Osha - Suggestions for Management

OSHA Suggestions for Management

Health and safety management has economic, legal and moral implications on any enterprise and therefore ought to be carefully attended (HAS, 2006, p.5). Specific skills are required to identify any health and safety hazards, which vary at different work sites. These services are usually provided by Health and Safety management contractors and consultants who are hired for specific periods or projects as required (Leeth, Hale, 2013). However, health and safety management must continue even in the absence of hired experts, and some guidance may be required in implementing reports submitted by consultants. Guidelines therefore become essential in implementation of Health and safety management programs in the absence of experts. To implement comprehensive safety management systems depends on both enforcement of legal standards and voluntary implementation of legally exempted recommendations which can only be done through recommendations (CSU). Some enterprises may lack the financial capacity to hire consultants to evaluate their health and safety needs but could benefit from OSHAs suggestions in controlling or eliminating hazards. OSHA’s suggestions can also be easily integrated into policies which would streamline overall management and reduce associated costs, and enterprises would not be deterred. Managers can make more appropriate decision when equipped with the right knowledge than a consultant would because they have they have a better understanding of their businesses. OSHA’s suggestions help reduce costs and increase compliance with health and safety standards, therefore OSHA should make suggestions to management.

Use of OSHAs FOM by Management to Improve Safety

OSHA Field Operations Manual (FOM) provides a guideline for inspectors but can also be used by the management of a business organization to create and implement an effective Safety and Health Management System (SHMS). FOM provides information on which safety requirements apply to each category of enterprises, therefore management can formulate SHMS that address only the relevant areas, and compliance is achieved with greater efficiency (Tompkins, 2006, p. 14). By understanding the nature of OSHA standards, such as those which can be changed due external factors, the management can incorporate sufficient flexibility in the SHMSs to accommodate them. The manual can also be used to formulate an organizational structure that efficiently allocates responsibilities, the scope of which are clearly stated (OSHA, 2009). Information on authority and responsibility awarded to other government departments as well as voluntary initiatives can utilized to ensure compliance not only with OSHA but also with other bodies and assure safety in areas not covered by law. Management can also gain access to assistance of OSHA and other authorities based on guidelines in FOM. Costs associated