Chapter 1 (Introduction To Occupational Safety and Health)
Chapter 1 (Introduction To Occupational Safety and Health)
INTRODUCTION TO
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH
Md. Gulam Kibria
Lecturer, Dept. of IPE, BUET
Safety Professional
Economical Importance
Companies are attempting to remain profitable in an
ever more competitive global economy. For these
companies,
addressing
safety,
health,
and
environmental issues may mean more than good
business practice. For many companies, strong safety,
health, and environmental programs may actually
mean survival.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there are
approximately five injury and illness cases per year
for every one hundred workers, or approximately four
million total per year. The costs associated with these
losses number in the billions of dollars.
Moral Importance
In recent years there have been over 5,000 annual onthe-job fatalities in this country alone.
The staggering numbers of people involved in these
accidents are a real concern.
Behind the numbers are real peoplemothers,
fathers, sisters, brothers, spouses, sons, or daughters.
They are people like Bob whose lives may never be
the same again.
Legal Importance
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), the federal agency responsible for
workplace safety and health, attempts to address the
safety and health concerns faced by Americans.
OSHA may not only levy fines, but may also seek
criminal prosecution of business owners and
managers who willfully neglect the safety and health
of their employees.
Employers may also find themselves the target of
civil suits leveled by the victims and survivors of
workplace accidents.
Safety Management
What is Safety?
For the layperson, safety means not getting injured.
For the professional, safety means operating within an
acceptable or low probability of risk associated with
conditions or activities having the potential to cause
harm to people, equipment, facilities or the enterprise.
Accident Investigation
Work with Emergency Response Teams
Environmental Protection
Ergonomic Analysis and Modification
Fire Protection
Hazard Recognition
Hazardous Materials Management
Health Hazard Control
Inspection/Audit
Recordkeeping
Regulatory Compliance
Training