Businessman presenting work safety concept, hazards, protections, health and regulations
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and it is responsible for protecting employee safety and health at the workplace. The objective of OSHA is to set and implement safety standards. Hence, OSHA determines different standards and requirements that should be applied to different work environments. Then, the employers must adhere to those established standards and requirements which are being set according to workplace research and input from several aspects such as technical experts, employers, unions, as well as other stakeholders. Furthermore, OSHA provides training and tools for the purpose of educating employers and employees. OSHA is also important in explaining the procedures, equipment, and training that must be utilized by the employers and employees in order to reduce hazards and making sure that the safety measures are identified specifically to employers’ workplace and employees’ jobs.
According to the research from the University of Warwick which was led by Professor Andrew Oswald, Dr. Eugenio Proto and Dr. Daniel Sgroi from the Department of Economics, they have found that happiness would make the workers approximate 12% more productive. However, unhappy workers would make 10% less productive. Obviously, worker happiness plays a vital role in increasing productivity. Offering a safe and healthy working environment for the workers is an effective way to build their happiness. An increase in employee productivity could impress the customers, maintain the organizational reputation and spend less money on employee recruitment and training.
When the workers are happy, they will become more productive and hereafter the company’s overall profitability will be increased. When there is a poor working condition, workplace injuries, and illnesses will readily occur among the workers and thus the organization is liable for costs of work-related injuries and illnesses. Consequently, overall profitability will be reduced. At this moment, training is vital for educating the workers on proper workplace procedures, practices, and behaviors in order to avoid any possible injuries and illnesses.
To avoid serious consequences, the organization must follow the guidelines established by OSHA while creating safety and health procedures. When the working environment is not safe for the workers, the entire organization will receive a fine or shut down temporarily or permanently depends on the magnitude of the organization’s violation. However, the organization has an opportunity to attract business, money, customers, workers, productivity, vendors and respects while meeting the safety and health standards.