Health and Safety OS352 January 26, 2005

Agenda Why do we need to legislate health and safety issues? Why do we need to legislate health and safety issues? What does OSHA do? What does OSHA do? What are some of the challenges involved in creating a safe workplace? What are some of the challenges involved in creating a safe workplace?

Workplace Safety Another important area of federal oversight Another important area of federal oversight In which industries do workers have the greatest exposure to unsafe conditions? In which industries do workers have the greatest exposure to unsafe conditions? Which jobs are the least safe? Which jobs are the least safe?

Why should organizations care? Still a lot of health and safety issues at work (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2003) Still a lot of health and safety issues at work (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2003) 5,559 worker deaths (slight increase) 5,559 worker deaths (slight increase) 4.4 million injuries/illnesses (decrease) 4.4 million injuries/illnesses (decrease) Related to bottom line – productivity, medical and insurance costs Related to bottom line – productivity, medical and insurance costs Also legal and ethical concerns Also legal and ethical concerns

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (DOL) Goal is to ensure safe and healthful workplaces Goal is to ensure safe and healthful workplaces Prevention through training, inspections Prevention through training, inspections Penalties for violations Penalties for violations

Discussion Questions Why are there still so many accidents? Why are there still so many accidents? What can be done to improve health and safety in the workplace? What can be done to improve health and safety in the workplace?

Safety Video You will see a group of people bouncing a basketball You will see a group of people bouncing a basketball Your job is to count how many times the people wearing white shirts bounce the ball Your job is to count how many times the people wearing white shirts bounce the ball Any questions before we begin?

Accidents Result of unsafe conditions, behaviors Result of unsafe conditions, behaviors Low base rate Low base rate Can usually practice unsafe behaviors and not have an accident Can usually practice unsafe behaviors and not have an accident Tends to discourage safe behaviors Tends to discourage safe behaviors Accident proneness – some employees are more susceptible to accidents Accident proneness – some employees are more susceptible to accidents

Workplace Violence One of three leading causes of workplace fatalities One of three leading causes of workplace fatalities Occupations most affected: Occupations most affected: Police Police Taxi drivers Taxi drivers Private guards Private guards Managers of food service or lodging establishments Managers of food service or lodging establishments OSHA published guidelines for prevention OSHA published guidelines for prevention

Ergonomics Musculoskeletal disorders (carpal tunnel) are a major source of workplace injury Musculoskeletal disorders (carpal tunnel) are a major source of workplace injury Poultry processing Poultry processing Keyboarding/mouse usage Keyboarding/mouse usage Lifting Lifting Ergonomic assessment, redesign can help Ergonomic assessment, redesign can help

Voluntary Protection Programs Cooperative relationships at workplaces with comprehensive safety and health management systems. Cooperative relationships at workplaces with comprehensive safety and health management systems. Requires rigorous on-site evaluation Requires rigorous on-site evaluation Participants submit annual self-evaluations Participants submit annual self-evaluations Undergo periodic onsite reevaluations to remain in the program Undergo periodic onsite reevaluations to remain in the program VPP worksites have lost workday incidence rate 52% below industry average. VPP worksites have lost workday incidence rate 52% below industry average. Source:

For next class Topic: Job analysis Topic: Job analysis Read chapter 4 Read chapter 4 What is the purpose of conducting job analysis? What is the purpose of conducting job analysis? Why are there so many different ways to conduct a job analysis? Why are there so many different ways to conduct a job analysis?