Making health Essay Example

Making health Essay Example Making health Paper Making health Paper Making health, safety and security practices a major part of the orientation process for new and existing employees. Health, safety and security orientation introduces all employees to the intricacies of, in this case, the travel agency business. Not only is this an opportunity to introduce to all employees to the general practices of the business it also is a great time to outline the companies health and safety policies and procedures. Implementing a clear comprehensive orientation program has a positive and rewarding affect on the employees and their well being.   Research shows a positive impact on employee’s success during their tenure on the job. Providing information on health and safety procedures to new workers at the start of their work life is prudent.  Ã‚   In comparison to long time workers, nearly twice the expectancy for new employees to experience an accident on the job likely, It is important to emphasize to employees that they can talk freely about health and safety and that they have an assessable system in place that provides an open transparent conduit by which they can voice their concerns. It is important to provide a formal, scheduled meeting, or even an ad hoc open session to receive regular feedback.   Simple forms posted on bulletin board announcing discussions on health and safety issues are encouraged. Summary Steps: Provide a comfort level for employees with health, safety and security questions Encourage discussion about health, safety and security. Address employee concerns immediately. Promote safe place of work as everyone’s concern Implement ongoing training in safe and secure methods of work. Encourage employees to implement sound daily health and safety principles. It is critical supervisors and managers to remember health, safety  and security matters are to be regularly discussed.   As leaders, they are the first to be notified when this matter is addressed. The desired goal following training and orientation is for employees have knowledge of the following issues: The security operating procedures for their position in the agency.   What the procedures are for health, safety and security emergency concerns.   Awareness of safety and security procedures for reporting accidents in the work place.   Possible and hazards present in this workplace.   What personal protective equipment should be worn, its location and how do I wear it, and maintain it.   What to do if there is an emergency or if injured. Roles and responsibilities of staff Employers and employees An employer’s principal duty is to take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety of their employees at the workplace. This duty requires employers to provide a healthy and safe working environment. Employers and other people Employers must take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure other people (such as visitors or members of the public) at or near the workplace  Ã‚   are not exposed to health and safety risks. Employers must establish health and safety management practices to protect these other people. The employer’s duty of care also extends to the work of contractors, subcontractors and the employees of those contractors or subcontractors who may be engaged by that employer. This duty of care does not lessen the duty of care imposed on the contractor or subcontractor who is also an employer. EMPLOYEES’ SAFETY’ REPRESENTATIVES Members of a travel agency numbering 10 or more may elect an  employees’ safety representative, the legislation gives employees’ safety  representatives the power to be consulted; to inspect the workplace; to obtain information; and, in consultation with the accountable person in the workplace,  direct work activities to stop if a risk of serious injury or harm exists. RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS The responsible officer performs the duties of the employer set in policy, although the appointment of a responsible officer in no way diminishes the liability of an employer. Policy allows employer discretion in the appointment of a person as responsible officer.   If an employer, other than one operating a designated workplace, does not appoint a responsible officer, the person responsible for the direction and management of that workplace is deemed to have been appointed as the responsible officer. Where an employer makes a formal appointment, they must tell the person in writing of their appointment. The employer must also make others at the workplace aware of the appointment. Legal obligations ramifications of failure to comply DUTY OF CARE A duty of care is a legal responsibility. The duties exist under common law.   The duties require all people in the workplace to take practical steps to ensure health and safety measures are met. Each person under a duty must meet it, even if others also share duty. The general duties are limited by ‘reasonable practicability’. To carry out a duty as far as is reasonably practicable means: Balancing the degree of risk in a particular activity or environment against measures taken to control it.  Doing only what is possible or capable of being done safely. The ‘reasonable practicability’ test must take into account: The nature of the job or the particular aspect of the job concerned The severity of any potential injury or harm to health or safety that may bebinvolved, and the degree of risk that exists for such potential injury or harm What is known about the injury or harm to health or safety that may be involved; what is known about the risk of that injury or harm occurring; and what is known about preventing, removing or reducing that injury, harm or risk? REGULATIONS The function and purpose of regulations is to give details of requirements that must be observed in the workplace.   Regulations are the second tier of current legislation. While they are subordinate to the existing laws, they still represent legal requirements, and failure to comply will generally be an offence punishable by a fine. The Act (Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, is about making workplaces and work practices safer for everyone.) (The State of Queensland (Department of Employment and Industrial Relations) 2006. broadly outlines the legal obligations employers and workers have to workplace health and safety. The Regulations set out goals for meeting these legal obligations and making workplaces safe.   Employers and workers can tailor safety measures to the needs of individual workplaces provided the outcomes specified in the Regulations are achieved. CODES OF PRACTICE Codes of practice may consist of any code, standard, rule, specification or provision for workplace health and safety. The Act enables the Minister for Infrastructure (the Minister) to approve codes of practice that give practical guidance on workplace health and safety to employers and employees. Before approving a code of practice, the Minister must consult with employer and employee organizations, and advertise his or her intention to approve the code of practice. Codes of practice may be used as evidence in legal proceedings to show that a person has failed to meet a duty of care. Failure to follow a code of practice does not necessarily mean a breach of the Act. (The State of Queensland (Department of Employment and Industrial Relations) 2006 Participative arrangements of health, safety and security Function of health, safety and security responsible officer Perform the duties of the employer in relation to health and safety at the workplace, Workplace Standards recommends that employers: consider the authority level a responsible officer needs to perform their functions  make the appointment at the appropriate level in the organization  give the responsible officer sufficient authority to carry out their duties. Workplace Standards recommends that the position be given to the chief executive or the most senior manager at a particular workplace.   In the case of a small organization, the business owner would logically appoint himself or herself. Used wisely, the responsible officer concept is a powerful tool, helping the organization delegate workplace health and safety matters effectively. Used unwisely, the responsible officer concept can frustrate employees ho may have the responsibility but lack the authority to carry it out their assigned duties. Or on the other hand, senior management makes it difficult for a responsible officer to carry out their duties effectively.