From
my understandings about this topic, web-based system can assists OSH in keeping
the records of past accidents happened in the workplace, the victims and
injuries, prevention methods, organizational safety and health act (OSHA),
total of workers, types of services and possibilities of exposure to hazard
situations and more. By referring to the past workplace accidents records, the
management of OSH team can identify and predict which areas have higher
accidents possibilities.
As we know, workers are easily exposed to dangerous
situations while working, such as spoilt or explosion of chemical substances in
the factories or labs, defection of machine in manufacturing factories, fire,
construction site, expose to computer for a long period, robbery, and more.
Therefore, OSHA helps to reduce these accidents by setting the general industry
standards, maritime standards, construction standards, other regulations and
procedures, and issues a field operation manual.
It is not only the employers’ responsibility to provide
a safety and healthy workplace for the employees, the employees must comply to
the act too. Employees should report to employers any occupational injuries and
illnesses. These incidents should then be record as a reference for future
precautions. Employers should refer to these records and try to do something to
avoid the accidents. For example, if there are a few employees reported falling
injuries due to the water leakage at the ceiling in their department, employers
should hire someone to fix the leakage problem.
The web-based tools that can assists OSH including
setting up security system, crime prevention plan, digital technologies and so
on. For example, in a science lab, OSH rules and regulations will include
wearing appropriate attires, accurate procedures of using tools and equipments,
emergency floor plan and more. All these rules will be record in the
organization safety online system where the entire entity can always go through
it easily.
The additional article reading discusses about the
involvement of employees in improving the workplace safety and health. There are
four stages to ensure that the employees are committed to improve workplace
safety conditions. Firstly, employers should assess the organization for
commitment to new project by surveying the employees for their readiness and
safety attitudes towards Employment Involvement (EI). Secondly, select and
train the suitable committees and facilitators to develop and plan supportive
management climate. Next, formulate and implement the proposals and then
measure and monitor the progress. (392
words)
References:
Bahrin, J.S., Sajahan, M.H., and Hamad,
M.N. (2004). Emergency Response Programme in The Petrochemical Industry in
Malaysia. Journal of Occupational Safety and
Health. Vol.1 No.1, pp. 32-37.
Taylor, G., Easter, K., and Hegney, R.
(2004). Enhancing Occupational Safety and Health. Chapter 2: Safety Management
and Chapter 14: Health and Safety Management Systems. London: Elsevier
Butterworth-Heinemann.
Reese, C.D. (2009). Industrial Safety
and Health for Goods and Materials Services. Chapter 6: Safety and Health
Management. New York: CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group.
Tompkins, N.C. (2006). A Manager’s Guide
to OSHA Revised Edition: What Every Manager Should Know. Part 1: Monitoring
Injury and Illness. Boston: Thomson NETg.
