Chapter 13

Health & Safety

Creating a Safe Work Environment

•  Management has both legal and moral responsibilities to provide a safe and healthy workplace

•  Work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses are costly

Creating a Safe Work Environment

Safety Awareness Programs

Safety Motivation and Knowledge

Enforcement of Safety Rules

Accident Investigations and Records

Elements in Creating a Safe Work Environment

Creating a Safe Work Environment

• Promoting Safety Awareness Ø The Key Role of the Supervisor

v Communicating the need to work safely.

Ø Proactive Safety Training Program v First aid, defensive driving, accident prevention

techniques, hazardous materials, and emergency procedures.

Ø Information Technology and Safety Awareness and Training

Creating a Safe Work Environment

• Typical Safety Rules Ø Using proper safety devices

Ø Using proper work procedures

Ø Following good housekeeping practices

Ø Complying with accident- and injury-reporting procedures

Ø Wearing required safety clothing and equipment

Ø Avoiding carelessness and horseplay

Enforcing Safety Rules

• Actively encourage employee participation in the safety program by: Ø Jointly setting safety standards with management

Ø Participation in safety training

Ø Involvement in designing and implementing special safety training programs

Ø Involvement in establishing safety incentives and rewards

Ø Inclusion in accident investigations.

Some Issues in Safety & Health

STRESS!

workplace violence

indoor air quality

repetitive stress injuries

smoke-free environment

Contemporary Safety and Health Issues

§  at-risk workers are those who exchange money and/or interact primarily with the public, make deliveries, work alone or in small groups, and work late-night or early morning hours

§  recommended HRM actions: 1.  develop a plan, including review of policies and employee treatment 2.  train supervisors to identify and deal with troubled employees 3.  implement stronger security mechanisms 4.  prepare employees to deal with violent situations

workplace violence

Contemporary Safety and Health Issues

§  a building is “sick” if it contains harmful airborne chemicals, asbestos, or indoor pollution

indoor air

quality

smoke-free environment

§  smoke-free policies at work include banning smoking or restricting it to properly ventilated designated areas

§  some employers offer incentives and help for employees to stop smoking

Contemporary Safety and Health Issues

§  injuries resulting from continuous, repetitive movements, such as typing

§  also referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) §  the most frequent injury is carpal tunnel syndrome,

which occurs in the wrist §  ergonomics, or fitting the work environment to the

individual, can prevent repetitive motion injuries See >http://www.office-ergo.com/a.htm for specific tips.

repetitive stress injuries

Contemporary Safety and Health Issues

§  We feel negative stress in the face of constraints, demands, and pressure

§  Any adjustive demand caused by physical, mental, or

emotional factors that requires coping behavior. §  Distress: Harmful stress characterized by a loss of

feelings of security and adequacy

STRESS!

Contemporary Safety and Health Issues

Common Causes of Stress organizational personal

Task demands - job design, working conditions,

physical layout, work quotas.

Role demands - conflicts, overload and ambiguity.

Interpersonal demands -lack of social support and poor interpersonal

relationships.

Organizational structure

Organizational leadership

Family issues

Personal economic problems

Inherent personality characteristics

– type A / type B dichotomy

organizational personal

Contemporary Safety and Health Issues

§  physiological (increased blood pressure, headaches, increased pulse rate) are the most difficult to observe

§  psychological (increased tension and anxiety, boredom, procrastination) can lead to productivity decreases

§  behavioral (increased smoking or substance consumption, sleep disorders) also affect the organization

What HR Can Do 1.  match individuals to their jobs 2.  clarify expectations 3.  redesign jobs 4.  offer involvement and participation

Symptoms of Stress

Contemporary Safety and Health Issues

§  Dilemmas for HRM include: 1.  balancing the need to energize

people with the need to minimize dysfunctional stress

2.  deciding how much an employer can intrude on employees’ personal lives

Reducing Stress

Contemporary Safety and Health Issues

Four techniques HR can use to reduce burnout:

1. identification 2. prevention 3. mediation

4. remediation

Burnout is a function of three concerns: • chronic emotional stress with emotional and/or physical exhaustion • lowered job productivity

• dehumanizing of jobs

Take this quiz if you think you are approaching burnout at work: http://stress.about.com/library/burnout/bl_job_burnout_quiz.htm

Burnout:

Tips for Reducing Job-Related Stress

•  Build rewarding relationships with co-workers. •  Talk openly with managers or employees about job or personal

concerns. •  Prepare for the future by keeping abreast of likely changes in job

demands. •  Don’t greatly exceed your skills and abilities. •  Set realistic deadlines; negotiate reasonable deadlines with

managers. •  Act now on problems or concerns of importance. •  Designate dedicated work periods during which time interruptions

are avoided. •  When feeling stressed, find time for detachment or relaxation. •  Don’t let trivial items take on importance; handle them quickly or

assign them to others. •  Take short breaks from your work area as a change of pace.

Employee Assistance Programs

Emotional Problems

Alcoholism Abuse of Illegal

Drugs

Personal Crises

Abuse of Legal Drugs

Building Better Health

Alternative Approaches Wellness Programs

Health Services Focus on Nutrition