Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health PART 1

Safety Historical Perspectives Ancient What were the safety and health concerns? Medieval Safety strategies? Industrial revolution Machines!

6 Reasons to Prevent Accidents Needless destruction of life and health is morally unjustified Failure to take necessary precautions against predictable accidents and occupational illness makes management and workers morally responsible for those accidents and occupational illnesses Accidents and occupational illnesses severely limit efficiency and productivity

6 Reason… (cont.) Accidents and occupational illnesses produce far-reaching social harm The safety movement has demonstrated that its techniques are effective in reducing accident rates and promoting efficiency. Recent state and federal legislation mandates management responsibility to provide a safe, healthful workplace

Cant Take No More http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v2JTQjiCdc 0:38 – 4:20

US Common Law Doctrine Fellow Servant Contributory Negligence The employer was not liable for injury to an employee that resulted from negligence of a fellow employee Contributory Negligence The employer was not liable if the employee was injured because of his or her own negligence Assumption of Risk The employer was not liable because the employee took the job with full knowledge of the risks and hazards involved

Worker Compensation Financial support system established under law to provide income, medical care, and rehabilitation to employees for illness, injury, or death arising out of, and in the course of, their employment whether or not the employee was at fault. These benefits are claimed by the employees (or their dependents) as a matter of right and the employer cannot resort to any legal defense. Amount paid as compensation is based on the salary of the employee (also on the number of his or her dependents in some jurisdictions) and is usually subject to a specified maximum.

National Safety Council (1912) Primary purpose to provide an avenue of communication, an exchange of views, and various solutions to common problems in accident prevention.

Worker Rights Walsh-Healey Act Wainwright Law (NY 1910) Declared unconstitutional on March 25, 1911 Walsh-Healey Act Mandates safety measures in companies having supply contracts with the federal government William Steiger Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHAct) First US comprehensive national safety law

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire What Sparked Change? Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdNYqBP_5q4

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire What Sparked Change? Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdNYqBP_5q4

How to Change? The three Es of safety Engineering Education Enforcement

Safety Resources Knowledge and experience Cooperation and goodwill Books, manuals, health and safety organizations, government agencies and insurance companies Cooperation and goodwill Management more “sympathetic” regarding safety and health issues Professionalism ASSE – American Society of Safety Engineers AIHA- American Industrial Hygiene Association

Achievements of Safety Movement What has the Safety Movement Achieved?

Safety Historical Perspectives Current issues Technology New processes = New problems Politics What is the role of government? The future?? Products Business People

What does a Safety Manager contribute to business?