OSHA pb4 NOTES, 17
OSHA pb4 NOTES, 17
BENEFITS OF PRACTISING 5S
Among the main benefits of implementing 5S are:
• The workplace becomes cleaner, safer, well-organized and more pleasant
• floor space utilization is improved
• workflow becomes smoother and more systematic and non-value added activities are
reduced;
• time for searching tools, materials and document is minimized;
• machine breakdowns are reduced since clean and well-maintained equipment breaks
down less frequently and it also becomes easier to diagnose and repair before
breakdowns occur, therefore extending equipment life;
• errors are minimized leading to making defect-free products;
• consumables and material wastage are minimized;
• the morale and satisfaction of employees improves
• the productivity of the organization improves together with the quality of products and
services.
ELEMENT 2
2.1 Orientations on OSH requirements/regulations of
tasks is participated
2.2 Feedback on health, safety, and security concerns
are provided to appropriate personnel as required in
a sufficiently detailed manner.
2. Participate in
2.3 Workplace procedures for reporting hazards,
arrangements for
incidents, injuries and sickness are practiced
workplace safety and
2.4 OSH requirements/ regulations and workplace
health maintenance
safety and hazard control procedures are reviewed,
and compliance reported to appropriate personnel,
as needed
2.5 Needed OSH-related trainings are identified and
proposed to appropriate personnel
2.2 Feedback on health, safety, and security concerns are provided to appropriate
personnel as required in a sufficiently detailed manner.
1. Specificity and Clarity: When noticing a potential hazard, it's crucial to be as specific
and clear as possible. Instead of making general statements, pinpoint exactly what you
observed, such as "I noticed a loose electrical wire near the breakroom microwave." This
precision helps in quickly identifying and addressing the issue.
2. Contextual Information: Providing context makes your feedback more actionable. This
includes specifying the exact location of the concern (e.g., warehouse, office, parking lot)
and the time when the issue was observed. Context helps in prioritizing the concern and
facilitates a quicker response.
3. Descriptive Detail:
• Health Concerns: Clearly articulate any symptoms experienced or health hazards
observed, like dizziness near chemical storage or visible mold in restrooms. This
information is crucial for assessing health risks and implementing corrective
measures.
• Safety Concerns: Describe physical safety hazards accurately, such as non-
illuminated emergency exit signs or loose handrails, to ensure they are promptly
fixed.
• Security Concerns: Report any security issues, including unauthorized individuals
on premises or malfunctioning security equipment, to protect personnel and
property.
4. Utilizing the Correct Channels: Always report concerns through the designated
channels provided by your company, whether it's directly to a supervisor, the safety
officer, HR department, or via a specific reporting system. Using the correct channels
ensures that your feedback is received by those with the authority and resources to take
action.
5. Follow-Up: After reporting, keep track of the issue to see if it's addressed. Be prepared to
provide further details if necessary, demonstrating your commitment to resolving the
concern. This follow-up is crucial for ensuring that measures are taken to mitigate the
reported risks.
6. Encourage a Culture of Safety: By providing detailed and constructive feedback, you
contribute to a culture of safety and security within the workplace. Encourage your peers
to also report any concerns they have. A collective effort in reporting and addressing
issues can significantly enhance the overall safety and security of the work environment.
2.3 Workplace procedures for reporting hazards, incidents, injuries and sickness are
practiced
Hazard reporting
Hazard reporting refers to identifying, reporting, and documenting potential health and safety
issues in the workplace. Its goal is to identify and address potential dangers before they cause
injury or harm to employees or others and to promote a safe and healthy work environment.
Responsibility To Report Hazards in the Workplace
The duty of reporting hazards rests on the people responsible for ensuring the safety of
employees in the workplace. These typically include:
Employee or worker
Employees are responsible for reporting any hazards they identify in the workplace to their
employer or manager. Employees should be aware of their obligations to say threats and be
familiar with identifying potential dangers in the workplace.
Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
Workers elect Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) to represent them concerning health
and safety matters. In some cases, HSRs may be responsible for identifying hazards in the
workplace and taking appropriate action with them.
Workplace Manager/Supervisor
It is the responsibility of managers or supervisors to ensure that workplace hazards are identified
and reported. They should also ensure safety measures are in place to reduce the risk of injury or
illness and regularly inspect their workplace for potential hazards.
Some organisations may have a specific department or individual responsible for safety, such as
an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department, a safety officer, or a health and safety
committee, who would be the appropriate person to receive a hazard report.
Remember that hazard reporting is a process intended to protect employees from harm and help
promote safe work practices. We'll discuss the procedure for reporting hazards in the next
section.
Hazard Reporting Process
You should submit the hazard report to the appropriate person or department within the
organisation. Depending on the size and structure of an organisation, this may be a manager,
supervisor, health and safety representative (HSR), Workplace Health and Safety Officer
(WHSO), or health and safety committee.
Following the organisation's established reporting procedures and protocols is essential when
submitting a hazard report. Some organisations may have an electronic reporting system or a
hotline for reporting hazards, while others may prefer information to be submitted in writing.
Steps in reporting health and safety hazards
You can follow the following steps in developing your hazard reporting system:
1. Identify the hazard: Be specific about it, its location, and how it could cause harm. You
should also include any existing safety measures.
2. Describe the risk: Explain how the hazard could cause harm, such as a fire, shortage of
oxygen, or chemical exposure.
3. Recommend solutions: Suggest any potential solutions for addressing the hazard, such
as installing additional safety measures or implementing changes to procedures.
4. Notify your supervisor or the person in charge: This can be done verbally or in
writing.
5. Document the hazard: Record the details, including when and where it is found and any
actions to address it.
6. Follow-up: Ensure appropriate measures are taken after addressing the hazard to prevent
it from happening again
Hazard Report Form
What should the report include?
1. Description of the hazard - The report should detail the risk, including its location,
potential consequences, and any relevant information to help identify it.
2. Date and time of the hazard - The date and time when the risk was first seen or
observed.
3. Identification of the person reporting the hazard - Include the name, contact
information, and position of the person reporting the risk.
4. Any existing safety measures - Describe any actions taken to address the hazard or any
safety measures already in place.
5. Photos or video - It would be helpful to include pictures or videos of the hazard that
show its location and potential consequences.
6. Evidence - Include evidence supporting the hazard, such as previous incidents, near-
misses, or test results.
7. Recommendations - These are suggestions for correcting or eliminating the hazard, and
any interim measures workplaces can take to mitigate the risk.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN OSH
Employers must:
• Follow all relevant OSHA safety and health standards.
• Find and correct safety and health hazards.
• Inform employees about chemical hazards through training, labels, alarms, color-coded
systems, chemical information sheets and other methods.
• As of January 1, 2015, notify OSHA within 8 hours of a workplace fatality or within 24 hours
of any work-related inpatient hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye (1-800-321-OSHA
[6742]); www.osha.gov/report_online).
• Provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers.*
• Keep accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
• Post OSHA citations, injury and illness summary data, and the OSHA Job Safety and Health -
It’s The Law poster in the workplace where workers will see them.
• Not retaliate against any worker for using their rights under the law
Employees have the right to:
• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm.
• Receive information and training (in a language workers can understand) about chemical and
other hazards, methods to prevent harm, and OSHA standards that apply to their workplace.
• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
• Get copies of test results done to find and measure hazards in the workplace.
• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their workplace if they believe there is a serious
hazard or that their employer is not following OSHA rules. When requested, OSHA will keep all
identities confidential.
• Use their rights under the law without retaliation. If an employee is fired, demoted, transferred
or retaliated against in any way for using their rights under the law, they can file a complaint
with OSHA. This complaint must be filed within 30 days of the alleged retaliation.
OSH-RELATED TRAINING
To build and maintain a safe and healthy workplace, it's vital to consistently identify the right
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) trainings and propose them to employees. Effective
training empowers workers to understand job-specific hazards, reduce risks, and follow company
safety procedures, helping prevent accidents and injuries.
Types of Training
1. Safety Orientations Relevant to Tasks
• Purpose: To familiarize new and existing employees with the specific safety procedures,
policies, and practices related to their tasks.
• Content: Task-specific risks, protective measures, and emergency procedures.
2. Safe and Correct Operation of Tools and Equipment
• Purpose: To ensure employees can operate tools and equipment safely, minimizing the
risk of accidents.
• Content: Operational procedures, maintenance, and safety features of equipment.
3. Health Orientations/Trainings
• Purpose: To promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent issues such as drug/alcohol
dependence, violence in the workplace, and work-stress.
• Content: Awareness programs, coping strategies, and resources for support.
4. Prevention and Control of OSH Hazards in the Workplace
• Purpose: To equip employees with the knowledge to identify, evaluate, and control
workplace hazards.
• Content: Risk assessment techniques, hazard identification, and control measures.
5. Chemical Handling
• Purpose: To ensure safe storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals, preventing
exposure and accidents.
• Content: Chemical safety data sheets (SDS), personal protective equipment (PPE) usage,
spill response procedures.
6. Safety Trainings
• Purpose: To address specific safety concerns related to fire, construction, and confined
spaces.
• Content: Fire safety protocols, construction site safety practices, confined space entry
procedures.
7. Prevention and Control of Work-related Injuries and Illness
• Purpose: To minimize the occurrence of work-related injuries and illnesses through
preventative measures.
• Content: Ergonomics, disease prevention, surveillance of potential health risks.
8. Basic First-aid Trainings
• Purpose: To provide employees with the skills to respond to workplace injuries and
emergencies.
• Content: CPR, wound care, emergency response techniques.
9. Emergency Response Trainings
• Purpose: To prepare employees for responding effectively to workplace emergencies.
• Content: Evacuation plans, emergency communication systems, role-specific
responsibilities.
10. Trainings on Use of Fire-Extinguisher
• Purpose: To ensure employees are capable of using fire-extinguishers effectively in case
of a fire.
• Content: Types of fire-extinguishers, operation techniques, and safety precautions.
BENEFITS:
Highlight how addressing OSH through training promotes:
• A safer workplace
• Reduced accidents and injuries
• Improved legal compliance
• Positive safety culture
• Potential increase in productivity