Many SHOs too often discharge their responsibility in cases of accidents. As a practitioner, I humbly acknowledge that we have a significant part of the responsibility. We should accept failures from different areas, be it as an advisor or trainer.
From Mauritius, Vacoas
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6From Mauritius, Vacoas
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@AJAY LACHHMAN
Dear Sir,
What do you mean by SHO? Is that Safety Health Officer?
Also, please clarify what your aim was behind starting this thread. Just to remind about the role of a Safety Pro or something else?
Thank you.
From India
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Dear Sir,
What do you mean by SHO? Is that Safety Health Officer?
Also, please clarify what your aim was behind starting this thread. Just to remind about the role of a Safety Pro or something else?
Thank you.
From India
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Hi Dipil,
Sorry for not being clear. In fact, I just wanted to add on to an existing thread where some friends were questioning the roles and responsibilities of safety and health officers/practitioners in cases of accidents. Too often, SHOs try to absolve themselves by arguing that it's the responsibility of floor managers, etc.
However, I would greatly appreciate your reflections on this issue.
Regards,
You may contact me at [email] ajaylacchman@yahoo.com
From Mauritius, Vacoas
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Sorry for not being clear. In fact, I just wanted to add on to an existing thread where some friends were questioning the roles and responsibilities of safety and health officers/practitioners in cases of accidents. Too often, SHOs try to absolve themselves by arguing that it's the responsibility of floor managers, etc.
However, I would greatly appreciate your reflections on this issue.
Regards,
You may contact me at [email] ajaylacchman@yahoo.com
From Mauritius, Vacoas
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The role of the SHO is that of an advisor. Their responsibility is to help management develop systems to prevent accidents, review, update, and evaluate the systems, analyze accident data, and present the results to management for improvement. Additionally, they should help generate awareness through various media and methods among all sections, prepare a budget, get it sanctioned, and then use the available funds meticulously, among other duties.
An accident taking place indicates some failure somewhere, for which the SHO cannot be held solely responsible. Accidents occur when there are multiple failures. The SHO's job is to identify all failures, improve upon all identified shortcomings, and enhance safety measures.
From India, Coimbatore
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An accident taking place indicates some failure somewhere, for which the SHO cannot be held solely responsible. Accidents occur when there are multiple failures. The SHO's job is to identify all failures, improve upon all identified shortcomings, and enhance safety measures.
From India, Coimbatore
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Dear All,
In my organization, when it comes to Incident & Incident Investigation Process, a Safety Pro has the following roles only:
1. Support and advise the line manager with incident investigation, including classification, and providing medical assistance.
2. Custodian of the incident information retained in the Incident Investigation Report and ensures that the data are validated. Ensure legal compliance and report incidents to regulatory authorities.
I would like to know the comments of all on this account... Is a Safety Pro supposed to perform any additional functions in case of an incident beyond those mentioned above?
From India
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In my organization, when it comes to Incident & Incident Investigation Process, a Safety Pro has the following roles only:
1. Support and advise the line manager with incident investigation, including classification, and providing medical assistance.
2. Custodian of the incident information retained in the Incident Investigation Report and ensures that the data are validated. Ensure legal compliance and report incidents to regulatory authorities.
I would like to know the comments of all on this account... Is a Safety Pro supposed to perform any additional functions in case of an incident beyond those mentioned above?
From India
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Thanks for your reflections.
You will appreciate that failure to make proper risk assessment, hazard analysis, and accident investigation, which are among the attributions of SHOs, may perpetuate hazardous conditions in the workplace. In this respect, I feel that SHOs should bear the responsibility. However, I equally value your points.
Thanks
From Mauritius, Vacoas
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You will appreciate that failure to make proper risk assessment, hazard analysis, and accident investigation, which are among the attributions of SHOs, may perpetuate hazardous conditions in the workplace. In this respect, I feel that SHOs should bear the responsibility. However, I equally value your points.
Thanks
From Mauritius, Vacoas
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Yesterday, a fire and explosion took place in a factory in Nandesari industrial area near Baroda, killing one worker. The SHO has been arrested by the police, along with the CEO and others. Do you think the SHO has criminal responsibility?
I myself was SHSO at a chemical factory, and my advice was not accepted or implemented, which was very frustrating. Do you think that in such cases, the SHO should approach the Factory Inspectorate to make a complaint against the management?
From India, Coimbatore
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I myself was SHSO at a chemical factory, and my advice was not accepted or implemented, which was very frustrating. Do you think that in such cases, the SHO should approach the Factory Inspectorate to make a complaint against the management?
From India, Coimbatore
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Dear Mr. PTRC,
Since industrial accidents are covered under the Factories Act and rules, only the State Chief Inspector of Factories is authorized to investigate and file a case against the Occupier. However, the police can arrest the SHO and CEO for willful negligence only if it caused the accident and its result.
Against an offense, two different authorities cannot proceed with the proceedings. When the State Chief Inspector files a case, usually the police case will be dropped.
The SHO has only staff functions and not executive functions; as such, he is supposed to provide solid recommendations to his reporting officer. If his recommendations are not implemented, resulting in an accident, he is not answerable for the accident. Once this is proved on his side, he will be set free.
The SHO is an employee of the organization, not paid or employed by the Factory Inspectorate. All correspondence to the inspectorate is done by the Factory Manager or Occupier. Again, the inspectorate does not deal with the SHO directly. Under these conditions, the SHO is not supposed to report anything directly to the inspectorate without instructions from his reporting officer. However, when the time comes and is asked for, with the permission of the reporting officer, he may be directed to produce documents such as his recommendations.
The SHO or any employee making a complaint against an organization is called a "whistleblower," which is legal in the USA. Whistleblowers are well-protected by OSHA there; whereas in India, it will be treated as serious misconduct for which one can even be terminated.
However, I would be thankful if you could provide more information about the reported accident, please.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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Since industrial accidents are covered under the Factories Act and rules, only the State Chief Inspector of Factories is authorized to investigate and file a case against the Occupier. However, the police can arrest the SHO and CEO for willful negligence only if it caused the accident and its result.
Against an offense, two different authorities cannot proceed with the proceedings. When the State Chief Inspector files a case, usually the police case will be dropped.
The SHO has only staff functions and not executive functions; as such, he is supposed to provide solid recommendations to his reporting officer. If his recommendations are not implemented, resulting in an accident, he is not answerable for the accident. Once this is proved on his side, he will be set free.
The SHO is an employee of the organization, not paid or employed by the Factory Inspectorate. All correspondence to the inspectorate is done by the Factory Manager or Occupier. Again, the inspectorate does not deal with the SHO directly. Under these conditions, the SHO is not supposed to report anything directly to the inspectorate without instructions from his reporting officer. However, when the time comes and is asked for, with the permission of the reporting officer, he may be directed to produce documents such as his recommendations.
The SHO or any employee making a complaint against an organization is called a "whistleblower," which is legal in the USA. Whistleblowers are well-protected by OSHA there; whereas in India, it will be treated as serious misconduct for which one can even be terminated.
However, I would be thankful if you could provide more information about the reported accident, please.
Regards,
Kesava Pillai
From India, Kollam
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@PTRC & Keshav Pillai
Thanks for the updates...
Before this, I have heard about two incidents where the SHO was arrested.
One question: Can the Chief Inspector visit the accident spot at any time within 30 days of the accident? During his visit, if he finds any abnormalities, especially unsafe conditions, will he proceed with filing a case or not?
From India
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Thanks for the updates...
Before this, I have heard about two incidents where the SHO was arrested.
One question: Can the Chief Inspector visit the accident spot at any time within 30 days of the accident? During his visit, if he finds any abnormalities, especially unsafe conditions, will he proceed with filing a case or not?
From India
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Dear Kesava sir ,
As per my experience S.O. always giving recommendations for safety of workplace as per his knowledge level ( Competency ) . sometimes I found that small/medium industries not sent them(s.o) for external training or taking advise of external experts on critical issues also due to cost factor in that case how it is logical to make responsible to safety officer for an accident . Do you think that Human Resource & Development dept.is also responsible for allowing to employ less competent person ? . I have worked with some small/medium scale industries where safety officer used to verbal communication only in such cases how s.o. will able to give proof of his recommendation . Kindly guide.
Regards,
Abhay
From India, Mumbai
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As per my experience S.O. always giving recommendations for safety of workplace as per his knowledge level ( Competency ) . sometimes I found that small/medium industries not sent them(s.o) for external training or taking advise of external experts on critical issues also due to cost factor in that case how it is logical to make responsible to safety officer for an accident . Do you think that Human Resource & Development dept.is also responsible for allowing to employ less competent person ? . I have worked with some small/medium scale industries where safety officer used to verbal communication only in such cases how s.o. will able to give proof of his recommendation . Kindly guide.
Regards,
Abhay
From India, Mumbai
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