PROMOTING SAFETY AND HEALTH
Because of the emphasis given to safety and health in HRM, we continue to have an expanded
chapter devoted to these topics. The legal requirements are presented at the beginning of the
chapter to emphasize the importance of employer compliance with OSHA regulations. A
CHAPTER LEARNING OUTCOMES
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Summarize the general provisions of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act (OSHA).
Describe the measures managers and employees can take to create a
safe work environment.
LEARNING OUTCOME 1
LEARNING OUTCOME 2
LECTURE OUTLINE
Begin this chapter by explaining the importance of safety and health to both the employee and
the organization. Explain that organizational safety and health are often taken for granted and,
therefore, not afforded the attention they deserve. A safe and healthy organization environment
helps to reduce personal tragedies while saving the organization money. Stress that supervisors
and managers are expected to know and comply with the laws and court cases governing this HR
field.
I. SAFETY AND HEALTH: IT’S THE LAW
• Have students examine their knowledge of safety and health by taking the test in
Highlights in HRM 1: Test Your Safety Smarts.
A. OSHA’s Coverage
• The act extends to all employers and their employees with only a few
exceptions. Many states currently have their own OSHA-approved programs.
State programs must comply with Federal guidelines.
B. OSHA Standards
• These standards cover the workplace, machinery and equipment, material,
C. Enforcing OSHA Standards
Inspections are carried out by the OSHA (Administration) except in states where
there are OSHA-approved state programs.
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1. Workplace Inspections
• OSHA inspectors have wide discretion to conduct workplace inspections.
2. Citations and Penalties
• If OSHA violations are found during an inspection, inspectors have the
authority to issue on-the-spot citations and penalties. Citations list the
D. OSHA Consultation Assistance
1. Onsite Consultation—Emphasize that OSHA area offices provide a variety of
2. Cooperative Programs
• Cooperative programs are voluntary relationships between OSHA and
employers, employees, and unions. These programs represent a pro–active
way to ensure worker safety and health.
E. Responsibilities and Rights under OSHA
Both employers and employees have certain responsibilities and rights.
1. Employer’s Responsibilities and Rights
• In addition to providing a hazard-free workplace and complying with the
Chapter 12: Promoting Safety and Health 161
applicable standards, employers must inform all of their employees about the
2. Employees’ Responsibilities and Rights
• Employees are required to comply with all applicable OSHA standards, to
report hazardous conditions, and to follow all employer safety and health rules
F. OSHA’s Enforcement Record
• Enforcement efforts vary from one presidential administration to the next.
II. PROMOTING A SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT
More than 80 percent of organizations surveyed by BNA report having a formal safety
program. In almost half of them, the HR department or industrial relations department is
responsible for the program. Nine out of ten organizations with formal programs have a
safety committee that provides representation from different departments.
A. Creating a Culture of Safety
• Promoting a safe work environment begins by creating an organizational culture
1. Interviewing for Safety and Fitness-for-Duty Tests
• One of the ways HR managers can help create a culture of safety within in an
2. The Key Role of the Supervisor
• Emphasize the communication role of the supervisor.
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3. Proactive Safety Training Program
• Safety training is legally required in specific industries and occupations.
Where training is mandated by OSHA, employers must keep accurate records
of employee education.
B. Enforcing Safety Rules
• Virtually all organizations have specific rules and regulations concerning safety.
C. Investigating and Recording Accidents
• OSHA requires that employers with 11 or more employees keep records of
work-related injuries and illnesses.
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D. Safety Hazards and Issues
1. Fatigue
• Few safety issues have been in the news more lately than employee fatigue.
2. Distracted Driving
• Do you know what the leading cause of worker fatalities each year is? Motor
3. Workplace Violence
• Review with students the definition of workplace violence given by the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
a. Reducing Workplace Violence
• The textbook lists “risk factors” associated with higher incidents of work–
4. Workplace Emergencies
• According to OSHA, a workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that
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5. Crisis Management Teams
• Organizations such as Motorola and Circle K Corporation have implemented
formal crisis management teams. These teams, composed of hourly and
III. CREATING A HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT
A. Ergonomics
• Musculoskeletal injuries classified as recordable cases must be listed on OSHA
Form 300.
B. Health Hazards and Issues
Modern society has created a large number of health hazards as by–products of
industrialization, higher standards of living, and materialism. The environmental
movement has helped to identify health hazards from industry wastes. But the health
hazards to many information workers inside clean office buildings could hardly have
been anticipated.
1. Cumulative Trauma Disorders
• Known as cumulative trauma disorders or repetitive motion injuries, these
2. Computer Workstations
• Expanding use of computers and video display terminals (VDTs) has generated
debate over exposure to possible hazards.
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3. Chemical Hazards
• Of increasing concern are the reproductive hazards faced by employees
using toxic chemicals.
4. Smoking and Tobacco Smoke
• Smoking is a direct cause of various health problems. Tobacco smoke is also
harmful to nonsmokers since breathing tobacco smoke (i.e., passive smoking)
can also promote poor health.
5. Bloodborne Pathogens
Exposures to blood and other body fluids occur across a wide variety of
occupations and can result in employees contracting diseases. The pathogens of
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C. Building Better Physical and Emotional Health among Employees
It is generally recognized that better health is definitely beneficial not only to the
individual but also to the organization. Ask students how healthful employees
contribute to organizational success.
1. Wellness and Weight Issues—The type of health services provided by
employers is primarily related to the size of the organization and the cost of
a. Overweight and Obesity
• Overweight and obesity is today recognized as a national concern. Various
studies show that approximately 65 percent of Americans are overweight
and approximately 30 are severely overweight or obese.
2. Job Stress and Burnout
• Divide students into teams of five or six and have them identify and discuss
3. Depression
• Depression—a decrease in functional activity accompanied by feelings of
low spirits, gloominess, and sadness—is a major emotional problem
Chapter 12: Promoting Safety and Health 167
4. Alcoholism
• Discuss the HRM aspect of alcoholism. Basically the approach is to monitor
5. Drug Abuse
• Note that drug abuse among employees is one of the major societal issues of
today. It is found in all levels of employees, from top management to the lowest
echelons.
ANSWERS TO END–OF-CHAPTER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Some of the students will have heard employee and/or employer comments about OSHA.
Opinions of employees will generally be favorable, although some employees may feel that
2. Motivation for safety may be increased by rewarding managers and supervisors for their
results in the area of safety. They should be rewarded for results in safety just as they are
168 Part 4: Implementing Compensation and Security
5. Sources of job-related stress include disagreements with supervisors, feeling trapped in a
job, lack of privacy, excessive noise, having little to say about how a job is performed,
overspecialization, lack of communication, lack of recognition for a job well done, and
others.
ANSWERS TO USING THE INTERNET ACTIVITIES
Internet Exercise #1, page 532
Question:
Visit the NIOSH website and conduct a search on “workplace violence”. On average, how many
U.S. workers are victims of occupational violence each year? In which occupations does
workplace violence occur most commonly? What are some common risk factors that may
increase violence on the job?
Answer:
According to a report published by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), an average of 1.7
million people were victims of workplace violence in the U.S. each year from 1993 through
Chapter 12: Promoting Safety and Health 169
Internet Exercise #2, page 542
Question:
Visit the NOAA website and find information on the NOAA Chemical Reactivity Worksheet.
Describe how the worksheet works and provide features offered in the newest version. When
might you use the worksheet in your day-to-day activities?
Answer:
The Chemical Reactivity Worksheet (CRW) is a free program that provides information on the
170 Part 4: Implementing Compensation and Security
VIDEO CASE DISCUSSION GUIDE
Students should be able to identify several security issues from the video, such as protecting
employees from theft or violence when they are at work, just arriving, or just leaving. Given
that the company is located in Wisconsin, weather issues, such as ice and snow, is also a
concern. Manmade disasters would include fire and accidents due to negligence or
carelessness on the job.
NOTES FOR END–OF-CHAPTER CASE STUDIES
Case Study 1: Rambo Goes Violent
1. Violence prevention experts note a number of violence indicators employees might display
before becoming violent. Figure 12.4 in the textbook lists some violence indicators.
2. Employers should establish a workplace violence prevention program or incorporate this
information into an existing accident prevention program, employee handbook, or manual of
3. Nothing can guarantee that an employee will not become a victim of workplace violence.
These steps, however, can help reduce the odds:
• Learn how to recognize, avoid, or diffuse potentially violent situations by attending
personal safety training programs.
Chapter 12: Promoting Safety and Health 171
Case Study 2: Too Much Stress? You Decide
1. Often in medical cases regarding fitness of duty, both parties will submit medical evidence
concerning the employee’s physical condition. It is not uncommon that the opinion of the
employee’s doctor and that of the employers do not agree. In cases of this nature, labor
2. There is no legal basis for a charge of discrimination in this case. While mental disabilities
may be more subjective to evaluate and treat, than say a physical injury, it does not
3. Answers to this question may illicit different opinions from students. The answer to question