TOPIC 2

SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAMME

 LEARNING OUTCOME
• Explain the three conditions and aspects to consider in the
development of a safety and health programme and the purpose
of the programme;

• Describe the factors that determine the success and

effectiveness of a safety and health programme;

• Examine the importance of emergency and medical planning;

and

• Discuss the importance of first aiders and first aid boxes.

 2.1 DEVELOPING A SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAMME

• The maintenance of safety and health of an organisation

depends on the safety and health programmes
established by the safety and health committee with the
consensus of the management.
• In the process of developing the safety and health
programmes, there are objectives that should be taken
into consideration including, to reduce injuries and
illnesses which will in turn improve workersÊ morale and
the productivity of the company
Other objectives of a safety and health programme are to ensure
that:
Other objectives of a safety and health programme are to ensure that:
(a) The company has a direction and commitment for safety and health which includes policies
and procedures for all employees and other interested parties;

(b) All misunderstanding and misconceptions related to specific safety and health activity or
issues are clarified;
(c) The practice of safety and health at the workplace is part of the objectives for performance
measurement;

(d) There are written safety and health rules and procedures for everyone to follow;

(e) All activities have been integrated with safety and health requirements; and

(f) Proper communication tools are established for safety and health
communication.
• When developing a safety and health plan, another aspect
to consider is that of legal requirements. Legal
requirements should act as a guide for developing the
plan.
• For example, in the Occupational Safety and Health Act
(OSHA) 1994, employers are required to investigate and
report accidents and injuries.
• This is an indication that there must be an accident
investigation team to investigate accidents or near-misses.
To improve employee awareness on legal and other areas
of operation,
Reduces the companys insurance premium;
• (A) Reduces the indirect costs of accidents;
• (B) Prevents potential negative impact on the companys
image or reputation;
• (C) Reduces physiological effects on employees due to
accidents;
• (D) Reduces long term or permanent disability cases;
• (E) Improves employees morale and loyalty;
• (F) Increases productivity; and
• (G) Makes employees proud to be a part of the company.
2.2 FACTOR DETERMINING THE SUCCESS OF A
SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAMME
• There are four factors in determining the success of a
safety and health programme, including:
(a) The managements commitment and employees
involvement;
(b) Worksite analysis;
(c) Hazards prevention and control; and
(d) Safety and health training.
 2.2.1 Management commitment and employees
involvement
The managements commitment and employeesÊ involvement are
the most important factors in determining the effectiveness of a
safety and health programme. These two factors complement each
other. The absence or deficiency of either one will affect the
effectiveness of the programme.
The managements commitment and view on the importance of
workplace safety and health serves as a source of motivation and
resources for the organisation to plan, organise, implement and
control activities in the organisation. The management should
encourage employees involvement by providing opportunities for
development.
• The written safety and health policy should consist of the
following elements to ensure its effective implementation:
(a) Responsibility and accountability;
(b) Management visibility and support; and
(c) Management representative in the safety and health
consultative committee.
• The safety and health policy should be reviewed
periodically to ensure that it remains relevant and
appropriate to the organisation.
• Several examples of safety and health programmes to be communicated to
all levels of employees are listed as follows:
• (a) Hazards communication programme;
• (b) Emergency action plan;
• (c) Fire prevention plan;
• (d) Emergency response plan;
• (e) Permit-required confined space plan;
• (f) Lockout/tagout;
• (g) Personal protective equipment;
• (h) Respiratory protection;
• (i) Process safety management;
• (j) Incident investigation; and
• (k) Safety and health audit.
• Since safety and health programmes are a management-
driven activity, it is therefore crucial for the management
to provide visibility and involvement in implementing the
safety and health programme through:
(a) Commitment to safety and health policies;
(b) The establishment of a safety and health consultative
committee; and
(c) Involvement in providing resources for safety and health
programmes.
2.2.2 WORKSITE ANALYSIS
• Worksite analysis is an activity that should be included in the safety and
health programme. The purpose of this activity is to identify hazards and
potential hazards that may exist in work processes and in the working
environment. The following tasks are performed to identify workplace hazards
or potential hazards:
a) Conduct comprehensive periodical surveys on hazards identification;
(b) Analyse new processes, methods, materials, equipment and installation;
(c) Conduct job hazards analysis;
(d) Conduct regular site safety and health inspection; and
(e) Provide a system that is reprisal-free for employees, which will notify
management of hazardous conditions.
2.2.3 HAZARDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL
• Once hazards or potential hazards are identified, the management
must establish procedures to prevent exposure to employees and to
control the hazards. The procedures should include the hierarchy of
control to ensure that the priority for hazards prevention is followed
accordingly. Hazards prevention and control measures include:
(a) Elimination;
(b) Substitution;
(c) Isolation;
(d) Engineering control;
(e) Administrative control; and
(f) Personal protective equipment PPE.
2.2.4 SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING
• Effective safety and health training addresses:
(a) The responsibility of everyone in the organisation to
ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and
know what to do with regards to safety and health
programmes;
(b) The integration of safety and health training into other
trainings; and
(c) The complexity of the safety and health training,
depending on the size and complexity of the workplace and
the nature of hazards that employees are exposed to.
• Supervisors are expected to be more knowledgeable on
safety and health to enable them to carry out their safety
and health responsibilities, which include:
(a) Analysing the work under their supervision to identify
potential hazards;
(b) Maintaining physical protection measures at the
workplace;
(c) Reinforcing employee training through continual
performance feedback; and
(d) Enforcing safe work practices