Dessler, Cole, Goodman, and Sutherland In-Class Edition Management of Human Resources Second Canadian Edition Chapter Ten Occupational Health and Safety © 2007 Pearson Education Canada 10-1

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada 10-2 Strategic Importance of Occupational Health and Safety –it affects employee well-being –can be very costly for the employer –occupational health hazards are widespread –it affects employee well-being –can be very costly for the employer –occupational health hazards are widespread

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada 10-3 Basic Facts about Occupational Health and Safety Legislation –employers are responsible for “due diligence” –employees right to refuse unsafe work –requirement for Joint Health and Safety Committee –WHMIS requirements for toxic substances –supervisors have personal duty for safety of their workers –employers are responsible for “due diligence” –employees right to refuse unsafe work –requirement for Joint Health and Safety Committee –WHMIS requirements for toxic substances –supervisors have personal duty for safety of their workers

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada 10-4 Basic Facts about Occupational Health and Safety Legislation General Health and Safety General Health and Safety Three Categories of Rules Specific Industries Specific Industries Specific Hazards Specific Hazards

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada 10-5 Basic Facts about Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Responsibilities and Rights of Employers and Employees –joint responsibility for health and safety –due diligence responsibility (employer) –right to refuse unsafe work (employee) –joint responsibility for health and safety –due diligence responsibility (employer) –right to refuse unsafe work (employee)

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada 10-6 Basic Facts about Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Other Requirements –joint health and safety committees –enforcement: health and safety inspectors –control of toxic substances –joint health and safety committees –enforcement: health and safety inspectors –control of toxic substances

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada 10-7 Basic Facts about Occupational Health and Safety Legislation WHMIS Legislation 1.Labelling of hazardous materials 2.Material safety data sheets 3.Employee training 1.Labelling of hazardous materials 2.Material safety data sheets 3.Employee training

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada 10-8 Supervisor Role in Safety Top-Management Commitment –legislation imposes personal duty on supervisors to ensure safety –need to get workers to want to work safely –safety commitment begins with top management –legislation imposes personal duty on supervisors to ensure safety –need to get workers to want to work safely –safety commitment begins with top management

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada 10-9 What Causes Accidents? Chance Occurrences (beyond control) Chance Occurrences (beyond control) Three Basic Causes of Accidents Unsafe Conditions Unsafe Conditions Unsafe Acts (by employees) Unsafe Acts (by employees)

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada What Causes Accidents? Unsafe Conditions –improperly guarded equipment –defective equipment –hazardous procedures –unsafe storage –improper illumination –improper ventilation –improperly guarded equipment –defective equipment –hazardous procedures –unsafe storage –improper illumination –improper ventilation

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada What Causes Accidents? Unsafe Acts –operating/working at unsafe speeds –rendering safety devices inoperative –using unsafe equipment/procedures –improper lifting –horseplay –operating/working at unsafe speeds –rendering safety devices inoperative –using unsafe equipment/procedures –improper lifting –horseplay

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada What Causes Accidents? Job (some inherently dangerous) Job (some inherently dangerous) Three Other Work-Related Accident Factors Work Schedule (fatigue) Work Schedule (fatigue) Psychological Climate (stress) Psychological Climate (stress)

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada How to Prevent Accidents 1.Reduce Unsafe Conditions 2.Reduce Unsafe Acts –practice careful selection –provide safety training –provide positive reinforcement –obtain top management commitment –monitor work-related stress –educate young workers 1.Reduce Unsafe Conditions 2.Reduce Unsafe Acts –practice careful selection –provide safety training –provide positive reinforcement –obtain top management commitment –monitor work-related stress –educate young workers

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Workers Compensation Costs Controlling Workers Compensation Costs Step 1 – Preventing the accident Step 2 – Responding appropriately to the accident Step 3 – Facilitating the employee’s return to work Step 4 – Conduct functional abilities evaluations Step 1 – Preventing the accident Step 2 – Responding appropriately to the accident Step 3 – Facilitating the employee’s return to work Step 4 – Conduct functional abilities evaluations

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Employee Wellness Programs –proactive approach to employee health stress management nutrition/weight management smoking cessation programs heart health physical fitness ergonomics –proactive approach to employee health stress management nutrition/weight management smoking cessation programs heart health physical fitness ergonomics

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Occupational Health Issues and Challenges –serious/widespread workplace problem –staggering costs ($1.7B annually) –“on-the-job” absenteeism –serious/widespread workplace problem –staggering costs ($1.7B annually) –“on-the-job” absenteeism Alcoholism and Substance Abuse

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Occupational Health Issues and Challenges Substance Abuse and the Law (1 of 2) –alcohol/drug abuse considered disability (human rights law) vs. –employers’ due diligence requirement (occupational health and safety law) Substance Abuse and the Law (1 of 2) –alcohol/drug abuse considered disability (human rights law) vs. –employers’ due diligence requirement (occupational health and safety law)

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Occupational Health Issues and Challenges Substance Abuse and the Law (2 of 2) employers can: forbid drugs/alcohol in workplace require random drug testing for ‘safety-sensitive’ jobs require mandatory drug testing after accident Substance Abuse and the Law (2 of 2) employers can: forbid drugs/alcohol in workplace require random drug testing for ‘safety-sensitive’ jobs require mandatory drug testing after accident

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Occupational Health Issues and Challenges -almost half of Canadians experience a great deal of stress at work -relentless pace of work life is neither sustainable or healthy -modest level of stress can optimize performance -almost half of Canadians experience a great deal of stress at work -relentless pace of work life is neither sustainable or healthy -modest level of stress can optimize performance Job Stress

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Occupational Health Issues and Challenges –total depletion of physical and mental resources –caused by excessive striving to meet unrealistic goals –total depletion of physical and mental resources –caused by excessive striving to meet unrealistic goals Burnout

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Occupational Health Issues and Challenges –three causes: repetitive movements awkward postures forceful exertion –preventable through ergonomically-designed workstations –three causes: repetitive movements awkward postures forceful exertion –preventable through ergonomically-designed workstations Repetitive Strain Injuries

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Occupational Health Issues and Challenges –cause eye strain/soreness, neck/backache –solutions: employee rest breaks flexibly-designed workstations reduced glare pre-placement eye exam –cause eye strain/soreness, neck/backache –solutions: employee rest breaks flexibly-designed workstations reduced glare pre-placement eye exam Video Display Terminals

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Occupational Health Issues and Challenges –workplace toxins –workplace smoking –workplace violence –workplace toxins –workplace smoking –workplace violence Other Workplace Health Issues

© 2007 Pearson Education Canada Occupational Health Issues and Challenges Prevention/Control of Workplace Violence –institute workplace violence policy –heighten security measures –improve employee screening –provide workplace violence training Prevention/Control of Workplace Violence –institute workplace violence policy –heighten security measures –improve employee screening –provide workplace violence training Violence at Work