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Occupational Health and Safety Program

Introduction:OSHA has long been pushing to set a requirement for businesses to have written safety & health programs.An occupational health and safety program is a specific plan of action to prevent workplace accidents, injuries and occupational diseases. The program is a framework for all occupational health and safety activities, plans and procedures at the place of employment.Its objectives is to integrate health and safety into the design of all workplace practices and all workplace conditions.There are many good reasons to make safety and health a top priority. The primary reason is to improve the protection of worker health and safety and dramatically reduce the cost of accidents, injuries and occupational illness.

Program Framework:Almost every safety programs can be written with the same outline.For example:

1- Purpose2- Policy3- Responsibilities4- Training5- Record keeping6- Audits & Inspections7- Hazards8- Hazard Controls9- Rules & Procedures10- Emergency Procedures11- Accident Investigation12- Fire Prevention and Protection13- First Aid14- Personal Protective Equipment15- Program Evaluation

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1- Program Purpose: A short statement that answers the question "Why do we have this program?" Be clear and concise and use plain language that everyone will understand.Example from confined space program:The confined space entry program is provided to protect authorized employees that will enter confined spaces and may be exposed to hazardous atmospheres, engulfment in materials, conditions which may trap or asphyxiate due to converging or sloping walls, or contains any other safety or health hazards.

2- Policy: A short statement of company policy that conveys management support and intentions of the specific program.Example from an asbestos program:It is the policy of {Company} that only qualified employees are allowed to conduct any asbestos repairs, maintenance or removal. All unqualified employees must be protected from exposure to asbestos fibers by isolating and controlling access to all affected areas during asbestos work. All tasks involving the disturbance of asbestos containing material will be conducted only after appropriate work controls have been identified and implemented. A qualified supervisor shall be available at asbestos controlled work sites during all activities. Proper personal protective equipment, vacuum and filters must be used and properly maintained. If outside contractors are employed in any asbestos related work, company management must ensure that the contractor used proper procedures, all contractor employees have been properly trained and that proper equipment and protective gear are used.

3- Responsibilities: This section allows you to specifically spell out who is responsible for what parts of the program. Everyone has a part to play: management, supervisors and employees. Some programs will have specific responsibilities for

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specific management positions, such as Respiratory Protection or Ergonomic Program Administrators.

Example from a Fire Prevention Program:Management: Ensure all fire prevention methods are established and enforced. Ensure fire suppression systems such as sprinklers and extinguishers

are periodically inspected and maintained to a high degree of working order.

Train supervisors to use fire extinguishers for incipient fires. Train employees on evacuation routes and procedures.

Supervisors: Closely monitor the use of flammable materials and liquids. Train assigned employees in the safe storage, use and handling of

flammable materials. Ensure flammable material storage areas are properly maintained.

Employees: Use, store and transfer flammable materials in accordance with

provided training. Do not mix flammable materials Immediately report violations of the Fire Safety Program.

4- Training: In this section present the training required for managers, supervisors and employees. List the topics that must be covered for each group. Also include the type of training such as classroom, field or on-the job or combination of training session types.

5- Record keeping: No task is completed until the paperwork is done. List what records are required by your programs. Identify the specific forms and documents to be used.

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6- Audits & Inspections: Detail the specific program monitoring procedures. A schedule for regular inspections of the workplace and work processes and procedures. Workplace inspections identify existing hazards and help find corrective action. Such actions are a proactive approach to ensure workplace health and safety.

7- Hazards: List and define the specific hazards that are covered by the program. Include the physical areas in your facility in which the hazards exist.

8- Hazard Controls: A plan to control chemical and biological substances and to monitor the work environment. This section covers the engineering, administrative and work practice controls used to eliminate or control the specific program hazards.

9- Rules & Procedures: This is the nuts & bolts section of a safety program. Programs such as Electrical Safety. Lockout - Tagout and Confined Space Entry require these detailed procedures to eliminate any doubt as to the steps required for safe performance.Some programs lend themselves to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), while some need only general guidelines.

10- Emergency Procedures: Identification of all resources that may be needed in the event of an emergency. Emergency procedures are plans for dealing with emergencies, such as fires, explosions, major release of hazardous materials, earthquakes, …….When such events occur, the urgent need for rapid decisions, shortage of time, lack of resources, and lack of trained personnel can lead to chaos, injury and death.

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11- Accident Investigation: A procedure to investigate and report accidents. Accidents and incidents are investigated to identify contributing causes so that steps can be taken to prevent them from happening again.

12- Fire Prevention and Protection: This section includes description of all types of fire protection equipment and the inspection, testing, and maintenance procedures for such equipment.

13- First Aid: First aid procedures. Location of first aid stations, and procedures for transporting injured persons to outside medical facilities.

14- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): - Different types of PPE.- Selection, matching equipment to hazards.- Proper use of PPE.- Inspection and testing.- Proper storage.

15- Program Evaluation: Procedures for evaluating the health and safety programs. Audits seams to be the best method. The review ensures that the program adequately addresses its objectives and that it deals with known and potential risks.

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Example To Health & Safety Policy Statement:

ABC COMPANY

I- General Statement of Safety Policy: HSE Performance is critical to the success of our projects, both inside and outside Egypt, and every one who works for ABC Company or by ABC company is responsible for health and safety.

ABC company is committed to:1- Full compliance with all Egyptian health, safety and environmental

protection legislations, and owner’s requirements.2- Manage our projects with management leadership and employees

commitment to health, safety and environmental protection.3- Manage HSE matters equally as any other critical business activity

(production, QC, and cost).4- The Health, Safety and Welfare at work of all employees, outside

contractors, customers, and visitors.5- That articles, chemical substances, materials and equipment stored

and transported safely.6- That safe plant and safe procedures and systems of work are

provided.7- Protection of the surrounded environment from pollution, and use

all sources of energy efficiently.8- Consult, listen, and respond openly to our client, employees and

neighbors.9- Utilize an effective HSE management system to set an annually

review of HSE objectives and targets to continually improve our performance.

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Further, it the policy of ABC Company:

1- To provide and maintain appropriate procedures for action to be taken in case of fires and other emergencies including work accidents and dangerous occurrence and their effective reporting and investigation.

2- To provide and maintain procedures for consultation with safety committees and safety representatives on any measures at the workplace which may substantially affect the health and safety of employees.

3- To develop and maintain a high degree of safety awareness and positive attitudes to health and safety throughout the company.

Our goals are so simple:

No Accidents No Harm to People No damage to the Environment

To accomplish this, the company is committed to maintaining a comprehensive Health and Safety programs and procedures (Manual of Health and Safety) based on sound practices, training of employees and enforcement of safety regulations.

The responsibility for health and safety is a joint responsibility of managers, supervisors and every employee. It is the responsibility of all levels of supervision to support and promote programs to prevent accidents, to maintain safe working conditions, to protect the surrounding environment, to give proper safety instructions on every job assignment and to ask employees to carry out their assignments in a manner which will avoid injury to themselves and their fellow workers.

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It is the responsibility of all employees to use safe working practices and safety equipment, and to follow this policy.The health and safety department directs and supervises the overall safety program, and has the authority to order the immediate cessation of activities where significant danger is perceived.

All ABC Company senior managers, middle managers, engineers, and supervisors are responsible for enforcing and administering the safety program.All employees must comply with this policy.

Chairman & Managing Director

Month/Year

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