Today’s world is changing with high rate in all
the spheres. Industries are using new machineries, new substances and new
methods with advanced technologies in order to lessen the human efforts and
improve the productivity. On the top of all, Japan has tested the high speed magnetic
levitation train positively at 374 mph to ease the transportation. When manufacturing sector is concerned, a new
welding process has been invented to join two high strength metals very quickly
without melting the materials. At the same time, the technologies and
machineries are being too intricate and needs higher order expertise to handle.
The negligence results in unexpected occupational diseases and accidents due to
poor response to the sudden events and the insufficient working procedures. Now
a days, the health and safety of the employees are being highlighted by experts
in everywhere as it impacts the social and financial aspects of the
organization.
Purpose of health and
safety
· The reputation of the
organization depends on the efforts put forth to create a health and safety
environment in their premises.
· Increase in productivity due to
sustained work capacity of the employees.
· The loyalty among employees
could be achieved when the measures are taken to prevent work related illness
and accidents.
· Safety professionals identify
the emerging risks due to the substances or work processes in line with the continuous
changes in the working environment.
· Create safety awareness and implementation
of the safety procedures in the working place.
Need for Health & Safety
Recent workplace health surveys show that the employees are normally
suffered by five major concerns in the workplace. They are mental health
problems such as anxiety, stress &depression, long term sickness, musculoskeletal
disorders, poor work-life balance and poor work practices.
In addition to that there are other problems such as working overtime, monotony,
fatigue, tiredness which lead to health and safety issues in the workplace. These
problems upshot in absenteeism among employees and reduce cost-benefit of the
organization. That’s why health and safety is being the inevitable point of focus
by the organizations than ever before.
Why accidents in Workplace
As far as accidents are concerned in the workplace, experts say that
80% of the accidents are happening only by the fault of the person working in the
spot. Furthermore, one-third of the accidents happen due to the usage of
hazardous equipments like hand-lift trucks, gears and pulleys, saws and
handrails, electric drop lights, etc. Being lethargic while working, poor
knowledge of the working environment, poor housekeeping, neglecting safety
procedures, unsafe situational and climatic changes, poor attitude of the
employees are the other causes for the accidents.
Prevention Strategies
A well- known writer, Mark Twain said “It is better to be careful 100 times to be
careful than get killed once”
· Systematic training provided to
the employees will assist the employees to avoid the musculoskeletal problems
by keeping good ergonometric methods.
· Employees are needed to have special
training to use the tools and equipments, to implement best work-practices, and
to be equipped with machine controls. This will be supportive to prevent
workplace injuries and avoid risks.
· Specialized training programs
have to be arranged to learn the emergency procedures and learn first aid
training to respond in the emergency situations.
Contribution of Health and
Safety providers
Health and safety professionals are being the nerve system of the
organizations with aim of protecting employees and preventing accidents in the
work premises. They serve as major contributors towards the productivity of the
company and increase the cost benefit to the organization. The reputed safety providers
produce well-qualified and competent safety professionals for occupational
health and safety. They are offering variety of fundamental and tailor-made
training programs as per the requirements of the industry.
NIST, the leading health and safety provider in India, has been serving
to the safety sector with the motto of ‘we contribute to safety’ since 2008.
