Chapter 13

Health & Safety

Creating a Safe Work Environment
Management has both legal and moral
responsibilities to provide a safe and healthy
workplace
Work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses
are costly
Creating a Safe Work Environment
Safety Awareness
Programs
Safety Motivation
and Knowledge
Enforcement of
Safety Rules
Accident
Investigations
and Records
Elements in Creating a Safe
Work Environment
Creating a Safe Work Environment
Promoting Safety Awareness
! The Key Role of the Supervisor
" Communicating the need to work safely.
! Proactive Safety Training Program
" First aid, defensive driving, accident prevention
techniques, hazardous materials, and emergency
procedures.
! Information Technology and Safety Awareness and
Training
Creating a Safe Work Environment
Typical Safety Rules
! Using proper safety devices
! Using proper work procedures
! Following good housekeeping practices
! Complying with accident- and injury-reporting
procedures
! Wearing required safety clothing and equipment
! Avoiding carelessness and horseplay
Enforcing Safety Rules
Actively encourage employee participation in
the safety program by:
! Jointly setting safety standards with management
! Participation in safety training
! Involvement in designing and implementing special
safety training programs
! Involvement in establishing safety incentives and
rewards
! Inclusion in accident investigations.
Some Issues in Safety & Health
STRESS!
workplace
violence
indoor
air quality
repetitive
stress
injuries
smoke-free
environment
Contemporary Safety and Health Issues
# at-risk workers are those who exchange money and/or interact
primarily with the public, make deliveries, work alone or in small
groups, and work late-night or early morning hours
# recommended HRM actions:
1. develop a plan, including review of policies and employee treatment
2. train supervisors to identify and deal with troubled employees
3. implement stronger security mechanisms
4. prepare employees to deal with violent situations
workplace
violence
Contemporary Safety and Health Issues
# a building is sick if it contains harmful airborne chemicals,
asbestos, or indoor pollution
indoor
air
quality
smoke-free
environment
# smoke-free policies at work include banning smoking or
restricting it to properly ventilated designated areas
# some employers offer incentives and help for employees to
stop smoking
Contemporary Safety and Health Issues
# injuries resulting from continuous, repetitive
movements, such as typing
# also referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
# the most frequent injury is carpal tunnel syndrome,
which occurs in the wrist
# ergonomics, or fitting the work environment to the
individual, can prevent repetitive motion injuries

See >http://www.office-ergo.com/a.htm for specific tips.
repetitive
stress
injuries
Contemporary Safety and Health Issues
# We feel negative stress in the face of constraints,
demands, and pressure

# Any adjustive demand caused by physical, mental, or
emotional factors that requires coping behavior.
# Distress: Harmful stress characterized by a loss of
feelings of security and adequacy
STRESS!
Contemporary Safety and Health Issues
Common Causes of Stress
organizational personal
Task demands - job design,
working conditions,
physical layout, work quotas.

Role demands - conflicts,
overload and ambiguity.

Interpersonal demands
-lack of social support
and poor interpersonal
relationships.

Organizational structure

Organizational leadership
Family issues

Personal economic problems

Inherent personality
characteristics
type A / type B dichotomy
organizational personal
Contemporary Safety and Health Issues
# physiological (increased blood pressure, headaches,
increased pulse rate) are the most difficult to observe
# psychological (increased tension and anxiety, boredom,
procrastination) can lead to productivity decreases
# behavioral (increased smoking or substance
consumption, sleep disorders) also affect the
organization
What HR Can Do
1. match individuals to their jobs
2. clarify expectations
3. redesign jobs
4. offer involvement and participation
Symptoms of Stress
Contemporary Safety and Health Issues
# Dilemmas for HRM include:
1. balancing the need to energize
people with the need to minimize
dysfunctional stress
2. deciding how much an employer can
intrude on employees personal lives
Reducing Stress
Contemporary Safety and Health Issues
Four techniques HR can use to reduce burnout:

1. identification
2. prevention
3. mediation
4. remediation
Burnout is a function of three concerns:
chronic emotional stress with emotional and/or physical
exhaustion
lowered job productivity
dehumanizing of jobs
Take this quiz if you think you are approaching burnout at work:
http://stress.about.com/library/burnout/bl_job_burnout_quiz.htm
Burnout:
Tips for Reducing Job-Related Stress
Build rewarding relationships with co-workers.
Talk openly with managers or employees about job or personal
concerns.
Prepare for the future by keeping abreast of likely changes in job
demands.
Dont greatly exceed your skills and abilities.
Set realistic deadlines; negotiate reasonable deadlines with
managers.
Act now on problems or concerns of importance.
Designate dedicated work periods during which time interruptions
are avoided.
When feeling stressed, find time for detachment or relaxation.
Dont let trivial items take on importance; handle them quickly or
assign them to others.
Take short breaks from your work area as a change of pace.
Employee Assistance Programs
Emotional
Problems
Alcoholism
Abuse of Illegal
Drugs
Personal
Crises
Abuse of
Legal Drugs
Building Better Health
Alternative
Approaches
Wellness Programs
Health Services Focus on Nutrition