Industrial Health and Safety Management System PDF

Unit A-4 • Introduction to Plant and Fire Safety ================== ================ OBJECTIVE 4 Describe Industrial health and safety management system. ( HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Jurisdictions across Canada require worksites to develop health and safety management systems to reduc...

Unit A-4 • Introduction to Plant and Fire Safety ================== ================ OBJECTIVE 4 Describe Industrial health and safety management system. ( HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Jurisdictions across Canada require worksites to develop health and safety management systems to reduce workplace related injuries and illnesses. Key components for the successful implementation of the system are the commitment, leadership, promotion, and support of the management teams in the organization. To demonstrate this, an effectively written site-specific policy must be established. It has to provide clear guidelines of the health and safety expectations of the organization. The policy should include: a) Stated commitment of the management on health and safety for all those working in the organization. b) Clearly defined goals and objectives of the health and safety program. c) Clearly stated compliance requirements with local jurisdictional legislation and the health and safety standards of the organization. d) Clearly defined roles and responsibilities for management, workers, contractors, and visitor while at worksite. The following are some of the general examples of roles and responsibilities at a worksite. Health and Safety is Everyone's Responsibility The Workplace Safety and Health Act supports every worker's right to a safe and healthy workplace. It reinforces the idea that workplace injuries are preventable. To prevent injuries, everyone at the workplace needs to recognize their responsibilities for health and safety at the worksite. All members of a workplace should remember workplace safety is everyone's responsibility. Worker Responsibilities Every individual at the workplace has a personal and shared responsibility to prevent occupational injuries and illness. Workers are responsible for their own actions or inaction. This involves all workers: a) Taldng reasonable care to protect themselves and others who may be affected by their actions or omissions. b) Properly using safety equipment, clothing, and devices. c) Following safety and health rules and safe work procedures at the workplace. d) Co-operating with the workplace safety and health committee or representative. e) Co-operating with other people on workplace safety and health matters. ( Introduction to Plant Safety • Chapter 1 1 1-24 <(------------------------------4 -th_ _ C s_ s _E_d-it0_n_ _ 3_ • _P_a_ rl_A 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A _ 1-25 Introduction to Plant Safety • Chapter 1 Employer Responsibilities ( Because they have the greatest degree of authority and control over the workplace, employers (the company or organization that hires workers and oversees the supervisors and management team) have the greatest degree of responsibility for workplace safety and health. Employers' legal safety and health responsibilities include: a) Taldng necessary precautions to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of workers. b) Providing and maintaining a safe workplace, including equipment, tools, and systems. c) Ensuring all workers and supervisors are aware of hazards in the workplace, as well as precautions necessary for protection. d) Providing workers with competent supervision. e) Providing training necessary to protect workers' safety and health before they begin a new job. f) Taldng precautions to ensure others are not exposed to workplace safety or health risks. g) Consulting and co-operating with the workplace safety and health committee or representative. h) Co-operating with other people on workplace safety and health matters. Supervisor Responsibilities Statistics show the majority of serious incidents occur during a worker's first year on the job. Supervisors play an important role in training workers and acting as a resource so incidents can be prevented. A supervisor is any person who has authority over a worker, is in charge of a workplace, implements management policies, or directs the work of others. Supervisors oversee workers and legally must ensure: a) All precautions are taken to protect the safety and health of workers. b) Workers understand and follow the safe work procedures for their job duties, and use proper safety equipment, clothing, and devices. c) Workers are advised of safety and health risks in the work area and are trained before worldng with new/updated equipment or starting a new task. Joint Workplace Health and Safety Committee A critical element of the management commitment to worksite health and safety is to establish a functional Joint Workplace and Safety Committee. The committee membership consists of personnel representing every part of the organization. The primary purpose of this committee is to promote active participation to address health and safety issues and concerns. This includes setting site-specific health and safety policy. 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A 1-25 == ==== Introduction to Plant Safety • Chapter== 1 ============== == Functions and Responsibilities of the Joint Health and Safety Committee Committees and representatives have specific responsibilities for safety and health matters at the workplace. The following are included in the legal duties of Workplace Safety and Health Committees and representatives. ( a) Make safety and health recommendations to the employer, including committee training. b) Deal with the safety and health concerns of the workers. c) Co-operate with workers, supervisors, and employers on safety and health matters. d) Participate in developing and promoting safety and health precautions, as well as education and training programs. e) Conduct regular workplace inspections to proactively identify potential hazards, and confirm effective hazard controls are in place or implement new ones. f) Participate in incident reporting and investigations. Incident Reporting and Investigations It is important to report all incidents related to health and safety, including those that do not result in worker injury. Incidents without injuries are referred to as "near misses:' Most worksites have clearly defined incident reporting policies and procedures for actions and documentation. The incident reporting is normally initiated by the person involved in the incident or an observer of the incident, particularly with a "near miss" situation. After an investigation, the incident process begins and must follow the worksite policies and procedures. A trained safety supervisor often leads this process. Others that may also participate in the process include: • Managers • Supervisors • Joint Workplace Health and Safety committee members ( • Those with specialized investigation training In Canada, all worksites must have incident reporting and investigating policies and procedures that are in compliance with the local jurisdictional requirements. Always consult and follow worksite policies and procedures. Worksite Health and Safety Administrative Program A Health and Safety Management System needs to be effective. There must be administrative procedures in place to record, track, maintain, and communicate information. • Inspection records • Incident reporting and investigation records • Safety meeting minutes • Employee training records The information can also be useful for trending measurements. This can help to determine overall workplace health and safety performance. a) Leading indicators - these measure the initiatives taken by the organization to reduce health and safety incidents. b) Lagging indicators - these help to analyze the frequency, type, and severity of health and safety incidents took place. The data collected is useful for both internal and external audits. It indicates the overall effectiveness and the regulatory compliance of the Worksite Health and Safety Management System. 1-26 E-/ S _ 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A (