A plan of action for health and safety
A plan of action that is created to prevent illnesses and accidents at work is known as a health and safety program. The program entails the evaluation of hazards that may affect the welfare, health, and safety of workers, clients, contractors, guests, and suppliers. To ensure that the job reaches the necessary standards, businesses should abide by the legal criteria. Every organization needs to set up a department to make sure that the working conditions meet ANSI/AIHA Z10 requirements. Before submitting my application, Gemstone Fabricators management should understand some of the causes of workplace accidents which may include fatigue from working continuously without breaks, neglecting safety procedures and dehydration which can cause heat stroke. Other causes are mental distractions such as stress, poor lighting, improper handling of hazardous materials and workplace violence.
Establishing safety accountability measures
It is essential for managers and employees to establish safety accountability measures at the workplace. When employees are assured of their safety, the morale to work productively is increased, and they can cope better with change and stress. In addition to this, there are fewer absenteeism cases from employees, and there is improved turnover. Injuries and illnesses are minimized which in turn decreases compensation and insurance costs. Moreover, premises are kept under higher and better standards which in return improve the business’s image in the society, thus increasing income.
Collaboration between management and employees
Both the management and employees should work together to ensure that the established objectives are met. In order for workplaces to be safe, employers should provide health supervision as needed, set up emergency plans, and provide adequate first aid facilities. Managers should ensure that plant and machinery is safe to use and that all materials are handled and stored safely. Employees should be trained on health and safety matters and they should be provided with safety clothing if hazardous material is used. The temperature, lighting, ventilation, and washing facilities should meet all welfare requirements (Goetsch, 2011). Exposure to substances that may damage health ought to be controlled and the right warning signs must be provided and serviced regularly. Workplaces should be free from objects that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to workers.
Obligations and responsibilities of safety and health consultants
Safety and health consultants have various obligations and responsibilities. They advise and give instructions on different safety-related topics such as the use of machinery and noise levels. Consultants also conduct risk assessments and preventive measures, organize training of employees and executives, inspect premises and review existing policies and actions. Additionally, they oversee the installation and disposal of substances, prepare reports on occurrences, and provide statistical information to upper management (Goetsch, 2011).
Achieving continuous improvement
For continuous improvement, a clear plan-to-do-check-act approach is necessary. The firm’s policies, objectives, and targets should be identified to ensure that there is a robust health and safety management system. In this case, Gemstone Fabricators should identify its goals of manufacturing containers, carts, and counters and in this regard, ensure that the products are in conformity with the set standards of health. After planning, the health and safety management system is implemented. It involves operational control, emergency preparedness, participation, consultation, training, and awareness. The management system is a framework that needs to be frequently reviewed to ensure that the system remains relevant to the organization. To make this efficient, the management should control records, investigate incidents, and monitor review. By following this cycle, managers can continually improve the organization’s effectiveness (Goetsch, 2011).
Reference
Goetsch, D (2011). Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists and Engineers, Pearson Education, Inc. Pearson Prentice Hall.
