Health & Safety

EMPLOYEE HEALTH & SAFETY

For smooth functioning of an organization, the employer has to ensure safety and security of his employees. Health and safety form an integral part of work environment. A work environment should enhance the well being of employees and thus should be accident free.

The terms health, safety and security are closely related to each other. Health is the general state of well being. It not only includes physical well being, but also emotional and mental well being. Safety refers to the act of protecting the physical well being of an employee. It will include the risk of accidents caused due to machinery, fire or diseases. Security refers to protecting facilities and equipments from unauthorized access and protecting

employees while they are on work.

In organizations the responsibility of employee health and safety falls on the supervisors or HR manager. An HR manager can help in coordinating safety programs, making employees aware about the health and safety policy of the company, conduct formal safety training, etc. The supervisors and departmental heads are responsible for maintaining safe working conditions. Responsibilities of managers:

• Monitor health and safety of employees
• Coach employees to be safety conscious
• Investigate accidents
• Communicate about safety policy to employees
• Responsibilities of supervisors/departmental heads:
• Provide technical training regarding prevention of accidents
• Coordinate health and safety programs
• Train employees on handling facilities an equipments
• Develop safety reporting systems
• Maintaining safe working conditions

For Health

• Ventilation & Temperature                           
• Disposal of wastes
• Cleanliness                                               
• Dust and fumes
• Artificial Humidification                               
• Overcrowding
• Lightening                                               
• Drinking water
• Latrines and urinals
• Spittoons

For Safety 

• Fencing of machinery
• Work on machinery in motion
• Cashing of new machines
• Protection of eyes
• Hoists and lifts
• Self acting machinery
• Excessive weights
• Pressure plant
• Precautions against dangerous fumes
• Floors, stairs and means of access
• Precautions in case of fire
• Explosives of inflammable gas
• Safety of buildings & machinery
• Maintenance of buildings

For Welfare 

• Washing facilities
• Facilities for sitting
• First aid appliances
• Canteens
• Rest rooms and shelters
• Crèches
• Facilities for storing and drying clothing

Mines Act

It contains provisions for measures relating to the health, safety and welfare of persons employed in the coal and oil mines.

It provides the following provisions for health and safety of mine workers:

• Drinking water
• Conservancy
• Medical appliances
• Working hours
• Notice about accidents
• Notice of certain diseases

Dock Workers - Safety, Health and Welfare

It contains provisions for the health, safety and welfare of workers working in ports/docks.

It provides the following provisions:

• Surfaces
• Fencing of dangerous places
• Passages to be kept clear
• Railings and fencings
• Staging construction and maintenance
• Work on staging
• Lifesaving appliances
• Illumination
• Fire protection
• Excessive noise
• Access between deck and hold
• Stairs
• Floor loading
• Construction
• Access between deck and vessel
• Access between shore and ship