The book is based on acceptable risk, ethical issues in international business, ethical treatment of employees, ethical issues in information technology and, marketing and disclosure of information. In the workplace, hazards can be found in different forms, including physical, chemical, psychological, biological, nonapplication of ergonomic principles and many others. Because of the number of hazards in most workstations and the general absence of consideration set to health and safety by many businesses, job-related diseases and accidents remain to be severe problems. Hence, trade unions have to insist that businesses regulate hazards at the inception and disallowing workers operate in unsafe conditions in regard to ethics. It is therefore the duty of the employer to inform the workers about all the safety precautions in regard to all the eminent work place hazards. This can be established through a health and safety program which provides all the adequate information needed to evade hazards, and is also an ethical practice.
A health and safety program is a fixed strategy intended to prevent accidents and work-related diseases. Such a program is mandatory under the occupational health and safety legislation in most organisations . A health and safety program has to contain the essentials required by the health and safety regulation as a minimum. Health and safety training should start with employee placement when an employee joins the business or happens to be reassigned to a different job. Experience has to be gained through time, both job skills training and health and safety training can be used to advance this record. Placement period covers explanation of the role of the labour unit, administrative arrangements, organizational relationships and various strategies and rules as per the ethics.
Items connected to health safety, which should be incorporated are; unsafe conditions and acts, location of first aid stations, health and safety responsibilities, emergency procedures, reporting of injuries, right to refuse hazardous work and use of personal protective equipment among others.
A new worker can be anticipated to grasp only a definite amount of information in the first days. A brochure demarcation the topics covered in the placement period is useful as a point of reference to new employees. A buddy system is a suitable follow-up tool to the initial placement. This permits for on-the-job strengthening of the information offered to the fresh employee. The procedure encourages the safety cognizance of the skilled workers who are the buddies to the new worker, transferred inexperienced or new employees should be urged to inquire at any time as to correct procedures.
In conclusion, employees have to be evaluated on understanding of the matters deliberated. This way, both the value of training and the level of understanding can be gauged. Some workers responsibilities include; reporting unsafe acts and unsafe conditions, following safe work procedures, using PPS (personal protection and safety) equipment as necessary by the employer, reporting any injury or illness immediately, knowing and complying with all regulations and participating in joint health and safety committees.
References
Tom, L. B., Norman, E. B., & Denis, G. A. (2008). Ethical Theory and Business. New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
