Health and Safety in the Workplace Essay

Health and pencil eraser scat a very meaning(a) region in the body of lap up today. several(prenominal)(prenominal) organizations take the responsibility of their employees resort and wellness seriously due to the conglomerate affects that could stem from a lack of providing a galosh run away environment. During the twentieth century our nation has become a world leader in picture an example for the world involving the workers repair to a safe and sanitary environment. Because of the various laws and research conducted in the United States, there convey been innumer open number of accidents that consume been balked and thousands of lives saved because of aw beness. I, being a precaution Coordinator and a work accident survivor, k like a shot first-yearhand the splendor of precaution in the oeuvre and the negative outcome for employees and organizations that do non practice a safe work environment. I would like to take this time to give a little informatio n on my face-to-face experience on study accidents and the importance of pr correcttative in that environment.In 2007 I was utilise as a bridge work working for a bighearted construction social club in Biloxi, MS. As a bridge carpenter is was exposed to umpteen unreli sufficient and high risk situations that put my flavour at risk on an everyday basis. I felt this company actu each(prenominal)y c atomic number 18d about the safe of their employees. We were letd with every piece of gum elastic equipment that was needed to perform our stock as safely as possible. The equipment was fairly in the altogether and OSHA approved. If it was eagerness in motion to be inadequate, it was immediately removed out of service and both fixed or replaced. Not to mention every morning we conducted tool case safety meeting and equipment inspections. This particular day of my near fatal accident, we were setting rebar confines for columns maybe 30 to 40 feet in height. It was my re sponsibility to climb the coop, later on it was set on the footer with a crane, to unhook the rigging from the crane. I had alone the proper PPE (personal protective equipment) on and the chicken coop had been secured at the underside by come along rigging devices.As I climbed the cage and Unhooked the rigging from the crane, the cage began to sway from side to side. Before I could go forth my descent, the cage and myself still attached to it with three different positioning, fell in the body of water, which by the way was the Gulf of Mexico. As my feet touched the bottom I began to panic and fight to light myself by unhooking myself from the cage. Several of my co workers jumped in the water to rescue me, but they were unable to locate my body. But they were able to locate the cage I was attached to. Thanks to quick sentiment they were able to hook the crane cables back to the cage and hoist the cage and I out of the water successfully. But by this time I was not breathing and had no pulse. They lowered me on a faction boat and began to perform CPR.The CPR was unsuccessful so they began to take me to the pier where the ambulance was awaiting my arrival. During the time of the boat ride, I suddenly began to cough up water and slowly came to my senses. I was taken to the hospital and was blessed that I did not sustain any major(ip) injuries. During the accident investigation it was found that the cage we were setting was not the correct angiotensin-converting enzyme for that particular footing and one of the come along holding it in place was functioning mightily to catch the cage as it began to fall. This is when I actually began to take study safety seriously and start my charge in that field. During the personal line of credit of this reputation it is my intent to present key components of workplace safety and health and provide unused insight and personal experience that has and will affect my c arer and personal life and lives of those we ll-nigh me.The Role of gum elastic and Health in the employmentWorkplace safety is the practice of an employer employ preventative measures to prevent hazards to the employees health and personal safety. This practice allows creating plans and procedures for employees and managers in the workplace. In addition, workplace safety involves creating policies and keeping emergency materials available for employee and manager use while at a work site. Workplace safety has caused strikes, contract negotiations and concerns among the different press unions. These groups harbour negotiated union contracts and initiated lawsuits on behalf of workers who have an unsafe workplace. The Union machine Workers pissd Workers Memorial Day as a day to honor workers who are killed on the line of work in the United States.David Micheals, the new head of OSHA, do this profound statement these catastrophic events are powerful re instincters of the risks faced by workers across the country every day. Fourteen workers die on the job each day, far from the headlines, often noted save by their families, friends, and co-workers. (Markowitz & Rosner, 2011, p.26) Manufacturing jobs are heavily mentioned on this day due to the dangers of operating machinery or equipment. Workplace safety in many businesses requires additional training for the employees and management. This c transferin nail include a lecture by an expert, hand-on training or a transit of the grounds and materials.For example, an employee whose job requires the use of a machine is not only trained to use the machine, but he is typically trained on how to operate machinery to avoid injury, dismemberment or death. The employee fecal matter overly be trained on what to do if a co-worker injures herself on the job. As I stated in the introduction of this paper, I know firsthand the importance of safety and health in the workplace. By understanding the role of workplace safety and its history, employers and employe es are able to apply these safety concepts to their everyday work cogitate routines.I have acquire that workplace safety and health reach far beyond the OSHA Act of 1970. sentry duty involves adopting a way of thinking and a way of functioning in all environments. Organizations much(prenominal) as unions have fought for workers right to a safety and robust work environment. The campaigns they have fought so diligently to win have be to be effective in fighting diseases like tuberculosis, typhoid, and smallpox that not only for the workplace but also for the general public. (Markowitz & Rosner, 2011, p.27)occupational Safety and Health institutionIn 1970 Congress passed into law The Occupational Safety and Health Act which formed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or (OSHA). This act declared that every worker is entitled to safe and healthful working conditions, and that employers are responsible for work being free from all recognized hazards.(Silverstein, 2 008, p.416) Even forty years later, many pot still do not believe that OSHA is up holding the ensample in workplace safety and health for which it was spirital to do. Today a worker still becomes wound or sick from a dangerous job every 2.5 seconds plus a worker dies from a workplace injury or illness every 8 minutes. The National add for Occupational Safety, also known as NIOSH, has authority for workplace safety and health matters at federal workplace locations. In the federal workplace environment, NIOSH has an employment authority that corresponds to the authority OSHA exercises over workplaces operated by private heavens employers.In some instances, state-run programs supersede OSHA authority, and the Occupational and Safety and Health Act of 1970 encourages the breeding and operation by man-to-man states of workplace safety and health programs. However, to check for this exemption to OSHA authority, a state-run program must establish standards and enforcement criter ia that match or exceed the effectiveness of the federal OSHA program. As of April 2010, 26 states and U.S. territories have such programs in place with 23 of those 26 covering state and local anesthetic government workplaces as well as workplaces operated by private sector employers.The Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 ceremonious mandatory health and safety standards and directed the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Secretary of Labor to create improved health and safety standards to protect the health and welfare of ember miners in the U.S. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) established a depicted object minimum wage, guaranteed time-and-a-half for overtime in certain types of jobs, and prohibited employers from hiring minors. Today the FLSA befriends to enforce and protect the rights and wages of non-exempt employees. I do not have much experience working directly with OSHA but as an OSHA outreach trainer, I have become accustom to understand the importa nce and move they foot and do have in a workplace environment.Working as a safety coordinator for several different contractors has given me an insight as to how some organizations adhere to OSHA regulations and how other organizations do not. With this insight and from cognition gained from this course, I view that we still need stay focused on continuous safety awareness and to ensure OSHA enforces the laws and regulations for violators. By understanding the history and the need for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in our society, I have a greater enthusiasm to perform my job functions as a safety coordinator at a higher level and expect the pack around me to adhere to the equal level of faithfulness.Safety come to the fores In The WorkplaceSafety issues are an important topic in todays workplace, in particular with the rise in accidents in places of work and business. Accidents may often be small, but they can also lead to life-altering endings such as mu tilation and even death. The most common type of safety issue in workplaces relates to lighthearted and falling, however, there are many other causes to be considered. An organization with a superior policy for dealing with safety issues should be considering topics such as ergonomics and the arrangement of the space so that the tasks best fit the people who complete them. In this discussion the focus will be on three in particular which are repetitive stress injuries, workplace stress, and substance abuse. In todays society, there are many jobs that require sitting at a work station all day. Employees that perform these types of jobs run a higher risk of being injured by chronic and repetitive motion task, like typing on a keyboard, eyestrains, lifting or movement injuries, poor ergonomics or workstation accidents. (Lowe, 2012, p.104) legal age of musculoskeletal injuries and pain affecting office workers are a result of sitting for long periods in the corresponding position perf orming the same or repetitive motions. I have learned that the key to taproom and treatment of these problems is reducing muscle and melton overuse. A great system to reduce these injuries from happening would be massage therapy. Massage therapy allows the tendons to release haul that has built up throughout the day or work hours. another(prenominal) treatment method would be employees do daily stretches at their workstation. When I began working as a carpenter, every morning we would start the day out by doing a series of stretches to loosen our muscle the same way an individual would if they were preparing to exercise. Work related stress is another major safety issue that affects the workplace.Workplace stressors like social combat and work overload can have a profound effect on the health of an organizations employees. Findings indicate that work overload and social conflict mediate the impact of role stress on emotional exhaustion, job attitudes, and behaviors. (Boles, Jaramillo, Mulki, 2011, p.329) Interpersonal conflict happens due to the negative social interactions between co-workers in the workplace. Also interpersonal conflict is one of the most important stressors at work due to the effect it has on employees emotions and their ability to work as a team. Work overload is the employees perception that the job is placing ebullient work demands on them. In todays workforce employees are pressured to deliver greater output while using fewer resources. overloaded individuals often experience feelings of impatience and being rushed, which in turn affects the tone of their interactions with co-workers.Because of rising unemployment rates, layoff survivors are more likely to experience larger workloads because they now perform both their former workload and that of those who left. (Boles, Jaramillo, Mulki, 2011, p.329) From my experience interpersonal conflict and work overload can have a big impact on the health of all employees with no regard to title, pay grade, or seniority. These stressors can cause emotional, mental, and somatic health issues for all they affect. Through new found knowledge, I have gained a greater understanding of the make that workplace stress can have on an organizations employees and how they interact with one another. Organizations can counteract these stressors by providing additional stomach to individuals who are being affected by these workplace stressors and conducting workload/interpersonal conflict evaluations bi annually. Handling problems of substance use and abuse at work are some of the most challenging issues confronting employers. (Dwoskin, 2012, p. 32)The law requires employers to provide a safe, healthy and productive work environment to employees, but it also requires employers accommodate the needs of substance abusing employees. This could cause a conflict, because the substance abusing employees may be causing the health and safety issues in the workplace. Employers have t he right to insist on a drug and alcohol free workplace and to take disciplinary action against individuals who violate the zero tolerance rules. chthonic the law employers may hold alcoholics and recovering addicts to the same performance standards as other employees. (Dwoskin, 2012, p.32) This means that employees that abuse drugs and alcohol may be dispatch or held to disciplinary action based on tardiness, absenteeism, and poor job performance. But on the other hand, the ADA says they cannot be discriminated against if they are found to be disabled.The ADA defines discrimination as not making mediocre accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability (Dwoskin, 2012, p.34) During the course of my research of this particular issue, I learned effect that substance abuse in the workplace can have on the safety of that individual and the people around them. I also learned that in certain situations that a person abusi ng drugs and alcohol can be protected by the ADA if they are found to be disabled and the employer must accommodate their disability in the workplace. I have known several instances where employees have failed random drug screens and have been able to keep their jobs. But in those instances the employer required the employee to seek professional help in dealing with their addiction.Safety ProgramsA safety program can best be described as a dynamic set of intervention activities implemented at a worksite where the aim is to prevent incidents and accidents at the workplace (Bjerkan, Olsen, Naevestad, 2009, p.391) These safety programs are usually comprised of activities such as safety training, equipment and housekeeping inspections, safety meetings, and safe behavior observations. There are quin key components to a properly structured safety incentive program. The first component involves using an entire campaign to promote your program by building teamwork thru interaction with the employees. The next component is establishing an award vehicle that should be handed out weekly. The third component states to award employees with merchandise quite a than money. Usually when employees receive money as a reward they tend to forget the reward and wee the money went to. But when an employee is rewarded with merchandise, they can recover how they received it and this encourages them to win again.The fourth component says to promote the program using items such as posters, caps, balloons, newsletters, flyers, parties, and company drawings. The last component states to make everyone a winner. It might seem to cost more, but it will pay off in the long run by promoting the idea that everyone that practices safety in the workplace is a winner. Wellness is a lifestyle that encourages good physical and mental health. It is a balanced lifestyle that includes an emphasis on the body, mind and spirit. Wellness Programs were created to encourage all faculty, staff, and retir ees to live healthier lifestyles and create a culture of health throughout the organization. Workplace wellness includes organizational policies designed to facilitate employee health including allowing flex time for exercise, providing on-site kitchen and eating areas, pass healthy food options in vending machines, holding walk and whistle meetings, and offering financial and other incentives for participation, among many other options.In the course of researching safety programs, I have learned new techniques that will produce my knowledge in designing safety programs in the future. Working of several different companies has allowed me to be exposed to different types of safety incentive programs. I have seen what does work and also what does not work. During the course of this paper it was my intention to present key components of workplace safety and health and provide new insight and personal experience that has and will affect my career and personal life and lives of those around me.By exploring the role of safety and health in the workplace I have gained greater understanding of its history. I can now assist employers and employees to apply these safety concepts to their everyday work related routines. In researching OSHA, I discovered a greater knowledge of the importance of the OSHA Act of 1970 and the administrative offices that have developed from the Act. Offices such as OSHA and NIOSH were established to up hold the laws and standards set by the OSHA Act in the workplace. My knowledge has grown during the development of this paper which has allowed me to view different aspects of safety and health that I previously did not have knowledge of.ReferencesDwoskin, L.L. (2012). Substance abuse in the Workplace ADA and FMLA Issues to Consider,Part II. Employee Benefit Plan Review, 66(8), 32-38Jaramillo, F., Mulki, J., & Boles, J. S. (2011). workplace STRESSORS, JOB ATTITUDE,AND JOB BEHAVIORS IS INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT THE MISSING LINK? daybook of Per sonal Selling & Sales Management, 31(3), 339-356 Lowe, W. (2012). Keying Into Office Worker Injuries. Massage & Bodywork, 27(4), 104-107 Markowitz, G., & Rosner, D. (20110. FROM THE trilateral FIRE TO THE BPEXPLOSION A Short History of the Century-Long Movement for Safety and Health.New Labor Forum (Murphy Institute), 20(1), 26-32. Doi10.4179/NLF.201.0000005 Moran, R.E. (2012). WORKPLACE SAFETY AND HEALTH bring out OSHA Guidance NeededOn Safety Incentive Programs. GAO Reports, 1-46Olsen, E., Bjerkan, A., & Naevestad, T. (2009). Modeling the make of a large-scale safetyCulture programme a have qualitative and quantitative approach. Journal OfRisk research, 12Silverstein, M. (2008). Getting property Safe and Sound Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration at 38 American Journal Of Public Health, 98(3), 416-423 Stanley, J. (2012). Oshas Warning on Safety Incentive Programs Are Wide of the Mark.EHS Today Vol. 5 Issue 10, p. 63-64