Safety Management Systems PDF

?&• Chapter 14 • Safety Management Systems OBJECTIVE 2 •'"•^'I'^-r.--'^. ^.BcplaiiTffie^i^^ y^respoi^ibHifies^o^^ ^/sprogram^M^^^^^ ^y?-s?1^ ^^:^:'Si WORKPLACE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OH&S) PROGRAMS Every workplace must have a safety program in place that ensures the employer and aU em...

?&• Chapter 14 • Safety Management Systems OBJECTIVE 2 •'"•^'I'^-r.--'^. ^.BcplaiiTffie^i^^ y^respoi^ibHifies^o^^ ^/sprogram^M^^^^^ ^y?-s?1^ ^^:^:'Si WORKPLACE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY (OH&S) PROGRAMS Every workplace must have a safety program in place that ensures the employer and aU employees are knowledgeable and involved in satisfying the requirements of the safety legislation that applies to their facility. The program must cover all aspects of safety for that particular industry and that specific facility. EmpIoyer/Worker Shared Responsibilities Clear guidelines are given in the Act for employer and worker responsibilities. Employers and workers share the responsibility of ensuring a safe, healthy and productive workplace. By famUiarizing yourself with your own Occupational Health and Safety Act and then faithfully following the given requirements, you can ensure your part in preventing injuries and Ulnesses at your work site. Employer Responsibilities The Occupational Health and Safety Act says that an employer, must do everything it reasonably can to protect the health and safety of workers. This means: • Equipment must be kept in safe working order • Dangerous chemicals must be properly labeled and stored • Safe work practices must be set up for workers and the employer must ensure these practices are followed • The employer must ensure that the workers have the skills and training needed to do their jobs safely • It is the employer's responsibility to inform its workers of any dangers at the job site • The employer must monitor workers who may be exposed to certain controlled products; in some cases, spect&c health examinations may be required Workers Responsibilities The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires every worker to work safely and cooperate with fellow employees by following the health and safety rules for the job. The Act also has specific safety requirements that must be foUowed. For example, a worker is required to use a safety belt or similar equipment when doing certain kinds of work, and must use personal protective equipment, such as footwear, eyewear, and headwear, when necessary. 3rd Class Edition 2.5 - Part A2 Safety Management Systems • Chapter 14 -?£ Reporting Workplace Hazards and Incidents Workers must report to their employer any hazards that they find in the workplace. Failure to do so could result in an incident causing injury. It is the responsibility of the employer to eliminate hazards wherever possible and to ensure employees are aware of all possible hazards. If a serious mcident happens (or almost happens) the employer is required to contact the nearest Workplace Health and Safety office immediately. This is separate from any other kind of notice that employers may be required to give to the Workers Compensation Board or local authorities. Injuries and accidents must be reported if they: • Involve the coUapse or failure of a necessary component of a building or structure !; !;1 • Result in death • Cause a worker to be admitted to hospital for more than two days • Involve an unplanned or uncontrolled explosion, fire or flood that causes a serious injury, (or has the potential to cause a serious injury) • Involve the collapse or upset of a crane, derrick or hoist li"Jl! i'i OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE An Occupational Health and Safety Committee is often referred to as the Workplace Health and Safety Committee" or "Safety Committee". The Committee is usually comprised of supervisors and employees. The function of the Committee is to initiate and assist in the development of health and safety expectations and safe systems of work. The Safety Committee provides a forum where team members can work together to resolve issues related to health and safety in the workplace. The Responsibilities of a Health and Safety Committee include: • Assist in creating a safe workplace • Participate in identifying dangers to the health and safety of employees and property and make recommendations for conb-ollmg these dangers • Search for new information on health and safety issues in the workplace; promote health and safety programs that educate and inform team members • Review and investigate reports or concerns about health and safety and where necessary make recommendations • Maintain aU health and safety records and the corrective action forms • Participate in inspections at places of employment concerning the health and safety of employees • "Where applicable review the information resulting from monitoring and measuring procedures and where necessary make recommendations • Make recommendations that will establish, enforce, or improve the effectiveness of the Occupational Health and Safety Program • Promote compliance with OH&S Regulations, or exceed them. The Occupational Health and Safety Committee meets once a month at which time they: * Review reports on near miss incidents, accidents and occupational diseases • Recommend remedial action on investigations and inspections • Review plant inspections • Make recommendations to correct unsafe conditions and work practices • Investigate safety concerns The proceedings of meetings are recorded and made available to Committee members, managers, and often the jurisdictional authority (eg. Alberta Labour). The proceedings should be posted on workplace bulletin boards. 3rd C/ass Edition 2.5 • Part A2 Iif? j5> Chapter 14 • Safety Management Systems Team Safety Meetings A work team is a small group of workers who work closely together on a daily basis, usually within the same department. Within a given workplace there may be several such work teams. Conducting regular team safety meetings is an effective way for a work team to achieve a safer and more productive workplace for themselves and for aU others. The team meets to: • Share information and safety concerns • Discuss safety issues and find solutions • Build on communication • Stimulate group discussion and interaction in regards to safety items 3rd Class Edition 2.5 • Part A2 <