Over the last century the employers in our country have had to make huge changes in how they treat their employees. There are still many employers that try to get around the obligations that the government outlines for them to follow, but the majority of the employers are doing a much better job of providing a better work environment for the people that they have working for them.
The federal regulations that are designed to protect all employees may seem out of place in various work settings, but the main goal is to insure the health and safety at work for all those that are hired. In the case of companies that manufacture large items the health and safety at work for their employees may involve the proper foot gear, goggles, ear protectors and other protective apparel. Health and safety at work for those employed by a law firm or accounting company would involve confidentiality, and protection against disgruntled customers. Health and safety at work for those in the medical field involves proper disposal of hazardous waste, making sure to sterilize areas after patients have used them and constant personal hygiene to avoid spreading contagions. What makes sense to review with one group of people may not have any practical application to another company, yet the guidelines provide for reviewing all safety measures with all employees.
The social services agency that I work for have combined the hazardous waste handling talk and other highly unlikely situations into short instructional videos that we are required to watch every other year. The videos are shown for several days at various times. You need to sign in on an attendance sheet when you arrive and initial the time that you leave the room at the end of the video. There are also other talks and information that are presented on a routine basis to complete the employer obligations to inform their employees of health and safety issues in the work place. There are many times when this seems like a waste of time and energy but going through the process protects the employer of possible law suites. If they document that they have given the information to the employees and have made reasonable accommodations for the employee?s safety, there is less of a chance that they can get charged with being liable if an employee does get injured on the job. Following the federal guidelines also prevents heavy federal fines for non-compliance.
Good article, I work in the health and safety area and I am reading up on the practices in the states..they don’t seem to be quite as strict as here in the U.K.yet.You can’t sneeze in an office here without a certificate!