Chapter 14 dessler 12-ce_ppt_ch14

Chapter 14: Occupational Health and
Safety

Occupational Health and Safety | 14-1

Copyright © 2014 Pearson Canada Inc. All rights reserved.

Dessler, Chhinzer, Cole
Human Resources
Management in Canada
Canadian Twelfth Edition

Learning Outcomes

• EXPLAIN WHMIS legislation.
• ANALYZE in detail three basic causes of
accidents.



• ANALYZE the responsibilities and rights of
employees and employers under occupational
health and safety legislation.

Learning Outcomes

• EXPLAIN why employee wellness programs
are becoming increasingly popular.
• DISCUSS six major employee health issues
at work and RECOMMEND how they should
be handled.


• DESCRIBE how accidents at work can be
prevented.

Strategic Importance of
Occupational Health and Safety

• in 2007 there were 1,055 deaths and
317,524 injuries resulting from accidents
at work
• workplace accidents can be prevented



• investment in disability and wellness
programs create bottom-line returns

Occupational Health and
Safety (OHS) Legislation

• intended to minimize work-related accidents
and illnesses
• laws fall into three categories:
• general health and safety rules
• rules for specific industries (e.g. mining)
• rules related to specific hazards (e.g. asbestos)



• based on principle of joint responsibility
between workers and employers

reserved.
Copyright © 2014 Pearson Canada Inc. All rights reserved

Sample OHS Legislation


Employer Responsibilities
• take every precaution to ensure the health
and safety of workers (due diligence)
•
•
•
•

filing government accident reports
maintaining records
ensuring that safety rules are enforced
posting safety notices and legislative information



• specific duties include:

Employees Responsibilities
and Rights

• includes wearing protective clothing and
equipment, and reporting contravention of
the law
• basic rights:
• to know about workplace safety hazards
• to participate in the OHS process
• to refuse unsafe work


• take reasonable care to protect their own
health and safety, and that of co-workers

Joint Health and
Safety Committees

• usually consists of between 2 and 12
members, at least half of whom represent
workers
• in small workplaces, one health and safety
representative may be required


• non-adversarial atmosphere where
management and labour can work
together to ensure a safe and healthy
workplace

The Supervisor’s Role in Safety
• ensure that workers comply with
occupational health and safety regulations

• safety-minded managers must aim to instill
in their workers the desire to work safely



• advise and instruct workers about safety

Enforcement of OHS Laws
• periodic government inspections of
workplace

• “corporate killing”: a criminal offence, failure
to ensure an appropriate level of safety in
the workplace



• penalties consist of fines and/or jail terms

Workplace Hazardous Materials
Information System (WHMIS)
• control of toxic substances
• labelling of hazardous material containers
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• employee training



• three components:

reserved.

WHMIS Symbols


continued

reserved.

WHMIS Symbols


reserved.

MSDS Sample


OHS and Other Legislation
• other legislation covers:

• may lead to confusion:
• is the right to wear a ceremonial knife more
important than the safety of other employees?
• are workplace fights or sexual harassment a safety
hazard?



• human rights
• labour relations
• employment standards

What Causes Accidents?

• unsafe conditions
• equipment, procedures, storage, illumination,
ventilation
• job itself, work schedule, psychological
climate
• unsafe acts
• carrying/lifting, operating speed, avoiding
safety devices/equipment, horseplay,
quarrelling, etc.


• chance occurrences
• beyond management control

reserved.

Risk from Workplace Violence


Personal Characteristics
Human traits related to accident repetition:

• vision

• age
• perceptual versus motor skills



• literacy

reserved.

Personal Factors
Influencing Accidents


How to Prevent Accidents
• reduce unsafe conditions:

• reduce unsafe acts:
•
•
•
•

selection testing
top-management commitment
training and education
positive reinforcement



• job design, remove physical hazards
• ensure safety precautions are taken

Controlling Workers’
Compensation Costs
• before the accident:

• after the accident:
•
•
•
•

provide first aid and ensure medical attention
show interest in the injured worker
document/file accident reports
encourage speedy return to work



• accident prevention measures

OHS Challenges in Canada
• substance abuse

• job-related stress
• workplace toxins
• workplace smoking
• viral pandemic

• violence at work


• repetitive strain injuries

Substance Abuse and the Law
• human rights law (disability) vs. OHS laws
(due diligence requirement)
1. rationally connected to performance of the job
2. adopted in honest and good-faith belief that it is
necessary for fulfillment of work-related purpose
3. reasonably necessary to the accomplishment of
the work-related purpose



• testing is only legal if test is:

Substance Abuse Testing
• random testing is illegal
• forbid drugs/alcohol in workplace
• require testing for “safety-sensitive” jobs
• require testing “for cause” or “post-incident”

• positive tests must result in
accommodation
• immediate termination is not generally
justifiable


• employers can:

Dealing with Substance Abuse
• look for signs of impairment

• refer troubled employees to employee
assistance program (EAP)

• techniques for dealing with substance abuse:
•
•
•
•

discipline
discharge
in-house counselling
referral to outside agency



• make written record of observed behaviour

Job-Related Stress
• high demand job
• high levels of mental
and physical effort


Personal Factors:
• Type A personalities
• patience, tolerance
for ambiguity
• self-esteem
• health and exercise,
work/sleep patterns
• non-job-related
problems


Environmental Factors:

reserved.

Warning Signs of Job Stress


Reducing Job Stress
• Employee can:

• Employer/supervisor can:
•
•
•
•

offer an EAP
identify symptoms of stress
ensure fair treatment
permit employee to have more control



• get more sleep, eat better, take vacation, meditate,
find a more suitable job, get counselling, organize
activities

Burnout

• avoiding burnout:
•
•
•
•
•

break patterns
get away from it all periodically
reassess goals
think about work
reduce stress



• total depletion caused by excessive
striving to reach unrealistic work-related
goals

Workers’ Compensation and
Stress-Related Disability Claims

• limited or no coverage for chronic stress,
in some jurisdictions

• attitude is that stress has multiple causes



• benefits for post-traumatic stress from
specific and sudden workplace incidents

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
• activity-related soft-tissue injuries
•
•
•
•

advise and train workers about RSI’s
identify and assess RSI risk factors
encourage reporting of RSI symptoms early
use ergonomic interventions

• ergonomics:
• the art of fitting work equipment to the individual



• employers must:

continued

reserved.

Ergonomics Example

reserved.

Ergonomics Example


Workplace Toxins and Smoking
Toxins:
• cancer is leading cause of work-related deaths

Smoking:
• smoking is banned in most workplaces

• Health Canada is urging employers to
implement smoking cessation programs


• new chemicals and substances are introduced
into the workplace without adequate testing

Viral Pandemic
• many organizations do not have a plan

• HR will be relied upon to respond to a
pandemic:
• telecommuting
• compensation for absent employees
• occupational health for onsite employees



• impact of a pandemic will be absenteeism,
estimated at 35 percent

Violence at Work

• human rights laws prohibit forms of
harassment and bullying
• employers may be liable on the basis of
negligence or failure to respond to violent
acts



• legislation covers physical violence; some
jurisdictions include
psychological/emotional violence

reserved.

Reports of Abuse by
Nurses on Patients


Prevention and Control of
Workplace Violence
• identify jobs with high risk of violence

• institute workplace violence policy
• heighten security measures
• provide workplace violence training
• improve employee screening



• create a healthy work environment

Employee Wellness Programs

• measurable outcomes related to
productivity, recruitment/retention, and
profit

• often include stress management,
nutrition/weight management, smoking
cessation programs, tai chi, heart
health/physical fitness programs,
ergonomics, etc.


• proactive approach to employee health and
well-being

reserved.

Employee Wellness
Program Benefits


Chapter 14 dessler 12-ce_ppt_ch14

Recomendados

Recomendados

Mais conteúdo relacionado

Mais procurados

Mais procurados (20)

Destaque

Destaque (20)

Semelhante a Chapter 14 dessler 12-ce_ppt_ch14

Semelhante a Chapter 14 dessler 12-ce_ppt_ch14 (20)

Último

Último (20)

Chapter 14 dessler 12-ce_ppt_ch14