Hello friends, In our organisation, no one wants to take responsibility for safety in case of any minor or major accident happening in the plant. Then everyone, like maintenance, production and quality, says that HR is only responsible for safety. Here, I agree, but when we have to prepare a report, no one wants to give feedback or acknowledge the report by saying that HR is only responsible for safety. And safety-related reports. They will not give feedback and will not give anything in writing. HR will only investigate and prepare a report. Is it right?
From India, New Delhi
From India, New Delhi
Dear Sonia Kothari,
In the good old days of personnel management, the Personnel Manager was responsible for the safety function as well. However, those days were different. We are in 2024, and the situation necessitates the appointment of the Safety Officer (SO). This position reports to the Plant Head, or Operations Head, or Factory Manager as the case may be.
Whether the SO is appointed or not, it is crucial to hire an external agency to conduct the safety audit. The SO should then address the points raised by the audit.
Your query pertains to handling situations where the HODs are reluctant to provide the information. This reluctance stems from their perception of the HR's position. They may question why they should listen to someone who does not belong to operations. This is a common challenge faced by many other companies.
Safety is an extremely serious matter. The gravity of this function becomes evident when accidents occur. However, it is essential to demonstrate foresight rather than relying solely on hindsight. Assigning safety responsibilities to an individual who lacks formal safety training or relevant experience in the Safety Department is not advisable. Therefore, your priority should be to dissociate yourself from the erstwhile function of personnel management.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
7884In the good old days of personnel management, the Personnel Manager was responsible for the safety function as well. However, those days were different. We are in 2024, and the situation necessitates the appointment of the Safety Officer (SO). This position reports to the Plant Head, or Operations Head, or Factory Manager as the case may be.
Whether the SO is appointed or not, it is crucial to hire an external agency to conduct the safety audit. The SO should then address the points raised by the audit.
Your query pertains to handling situations where the HODs are reluctant to provide the information. This reluctance stems from their perception of the HR's position. They may question why they should listen to someone who does not belong to operations. This is a common challenge faced by many other companies.
Safety is an extremely serious matter. The gravity of this function becomes evident when accidents occur. However, it is essential to demonstrate foresight rather than relying solely on hindsight. Assigning safety responsibilities to an individual who lacks formal safety training or relevant experience in the Safety Department is not advisable. Therefore, your priority should be to dissociate yourself from the erstwhile function of personnel management.
Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Dear Sonia,
Safety starts with self and disciplined behavior.
Every establishment conducts an survey to asses the risk n danger involved in evry process, action and also seasonal aspects. There too remedies prescribed as with Do's and Don'ts. Therefore,all the employees are being informed the information by the respective DH. In present day, it is mandatory for every factory to appoint Safety officers to monitor the lapses and supervise the acts. The safety officers directly report to Factory Manager Or HOD, as per the nature of the establishment. No one can deny to give report, in that case issue a circular through the top management and any violation shall be treated as gross misconduct. Report to be prepared by an experienced technical person, who knows the process and possible caise of incident.
From India, Mumbai
Safety starts with self and disciplined behavior.
Every establishment conducts an survey to asses the risk n danger involved in evry process, action and also seasonal aspects. There too remedies prescribed as with Do's and Don'ts. Therefore,all the employees are being informed the information by the respective DH. In present day, it is mandatory for every factory to appoint Safety officers to monitor the lapses and supervise the acts. The safety officers directly report to Factory Manager Or HOD, as per the nature of the establishment. No one can deny to give report, in that case issue a circular through the top management and any violation shall be treated as gross misconduct. Report to be prepared by an experienced technical person, who knows the process and possible caise of incident.
From India, Mumbai
Hi,
It is the responsibility of each and every employee of the organisation. Especially, each in-charge is responsible for preventing incidents and accidents by providing necessary guidelines to his area employees, like engineering control, admin control, and PPE's in his area. Further, if your company is certified under the Environment Management System and OHSAS safety management, it is the duty of each department in charge to prepare the HIRA, aspect, and impact of the operations carried out in his area. Just HR alone can not do everything unless other incharges support you. Further, you need to meet in-charges and employees every day and gain their confidence; they will definitely support you. Please ensure to make out the SOP on the safety related to be followed in their respective areas.
From India, Bengaluru
It is the responsibility of each and every employee of the organisation. Especially, each in-charge is responsible for preventing incidents and accidents by providing necessary guidelines to his area employees, like engineering control, admin control, and PPE's in his area. Further, if your company is certified under the Environment Management System and OHSAS safety management, it is the duty of each department in charge to prepare the HIRA, aspect, and impact of the operations carried out in his area. Just HR alone can not do everything unless other incharges support you. Further, you need to meet in-charges and employees every day and gain their confidence; they will definitely support you. Please ensure to make out the SOP on the safety related to be followed in their respective areas.
From India, Bengaluru
Safety is driven by the safety team if the organisation has such team & Safety is every persons responsibility of the organisation & primary responsibility is the respective supervisor as well as the manager.
Safety can't be ensured by just one person or team such as Safety team/HR Team. Need to create committee for safety & need to plan the safety process where in the same is approved by the management
From India, Bangalore
Safety can't be ensured by just one person or team such as Safety team/HR Team. Need to create committee for safety & need to plan the safety process where in the same is approved by the management
From India, Bangalore
Immediately form one Safety Committee consisting people from Manufacturing, Maintenance, HR etc. both Management Staff as well as workmen.
If the committee is not well aware about the subject - how to deal, safety policy etc. etc.- then please take help of experts available at market who will initially guide the committee to perform.
Under any circumstances Safety can not be the baby of HR alone.
S K Bandyopadhyay ( Howrah, WB)
CEO-USD HR Solutions
+91 98310 81531
skb@usdhrs.in
From India, New Delhi
If the committee is not well aware about the subject - how to deal, safety policy etc. etc.- then please take help of experts available at market who will initially guide the committee to perform.
Under any circumstances Safety can not be the baby of HR alone.
S K Bandyopadhyay ( Howrah, WB)
CEO-USD HR Solutions
+91 98310 81531
skb@usdhrs.in
From India, New Delhi
Hello Everyone,
Thankyou for your valuable advise and I well understood this.
Here, Once we discuss with respective head they approach directly to Plant Head and Plant Head communicated to us that respective department head will not give you report as they are not responsible neither sign on it as you have to prepare report only. Once we discuss with him, he don't want to listen anything.
From India, New Delhi
Thankyou for your valuable advise and I well understood this.
Here, Once we discuss with respective head they approach directly to Plant Head and Plant Head communicated to us that respective department head will not give you report as they are not responsible neither sign on it as you have to prepare report only. Once we discuss with him, he don't want to listen anything.
From India, New Delhi
As per factory act (and in general in management), HR is not responsible for safety.
At best HR is a monitoring agency.
Under factory act, Occupier is liable for safety.
There is a provision to have a safety officer and a safety committee.
The qualification of safety officer is given in the factory rules
Generally Safety Committee has people from all departments, with safety officer taking a lead and engineering taking a prime position as they, along with Operations / Floor Managers are considered responsible for safety in most companies.
I hope they understand that in case of a problem, the factory inspector and the police will catch the engineering head, factory manager and the concerned floor managers and even put them in prison on charges of negligence. They are unlikely to take action against HR for that.
Also note, Safety Officer does not report to HR.
From India, Mumbai
At best HR is a monitoring agency.
Under factory act, Occupier is liable for safety.
There is a provision to have a safety officer and a safety committee.
The qualification of safety officer is given in the factory rules
Generally Safety Committee has people from all departments, with safety officer taking a lead and engineering taking a prime position as they, along with Operations / Floor Managers are considered responsible for safety in most companies.
I hope they understand that in case of a problem, the factory inspector and the police will catch the engineering head, factory manager and the concerned floor managers and even put them in prison on charges of negligence. They are unlikely to take action against HR for that.
Also note, Safety Officer does not report to HR.
From India, Mumbai
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