HRES2303 WIN2020 Individual Case Study on Health and Safety

This case study examines health and safety in the workplace, focusing on the analysis of incidents, the roles of stakeholders, and strategies for prevention. The study begins with a personal reflection on a witnessed road accident, discussing potential preventative measures. The core of the analysis centers on the Westray mine disaster, exploring the causes, particularly the lack of management and safety protocols, and the devastating consequences. The case study identifies various stakeholders in health and safety, such as occupational doctors, employees, and insurance companies, and outlines their responsibilities. Furthermore, it details the different roles of occupational health and safety professionals in preventing workplace accidents and promoting a safe environment. The conclusion emphasizes the vital role of stakeholders and effective management in safeguarding workers and preventing injuries.

Assignment

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Reflection...............................................................................................................................1
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................1
Summary of the case study.....................................................................................................2
Analysis of the case study......................................................................................................2
Stakeholders in health and safety and role played by them....................................................2
Types of roles which occupational health and safety professionals play in workplace.........3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Health and safety plays an important role as it helps organization in protecting their workers
and societies against any injury and accident Motter & Santos, (2017). This study is all about
health and safety and roles of stakeholders in this context. Stakeholders play an important role as
their main responsibility is to manage all things efficiently and prevent people from accidents.
.
TASK 1
Reflection
Health and safety incidents is considered unplanned events but still there are some
incidents which occur due to carelessness and which can be prevented. One of the incident which
I saw was road accident of a car. There were 3 friends who were on 2 wheeler vehicle and speed
of the vehicle was approximate of above 60. The person who was riding vehicle did not wear
helmet and due to their high speed they met with an accident. They were crossing the road and
then suddenly a high speedy car and it was closer to the front side of 2 wheeler which made it
worse. They all fell down and I saw that one of them got injured badly. After this incident, all
people came but no one took immediate or quick action for them. Some of them were making
videos and taking photos. But some of them tried to call their parents with the help of their
mobile phones and waited for Ambulance. I think rather waiting and calling to their parents they
all should have been taken to nearby hospital because all of them were injured badly.
I think it could be prevented as one of the three friends who was driving he did not wear
helmet so, I think if he had wear helmet and speed of the vehicle was slow then it could be
prevented. I can also say that people were watching and tried to call their family members,
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Rather, calling and waiting they should have taken them to hospital on their own basis. If they
had taken them to hospital immediately then I think they should have been saved and wearing
helmet and slow speed of vehicle can prevent this incident as well.
TASK 4
Summary of the case study
In the case of Westray mine is, it can be said that it was the only operating underground
coal mine in Pictou country at the time of the explosion. It is also stated that approximate 26
miners were dies in the mine due to methane gas leak which mixed with coal dust. It is also
stated that due to this disaster most of the homes more than a kilometres away shook with the
force of blast. It took almost 11 years to change the law as well as make employees responsible
when all 29 people were killed. So many concerned raised when this industry opened.
Analysis of the case study
There were several reasons find out in the case of Westray disasters and one of the valid
reasons found was lack of management. Westray disaster is considered the worst disaster. Justice
Richard documented and gave his judgement about this case and stated that it happened all
because of lack of management. I think his judgement was right as it is already stated that many
concerns raised about safety at this place. After opening this organization, it found that workers
were not aware that how to prevent themselves and how to use safety equipments. In the case of
Westray disaster, it is stated that there were about 175 mine rescue workers but still 26 miners
died which shows that management was poor Summary of Westray Disaster, (2013). Lack of
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awareness, education, untrained people were the main reason which shows that the judgement of
Richard was right.
Stakeholders in health and safety and role played by them
Stakeholders play a vital role in health and safety as they are occupational doctors and
employees, physicians, insurance companies who have responsibilities to prevent people against
injuries. Some of the common roles of different types of stakeholders are:
1. Investigating accident and their reasons.
2. Issuing directions and orders of preventing injuries Sanchez, Peláez & Alis, (2017).
3. Educating people about health and safety.
4. Making aware to all as well as themselves about importance of health and safety.
5. Collecting contributions to an accident fund from relevant source and the distribute to the
injured workers.
Types of roles which occupational health and safety professionals play in workplace
There are different roles of occupational health and safety professionals which they play in
preventing people against any disaster. The main role and aim of safety and health officer is to
prevent accidents and work related issues.
 Other role is creating as well as implementing health and safety policies according to the
latest legislation.
 Providing training to all employees regarding to safety issues and advising them that how
to protect with the help of equipment and clothing.
 Collaborate with trade unions and health and safety officers.
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Conclusion
From the above study it has been summarized that stakeholders played a vital role in
preventing people against any injury and health and safety. Management also played a vital role
as it helped organization to oversee that all workers are performing effectively and work is going
on accordingly or not.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Motter, A. A., & Santos, M. (2017). The importance of communication for the maintenance of
health and safety in work operations in ports. Safety science. 96. 117-120.
Sanchez, F. A. S., Peláez, G. I. C., & Alis, J. C. (2017). Occupational safety and health in
construction: a review of applications and trends. Industrial health. 55(3). 210-218.
ONLINE
Summary of Westray Disaster. 2013. Online Available through: <
https://novascotia.ca/lae/pubs/westray/summary.asp#prelude>
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