Chapter 14 Employee Health and Safety

Falkenberg, Stone, and Meltz

Human Resource Management in Canada

Fourth Edition
Copyright 1999 Harcourt Brace & Company Canada, Ltd.

Chapter Overview

Organizational benefits of a safe and healthy workplace Relation to other HRM functions Health and safety responsibilities Ontario occupational health and safety act Workers compensation Ensuring a safe and healthy workplace Special health problems
14.1

Health and Safety: Relation to Other HRM Functions

Job Analysis Recruiting

Selection

Training

Performance Appraisal

Health & Safety

Benefits

Labour Relations

14.2

Steps in a Job Safety Analysis

Break

the job down into its basic steps Identify potential accidents and hazards associated with each step Recommend safe job procedures for each step
14.3

Examples of Actions to Minimize Workplace Hazards

Engineering

the hazard out Providing personal protective equipment Job instruction training Good housekeeping Good ergonomics
14.4

The Ontario Occupational and Health Safety Act

History of the Ontario legislation Provisions of the Ontario legislation
Employers responsibilities Supervisors responsibilities Employees responsibilities and rights Joint health and safety committees Health and safety representatives Inspection and enforcement

Provincial differences Impact of health and safety legislation on organizations 14.5

12 Steps Employers Can Take in Response to a Workers Compensation Claim

1. Keep detailed written records of the accident and injury 2. Interview the worker in person if possible 3. Interview any witnesses to the accident 4. Go to the scene of the accident and review the event
14.6

12 Steps Employers Can Take in Response to a Workers Compensation Claim (contd.)

5. Check information in the worker's file before completing the accident report form 6. Investigate any previous similar disabilities that occurred before the worker was employed by your organization 7. Check if the accident was caused by negligence of someone other than one of your workers 8. Find out if the worker had been involved in a pedestrian or car accident within the last five years
14.7

12 Steps Employers Can Take in Response to a Workers Compensation Claim (contd.)

9. Investigate any work-related difficulties, such as labour disputes, grievances, layoffs, or disciplinary proceedings, involving the worker 10. Check whether the worker has been continuously employed by your organization for a period of one year or more 11. Investigate any important inconsistencies between the workers version of the accidents and the version provided by any witnesses, supervisors, or managers 12. Rely on your own common sense
14.8

Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Workplace

controlling physical hazards promoting safety awareness health and safety committees recording and posting safety performance records safety recognition programs safety rules and regulations safety training programs promoting good health
14.9

Focus of Health and Safety Committees

Health and Safety Policy reviewing health and safety records, investigating accidents, and making recommendations for safety procedures and expenditures
Inspection conducting periodic safety inspections of the establishment

Education promoting interest in and compliance with safety rules and methods
14.10

Special Health Problems

Job

stress Smoking Alcoholism Drug use HIV/AIDS

14.11

Elements of an HIV/AIDS Policy

The rights of workers with HIV/AIDS to reasonable accommodation regarding their schedule or duties The continuation of health benefits or access to group coverage The protection of confidentiality about a persons HIV status The protection of people with HIV/AIDS from harassment and discrimination The prohibition of HIV testing for workers The right of all workers to a safe and healthy 14.12 workplace