To legal representation during the interview and to end the interview at any time.

� Employers cannot retaliate against employees who take part in an interview and tell the truth.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

OSHA and Hazard Communication

Standards

All employers keep information at each work

site that describes any chemical hazards that

may be present on site.

�Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide

information on a hazardous chemical and its

characteristics.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

OSHA and Violations, Citations and Penalties � Willful – employer knew a hazardous condition

existed but made no effort to eliminate it.

� Serious – the hazard could cause injury or illness that would most likely result in death or significant physical harm.

� Other than serious – any illness or injury likely to result from the hazard is unlikely to cause death or serious physical harm, but the violation has a direct impact on safety and health.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

OSHA and Violations, Citations and Penalties � De Minimis – violation has no direct or

immediate safety or health danger; (so this does not result in citations or penalties).

� Failure to abate – employer has not corrected a previous violation for which a citation was issued and the settlement date has passed.

� Repeated – employer has been previously cited for the same type of violation within the previous five years.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

National Institute of Industrial and

Occupational Health (NIOSH)

Works under the umbrella of the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC).

� Conducts research to reduce work-related illnesses and

injuries.

� Promotes safe and healthy workplaces through

interventions, recommendations and capacity building.

� Enhances international workplace safety and health

through global collaborations.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Employee Health

Is the state of physical and psychological wellness in

the workforce.

Work-Life Balance

� Spillover – the effect of work and family on one

another that generate similarities between the two

domains.

� To help keep a better work-life balance, firms offer

more work-family benefits such as flexible work

schedules, child care and elder care.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Employee Health

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) - counseling and other services provided to employees that help them resolve personal issues that may affect their work.

Employee Wellness Programs (EWP) - cater to employees’ physical welfare through education and training programs such as health education, training and fitness, weight and lifestyle management, and health risk assessment services.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Employee Health and Musculoskeletal

Disorders (MSD)

Ergonomics – the science of fitting workplace

conditions and job demands to the capabilities

of the working population.

�Purpose: to reduce stress and eliminate

injuries and disorders associated with the

overuse of muscles, bad posture, and

repeated tasks.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Safety and Health Management and Training

Includes offering EAPs, EWPs and stress management training.

� Firms that keep the number of accidents and incidents low, generally see lower absenteeism and increased job satisfaction.

� When firms improve two of the four most important variables at work – absenteeism and job satisfaction – they are better assured of increasing productivity over time.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Stress

Is the body’s emotional and/or physical reaction to

environmental demands.

Functional (acute) stress – helps improve performance

by challenging and motivating people to meet

objectives.

Dysfunctional stress – decreases performance and may

result in burnout – a constant lack of interest and

motivation to perform one’s job.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Negative Consequences of Dysfunctional Stress

�It is a primary cause of absenteeism and costs

an estimated $300 billion a year in

absenteeism, decreased productivity,

employee turnover, and medical, legal and

insurance fees.

�It weakens our immune system, makes us sick

more often, ages us, makes us fatter, decreases

our sex drive, ruins our sleep, and can kill us.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Stress Management Is the process of eliminating or reducing stress and making it functional.

Six Techniques

� Time management.

� Relaxation (meditation, deep breathing, muscle relaxation; enjoyable activities, sleep).

� Nutrition.

� Exercise

� Positive thinking.

� Support network.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Workplace Security

Is the management of personnel, equipment and

facilities in order to maintain their protection.

�Is concerned with mitigating the risks of

violence, bomb threats, management of

natural and man-made disasters, risk to

company computer systems and intranets, and

many other issues.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Workplace Security

Cyber security – the use of tools and processes

to protect organizational computer systems and

networks.

Anger and violence – created by a toxic physical

work environment (uncomfortable space to

work, noise, odors, heat, ventilation, and color).

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Signs of Potential Workplace Violence

Watch for passive-aggressive behavior in rising steps, related to an unresolved conflict.

� Take verbal threats seriously.

� Watch nonverbal communication.

� Watch for stalking and harassment.

� Watch for damage to property.

� Watch for indications of alcohol and drug use.

� Include the isolated employee.

� Look for the presence of weapons or objects that might be used as weapons.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Organizational Prevention of Violence

� Start with a written, zero-tolerance policy.

� Train employees to deal with anger and prevent violence.

� Take quick disciplinary action against employees who are violent at work; otherwise, aggression will spread.

� Have a system for dealing with grievances, and track incidents of violence.

� Screen job applicants for past or potential violence so they are not hired.

� Develop a good work environment.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

Individual Prevention of Violence

� Screen (perform background checks on) applicants

and test them for substance abuse to prevent

“negligent hires”.

� Offer preventive programs—including drug and

alcohol testing— that can protect the firm from

liability.

Workplace Safety, Health and Security

General Security Policies

Prepare and train employees for emergencies such as fires,

floods, earthquakes, severe weather, terrorist attacks, and

bomb threats; provide grief counseling if needed.

Establish an Emergency Response Plan whose priorities:

� Protect human life.

� Prevent/minimize personal injury.

� Preservation of physical assets.

� Protect the environment.

� Restore programs and return operations to normal.