This document discusses developing a positive safety culture in the workplace. It outlines the key elements of an effective safety program, including management commitment, employee participation, hazard identification and control, training, and recordkeeping. The benefits of establishing a positive safety culture are reduced injuries and increased productivity and morale. Hazards include chemical, biological, physical, ergonomic and psychological risks. Ergonomic hazards can cause musculoskeletal disorders while excessive stress can have psychological and physiological effects if not properly managed.

1. DEVELOPING A POSITIVE SAFETY CULTURE
Safe jobs, Smart Business
Othniel Obasi Copyright © 2013

2. Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1974
• To secure the health, safety and welfare of
persons at work
• To protect other people from hazards arising
from work
• To control the keeping and use of dangerous
substances and materials, including explosives
and highly flammable materials.

3. Benefits for Establishing
Positive Safety Cultures
• Reduces extent and severity of work related
injuries, illnesses and property damages
• Improves productivity and employee
morale
• Reduces insurance premiums

4. Basic Elements
The following basic elements are essential for an effective
Ports safety and health program :
• Management Commitment and Leadership
• Employee Participation
• Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control
• Accident and Incident Investigation
• Training
• Program Evaluation
• Recordkeeping

5. Management Commitment
• Establish health and safety
policy and culture.
• Define the responsibilities of
supervisory and non supervisory
employees for managing safety
and health in workplace.
• Provide appropriate authority
and adequate resources
to develop and carry out the
program

6. Workers Participation
•Survey or interview
•Safety stewards
•Safety meetings,
•Employee suggestion
system.
•Safety Committee

7. Hazard Identification
• Hazard Categories
• Chemical e.g. Hazardous substances
• Biological e.g. bacteria
• Physical e.g. noise, vibrations
• Ergonomic
• Psychological e.g. Occupational stress.

8. ERGONOMIC
• This is the science of fitting the job to the
worker
the
tool
the
workstation
the task
(job content &
context)
the
organization
the
environment

9. ERGONOMIC
• Goal
–to reduce work-related musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs) developed by workers
• MSDs are injuries and illnesses that affect
muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints or
spinal discs.

10. ERGONOMICS
• Painful joints
• Pain, tingling, numbness in hands, wrists,
forearms, shoulders, knees and feet
• Shooting or stubbing pains
• Swelling or inflammation
Common Symptoms of MSDs

11. ERGONOMICS
• Fingers or toes turning white
• Back or neck pain
• Stiffness
Common Symptoms of MSDs

12. Risk Factor: ERGONOMICS
Static posture

13. Risk Factor: ERGONOMICS
Forceful exertion

14. Risk Factor: ERGONOMICS
Repetitive movement

15. STRESS

16. • The harmful physical and emotional responses
that occurs when the requirements of the job
do not match the capabilities, resources or
needs of the worker.

17. STRESS: Effects

18. STRESS
PSYCHOLOGICAL
 Fatigue
 Anxiety
 Tension
 Irritability
 Depression
 Boredom
 Inability to
concentrate
 Low esteem
PHYSIOLOGICAL
 Heart rate
 Blood pressure
 Indigestion
BEHAVIORAL
 Drug use
 Alcohol intake
 Heavy smoking
 Impulsive emotional
behavior
 Poor work & family
relationship
 Social isolation
 Family
abandonment
 Sleep problems
Manifestations of Stress

19. RISK Rating

20. HAZARD CONTROL

21. Accident and Incident Investigation
• The employer should promptly investigate workplace
fatalities, injuries, illnesses, and potentially hazardous
incidents (“near misses”).
• The Hazard Assessment and Control component of the
SHP is primarily a proactive measure; that is, aggressive
implementation of this element may mean that the
employer is able to identify and control all workplace
hazards before any employee has been injured or
becomes ill.
• At the same time, employers should investigate
incidents is injured, becomes ill, or narrowly escapes
death or serious injury.

22. Training
• The employer needs to ensure that each
employee who may be exposed to a
workplace hazard is provided with effective
training.
• In addition, the employer needs to ensure
that all employees, both supervisory and
nonsupervisory, who are responsible for the
SHP are provided with training so that they
are able to carry out their responsibilities.

23. PROGRAM EVALUATION
• The employer needs to evaluate the SHP to
ensure that it is effective in identifying and
controlling serious hazards, and appropriate
for workplace conditions.
• Where significant deficiencies are found, the
program should be corrected or updated in a
timely manner.

24. Recordkeeping
• The employer should maintain records in
order to be able to demonstrate the
effectiveness of the SHP.
• Employers need to maintain enough records
that will allow them to know what hazards
need to be controlled and to evaluate the
effectiveness of the SHP in reducing fatalities,
injuries and illnesses.

25. Recordkeeping
Examples of some records that employers
typically maintain on workplace safety and
health include:
• First reports of injury;
• OSHA 300 logs;
• Safety and health committee reports;
• Accident and “near miss” investigations