A Framework for Human Resource

Management,
4th ed.
Gary Dessler
2006 Prentice Hall

Protecting Safety and Health

Ch 10

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When you finish studying this chapter,

you should be able to:

Discuss OSHA and how it operates

Describe the supervisors role in safety
Explain in detail three basic causes of
accidents
Explain how to prevent accidents at work
Discuss major health problems at work and
how to remedy them

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Occupational Safety and Health Act

Assure as far as possible every working

man and woman in the nation safe and
healthful working
conditions and to
preserve our
human resources

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Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA)
Basic purpose is to administer the act
and to set and enforce the safety and
health standards
Responsible for promulgating legally
enforceable standards

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www.osha.gov

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OSHA Record-Keeping Procedures

Employers with 11 or more employees
must maintain records of occupational
injuries and illnesses, and report both
occupational injuries and occupational
illnesses

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Inspections and Citations

OSHA standards are enforced through
inspections and citations
OSHA takes a worst-first approach
in setting inspection priorities

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Inspections and Citations

1.
2.
3.
4.

Catastrophes and fatal accidents

Employee complaints
Specific high hazard industries
Follow-up
inspections

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Inspections and Citations

OSHA can impose penalties
Calculated based on the gravity of the
violation
Considers the size of the business,
firms compliance history and the
employers good faith

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OSHA Inspection Hit List

Insert figure 10.3

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Factors Contributing to a
Firms OSHA Liability
Lack of a systematic safety approach
Sporadic safety meetings
Lack of responsiveness to safety audit
recommendations
Not following up on employee
complaints
Failure to regularly inspect the
workplace
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Responsibilities of Employers
Providing a workplace free from
recognized hazards
Being familiar with mandatory OSHA
standards
Examining workplace conditions to
conform with applicable standards

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Responsibilities of Employees
Complying with all applicable OSHA
standards
Following all employer safety and
health rules and regulations
Reporting hazardous conditions to the
supervisor

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OSHA Inspection Tips

Insert figure 10.4

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What Causes Accidents

1.
2.
3.

Chance occurrences
Unsafe working conditions
Unsafe acts by employees

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Unsafe Conditions
Improperly guarded equipment
Defective equipment
Unsafe storage, such as congestion or
overloading
Improper illumination, such as glare or
insufficient light
Improper ventilation

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www.occupationalhazards.com
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High-Danger Zones
About one-third of industrial accidents
occur around forklift trucks,
wheelbarrows,
and other
handling
and lifting areas

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Working Condition-Related
Causes of Accidents
Strong pressure to complete work as
quickly as possible
Employees under stress
Poor safety climate
Work schedules and fatigue

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Working Condition-Related
Causes of Accidents
Plants with a high seasonal layoff rate
Hostility among employees
Garnished wages
Blighted living conditions

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Why Do Employees Behave in an

Unsafe Manner?
Inadequately trained in safe work
methods
Under stress
May simply develop bad work habits

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Accident Prone Traits

Impulsive
Sensation seeking
Extreme extraversion
Neuroticism

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How to Prevent Accidents

Reduce unsafe conditions
Use screening to reduce unsafe
acts
Use posters and other
propaganda

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How to Prevent Accidents

Provide safety training
Use incentives and positive
reinforcement
Emphasize top-management
commitment

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How to Prevent Accidents

Foster a culture of safety
Establish a safety policy
Set specific loss control goals
Conduct safety and health
inspections regularly
Protecting vulnerable workers

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Culture of Safety
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

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Teamwork
Communication and collaboration
Shared vision of safety excellence
Assignment of critical safety
functions
Quality improvement

Employee Safety Committee

Evaluate safety adequacy
Monitor safety audit findings
Suggest strategies for improving
health and safety performance

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Typical Workplace Exposure Hazards

Alcoholism and substance abuse
Chemicals
Excessive noise
Biohazards
Ergonomic hazards
Safety-related hazards

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Drug-free Workplace Program

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Drug-free workplace policy

Supervisor training
Employee education
Employee assistance
Drug testing

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Problems of Job Stress and

Burnout
Work schedule
Pace of work
Job security
Route to and from
work

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Workplace noise
Number and nature
of customers or
clients

Consequences of Job Stress

Anxiety
Depression
Anger
Physical consequences

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Consequences to the Organization

Diminished performance
Increased absenteeism
Turnover
Grievances
Health care costs

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Reducing Job Stress

Build cooperative relationships
Dont bite off more than you can chew
Negotiate realistic deadlines
Find time for relaxation

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What the Employer

Can Do to Reduce Stress
Primary prevention
Intervention
Rehabilitation

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Burnout
Total depletion of physical and mental
resources caused by excessive striving
to reach an
unrealistic
work-related
goal

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What Can a Burnout Candidate

Do?
Break patterns
Get away from it all periodically
Reassess your goals in terms of their
intrinsic worth
Think about your work

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Computer Monitor Health

Problems
Give employees rest breaks
Design the maximum flexibility into
the workstation
Reduce glare
Give workers a complete preplacement vision exam

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Workplace Smoking
A policy of not hiring smokers is legal
as long as the rules apply to all
applicants and employees

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Dealing with Violence at Work

Heighten security measures
Improve external lighting; use drop
safes
Increase the number of staff on duty
Provide staff training in conflict
resolution
Close establishments during highrisk hours
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Dealing with Violence at Work

Improve employee screening
Use workplace violence training

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Terrorism
Check mail carefully
Prepare evacuation plans
Designate an employee who will
communicate with families
Staging area for all evacuated
personnel
Employees who will do headcounts

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www.dhs.gov

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