Systematic Approach of Managing OHS - Term Paper Example

NAME OF THE UNIVERSITY OHS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS SYSTEMATIC APPROACH OG MANAGING OHS NAME OF THE STUDENT: ADM. NO: COURSE NAME: COURSE CODE: LECTURER NAME 9/18/2012 1. The purpose of an OHS management system.2. The typical components of an OHS management system.3. How managers, supervisors and team leaders can contribute to the integration of OHS within an organizations overall managementapproach.4. The role of consultants and outside advisors and specialists.5. The importance of identifying OHS implications of proposed changes to the workplace and providing advice to control risks associated with change. Introduction Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) have been defined as a blend of the arrangement and review, organisational plans, the consultative plans and specific aspects that work together in an integrated manner to improve health and safety performance (Gallagher, 2000, p.1). Over the years, the use of OHSMS has become dominant in work environs both in Australia and other developed nations like USA and Britain. The growing use of OHSMS stems from public policy instigated as a response to defective management systems at workplaces that are exposed to disasters. Point 1: Purpose of an Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) An OHS management system is a coordinated and systematic move on managing health and safety risks. An Occupational Health and Safety management system assists in improving Cemetery’s safety performance and compliance to health and safety legislation and standards, resulting in a safer working environment. According to Mayhew (2000), organisations will benefit from an OHS management system in a number of ways, for example, it helps organisations create safer work environments and reduce injuries. By minimising injury related cases, employers are able to cut down medical expenses. It also offers an opportunity for measurable systems that helps to authenticate OHS performance (Aronsson, 2005). The pursuits of all this, shows that employers are strategically positioned to achieve legal and regulatory needs in the workplace, thus increasing the firm’s reputation. Components of an OHS management system The typical components of OHS management system provide practical information and guidance in how employers and employees can work together to attain a safe and healthy working environment. The components are also fundamental in operating the business to its maximum potential. The main components include; Appropriate statutory legislation and codes of practice Organisation policies and workplace standards Common law on duty of care Accepted Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) best practice The aforementioned components are indispensable tools that make sure management, employees, clients and contractors undertake business safety at workplace. Point 2: Roles of managers, supervisors and team leaders to the integration of OHS Managers play key roles in the integration of OHS within the organization. They work with employees to ensure working environment is safe and healthy, thus help to develop, implement and improve safe work systems (Chew, 2008). The managers also helps in the provision of safe facilities and equipment and make ensure are kept in good condition. They also record and investigate any injuries and implement relevant corrective measures to such incidents. The managers as well offer commitment, direction and leadership to supervisors and team leaders to allow them to accomplish and uphold safe and healthy work environs. Besides, they apportion adequate resources for realistic eradication of workplace hazards and risks. On the other hand, supervisors’ responsibilities regarding integration of OHS management system at workplace encompasses assisting managers in the resolution of health and safety concerns, act as an intermediaries between employees and managers on OHS issues. They also provide input on OHS matters to the managers and help in resolving some safety issues. Comparable to the managers and supervisors, team leaders as well play an integral role in the integration of OHS management system. Team leaders make sure that employees are presented with relevant information, lessons, training and supervision to allow them to carry out their work in a safe and sound way (Mayhew, 2000). They identify, evaluate and manage workplace hazards and risks, besides reporting, inspecting and documentation of incidents that could lead to injuries. The team leaders too actively involve in resolution of OHS matters with employees and report to management team on performance and procedure improvements. Ways in which consultants and outside advisors and specialists can be used The OHS specialists and consultants may include ergonomists, occupational hygienists, health professionals, engineers, legal practitioners, assessors and injury management advisors. Consultants, advisors and specialists are responsible for the provision of consultative services to leaders around OHS management system on procedures, practices and guidance on state legislative requirements. They as well help in training employees, thus drawing their attention, knowledge, experience and ideas in participation of input effectiveness of OHS management systems. The consultants will assist in resolving OHS issues raised by human resource manager that cannot be resolved by management. It general, the consultants will help in industrial relations, logistics, engineering and maintenance, finance management and auditing, quality management and so on. Point 3: Identifying OHS implications of proposed changes The importance of identifying OHS implications of proposed changes to the workplace and providing advice to control risks assorted with change are as follows: commitment to a safe workplace, which is achieved through framing of relevant guidelines based on business safety solutions at work; recognizing and removing dangers-by using a danger identification list, the management team is able to spot hazards and risks that are encroached within the working environment; maintaining a safe workplace, through the inclusion of safety checks, maintenance, reporting dangers, information and training, supervision, accident investigation and emergency planning at workplaces; and safety records and information, which may encompass relevant records and standards required by the law and abiding by it. Point 4: Strategies and Monitoring Strategies to promote maintain and improve the management of OHS in the workplace It is very important to promote, maintain and improve the management of OHS programs and procedures in the workplace. Programs should be reviewed regularly by OHS committee to perfect them and enhance their execution. Promotion and evaluation of programs is essential for ongoing effectiveness of OHS policy and programs. Strategies for promoting, maintaining and improving the management of OHS could include; communication with people in the workplace concerning OHS activities comprising the success of control strategies; ensuring that OHS is integrated into all management procedures for example planning, budgeting and performance objectives; evaluation of the success of control strategies, like an injury review, accidents reports and records; evaluation and review of education and training programs; search for advice from workers to check whether the control strategies are working and find out any pertinent problems with the OHS programs, for example, check whether the control strategies have initiated a new problem to the system; and strong commitment to OHS from management. Monitoring training The entire staff team should be trained to participate in the ongoing improvements of the OHS management system, as it encourages them to conduct monitoring activities. They should be fully informed on all aspects of OHS and how to use certain monitoring strategies and tools. Relevant consultation should be established between staff responsible for hazard control and those in charge of monitoring (Chew, 2008). This allows each person an opportunity to participate in the monitoring process and air their views on choice of monitoring strategies and tools used. While monitoring and evaluation of OHS results allow the people in charge to assess the short-term outcomes and fine-tune the implemented control measures, the action of reviewing a intended outcome in the long run. Review times should be set when initiating the implementation plan, either at duration of three, six or twelve months. Results from the reviews should be measured based on information collected during the monitoring phase. All changes made within the monitoring period should be well documented as the information may be helpful for future hazard control measures or in the initiation of other new implementation plans. Monitoring strategies and tools that could be used are show below: Monitoring strategies Monitoring tools Employee self monitoring Checklists, recording documentation Daily monitoring Checklists, documentation — daily report, observation Weekly monitoring Reports — work area report Performance reviews Performance review forms or checklists Benchmarking Statistical evidence Re-engineering Client, contractor, supplier surveys Monitoring ensures that the optimum level of workplace OHS is maintained within the period it is undertaken in agreement with the OHS policy, objectives and goals. More specifically it will: aid in ongoing planning of hazard identification and control processes; determine areas of success; spot areas of corrective action; approve the feasibility of certain processes; and highlight areas of integration with OHS programs. Monitoring will be effective when carried out in consultation between employer and employees. Point 5: Purpose of OHS audit and key areas The purpose of an OHS audit The main purpose of an OHS audit is to inspect the work area, observe employees during work and review training records or work permits to ascertain safety measures evidence in the entire process. Evidence may include sighted documentation on safe work procedures or risk assessment or control measures (Gunningham & Johnstone, 1999). By carrying out an OHS audit, the management will be able to assess the maturity of their existing health and safety management system and identify its strength and areas of improvement. The key areas to evaluate when auditing an organisations OHS management system 1. OHS Policy Find out whether the organisation has a current OHS policy. Check whether the policy is signed by the C.E.O and encompass clear objectives and show any commitment. See whether the organisation has current plan of managing hazards. 2. Legal and other requirements Confirm legal and other requirements to which the organisation abide by and are directly related to the OHS issues connected to its activities or products. 3. Objectives and targets Check whether the organisational objectives and targets are initiated, implemented and maintained. 4. OHS management plan Confirm if the organisation establish and maintain management plans for achieving its objectives and targets. 5. Implementation Check whether there are enough resources to support implementation process. Assess the accountability and responsibility to OHS. 6. Consultation, communication and reporting Find out whether employees are consulted and communicated to in regard to OHS. 7. Document and data control Check whether the organisation has documented information and data control. 8. Hazard identification, assessment and control See how hazards and risks are identified, assessed and managed in the workplace. 9. Measurement and evaluation Find out how organisation document procedure used to monitor and measure operation of activities. 10. Management review Find out whether management reviews the OHSMS system to ensure its continuity, suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. Conclusion The usage of OHSMS system has proved to be cost effective in creating good industrial relations at workplaces and cutting risk expenses to the organisations. Employers are encourage to implement the OHS policy at work to safeguard their employees by creating a working environment free from hazards and risks. 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