Key Concepts in Workplace Safety
General Aspects of Safety at Work
1. Defining Workplace Risk and Danger
RISK: Risk refers to work situations that can disrupt the balance between the physical, mental, and social health of individuals.
According to the LPR, it is the possibility that a worker suffers an injury arising from work.
DANGER: This is an intrinsic property or ability of something that can cause damage. According to UNE, it is a situation capable of causing harmful injury, property damage, environmental damage, or a combination of these.
2. Defining Accident, Prevention, and Security
WORK ACCIDENT: An abnormal, unwanted, and unexpected event, usually avoidable, which interrupts the continuity of work and can cause injury to people.
PREVENTION: The set of measures taken or planned in all phases of company activity with the aim of avoiding or reducing risks arising from work.
SAFETY: The set of techniques and procedures performed with the goal of eliminating or reducing the risk of accidents occurring.
3. Integrated and Participatory Safety Concepts
INTEGRATED SAFETY: Commits managers, technicians, and workers to successfully complete any production process or work using safety criteria in its conception, design, and execution.
PARTICIPATORY SAFETY: Allows workers to collaborate actively in defense of their health rights as required by law.
4. Technical Security Design vs. Correction
DESIGN (CONCEPTION): Applied when security is considered in any project, design, or method of work.
CORRECTION: Applied after detecting dangerous working conditions in facilities, equipment, or work methods; actions are taken to improve these conditions.
Comparing technical design and correction:
- Design is more effective and less costly.
- Corrections are more easily realizable.
5. Stages of Company Safety Preparedness
- Detection of risks.
- Risk Assessment.
- Establishment of appropriate controls.
6. Factors for Successful Risk Detection
Successful risk detection involves detecting:
- Material conditions that may present unsafe materials, facilities, or machinery in operation, and the proper use of the workplace.
- Worker actions that are unsafe or careless regarding any material.
7. Definition of Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment is the process of assessing the potential damage to worker health and safety that could arise from identified workplace hazards.
9. Factors Influencing Prevention Management Evolution
- The economic cost of damage and injuries from accidents.
- The actions and struggles of the union movement.
10. Director’s Duty in Risk Prevention Management
The obligation of the company executive is to properly administer material and human resources for economic and social benefits, thereby generating satisfactory working conditions.