MICHAEL OGUEKHIAN

ASSIGNMENT : CASE STUDY SOLUTIONS

TASK 1:

Employers obligations to workers that have been contravened leading to accident in the
scenario are :
1 - To maintain safe place of work, machinery and equipment . There was no proper procedures
for entering the ovens safely and Temperature gauges are not checked properly before entering.

2 - Use safe system of work. The organization encouraged cutting corners so as to meet
delivery orders. This makes them practice unsafe systems of work.

3 - Give necessary instructions and training ( competent workers). There was lack of adequate
training for procedures regarding maintenance and operation of ovens.

4 - provide adequate supervision of work ( both day and night ). The choice of inexperienced
Engineer and a staff was an unsupervised choice that lead to accident.

5 - Establish organizational arrangements regarding occupational health, safety and the the
working environment that are adapted to the nature of it's business activities

6 - Take measures to eliminate excessive physical and mental fatigue. The workers sometimes
work under extra pressure to meet urgent orders for clients.

7 - Take measures to facilitate co-operation between the managers and workers, like appointing
of workers health and Safety representatives or health and Safety committee.

8 - Keep health, safety and working environment records and provide reports as required by
legislation or other competent authorities. There is an obvious lack of proper documentation of
safety records like manual records, inspections and maintenance

9 - set out in writing their health and Safety policy, responsibilities and arrangements to meet the
policy

10 - Make provision for First Aid. The practice in the organization reflects an outdated first aid
practice or the well trained ones had left the organization.

TASK 2 : TASK 2
The Financial Arguments to improve health and Safety for the Bakery

1. High Cost of Fines and Legal Fees: The organization was fined £350,000 and ordered to pay
£250,000 in legal costs. Implementing proper health and safety measures could prevent such
significant financial penalties in the future.
2. Lost Productivity: The bakery was closed for two weeks following the accident, this results in
lost production time and missed deadlines, which directly impacts revenue.
3. Massive Loss of Contracts: The bakery lost bread orders because clients did not want to be
associated with the unsafe work environment. Improving safety can help retain and attract
business contracts thereby redressing the massive loss of clients.
4. Employee Turnover: The accident resulted in resignations and extended periods off work for
traumatised employees. High turnover and absenteeism can lead to additional recruitment and
training costs.
5. Insurance Premiums: Frequent accidents and poor safety records can increase insurance
premiums. Improving health and safety can lower these costs over time.
6. Reputation Damage: The accident and subsequent legal action damaged the organization’s
reputation, which can affect customer trust and market position. A strong safety record can
enhance the brand’s image.
7. Practical Operational Efficiency: Practical and Proper maintenance and safety procedures
can prevent machinery breakdowns, ensuring smoother and more efficient operations, reducing
downtime.
8. Boosting employee Morale and Productivity: A safe working environment will boost employee
morale, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
9. Avoiding Compliance Costs: Investing in health and safety measures ensures compliance
with regulations, thereby avoiding potential future costs related to non-compliance.
10. Curtailing Future Incidents: Addressing safety issues proactively can help significantly
reduce future accidents, thereby avoiding associated costs and liabilities.

Task 3: Setting suitable health and safety targets

Suitability of the target action table:

The target action table provided aims to reduce recorded accidents by 50%, which is a specific
and measurable goal and also shows management’s commitment to health and
Safety.However, the actions required to achieve this target need to be more comprehensive and
detailed. Here’s an evaluation of the table:

1. Specific and Clarity Target : The target is clear, but the actions required should be more
detailed. For example, monitoring accident statistics on a monthly basis is important, but it
should include who will be responsible for this task and how the data will be used.
2. Training: Training workers on accident reporting is crucial, but it should also include training
on safety procedures, emergency response, and regular refresher courses.
3. Responsibility: Top Management has to be responsible, which is good for accountability.
However, the involvement of middle management and safety representatives should also be
specified.
4. Measured Timeframe: The 12-month timeframe is realistic, but there should be interim
milestones to track progress and make necessary adjustments.
5. Additional Actions: The table should include actions such as conducting regular safety audits,
updating risk assessments, implementing safety drills, and establishing a safety committee.
6. Employee Involvement: Engaging employees in safety discussions and feedback should be
part of the actions to ensure their buy-in and adherence to safety protocols.
7. Communication: Clear communication channels for reporting hazards and near-misses
should be established and maintained.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation: There should be a mechanism for evaluating the effectiveness of
the implemented actions and making continuous improvements.

Overall, while the target action table sets a good starting point, it needs to be more
comprehensive and detailed to effectively improve the health and safety management system
performance.

Task 4: Influencing health and safety culture

Negative indicators of health and safety culture at the bakery:

1. Lack of Training: Insufficient training for new and existing employees on safety procedures
and emergency response.
2. Pressure to Cut Corners: Directors often allow workers to bypass safety measures to meet
deadlines, prioritizing productivity over safety.
3. Poor Reporting and Record-Keeping: Accidents and near-misses are not formally reported,
and maintenance records are not adequately maintained.
4. Inadequate Emergency Procedures: No clear emergency procedures or protocols in place,
leading to chaos during the accident.
5. Lack of Safety Representatives: No designated health and safety representatives to address
safety issues or communicate safety concerns.
6. Outdated Risk Assessments: Risk assessments are out of date and not regularly reviewed or
updated.
7. Reactive rather than Proactive Approach: Safety measures are reactive, addressing issues
only after incidents occur rather than proactively preventing them.
8. Poor Communication: Lack of clear communication channels for reporting hazards or safety
concerns.
9. Neglect of Maintenance: Maintenance of machinery is informal and not systematically
documented, leading to potential safety hazards.
10. Low Employee Morale: Employees feel blamed for not meeting targets and are traumatized
by witnessing severe accidents, leading to high turnover and absenteeism.

Task 5: Prioritizing health and safety issues

Ten health and safety issues for the committee to prioritize:

1. Updating and Regularly Reviewing Risk Assessments: Ensuring risk assessments are current
and comprehensive.
2. Establishing Formal Accident and Near-Miss Reporting Systems: Creating a systematic
approach for reporting and analyzing incidents.
3. Implementing Comprehensive Safety Training Programs: Providing ongoing safety and
emergency response training for all employees.
4. Developing and Communicating Emergency Procedures: Establishing clear emergency
protocols and conducting regular drills.
5. Ensuring Proper Maintenance and Inspection Records: Keeping detailed records of all
maintenance and inspections for machinery.
6. Installing Temperature Monitoring Systems: Ensuring ovens and other hazardous areas have
functional temperature gauges and monitoring systems.
7. Providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensuring availability and proper use of PPE
for all employees.
8. Establishing Health and Safety Representatives: Designating and training representatives to
address safety concerns and facilitate communication.
9. Improving Workplace Environment and Conditions: Addressing factors such as temperature
control, lighting, and ergonomic conditions.
10. Fostering a Positive Safety Culture: Promoting a culture where safety is prioritized, and
employees feel empowered to report concerns without fear of reprisal.

Task 6: Training recommendations

Training recommendations to prevent a repeat of the recent accident:

1. Comprehensive Safety Induction: For all new employees, covering general workplace safety,
specific hazards, and emergency procedures.
2. Specialized Training for Maintenance Engineers: Focused on safe maintenance practices,
proper use of tools, and emergency response.
3. Emergency Response Training: Regular drills and training on how to respond to different
types of emergencies, including fire and rescue operations.
4. First Aid Training: Up-to-date first aid training for a sufficient number of employees, ensuring
immediate response capability.
5. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Training on the correct selection, use, and
maintenance of PPE.
6. Hazard Identification and Reporting: Training all employees on identifying potential hazards
and reporting them promptly.
7. Safety Leadership Training for Managers: Equipping managers with the skills to promote and
enforce a safety-first culture.
8. Communication Skills: Training on effective communication, particularly for reporting safety
issues and conducting safety briefings.
9. Machine-Specific Training: Detailed training on the safe operation and maintenance of
specific machinery used in the bakery.
10. Mental Health and Well-being Training: Providing support and training to help employees
cope with stress and trauma, promoting overall well-being.

Task 7: Emergency procedures

(a) Why do emergency procedures need to be developed?

1. Ensuring Safety: To protect the health and safety of employees, customers,

and visitors in the event of an emergency.
2. Compliance with Regulations: To meet legal and regulatory requirements for workplace
safety. This would save them from violation fines
3. Minimizing Damage and Loss: To reduce the potential impact of emergencies on people,
property, and operations, this will ensure that lives are not lost like the case of the two workers
from the scenario.
4. Improving Preparedness: To ensure that employees know how to respond effectively during
emergencies, reducing panic and confusion.
5. Maintaining Business Continuity: To ensure that the business can recover and resume
operations as quickly as possible after an emergency.

(b) What could have contributed to the failure of the emergency arrangements during the recent
accident?

1. Lack of Training: Employees were not trained on how to respond to the emergency, leading to
confusion and delays.
2. No Clear Emergency Procedures: Absence of established procedures for entering the oven
and rescuing trapped workers.
3. Inadequate Communication: Workers inside the oven were unable to communicate effectively
with those outside, delaying the rescue.
4. No Designated Emergency Leaders: No one was in charge to take control of the situation and
coordinate the rescue efforts.
5. Lack of Emergency Equipment: No tools or equipment available to reverse the conveyor belt
or safely remove workers from the oven.
6. Unfamiliarity with Equipment: Workers were unfamiliar with the specialized tools required to
safely enter and exit the oven.
7. Outdated First Aid Training: First aid training was outdated, and many trained individuals had
left the organization.
8. Poor Record-Keeping: Lack of proper maintenance records, making it difficult to identify and
rectify safety issues promptly.
9. Complacency and Assumptions: Assumptions that the oven was cool enough to enter without
checking temperature gauges.
10. Pressure to Meet Deadlines: Pressure to complete the order led to cutting corners and
bypassing safety measures.
Task 8: Investigating incidents

Reactive (lagging) monitoring measures that could be put in place:

1. Accident and Incident Reports: Detailed documentation and analysis of all accidents and
incidents to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
2. Near-Miss Reports: Recording and investigating near-misses to address potential hazards
before they result in accidents , this will also improve the work safety culture of the organization.
3. Injury and Illness Records: Maintaining records of work-related injuries and illnesses to
monitor trends and identify areas for improvement as the organization have a poor record of
documentation.
4. Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR): Tracking the frequency of lost-time injuries to
assess the effectiveness of safety measures.
5. Severity Rates: Measuring the severity of injuries to understand the impact and identify
high-risk areas using past incidents as focus points.
6. Workers’ Compensation Claims: Analyzing claims data to identify common causes and
implement preventative measures.
7. Inspection and Audit Reports: Regularly reviewing inspection and audit reports to ensure
compliance and identify areas for improvement of the organization.
8. Safety Performance Reviews: Conducting periodic reviews of safety performance to assess
progress and make necessary adjustments.
9. Employee Feedback: Gathering feedback from employees on safety concerns and
suggestions for improvement as the scenario suggests timidity on the part of employees.
10. Benchmarking: Comparing safety performance with industry standards and best practices to
identify gaps and implement improvements.