Corporate E-Learning

Those who are in management are responsible for protecting the safety of their employees. Workplace safety, however, is the responsibility of everyone in an organization. Companies have legal obligations to meet certain safety requirements, but many go further than the minimum obligations. Safety standards and procedures must be put in place, and everyone needs to follow the standards in order for them to be effective.

Workplace safety is a legal obligation for all organizations. The Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970 led to further safety requirements in different industries. OSHA is a federal agency that oversees employee safety on a federal level, but there may be tighter state legislation. It is essential that every company understand safety legislation along with the roles and responsibilities the legislation requires. This understanding will help create and implement an effective workplace safety plan.

Keeping a safe workplace requires employers to identify and deal with hazards. Each industry has its own set of hazards, but there are workplace hazards that are common across organizations. The hazards in this module are examples of typical hazards. By identifying and anticipating hazards, employers can prevent injuries and keep employees safe.

Managers have an important role in workplace safety. They have the responsibility to promote safety by dialoging with employees. Managers must also lead by example. A manager who ignores safety cannot expect employees to follow the rules and guidelines. Managers help drive the corporate culture, so it is essential that they embrace the safety program and help shape it.

Policies and procedures are not enough to improve safety. All employees need workplace safety training. There are different ways to train employees such as onsite, by video, or in meetings. The circumstances will determine which method will be the most effective. Any effective workplace safety program outlines clear expectations for employee training.

Stress is uncomfortable, but it can also be dangerous. Stress and depression can cause serious health problems. The actions that people take to combat stress such as smoking, drinking, overeating, and under eating can make any stress-related health problems worse. Stress management is an important part of workplace safety that far too many people ignore.

Homicide is the fourth leading cause of workplace fatalities. While incidents of homicide and workplace violence have dropped in recent years, it is still a risk that safety programs need to address. Everyone should know how to identify workplace violence and address it if it does happen.

A safe work environment can only be attained when the hazards are known. It is important to inspect the workplace regularly for any changes and to make sure that the policies and procedures are being followed. Regular inspections make employers aware of deficiencies so they can prioritize them. Inspections also help evaluate how effective the current policies are.

Many people suffer from addictions to drugs and alcohol. Employees who abuse alcohol or drugs are more likely to make decisions that are not safe. Substance abuse increases sick time, decreases productivity, and leads to accidents. Employers need to address alcohol and drug abuse to protect the company and their employees.

Once you have identified the different hazards that your organization faces and you understand the legal safety requirements for your business, you can draft a safety plan. We have already addressed the basic elements of a safety plan, but it cannot be stressed enough that managers and employees must be involved in order for a plan to be successful.

Managers and employees need to work together to successfully implement a safety plan. In order for this to happen, the roles and responsibilities must be clear. Employee representatives and committees have a clear role that will help implement the safety plan, and evaluate the plan for necessary changes.

Although this workshop is coming to a close, we hope that your journey to improve your workplace safety is just beginning. Please take a moment to review and update your action plan. This will be a key tool to guide your progress in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. We wish you the best of luck on the rest of your travels!