Why Occupational Health and Safety Ought to be a Requirement in all Workplaces

Image source: kayaconnect.org

Most people would agree that occupational health and safety is important in all workplaces. After all, who would want to work in a place where they risk injury or illness, notes health and safety specialist Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D., CSP.

 

However, as Capt. Martin Sanders explains people do not realize that occupational health and safety is not just about preventing accidents; it's also about creating a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.

A Safe Work Environment For All

 

There are many essential benefits to having a robust occupational health and safety program. For example, it can help reduce the number of workplace injuries and illnesses, saving businesses money on workers' compensation costs. It can also improve employee morale and productivity while creating a safer work environment.

 

There are many valid reasons to have an occupational health and safety program, but there are also some important things to keep in mind when creating one. Here are a few tips as shared by Capt. Martin Sanders:

 

·         Ensure that everyone is aware of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations that apply to their work.

 

·         Educate the people who work in the area about potential hazards in the workplace and how to avoid them.

 

·         Ensure that every piece of machinery and equipment is adequately maintained and safe to use.

 

·         Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees who may be exposed to hazardous materials or conditions.

 

·         Establish emergency procedures for dealing with accidents and incidents.

 

·         Regularly inspect the workplace to identify potential hazards and correct them.

 

By following these tips, you can create a safe and healthy work environment for your employees and help reduce the risk of workplace dangers and hazards. 

 

Would you add more to the list? If so, what tips would you include? Feel free to share them with Capt. Martin Sanders in the comments below.

 

For more discussions on occupational health and safety by Capt. Martin Sanders, Ph.D., CSP, bookmark this link.

 

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.

 

Psychological safety as it relates to occupational health

Martin Sanders has developed a keen eye for matters that affect occupational health and safety because he truly understands its purpose. In fact, a lot of the success of occupational health and safety has to do with other aspects, which may not be obvious. In this entry, he talks about psychological safety as it relates to occupational health.

In Canada, psychological safety has become more inclusive in occupational health and safety policy, as directed by no less than the government. Prince Edward Island (PEI) Director of Occupational Safety Danny Miller himself pointed out the responsibility of employers in ensuring the safety of their people. He also made particular mention of the prevention of harassment in the workplace.

The need to revisit regulations and take in newer inclusions have undoubtedly resulted from a 2013 incident, which saw an employee die due to workplace bullying and other forms of workplace stress, based on the findings of the Workers Compensation Board.

While some things still need to be ironed out in the actual legislation that would take in new inclusions, the PEI government has already issued a statement notifying all employers of the changes that will eventually take effect. In the meantime, they are expected to take the time and the effort to prepare themselves and their organizations for the new rules.

Image source: hrmagazine.co.uk

This development is a testament to the quick recognition of the people in authority of the reality of workplace bullying and harassment, especially how this can pose a threat to employees' lives in the workplace.

As an expert in occupational safety and health, Capt. Martin Sanders has been helping out many business institutions in keeping their workforce more resilient against various challenges. For more updates, visit this page.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.

Common health hazards at work and how to prevent them

 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration regards workplace hazards as risks or those threatening a workplace duty or environment. If these hazards remain unattended and unassessed, they could lead to injuries and illnesses among employees. Employers are given the responsibility to provide employees a safe and secure space to work, shares Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D.

Image source: opensourcedworkplace.com

Among the workplace hazards present in the workplace are biological hazards, physical hazards, and chemical hazards. Biological hazards come from organisms, animals, plants, and humans, posing a threat to a person’s health. Typical examples of these are molds, blood, bodily fluids, and sewage. In general, people experience allergic reactions when exposed to these, causing them to pause from work.

Image source: workplaceemergencymanagement.com.au

Workplace hazards that are corrosive, toxic, combustible, and flammable are called chemical hazards. These put a person’s life at risk when they inhale, ingest, or touch it. Harmful and acute burns, vomiting, irritation, asthma, and other chronic or critical issues may arise from these. Physical hazards deal with natural elements and activities in a workplace that can put a person’s life in danger. Poor air quality, extreme temperatures, excessive noise, and radiation exposure are categorized as physical hazards, which can cause hearing impairment, cancer, respiratory issues, and other health problems.

According to Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D., the best way to prevent these is to employ safety managers in the workplace to reduce the consequences of environmental hazards. They investigate and analyze the workplace environment to effect necessary changes or health and safety standards to prevent employees from falling due to environmental hazards.

Captain Martin Sanders, Ph.D., has over a decade of service in the occupational safety and health sector. He possesses extensive experience in biological defense activities and infectious disease outbreak investigations. Head over to this blog for more updates.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, or the United States Government.

The significance of workplace safety: A review

 

Martin Sanders has written quite a number of articles and blogs on workplace safety, simply because there is arguably nothing more important when it comes to the workplace. Following safety protocols should not only be mandatory; it should also be a priority. 

Image source: tradexsa.co.za

Decades ago, workplace safety was not really given the importance it deserved. However, today, businesses and management teams have become more aware to the many risks and hazards their offices and workplaces present. Building safety inspections have become stricter, laying down more requirements than ever before.

Nowadays, the existence of health hazards in a workplace can have more than just accidents as a consequence. It can be damaging to the reputation of a company. It can lead to lowered or even lack of productivity. It can negatively affect workplace moral. It can have legal repercussions, too. In fact, not fixing any safety issue in the workplace can now be considered a criminal act, and even more so, when an employee gets hurt, injured, or worse because of it. 

Image source: content.wisestep.com

Martin Sanders explains that while workplace safety primarily affects people’s lives, the absence of it will reach way beyond employee hospital bills. As such, it is for the best of everyone involved, and this includes the business owners and their clients, that companies put workplace safety above all.

Capt. Martin Sanders, Ph.D., has years of experience in the field of occupational safety and health. He recently obtained a certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. For similar reads, visit this page.

Disclaimer: This site was prepared by Martin L. Sanders in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the USPHS, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government.

Improving Physical, Mental, And Emotional Health In The Workplace

Work health is important because it’s the law. More and more companies notice that productivity loss is the result of declining health of their employees. Not only should employees’ physical health be in check, but their mental and emotional health, too.

Image source: personneltoday.com

Occupational health and safety endeavors promote and cultivate a healthy and safe work environment for all persons in the work field. Other than helping protect employers and employees, these advocacies also look after other persons who might possibly be affected in the workplace environment. In the United States, “occupational health and safety” refers to occupational health and occupational and non-occupational safety, including activities outside the workplace. 

A 60 percent decrease in workplace deaths and a 40 percent downturn in workplace illnesses and injuries were noted since the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Now, organizations work toward providing their employees with avenues that proactively support physical and mental health to promote engagement and increase productivity, and as a result, reducing absenteeism in the workplace. 

Companies must make a conscious effort to reduce workplace anxiety triggers, help their staff improve their resilience, coping skills, and physical and mental well-being, guide them in building their own health awareness, encourage them to become more physically active, and assist them in choosing healthier options. Another thing that organizations are doing to improve their employees’ holistic health is providing them access to devices for managing personal, relational, financial, and other challenges. 

Image source: fryemedctr.com

Captain Martin Sanders has more than 12 years of service in the occupational safety and health sector. He possesses extensive experience in biological defense activities and infectious disease outbreak investigation. For similar reads, subscribe to his blog.