Introduction to Supply Chain management(Lesson 10)

Edited By JQuek

Ensuring a safe and healthy work environment in the Supply Chain activities and operations – OSHA

Contemporary Health and Safety Issues

Objectives for today’s lesson

Introduction

management has both legal and moral responsibilities to provide a safe and healthy workplace

work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses are costly◦ cost of lost productivity to U.S.

companies surpasses $100 billion annually.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

◦1970 federal legislation◦established health and safety standards ◦authorized inspections and fines for

violations ◦empowered OSH Administration to ensure

standards are met ◦ requires employers to keep records of

illnesses and injuries, and calculate accident ratios

◦applies to almost every U.S. business engaged in interstate commerce

OSHA’s Five inspection Priorities

1. imminent danger: where an accident is about to occur

2. accidents that have led to serious injuries or death: Employer must report within 8 hours

3. employee complaints: employees have right to call OSHA

4. inspection of industries with the highest injury or illness rates

5. Random Inspection

Highest number of workplace accidents occuring

meat processing transportation

lumber and wood products

roofing and sheet metal

chemical processing warehousing

Contemporary Health and Safety Issues

workplaceviolence

indoorair quality

smoke-freeenvironment

repetitive stressinjuries

STRESS!

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; respect to workers is paramount 2. train supervisors to identify and deal with troubled employees 3. implement stronger security mechanisms 4. prepare employees to deal with violent situations

workplaceviolence

a building is “sick” if it contains harmful airborne chemicals, asbestos, or indoor pollution

suggestions for keeping the environment healthy: 1. make sure workers get enough fresh air 2. avoid suspect building materials and furnishings 3. test new buildings for toxins before occupancy 4. provide a smoke-free environment 5. keep air ducts clean and dry 6. pay attention to workers’ complaints

indoorair

quality

smoking bans should take a phased-in approach

smoke-freeenvironment

smoke-free policies at work include banning smoking or restricting it to properly ventilated designated areas

employees should be involved in phase-in of programs some employers offer incentives and help for employees to

stop smoking

Common Causes of Stress

Task demands - job design, working conditions, physical layout, work quotas.

Role demands - conflicts, overloadand ambiguity.

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

Organizational structure, Organizational leadership

Family issues

Personal economic problems

Inherent personalitycharacteristics – type A / type B dichotomy

organizational personal

STRESS!

Symptoms of stress

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

EmployerMaintain the health, safety & welfare of all employees, including provision of statement of health & safety policy, safety equipment and training staff

Responsibilities towards a safe working environment at the workplace

EmployeeObligation to the employer to undertake training when provided, use equipment provided for safety as trained and to report unsafe practices. Do not misuse safety equipment

Responsibilities towards a safe working environment at the workplace

ManufacturersSpecific responsibility to ensure the product is safe to use in environment it was designed for in normal circumstances and is fit for its purpose.

Responsibilities towards a safe working environment at the workplace

1. Safety regulations must be followed to avoid unnecessary incidents

2. A positive image will be reflected on the operator and it allows for future business dealings

3. Safety of the workers is the responsibility of the warehouse operator

4. Employers have to ensure workers work in a safe and conducive environment that leads to high productivity

Why must a warehouse operator adhere to these regulations also?