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Module 5 (OSH Programming)

An occupational safety and health program includes policies and procedures to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Effective programs have elements like management commitment, hazard identification, training, and continuous improvement. Developing a program begins with assessing existing safety policies and identifying weaknesses. A safety program lays out responsibilities, resources, and procedures to keep the workplace safe, while a safety policy demonstrates an employer's commitment to employee health and safety. Both a policy and program are required under occupational health and safety laws.

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5K views4 pages

Module 5 (OSH Programming)

An occupational safety and health program includes policies and procedures to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Effective programs have elements like management commitment, hazard identification, training, and continuous improvement. Developing a program begins with assessing existing safety policies and identifying weaknesses. A safety program lays out responsibilities, resources, and procedures to keep the workplace safe, while a safety policy demonstrates an employer's commitment to employee health and safety. Both a policy and program are required under occupational health and safety laws.

Uploaded by

Mcjohnden Loren
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module 5: OSH Programming

A occupational safety and health system include many programs that describe what
people, business, owners, managers, and employees do to prevent injuries and illnesses
at their workplace. A workplace safety and health program may be just a concept, but it
is not an important one.

An effective safety management system includes for the provisions for the systematic
identification, evaluation, prevention and control of workplace hazards, and continuous
improvement of its programs.

Elements of a Safety Program

An effective occupational safety and health program will include the following main
elements:
 Management commitment and Leadership
 Accountability
 Safety Involvement
 Safety Communications
 Hazard Identification and Control
 Accident Investigation and Analysis
 Safety Education and Training
 Continuous Safety Improvement

Effective programs have clear principles that focus on priorities and guide program
design. Developing an effective safety management system begins with conducting an
initial baseline survey to assess and evaluate existing programs and policies within the
company. The information gained from the baseline survey can be used to improve weak
policies, programs, processes, and procedures.

Development of an OSH Programs


Ensuring your business has a safety programs is taking care of your business. No matter
how small or big your business is or the type of work you do, you must provide and
maintain a safe workplace.
With a written OSH Policies and Programs, you create an action plan for how you:
 Define safety responsibilities;
 Identify and control hazards;
 Train workers in safe work practices; and
 Document and track health and safety in your business.
Safety Policy Definition
A health and safety policy is a written statement by an employer stating the company’s
commitment for the protection of the health and safety of employees and to the public. It
is an endorsed commitment by management to its employees regarding their health and
safety.

Safety Program Definition


A Safety Program is a systematic plan to identify and control hazards and respond to
emergencies. It lays out responsibilities, resources, and procedures for keeping the
workplace safe and healthy.

A health and safety program contains the health and safety elements of an organization,
objectives which make it possible for the company to achieve its goal in the protection of
its workers at the workplace.

Effective Safety and Health Programs


It has been found out that effective management of worker safety and health programs:
 Reduces the extent and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses
 Improves employee morale and productivity
 Reduces workers’ compensation costs

Reasons for Health and Safety Programs or Policies in the Workplace


There are several reasons why workplaces need a health and safety policy or program,
including:
 to clearly demonstrate management’s full commitment to their employee’s health
and safety;
 to show employees that safety performance and business performance are
compatible;
 to clearly state the company’s safety beliefs, principles, objectives, strategies and
processes to build buy-in through all levels of the company;
 to clearly outline employer and employee accountability and responsibility for
workplace health and safety;
 to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act; and
 to set out safe work practices and procedures to be followed to prevent workplace
injuries and illnesses.
Rules for the Application of Health and Safety Policies and Programs

The Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations applies to all employers,
workers, and self-employed persons. Employers with less than ten employees will be
required to have an occupational health and safety policy in place while employers with
ten or more employees will be required to have an occupational health and safety program
in place.

How to Develop a Health and Safety Policy or Program


The development of a health and safety policy or program is the responsibility of the
employer. However, for such a policy or program to be accepted and successful it will
need the commitment and endorsement of the workers. Therefore, it is critical to involve
the workers in the early stages when developing a policy or program. This would include,
but not be limited to, the workers’ health and safety representative or the occupational
health and safety committee.

Requirements for Policy or Program Review and/or Revisions


The legislation stipulates that the health and safety policy is to be reviewed annually, and
where required, updated in consultation with the workers’ health and safety
representative. The policy should also be reviewed and revised whenever there is an
operational or organizational change.

The legislation stipulates that the health and safety program is to be reviewed and revised
at least every three years. In addition, a review is required to be undertaken whenever
there is a change of circumstances that may affect the health and safety of workers, or
where an officer makes such a request. The review of the program should be done in
consultation with the occupational health and safety committee.

Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs

These recommended practices provide responsible employers, workers and worker


representatives with a sound, flexible framework for addressing safety and health issues
in diverse workplaces.

Here are 10 steps that you can take to get started.


1. Set Safety and Health as a Top Priority
Always set safety and health as the top priority. Tell your workers that making sure they
finish the day and go home safely is the way you do business. Assure them that you will
work with them to find and fix any hazards that could injure them or make them sick.
2. Lead by Example
Practice safe behaviors yourself and make safety part of your daily conversations with
workers.
3. Implement a Reporting System
Develop and communicate a simple procedure for workers to report any injuries,
illnesses, incidents (including near misses/close calls), hazards, or safety and health
concerns without fear of retaliation. Include an option for reporting hazards or concerns
anonymously.
4. Provide Training
Train workers on how to identify and control hazards using, for example, OSHA’s Hazard
Identification Training Tool.
5. Conduct Inspections
Inspect the workplace with workers and ask them to identify any activity, piece of
equipment, or material that concerns them. Use checklists.
6. Collect Hazard Control Ideas
Ask workers for ideas on improvements and follow up on their suggestions. Provide them
time during work hours, if necessary, to research solutions.
7. Implement Hazard Controls
Assign workers the task of choosing, implementing, and evaluating the solutions they
come up with.
8. Address Emergencies
Identify foreseeable emergency scenarios and develop instructions on what to do in each
case. Meet to discuss these procedures and post them in a visible location in the
workplace.
9. Seek Input on Workplace Changes
Before making significant changes to the workplace, work organization, equipment, or
materials, consult with workers to identify potential safety or health issues.
10. Make Improvements
Set aside a regular time to discuss safety and health issues, with the goal of identifying
ways to improve the program.

New Regulations and Existing Health Programs and Policies

If your company already has an effective written occupational health and safety policy or
program in place, the new regulation may not require any further action. If your company
is one that has a positive attitude toward its employees’ health and safety, but has not
formally recorded this commitment, the new regulation can provide an avenue for
improving your occupational health and safety policy or program at your workplace.
Should your company not have a health and safety policy or program in place, the new
regulation will require you to establish, implement and maintain a health and safety policy
or program.

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