A Ten-Year-Old Strategy to Improve Health and Safety - Essay Example

151714 FIRST QUESTION A ten year old strategy to improve health and safety (RHS) was launched on 7th June 2000, jointly by Government and Health and Safety Commission. It contains three elements: improvement of targets, a 10-point strategy and 44 action points. The move's goal is introducing better health and safety rules in workplaces, making workers to take more care of themselves by adapting better safety measures, making the work region an inviting place that is highly comfortable and secure and motivating workers and managers to think and reflect on various methods and rules that would make the workplace safe and sound. The main reason for the introduction was according to 2000 statistics same number of people were getting injured at workplace as in 1990s and it showed an acute lack of progress in safety measures. The Health and Safety at Work Act had been in vogue from 1974, but nothing else had been done ever since and it amounted to apathy. "Now 25 years on, it is time to give a new impetus to health and safety at work. Too many deaths still occur at work. Each death or serious injury in the workplace is a tragedy; a tragedy that causes devastation for workers, their families and loved ones; a tragedy which, perhaps, could have been avoided in the first place" says Deputy Prime Minister in his forward. (http://www.hse.gov.uk/revitalising/strategy.pdf) A great number of working days are lost every year due to ill-health and injury showing the importance of reducing the incidence of work related ill health and accidents. Government and connected organisations have been trying all ways of reducing such fatalities and injuries. Government also launched their Securing Health Together (SHT) programme and the main intention had been controlling work related ill health (WRIH). There were necessities and compulsions that forced the government to set targets and specific aims. While doing so, several priority areas have been identified. "The aim of Revitalising Health and Safety is to reflect the changing world of work and the need for a regulatory system to match. It also acknowledges that there are parts of British industry, such as construction and agriculture, which kill and maim far too many workers each year," http://www.epolitix.com/NR/rdonlyres/861CC38A-A682-4264-AA12-1042E77E2C81/0/revitalisingheatlhandsafety.pdf There was an immediate need of upgrading health and safety measures in Britain and studies and surveys have shown that ill health and accident rates were spiralling up instead of coming down and this alarmed the Government. There were many fatalities especially in the construction industry. There are many workplaces similar to construction where health and safety hazards are rampant and they needed immediate government attention. "The challenge for all stakeholders is to reduce deaths, injuries and work-related ill health. Government Departments are required to Demonstrate that they are leading by example and are using best practice in health and safety management" http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/InformationNote2100.pdf Government and HSC decided to work in partnership all connected parties to introduce a series of reforms and improvements keeping workers' health and safety as goals. This ambitious project was undertaken with the specific need of better safety and health measures to meet the requirement of the changing, globalising world and expanding businesses in need of fit and secure work force. IMPACT ON SAFETY: The introduction of revitalisation for a period of ten years made tremendous impact on safety of workers at all workplaces. In Britain, there was not a single work place which remained untouched at one point or other as a result of this measure. The immediate targets were to "reduce the number of working days lost per 100,000 workers from work-related injury and ill health by 30 by 2010; reduce the incidence rate of cases of work-related ill health by 20% by 2010; reduce the incidence rate of fatalities and major injuries by 10% by 2010; and achieve half the improvement under each target by 2004," http://www.corporateaccountability.org/dl/Targets.pdf A total of more than 24 million working days were lost due to ill-health and work related diseases every year. Nearly 2 million workers as an average, complain about ill health with 400,000 cases increasing each year. Figures also showed that there was a 34% increase in fatal injuries at work. In 1999/2000 almost 29,000 fatal/major injuries were reported and there was no time for complacence any more. Government had to act, and act immediately, and the result was the Revitalisation that vowed to reduce all these figures drastically by 2010. The Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents welcomed Deputy Prime Minister's initiative to review the health and safety measures to re-energise the system and re-invigorate health and safety at work. Popular opinion was in support of assessing the strengths and weaknesses of all the connected systems. "Securing Health Together" was the theme with a Partnership Board where all stakeholders were invited, and it worked at five levels of Project Action Groups. "The 'revitalising package' (including SHT) is clearly aimed at stimulating fresh approaches to health and safety improvement, building on the advances achieved over the last twenty five years. No specific commitment has been given however to increasing government resources to HSC/E. On the other hand, there is a clear desire to unlock under-utilised resources elsewhere in the 'health and safety system' by encouraging new kinds of partnership and co-operation to 'make 'health and safety happen' http://www.rospa.com/occupationalsafety/revitalising/securing.htm According to Council Directive 92/57/EEC of 24, June 1992, many measures were introduced for the safety of workers at various workplaces, but nothing much had been done after that. With revitalising suddenly British healthy and safety performance improved to a large extent. Construction industry was introduced into 'Strategy for sustainable construction'. All the stakeholders were faced with the challenge of reducing deaths, risks, and dangers at work place. The initiative taken has directly connected work places with environmental and ecological issues. Naturally government departments were in forefront having shouldered the necessity of being a model to other industries and organisations. "It is important, therefore, that Premises Managers, particularly those with health and safety responsibilities, keep themselves aware of developments in these areas, and are aware of the initiatives and advice contained in the Strategy Statement" http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/InformationNote2100.pdf Action points asked government departments to maintain a health and safety checklist, Annual reports containing safety figures, removal of Crown Immunity, execution of the new Client's Charter, and implementation of Cabinet Office's 'Virtual Health and Safety Network'. These are in addition to the introduction of Forum. Staff at all work places was invited to learn their own safety and health policy while also being aware of public health and safety. All safety measures were modernised with new tools and renewed commitment. Most organisations introduced training in health and safety, especially in new safety measures. Safety management responsibility today has become one of the most important areas handled by management. Health and Safety (Directors' duties) Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on 12th January 2005. "The main purpose of the Bill is to impose an obligation upon all company directors to take all reasonable steps to ensure that their company is complying with health and safety law" http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmbills/022/en/05022x--.htm In accordance with the revitalizing programme, new legal measures had to be introduced and directors of organisations had to be briefed with new laws, so that safety of workers become a matter of paramount importance in all work places. Industries and Unions came up with their own ideas of further safety and health and most of them made it part of mission statement and their annual manifesto. The BFAWU mentioning its desire to make Food Industry a very safe place to work, announced "We believe that the way to make real improvements in health & safety standards is to encourage the Union's Safety Representatives and their respective employers to work together in joint initiatives that seek to find mutual solutions to health & safety problems" http://www.bfawu.org/health.htm Various measures were introduced and safety equipments were revolutionised. It was only a matter of time before other smaller industries followed suit. The target year of 2010 no doubt is yet to arrive; but all statistics show that there is a remarkable improvement in safety measures in all industries and work places and management everywhere is taking unprecedented care about the safety of their employees. Health and Safety Executive Commission has shouldered an enormous responsibility in this arena and now it is part of Department of Work and Pensions and it is hailed as a good move. It is also tackling health hazards to British seamen on British waters and asbestos related sicknesses. Occupational diseases such as cancer, asthma, and cardio-vascular illnesses still remain its main priority. Dangerous industries like the ones dealing with asbestos connected material have been rendered extra-ordinary care and regulations so that lung-fibroid like sicknesses do not develop. On the whole, safety measures are given a great overhaul after the revitalisation has been introduced. SECOND QUESTION "Substantial changes in the culture and structure of UK construction are required to enable the improvements in the project process that will deliver our ambition of a modem construction industry. These include changes in working conditions, skills and training, approaches to design, use of technology and relationships between companies" said Sir Egan in his report. http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/pdf/rethinking%20construction/rethinking_construction_report.pdf Revitalisation had an enormous impact on construction industry mainly because the main issue targeted industries like construction where danger lurks behind every move. A fall from a height that could result in grievous injuries, accidents with workplace transport, musculoskeletal disorders and job stress are all parts of construction industry and hence, part of construction workers' lives. Workplace Health Connect started working in a confidential way in Construction industry. It helps workers to understand health and safety dangers and measures involved so that they can ensure their own safety by adhering to standards and they provide access to quality health and safety advice quickly and construction industry is co-operating with government bodies. "There are many reputable parts of the industry working hard to ensure that standards of safety and health are improved," Systems and Programmes (2004, p.9). Today health, safety and construction industry go hand in hand. Self-regulation is found to be more effective and workers undergo extensive training on safety regulations to safeguard themselves and their fellow-workers. They already come under COSHH Regulations of 1988 and after revitalisation and European Directives, perhaps construction industry has become much safer. Its objectives of regulations have no doubt, remained the same: Controlling exposures, introducing safe alternatives to hazardous materials, discouraging health risk materials etc. To achieve this purpose, they interact with developers, clients and design teams, suppliers, professional advisers, main and management contractors, sub-contractors, employees and the self-employed entrepreneurs. But this does not mean that there are no gaps. "None of the companies visited had any formal occupational health provision, although one company did provide access to private health care for certain groups of employees, and this included a general screening medical for staff above a certain grade. In general there was limited knowledge of availability of occupational health provision, or of the health-based needs within the company," Mapping Health hazards and Risks across Aspects of the Construction Process (p.18). Occupational health and safety problems of construction are multi-dimensional. Serious injuries from accidents, high rate of fatalities from fall, difficulties of handling, using and storage of hazardous material are the more obvious risks. Apart from these, there are other problems like irritation or injury on skin and eyes, acid mists, silica dust and asbestos damaging the respiratory tract or lungs, solvents being carried through blood to other organs, swallowing airborne dust while eating, drinking, smoking, lead or arsenic getting into the system while biting nails or licking fingers etc. and these could be disastrous to the stomach and intestines and could cause ultimate damage. Determining the risk had been the first step towards better safety and this means an understanding of potential harm, while trying to reduce possible route of entries and assessing potential contact time. Construction industry with help from Health and Safety, have gone through sources of information for assessments like materials, symbols on labels, material safety data sheets. They have conducted site surveys, work practices, have seen if management and controls are effective and adequate. It also included safer and better ways of removing asbestos from the transport, their safe transport, flame-cutting of painted steelwork as many paints contain lead, safer use of surface coatings like paints and varnishes without lead and installation of better thermal insulation at end of any project. Monitoring exposure to hazardous material has improved through routes of entry regulations. Exposure standards are better regulated after maximum Exposure limits, occupational exposure standards are standardised because it was found that measuring exposure is necessary to evaluate risk to health and it establishes the efficacy of control measures while deciding suitable individualised protection. Sampling techniques, planning and surveys to judge effect of dust, fumes, gases, vapours etc. are more frequent and this has resulted in higher level of competence and quality control. There are many control measures through elimination, substitution, isolation of hazardous materials. It includes ventilation and better work practices combined with improved personal protection and housekeeping. Readily available and frequently replaced protective clothing and equipment, training to use, hand/eye/respiratory protection, guidance in avoiding lead, asbestos, wood preservatives, asthma/dermatitis/carcinogens-causing agents. Fatal falls from height is the most dangerous accident in construction industry. To reduce or eliminate this possibility, skill, knowledge, ability is required along with the training and common sense. Morale, strength, presence of mind, team working, situational awareness, readiness for action, wellbeing of body and mind, communication are important too along with availability of information and timely/reliable help. Internal and external (noise, temperature, light, vibration, congestion, vehicles, nearby noisy factories, roads, distractions, weather, public proximity) work conditions have improved to a large extent depending on sites and this atmosphere. With frequent inspection/maintenance resulting in equipment operability This needs updated information, training, instruction to managers, supervisors, workers, clients, advisers, planners and designers. Strategies of handling hazardous material and their planning, implementation are more stringent now. Better training/planning is provided for safe working in contaminated and demolition sites with more informed management supervision. Pay conditions and policy level influences could be of more assistance because in spite of all the measures, job attraction is diminishing in this area. "Construction is increasingly seen as an unattractive occupation, low intellect work, poor working conditions and low pay. There has been a deskilling because of technology advancement," Improving Health and Safety in Construction (2001, p.8.14). No doubt, certain risks cannot be avoided and there are constraints. "Measures which protect everyone should be given priority over those which protect only an individualIt is the designer's duty to see if hazards can be avoided, and if they cannot, to look for ways of combating the risk at source and of providing general rather than individual protection," Designing for Health and Safety in Construction (1995, p.12). Health and safety measures start at the level of conception and feasibility, design and planning and continue throughout main work and clients should be made aware of the compulsions. There is also a necessity to adopt common methods of communication and employee involvement as this would be beneficial in building trust between management and workers, in having better perception of hazards, staying fit and healthy, increasing company loyalty, improving productivity, reducing staff turnover, improving quality standards. All these could result in customer loyalty, improved relations and morale, and reduce material and cost waste eventually. "Communications problems arise less often in a small company where you can gather all the people together in a room and talk to them. In a study on the construction industry, Gorse and Emmitt (1998) conclude for informal communication environments are more effective than formal communication environments, and that more holistic forms of communication, especially face to face, are more effective," Contract Research Report (2001, p.4). Construction industry is one of the major industries that continue to be benefited by revitalisation programmes in Britain. Most of the hazards have been either removed or remedied in recent years and industry is considered as comparatively safe now. BIBLIOGRAPHY: 1. Designing for Health and Safety in Construction (2000), Construction Industry Advisory Committee. 2. Establishing effective Communications and Participation in the Construction Sector, Contract Research Report, 391/2001, Norwich. 3. Improving Health and Safety in Construction, Contract Research Report, 387/2001, Norwich. 4. Mapping Health Hazards and risks across aspects of the construction process, Contract Research Report, 447/20002, Norwich. 5. Systems and Programmes (2004), European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Luxembourg. ONLINE SOURCES: 1. http://www.hse.gov.uk/revitalising/strategy.pdf 2. http://www.epolitix.com/NR/rdonlyres/861CC38A-A682-4264-AA12-1042E77E2C81/0/revitalisingheatlhandsafety.pdf 3. http://www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/InformationNote2100.pdf 4. http://www.corporateaccountability.org/dl/Targets.pdf 5. http://www.rospa.com/occupationalsafety/revitalising/securing.htm 6. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmbills/022/en/05022x--.htm 7. http://www.bfawu.org/health.htm 8. http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/pdf/rethinking%20construction/rethinking_construction_report.pdf Read More