Internal Responsibility The Basis Of Safety
The internal responsibility is a term widely publicized and trained in health and safety. It is the basis on which the Occupational Health and Safety Act was created. In theory this concept relies on all levels of a company; Owners, Supervisors and Workers, to work together in order to solve health and safety issues. Everyone has authority to correct health and safety issues in a working environment. Also all workplace parties have accountability when it comes to health and safety.
Owners of a company must make a commitment to health and safety and document this in the companies' policy. They must also make sure all levels are trained in the hazards of the working environment. Employers must also ensure that proper maintenance of equipment and the building are complete. Finally an employer must 'take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers'. This is known as due diligence and is probably the best example of how health and safety is meant to function. In theory this is the ideal, however in practice it is very difficult to achieve. As we know no one is immune to injury or accidents, and it is this principal coupled with due diligence that helps good companies achieve a high level of health and safety.
Supervisors have many responsibilities, and must be deemed competent when it comes to safety. They must perform monitoring functions when it comes to compliance of safety issues. Following progressive disciplinary procedures is a must, and although not a highlight of a supervisors' job, it is a very important aspect. Supervisors must take every precaution reasonable to protect the health and safety of a worker. This brief description of supervisors' responsibilities shows how they are an integral part of the Internal Responsibility System.
Workers have several duties and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. They must report health and safety issues to their supervisor which includes faulty equipment, hazards and fellow workers who are contravening the safety rules. Workers also must not engage in horseplay at work, as there have been several injuries and fatalities resulting from horseplay. There are several other key clauses of the laws of which workers need to be aware of. These laws show that workers play a key role in having a smooth running Internal Responsibility System.
All of these rules and regulations are set forth so a company adopts and follows the Internal Responsibility System. The whole system is very humanistic and basic. Unfortunately the IRS still does not function correctly in many working environments. Until everyone understands their responsibilities and duties when it comes to health and safety, accidents and injuries will continue to mount. We at Synergy are asking individuals to take a step back and ask what is right for human nature. What can I do as a worker, supervisor or owner of a company to ensure we all return home to our families and retire from our working environment without injury?
Owners of a company must make a commitment to health and safety and document this in the companies' policy. They must also make sure all levels are trained in the hazards of the working environment. Employers must also ensure that proper maintenance of equipment and the building are complete. Finally an employer must 'take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances to protect workers'. This is known as due diligence and is probably the best example of how health and safety is meant to function. In theory this is the ideal, however in practice it is very difficult to achieve. As we know no one is immune to injury or accidents, and it is this principal coupled with due diligence that helps good companies achieve a high level of health and safety.
Supervisors have many responsibilities, and must be deemed competent when it comes to safety. They must perform monitoring functions when it comes to compliance of safety issues. Following progressive disciplinary procedures is a must, and although not a highlight of a supervisors' job, it is a very important aspect. Supervisors must take every precaution reasonable to protect the health and safety of a worker. This brief description of supervisors' responsibilities shows how they are an integral part of the Internal Responsibility System.
Workers have several duties and responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. They must report health and safety issues to their supervisor which includes faulty equipment, hazards and fellow workers who are contravening the safety rules. Workers also must not engage in horseplay at work, as there have been several injuries and fatalities resulting from horseplay. There are several other key clauses of the laws of which workers need to be aware of. These laws show that workers play a key role in having a smooth running Internal Responsibility System.
All of these rules and regulations are set forth so a company adopts and follows the Internal Responsibility System. The whole system is very humanistic and basic. Unfortunately the IRS still does not function correctly in many working environments. Until everyone understands their responsibilities and duties when it comes to health and safety, accidents and injuries will continue to mount. We at Synergy are asking individuals to take a step back and ask what is right for human nature. What can I do as a worker, supervisor or owner of a company to ensure we all return home to our families and retire from our working environment without injury?
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