Introduction
The goal of an occupational safety and health policy is to foster a safe and healthy occupational environment. OSH also protects all the general public who may be affected by the occupational activities. In common-law jurisdictions, employers have a common law duty, (also called duty of care) to take reasonable care of the safety of their employees. It is within this background that ASDEPCO as a Cameroonian development organization implementing programs in Cameroon aimed at helping to improve the livelihoods of communities seeks to conform with international norms as set out in the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187).
Responsibility:
The cooperation and involvement of all staff is required to achieve the health and safety objectives and procedures contained in this policy. To support this occurring, ASDEPCO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will put in place:
- Safety management systems that are continuously reviewed for effectiveness
- Resources including equipment and training to manage safety.
- Processes to eliminate risks wherever possible
- Consultation with staff on the development, implementation, and refinement of OHS systems and programs
- Processes that investigate and report on all incidents, including near misses.
ASDEPCO’s CEO is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of this policy.
In fulfilling the objectives of this policy, the CEO is committed to regular consultation with workers to ensure that the policy operates effectively and that health and safety issues are regularly reviewed in response to changing contexts ASDEPCO’s Board will regularly check compliance with this policy and other risks at the regular risk and compliance reviews conducted by the Board.
All Workers:
- Have a duty to work safely at all times to protect themselves and those working with them
- Should comply with the safety procedures and directions as provided by this policy
- Must act in accordance with agreed procedures for accident and incident reporting and response.
Consultation with Workers
All staff meetings shall contain work health and safety as an agenda item in which the CEO can provide information on general changes to the work place and staff can raise any concerns at this stage. The work health and safety issues that are raised and discussed will be minuted and any actions taken to address the issues, minuted in subsequent meetings. Any draft policies and procedures will be shared with staff as an opportunity for them to provide feedback and participate in the consultation process.
Induction of new staff:
Induction of new staff
All new workers will be informed of the Work Health and Safety policies through the normal induction process. Workers will be trained in any required safety procedures and be given a copy of the ASDEPCO’s OHS Policy Statement by the CEO. on potential work hazards.
Health
First Aid Policy
The policy of ASDEPCO in respect to first aid is as follows:
- All staff are required to provide first aid and are expected to be trained on basic first aid practices related to the work environment.
- In case of an emergency, staff are to contact a nearby hospital or an ambulance service
Infection Control
To keep the workplace as free as possible from bacteria and viruses, staff are requested to use routine infection control practices including washing hands after going to the toilet, keeping the sink area clear of dirty dishes, covering coughs and sneezes, and regularly cleaning out all office spaces. Staff shall observe strict covid-19 compliance measures in order to eliminate all possible exposure to the virus while in the workplace or outstation.
Bullying and harassment
ASDEPCO is aware of the risks of workplace bullying. ASDEPCO defines workplace bullying as repeated, unreasonable behavior directed toward a worker or workers that creates a risk to health and safety. The CEO will provide information to staff on a regular basis to assist in:
- Recognizing bullying in the workplace
- The possible effects of bullying
- Steps to take in elimination of such behavior
Smoke Free Workplaces :
ASDEPCO has a smoke-free policy. Smoking is not permitted in or around the places where it conducts its activities.
Use of Alcohol and Drugs
Drinking alcohol is not permitted for staff during working hours in and around the workplace and on field assignments. However, alcohol consumption may be tolerated within reason at an ASDEPCO-organized event or function. However, if the worker is considered overly affected by the alcohol they will be asked to leave the workplace or venue of the event and to go home.
If the worker is considered under the influence of alcohol and /or drugs during normal working hours and may be a danger to themselves and others, they will be asked to leave the workplace and to go home. The event will be documented by the CEO. And appropriate actions were taken. If a worker is asked to leave the workplace more than two times due to being under the influence of drugs and alcohol, it will be recommended they undertake a rehabilitation program at their own expense and leave without pay. If the situations are considered severe and the worker is not implementing recommendations, then their employment will be terminated.
Physical Hazards:
Physical Hazards
Manual handling
The CEO is aware of the need to protect workers from the risk of musculoskeletal injuries or disorders. The usual practices of lifting heavy objects by bending the knees and seeking assistance if the item is too heavy to lift alone, are to be followed. A ladder is kept in the office cupboard and is to be used when accessing items from higher shelves. The use of the ladder is to be supervised by another worker. Office chairs are not to be used as step ladders.
Accidens:
Accidents
Collecting information about accidents
Notification – Register of Injuries
If a worker has been injured at work he or she must:
- Notify the CEO as soon as possible
- Enter details in the Register of Injuries as soon as possible. (see Attachment).
- See a doctor and have the doctor complete a WorkCover medical certificate
Sign the WorkCover medical certificate to:
- Indicate the doctor has been chosen as your nominated treating doctor, and Permit your nominated treating doctor to release information to ASDEPCO’s management to help with injury management and return to work.
- Give the completed medical certificate to the CEO and attach any bills or receipts for treatment.
- Participate and cooperate with the development and implementation of an injury management plan.
Notice Of serious injury
in the event of :
a. the death of any person
b. a person requiring medical treatment within 48 hours of sustaining an injury at work
c. a person requiring immediate treatment as an in-patient in a hospital.
d. a person requiring immediate treatment for:
the amputation of any part of his or her body, serious head injury, serious eye injury, spinal injury, the loss or partial loss of the use of any part of a person’s body, the loss by any person of a bodily function.
e. Any other serious bodily injury the loss or partial loss of the use of any part of a person’s body Written notification of the event will also be sent to ASDEPCO’s management within 48 hours of the incident.
Injured Workers:
Injured Workers
ASDEPCO recognizes that injuries may occur, and in the event that an injury does occur, will try to find alternative tasks for the worker to do whilst they are recovering from their injury.
To achieve this, ASDEPCO has the following objectives:
- Return to work should be a normal expectation of all workers following a work-related injury. The intention is to return the injured worker to work as soon as possible.
- All workers are encouraged to report all work-related illnesses and injuries immediately
- Occupational rehabilitation will commence immediately and be carried out in the appropriate manner with the involvement of all parties
- Each worker’s occupational rehabilitation program will be developed individually, and on a confidential basis, with the worker concerned
ASDEPCO’s coordinator will
- Assist the injured worker to remain at work wherever practicable or to return to suitable work as soon as possible after injury
- Develop a return-to-work plan for the worker who has an injury that involves 20 or more days of total incapacity for work
- Liaise with any parties involved in the treatment or occupational rehabilitation of the injured worker
- Ensure the confidentiality of personal information made available while coordinating return to work activities, organizing occupational rehabilitation services, or in any other activity related to the management of an injured worker’s claim
- Monitor the progress of the return to suitable work following injury and of any occupational rehabilitation services provided under a return-to-work plan
Risk Assessment
- Risk assessments relate to activities within the work premises or grounds
- Risk assessments NEED to be carried out in relation to every activity undertaken, whether by groups or individuals including the work of paid staff and volunteers
- Special attention should be paid to the circumstances of workers under the age of eighteen and to expectant mothers, women who have given within the past six months, or who are breastfeeding
- A risk assessment needs to be carried out whenever a new activity is envisaged
- Assessments need to be repeated whenever circumstances change:
- Changes in the layout of equipment
- Observing trends in the accident form
- Changes in staff
- Introduction of new procedures, processes or materials
Health and safety statement :
ASDEPCO’s Occupational Health and Safety Statement
Our safety beliefs:
- All injuries can be prevented
- Safety first, work second
- Everyone is responsible for their safety
- Working safely is a condition of employment.
Our actions:
The cooperation and involvement of all staff is required to achieve the health and safety objectives.
Our manager will put in place:
- Safety management systems that are continuously reviewed for effectiveness
- Resources including equipment and training to manage safety.
- Processes to eliminate risks wherever possible
- Consultation with staff on the development, implementation and refinement of OHS systems and programs
- Processes that investigate and report on all incidents, including near misses.
Our staff will:
- Work safely at all times to protect themselves and those working with them
- Participate in OHS training, consultation and initiatives to improve health and safety
- Report all hazards and incidents, including near misses, to their supervisor and assist with actions to reduce and eliminate risks.
Our contractors will:
- Comply with all the OHS requirements
- Work safely at all times to protect themselves and those working with them
- Report all hazards and incidents, including near misses, to the manager.
Our performance:
We will actively monitor and review our organisation’s performance to ensure that we
succeed in meeting our health and safety commitments.
ASDEPCO’s Register of Injuries
No …..…..
1. | Worker’s name: ……………………………….……………….….. |
2. | Worker’s occupation or job title: |
3. | Date and Time of Injury: |
4. | Worker’s exact location at time of injury: |
5. | Describe in detail how the injury was sustained: |
6. | Describe the harm (nature) and body parts affected by injury: |
7. | Witnesses, if any to the injury: Name: ……………….……. ………….………………. |
8. | ASDEPCO person making entry. Date of entry and declaration: |
9. | ASDEPCO representative acknowledging receipt of advice of injury. |
COMPLETED COPY TO BE GIVEN TO INJURED WORKER BY EXECUTIVE OFFICER AS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF NOTIFICATION OF INJURY