Abstract
The human asset employed by an organization plays a crucial role in influencing the efficiency and performance level of an organization. There are some factors which influence the working nature of employees. These factors have to be fully taken into consideration for the achievement of the set objectives. One the main factor is safety in the working environment. The safety of an employee is particularly significant in an organization. Every employer should ensure that the working environment is free from any safety problem. This helps to improve their performance. Safety and health of an employee help to improve the motivation level in the organization. An employee performs well if he is provided with good working environment. It is a legal condition of the employer to ensure the safety and health of employee is achieved. Safety and health of an employee can be attained in various ways. For instance, the management can provide necessary protective equipment to the employees. This helps to protect them from dangers and risks in the workplace.
Occupational safety, as well as health, is an area of concern which involve the protection and improvement of employee’s welfare workplace. The employee welfare is an essential element that influences the behavior towards the given responsibilities. If the set needs of the employee are not met, the productivity level decreases as the person lacks the morale of performing the responsibilities efficiently. As a major case in most organizations in maintaining the conditions, it is, however, a crucial role as it impacts the profitability of the organization. The Human Resource Manager should design strategies aimed at achieving the set organization objectives in line with workers safety conditions.
Legally, a company should follow the rules and regulations set by the governing authority regarding safety and health of the employees. This involves protection of the health of the employee. Financially, application of occupational safety and health measures helps to reduce costs related to health issues. For example, payment of compensation to an injured employee, medical leave or payments of benefits related to disability effect. In the scenario provided, vital health and safety problems may occur if remedial and proactive measures and strategies are not set. The corporation is expanding, and there are risks which may be common among the people in the workplace. Biological, chemical and physical hazards are common health risks in an organization.
Physical and mechanical health hazards are evident in the workplace environment. This may involve injuries which may arise from working with machines and equipment. Machines and equipment are crucial in the operations of the organization. However, they may be a source of health risk. For example, an employee may be injured by the machines. This is common if the employee does not have the skills required to operate the machine. To minimize these health and safety problems arising from machines and equipment, the management should ensure that they train employees on how to handle the machines and equipment. There should be an ongoing process instituted by the corporation. Machines and equipment may be different depending on the purpose for which it performs.
Working in a confined area is a source of healthy and risk. A confined space can be defined as an area having limited space for entry and exit. The definition also includes poorly ventilated room. Lack of enough working space may be dangerous. Workers may find it difficult to move within the office. Lack of proper ventilation may cause suffocation at the place of work. It becomes difficult to rescue workers in case there are emergencies in the organization. To minimize the safety and health problems, organizations should ensure that there is enough space for the employees. This can be done by minimizing the number of workers in a given room. In addition, the corporation should ensure that all rooms have adequate ventilation. There should be fire exits from each building.
Noise is a health and safety problem. In the United States, occupational hearing loss is common in the workplace environment. The noise may arise from working with machines and equipment in the corporation. To minimize this health problem, the noise should be reduced up to a certain level. Employees should be provided with earplugs which help to reduce damage of the eardrum. This may be due to exposure to excessive noise in the workplace.
Falling into the work place is also another crucial safety and health problem which may be facing organization workers. This may arise due to slippery floors within the working environment. An employee may fall during transportation of items from one place to another, during building or repair and maintenance services. Falling may cause fatal injuries to an employee. The employer should compensate the employee for the damage, as a legal requirement. However, the worker should be able to prove that a problem occurred due to the poor, working conditions such as slippery floor and not out of negligence. In order to minimize health and safety risk from falling, the Organization should place strategic sign boards which warn the workers against the risk of falling. During cleaning and maintenance, signs indicating slippery floor should be placed in a strategic position for clear visibility.
Exposure to harmful substances is also safety and health problem. There may be chemical substances in the workplace. Chemical substances should be well stored in a protected area. Storage of such harmful substances reduces the exposure to health problems. The employee should have skills and knowledge on how to handle such substances. In addition, the corporation should appoint qualified persons to handle the substances and ensure they are well stored.
Lack of personal protective equipment may be a source of health and safety problem. For example, workers in a construction site should be provided with helmets, to protect them from falling objects. Workers in a noisy environment should be provided with earplugs, to protect them from damages associated with excessive levels of noise. In case the protective equipments are not provided, the worker may be exposed to a safety problem. Harmful chemical substances require protective equipments for handling. The organization should provide the necessary personal protective equipment to every employee. This is to reduce safety and health problems which arise from not having protective materials. Worn out protective equipment should be replaced.
Electricity can be a source of safety and health problem in the organization. During electricity installation, some wires may not be properly fixed. Electrical injuries may be classified as electric shock, burns and electrocution. Electrocution and burns may result from naked wires, which are not, intact. To minimize electrical injuries, the electrician should ensure that all electrical connections are properly fixed. Any electrical fault should be addressed immediately. Some employees may be trained on how to handle electrical issues when they arise. This is to ensure emergency problems are addressed on time.
Excessive temperature extremes may pose a danger to workers. For example, heat stress can lead to heat stroke and rashes. Working in an environment with high temperature may be dangerous. Injuries associated with high temperatures can be reduced by having protective equipment. Safety glasses may be used by workers carrying out welding services. The organization should ensure that only authorized personnel are allowed to work in areas with high temperature.
Conclusion
Occupational safety and health play a critical role in the workplace environment. Every employer should provide safe working conditions for the employees. This helps to minimize financial costs associated with compensation for injuries. In addition, provision of a safe working environment is a legal requirement by the state. Failure to provide safe working conditions may have a negative impact on the employer. Therefore, it is vital to ensure the safety of employees through minimizing safety and health problems.
References
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