| Not many would be aware of this, but the | | | | Stress at work place is common. But if |
| government has legislation for health | | | | it starts affecting the health of the |
| and safety of people at work. The Health | | | | employee then it is a problem. Employers |
| and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 requires | | | | should identify the factors causing |
| the employers to have proper health and | | | | excessive stress to the employees. A |
| safety management systems at work. The | | | | stress risk assessment should be done to |
| Act makes provision for securing the | | | | identify the potential hazards and |
| health of people at work, welfare and | | | | risks. Proper measures should be adopted |
| safety of the employees including the | | | | to control excessive employee stress. |
| people who are not directly employed by | | | | Employees should be given proper |
| the company like contractors and | | | | training, support and care to help them |
| visitors. | | | | prevent & relieve the stress. |
| While the law exists and it is mandatory | | | | Employers should follow the norms of the |
| for the employers to follow the | | | | Control of Substances Hazardous to |
| guidelines, it is also necessary for the | | | | Health Regulations. They should assess |
| employees to know about their rights and | | | | the health risks faced by the employees |
| duties regarding their own health & | | | | from the chemicals or substances used at |
| safety. Employers should conduct a | | | | workplace. Proper control measures |
| General Risk Assessment to ensure the | | | | should be adopted and the same should be |
| health and safety of their employees. | | | | followed by the employees. Training and |
| To create awareness about health & | | | | information about the health risks |
| safety at work, the employers should | | | | should be provided to the employees. |
| have proper employee induction & health | | | | The employers are also required to have |
| and safety training programs whenever | | | | proper policies for disability health & |
| new employees join the company. The | | | | safety. Employees with cognitive, |
| induction program should educate the | | | | physical, sensory, ambulant and other |
| employees about the safety standards, | | | | disabilities have a right to proper |
| procedures and policies of the company. | | | | arrangements and facilities at the |
| The basics of health and safety at work | | | | workplace. There should be proper |
| start with having proper First Aid. | | | | access, lighting, signage, seating |
| Every organization big or small must | | | | arrangements for the disabled. Other |
| have proper First Aid Kits and systems. | | | | employees of the company should also be |
| While at work, people can suffer an | | | | sensitized about the same. |
| injury or fall ill. It is very important | | | | New and expectant mothers have a right |
| for the company / firm to have proper | | | | to proper care at the workplace. The |
| arrangements so that the employees can | | | | employers should identify the potential |
| receive immediate medical attention. A | | | | hazards to the mother as well as the |
| person who has received proper training | | | | baby while at work. The employers can |
| for administering First Aid should be | | | | offer alternative work, different or |
| appointed for this. | | | | less work timings or paid leave to |
| Fire safety is of prime importance at | | | | ensure the health and safety of the |
| work. The potential hazards and sources | | | | mother and baby. Similarly, arrangements |
| of fuel, oxygen & ignition etc should be | | | | should be made for young persons at work |
| identified. Proper Fire detection and | | | | and lone workers. A general risk |
| warning systems should be in place to | | | | assessment should be done for the |
| prevent any mishaps. Fire extinguishers | | | | security, health and safety of such |
| should be kept ready in different places | | | | employees. |
| throughout the building. There should be | | | | It is important that the employer as |
| exit doors and escape routes in the | | | | well as the employee is aware of the |
| building. Electrical equipments and | | | | rights and duties pertaining to health |
| wiring should be proper and checked at | | | | and safety at workplace. For details you |
| regular intervals. The employees should | | | | can take the services of a health and |
| be given training on dealing with fire | | | | safety consultant or just search for |
| emergencies. Fire drill and Fire Risk | | | | "health and safety at work" on any major |
| Assessment should be done at regular | | | | search engine. |
| intervals. | | | | |