Workplace Safety & Health :- Responsibilities & Duties
Under health and safety legislation all persons on site have a legal responsibility to conduct their activities in a safe manner.The workplace safety give everyone responsibilities.
Where these responsibilities are not carried out people like you can be injured or killed, others could be prosecuted. Many people are getting injuries, amputations and fatal every year; several thousand are seriously injured. Fines can be thousands of pounds for Companies and individuals that break the regulations and could even result in imprisonment.
SAFE OPERATIONS IS AN RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY EMPLOYEE
The Department's injury prevention program cannot be achieved unless employees are dedicated to the prevention of accidents. Through the safety organization, all employees play an important part in making the job a safe and healthful place in which to work. However, improvement can only be made as we become aware of areas needing improvement. This job must be done by everyone bringing hazards to the attention of their supervisors immediately.
All new employees need to be informed of Department safety policies upon hire. The newcomer is normally unfamiliar with the operations. He/she is not experienced in safe operating procedures or the use of protective safety equipment. He/she will have to be shown, perhaps many times, how to work safely and how to prevent accidents from happening to themselves or to their fellow employees.
The older, more experienced worker has their own set of safety problems. They may become lax, taking shortcuts in their work operations or neglecting to use protective safety equipment because of that "safe" feeling brought about the familiarity.
Supervision alone cannot accomplish the safety task. It can only be accomplished as you cooperate. You are personally obligated to your fellow employees, and to yourself to recognize and suggest ways to improve the safety and health conditions in the workplace. Each person must in some way become his own "safety engineer".
As you keep a sharp eye out for job hazards, and as you personally set a good example of safe workmanship, you will contribute much toward the health and well-being of yourself and your co-workers.
Employers: Must provide you with a safe place of work, safe equipment and the necessary instruction and training to enable you to carry out your work safely.
Employees: Must take reasonable care to ensure that no person - yourself included - suffers because of the way that you work.
Employee must help employer to carry out his responsibilities by: -
- Not interfering with items provided for your safety.
- By using equipment given to you for your protection and by not abusing it. For example, Helmets, Goggles, Foot Wear and Hearing Protection.
- By telling your foreman of any hazards that you notice which could affect you or other people’s safety.
It shall be the duty of every employee while at work……..
- To take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work and OFF DUTY.
- As regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to cooperate with him so far as it is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.
- No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of Health, Safety or Welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.
Main Points
- You must take reasonable care of your own safety and the safety of others – by what you do and what you don’t do!!
- Comply with statutory Process/Procedures, Rules & Regulations for health and safety regulations set by Company at all the time.
- Co-operate with your employer in matters of safety and health.
- Report to your employer any dangers or defects that may endanger you or others – this may be in plant or equipment or indeed in systems of work.
- Immediate reporting of all incident / accident.
- Immediately STOP all UNSAFE ACT AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS & Report.
- Promoting safe practices at workplaces
- Continuous monitoring of all safety related documents, reports and issues to keep them updated.
- Continuous inspection of workplace, to ensure a hazard-free environment
- Verification of tools and equipment to ensure good quality
- All mandatory PPE’s must be used at all the time. Make use of and not abuse Personal Protective Equipment supplied to you – this is for your own protection.
- Participate in mock drills and exercises on managing emergency situations
- Participation in the all the Health & Safety Communications / Awareness program
- You must NEVER interfere with or misuse any safety device / guard provided for Take full care for the health and safety of yourself and Co-workers.
Some Examples: -
- If you work on a scaffold provided by another company your supervisor must ensure that it is safe for you to use. Therefore, if you notice anything, which you consider unsafe, point it out.
- If you need a ladder or a pair of steps, do not remove from elsewhere before ensuring that you are not putting someone else at risk.
- If you strike shuttering which leaves an opening, make sure it is covered or guarded before you leave it. The same applies if you are permitted to remove a guardrail or cover for the passage of materials or services, make sure it goes back - DO NOT LEAVE A TRAP FOR OTHERS.
- If you are working or having to pass alongside openings i.e. Floors or excavations, which are unguarded, your supervisor must ensure that they are protected even though you may have not been responsible for making the hazard.
- Study your company’s safety policy, which explains the arrangements made for your health and safety.
- You have a legal duty to take reasonable care of your own health and safety at work.
- You also have a legal duty regarding the health and safety of the people you work with and members of the public.
- When protective clothing and /or equipment is issued for your use - wear and or / use it as instructed.
- Play your part in keeping the site TIDY AND SAFE.
- Watch out for warning notices and OBEY the warning signs.
- Always keep alert if you are working in the vicinity of mobile plant.
- Never attempt to operate a machine unless you have been trained and authorized to do so.
- Never ride on machines, which have no passenger seat. It is illegal.
- Never interfere with ladders or alter scaffolding or move boards unless you are properly authorized to do so.
- Never throw anything from scaffolding or any height. Lower it properly.
- Do not take short cuts, use the access provided.
- Lifting heavy objects or materials can cause injury. Obtain assistance when necessary.
- Immediately report any Property damage, unsafe circumstances, to Supervisor & Safety Department
- Report all accidents involving injury, however slight, to your supervisor & safety department. Details of an accident necessitating first-aid treatment MUST be entered in the Accident Book.
- If in doubt about your job, ask your supervisor.
- Construction Sites are particularly inviting to young children. Your co-operation in discouraging children from entering site will help to reduce accidents to them.
- All materials, which would be liable to cause injury if they fall, should be stacked, or stored to prevent easy displacement. Temporary but secure and stable racking should be used when appropriate.
ADVICE TO SUPERVISORS
Study HSE policy which lays down the organizations arrangements for the health and safety of persons you care.
As a supervisor you are the link between Senior Management and Operatives and you have a direct responsibility for ensuring that the HSE Policy is implemented by yourself and personnel under your control.
When given instructions, ensure that: -
- There is a safe means of access to his work place.
- The work place is safe.
- There is a safe system of work.
- Any plant and equipment required to do the work is safe and suitable.
- The operative has received adequate information, training and / or instruction to carry out the work.
When protective equipment and clothing is needed by personnel ensure that it is available, issued and used correctively.
Prevent accidents by advanced planning of all activities including the familiar ones. In nearly all accidents unsafe conditions and/or unsafe acts play a prominent part.
UNSAFE CONDITIONS INCLUDE: -
- Equipment improperly guarded.
- Defective equipment.
- Unsafe clothing, footwear, eye protection.
- Improper ventilation.
- Unsafe design or construction.
- Improper storage of LPG.
- Improper shoring.
- Defective electrical installations. Etc.,
UNSAFE ACTS INCLUDE: -
- Operating plant and equipment without authority.
- Operating at an unsafe speed.
- Making safety devices inoperative.
- Using unsafe equipment or equipment unsafely.
- Loading or placing unsafely.
- Being in an unsafe position.
- Working on moving or dangerous equipment.
- Horseplay.
- Not using personnel protective equipment.Etc.,
You have responsibility to ALL personnel, including subcontractors, to ensure that they recognize and avoid any unsafe acts and conditions.
Dangerous occurrences, must be immediately investigated and remedial action taken necessary.
Every injury, no matter how slightly it may appear, should be immediately reported to you. Ensure that prompt first-aid treatment is given by the person nominated to administer first-aid, and that an entry is made in the Accident book by that person.
SUPERVISORS - WORKPLACE- BASIC SAFETY CHECK POINTS
Is it Safe? – Locate unsafe conditions or practices and take steps to correct them before anyone hurts.
Safe Access: - Are roads, gangways, passageways, hoist, staircase and scaffold properly fit and free from obstruction? Are openings properly guarded?
Ladders: - Are ladders in good condition and properly angled and secured with adequate hand-hold at place of landing?
Scaffold: - Is the scaffolding erected with toe boards and guard rails fitted? Do not overload and ensure that loads are evenly distributed. Has it been inspected within the last seven days and the result recorded?
Electricity: - Are apparatus, wires, cables and connections very sound? Check for overhead electrical lines or underground cables and take appropriate actions if present. Make maximum use of reduced voltage equipment.
Manual Handling: - Ensure the loads are handled and lifted properly, that gloves are used where necessary and that loads are not to heavy to handle manually.
Fire Risks: - Are there adequate fire-extinguishers and exits? Are proper precautions taken for storing and handling highly inflammable liquids, compressed gases and other combustible material.
General: - Are personnel who are required to operate power tools, plant or machinery adequately trained/or instructed in the correct techniques and procedures?
EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY
Safety is everyone's responsibility! As am employee, you should:
- Learn to work safely and take all rules seriously.
- Recognize hazards and avoid them.
- Report all accidents, injuries and illness to your supervisor immediately.
- Inspect tools before use to avoid injury.
- Wear all assigned personal protective equipment.
On the other hand, it is management's responsibility to:
- Provide a safe and healthy workplace.
- Provide personal protective equipment.
- Train employees in safe procedures and in how to identify hazards.
Everyone must be aware of potential hazards on the job:
- Poor housekeeping results in slips, trips and falls.
- Electricity can cause shocks, burns or fire if not handled properly.
- Poor material handling may cause back problems or other injuries.
- Tools and equipment can cause injuries if guards or protective devices are disengaged.
Always use the protections that are provided on the job:
- Guards on machines and tools keep body parts from contacting moving equipment.
- Insulation on electrical equipment prevents burns, shock and fire.
- Lockout/tagout assure equipment is de-energized before it is repaired.
- Personal protective equipment shields your body from hazards you may face on the job.
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