MODULE 1.

4 – OSH COMMUNICATION

1
 OBJECTIVES

To enable the participants to:

 identify OSH consultation and

communication program at the
workplace ; and
 identify effective OSH consultation and
communication methodology.
 INTRODUCTION
Increased
Awarene Being
ss Valued

Maximum
Effective
Implementatio
n of OSH MS

Increased
Safer &
Morale Healthier
Workplace
Minimise Higher
Interruption Productivity
 COMMUNICATION
Communication is a process of sending and
receiving symbols with meaning attached through
identified channel/media.

Channel/Media
SENDER Message Message

Message
RECEIVER
 COMMUNICATION
 Effective communication means getting the
correct information to the people who need it to
complete work safely and efficiently. It
encourages feedback to determine if the
messages have been understood and accepted or
if clarification or more information is needed. It
assists in gaining agreement and a positive work
environment.

 Efficient communication results in minimum cost

in terms of resources expended (e.g. use of
memos, email, and group meetings). All
organizations need effective communication to
ensure organizational efficiency and
effectiveness.
 COMMUNICATION
Poor communication
Good communication
may be associated
allows us to:
with:
 gather and provide
information; 
 inaccurate information;
ensure safe work  unsafe work methods;
methods; 
 accidents and injuries;
ensure feedback on  lower productivity;
performance and  stress and staff
results;
 dissatisfaction; and
state objectives,  high staff turnover and
deadlines and priorities;
 morale problems.
gain agreement and
consensus on issues;
and
 encourage positive
attitudes and morale.
 COMMUNICATION
Barriers to effective communication include the
 The environment may pose an external barrier to
following:
communication. Factors such as noise levels,
workplace layout, ventilation, temperature,
confined spaces, use of personal protective
equipment (PPE), plant and equipment, work
processes or the number of distractions can
create barriers to receiving the message.

 Field of experience is a potential internal barrier

to communication. This can include such things as
past experiences, beliefs, expectations and
attitudes, values, prejudices. Literacy/language
differences, socio-cultural factors as well as
anything that may be preoccupying the sender or
 COMMUNICATION
How to do it:
a) Lead By Example
If the workplace has introduced safe work procedures, but
management is not seen to be following the same safety
precautions, problems are going to be occurred.

Majority of the workers will not have an active interest in the

safety unless they see management following the same steps
they are encouraged to take.
b) Employee Interaction
Employees are valuable sources of information on problem
areas in the workplace. Employees should be encouraged
to contribute information. Management
should endeavor to have good listening skills to make the
employee comfortable coming forward with
information.
 CONSULTATION
 The effectiveness and real progress of any
occupational safety an health management
system is impossible to be achieved without full
cooperation and commitment of all employees
and to obtain that cooperation and commitment
there must be participation in the making and
monitoring of arrangements for safety and health
at the workplace.

 The employees should be given a say in

developing a more realistic approach to accident
prevention. In so doing the aim is to encourage
their cooperation in the effective implementation
of the system. One way to achieve this is by
establishing safety and health committee at the
workplace.
 CONSULTATION
Safety & Health Committee
Legal
Requirements
 Section 30 & 31, Part VII – Safety and
Health Organisation, Occupational Safety &
Health Act 1994.
 Occupational Safety & Health (Safety &
Health Committee), Regulations 1996.
 Regulation 27 – Safety Committee, Part II –
General Provisions, Factories & Machinery
(Building Operations & Works of
Engineering Construction) (Safety)
Regulations 1986.
 CONSULTATION

When to Establish a Committee?

 whenever there are forty (40) or

more workers employed on site; or
 whenever directed by the Director
General of Department of
Occupational Safety & Health.
 CONSULTATION
How to Establish a Committee?

 Chairman – authorised manager on site.

 Secretary – Safety & Health
Officer/Supervisor or any other individual
appointed by the chairman if there is no
Safety and Health Officer/Supervisor
employed on site.
 Employer’s representatives.
 Employees’ representatives.
 CONSULTATION
How to Establish a Committee?

 one hundred (100) or fewer workers

employed on site - minimum two (2)
representatives from each side.
 more than one hundred (100) workers
employed - not less than four (4)
representatives from each side.
 CONSULTATION
What are the Functions of the Committee?

 assist in the development of safety and health

rules and safe system of work.
 review the effectiveness of the safety and
health programs.
 carry out studies on the trends of accident,
dangerous occurrence, occupational poisoning
or occupational disease that occurs at the
workplace.
 report to the employer of any unsafe or
unhealthy conditions or practices together
with recommendations for corrective actions.
 CONSULTATION
What are the Functions of the Committee?
 review the safety and health policy and make
recommendations for any revision.
 inspect the workplace at least once in every
three (3) months.
 investigate accident, dangerous occurrence,
occupational poisoning or occupational
disease that occurs at the workplace and
discuss the findings and recommendations for
corrective and preventive actions.
 hold regular meetings at least once in three
(3) months.
 OSH PROMOTION

 The promotion of good safety attitudes and awareness

is providing an opportunity for the total work force to
become involved in some aspect of safety in the
workplace.

 Healthy workers are likely to have higher work

motivation, enjoy greater work satisfaction and
contribute to better quality-products and services. The
safety, health and well-being of workers are thus pre-
requisites for quality and productivity improvements.
 OSH PROMOTION
Promotions programs could be in the form of:
 Safety Week;
 Poster & Slogan Competitions;
 Safety Award Schemes;
 Photographic Displays;
 Regular site safety tours by middle/senior
manager and directors;
 Exhibitions of safety equipment that has
prevented or minimized injury e.g. shoes that
have saved feet, glasses that have saved eyes;
and
 Short safety talks, film shows etc. using theme of
the month.
 TOOL-BOX TALKS
What
 A tool-box talkisisTool-Box Talk?
a hands-on way to remind
workers that safety and health are
important on the job.
 Tool-box talks deal with specific problems
on site.
 They do not replace formal training.
 Through tool-box talks you can tell workers
about safety and health requirements for
the tools, equipment, materials, and
procedures they use every day or for
particular jobs.
 Each talk will take about five minutes to
present.
 TOOL-BOX TALKS
What is Tool-Box Talk?
 In delivering tool-box talks, your objective
is to help workers RECOGNIZE and
CONTROL hazards on the project.
 You give tool-box talks because you are
responsible for advising workers about any
existing or possible danger to their safety
and health .
 Tool-box talks demonstrate the
commitment of employers and workers to
safety and health on the job.
 TOOL-BOX TALKS
What Makes Tool-Box Talk Work?
 Choose a talk suited to site and work
conditions.
 Don’t give a talk on quick-cut saws when
none are being used on the job.
 Deliver the talk where it will be most
appropriate.
 That could be the job office, out on the
site, or near the tools and equipment you
are talking about.
 Introduce the subject clearly. Let workers
know exactly what you are going to talk
about and why it’s important to them.
 TOOL-BOX TALKS
 Connect key points to things your worker is
What Makes Tool-Box Talk Work?
familiar with on the project.
 Pinpoint hazards. Talk about what may
happen.
 Wherever possible, use real tools,
equipment, material, and jobsite situations
to demonstrate key points.
 Ask for questions. Answer to the best of
your knowledge. Get more information
where necessary.
 Ask workers to demonstrate what they
have learned.
 Keep a record of each talk delivered.