Chapter 13 Ensuring a safe & healthy work environment Supervision Chapter 13 Ensuring a safe & healthy work environment

Chapter outcomes Discuss the supervisory effects of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. List the enforcement priorities of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Explain what punitive actions OSHA can impose on an organization. Describe what supervisors must do to comply with OSHA record-keeping requirements. Describe the leading causes of safety and health accidents. Explain what supervisors can do to prevent workplace violence. Define stress. Explain how a supervisor can create a healthy work site. Describe the purposes of employee assistance and wellness programs.

Occupational Health & Safety Legal responsibility Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) in the US Enforce healthful working conditions and preservations of HR Comprehensive and extensive Supervisors need to know applicable standards and regulations

Occupational Health & Safety OSHA enforcement priorities Imminent danger Accidents that have occurred within the past 48 hours Current employee complaint Inspection of target industries with high injury ratio Random inspection

Occupational Health & Safety Keeping OSHA record OSHA Form 300 Decide what is reportable based on decision tree Determine incident rate OSHA punitive actions $10,000 per occurrence per day Increase to $70,000 if severe

Job safety program Why job safety programs? Cost of lost time due to injuries Cost of investigation, work stoppages Etc. Causes of work related accidents Human causes – vast majority Environmental causes  Search for potential hazards

Job safety program Preventing accidents Education Skills training Engineering – design of equipment and of the job Protection Regulation enforcement

Job safety program Supervisor’s role Management commitment Develop a feedback system Inspecting work surroundings Oral and written reports Observations Management commitment Organizational culture

Workplace violence Plan to deal with the issue Review policies HR management practices Identify troubled employees Employee Assistance Program Action plan depends on specific circumstances

Healthy Environment Enough fresh air Avoid suspect building materials and furnishings Test for toxins before occupancy Provide smoke free environment Incentives: healthcare/insurance premiums Help program Keep air duct clean and dry Pay attention to workers’ complaints

Repetitive stress injuries Use of ergonomics – customizing the environment to keep employees health Office environment Office furniture

Stress Common causes Symptoms Ways to reduce Organizational factors Personal factors Symptoms Psychological Behavioral Ways to reduce Match people to job Job design Communication and involvement