Mirdif Security & Safety Consultants

Occupational Health and Safety Program

Introduction:
OSHA has long been pushing to set a requirement for businesses to have
written safety & health programs.
An occupational health and safety program is a specific plan of action to
prevent workplace accidents, injuries and occupational diseases. The
program is a framework for all occupational health and safety activities,
plans and procedures at the place of employment.
Its objectives is to integrate health and safety into the design of all
workplace practices and all workplace conditions.
There are many good reasons to make safety and health a top priority. The
primary reason is to improve the protection of worker health and safety and
dramatically reduce the cost of accidents, injuries and occupational illness.
Program Framework:
Almost every safety programs can be written with the same outline.
For example:
1Purpose
2Policy
3Responsibilities
4Training
5Record keeping
6Audits & Inspections
7Hazards
8Hazard Controls
9Rules & Procedures
10- Emergency Procedures
11- Accident Investigation
12- Fire Prevention and Protection
13- First Aid
14- Personal Protective Equipment
15- Program Evaluation
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1Program Purpose:
A short statement that answers the question "Why do we have this
program?" Be clear and concise and use plain language that everyone will
understand.
Example from confined space program:
The confined space entry program is provided to protect authorized
employees that will enter confined spaces and may be exposed to hazardous
atmospheres, engulfment in materials, conditions which may trap or
asphyxiate due to converging or sloping walls, or contains any other safety
or health hazards.
2Policy:
A short statement of company policy that conveys management support and
intentions of the specific program.
Example from an asbestos program:
It is the policy of {Company} that only qualified employees are allowed to
conduct any asbestos repairs, maintenance or removal. All unqualified
employees must be protected from exposure to asbestos fibers by isolating
and controlling access to all affected areas during asbestos work. All tasks
involving the disturbance of asbestos containing material will be conducted
only after appropriate work controls have been identified and implemented.
A qualified supervisor shall be available at asbestos controlled work sites
during all activities. Proper personal protective equipment, vacuum and
filters must be used and properly maintained. If outside contractors are
employed in any asbestos related work, company management must ensure
that the contractor used proper procedures, all contractor employees have
been properly trained and that proper equipment and protective gear are
used.
3Responsibilities:
This section allows you to specifically spell out who is responsible for what
parts of the program. Everyone has a part to play: management, supervisors
and employees. Some programs will have specific responsibilities for

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specific management positions, such as Respiratory Protection or Ergonomic
Program Administrators.
Example from a Fire Prevention Program:
Management:
Ensure all fire prevention methods are established and enforced.
Ensure fire suppression systems such as sprinklers and extinguishers
are periodically inspected and maintained to a high degree of working
order.
Train supervisors to use fire extinguishers for incipient fires.
Train employees on evacuation routes and procedures.
Supervisors:
Closely monitor the use of flammable materials and liquids.
Train assigned employees in the safe storage, use and handling of
flammable materials.
Ensure flammable material storage areas are properly maintained.
Employees:
Use, store and transfer flammable materials in accordance with
provided training.
Do not mix flammable materials
Immediately report violations of the Fire Safety Program.
4Training:
In this section present the training required for managers, supervisors and
employees. List the topics that must be covered for each group. Also include
the type of training such as classroom, field or on-the job or combination of
training session types.
5-

Record keeping:

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No task is completed until the paperwork is done. List what records are
required by your programs. Identify the specific forms and documents to be
used.
6Audits & Inspections:
Detail the specific program monitoring procedures. A schedule for regular
inspections of the workplace and work processes and procedures. Workplace
inspections identify existing hazards and help find corrective action. Such
actions are a proactive approach to ensure workplace health and safety.
7Hazards:
List and define the specific hazards that are covered by the program. Include
the physical areas in your facility in which the hazards exist.
8Hazard Controls:
A plan to control chemical and biological substances and to monitor the
work environment. This section covers the engineering, administrative and
work practice controls used to eliminate or control the specific program
hazards.
9Rules & Procedures:
This is the nuts & bolts section of a safety program. Programs such as
Electrical Safety. Lockout - Tagout and Confined Space Entry require these
detailed procedures to eliminate any doubt as to the steps required for safe
performance.
Some programs lend themselves to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's),
while some need only general guidelines.
10- Emergency Procedures:
Identification of all resources that may be needed in the event of an
emergency. Emergency procedures are plans for dealing with emergencies,
such as fires, explosions, major release of hazardous materials, earthquakes,
.

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When such events occur, the urgent need for rapid decisions, shortage of
time, lack of resources, and lack of trained personnel can lead to chaos,
injury and death.
11- Accident Investigation:
A procedure to investigate and report accidents. Accidents and incidents are
investigated to identify contributing causes so that steps can be taken to
prevent them from happening again.
12- Fire Prevention and Protection:
This section includes description of all types of fire protection equipment
and the inspection, testing, and maintenance procedures for such equipment.
13- First Aid:
First aid procedures. Location of first aid stations, and procedures for
transporting injured persons to outside medical facilities.
14-

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

Different types of PPE.
Selection, matching equipment to hazards.
Proper use of PPE.
Inspection and testing.
Proper storage.

15- Program Evaluation:

Procedures for evaluating the health and safety programs. Audits seams to be
the best method. The review ensures that the program adequately addresses
its objectives and that it deals with known and potential risks.
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Example To Health & Safety Policy Statement:

ABC COMPANY
IGeneral Statement of Safety Policy:
HSE Performance is critical to the success of our projects, both inside and
outside Egypt, and every one who works for ABC Company or by ABC
company is responsible for health and safety.
ABC company is committed to:
12345678-

Full compliance with all Egyptian health, safety and environmental

protection legislations, and owners requirements.
Manage our projects with management leadership and employees
commitment to health, safety and environmental protection.
Manage HSE matters equally as any other critical business activity
(production, QC, and cost).
The Health, Safety and Welfare at work of all employees, outside
contractors, customers, and visitors.
That articles, chemical substances, materials and equipment stored
and transported safely.
That safe plant and safe procedures and systems of work are
provided.
Protection of the surrounded environment from pollution, and use
all sources of energy efficiently.
Consult, listen, and respond openly to our client, employees and
neighbors.

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Utilize an effective HSE management system to set an annually

review of HSE objectives and targets to continually improve our
performance.

Further, it the policy of ABC Company:

1-

To provide and maintain appropriate procedures for action to be

taken in case of fires and other emergencies including work
accidents and dangerous occurrence and their effective reporting
and investigation.

2-

To provide and maintain procedures for consultation with safety

committees and safety representatives on any measures at the
workplace which may substantially affect the health and safety of
employees.
To develop and maintain a high degree of safety awareness and
positive attitudes to health and safety throughout the company.

3-

Our goals are so simple:

No Accidents
No Harm to People
No damage to the Environment
To accomplish this, the company is committed to maintaining a
comprehensive Health and Safety programs and procedures (Manual of
Health and Safety) based on sound practices, training of employees and
enforcement of safety regulations.
The responsibility for health and safety is a joint responsibility of managers,
supervisors and every employee. It is the responsibility of all levels of
supervision to support and promote programs to prevent accidents, to
maintain safe working conditions, to protect the surrounding environment, to
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give proper safety instructions on every job assignment and to ask
employees to carry out their assignments in a manner which will avoid
injury to themselves and their fellow workers.
It is the responsibility of all employees to use safe working practices and
safety equipment, and to follow this policy.
The health and safety department directs and supervises the overall safety
program, and has the authority to order the immediate cessation of activities
where significant danger is perceived.
All ABC Company senior managers, middle managers, engineers, and
supervisors are responsible for enforcing and administering the safety
program.
All employees must comply with this policy.
Chairman & Managing Director
Month/Year