Zero Injury Week
In the Grodno Regional Inspectorate of Gosstandart in the period from 18 by 24 October 2021 a week of zero injuries according to the concept of "Vision Zero".
Industrial accidents and occupational diseases are not predetermined by fate and are not inevitable: they always have reasons. The development of an effective prevention culture allows them to be eliminated and to prevent industrial accidents and damage, as well as occupational diseases.
The state standard of the Republic of Belarus is in force in the Republic of Belarus STB ISO 45001-2020 "Health and safety management systems in professional activities. Requirements and Application Guidance ", which specifies the requirements for a health and safety management system for professional activities (OH&S) and is a guide to its use, enabling organizations to provide safe and healthy workplaces, preventing work-related injuries and ill health, and also proactively (consciously) improve your fitness in the OH area&S.
Vision Zero or Zero Injury – this is a qualitatively new approach to the organization of prevention, combining three directions – security, occupational health and well-being of workers at all levels of production.
The Vision Zero concept developed by ISSA is flexible and can be adapted to specific prevention measures, priority for safety, occupational health and well-being of workers in a particular enterprise. Thanks to its flexibility, Vision Zero can be used anywhere in the workplace, at any enterprise and in any industry in all regions of the world.
A new approach to organizing prevention, combining three directions - security, occupational health and well-being of workers at all levels of production. The concept offers seven rules, the implementation of which will assist the employer in reducing the rates of industrial injuries and occupational diseases. Following each of these rules requires serious organizational work and the use of tools., allowing you to achieve your goals. These rules are universal and formulated for application in any organization..
Rule # 1
Becoming a Leader - Show Commitment to Principles
Everyone can become a leader in their workplace and be personally responsible for safety.
Putting on a helmet when walking around, the director and management of the enterprise set an example for others to follow. The leader's behavior determines the standard of behavior of other employees - this is the essence of rule number one.
Workers must understand, that the manager is personally concerned about their safety and health, that the company is taking measures for labor protection.
Rule # 2
Identify threats - control risks
All workers in all workplaces are at risk. Risk assessment is an essential tool, allowing timely and systematic identification of danger and taking preventive measures.
Risk accounting is chosen as one of the basic principles of the entire labor protection system. Today, a risk-based approach is used in practical work..
Rule # 3
Set goals - design programs
Success in implementing this strategy requires setting clear goals and taking concrete practical steps.. This should be provided for in a separate enterprise OSH program or roadmap..
“Prioritize, set clear health and safety goals in the enterprise and strive to achieve them in the medium term, eg, within the framework of a three-year program ", - such recommendations are given by the International Social Security Association.
Rule # 4
Establish an occupational safety and health system - achieve a high level of organization
Systematic work to improve labor protection at the enterprise is the key to success! Having a highly organized labor protection system, the enterprise minimizes the number of faults, production downtime and disruptions.
Rule # 5
Ensure safety and hygiene in the workplace, when working with machines and equipment
Safe production facilities, equipment and workplaces are prerequisites for trouble-free operation. Improved process technology translates into increased productivity, but also new dangers. Any equipment, used in the workplace must be safe. Besides, the impact of the working environment on the health of workers must be taken into account. Ergonomics of the workplace, its compliance with environmental standards is an integral part of the labor protection system.
Rule # 6
Improve qualifications - develop professional skills
The basic foundation for building a safety culture and a zero-injury strategy is education, improving the quality of knowledge, improvement of qualifications and competencies. This condition applies to both managers and professionals, and in relation to other employees of the enterprise.
Rule # 7
Invest in human resources - motivate through participation
“Motivate your employees, involving them in solving all labor protection issues. This investment pays off!»,- this is the Zero Injury Strategy.
Enterprises, who care about employees and actively involve them in the labor protection process, get the opportunity to make the most of knowledge, employees' abilities and ideas. If an employee is consulted, eg, when risks are assessed or work instructions are developed, he is more committed to following the rules.