1. Managing Workplace Safety and Heath
Hanoi University
Managing Workplace Safety and Heath
Human Resource Management
Prepared by Thu G. Hoang
Revised by Minh Hieu T. Nguyen

2. … OHS problems at a glance
5836 accidents
508 resulted in death
6047 injuries
573 people died
1262 seriously injured
181 accidents have already reported
198 billion dong directs cost and 197,480 days lost
6.34%

3. Lecture Outline OH&S - Management Legal Obligation
Managing Contemporary Safety, Heath, and Behavioral Issues
AIDS
Violence in the workplace
Smoking in the workplace
Cumulative trauma disorders
Fetal protection, hazardous chemicals and genetic testing
Safety and Heath Programs
Safety programs
Employee assistance programs
Wellness programs
Rewarding good heath habits

4. What is OH & S
Refers to physical, physiological & psychosocial conditions of an organization’s workforce, related to aspects of work and the work context
Relies on improving OHS conditions and preventing hazards by implementing comprehensive HRM and organizational strategies
Encourages healthier lifestyle

5. Health
OH&S places emphasis on the well-being of employees Physiological – eg, stress, quality of working life, satisfaction, depression
Physical – eg, arthritis, loss of limb, cardiovascular/lung disease, loss of life

6. Safety OH&S places emphasis on safety in work environment
Focus on workplace procedures/practices - appropriate conduct in the workplace - safe and proper use of machinery - use of safety equipment (eg., safety goggles, ear plugs) - adequate and appropriate training

7. Poor occupational Health and Safety is:
Costly to industry: lost production, lower moral, sickness and absenteeism, compensation
Costly to individuals and families: financially, personally and socially
Costly to society: Healthcare, disability, lost production

8. Management Legal Obligations
It is important to have laws to regulate workplace safety
Workers’ compensation laws
Occupational safety and heath act (OSHA) – US
Labor Law – Chapter IX – Vietnam
Laws which include basic provision on OHS
Laws which include provision relating to OHS
Under-law legal documents on OHS issues
Internal decision on OHS of branches and localities units
ilo.org, ohsnet.com
“Quy dinh ve an toan lao dong, ve sinh lao dong”, Nha xuat ban chinh tri Quoc gia, 2006

9. Management Legal Obligations
Workers’ compensation laws
Purposes
Provide prompt medical care
Provide income to victims and their dependants
Provide a “no-fault” system
Encourage employers to invest in safety
Promote research on workplace safety
Benefit of workers’ compensation (next slide)

10. Management Legal Obligations
Benefit of workers’ compensations
Total disability benefits
Impairment benefits
Survivor benefits
Medical expense benefits
Rehabilitation benefits
Cost of workers’ compensation
43 billions paid out in 1993
These costs is leaving off

11. Management Legal Obligations
The occupational safety and heath act (OSHA) and Vietnam Labor Code (art. 95 – 108)
Obligations for employers
To provide a safe and heath work environment
To comply with specific occupational health and safety standards
To keep record of occupational injuries and illnesses

12. Management Legal Obligations
Obligations for employees
Comply with the relevant health and safety standards
Report all hazardous conditions, injuries or work-related illnesses to their employer
Rights of employees
File health or safety grievances and complaints to the government
Participate in OSHA or LC inspection
Request information on OHS hazards without fear of discrimination or retaliation by their employer

13. Employees’ Unsafe Acts Basic Causes of Accidents
What Causes Accidents?
Chance Occurrences
Employees’ Unsafe Acts
Basic Causes of Accidents
Unsafe Conditions

14. What Causes Accidents? (cont’d)
Improperly Guarded Equipment
Defective Equipment
Improper Ventilation
Improper Illumination
Hazardous Procedures
Unsafe Storage
Unsafe Conditions

15. Contemporary Issues AIDS Workplace Hazardous Violence Materials
Smoking
Cumulative
Trauma/ DVT/RSI
Stress

16. Contemporary Issues in Vietnam
Open for research on Vietnam contemporary issues in OSH (
and other related sources)

17. Health and Safety Programs
Effective safety programs have the following features:
A safety committee
Participation by all
A communication strategy
Training of employees
Rewards for safety
Enforcement of safety rules
Regular workplace inspection

18. Health and Safety Programs
Employees Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Wellness Programs: Programs focus on preventing health problems. A complete program has three components:
It helps identify potential health risks
It educates employees about health risks
It encourage employees to change their lifestyles

19. Dealing with Substance Abuse
When an Employee Tests Positive
In-house Counseling
Referral to an Outside Agency
Discharge
Disciplining

20. Quality of life Broader approach now gaining wider acceptance
Awareness of need for stress and time management skills, ergonomics, alcohol balance
Physical and psychological balance – eg gym membership, dietary advice
OH&S committees at workplace have responsibility for raising awareness of these

21. Effective strategies Proactive approach necessary
Create culture of awareness and responsibility – look out for yourself and others
Strategies to prevent work-related accidents and diseases
Health and safety performance indicators – incidence, severity and frequency rates
Accident control physical environment eg., handrails, warning lights, automatic shut-offs employee acceptance and use important
Ergonomics – comfort, design, layout

22. The End