Chapter 7 SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK

PREVIEW The provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act which affect employers. The importance of encouraging safe work practices and healthy lifestyles among employees. Reducing incidences of sexual harassment at work. The need for a planned programme to reduce violence at the workplace. Programmes and activities which can improve the health and wellness of employees.

THE HEAVY COST OF ACCIDENTS Medical bills Wages of workers on medical leave Damage to equipment and materials Overtime work Employee replacement costs, in case of fatal accident

THE HEAVY COST OF ACCIDENTS (cont.) Time cost of supervisors, management and colleagues Lowered morale of employees Poor public image

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS

CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS (cont.) Employees’ problems lead to accidents: Faulty attitudes Impulsiveness Low attention span Irresponsibility Drinking and drug abuse Nervousness and fear Faulty judgement of speed and distance Worry and depression Fatigue

EMPLOYEE HEALTH ISSUES Common health hazards at work include: Use of organic chemicals and toxic substances Fumes, dust and smoke Radiation Infection Noise and vibration levels Extreme temperatures

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK? Everyone is responsible for safety and health at work, especially: The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Employers Employees

THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ACT (OSHA) To ensure the safety and health of persons at work, the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, lays down a number of requirements which must be complied with by employers and employees.

SAFETY POLICIES All employers with more than five employees are required under OSHA to: Draft a SAFETY POLICY Communicate it to employees Revise it as necessary

APPOINTMENT OF A QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICER Employers in designated industries are required under OSHA to employ a qualified safety officer.

APPOINTMENT OF A QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICER (cont.) Appointment compulsory in high-risk industries: Building and engineering construction Ship building (with more than 100 workers) Gas and petroleum (with more than 100 workers) Chemical industry (with more than 100 workers)

APPOINTMENT OF A QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICER (cont.) Metal industry (with more than 100 workers) Wood working industry (with more than 100 workers) Cement industry (with more than 100 workers) Other manufacturing industries (with more than 500 workers)

QUALIFIED SAFETY OFFICERS A qualified safety officer is one who is registered with DOSH. To be eligible for registration, the applicant must have: a recognized diploma in OSH, or a minimum of 10 years’ experience in OSH, or have completed a training programme in OSH recognized by the Ministry of Human Resources.

APPOINTMENT OF A SAFETY COMMITTEE OSHA requires all employers with 40 or more employees to appoint a SAFETY COMMITTEE. The committee must meet at least once in 3 months. Minutes must be kept. The committee members must be provided with safety training by their employer.

APPOINTMENT OF A SAFETY COMMITTEE (cont.) The functions of the committee include: Establishing policies on safety and health matters, including the setting of rules and regulations. Conducting an inspection of the workplace, at least once in 3 months. Analysing records on accidents and health problems.

APPOINTMENT OF A SAFETY COMMITTEE (cont.) Investigating accidents and unsafe conditions and making recommendations to prevent similar occurrences. Planning and executing safety and health awareness programmes. Recommending the purchase of suitable safety equipment, where relevant.

REPORTING ACCIDENTS Accidents have to be reported to the relevant authorities: When a Malaysian worker is involved in an accident, or occupational disease, his employer must report to SOCSO and DOSH. When a foreign worker is involved in an accident, or occupational disease, his employer must report to the Labour Department and the relevant insurance company.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT Sexual Harassment may be defined as: Any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature having the effect of verbal, non-verbal, visual, psychological or physical harassment: that might, on reasonable grounds, be perceived by the recipient as placing a condition of a sexual nature on her/his employment, or that might, on reasonable grounds, be perceived by the recipient as an offence or humiliation, or a threat to her/his well-being, but has no link to her/his employment

STEPS TO REDUCE SEXUAL HARASSMENT Draft policy which prohibits sexual harassment Establish complaints procedure Conduct regular briefings/training on sexual harassment Take disciplinary action against sexual harassers

VIOLENCE AT WORK To reduce incidents of violence at work: Conduct risk assessment Establish zero-tolerance policy on violence Prepare procedure for dealing with violent incidents Train all employees to implement procedures relating to violence

WELLNESS PROGRAMMES Wellness programmes are an attempt to encourage employees to have a healthy lifestyle.

ACTIVITIES IN A WELLNESS PROGRAMME Fitness classes Talks on nutrition Briefings on common health issues Regular medical check-ups Stop-smoking campaigns

REVIEW The provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act which affect employers. The importance of encouraging safe work practices and healthy lifestyles among employees. Reducing incidences of sexual harassment at work. The need for a planned programme to reduce violence at the workplace. Programmes and activities which can improve the health and wellness of employees.