This chapter discusses workplace health and safety. It covers the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), which established health and safety standards and enforcement. OSHA requires record keeping of injuries and illnesses and authorizes workplace inspections. Contemporary issues like workplace violence, indoor air quality, repetitive stress injuries, and stress are also discussed. The chapter describes how employee assistance programs and wellness programs can help address health issues.

1. Chapter 13
Health and Safety

2. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 2
Introduction
Ø management has both legal and moral
responsibilities to provide a safe and healthy
workplace
Ø work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses are
costly
Ø cost of lost productivity to U.S. companies surpasses
$100 billion annually. Enter:

3. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 3
The Occupational Safety and Health Act
OSHA
Ø 1970 federal legislation
Ø established health and safety standards
Ø authorized inspections and fines for violations
Ø empowered OSH Administration to ensure
standards are met
Ø requires employers to keep records of illnesses
and injuries, and calculate accident ratios
Ø applies to almost every U.S. business engaged
in interstate commerce

4. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 4
The Occupational Safety and Health Act
1. imminent danger: where an accident is
about to occur
2. accidents that have led to serious injuries or
death: Employer must report within 8 hours
3. employee complaints: employees have right
to call OSHA
OSHA’s Five Inspection Priorities

5. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 5
The Occupational Safety and Health Act
4. inspection of industries with the highest injury
or illness rates
5. random inspection
Ø Supreme Court ruled (Marshall v. Barlow’s Inc., 1978)
that employers are not required to let OSHA inspectors enter
without search warrants
Ø most attorneys recommend companies cooperate with
inspectors
meat processing
lumber and wood products
roofing and sheet metal
chemical processing
transportation
warehousing

6. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 6
The Occupational Safety and Health Act
Ø industries with high incidences of injury (incident
rates) must keep records for OSHA
Ø basis for record-keeping is Form 300
Ø must report any work-related illness; report
injuries that require medical treatment besides
first aid, involve loss of consciousness, restriction
of work or motion, or transfer to another job
Ø incidence rate: number of illnesses, injuries or
lost workdays per 100 full-time workers
OSHA’s Record-Keeping Requirements

7. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 7
The Occupational Safety and Health Act
Ø Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990
allows fines up to $70,000 if violation is
severe, willful and repetitive
Ø fines can be for safety violations or failure to
keep adequate records
Ø courts have backed criminal charges against
executives when they have willfully violated
health and safety laws
OSHA Punitive Actions

8. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 8
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
is a government agency that researches and makes
recommendations to prevent work-related illness and injury.
OSHA: A Resource for Employers
1. fostering management and employee involvement
2. offering worksite analysis
3. teaching hazard prevention and control
4. training employees, supervisors, managers
OSHA also helps small businesses and
entrepreneurs by

9. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 9
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
workplace
violence
indoor
air quality
smoke-free
environment
repetitive
stress
injuries
STRESS!

10. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 10
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
Ø at-risk workers are those who exchange money and/or interact
primarily with the public, make deliveries, work alone or in small
groups, and work late-night or early morning hours
Ø recommended HRM actions:
1. develop a plan, including review of policies and employee treatment;
respect to workers is paramount
2. train supervisors to identify and deal with troubled employees
3. implement stronger security mechanisms
4. prepare employees to deal with violent situations
workplace
violence

11. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 11
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
Ø a building is “sick” if it contains harmful airborne chemicals,
asbestos, or indoor pollution
Ø suggestions for keeping the environment healthy:
1. make sure workers get enough fresh air
2. avoid suspect building materials and furnishings
3. test new buildings for toxins before occupancy
4. provide a smoke-free environment
5. keep air ducts clean and dry
6. pay attention to workers’ complaints
indoor
air
quality

12. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 12
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
Costs of smokers:
Ø increased health premiums
Ø absenteeism
Ø lost productivity due to smoke breaks
Ø maintenance costs
Ø harm to coworkers by second-hand smoke
smoking bans should take a phased-in approach
smoke-free
environment

13. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 13
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
Ø smoke-free policies at work include banning
smoking or restricting it to properly ventilated
designated areas
Ø employees should be involved in phase-in of
programs
Ø some employers offer incentives and help for
employees to stop smoking
smoke-free
environment

14. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 14
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
Ø injuries resulting from continuous, repetitive
movements, such as typing
Ø also referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
Ø the most frequent injury is carpal tunnel syndrome,
which occurs in the wrist
Ø ergonomics, or fitting the work environment to the
individual, can prevent repetitive motion injuries
See http://www.office-ergo.com/a.htm for specific tips.
repetitive
stress
injuries

15. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 15
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
Ø we feel negative stress in the face of constraints,
demands, and pressure
Ø stress costs U.S. corporations almost $300 billion
annually
STRESS!
The American Institute of Stress, www.stress.org, offers a wealth of
information, including this questionnaire that assesses stress levels:
http://www.stress.org/topic-workplace.htm

16. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 16
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
Common Causes of Stress
organizational personal
Task demands - job design,
working conditions,
physical layout, work quotas.
Role demands - conflicts,
overload and ambiguity.
Interpersonal demands
-lack of social support
and poor interpersonal
relationships.
Organizational structure
Organizational leadership
Family issues
Personal economic problems
Inherent personality
characteristics
– type A / type B dichotomy
organizational personal

17. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 17
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
Ø physiological (increased blood pressure, headaches,
increased pulse rate) are the most difficult to observe
Ø psychological (increased tension and anxiety, boredom,
procrastination) can lead to productivity decreases
Ø behavioral (increased smoking or substance
consumption, sleep disorders) also affect the
organization
What HR Can Do
1. match individuals to their jobs
2. clarify expectations
3. redesign jobs
4. offer involvement and participation
Symptoms of Stress

18. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 18
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
Ø Dilemmas for HRM include:
1. balancing the need to energize people with
the need to minimize dysfunctional stress
2. deciding how much an employer can
intrude on employees’ personal lives
Reducing Stress

19. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 19
Four techniques HR can use to reduce burnout:
1. identification
2. prevention
3. mediation
4. remediation
Contemporary Health and Safety Issues
Burnout is a function of three concerns:
Ø chronic emotional stress with emotional and/or physical
exhaustion
Ø lowered job productivity
Ø dehumanizing of jobs
Take this quiz if you think you are approaching burnout at work:
http://stress.about.com/library/burnout/bl_job_burnout_quiz.htm
Burnout

20. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 20
Employee Assistance Programs
Ø extension of 1940’s programs to help employees with
alcohol-related problems
Ø cost-effective counseling to help employees overcome
problems such as:
1. substance abuse
2. bereavement
3. child-parent problems
4. marriage problems
A Brief History of EAPs

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The Employee Assistance Program
Øprovides employees visits with counselors at
company expense; usually visits are off-site
Øhelp control rising health insurance costs
Øemployees and supervisors must be familiar
with and trust the program and perceive EAPs
as worthwhile
Øconfidentiality is guaranteed
Øfor every dollar spent on EAP programs,
studies estimate a return of $5.00 to $16.00 in
savings
EAPs Today

22. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 22
The Employee Assistance Program
Ø programs to keep employees healthy; include smoking
cessation, physical fitness, weight control, etc.
Ø designed to cut employer health costs and lower
absenteeism
Ø employees must view programs as having value
Ø must have top management support
Ø should also provide services for employees’ families
Ø need opportunities for employee input
Wellness Programs

23. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management, 10/e, DeCenzo/Robbins Chapter 13, slide 23
International Safety and Health
1. an up-to-date health certificate providing records of
employee vaccinations
2. a general first aid kit should include over-the-counter and
prescription medications and other supplies that might not
be available to U.S. workers abroad
3. emergency plans help expatriates anticipate medical
needs and locate resources
4. U.S. Department of State “hotline” provides travel alerts
about such issues as terrorist activity or disease
outbreaks
5. security concerns prompt recommendations regarding
travel modes, attire, and “blending in”
International Health Issues/Needs