Health and Safety

Health and safety have always been priorities in most companies, but working conditions are now going beyond the basics of keeping the work area safe and clean. Most companies provide opportunities to contribute to the quality of life at work, professional career development and job enrichment, recreation and cultural activities, child care, special permits responsibilities unrelated to the work or community service flexible working hours and higher health care for retirees.

Responsibilities of employees

Employee responsibilities are as follows:

• responsibility to work in accordance with laws and regulations implemented in organization

• responsibility to use equipment or protective clothing as instructed by the employer

• responsibility to report risks and hazards in the workplace

• responsibility to work in the manner required by the employer and use safety equipment required

Responsibilities of the employer

Employer responsibilities are as follows:

• Establish and maintain a joint health and safety at work and encourage workers to select at least one representative in the health and safety.

• Take all reasonable precautions to ensure that the workplace is safe.

• Train employees on all potential risks and how to safely use, handle, store and dispose of hazardous substances and to deal with emergencies.

• Provide personal protective equipment and ensure that employees know how to use it properly and safely.

• Immediately report all critical injuries to the department responsible for this.

• Appoint a qualified safety supervisor who sets performance standards and ensure that work is still running in safe conditions.

The British government recognizes that occupational stress is a growing problem and costly. The Directorate for Health and Safety (Health and Safety Executive, HSE) says there is a clear link between poor work organization and health problems. Its key messages relate to the fact that stress is a serious problem in organizations, but...