Chapter 14 Flashcards
(16 cards)
Why is Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) strategically important?
It prevents accidents, reduces costs, supports employee well-being, and promotes an ethical and sustainable brand image.
What are employers’ responsibilities under OHS legislation?
Take precautions to ensure worker safety, file reports, maintain records, enforce safety rules, and post notices.
What are employees’ responsibilities and rights under OHS?
Protect own and others’ safety, wear protective equipment, report violations, and exercise rights to know, participate, and refuse unsafe work.
What is the role of a Joint Health and Safety Committee?
Investigate incidents, assess risks, recommend corrective actions, and meet regularly to promote workplace safety.
What is the principle of ALARA in OHS?
It means reducing risks ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’.
What is the Swiss Cheese model of accident prevention?
A model using multiple layers of controls to reduce risk and prevent accidents.
What are the three components of WHMIS?
Labels on containers, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and employee training.
What causes workplace accidents?
Chance occurrences, unsafe conditions, unsafe acts, and personal characteristics like age or vision.
How can workplace accidents be prevented?
By reducing unsafe conditions and acts through job design, training, testing, and reinforcement.
What is the purpose of a Risk Matrix in OHS?
To reduce severity and probability of risks to meet ALARA.
What are some common challenges in OHS in Canada?
Substance abuse, stress, repetitive strain injuries, workplace toxins, violence, and pandemics.
How should employers address substance abuse in the workplace?
Forbid substances, allow testing for safety-sensitive jobs, accommodate positive cases, and use EAP.
What is burnout and how can it be avoided?
Burnout is exhaustion from unrealistic goals. Avoid it by breaking patterns, resting, and reassessing goals.
What is PTSD in the context of workplace OHS?
PTSD is a condition from traumatic events, prevalent in high-risk professions, requiring recognition and support.
What are common features of employee wellness programs?
Programs often include stress and nutrition management, smoking cessation, fitness, and ergonomic interventions.
What is ‘corporate killing’ in OHS?
A criminal offense due to failure to ensure safety, which can result in fines or jail terms.
