Re: Safety at workplace
I'm not convinced at that - a few years back, two companies we looked at had safety programs that were considered world class, with other companies coming to learn from them; upper management at both businesses was not interested at all, but it was well implemented by people that cared enough about it anyway. Once the program was getting media exposure, the big boys stepped up and took all the credit (for a program they knew very little about!).
Management support / drive is good off course. This will be more essential when you desire to be certified as a management system implementing occupation health and safety.
a) In terms of safety at workplace, what are the steps to implement safety standard at workplace.
As a manager at your shop with absolute controls, you can do many things. Look at potentially what can happen and what has happened so far. Discuss and decide how it can be avoided. Any stuff like good house keeping, guards to rotating machines, avoiding spills and leaks, proper storage of materials and suitable use of handling equipment, defined walkways, warning and alerts, ensuring that the machines have emergency stops and where possible the machines operate with guards on / operator uses built in safety mechanisms, (and does not tamper with it and increase danger for convenience or speed of production). Keep First aid in place nearby and equip them with needed things and maintain them. Providing protective clothing, proper personnel protective equipment where necessary and inculcating discipline to use them.
b)If the company is totally new to workplace safety ,how to start to implement it .
Within your defined area, based on above and your experience, assess what are the risks and the hazards. Grade them with your own knowledge and maturity, and plan what needs to be done to address the risks. Use the below logic which the OHSAS 18k states...
a) elimination;
b) substitution;
c) engineering controls;
d) signage/warnings and/or administrative controls;
e) personal protective equipment.