OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

Occupational safety at
a common workplace –
towards proactive safety
CONTENTS

1. ZERO ACCIDENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2. COMMON WORKPLACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3. ORIENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4. RISK MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

5. IDENTIFYING RISK FACTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

6. IDENTIFYING RISKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

ATTACHMENT 1:
SAFETY OBSERVATION/NOTIFICATION OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION . . . . . . . 26

ATTACHMENT 2: TARGET RISK ASSESSMENT, CHECKLIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Published by: The Centre for Occupational Safety

Text: The Centre for Occupational Safety’s Occupational safety

card work group

Photos: Mikael Ahlfors and The Centre for Occupational Safety

Translation: Semantix Finland Oy and Apropos lingua Oy
Layout: Kati Nohynek, Pulkka Design Oy
Printed by: Grano Oy
7th revised edition 2019

ISBN 978-951-810-688-6 (printed)

Product number 26114

ISBN 978-951-810-724-1 (pdf)

Product number 202009

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 3

1. Zero accidents

Yes No

Zero accidents is possible to achieve

I know my occupational safety responsibilities and obligations

I know what is meant by a common workplace

I have received sufficient orientation to operating at a common workplace

I can identify the stress factors of a common workplace

I can identify the risk factors of a common workplace

1. How can I affect safety?

4 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

2. The pyramid below contains 30,000 poorly managed items that could result in an
accident. What could they be?

Indirect and direct costs

1
Death
Indirect costs refer to costs that are
incurred in connection with an accident 30
due to, for example, reorganisation of serious injuries
work, lost working time and material
costs. 300
recorded accidents

Direct costs refer to costs incurred in

connection with an accident due to, for 3,000
close calls or cases involving first aid
example, first aid, investigation of an
accident, property damage and accident 30,000
insurance payments. dangerous situations; risky working methods and
dangerous conditions caused by people

EXAMPLES:

Example 1 Example 2
An employee was run over by a forklift An employee fell 12 metres on a concrete
truck in the harbour area. The employee platform at a construction site. The
suffered several bruises that resulted in employee suffered several bruises of the
a permanent inability to work. The person hip, shoulders and ribs. The person was 29
was 47 years old at the time of the years old at the time of the accident.
accident. The amount of temporary The accident resulted in a 50% inability
compensation was about EUR 100,000, to work. The amount of temporary
and a reserve of about EUR 535,000 was compensation was about EUR 35,000 and
made for workers’ compensation pension. permanent compensation totalled around
EUR 140,000.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 5

2. Common workplace

Staff from several employers work at a common workplace. What is the industry of the
companies that operate at your common workplace? Do you know the names and roles
of the various operators?

Occupational safety responsibilities

What are your occupational safety responsibilities and obligations?

What must you take care of at your workplace?

How do you take your colleagues and other operators into account at a common
workplace?

6 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

Upper management Middle management
• general management and supervision of • preparing and supervising occupational
occupational safety safety instructions
• ordering operating methods related to • acquiring and supervising machines
developing safety and equipment
• ensuring material preconditions • ensuring the atmosphere in the work
necessary for developing safety community and supervising the
• selecting supervisors for lower levels and preconditions of mental occupational
ensuring their qualification and division safety and health
of duties. • making necessary proposals to upper
management.
Work supervision
• planning work and tasks Employee
• supervising the condition of machines • following instructions and regulations
and equipment • ensuring personal occupational safety
• supervising the use of safe working and that of others
methods and personal protective • reporting risks or removing risk factors
equipment as possible (safely)
• introduction to work. • using safety devices and protective
equipment and maintaining them
appropriately.

Occupational safety and health organisation

List the operators of occupational safety and health cooperation organisation at your
workplace:

Occupational Health and Safety Manager Occupational safety delegate

Deputy occupational safety delegates Occupational safety committee

(Occupational safety agents) Occupational health care

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 7

3. Orientation
What comprises good orientation at a common workplace?

What are the challenges of induction at a common workplace?

How are multiculturality and young employees taken into account at your workplace?

Who is responsible for orientation at a common workplace?

What is your role in terms of orientation at a common workplace?

8 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

4. Risk management

There is plenty of information at the workplace. Initial information is shown in the figure
below. What existing information can be used in identifying risks and stress?

ASSESSMENT PLANNING
Initial information • Assessment targets

IDENTIFYING RISKS

MONITORING AND FEEDBACK

Risk factors • Dangerous situations
DIRECT PROCEDURES

DETERMINING THE EXTENT OF A RISK

Probability • Consequences • Risk level
• Procedure proposals

ASSESSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A RISK

SELECTING AND IMPLEMENTING

PROCEDURES

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 9

Self-evaluation table

The evaluation below is one way to determine the current status of occupational safety
at a workplace and specific development targets before the actual assessment process.

Evaluation target Poor level Average Good level

0–1 point level 2–3 points 4–5 points

Occupational safety today Work is risky: Work is not dangerous: Work is safe:
Accidents happen often. Serious accidents occur There are few accidents.
Work is physically or men- rarely. Minor accidents Work is light and pleas-
Score:
tally stressful. Sick leaves happen occasionally. ant. Employees are
are common. The turnover Work-related stress is content. There are few
of employees is quick. reasonable. Conflicts conflicts. There is a low
There are many conflicts. are addressed when rate of employee turnover.
It is difficult to get funding necessary.
for safetyrelated improve-
ments.

Safety as an objective Safety is not an Safety is desired: Safety is developed:

objective: I take care of the basics. I would like work to be
We concentrate on If problems occur, they carried out safely and I
Score:
working. We investigate are resolved. Safety is express my wishes. I try
accidents and take meas- important but it is often to set an example. I try to
ures, if necessary, but overlooked because of plan ahead before prob-
otherwise, we do not set other issues. lems occur. I try to assess
plans concerning safety. risks in advance.

Work supervision Mistakes are covered up: Mistakes are accepted: Preparations are made for
and attitude towards I usually do not interfere I accept incorrect op- mistakes:
problems if employees wish to act erating methods only I do not accept incorrect
foolishly. We do not have when correct working operating methods but I
any major problems. When methods cannot be address mistakes as soon
Score:
there are problems, they followed. Accidents are as I come across them.
are handled quietly. ‘Acci- investigated and the I identify risks related
dents are usually caused recurrence of accidents to work in advance and
by individuals.’ is prevented, if possible. try to resolve problems
Suggestions for improve- beforehand.
ment are made on the I wish to prevent human
basis of problems, but errors by favouring good
they are often not realised. technique. All employ-
Persons who are guilty are ees are informed about
notified of the matter. problems.

10 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

Evaluation target Poor level Average Good level
0–1 point level 2–3 points 4–5 points

Cooperation of No cooperation: Increasing cooperation: Trust:

occupational safety and Employees are not inter- Occupational safety and Occupational safety and
health in a department ested in safety matters. health is discussed in health is a common issue!
It is no use consulting the department meetings, if I wish to give all my sub-
employees as they would necessary. The views of ordinates the opportunity
Score:
only start to make impos- employees are also heard to influence ongoing im-
sible requests. Persons in matters directly related provements and changes.
who make suggestions to work, if necessary. It is Cooperation is natural and
actively should concen- not always necessary to spontaneous at various
trate on work. argue about issues. When levels. Safety issues are
issues are agreed upon discussed regularly in
together, conflict can be pre-scheduled meetings.
avoided.

Relationship with Orders difficult Everyone wishes Legislation is the

representatives to accept: to comply with minimum level:
and experts I prefer not to discuss legislation: I wish to maintain good
anything with shop stew- I want to be told how to relationships with shop
ards and occupational act. I believe that shop stewards and safety
Score:
safety and health profes- stewards and safety people as I believe they
sionals. I don’t like it when people should be informed can help me achieve my
outsiders interfere with about issues in advance in targets. When you do your
my method of handling order to avoid conflicts. best, you do not have to
safety. I am sometimes worry about issues related
concerned about my legal to responsibility.
responsibility.

Work instructions Instructions are vague: Instructions are High-quality system:

If it has been necessary to collected: There are updated work
come to an agreement on The most important work instructions on all work
Score:
something, an agreement and safety instructions duties that also address
has been reached verbally have been recorded. safety. Work instructions
and everyone has been Instructions for machines are available to everyone,
informed about the mat- and equipment are stored and the most important
ter. There are no written and available. regulations are visible
instructions, or they at the workplace. Work
are only available in an instructions are available
archive somewhere in a language understood
and they may partly be by employees.
outdated.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 11

 Evaluation target Poor level Average Good level
0–1 point level 2–3 points 4–5 points

Orientation Straight to work: Familiarisation: Orientation:

It is not necessary to or- Let’s become familiar I plan an appropriate
ganise orientation sepa- with the company. Inform orientation period for each
Score:
rately as the best way to employees who to turn new employee. We also
learn is to work. I rely on to with questions on a teach professionals to
professional education. given topic. The basics are work in the correct way.
You can always ask if you shown. I check the compe- I follow personal learning.
do not know how to do tence of a new employee Refresher trainig is
something. and if there are any defi- attended regularly.
ciencies, an opportunity
to learn is organised.
Learning is not moni-
tored.

Working environment and Not used: Safety equipment Safety devices are
technique We are not accustomed to is allowed: developed:
using protective devices Safety equipment and If necessary, we also
and equipment as they protection must not be develop safety devices
Score:
hinder our work. All unnec- removed. Any safety ourselves if we consid-
essary safety equipment equipment and protective er the protection to be
is removed or bypassed devices that have been insufficient. We only
in machines. However, if removed are reattached. acquire machines that
someone wishes to have New safety equipment and comply with the Machinery
protective equipment, I protective structures are Directive (CE marked). Our
usually select the cheap- installed, if necessary. selection of protective
est options. Basic protective equip- equipment is of high qual-
ment is offered. ity, comprehensive and
versatile.The maintenance
and storage facilities of
spare parts and protective
equipment have also been
organised.
The use of personal
protective equipment
has been agreed upon. I
supervise to ensure that
protective equipment
is used.

12 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

 Evaluation target Poor level Average Good level
0–1 point level 2–3 points 4–5 points

Subcontracting and Conflicting or scattered: Supervised operation: Responsible

operation at a common Everyone is only respon- Subcontractors must cooperation:
worksite sible for themselves, and receive orientation on Operating methods related
the customer is informed the operating methods of to safety are agreed upon
about problems, if neces- the customer. Incorrect in advance and they are
Score:
sary. There must be a little operating methods are not monitored. Comprehen-
room to bend the rules in accepted in the case of sive induction is provided
the case of subcontract- subcontracting without a to subcontractors. We
ing since competition is special reason. prefer to work with sub-
tough. Problems can be dis- contractors who have
cussed openly with completed the occupa-
everyone in the area. tional safety card train-
ing. Problems and risks
are discussed regularly in
meetings, and the aim is to
make decisions together.

Occupational health care Medical treatment: Workplace studies: Close cooperation:

and well-being at work Occupational health care Cooperation and work- Cooperation with occupa-
is not visible at the work- place studies, for exam- tional health care is versa-
place. Sick leaves cause ple, have been agreed tile and functional. We aim
Score:
conflicts. Equality, age upon alongside occupa- to develop the healthiness
management and atmos- tional health care. There and ergonomics of work.
phere are topics that we are no arguments about We aim to ensure the
do not wish to discuss. sick leaves. The health well-being of all personnel
of my subordinates is and take individual needs
important to me not only into account.
because of sick leaves.
The importance of atmos-
phere for well-being at
work is recognised and the
aim is to take care of it.

Total score: 0

In general, the scores can be interpreted as follows:

Total score 0–15 Total score 16–35 Total score 36–50

Occupational safety is insufficient. Occupational safety is on an aver- Occupational safety procedures are
If the score is extremely low, it is age level. The basics are in order, well-developed. Active measures
likely that development work will but great risks are still entailed are taken to promote safety, and
require a lot of effort. It is often with everyday operations. The results will definitely be achieved.
difficult to let go off conservative weaknesses of operation must be The weakest areas and any blind
attitudes but it can be achieved by addressed in such a way that new spots must be developed actively so
setting an example. means to address problems are that they do not become stumbling
considered. blocks to safety. Preconditions for
continuous improvement do exist.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 13

Once you have completed the table, describe here what you think of your current
situation.

Identifying risks

Physical Chemical Physical strain

• Noise • Inorganic dust • Ergonomics
• Vibration • Metals and their • Physical strain
• Thermal conditions compounds • Tools
• Radiation sources • Organic dust
• Lighting • Gases
• Organic compounds
• Heavy metals and
solvents

Mechanical Biological Psychosocial strain

• Mechanical • Mold spores • Job content
• Moving parts of • Bacteria • Organization and
machinery practices
• Falling objects • Functioning of the
• Tripping work community
• Falling

In the above figure, circle any risk factors that occur in your own working environment.
List the risk factors on the lines below and specify where and how they occur at your
workplace: Can the risks be removed? In what ways?

14 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

Risks must be assessed for identified dangers, i.e., the possibility of someone getting
hurt because of the risk factor in question. Estimate the extent of risk caused by the
dangers with the help of the table below. Which is easier to influence; the probability or
the consequences? Which management methods can be used?

Risk assessment
consequenses - probability

Probability of an Gravity of consequences

incident
Minor Harmful Serious

Unlikely 1 Insignificant risk 2 Minor risk 3 Moderate risk

Possible 2 Minor risk 3 Moderate risk 4 Significant risk

Likely 3 Moderate risk 4 Significant risk 5 Intolerable risk

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 15

5. Identifying risk factors

Behaviour at work

Create rules for fair work behaviour at a common workplace. Write the rules on the lines
below.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Notes

• Everyone is responsible for good behaviour.

• The employer must immediately address any inappropriate treatment.
• Issues and situations are experienced in different ways.
• Ask for help and support, if necessary.
• An open and confidential atmosphere promotes good behaviour at work.

16 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

The flow of information

What are good communication practices?

What should be taken into account when communication is performed?

1. verbally (safety sessions, meetings, safety walkthroughs, safety discussions, etc.)?

2. by email?

3. on the Intranet?

4. via text message?

5. over the phone?

6. on a notice board?

7. via instant messaging?

How is communication handled at your workplace in the event of an emergency?

Are you familiar with instructions for crisis communication at your workplace?

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 17

Unfamiliar working environment and varying work groups

Which factors cause the most stress for you in an unfamiliar work environment or
varying work groups?

How can you prevent that stress?

Threat of violence

How is the threat of violence taken into account at your workplace? What kind of a
reporting model is used at your workplace? How has it been ensured at your workplace
that all incidents are reported?

18 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

6. Identifying risks

Tripping and slipping

Examine your own field of operation in relation to those of others.

What is the cause of accidents? What do people trip on? Why do they slip?

What can be done at your workplace to prevent tripping and slipping?

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 19

Create a checklist of five steps for preventing tripping and slipping accidents at your
workplace.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Falling

How is working in a place with a risk of falling planned at your workplace?

1. scaffolding

2. ladder

3. work platforms

4. passages

5. boom lifts

6. gaps and openings

Machinery and equipment

A machine checklist is presented on the following page. Select a device or a tool that
you currently use at work and consider whether all inspection targets are in order.

20 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

MACHINE CHECKLIST Advance inspection Implementation inspection Subsequent inspection

Machine: Supplier:

Date of inspection: Present:

Target of inspection In order Remarks

Machine plate and CE marking

Markings for switches and signal lights

Warning signs

User instructions

Protective structures

Safety equipment

Maintenance levels, staircase, railings

Sharp corners, edges and hot surfaces have

been covered

Risk of tripping has been minimised

Drains, chains, sprocket wheels, etc.

have been covered

Chemical containers intact, no leaks

Main switches and purge valves, if

necessary, for power supply (electricity and
pressure) and material conveyors

Emergency stops

Noise, dust and gas emissions

Applicability for the use location

- encasing of electrical devices
- electromagnetic disturbances
- loads
- heat and moisture conditions
- sufficient space
- storage positions

Other inspections completed

Other remarks:

Signatures:

Recipient Supplier

Occupational Health and Safety Manager Occupational safety delegate

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 21

Could an unexpected start cause a dangerous situation at your workplace?
What could cause a dangerous situation? How can the risk be prevented?

Manual lifts

Do you perform any manual lifting at

work? What problems are related to it?
Have the risks of lifting been evaluated?
Have you received guidance from
occupational health care on safe lifting
methods?

22 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

Mechanical lifting

How is lifting planned at your workplace? How is lifting equipment selected?

1. forklift trucks

2. telescopic handlers

3. cranes

4. mobile cranes

5. loading cranes

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 23

Risks related to chemicals

What do the signs below warn about?

24 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

Safety data sheet

The content of a safety data sheet is presented below. A safety data sheet must be available at a
workplace. Which of the following items in a safety data sheet are particularly important in your
work? Circle the applicable options.

1. Identification data of a product and a company, and identified use purposes of a chemical.

2. Risk specification that contains the danger classification of the chemical and warning
markings.

3. The consistence of a product and information on ingredients that are harmful for health or the
environment.

4. First aid procedures and symptoms indicating exposure.

5. Fire prevention procedures and a description of specific risks related to the product.

6. Procedures and protection in the event of an accident and cleaning instructions.

7. Instructions for the safe handling and storage of the chemical.

8. Preventing exposure, limit values for work-based exposure and procedures for preventing
exposure (such as personal protective equipment). Information related to the prevention of
exposure can alternatively be described in the attached exposure scenario.

9. The state of a product and essential physical and chemical properties.

10. Conditions and materials that should be avoided when handling the chemical are described
under stability and reactivity.

11. Information on the harmful effects of the chemical on health in the event of short-term
and repeated exposure.

12. Harmful effects of the chemical on the environment and behaviour in the environment.

13. Instructions on handling and disposing of chemical waste.

14. Transport classification and transport markings.

15. Information on restrictions on the use of the chemical and its subjectivity to licence,
and chemical safety assessments related to the chemical.

16. Hazard and safety statements used in a safety data sheet and sources of information used in
preparing the safety data sheet, and information on the latest updates to the safety data sheet.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 25

 Attachment 1: Safety observation/notification of a dangerous situation

Notifier:

Recipient of the notification:

Date:

Place and time:

Observation/description of the dangerous situation:

Consequences that may have occurred Factors that affect the occurrence of
the situation

Personal injury Unsafe operation

Machine or device failure Technical failure

Fire Working environment

Environmental damage Missing protective equipment

Other, please specify: Disorder

Machinery or equipment

Direct procedures:

How can you prevent the recurrence?

26 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

Attachment 2: Target risk assessment, checklist

Before you start working, identify risks and go over this checklist.

Date Target

Is there a risk of...

Yes No

tripping or slipping?

falling?

being squeezed?

a dangerous situation caused by lighting?

a dangerous situation caused sparking, use of open fire?

exposure to chemicals?

a dangerous situation caused by electricity?

a dangerous situation caused by some other factor:

Corrective measures before work is started:

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD 27

Have you checked the following:

Yes No

is a work permit required?

do you have necessary personal protective equipment?

are your tools in order and appropriate for the task?

is anyone else in danger?

how do you operate in an emergency?

where is the closest fire extinguishing equipment, emergency

shower, eyewash station, assembly point?

do you need additional instructions?

Corrective measures before work is started:

28 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY CARD

Occupational safety card
A national Occupational safety card training has been
developed for improving occupational safety at common
workplaces.

A personal Occupational safety card can be obtained by

completing a oneday course and a written test.

The Occupational safety card was developed by Finnish

industrial companies together with labour market organi-
sations, the insurance sector and training organisations.

This workbook is the course material for the Occupational

safety card training.