I am now based in Dubai as an employee of Dubai Government's Department of Public Health and Safety under the Occupational Safety section. I started working last August 1, 2010 as a Safety Specialist and i was fortunate to have an orientation and appreciation training and a chance to visit their different departments.
With the short two weeks orientation program, i also had the chance to evaluate and appreciate their existing programs as far as Occupational Safety and Health is concerned. There are few departments who are already IMS certified, meaning they are already certified with the following standards: Quality Systems (ISO 9001), Environmental Management System (ISO 14001) and Safety Management System (OHSAS 18001). While the other departments have yet to start their own Safety Management Program and/or Safety Management System (SMS) and safety procedures.
It is also part of my job to evaluate their existing safety Technical Guidelines and the government's Safety Manual. Quite tough and challenging job ahead.
Showing posts with label safety management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label safety management. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Why do managers make a commitment to safety?
Reason No. 2 To fulfill the fiscal imperative.
This strategy can be quite effective. Managers who are motivated to invest in safety understand the financial benefits derived from effective application of safety programs. The primary reason for "doing safety" shifts to maximizing profits. The goal is to fulfill the obligation to stakeholders to operate the business in a fiscally prudent manner. These managers will do whatever needs to be done proactively or reactively to save on direct and indirect costs of accidents. Management may display a commitment beyond minimum legal requirements if they see a financial advantage. Safety is most likely a high priority. However, commitment to safety may be subject to rapid change when the going gets tough.
This strategy can be quite effective. Managers who are motivated to invest in safety understand the financial benefits derived from effective application of safety programs. The primary reason for "doing safety" shifts to maximizing profits. The goal is to fulfill the obligation to stakeholders to operate the business in a fiscally prudent manner. These managers will do whatever needs to be done proactively or reactively to save on direct and indirect costs of accidents. Management may display a commitment beyond minimum legal requirements if they see a financial advantage. Safety is most likely a high priority. However, commitment to safety may be subject to rapid change when the going gets tough.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Role of Employers and Managers in Safety
Getting Top Management Commitment
It is essential to the success of your company's safety and health program that top management demonstrates not only an interest, but a long term serious commitment to protect every employee from injury and illness on the job. But, if you think you don't have that level of commitment, how do you get it? Real commitment doesn't just appear out of thin air. What is the secret?
Management commitment to safety will occur to the extent each manager clearly understands the positive benefits derived from their effort. Understanding the benefits will create a strong desire to improve the company's safety culture. Managers will invest serious time and money into effective safety management by developing programs, policies, written plans and procedures. They will also display leadership through effective accountability and recognition of behaviors and results.
Before an effective and sustainable safety program be implemented in the company - first and most important aspect is to get the full support of the top management. Support means more than lip service, it's leadership in action... not leadership inaction.
It is essential to the success of your company's safety and health program that top management demonstrates not only an interest, but a long term serious commitment to protect every employee from injury and illness on the job. But, if you think you don't have that level of commitment, how do you get it? Real commitment doesn't just appear out of thin air. What is the secret?
Management commitment to safety will occur to the extent each manager clearly understands the positive benefits derived from their effort. Understanding the benefits will create a strong desire to improve the company's safety culture. Managers will invest serious time and money into effective safety management by developing programs, policies, written plans and procedures. They will also display leadership through effective accountability and recognition of behaviors and results.
Before an effective and sustainable safety program be implemented in the company - first and most important aspect is to get the full support of the top management. Support means more than lip service, it's leadership in action... not leadership inaction.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Legal Basis of Safety and Safety Management
Good day fellow Health and Safety advocates here in Cagayan de Oro City or in any part here
in Mindanao Philippines. Here is another entry of some Safety and Health topics as promised
during the last day of our Construction Safety and BOSH training held in Cagayan de Oro last
week.
So first things first...
WHY SAFETY? WHAT ARE THE LEGAL BASIS OF SAFETY IN THE PHILIPPINES?
According to the Occupation Safety and Health (OSH) standard, every employer has a legal
obligation to furnish employment (work) and a place of employment (workplace) free from
known hazards that could cause serious injury or death. This entry is designed to give you
some ideas to help meet that obligation and apply effective management principles to the
function of workplace safety. The ultimate goal is to help you understand these principles
so that it affects your thinking, beliefs, decision and finally your actions to improve your
company's safety management system and leadership culture.
Maybe, you've remembered the cost of an accident: the Direct and Indirect Cost. Look below
at what effective safety and health management can offer.
SAFETY IS SMART BUSINESS!
If you want to reduce the costs and risks associated with workplace injuries, illnesses, and
fatalities, you should place as much emphasis on safety and health in your workplace as you
do other management issues such as production, sales, transportation and quality control.
The old phrase, "Safety First," may sound nice, but in reality, safety is less effective if
it's thought to be a priority. In a highly competitive environment priorities can change
rapidly. To survive, a company must both produce and be safe. Turn safety into a core value
that never changes. Change "safety first" into "Safety only."
"Safety Only" emphasizes the idea that its fine to produce as hard and fast as you can, as
long as you can do it safely. High productivity is desired, but if a safety hazard or
practice is discovered that might cause serious physical harm or death, it should be
corrected immediately, even if that means shutting down production. That's commitment to
safety!
Please post your comments and if you have some topics on Safety and Health to share here,
please do not hesitate to email and contact me. You may also want to share this very new
site to all your friends who are interested in advancing a career in Safety whether here in
Cagayan de Oro City, in Mindanao, here in the Philippines or even abroad.
in Mindanao Philippines. Here is another entry of some Safety and Health topics as promised
during the last day of our Construction Safety and BOSH training held in Cagayan de Oro last
week.
So first things first...
WHY SAFETY? WHAT ARE THE LEGAL BASIS OF SAFETY IN THE PHILIPPINES?
According to the Occupation Safety and Health (OSH) standard, every employer has a legal
obligation to furnish employment (work) and a place of employment (workplace) free from
known hazards that could cause serious injury or death. This entry is designed to give you
some ideas to help meet that obligation and apply effective management principles to the
function of workplace safety. The ultimate goal is to help you understand these principles
so that it affects your thinking, beliefs, decision and finally your actions to improve your
company's safety management system and leadership culture.
Maybe, you've remembered the cost of an accident: the Direct and Indirect Cost. Look below
at what effective safety and health management can offer.
SAFETY IS SMART BUSINESS!
If you want to reduce the costs and risks associated with workplace injuries, illnesses, and
fatalities, you should place as much emphasis on safety and health in your workplace as you
do other management issues such as production, sales, transportation and quality control.
The old phrase, "Safety First," may sound nice, but in reality, safety is less effective if
it's thought to be a priority. In a highly competitive environment priorities can change
rapidly. To survive, a company must both produce and be safe. Turn safety into a core value
that never changes. Change "safety first" into "Safety only."
"Safety Only" emphasizes the idea that its fine to produce as hard and fast as you can, as
long as you can do it safely. High productivity is desired, but if a safety hazard or
practice is discovered that might cause serious physical harm or death, it should be
corrected immediately, even if that means shutting down production. That's commitment to
safety!
Please post your comments and if you have some topics on Safety and Health to share here,
please do not hesitate to email and contact me. You may also want to share this very new
site to all your friends who are interested in advancing a career in Safety whether here in
Cagayan de Oro City, in Mindanao, here in the Philippines or even abroad.
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