Safety training - Essay Example

1. What may have contributed to the failure of the safety training program at Pro's Choice Explain. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA, 2008), it is the duty of each employer to furnish employees with a place of employment free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. It is also the duty of each employee to comply with occupational safety and health standards and all rules, regulations, and orders issued pursuant to the Act which are applicable to the employee's own actions and conduct.

From this mandate, it may be gleaned that either the employer or the employee or both contributed to the failure of the safety training program at Pro's Choice. Although Pro's Choice conducted safety and health training program for its employees using videos, posters, and pamphlets, safety and health practices may not have been seriously implemented by both management and employees. It may also be that the training methods chosen were not suited for those being trained, thereby little learning was achieved and implementation of supposedly learned practices failed.

Another reason would be that the working environment at Pro's Choice has also not been provided as free from hazards as evidenced by the OSHA citations and fine for a serious infraction. This is indicative of Pro's Choice lack of commitment to safety and health for its employees, which may be the reason why supervisor safety warnings are joked about as a band-aid procedure.2. What would you suggest doing to make the safety program successful Explain. Firstly, management commitment to occupational safety and health should be established, especially since there are government laws that companies have to comply with.

Moreover, the lack of management commitment will eventually be costly for the company as it may result in additional medical costs for injured employees, government sanctions for violations and infractions, and deterioration of company image as a good place to work. With regards to safety and health training, Cohen & Colligan (1998), identifies several types of programs, rather than merely watching videos and reading pamphlets. A Fundamentals Program consists of instruction in prevention of work-related injury and illness through proper use and maintenance of tools, equipment, materials; knowledge of emergency procedures; personal hygiene measures; needs for medical monitoring; and use of personal protective equipment for non-routine operations or as an interim safeguard until engineering controls can be implemented.

A Recognition Program emphasizes awareness of workplace hazards; knowledge of methods of hazard elimination or control; understanding right-to-know laws and ways for collecting information on workplace hazards; recognizing symptoms of toxic exposures; and observing and reporting hazards or potential hazards to appropriate bodies. A Problem-Solving Program provides workers with information and skills to be able to perform hazard recognition and control activities; to help identify/solve problems through teamwork, to exercise rights to have outside agencies investigate workplace hazards when warranted, and invites worker input in planning or design of new operations or processes for hazard control.

An Empowerment Program consists of instruction to build and broaden worker skills in hazard recognition and problem-solving and emphasizes worker activism with the goal of ensuring their rights to an illness-and injury-free workplace. An additional recommendation is the creation of an occupational health and safety function within the organization. This has already been done in most manufacturing establishments. The manager responsible for the function shall be responsible for conducting the training programs, monitoring success and should have goals to be achieved in terms of decreasing safety and health incidence rates.3. What role should supervisors play in any safety training program Explain.

Firstly, managers and supervisors should also undergo safety and health training. Managers should be trained in their safety and health responsibilities to ensure their continuing support and understanding. They are responsible for the communication of the program's goals and objectives to employees, the assignment of safety and health responsibilities, and must hold subordinates accountable. Supervisors need training in hazard detection, accident investigation, their role in ensuring maintenance of controls, emergency handling, and use of personal protective equipment (OSHA, 2008).

Part of the training is inculcation of responsibilities. Managers set goals and review achievements. Safety and health goals must form part of managers' goals. Supervisors must ensure effective implementation of safety and health measures and ensure maintenance of controls. Safety and health goals should also form part of supervisors' goals.References Collen, A. & Colligan, M. (1998). Assessing occupational safety and health training. Retrieved 11 November 2008, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/98-145-b.

html#introd Occupational Health and Safety Administration. (2008). Occupational health and safety act of 1970. Retrieved 11 November 2008, from http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_documentp_table=OSHACT&p_id=3359 Occupational Health and Safety Administration. (2008). Safety and health training. Retrieved 11 November 2008, from http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/safetyhealth/mod4_factsheets_training.html