Unit Standard 259601 : Participate in the implementation and
evaluation of a safety and health management programme in the
workplace NQF LEVEL :2 2 Credits LEARNER GUIDE Spei!i "#t$%es &$# 'i(( '$r) t$'ards a*ie+in, t*e !$(($'in, Spei!i "#t$%es in t*is %$d#(e: 1. Explain the requirements for the implementation of a safety and health management programme in the workplace. 2. Implement the procedures for evaluating safety and health performance in a workplace, as required y the safety and health management programme. !. Evaluate performance of workplace safety activities required y the safety and health management programme. 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S.ANDARD 2 'earners credited with this unit standard will e ale to explain the importance of integrating safety and health considerations in routine activities within the workplace and identify the critical areas in order to prevent incidents taking place. 'earners will e ale to measure safety performance against estalished o*ectives, deal with any deviations from the set o*ectives and make recommendations on the development of the safety and health management programme. $he qualifying learner is capale of& Explaining the requirements for the implementation of a safety and health management programme in the workplace. Implementing the procedures for evaluating safety and health performance in a workplace, as required y the safety and health management programme. Evaluating performance of workplace safety activities required y the safety and health management programme. LEARNING ASSU0ED ." 1E IN -LACE AND REC"GNI.I"N "F -RI"R LEARNING )ommunication at #+% 'evel 1 or equivalent. ,athematical 'iteracy at #+% 'evel 1 or equivalent. Unit 1 Explain the requirements for the implementation of a safety and 3 health management programme in the workplace. -y the end of this unit you should e ale to discuss& $he .afety and /ealth Policy is explained in terms of its impact on the implementation of the management programme. 0.11 ")12 $he importance and purpose of implementing safety and health management programme components in the workplace is explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety of individuals and the impact on production. 0.11 ")22 $he importance of integrating safety and health considerations in all routine activities is explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety of individuals and the impact on production. 0.11 ")!2 1 $he .afety and /ealth Policy is explained in terms of its impact on the implementation of the management programme. 2S"1AC13 A Sa!et4 and *ea(t* p$(i4 sets out the institutional, financial and legislative requirements for its implementation. It should have impact on the following& i. "ppropriate and competent institutions. It advocates for the development of an appropriate institutional structure for an integrated national 1/. system including a policy3making and standard3setting national 1/. authority, inspectorates 0including specialist inspectorates in ha4ardous and technologically demanding sectors2 and dedicated research and training institutions. ii. ,otivates for the appropriate funding arrangements the provision of adequate funding for 1/. activities through a comination of financing through the fiscus, employer compensation contriutions and employer 0user2 fees. iii. Appropriate legislation 3 the development of comprehensive national prevention and compensation statutes and the development of strategies to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with those statutes. 4 "ctivity 1& 5hat is .afety and /ealth policy 60.117")12 (efer to your 5orkook for this activity. 2 $he importance and purpose of implementing safety and health management programme components in the workplace is explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety of individuals and the impact on production. 2S"1AC23 Implementing safety, health and environmental representation activities are of great importance to oth employers and employees. Implementing such programmes ensures that the plant is safe to persons working in it and also machinery is safe to work with. %aulty and unsafe plant and machinery will result in accidents that will reduce productivity. Employees will e maimed or killed and this reduces man3hours and employee morale. $hese activities also reduces the proaility of ha4ards to health and safety caused y careless workmates. $hese activities will also identify careless ehavior at the workplace and ensures corrective action is taken efore accidents occur. $his will result in smooth operations and ensures that a plant is safe and fully operational thus high productivity. "ctivity 2& Purpose of .afety and /ealth policy 60.117")22 (efer to your 5orkook for this activity. 5 $he importance of integrating safety and health considerations in all routine activities is explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety of individuals and the impact on production. 2S"1AC53 Integrating safety, health and safety considerations in all routine activities makes 5 the workplace environment safe for employees such that there is no production time3loss to in*uries, deaths . .uch considerations make positive consequences to the health and safety of individuals and on productivity. Integrating safety and health considerations in all workplace activities results in strict operational deliverales and principles that protect employees against work ha4ards. $his has a direct impact on productivity. It results in high productivity. In .outh "frica in 2889, on average : employees died at their place of work daily whilst 11; others were permanently disaled thus the "ct is of great importance as it sets standards aimed at reducing these deaths and in*uries. If safety, health and environment issues are not integrated, accidents can occur and also employee morale will e low as employee will e concerned aout their safety at the workplace. $his negatively affects production. Unit 2 Implement the procedures for evaluating safety and health performance in a workplace, as required y the safety and health management programme. -y the end of this unit you should e ale to discuss& Incidents identified as detrimental to health and safety and reported, are evaluated to determine safety and health performance. 0.12 ")12. 6 5orkplace critical areas are identified in terms of the consequences to health and safety production. 0.12 ")22 ,ethods and processes to identify workplace critical areas are explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety production. 0.12 ")!2 $he importance of evaluating workplace safety and health performance is explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety production. 0.12 ")<2 1 Incidents identified as detrimental to health and safety and reported, are evaluated to determine safety and health performance. 2S"2 AC13 Incidents that have een identified as detrimental to health and safety and have een reported must e evaluated y management, safety and health committee and even outside consultants 7 government representatives to see how an organisation=s safety and health performance is. $he next step is to determine the cause0s2 of the accident. /as the incident occurred efore 6 5hat is the level of loss 6 these are some questions the panel evaluating the safety and health performance seek answers for. It may take a great deal more time to accurately determine the weaknesses in the management system, or root causes, that contriuted to the conditions and practices associated with the incident. It>s important to know that most incidents detrimental to safety and health in the workplace are the result of an unsafe ehaviors that produced them. Individual unsafe ehaviors may occur at any level of the organi4ation. .ome example of unsafe employee7manager ehaviors include& %ailing to comply with rules ?sing unsafe methods $aking shortcuts /orseplay %ailing to report in*uries %ailing to report ha4ards "llowing unsafe ehaviors %ailing to train %ailing to supervise %ailing to correct .cheduling too much work Ignoring worker stress .ome incidents are the result of underlying system weaknesses that have somehow contriuted to the existence of ha4ardous conditions and unsafe ehaviors that represent surfaces causes of accidents. (oot causes always pre3exist surface 7 causes. Inadequately designed system components have the potential to feed and nurture ha4ardous conditions and unsafe ehaviors. If root causes are left unchecked, surface causes will flourish@ Inidents %a4 6e separated int$ t'$ ate,$ries: i. S4ste% desi,n 'ea)nesses7 ,issing or inadequately designed policies, programs, plans, processes and procedures will affect conditions and practices generally throughout the workplace. Aefects in system design represent ha4ardous system conditions. ii. S4ste% i%p(e%entati$n 'ea)nesses7 %ailure to initiate, carry out, or accomplish safety policies, programs, plans, processes, and procedures. Aefects in implementation represent ineffective management ehavior. .ystem Aesign 5eaknesses .ystem Implementation 5eaknesses .,issing or inadequate safety policies7rules. $raining program not in place Poorly written plans Inadequate process #o procedures in place .afety policies7rules are not eing enforced. .afety training is not eing conducted "dequate supervision is not conducted Incident7"ccident analysis is inconsistent 'ockout7tag out procedures are not reviewed annually " good safety and health policy for an organi4ation is supposed to address all the aove mentioned principles. If it does, then incidents that are detrimental to safety and health are eliminated and the workplace is safe. 2 5orkplace critical areas are identified in terms of the consequences to health and safety production. 2S"2 AC23 "t the workplace there are BhotC areas. $hese are areas where there is higher likelihood of incidents. $hese are areas where health and safety issues are likely to arise. $he areas include & 8 "reas where ha4ardous materials such as chemicals, flammales are handled. "reas where there is drilling and lasting operations. "reas where motori4ed equipment and tools are in opeation. "reas where workers work at height "reas where there is electrical management "reas where there is trenching and excavation If health and safety issues around these areas is not handled well in terms of policy and actions then there can e serious negative consequences to health and safety and production slumps. "ctivity !& 5orkplace critical areas in terms of .afety and /ealth.0.127")22 (efer to your 5orkook for this activity. 5 ,ethods and processes to identify workplace critical areas are explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety production. 2S"2 AC53 5hen you work in a place every day it is easy to overlook some critical areas where there are ha4ards, so here are some methods and tips to help you identify workplace critical areas. ,ethods and processes include & 5alking around the workplace and looking at what could reasonaly e expected to cause harm and affect health and safety and productivity )onsult with fellow employees and their representatives on areas they also think are critical in terms of health and safety . $hey may have noticed things that are not immediately ovious to you. 9 Disit the internet. $here are pulications giving practical guidance on where ha4ards occur and how to control them. $here is much information here on the ha4ards that might affect your usiness. If you are a memer of a trade association, contact them. ,any produce very helpful guidance on critical areas. )heck manufacturers= instructions or data sheets for chemicals and equipment as they can e very helpful in spelling out the ha4ards and putting them in their true perspective. /ave a look ack at your accident and ill3health records E these often help to identify the less ovious ha4ards. 1verall, the goal is to find and record possile critical areas that may e present in your workplace. "s mentioned, it may help to work as a team and include oth people familiar with the work area, as well as people who are not 3 this way you have oth the FexperiencedF and FfreshF eye to conduct the inspection. "ctivity <& Identifying workplace critical areas in terms of .afety and /ealth.0.127")<2 (efer to your 5orkook for this activity. 8 $he importance of evaluating workplace safety and health performance is explained in terms of the consequences to health and safety production. 2S"2 AC83 Gour safety and health program is in place. Gou have set your goal for the year and clearly stated the o*ectives, procedures, and activities necessary to meet that goal. (esponsiilities have een defined and clearly assigned. "dequate authority and resources have een allocated. People have een trained in their safety and health program roles, and they understand the consequences of failing to perform their assignments. Gour responsiility for employee safety and health does not stop 10 here. $he next step 33 a critical one 33 is to evaluate how well your safety and health program is working. " safety and health evaluation looks at the systems you have created to carry out your safety and health program. It asks if these systems are working effectively and efficiently. "ll systems that contriute to your safety and health program should e reviewed. $hese should include ,anagement leadership and the evaluation of that leadership, $he analysis of the worksite to identify ha4ards, /a4ard prevention and control, "ccident and near miss investigations, Employee involvement, .afety and health training, ?se of personal protective equipment 0PPE2, Emergency response program. $his evaluation will ring out any loopholes with the health and safety system and ring out areas where there is need for improvement so that the system is well positioned and is protecting the safety and health of employees thus ensuring high productivity. Unit 5 Evaluate performance of workplace safety activities required y the safety and health management programme. -y the end of this unit you should e ale to discuss& 11 .afety performance is measured against estalished o*ectives to evaluate progress towards a healthy and safe workplace. 0.1! ")12. $ools and techniques, used to measure workplace safety and health performance, are fit for purpose and applied according to specified requirements. 0.1! ")22 Aeviations from the safety and health management programme are dealt with in order to eliminate the deviations. 0.1! ")!2 (ecommendations on the development of the safety and health management programme are communicated in accordance with the .afety and /ealth Policy. 0.1! ")<2 1 .afety performance is measured against estalished o*ectives to evaluate progress towards a healthy and safe workplace. 2S"5 AC13 $ime and resources can e wasted when workplace safety and health program activities do not achieve the desired results. $he ultimate result of the programs is eliminating unhealthy and unsafe practices and progressing towards a healthy and safe workplace. $he est way to measure safety performance is y evaluating actual performance against set targets. Each year activities should e planned with the intention of achieving specific o*ectives. $hese o*ectives, in turn, are geared toward reaching the year>s safety and health program goal. "s an example, a company>s goal is& Aevelop a comprehensive safety and health program that effectively protects employees y preventing or controlling existing and potential workplace ha4ards. $o reach this goal, one objective this year is& Aevelop a comprehensive preventive maintenance program. 12 $he company expects that achieving this o*ective will require more than one year. %or the current year the company plans to undertake two activities, each with governing procedures& $he end3of3year safety and health program evaluation will determine whether these activities were conducted and whether they had the desired effect, i.e., successfully egan the process of developing a comprehensive preventive maintenance program. $he evaluation then will examine the value of this o*ective& did the achievement of this phase of a preventive maintenance program move the company closer to its targeted safety and health goal6 If this analysis finds program efforts that are ineffective and do not contriute to the goal, the evaluation should include recommendations for program changes for the next year. " workplace can have a target such as & eliminate machine in*uries y :8H. "t evaluation time they will measure actual monthly reduction percentage against the targeted. $his will indicate success of the safety and health programs. 2 $ools and techniques, used to measure workplace safety and health performance, are fit for purpose and applied according to specified requirements. 2S"5 AC23 "fter having defined a safety and health program measurement it is important to identify and check usaility of the tools and techniques to see if they are fit for the purpose and applied to specified requirements the following tools in the form of checklists and techniques are useful in measuring workplace safety and health performance."n example of a self3evaluation checklist for small usinesses. $his can e used to perform a comprehensive evaluation of the safety and health program. Instructions& %ill out the last five columns after *udging the effectiveness of each part of your safety and health program. If the part of your program indicated in 13 the first column is fully effective enter FGE.F in the second column. If not fully effective enter F#1F. Explain the deficiencies in the "Comments/Improvements" column and list any specific planned improvements. Indicate the persons responsible for these improvements in the next column. Enter the target date for these improvements. !inally "hen the improvements are actually completed enter the completion date in the last column. Indiat$rs &es9 N$ C$%%ent s9I%pr$+e %ents Resp$nsi6(e part4 .ar,et Date Date $%p(ete d Policies and objectives are established and communicated to all employees Top management is visibly involved in safety and health Employees are involved in identifying and solving safety and health problems All safety and health responsibilities are clearly assigned Adequate authority and resources are provided to those with responsibility Managers, supervisors and employees are held accountable Program operations are reviewed at least annually to evaluate success in meeting goals and objectives and to prepare new objectives
14 $he tale elow provides a sample evaluation instruction sheet that can e used to evaluate ha4ard prevention and control Indiat$rs &es9N$ C$%%ents Resp$nsi6(e -art4 .ar,et Date Date C$%p(eted All identified hazards are prevented or controlled in the best feasible manner afe wor! procedures based on job hazard analyses have been established upervision reinforces safe wor! through positive feedbac! and training Enforcement of safe wor! procedures and safety and health rules is accomplished fairly and efficiently through a disciplinary system that all employees understand "ew or repeat hazards are identified and corrected in a timely manner The facility and equipment are regularly maintained to prevent hazardous brea!downs Arrangements have been made for occupational health specialists to provide medical services, including assistance in health problem identification 15 $he tale elow provides a sample evaluation instruction sheet that can e used to evaluate routine inspections when such inspections are part of your safety and health program. Indiat$rs &es9N$ C$%%ents9I%pr $+e%ents Resp$nsi6(e part4 .ar,et Date Date C$%p(eted %irst aid and )P(3trained employees are availale on every shift Preparations have een made for all types of emergencies Exits, evacuation routes and emergency telephone numers are prominently displayed $he tale elow provides a sample evaluation instruction sheet that can e used to evaluate safety and health interventions when such interventions are part of your safety and health program. Indiat$rs &es9N$ C$%%ents9I%pr $+e%ents Resp$nsi6(e -art4 .ar,et Date Date C$%p(eted Employees can explain how and why they do the *o safely and healthfully Employees use all required PPE properly Employees can explain why PPE is used, how to use it and maintain it and what the limits of its protection are .upervisors can explain safety rules and procedures for ha4ard control, 16 how they teach this to employees and how they enforce it ,anagers can explain their safety and health responsiilities
5 Aeviations from the safety and health management programme are dealt with in order to eliminate the deviations. 2S"5 AC53 "n audit is necessary to conduct so that the safety and health management programme is adhered to. )ompliance is 188H and not negotiale. "ll operations have to e monitored through weekly reports so that deviations are identified early and corrective measures implemented early. .afety and health are critical issues thus they cannot e let to cumulate over time. .ome organi4ations report monthly, quarterly or yearly . this causes serious issues for it will take 12 months efore it is identified that there has een no adherence to the safety and health management programme. Early identification of deviation saves on losses. Aeviating from the programme can result in in*uries,death,material loses. 8 (ecommendations on the development of the safety and health management programme are communicated in accordance with the .afety and /ealth Policy. 2S"5 AC83 /ealth and safety policy is a definite plan of action designed to prevent accidents and occupational diseases. .ome form of a policy is required under occupational health and safety legislation in most countries. " health and safety policy must include the elements required y the health and safety legislation as a minimum. -ecause organi4ations differ, a program developed for one organi4ation cannot necessarily e expected to meet the needs of another. $his document summari4es 17 the general elements of a health and safety program. $his should help smaller organi4ations to develop programs to deal with their specific needs. -ecause many small and medium3si4ed enterprises 0.,Es2 lack the resources of larger organi4ations, it is even more vital that .,Es involve all employees in health and safety activities. $he more comprehensive the program is, the more employee involvement can e expected. "n organi4ation>s occupational health and safety policy is a statement of principles and general rules that serve as guides for action. .enior management must e committed to ensuring that the policy is carried out with no exceptions. $he health and safety policy should have the same importance as the other policies of the organi4ation. .*e p$(i4 state%ent an 6e 6rie!: 6#t it s*$#(d %enti$n: management>s commitment to protect the safety and health of employees the o*ectives of the program the organi4ation>s asic health and safety philosophy who is accountale for occupational health and safety programs the general responsiilities of all employees that health and safety shall not e sacrificed for expediency that unacceptale performance of health and safety duties will not e tolerated .*e p$(i4 s*$#(d 6e: stated in clear, unamiguous, and unequivocal terms signed y the incument )hief Executive 1fficer kept up3to3date communicated to each employee adhered to in all work activities $he following is an example of an occupational health and safety policy statement& A1C .ransp$rt 18 $o all employees Ianuary 1, 1JJK "t "-) $ransport the safety and health of our employees comes first. ,anagement is committed to doing everything possile to prevent in*uries and to maintain a healthy environment. $o this end& 12 all supervisors are responsile for ensuring that their employees are trained in approved work procedures to otain optimal output without accidents and in*uries and to ensure that employees follow safe work methods and all related regulationsL 22 all personnel are required to support the 1./ program and make safety and health a part of their daily routine and to ensure that they are following safe work methods and relevant regulationsL !2 all personnel will e held accountale for implementing this programL and <2 all relevant laws and regulations are incorporated in our program as minimum standards "-), President ;*at are t*e p$(i4 e(e%ents< 5hile organi4ations will have different needs and scope for specific elements required in their health and safety program, the following asic items should e considered in each case& Individual responsiility Ioint occupational health and safety committee /ealth and safety rules )orrect work procedures Employee orientation 19 $raining 5orkplace inspections (eporting and investigating accidents Emergency procedures ,edical and first aid /ealth and safety promotion 5orkplace specific items ;*at are indi+id#a( "/=S resp$nsi6i(ities< /ealth and safety is the *oint responsiility of management and workers. ,anagement is accountale for non3compliance to health and safety legislation. "ll health and safety activities are ased on specific individual responsiilities, most of which can e found in the pertinent legislation. /owever, often these duties are not well known. $his situation can e improved y including details of specific individual responsiilities in the safety program. (esponsiility may e defined as an individual>s oligation to carry out assigned duties. "uthority implies the right to make decisions and the power to direct others. (esponsiility and authority can e delegated to suordinates, giving them the right to act for superiors. It is important to note that, while some responsiilities can e delegated, the superior remains accountale for seeing that they are carried out. Individual responsiilities apply to every employee in the workplace, including the )hief Executive 1fficer. 5hen a safety coordinator has een appointed, it is est to spell out his7her responsiilities as well. "ll employees will then know exactly what is expected of each individual in health and safety terms. $o fulfill their individual responsiilities, the people must& know what these responsiilities are 0communication required2 have sufficient authority to carry them out 0organi4ational issue2 have the required aility and competence 0training or certification required2 20 1nce all these criteria have een met, safety performance can e assessed y each individual>s supervisor on an equal asis with other key *o elements. /ealth and safety is not *ust an extra part of an employee>s *o& it is an integral, full3time component of each individual>s responsiilities. ;*at are e>a%p(es $! resp$nsi6i(ities $! '$r)ers< Examples of responsiilities of workers include& using personal protection and safety equipment as required y the employer following safe work procedures knowing and complying with all regulations reporting any in*ury or illness immediately reporting unsafe acts and unsafe conditions participating in *oint health and safety committees ;*at are e>a%p(es $! resp$nsi6i(ities $! !irst?(ine s#per+is$rs< Examples of responsiilities of first3line supervisors include& instructing workers to follow safe work practices enforcing health and safety regulations correcting unsafe acts and unsafe conditions ensuring that only authori4ed, adequately trained workers operate equipment reporting and investigating all accidents7incidents inspecting own area and taking remedial action to minimi4e or eliminate ha4ards ensuring equipment is properly maintained promoting safety awareness in workers 21 ;*at are e>a%p(es $! resp$nsi6i(ities $! %ana,e%ent< Examples of responsiilities of management include& providing a safe and healthful workplace estalishing and maintaining a health and safety program ensuring workers are trained or certified, as required reporting accidents and cases of occupational disease to the appropriate authority providing medical and first aid facilities ensuring personal protective equipment is availale providing workers with health and safety information supporting supervisors in their health and safety activities evaluating health and safety performance of supervisors ;*at are e>a%p(es $! resp$nsi6i(ities $! sa!et4 $$rdinat$rs< Examples of responsiilities of safety coordinators include& advising all employees on health and safety matters coordinating interdepartmental health and safety activities collecting and analy4ing health and safety statistics providing health and safety training conducting research on special prolems attending health and safety committee meetings as a resource person "ctivity ;& .afety and /ealth policy.0.127")<2 (efer to your 5orkook for this activity. 22