Healthcare Safety: An Analysis of IKEA's ISO Standards Implementation

This report delves into IKEA's commitment to healthcare safety, emphasizing its implementation of ISO standards. It highlights the importance of employee health and safety as a primary organizational asset, emphasizing the significance of various safety measures and their connection with ISO standards. The report provides an overview of IKEA's implementation of ISO standards, including risk management, employee training, safe working routines, and the provision of personal protective equipment. It covers aspects such as incident reporting, machinery safety, electrical safety, storage of goods, and the provision of first aid. Additionally, the report discusses the importance of good working conditions, including proper lighting, air quality, and hygiene, along with policies on breaks, alcohol, and drug use. Finally, the report underscores the benefits of health and safety policies, including increased efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced employee loyalty, concluding with a call for all organizations to prioritize the well-being of their employees.

Reading Head: TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT 0
Healthcare
February 27
2020
Health and safety Standards.

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Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
IKEA..........................................................................................................................................2
ISO standards.............................................................................................................................2
IKEA implementation of standards............................................................................................3
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................5
References..................................................................................................................................7

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Introduction
Employees are the main asset of the organization. Therefore their health and safety
are as important as other activities of the company. There are some standards that are set for
companies so that companies can maintain proper standards. There are many incidents that
occur because of organizations' ignorance towards safety measures of workers (Phoenix
Health & Safety., 2018). All these standards are connected with ISO standards as these
standards set benchmark for companies. The government is also taking major steps in
improving these standards and implementation of these standards is also properly evaluated.
In this report safety measures that are connected with ISO standards and measures which are
taken by IKEA will be highlighted.
IKEA
IKEA is a European multinational group. This company was formed in 1943 by
Ingvar Kamprad. The company is involved in designing and assembling furniture, kitchen
appliance, and other home accessories. The company also provides home services. IKEA has
understood the value of the health and safety of its employees. Therefore the company has
implemented ISO standards in the organization (IKEA, 2020).
ISO standards
ISO standards will be beneficial for workers and employees who are working
organization. Because there are high chances that these people may get affected by some of
the manufacturing activities and there are situations where high risk is being involved in it.
To minimize this risk certain steps have to be taken by the organization. Implementation of
these standards will also be helpful for the organization because it will result in reducing the
overall cost of incidents; it will also reduce the cost of insurance premiums; employees will

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also feel safe and it will also reduce their absenteeism and employee turnover rate
(Certification Europe, 2020).
IKEA implementation of standards
There are several steps which are taken by IKEA so that the company can ensure the
health and safety of employees. IKEA thinks that health and safety will also increase the
efficiency of employees and it will also prevent the organization from involving in any legal
issues in the future. The company has assessed the requirement of these standards before
implementing it in the organization. After that company has understood the value of risk
management and operations has been changes (IKEA Group , 2016). Before implementing
this health and safety measures proper planning and evaluation of the needs of the
organization were conducted. Steps which are taken by the company to improve the health
and safety of employees are:
1. There have been proper reporting of incidents and accidents which will be occurred in
the organization and proper action will be taken.
2. Proper training has been given to workers and employees so that they can also ensure
safety around them. Proper training of using safety equipment has also been provided.
3. The company has also made sure that machinery which is used in the organization is
safe so that it can prevent workers from getting injured.
4. Safe Woking routines are also implemented by the organization for workers who are
involved in the dangerous working situation (IKEA, 2008).
5. Safety measures are taken regarding electrical stairs, electrical boards, storage of
goods and many more.
6. Proper safety is most important and therefore personal proactive equipment is
provided to workers. It can protect workers as well as people in the surrounding.

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7. First aid equipment is made available in the organization. Each floor has consisted
first aid box. The proper placement is designed for first aid so that everyone can see
that (Alobied, 2020).
8. Some employees are trained in the organization for giving first aid to workers so that
at the time of any accidents they can at least provide affected persons with basic
medical aid.
9. Good working conditions are provided to workers and employees. Timely evaluation
of the workplace will also be conducted in terms of proper availability of light, sound,
air quality and temperature.
10. Clean and hygienic drinking water is provided to workers and employees. Water
dispensaries are maintained properly and it is located at a distance from the workplace
otherwise there are chances that it may cause some health problems to workers
working in that area (Brady, 2018).
11. The company has also ensured that proper housekeeping and hygiene are maintained
in the workplace. All facilities which are provided to the worker should be cleaned on
a regular basis. A proper facility of a toilet is also provided to workers (Medium.com,
2017).
12. The company has also designed special places for workers where they can rest in
break times. Workers are also provided with proper break times. This place is
designed at a distant place from the workplace.
13. An alcohol and drug policy is also implemented by the company. The aim of
implementing this scheme in the organization is that employees can work safely in the
organization. This policy is also implemented so that it can have an effective
influence on workers and they will follow this policy.

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14. There are some legal appliances that are also applicable in the organization including
safety measures, reporting, classification, inspections of authorities and many more.
All these policies are implemented in IKEA by proper planning and requirements of the
organization. This will also enhance the efficiency of workers as they will be provided with
the proper facility and working conditions. This will also create a sense of loyalty of workers
towards the organization as they will think that organization care for their workers. These
standards will also improve recruitment, bonus and wages policy of the organization (IWAY
Standard, 2012).
All organizations should implement these policies in their organization. The health and
safety of workers and employees is the responsibility of the organization. Employees are
putting their efforts into achieving the goals of the organization so it is also a basic
responsibility to take care of their health and safety. ISO standards also update its rules and
policies according to time. As time machinery changes so proper safety and training should
be given to work as it can prevent them from harmful effects which can be caused to them by
machinery. The government should also take care of these rules and policies and a proper
evaluation should be done with proper time gaps. If the government will take proper action
against this policy then organizations will implement this policy effectively (Vault, 2017).
Conclusion
The health and safety of employees or workers are the two most important elements
of the organization. Ikea is a manufacturing company and it has understood the importance of
implementing health and safety measures which are set by ISO standards. ISO Standards are
a basic framework that can help the organization in creating safety regulations for them.
Health and safety regulation also has many benefits other than safety as this will increase the
efficiency of workers and it also helps the organization in cost reduction of health insurance.

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It also enhances the loyalty of employees and workers towards the organization as it creates a
sense of loyalty towards the organization. So, organizations should adopt health and safety
policies as workers are their basic and foremost assets.

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References
Alobied, N. (2020). Health, Safety, Security & Environmental Manager. Retrieved 02 28,
2020, from IKEA: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/IKEA/113320227-health-safety-
security-environmental-manager
Brady, A. (2018, 06 19). TAKING FOOD SAFETY TO A HIGHER LEVEL. Retrieved 02 28,
2020, from ISO: https://www.iso.org/news/ref2299.html
Certification Europe. (2020). ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety. Retrieved 02 28,
2020, from Certification Europe:
https://www.certificationeurope.com/certification/iso-45001-occupational-health-
safety/
IKEA. (2008, 05 07). IKEA – some facts & figures. Retrieved 02 28, 2020, from IKEA:
https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/58d90cf0-e122-4d8d-a6b5-db9922c25609/
comme_080507_present_ikea_en.pdf
IKEA. (2020). A better home creates a better everyday life. Retrieved 02 28, 2020, from
IKEA: https://about.ikea.com/en/who-we-are
IKEA Group . (2016, 08 31). IKEA Group . Retrieved 02 28, 2020, from IKEA Group :
http://www.web.cemus.se/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IKEA.pdf
IWAY Standard. (2012). IWAY Standard. Europe: IKEA Services AB.
Medium.com. (2017, 02 10). Top 10 Most popular ISO Standards. Retrieved 02 28, 2020,
from Medium.com: https://medium.com/@cabem/top-10-most-popular-iso-standards-
d7d61fdba649

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Phoenix Health & Safety. (2018, 08 12). What is meant by health and safety in the
workplace? Retrieved 02 28, 2020, from Phoenix Health & Safety.:
https://www.phoenixhsc.co.uk/blog/meant-health-safety-workplace.html
Vault. (2017, 10 31). ISO Spotlight: What do these 10 standards mean for your Buisness? .
Retrieved 02 28, 2020, from Vault: https://www.vaultintel.com/blog/iso-spotlight-
what-do-these-10-standards-mean-for-your-business