Health and safety management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Health and safety management - Essay Example The employer is in charge of planning, monitoring, implementing programs and systems needed to ensure OHS on its grounds. Joy suggests (2004) that occupational health and safety risks arise from the normal functions, operations and activities and during unexpected incidents and circumstances such as accidents. The employer is in charge of ensuring the correct national and international recognized OHS codes, standards and guidelines are maintained to the fullest. The full effectiveness of OHS systems attracts the inclusion, and significance participation of every employee in implementing and maintaining of procedures and processes. There are a quiet a number of companies that have already implemented the rules that governs the safety of each employee on the ground. An example of such company is Barrick, a mining company. This is a high risk job that requires full safety gears when doing it through out the day at all time. The company reputes itself of being the best in mining industry and the one that protects its employee the best and safest way possible. It is committed to perform each job in a safe and healthy manner, and are strict about work related injuries or illnesses. The rule is that everyone is in charge of their own safety at work. It ensures this by: Governance. It provides Health functions, protection and governance as part of an incorporated framework that includes; environment, community relations and security. It has established a committee which includes representatives from different handy groups. It manages programs and monitors performance, and elevates issues to the next level as required. The board committee provides oversight that focuses on vital trends and issues that improves the company performance. The corporate responsibility committee ensures integration and global alignment, assesses main sustainability risks and offers leadership on policy and tactical issues. On the other hand, the regional committee conducts incidents reviews, implements programs, develops yearly improvements plans and implements activities to meet corporate strategies. As joy described (2004) the site committee is responsible in managing stewardship of programs and sites, manages site – specific issues and raises issues that require regional and corporate attention. Barrick applies a few elements that ensure a smooth running of safety and health management system. 1. Leadership and personal experience Leaders must live and lead by example, acting as role models to junior workers and other staff members. Barrick recognizes only its leaders must take action in promoting and creating a safe work place. This is achieved through evident felt leadership. Safety and health accountability includes; training and appraisal of workers, management and supervisors. Leadership and personal experience is practiced through: Management and leader participation Executive member plays a role in issuing and promoting communications that relates to sa fety and health to each worker. They also carry out safety and health tours of their places of liability and implement a program that recognizes each individual safety performance and safety leadership. The Barrick leaders also hold discussions about safety and health as a way of being role model and providing mentorship through personal behavior. Site, general and project managers openly practices safety and health headship for themselves and their supervisors by enacting personal observance with all safety and health related values.