Question 1
Hazards are the risks and dangers that we are exposed to in our daily lives, with or without our knowledge. They are the points of vulnerability of which can cause severe unexpected damages if not identified and corrected within reasonable time. Safety measures taken can enable peaceful existence since it eliminates the fear of a risk occurrence. Various work places are exposed to these hazards which should be taken care of for security purposes. Some of those identified during a visit to an organization setting included: long working hours, use of worn out equipment and exposure to dangerous equipment. These were among the most common scenarios which appeared usual following the regularity, thus, failure to notice the risk they subject to workers and their threat to safety.
The above mentioned situations and conditions are hazards according to the work ethics. Firstly, it is because they a direct threat to the safety of the workers. For instance, long working hours has adverse effects on the concentration span of the employees thus could lead to reduced performance. Most importantly, the lack of enough rest would be harmful to their health. Secondly, the use of worn out equipment during physical work could leave a worker in bad shape incase of an error. Machines that are out of date risk the effective use by the employee in the particular field due to excessive caution required to avoid cases of harm. Exposure to dangerous equipment necessary or work, for longer than usual could also harmful to the workers’ health. For instance, excessive use of computers could lead to sight problems. In all the above mentioned cases, the employees are at the highest risk and persistence to the conditions is a compromise to their health. The solution lays in professionally identification of these hazards, assessing the value of damage they are likely to cause. By consulting the employees/workers, the replacement of worn out machinery, rotation of employees to avoid overworking and use of screensavers could control the damages likely to occur.
Question 2
For one to become a better supervisor or leader in a specific field, management skills are necessary. This should enable one to get things done with consideration of the conditions the workers are exposed to and their abilities. As a good manager, the workers should come first since they are responsible for implementing the ideas. Assurance of the safety of the employees from any possible hazards and adequate protection of their health gives them morale due to the safe conditions. With the authority and influence one has in the organization, elimination of all risks should be key. For instance, the need to replace the worn out equipment will be considered and implemented. As a manager, safety and health of workers should also be a concern. Better working conditions and reasonable working hours is essential to avoid risking their well being.
From this course, a clear lesson of how it is important to avoid risks rather than deal with the ramifications is evident. Safety is best with prevention of risks rather than correction of a mistake. This unit provides adequate knowledge on the importance of identification of hazards. This will ensure that precautionary measures are taken. With the current management in most organizations, it has become part of work to face threats to human safety such that the hazards are no longer viewed as unusual. This should not be the case and workers should realize they have a right to demand safe and healthy working conditions from their employers. Similarly, the topics in this unit are very much applicable in future careers and involvements in terms of educating the students/future workforce. N future careers, one will be of the realization that it is their responsibility to bring to notice any hazard and demand the correction since as discussed earlier, safety from harm at work where preventable is a right.
Question 3
Safety and health are still very important aspects of business and measures to achieve it should be efficiently implemented. This is because it will ensure encouragement and maintenance of the workers. Denial of good working conditions to employees will lead to consistent withdrawal and playing safe which channels their energy to other things rather than work. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), also details the safety and health measures expected by the government for employees and responsibility of managements in regards to this subject (Cook, 2006). Thus, compensation will be a requirement for any harm caused due to negligence by the employer.
The OSHA also details the responsibility of the management to implementing a safety with full description of reasons why this is important. As a manager, decision making and implementation of safety measures is important. This can be done by reviewing the work place for identification of any hazards. Secondly, discussions with the workers on the risks they feel they are exposed to and suggestions of corrective measures. Though the final decision lies with the management, consultation is necessary to get a wider point of view. The risks will then be taken care of by restoring the safe machinery and proper working conditions. He sensitization of workers on their role for safety and health achievement is also necessary.
Finally, there are other members of management who feel that OSHA is interference to their privacy policy and they should determine their working conditions. Comparison of performance by employees in organizations where occupational health and safety is a priority and where it is not considered is an efficient way of communicating the importance. This is because the difference in the morale and commitment varies and reflects in the performance. The communication of the importance is necessary because it will instill a culture of hazard free working environment in most organizations.
References:
Cook, M. (2006). The Complete do-it-youself Human Resource Department. New York: Aspen Publishers.
