Element 3 Organising for Health Safety

1Copyright RMS PublishingIGC First Edition - IGC1 Element 3 - v.1.0 - Slide 1860409

Unit IGC1Unit IGC1Management of Management of International health International health and safetyand safety


Element 3Element 3

Organising for Organising for health and safetyhealth and safety


Learning outcomes

3.1 Outline the health and safety roles and responsibilities of employers, managers, supervisors, employees and other relevant parties

3.2 Explain the requirements placed on employers to consult with their employees

Organising for health and safety


3.1 Organisational health and safety roles and responsibilities

3.2 Consultation with employees

Contents of element





Contents of element



• For the health, safety and welfare of employees• For others affected by work activities• Visitors• Contractors• The public

The employer (corporate and non-corporate)

Organisational health and safety roles and responsibilitiesThe roles and responsibilities of:



• Directors’ and senior managers’ responsibilities / implementation

• Middle managers and supervisors• Persons with primary health and safety functions




• Take reasonable care for their own safety and that of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work

• Comply with instructions given for their own safety and health

• Use safety devices and protective equipment correctly• Report forthwith to their immediate supervisor any situation

which could present a hazard• Report any accident or injury to health which arises in

connection with work

Workers for the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions




Anyone in control of non-domestic premises or plant used by persons not in their employment should, so far as is reasonably practicable:

Responsibilities of persons in control of premises

• Ensure safe access and egress to premises and plant• Ensure that plant or substances in the premises, or provided

for their use, are safe and without risk to health




• The responsibilities of the self-employed• Responsibilities of suppliers, manufacturers and designers

of articles and substances - “the supply chain”




Duties of suppliers, manufacturers and designers of articles and substances

• Safe design, installation and testing of articles• Substances are safe and without risks to health• Carry out or arrange for tests or examinations• Provision of information on use and conditions essential to

health and safety• Carry out research to minimise risks• Erectors and installers of articles for use at work must

ensure it does not make the article unsafe or a risk to health




• Persons working in host employers’ or self employed persons’ undertakings

• Clients• Contractors

The relationship between client and contractor and the duties each has to the other and to the other’s employees




• It is essential that all contracted work be planned and co-ordinated

• Contracted work carries particular risks in that workers may be unfamiliar with the workplace

• It is essential that a risk assessment of work activities be made foreseeing how they interact with each other

• This would extend to contract work commissioned by the employer

Effective planning and co-ordination of contracted work




• Identification of suitable bidders (preferred list)• Identification of hazards within the specification• Checking of (health and safety aspects of) bids and

selection of contractor• Contractors’ agreement to be subject to client's rules• Management of the contractor on site• Checking after completion of contract

Procedures for the selection of contractors




• The occupier of premises often has duties regarding the state and condition of the premises

• Both employer and the contractor have joint liabilities in ‘common areas’

• The occupier is not normally liable for dangers associated with the contractors’ work activities

• Unless when selecting the contractor as far as reasonably practicable the occupiers has ensured competency, and is satisfied that the works are being carried out properly

Shared responsibilities in the case of joint occupation of premises




• Employers who work together in a common workplace have a duty to co-operate in order to discharge their duties

• This will include consideration of each other when conducting risk assessments and provision of procedures for serious or imminent danger

• Each occupant should co-operate with a co-ordinated response

• Employers should ensure that all relevant workers and in particular, competent workers appointed are aware and fully take part

Co-operation and co-ordination






Contents of element



• Duties to consult• The importance and means of consulting with workers

on health and safety issues• The distinction between ‘informing’ and ‘consulting’

Consultation with employeesOrganising for health and safety


Duties to consult

• National and international laws/regulations• Trade Union Safety Representatives• Other non-union employees



The importance and means of consulting with workers on health and safety issues

• Employer should ensure that workers and their safety and health representatives are consulted, informed and trained on all aspects of OSH

• Employer should ensure the establishment and efficient functioning of a safety and health committee and the recognition of workers’ safety and health representatives, in accordance with national laws and practice




Workers’ safety delegates, workers’ safety and health committees, and joint safety and health committees or other workers’ representatives should:• Be given adequate information on safety and health

matters• Be consulted when major new safety and health measures are envisaged• Be consulted in planning alterations of work processes• Be given protection from dismissal• Be able to contribute to the decision-making process




• Have access to all parts of the workplace• Be free to contact labour inspectors• Be able to contribute to negotiations• Have reasonable time during paid working hours to

exercise functions• Have recourse to specialists to advise on problems



The distinction between ‘informing’ and ‘consulting’

• Desire of both employee and management to show honest commitment

• Positive approach to a programme of accident prevention• Objectives and functions• It is critical to establish a committee that is balanced in

representation of workers and management




Arrangements and procedures should be established and maintained for:• Receiving• Documenting and responding appropriately to internal

and external communications related to OSH• Internal communication of OSH information between

relevant levels and functions of the organisation• Concerns, ideas and inputs of workers and their representatives on OSH matters are received, considered and responded to

ILO-OSH: 2001 Section 3.6 Communication




• Both employee and management to show honest commitment and a positive approach to a programme of

accident prevention• Determine clear objectives and functions• Balanced in representation of workers and management

Requirements for effectiveness




• Nature of the organisation’s business• The risks involved• How active the health and safety programme is• Items on the agenda• Other local considerations• Usually, meetings are held varying between once a month

to every three months

Frequency of meetings




• Apologies for absence• Minutes of the previous meeting• Matters arising• Reports• Other reports• New items• Date of next meeting

Minutes and agenda



• Commitment• Clear objective• Even balance• Agenda• Minutes• Effective chair

• Publication; decisions• Full participation• Regular meeting• Appropriate topics• H&S Specialist• Sub committees

The distinction between ‘informing’ and ‘consulting’Reasons why safety committees are effective





Contents of element


Element 3 Organising for Health Safety

Documents

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