Chapter 19 - Occupational Safety and Health and the Protection Officer

Abstract

The protection officer can play a significant role in accident prevention, safety awareness, and health promotion in the workplace. This chapter provides an overview of the basic elements of an occupational safety and health (OSH) program, the major causes of occupational accidents and illness, and the role of the protection officer in OSH programs. The protection officer should be familiar with the basic elements of the OSH program in the company because his activities may have an influence on the program. An effective OSH program should include the following requisites: management leadership, assignment of authority, establishment of safety and health training, accident record/data collection system, emergency management, first aid, and medical systems. The protection officer is trained to observe and identify the potential hazards. The officers must be aware of the potential symptoms and the consequences associated with their workplace in order to report them for early diagnosis. The common safety hazards encountered by the protection officer on routine patrol include violation of no smoking regulations, oil spills, or slippery substances that may cause slipping and tripping, burned out or missing emergency lights, and improper labeling of dangerous goods. The protection officer should have some basic knowledge of the accident types and the accident causes, because he may be involved in the accident investigation. Dedicating one patrol to the observation and reporting of unsafe acts, unsafe conditions, and safety hazards is a good practice.