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UNIT 4 SECTION
INDUSTRIAL 5
RELATIONS Unit 4, section 5: Workplace health and safety programmes
What this section seeks to do is to outline what health and safety measures
can and should be put in place at workplaces. This section will enable you to
know just what occupational health and safety programmes there are and so
enable you know how to develop a workplace health and safety programme.
We hope you will find this session beneficial. All the best in your reading.
Second, the policy defines the means by which such intent will be realized
and third, a statement of the guidelines that should be followed by everyone
concerned. This is where responsibilities are allocated and disciplinary
measures are outlined.
Identifying the hazard – This is simply compiling the list of all the things or
situations that have the potential to cause harm. Eg. Strong chemicals.
Assessing the risk – there are two types of risk analysis, namely,
Quantitative and Qualitative.
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Taking action – after the risk has been assessed action must be taken. The
action must be taken in a ranked or ordered potential effectiveness. This is
referred to as safety precedence sequence”.
Hazard elimination – use alternatives, design improvements and change
the process of doing things
Substitution – e.g. replacement of a dangerous chemical with one which
is less risky
Use of barriers – removing the hazard from the worker or the worker
from the hazard.
Use of warning systems – e.g. sign posts, instructions, labels etc
Use of protective clothing and equipments – helmet, nose masks, gloves
etc.
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INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Unit 4, section 5: Workplace health and safety programmes
The work place health and safety training would be effective when the
content is designed in consultation with employees or their representatives.
The content of such training may include:
Pertinent aspects of OHS legislation, such as the rights, responsibilities
and duties of all involved persons or groups
The nature and degree of hazards or risk as well as factors that may
influence the risks such as appropriate clothing
The correct and effective use of prevention, control and protection
measures especially technical controls (e.g. fire extinguisher) and the
employees’ own responsibility for using these measures
Procedures to be followed in cases of emergency
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Welfare services
Welfare services may be provided for matters concerning workers but which
are not directly and immediately connected with their work. These services
are often provided for two main reasons, namely, social and economic.
Welfare services may be used as a social responsibility of organizations
towards those who work in them or for economic gains, as a way of
increasing the moral and loyalty of workers to work harder and to increase
productivity. Examples are:
Child care facilities
Sports and recreational facilities
Bereavement support
Counseling for domestic problems
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Self-Assessment Questions
1) State the first two stages in conducting a risk analysis at work.
2) List two personal protective equipment and/ or clothing you know.
3) What two things can be done in a workplace emergency situation?
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Unit 4, section 5: Workplace
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