Guidelines, Legislations, and Compliance Systems on Organizational Safety and Health

 



Sound Financial and Social performance of the organization are interconnected with the organization’s health and safety performance, due to the impact from contributors such as employee satisfaction, lesser risk of accidents, and improved operational results. This is further enhanced by the level of awareness and compliance to health and safety guidelines at different aspects of an organization. (Hart, 2009). 

Guidelines, Legislations and Compliance Systems

The International Labor Organization (ILO), through internationally agreed principles defined by ILO tripartite constituents, has set out certain guidelines for organizations as a practical tool aimed towards achievement of continual improvement in occupational safety and health (OSH) in organizational performance (International Labour Organization, 2001).

The approach, “Safety + Health for all” of the International Labour Organization (ILO), focuses on reducing the incidents of work-related deaths, injuries & diseases and focused on four strategic areas of compliance, covering the knowledge building, strengthening national capabilities, creating a conductive national framework, promoting demand for safe and healthy workplace (ILO, 2021).

ISO 45001 by the International Standard Organization, is established for organizations concerned with enhancing employee safety, reducing workplace risks, and fostering healthier and safer working conditions, which is an internationally accredited standard for health and occupational safety by the International Labor Organization (International Organization for Standardization, 2021).

Video 1 explains how the ISO 45001 standard promotes a safe and healthy working environment to reduce operational safety and health risk, prevent work-related incidents, and improve legislative compliance.  


Video 1: Enhance Occupational Health & Safety with ISO 45001



Source: (SGS, 2018)

The National Occupational and Health Policy of Sri Lanka, published in June 2014, clearly defines the requirement by organizations towards the necessity for enhanced health and safety standards in compliance with international standards set out, to ensure protection for employees through policy legislation. 

This policy has been developed to the development policy framework of the Government of Sri Lanka. This is aimed towards the prevention of injuries and diseases and promotes a safer and healthier work culture, productive and healthy employment which recognizes the significant contribution of all workers to the national economy (Ministry of Labour and Labour relations, 2014).

Legislations and guidelines would not remain static, as such would change on a frequent basis depending on the impacts from both internal and external factors affecting organizations.



References

Hart, S.M., (2009) Self-regulation, corporate social responsibility, and the business case: Do they work in Achieving workplace equality and safety? Journal of Business Ethics, 92(4), pp.585–600. 

ILO, (2001) Guidelines on occupational safety and health management systems, ILO-OSH 2001 [online] Available at: <https://www.ilo.org/safework/info/standards-and-instruments/WCMS_107727/lang--en/index.htm> [Accessed 3 September 2021].

ILO, (2001) Safety + health for All (safety and health at work) Available at: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/safety-and-health-at-work/programmes-projects/safety-health-for-all/lang--en/index.htm [Accessed September 5, 2021]. 

ISO, (2021) ISO 45000 family — Occupational health and safety. [online] Available at: <https://www.iso.org/iso-45001-occupational-health-and-safety.html> [Accessed 1 September 2021].

Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations, (2021) National-occupational-safety-and-health-policy-of-Sri-Lanka. Available at: http://www.eohfs.health.gov.lk/occupational/images/pdf/National-occupational-safety-and-health-policy-of-Sri-Lanka.pdf [Accessed September 1, 2021]. 

SGS, (2018). Enhance Occupational Health & Safety with ISO 45001. [video] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlmgUvkAh0A&t=33s> [Accessed 3 September 2021].

Comments

  1. MenupaSeptember 6, 2021 at 9:46 AM

    Agreed with you. People were confused about the differences between Guidance, Approved Codes of Practices, and Regulations, according to a 1994 study done by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) under health and safety regulation. The panel went on and offered a solution to the conundrum.
    The legislation on health and safety necessitates it. The 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act establishes employers' responsibilities to employees and members of the public, as well as their responsibilities to themselves and to each other.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nadeeka Indunil PathirageSeptember 11, 2021 at 5:58 AM

    Agree Chathuri, Workplace safety and security are effective only when programs, policies and procedures achieve their stated objectives to prevent harm to people, property and the environment (Zanab, 2010). Effective practices vary depending on the scope of the specific safety and security measures.

    ReplyDelete

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