the heart of health and safety

Transcription

1 the heart of health and safety

2 Facing the challenges of new technologies in the workplace - the role of the H&S practitioner. Gerard Hand MSc, CMIOSH, MIIRSM President Institution of Occupational Safety and Health

3 About IOSH - Formed 1945; Royal Charter 2003; Individual Charter International NGO status (ILO) in CIS centre - World s largest health and safety professional body - Over 40,000 members in more than 90 countries (over 4,500 international members) - Independent, not-for-profit organisation - Sets professional standards and provides OSH guidance - Member of ENSHPO, INSHPO, APOSHO, ISSA

4 Outline - The changing role of the practitioner - The new energy mix and hazards - Getting the OSH voice heard - Health and wellbeing

5 Demands and challenges of a changing world at work Safety model OSH model Risk assessment Competent advice OSHMS Prescriptive Obvious hazards instant results Technical fixes Risk-based, goal-setting Self-regulation Long latency diseases System & people fixes Male dominated Manufacturing-based Health & Safety Equal male/female ratio Service/knowledge-based Long-hours culture (48+) More people working, (Commuting, ageing workforce) Monodisciplinary OH - medicalised Just Safety advisers Multidisciplinary Prevention + RTW OSH advisers Testing, diagnosing Treating conditions Health Work and Wellbeing

6 Implications of emerging technologies for the profession.

7 Changes to how electricity is generated % 29% 19.40% 8% 1% 22% 39.30% 9% 1.50% 31% 11.30% % Gas Nuclear Oil Coal Other Renewables Source: Energy Trends 2012 Department of Energy and Climate Change 7

8 What new major hazards could this create? - Fire and explosion during large scale production of biogas, transport of hydrogen, distribution and storage - Presence of toxic, flammable and explosive substances in coal combustion plat as part of the carbon capture process - Collapse of offshore working platforms during turbine/substation construction. - Falls from height when installing or repairing roof mounted solar panels and micro wind turbines 8

9 Occupational health hazards - Exposure to carcinogenic aromatic compounds as well as heavy metals, acid gases and hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide generated during the fermentation process, to chemicals/solvents used in fuel production - Exposure to toxic chemicals and metals (e.g.. cadmium) during solar panel manufacture, disposal and recycling - Exposure to epoxy resins, styrene and other hazardous chemicals, solvents during wind turbine manufacture - Burns/frost bite caused by accident contact with liquid carbon dioxide 9

10 What s different about these hazards and risks? - Novelty of the technologies themselves. - Lack of safety data available - Using gases such as carbon dioxide in volumes and concentrations never previously handled. - Skills gap, possibly inexperienced or under skilled workers interacting with new or unfamiliar technologies. - Lots of small medium enterprises involved - Important to inspire confidence in these new technologies 10

11 The challenge of communication Getting the OSH voice heard Making functional alliances Being realistic about the level of engagement Use language that fits into the business culture Tailor messages to different audiences Don t forget

12 IOSH part funded research into lessons learned from the 2012 Games construction project. - Communication was found to be effective. - Communication was multi directional and included formal networks. - Holdpoints allowed regular review of work done - Other methods included: - project safety leadership team meetings, safety forum meetings, risk assessment briefings, workforce representative meetings, safety circle meetings, co-ordination meetings and one to one interviews between supervisors and workers.

13 Lessons from the 2012 Games - Workers were told why they needed to follow procedures not just what they needed to do - Posters showing the right and wrong way to do things helped overcome language barriers. - Key messages were delivered to workers by site supervisors, who could add further detail of site specific issues - Notice boards and newsletters were also used.

14 Wellbeing and health & safety Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. World Health Organisation (1948)

15 Wellbeing Happy Healthy Contented Life quality Comfortable Physical Mental Social Intellectual Spiritual

16 Health and wellbeing role - Help managers prevent injury and illness - Work with others to create positive environments - Support workers with health conditions and promote healthier lifestyles for all

17 Health and wellbeing role - Advise managers to ensure the health and safety system and culture work effectively - Involve the workforce, identify improvement areas and monitor progress - Use the workplace to raise awareness and integrate health and wellbeing throughout

18 Wellbeing assets - Organisations with flexible working practices - Flexible coping styles - Physical fitness and eating well - Access to social support

19 Making the business case AstraZeneca ~ 5m in a year Glasgow City Council ~ 4.5m in a year

20 And to close... A shift in attitudes is necessary to ensure that employers and employees recognise not only the importance of preventing ill health, but also the key role the workplace can play in promoting health and wellbeing. Dame Carol Black (2008) Thank you for listening