Health and safety at work

Not many would be aware of this, but theintervals.
government has legislation for health and safetyStress at work place is common. But if it starts
of people at work. The Health and Safety ataffecting the health of the employee then it is a
Work etc Act 1974 requires the employers toproblem. Employers should identify the factors
have proper health and safety managementcausing excessive stress to the employees. A
systems at work. The Act makes provision forstress risk assessment should be done to identify
securing the health of people at work, welfarethe potential hazards and risks. Proper measures
and safety of the employees including the peopleshould be adopted to control excessive employee
who are not directly employed by the companystress. Employees should be given proper training,
like contractors and visitors.support and care to help them prevent & relieve
While the law exists and it is mandatory for thethe stress.
employers to follow the guidelines, it is alsoEmployers should follow the norms of the Control
necessary for the employees to know about theirof Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.
rights and duties regarding their own health &They should assess the health risks faced by the
safety. Employers should conduct a General Riskemployees from the chemicals or substances
Assessment to ensure the health and safety ofused at workplace. Proper control measures
their employees.should be adopted and the same should be
To create awareness about health & safety atfollowed by the employees. Training and
work, the employers should have properinformation about the health risks should be
employee induction & health and safety trainingprovided to the employees.
programs whenever new employees join theThe employers are also required to have proper
company. The induction program should educatepolicies for disability health & safety. Employees
the employees about the safety standards,with cognitive, physical, sensory, ambulant and
procedures and policies of the company.other disabilities have a right to proper
The basics of health and safety at work startarrangements and facilities at the workplace.
with having proper First Aid. Every organization bigThere should be proper access, lighting, signage,
or small must have proper First Aid Kits andseating arrangements for the disabled. Other
systems. While at work, people can suffer anemployees of the company should also be
injury or fall ill. It is very important for thesensitized about the same.
company / firm to have proper arrangements soNew and expectant mothers have a right to
that the employees can receive immediateproper care at the workplace. The employers
medical attention. A person who has receivedshould identify the potential hazards to the
proper training for administering First Aid should bemother as well as the baby while at work. The
appointed for this.employers can offer alternative work, different or
Fire safety is of prime importance at work. Theless work timings or paid leave to ensure the
potential hazards and sources of fuel, oxygen &health and safety of the mother and baby.
ignition etc should be identified. Proper FireSimilarly, arrangements should be made for young
detection and warning systems should be in placepersons at work and lone workers. A general risk
to prevent any mishaps. Fire extinguishers shouldassessment should be done for the security,
be kept ready in different places throughout thehealth and safety of such employees.
building. There should be exit doors and escapeIt is important that the employer as well as the
routes in the building. Electrical equipments andemployee is aware of the rights and duties
wiring should be proper and checked at regularpertaining to health and safety at workplace. For
intervals. The employees should be given trainingdetails you can take the services of a health and
on dealing with fire emergencies. Fire drill and Firesafety consultant or just search for health and
Risk Assessment should be done at regularsafety at work on any major search engine.