Improving Safety: An OHS Management System for Chemhub Laboratory

This report presents an analysis of the occupational health and safety (OHS) practices at Chemhub, a private experimental chemistry laboratory, following an audit that revealed significant gaps in safety standards. It emphasizes the importance of implementing a structured OHS management system to reduce workplace risks, comply with legal requirements, and avoid potential financial losses from accidents and lawsuits. The report highlights the benefits of such a system, including improved training, better chemical management, enhanced communication, and effective emergency response protocols. Furthermore, it evaluates the applicability of the International Labour Organization's ILO-OSH 2001 guidelines to Chemhub, affirming its relevance due to the high-risk nature of the laboratory's activities and the need for robust hazard prevention and control measures. The report concludes by advocating for the adoption of a comprehensive OHS management system to ensure the safety and well-being of Chemhub's employees and compliance with international standards.

Running Head: OCCUPATION HEALTH AND SAFETY 1
OCCUPATION HEALTH AND SAFETY
Name
Institution Affiliation

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Introduction
Health and safety management system is an organized and systematic approach
that is used by organizations to reduce risks and hazards in the workplace. There are
various organizational safety and health guidelines developed by the Government and
International Labor Organization. These guidelines are important in guiding
employers and employees in developing their safety management system that fits the
needs of the organization. This essay analyzes the operations and activities of the
private experimental chemist that we shall call Chemhub for the sake of this
assessment. An audit has been conducted on the company, and the results of the audit
show gaps in Safety and Health standards of the company. This report is prepared
with the objective of persuading the owner and management of Chemhub the
importance of having a management systems approach to health and safety. The
report also analyzes the International Labour Organization guidelines on safety and
health management systems. It also evaluates whether or not the ILO-OSH 2001
model is useful to Chemhub laboratory and provides a justification.
I would get Chemhub laboratory interested in developing management systems
for health and safety by demonstrating to the management of the organization the
benefits of the system. The report will also seek to demonstrate to the organization the
disadvantages of not having a health management system. One of the reasons why
Chemhub laboratory should adopt health and safety management system is that the
system will help the company to reduce costs that are associated with accidents and
incidents that occur in the workplace (British Standards Institution, 2018). From the
audit, it is clear that the scientist does not have well trained and experienced staff. In
addition to this, experiments carried out at the laboratory involves the use of

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compressed gases and flammable substances. This means that employees working at
the laboratory are venerable to accidents such as fire and spillage of chemicals. When
these accidents occur, the company is at risk of spending a lot of money in meeting
the expenses. By having a well-coordinated health and safety management system, the
laboratory will be able to avoid or reduce costs that may accrue due to accidents
occurring in the lab (International Organization for Standardization, 2018).
By adopting an OHS(Occupational Health and Safety) management system, the
laboratory will be well segregated and arranged. All chemicals will be kept in
approved cabinets. The system will also offer maintenance records for laboratory
safety measures. The OHS management system will also come with complete
Material Safety Data Sheets(MSDS). This will be crucial in providing important
safety information on each chemical used in the lab. The system will also be updated
from time to time when new chemicals are introduced in the laboratory (British
Standards Institution,2008). By having proper documentation and record keeping, the
laboratory will be able to investigate work-related injuries, ill health and disease and
hence take action towards improving safety and health of employees. Communication
within the laboratory will also be enhanced and hence leading to increased
productivity.
Another benefit that the laboratory scientist will get from adopting the
management system for health and safety is that it will aid in the training and
development of her employees. Currently, the audit report shows that the scientist
trains her employees personally but does not have training records. The system will
help to keep training records which will help to keep track of the progress of each of
the ten employees. Furthermore, the system will ensure that there are procedures and

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strict routines for experiments carried out in the lab. Despite the fact that this is an
experimental laboratory, it is important to keep records on experiments carried out
since this will improve the personal safety of all the employees (Manuele, 2011). In
addition to this, having documented procedures and routines at the laboratory will
make it easy for new employees joining the organization to understand how it works
and hence fit in the organization easily. The system will also aid in emergency
prevention, preparedness and response in case of an emergency (Dentch, 2018).
The laboratory should adopt health and safety management system since it will
enable the organization to avoid legal complications that may arise in case of an
accident by not adhering to safety guidelines outlined by the government. Failure to
adhere to legal requirements can lead to hefty fines by the industry players and could
even lead to the closure of the laboratory (Healey & Walker, 2009). Therefore,
adopting this system will help to manage the legal risks and loses that may arise due
to court cases.
International Labour Organization(ILO) is an organization which was formed in
the year 1919. The body provides guidelines, definitions, principles as well as
provides technical guidance to organizations on matters relating to organizational
safety and health. The ILO-OHS 2001 establishes that there should be a national body
that formulates, implements and periodically reviews policies that promote OHS in
organizations(Hasle & Zwetsloot, 2011). Organizations should follow these
guidelines in coming up with their tailor-made policies which will ensure
organizational health and safety. The ILO-OHS 2001 also states that employees
should participate in coming up with health and safety policies in organizations. This
will ensure that their interests are accommodated and their working environment is

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very safe and meets international standards. It also establishes that employers should
be responsible for the protection of workers safety and health. The management of
every organization should allocate accountability for the development and
implementation of OSH systems (Rayburn, 2010). Every organization should also
ensure that its employees are competent and adequately trained to ensure their health
and safety in the workplace.
The ILO-OHS 2001 also establishes that planning and implementation are very
critical in ensuring occupational safety and health. This involves systems planning,
development and implementation.
It also involves setting objectives for health and safety as well as designing a
hazard prevention plan. This involves developing prevention and control measures,
change management, emergency prevention as well as procurement. A system should
also be in place that ensures proper monitoring and evaluation of the occupational
health and safety plan.
The ILO-OHS 2001 model is useful for this laboratory. This is because the
activities that take place in the experimental lab are very risky. The laboratory has
very many chemicals which could be dangerous to the health and safety of employees
working in the lab. Due to this reason, it is important that the laboratory adopts all the
ILO-OHS 2001 guidelines to guarantee the safety and health of its employees(Stuart
& Sweet, 2013). The model is also useful to the laboratory since it will provide
guidance on systems planning, development and implementation. The model is useful
to the laboratory since it provides a direction on hazard prevention and control
measures. The lab works with many different chemicals which are highly flammable.

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It is therefore important to put in place measures that ensure occupational health and
safety for all employees is assured.
Conclusion
This report analyzes the audit report conducted on the laboratory and identifies
gaps in occupational health and safety that need to be filled. The paper outlines
reasons why it is important for the laboratory to adopt a management system approach
to health and safety at the laboratory. Adopting a management systems approach will
help the company to reduce the risk of injury or accidents within the lab. Adopting the
management system will also ensure that the laboratory complies with all laws
pertaining to occupational safety and health and hence avoid costs associated with
lawsuits. This report also reviews ILO-OSH 2001 model on occupational health and
safety and discusses how the model is relevant to Chemhub lab.

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References
British Standards Institution. (2018). Occupational health and safety management
systems: Requirements with guidance for use.
British Standards Institution. (2008). Occupational health and safety management
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Healey, B. J., & Walker, K. T. (2009). Introduction to occupational health in public
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International Organization for Standardization,. (2017). Occupational health and
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International Organization for Standardization. (2018). Occupational health and
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management de la santé et de la sécurité au travail : exigences et lignes
directrices pour leur utilisation. Geneva: ISO.
Dentch, M. P. (2018). The ISO 45001:2018 implementation handbook: Guidance on
building an occupational health and safety management system.
Hasle, P., & Zwetsloot, G. (2011). Editorial: Occupational Health and Safety
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Manuele, F. A. (2011). Advanced Safety Management Focusing on Z10 and Serious
Injury Prevention. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Rayburn, S. R. (2010). The foundations of laboratory safety: A guide for the
biomedical laboratory. New York: Springer-Verlag.

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Stuart, R., & Sweet, E. (2013). A systems approach to an institutional laboratory
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