Example research essay topic: Occupational Health And Safety - 1,950 words

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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Employees, customers, and the general public have the right not to have their lives and safety unknowingly and unnecessarily endangered. In the United States, many laws require businesses to comply with society's view of appropriate standards for quality of life and safety. For example, this moral right in large part justifies the U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) if 1970, which contains many requirements designed to increase the safety and healthfulness of work environments. Among other things, OSHA and its implementing regulations restrict the use of asbestos, lead-based paint, and various toxic chemicals in the workplace.

Businesses operating in other countries often find that laws are less restrictive there, so they must choose whether to meet only the standards of the host country or exceed those legal requirements. Occupational Health & Safety is practiced to prevent injury and ill health of people in organizations and to comply with the standards that are relevant. The benefits of improved Health & Safety of different organizations include cost reduction, improved image and motivation of employees in general (Occupational Health & Safety Standard OHSAS 18001). It is important that the health of employees in the workplace is taken cared of.

Thus, organizations take extra attention to execute their own policies for Occupational Health & Safety. The management for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S MS) are effective tools to organize a companys efforts in minimizing work-related hazards. Just like other approaches to management, this has contributed in making the business performance up to par with the highest standards in safety. The advantages of this are also reflected by the development of the "Guidelines on occupational safety and health management systems." (Occupational Health & Safety Standard OHSAS 18001). The process of selecting a qualified health care professional to work in the organizations safety and health activities is a vital step in the process.

There are several guidelines that are used in order to serve as a resource for management that is considering such a selection (The Occupational Safety and Health Professional's Services and Qualifications: Questions and Answers). Some of these are: The Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) screening and surveillance requirements for specific substances or hazards associated with the worksite; The number, diversity, size, and seriousness of the hazards involved at the worksite (s); and The level of resources committed to an occupational health care service as part of a comprehensive safety and health program; and Distance to the closest trauma center or health care facility. (Source: The Occupational Safety and Health Professional's Services and Qualifications: Questions and Answers). The safety and health in an organization necessarily involves management support, employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, occupational health care management (including screening and surveillance for disease and injury), and training and education. (The Occupational Safety and Health Professional's Services and Qualifications: Questions and Answers). These qualified occupational health care people can help out in making sure that the workplace environment is safe and healthful. They are able to identify potential hazards that may arise in the course of doing ones job.

Thus, they are able to prevent and eliminate as well as reduce hazards in the long run. These people also can develop training programs that can promote the health of the employees. These professionals are qualified to assess and treat illnesses and thus they have the appropriate licensure, registration and certification in order to practice their skill in the workplace. They are also required to have a substantial occupational health experience in management. Aside from this, they also need to be available on a full- or part-time basis, depending on the nature and size of worksite's. Some of them are hired on a permanent basis although others are employed on a contractual basis depending on company needs.

Since their job is specifically related to the work, sometimes they may also need to provide an assessment of the specific chemicals that are used in the course of doing the work in a particular organization. They also have to conduct periodic examinations and keep a confidential file of each employees health records. They need to be aware of the probable work-related accidents that may happen on the job and make recommendations and suggestions on how best to address the potential problem. This is not to mention their overall charge of implementing health promotion programs within the organization in order to promote the general health welfare of the individuals in the particular work environment.

Part of their task is also to look into employees who may be having some prolonged illnesses and injuries and help them to a full recovery. Some organizations who may have limited budgets, can share the services of health care professionals within a particular work compound so that they can take care of the health of their employees and not cost too much in the long run. The organization can choose from among other ways of utilizing the services of these professionals. These are qualified practitioners who take additional training on toxicology, industrial hygiene, recognition and management of occupational illnesses and injuries, research, and the overall management of a comprehensive occupational health program. (Occupational Health & Safety Standard OHSAS 18001). They receive standardized education with core curricula and mist pass national and state boards. Occupational health nurses receive further training designed to equip them with the intricacies of health of people in an organization.

In cases when an organization wants to verify the certification of a particular occupational health practitioner, they can contact the individual states licensing or certification board. These skilled individuals must possess the following skills and competencies: 1) A general knowledge of the organizational environment including other field sites 2). Familiarity with the substances that the employees are in contact with and its equivalent potential hazard 3). A critical judgment of an employees physical fitness to do his / her work 4) Knowledge of the present workers compensation laws 5). Ability to manage the delivery of health care services and lastly, 6) knowledge of the ethical as well as legal obligations in occupational health care. (Source: Occupational Health & Safety Standard OHSAS 18001).

Indeed, these occupational health specialists are critical in helping prevent injuries to workers, property and the environment. Their work is important in worker productivity by raising the morale and reducing absenteeism, turnover as well as securing savings on insurance premiums, workers compensation benefits, and litigation expenses. (Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians). They advice management as to which areas in the workplace are not in compliance with State and Federal laws or employer policies, thus sparing the management of large costs in case anything untoward happens. They are able to assess the cost and effectiveness of these health and safety measures. (Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians). These individuals undergo a structured sequence of courses which are offered over a three-year period which will offer core competencies of occupational health. The recent developments now permit federal agencies to reimburse their employees for expenses which are related to professional certification (Terrill).

There are now many certified professionals who assume other positions in the community because of their experience and dedication to safety and health. (Terrill). Many are now aware that these safety and health professionals are finding their own niche in the organizations and communities. The CSP credential is one of the most sought-after professional credentials for specialists involved in workplace safety (Terrill). These are given by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. This is a nationally accredited organization which was established in 1969 and whose purpose is to set standards for peer certification programs in professional safety. People who are interested must qualify for a CSP by meeting education and experience requirements and passing the required examinations.

They can also consult the Board of Certified Safety Professionals website at web (Terrill). Certification which is granted indicates that one has passed the national examination, after meeting the eligibility criteria. The individual is able to hurdle the entire test for advanced knowledge in different health care areas such as clinical care, employee education, safety and clinical care. Certification refers to the credential one earns that shows the specialized knowledge, skills and experience which were awarded by a standard setting organization.

The credential though, needs to be maintained by continuing education credits and experience. One would be able to use the credits from the OHN Certificate Program to help meet the continuing education requirements which are part of the qualification process for ABOHN certification. (OHN Certificate: Frequently Asked Questions). The Certified Safety Professional (CSP) is a certification offered in the United States. This is offered by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).

The CSP is accredited in the United States by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards. Moreover, this is also accredited internationally by the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (Certified safety professional). The recommended preparation for certification examination is the level of comfort that an individual has in the variety of disciplines which are covered under the IAPP credentialing programs. Each person must have an essential knowledge of legal, technical and operational components of information (Preparing for your IAPP Certification Exam). It is the purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission is to be able to give fair and timely adjudication of workplace safety and health disputes because it wants to encourage safe work places for workers The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission). One of the good sources of information in this issue is the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.

It is a valuable publication of research, theory, and public policy articles in occupational health psychology. It publishes articles on a wide range of backgrounds, interests and specializations. This Journal is a good resource on workplace safety because of its threefold focus on the work environment, the individual and the work members. It contains good articles on the psychological factors that play a part in the employees health problems.

Focus of the journal is on prevention of accidents and injuries. It is a valuable read in the field of occupational health psychology. Health and safety are basic concerns of American citizens. Annual expenditures for health and safety in the workplace can amount to huge sums if there is little care in handling the safety and occupational hazards of organizations.

Americans each year spend more on health care than on national defense, more per capita for health care than for automobiles and gasoline combined. How a society deals with pain, the meaning and value assigned to it, reveals much about its fundamental beliefs and commitments. Pain and suffering are basic concerns of medicine, but they are also experiences that address the meaning of life, the value of the body, and the significance of the human spirit. Health care policy is fundamental because the resources and attention given to health care, the institutions that deliver it, and the way it is received affect the shape of social relations.

REFERENCES Certified safety professional. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2007 at: web Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2007 at: web Occupational Health and Safety Program. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2007 at: web OHN Certificate: Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2007 at: web Preparing for your IAPP Certification Exam.

Retrieved Aug. 21, 2007 at: web Procedure to obtain OHSAS 18001 certification. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2007 at: web The Occupational Health Professional's Services and Qualifications: Questions and Answers. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2007 at: web The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2007 at: web The Occupational Safety and Health Professional's Services and Qualifications: Questions and Answers. web Terrill, Richard. Retrieved Aug. 21, 2007 at: web

Research essay sample on Occupational Health And Safety