Addressing the Gap Between OHSAS Expectations and Factory Realities
There is a significant gap between what OHSAS auditors expect (based on theoretical rules/requirements) and what can realistically be achieved in a factory setting. I am seeking insights from factory medical/safety officers who have encountered such audits on how we can prepare documents and implement practical measures to meet OHSAS requirements.
Practical Measures to Meet OHSAS Requirements
For instance:
- Health check-ups for canteen workers in a factory
- Health check-ups for contractual workers
- Near-miss reporting
- Compliance with the West Bengal Factory Rules, which are often vague and outdated.
Thank you.
Regards,
From India, Dhanbad
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There is a significant gap between what OHSAS auditors expect (based on theoretical rules/requirements) and what can realistically be achieved in a factory setting. I am seeking insights from factory medical/safety officers who have encountered such audits on how we can prepare documents and implement practical measures to meet OHSAS requirements.
Practical Measures to Meet OHSAS Requirements
For instance:
- Health check-ups for canteen workers in a factory
- Health check-ups for contractual workers
- Near-miss reporting
- Compliance with the West Bengal Factory Rules, which are often vague and outdated.
Thank you.
Regards,
From India, Dhanbad
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You can conduct medical check-ups for contract laborers and canteen laborers through the medical officer appointed by the Inspector of Factories. Government medical officers can also perform the medical check-up and issue certificates. You can include details of near misses or first aid cases in the accident report itself.
From India, Madurai
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5From India, Madurai
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Countless factories in India and many other countries have been certified for OHSAS 18001. When they can comply with the documentation requirements and the requirements of medical examination of workers (including canteen workers and contractors), etc., why can't your organization do it? You mention near-miss reporting—that is surprising! Whether certified for OHSAS 18001 or not, near-miss reporting and investigation are very much required for a good occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system. All these things that you have mentioned, and many more, are needed in normal OH&S management. I feel you need to appoint a qualified and experienced safety officer and also a good OH&S consultant who can guide you properly.
Compliance with State Factories Rules
Regarding the State Factories Rules, whether outdated or not, you are required to comply. Any legal requirement regarding OH&S and environmental protection is the bare minimum that must be followed. Good organizations go beyond that and do much more than what is required by law. The management should have a genuine commitment to health, safety, and the environment. If that is in place, you can develop a good OH&S management system. Please remember: The safety performance of an organization is an absolutely reliable manifestation of the quality of management.
Regards,
A.K. Gupta
From United States, Des Plaines
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Compliance with State Factories Rules
Regarding the State Factories Rules, whether outdated or not, you are required to comply. Any legal requirement regarding OH&S and environmental protection is the bare minimum that must be followed. Good organizations go beyond that and do much more than what is required by law. The management should have a genuine commitment to health, safety, and the environment. If that is in place, you can develop a good OH&S management system. Please remember: The safety performance of an organization is an absolutely reliable manifestation of the quality of management.
Regards,
A.K. Gupta
From United States, Des Plaines
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Thank you for your responses. Has anyone faced this problem where contractual workers are not directly cared for under the management, rather they are the responsibility of their Contractors and ESI?
From India, Dhanbad
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From India, Dhanbad
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Dear Dr. Abhinav Atul,
Generally, in many companies, contract workers do not receive the same treatment as permanent workers. Sadly, if a contractor worker is absorbed, seldom does he show the same level of commitment. This has been the irony of the industry.
One thing that can be done is frequent education of contract laborers on concepts like "near miss," safety, fire fighting, etc. Please find attached a simple "Near Miss" PowerPoint presentation.
V. Raghunathan
From India
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Generally, in many companies, contract workers do not receive the same treatment as permanent workers. Sadly, if a contractor worker is absorbed, seldom does he show the same level of commitment. This has been the irony of the industry.
One thing that can be done is frequent education of contract laborers on concepts like "near miss," safety, fire fighting, etc. Please find attached a simple "Near Miss" PowerPoint presentation.
V. Raghunathan
From India
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Dear VR,
Very educative PowerPoint presentations on Near Miss. Employees should be educated on this. Furthermore, those who take action, report, or prevent near misses should be honored graciously in public.
Thanks for posting.
Ram K. Navaratna
HR Resonance
From India, Bangalore
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Very educative PowerPoint presentations on Near Miss. Employees should be educated on this. Furthermore, those who take action, report, or prevent near misses should be honored graciously in public.
Thanks for posting.
Ram K. Navaratna
HR Resonance
From India, Bangalore
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