How to Evaluate Health and Safety Sources
Table of Contents
- Assignment Overview
- Evaluation of Health and Safety Information Sources
- Key Sources of Health and Safety Information
- Impact on Organizations
- Health and Safety Legislation and Global Influence
- Workplace Equality and Safety Policies
- Benefits of Health and Safety Information
- References
- Bibliography
Assignment Overview
1.1 - 1.2 The student should write an assignment in which they evaluate sources of information and advice on the latest developments in health and safety. They should then evaluate the impact on the organization of developments in health and safety legislation, policies and practices.
Evaluation of Health and Safety Information Sources
Sources of information and advice on the latest developments in health and safety are essential for the health and safety management system. The sources must be very reliable and relevant to the organization. Risk Assessment and Job Safety Analysis reports provide information on hazards, risks and control measures which serve as the first line of defense to carry out work activities in a manner that is largely safe. Even though helpful, a risk assessment or JSA can become insufficient when changes arise in work activities. These changes must therefore be identified and captured so that risk control measures are applied. Risk Assessment reports for one activity may not necessarily meet the needs of another.
Key Sources of Health and Safety Information
With the help of the internet, the Health and Safety Executive, a key player in the enforcement of health and safety in the United Kingdom continues to provide an invaluable reference on health and safety information and new developments that can be applied across a range of industries. The only challenge here may be internet connectivity that are experienced from time to time but are usually rectified in a short period of time. Similarly the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health as a Professional Body in the United Kingdom also provide a good source for health and safety information and Latest development in general industry.
Impact on Organizations
To a large extent the above sources have brought many improvements for the management of health and safety at Sterling Safety Services. But on the low points, whatever information and new development obtained must be compared with Local Health and Safety Legislation to ensure that requirements of the Law are met as a first point of call. Because different countries have different set of legislations that must first be fulfilled in the country of operation.
Health and Safety Legislation and Global Influence
Notwithstanding, the UK Health and Safety Laws are very robust and there is scientific evidence to show how it has impacted positively on reducing incidents in workplaces. And countries who are new to occupational health and safety legislation always look to UK OSH laws and practices for reference. For example, "An agreement has been signed between IOSH and Ghana’s Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, marking “another significant step” towards enhanced protection for the country’s workforce". See (IOSH, 2019)
Workplace Equality and Safety Policies
Sterling Safety Services strives to be an equal opportunity employer and keeping workers safe and in an environment that is free from harassment, discrimination and social inequality. It is in this direction the company has developed a policy for diversity and inclusion just as in (Health and Safety Executive, 2020) "people's health and safety in the workplace must be protected, whatever their race, gender, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation. It must be protected whatever their background and outlook on life".
Benefits of Health and Safety Information
Sources of information and the advice on latest developments help the organization to gain insights to improve employee wellbeing. This is achieved by initiating good health programs. Other benefits is centered around practices that enhances company reputation in terms of ability to undertake high commercial jobs in a manner that does not compromise health and safety. The organization also advances systems for regulatory compliance, risk management and Cost Control from the sources of health and safety information. (531 Words)
References
Health and Safety Executive, 2020. What is HSE doing about diversity?. [Online]
Available at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/diversity/hse.htm
[Accessed 18 April 2021].
IOSH, 2019. “Significant step” taken to improve worker protection in Ghana. [Online]
Available at: https://iosh.com/more/news-listing/iosh-ghana-memorandum-of-collaboration/
[Accessed 18 April 2021].
Bibliography
Van Dijk, F. and Caraballo-Arias, Y., 2021. Where to find evidence-based information on occupational safety and health?. Annals of global health, 87(1).
