Management and
Evaluation of Health and
Safety in Workplaces
www.ccohs.ca
Overview
What are the characteristics of an effective
health and safety system?
We are gradually answering this question by
various types of research:
• Studies of excellent enterprises
• Studies of safety initiatives by governments
• Intervention research in workplaces
• Policy research
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
www.ccohs.ca
Overview (continued)
The Answer
The best safety results are obtained from
programs that are:
• Applied systematically and consistently
• Planned and documented
• Comprehensive – all required components.
– Enterprise level – inspection, evaluation, hazard
control, prevention, training, etc
• Managed and resourced
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
www.ccohs.ca
Overview (continued)
Components of effective health and safety
programs are codified in:
• International instruments
• National legislation
• Standards (national and international)
• Codes of practice (national and international)
These components can also be used to develop
audit tools to evaluate health and safety
programs
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Objectives
Describe standards used in Canada and
internationally for the management of health
and safety in workplaces
Show how these standards may be useful to
help evaluate and document health and safety
programs in the demonstration sites in
Chongqing
Discuss the relationship of good health and
safety to good management
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Health and Safety Programs
A program is a systematic approach to manage
health and safety activities in a workplace
The importance of a program:
• Compliance – meet legal requirements
• Demonstrate due diligence
• Avoid accidents, losses and delays
• Improve quality
• Meet customer expectations
• Support workplace health and wellness
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Health and Safety Programs
A health and safety program succeeds by being
integrated into the overall management
functions of the enterprise.
Good health and safety is good management.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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The Elements of
Health and Safety Programs
Recommended components of health and
safety programs are provided by international
and national instruments:
• ILO standards
• ISO standards
• National programs
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Health and Safety Management
Standards
ILO-OHS 2001
OHSAS 18001:1999 and 2007 (BSI)
CSA Z1000
ANSI-AIHA Z10
and others…
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Accreditation/Recognition
Programs
Accreditation for Ontario Workplaces
A standard for health and safety programs in
Ontario
Certificate of Recognition (COR)
A standard used in several Canadian provinces
• Companies are audited to see if their
programs meet the standards
• If meet standard, companies receive various
incentives and rebates
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
www.ccohs.ca
The Elements of a Good Health
and Safety Program
Examine the specific OHS program elements in
the context of standards such as the Canadian
standard CSA Z1000…
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Employer Leadership and Commitment
Much research shows that employer leadership
and commitment are necessary prerequisites
for a successful plan.
The employer must:
• Demonstrate commitment to good health
and safety results
• Show personal leadership
• Invest adequate resources and time
• Make health and safety part of
management goals
• Plan for continual improvement
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Plan, Do, Check, Act
Plan
Identify legislative requirements
Identify applicable industry standards
Identify health and safety priorities
Identify deficiencies and opportunities for
improvement in the OHSMS
Develop health and safety policies
Establish objectives and targets that are
appropriate to the organization
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Plan, Do Check, Act
Do
Implementation and documentation
Develop an implementation plan that includes:
• Resources
• Responsibilities
• Targets and timeframes for completion
• Measurement of progress
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Plan, Do, Check, Act
Do
Include:
Hazard identification and evaluation
Prevention and protection priorities
Emergency plans
Training
Communication
Procurement
Contracting
Documentation
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Plan, Do, Check, Act
Check
Evaluate the effectiveness of the program:
Are the goals and objectives of the program
being achieved?
Have control measures been implemented and
been effective?
Have losses and occurrences been addressed,
including accidents, incidents, illnesses and
near misses?
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Plan, Do, Check, Act
Check
Evaluate the effectiveness of the program
Are training programs for employees effective?
Are communication programs effective?
Is information for the continual improvement
of the program being produced, reviewed and
used?
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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Plan, Do, Check, Act
Act
Regular management review:
Progress to achieve policy goals
Effectiveness in preventing workplace injuries,
illness and incidents
Any deficiencies identified in inspections and
audits
Effectiveness and completion of action items
from previous reviews
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
The following pages show the main elements
found to be required in an effective health and
safety program.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Policy Statement
Statement of management commitment
General objectives and philosophy
General responsibilities
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Individual Responsibilities
Assign responsibilities for OHS
• Employer is accountable
• Managers and supervisors must know
responsibilities
• Workers have responsibilities
Document individual responsibilities
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Health and Safety Committee
Establish committees in work areas
Encourage worker participation
Identify objectives, responsibilities, procedures
Train members of committee
• For example, “Certified Members” in Ontario
Document recommendations and actions
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Correct Work Procedures
Specific rules for each task and process in the
workplace
Based on job safety analysis of each task and
process
Incorporate preventive measures specific to
health and safety concerns
Maintain a process to identify and assess
hazards and risks on an ongoing basis, set
objectives and targets
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
New Employee Orientation
A high priority for OHS regulators in Canada
• Proven ability to reduce injuries in new
workers
Program should train new workers on health
and safety rights and responsibilities, specific
hazards, procedures, etc.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Training
Training required at the time of:
• Commencement of employment
• Reassignment or transfer to a new job
• Introduction of new equipment, processes,
or procedures
• Accident
• Inadequate performance
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Workplace Inspections
Identify existing or new hazards and
recommend appropriate corrective action
Legislation may require
• Certain frequency of inspections
• Annual reports to labour agency
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Report and Investigate Accidents
Report serious accidents to authorities
• May be official investigation and charges
• Link to compensation to injured worker
Accidents are investigated to uncover causes
and prevent similar incidents in future
(reactive)
Establish and maintain procedures for
reporting and investigation
Review effectiveness of the preventive and
corrective actions and modify if necessary
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Emergency Procedures
Develop plans to deal with emergencies such as
fires, explosions, chemical releases, floods, and
earthquakes
Develop procedures and responsibilities
• Good communication is essential
Provide training
Perform tests of procedures
Do detailed review after any incident
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Medical Aid and First Aid Program
Medical and first aid facilities required in
legislation
Training and qualifications of attendants
Procedures for transporting injured
employees to outside medical facilities
Record keeping
• Etc.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Workplace Specific Hazards
Identification and Assessment of Hazards
Safety
• Falls from heights
• Slips and trips
• Injuries from machinery, tools, lifts, cranes, etc
• Motor vehicle injuries
• Electricity
• Etc
Chemicals – fire, explosion, toxicity
Ergonomics – musculoskeletal disorders
Physical agents – noise, vibration, electromagnetic radiation,
heat, cold
Biological agents
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
www.ccohs.ca
OSH Program Elements
Workplace Specific Hazards
Prevention Programs
Safety
• Lock-out procedures
• Confined space procedures
• Excavation safety
• Procedures for work at heights
• Safe work with lifts and cranes
• Vehicle safety
• Preventive maintenance
• Engineering and purchasing standards
• Etc
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Workplace Specific Hazards
Prevention Programs (Continued)
Chemicals
• Ventilation
• Shields and enclosures
• Personal protection equipment (PPE)
• Purchasing procedures – substitution, modification
• Fire prevention
• Preventive maintenance
• Procedures for spills and leaks
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
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OSH Program Elements
Workplace Specific Hazards
Prevention Programs (Continued)
Ergonomics
• Control pace of work
• Reduce forceful motions
• Material handling procedures
• Training and adjustments
Physical agents
• Shields and barriers
• Work scheduling
Biological agents
• Isolation procedures
• Protective equipment
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
www.ccohs.ca
Conclusion
Key elements of effective health and safety
programs are found in international
instruments
Management commitment is essential
• Visible leadership and monitoring
Good management processes are also essential
Focus on practical results
Knowledge is the most important resource
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
www.ccohs.ca
Thank you
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