Occupational safety refers to an environment in which both the physical and psychological working conditions are safe, healthy and fulfilling for employees. Working in a safe environment enhances work ability and promotes productivity. Occupational safety is a statutory obligation for employers, and ensuring it requires careful planning, risk management and the commitment of all members of the workplace community.
Contents:
- Health and safety at work: the big picture and responsibilities
- Health and safety at work
- Health and safety in the construction industry
- Occupational health and safety risk factors
- Well-being at work
- Health and Safety at Work
- Health and Safety Representative
- Health and Safety Committee
- Health and Safety Manager
- Occupational Safety and Health Action Plan
- Health and Safety Inspection
- Sources
1. Health and safety at work: the big picture and responsibilities
Occupational safety refers to activities aimed at improving working conditions and safeguarding employees’ health and their physical and mental ability to work. By law, employers are obliged to ensure that work-related stress factors, working methods or the working environment do not pose a risk to employees’ health. In practice, this means identifying workplace risks, implementing preventive measures and training employees in safe working practices.
Occupational safety is based on four key areas:
- Working environment – physical surroundings, equipment, machinery and workspaces
- The workplace – effective communication and a positive atmosphere
- Safety management – as part of an organisation’s management and operational system
- Safety expertise – adequate training and guidance
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers are required to carry out risk assessments. The purpose of such assessments is to identify hazards and risk factors in the workplace and to prevent accidents and occupational diseases.
2. Health and safety at work
When workplace safety is prioritised, work runs smoothly and risks are kept under control. This involves practical measures such as:
- Safe workspaces: lighting, air quality and noise levels have been taken into account, and access routes are kept clear of obstacles.
- Training and induction: employees are trained in working methods, the use of equipment and the identification of potential hazards.
- Duty to report: every employee must report any safety deficiencies, near-misses and accidents they observe.
If it is not possible to eliminate the risks, the employer must provide personal protective equipment, such as safety goggles, safety footwear, hearing protectors or harnesses for working at height. Employees are required to use this protective equipment, and the employer must ensure that it is actually used.
3. Health and safety in a shared workplace
In many sectors – such as the construction industry, ports, manufacturing and logistics centres – the working environment is often a shared workplace where several employers, contractors or self-employed workers operate simultaneously. In such circumstances, particular care and a clear division of responsibilities are required to ensure the safety of workers.
- The operator exercising primary control (for example, the main contractor on a construction site or the terminal operator at a port) is responsible for ensuring general safety, providing information on workplace hazards and ensuring induction training.
- Other employers and self-employed persons must inform all relevant parties of the hazards associated with their work, so that these hazards are not passed on to other parties.
Construction sites
In the construction industry, the typical workplace is a building site, where the work is physically demanding and the environment is constantly changing. Risks associated with construction work include, for example:
- Risk of falling, particularly when working at height
- Noise exposure and its impact on hearing
- Different types of dust, such as concrete dust or asbestos dust
- Changing weather conditions on outdoor construction sites
- Lifting and moving heavy loads
Construction work must comply with the Government Decree on Safety in Construction Work (205/2009), and the employer must provide employees with appropriate personal protective equipment and ensure adequate occupational health and safety services. Each employee, in turn, is obliged to use protective equipment and comply with safety regulations.
Ports
Ports are shared workplaces where various operators, such as shipping companies, freight forwarders and stevedoring companies, work side by side. Typical risk factors in ports include:
- Heavy machinery and shipping traffic (cranes, forklift trucks, loading and unloading of ships)
- Equipment used for moving and lifting goods
- Changing environmental conditions, such as slippery quay areas and fluctuations in the weather
- Handling of large containers and transport routes
Responsible operators ensure that every employee in the portin the port area (such as safety helmets, high-visibility clothing and safety footwear) as well as adequate training in the use of access routes and working methods.
Industry
In industrial environments, production lines, machinery and processes are often extensive and complex. External companies (such as maintenance and repair services) also frequently operate within the same premises. Risks requiring particular attention include, for example:
- Machine and process safety, automated production lines and their hazards
- Chemical safety (storage, handling, potential risks of leakage and explosion)
- Ergonomics in heavy-duty work
- Noise exposure and vibration
- Risks of falling and slipping in factory halls and on walkways
The employer is responsible for safety in all circumstances and ensures that employees have up-to-date information on the restrictions on the use of machinery and on emergency procedures in the event of an accident.
Logistics
In the logistics sector – for example, in distribution centres or warehouses – several companies may operate under the same roof. Typical risk factors in logistics include:
- The simultaneous use of forklift trucks and other vehicles
- Stacking goods and safety on high storage shelves
- Repeated handling of heavy loads
- Risk of collisions in storage areas where there is a high volume of staff and transport vehicles
To ensure health and safety at work, all staff must follow common rules regarding, for example, driving routes, speed limits and warehouse signage. Every employee must be provided with guidance on the correct operation of forklifts, ergonomic lifting and safe routes.
Shared responsibility
In all shared workplaces – whether a construction site, a port, an industrial plant or a logistics centre – responsibilities and obligations are shared among the parties involved. The main contractor or other party with primary control coordinates occupational safety and ensures that all parties are sufficiently aware of the hazards. Other operators and employees must follow instructions, use personal protective equipment and report any shortcomings or hazards they observe. This ensures that work is safe and runs smoothly for everyone.
4. Occupational health and safety risk factors
Stress factors can be both physical and psychological. An excessive or poorly managed workload, time pressure and mental stress can, over time, lead to health problems such as exhaustion or musculoskeletal disorders. Employers must identify peaks in workload and take steps to prevent them from becoming prolonged.
- Physical strain: repetitive lifting, awkward working positions, high noise levels.
- Mental strain: unclear job duties, inadequate induction, being overworked or underworked, and a lack of support from managers.
Managers must monitor their staff’s well-being and ensure that working methods are ergonomically sound. Furthermore, open communication helps to identify problems relating to mental strain at an early stage.
5. Well-being at work
Well-being at work is a broad concept that encompasses the safety of the physical working environment, the atmosphere within the workplace, and the sense of purpose in one’s work. It is built up through day-to-day activities, which all members of the workplace community can influence.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure safe working conditions, good management and equal treatment.
- Employees are responsible for maintaining their own fitness for work, developing their skills and contributing to a positive working atmosphere.
When workplace wellbeing is managed in a systematic way, employees stay healthier and more motivated, which is also reflected in higher productivity and reduced sick leave.
6. Health and Safety at Work
Occupational safety and health refers to systematic measures taken to ensure safety and health at work and to promote employees’ ability to work. The framework for occupational safety and health activities is set out in the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and cooperation between the employer and employees is key.
Health and Safety Representative
- Represents employees in occupational health and safety matters and acts as the point of contact for the employer.
- Candidates will be selected from workplaces with at least ten employees, but it is also possible to select candidates from smaller organisations.
- Reports any shortcomings they identify to the employer and the health and safety manager, and takes part in health and safety inspections.
Health and Safety Committee
- It is established when a workplace has at least 20 regular employees.
- Comprises representatives of the employer and the employees, including health and safety representatives.
- Addresses areas for improvement relating to well-being at work, work ability and safety, and monitors progress on these measures.
Health and Safety Manager
- Acts as the employer’s representative in occupational health and safety matters and is responsible for organising cooperation on occupational health and safety.
- You must be familiar with the workplace’s operations and health and safety legislation.
- Works in collaboration with occupational health services and health and safety authorities.
Occupational Safety and Health Action Plan
- A statutory document setting out the workplace’s occupational health and safety objectives and the measures required to achieve them.
- The basis for this is the identification and assessment of risks, which includes, for example, a description of the working environment, factors contributing to employee strain, and occupational health recommendations.
- The employer is responsible for drawing up the action plan, updating it and informing staff of its contents.
Health and Safety Inspection
- The Regional State Administrative Agency carries out inspections at workplaces to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation.
- Inspections may be carried out on-site, remotely or through document checks.
- The aim is not merely to enforce legislation, but also to support workplaces in improving health and safety.
7. References
- www.tyosuojelu.fi/en – Joint online service of the occupational safety and health authorities
- Jatkokoulutus.com: Occupational Safety Card
Summary:
Occupational safety is a broad concept that is intrinsically linked to day-to-day work and affects all sectors. At its core are prevention and open cooperation: the shared goal of employers, managers and employees is to eliminate hazardous situations and ensure that the working environment is safe, both physically and mentally. Smooth communication, continuous risk assessment and effective structures (such as an occupational health and safety organisation) ensure that results are achieved in the workplace without compromising on health and wellbeing.