Comprehensive Safety and Health Program of XKC

X-Kemica Company (XKC) is an organization that deals in the manufacturing of two main farm products categories namely: soil conditioners and fertilizers. Their customers range from truck farmers who farm on huge tracks of land to small and medium scale farmers gardening around their home. XKC has been in business for the last fifteen years with an operational capacity requiring seventy-five employees. Within these parameters, XKC has supplied chemicals within their region of operation. However, due to developments in environmental conservancy, the EPA has pressured XKC among other companies to manufacture environmentally friendly products that are safe for use on organic farm produce. Additionally, their market has increased hence the need to upscale production. (“Recommended Practices for Safety & Health Programs | Occupational Safety and Health Administration,” ) With five new manufacturing and packaging facilities, XKC has employed 600 new employees.

XKC manufactures soil conditioners from organic raw materials such as leaves, wood chips, and lawn clippings. XKC also manufactures fertilizers from naturally available minerals and animal waste; especially cattle and poultry (Education Service Professionals, 1998). These raw materials are collected from three states within the region. Due to the upscaling of operations, XKC needs to transition from a business owned and directed by a family, to one directed by professionals. This expansion will also require advancement of a comprehensive safety and health program. The role of the new Director of Safety, Health, and Regulatory matters is to develop the comprehensive safety and health program such that the traditional management and its hourly employees will adapt.

Corporate Safety Statement

[insert image of CEO (optional)]

This is the first publication of the Corporate Safety Statement of XKC. This statement may be subject to review with respect to future changes that will occur. The main objective of this statement is to ensure continuous and consistent safety, health and wellbeing of our staff.

XKC is currently advancing to a new organizational arrangement that will greatly influence our operations (United States, 1978). It is therefore imperative that we take accountability for safety and organizational traditions, improve the mode of operation and take each other into account on delivery of the highest safety standards and health program throughout XKC.

We reiterate our devotion to placing our personnel as the focus of the XKC as our most valued assets and stakeholders. In agreement with this pledge, we acknowledge that administration of safety and health is of primary significance in the continuous service and product improvement for our clients (Messier & Hart, 1991). The quality of products is directly proportional to the creation of a safe work environment. Moreover, as we continue to improve quality and safety, we believe that accidents, injuries, and illnesses acquired in the course of work can be prevented through assurance of welfare, safety, and health of our employees and customers.

In support of this Corporate Safety Statement, XKC management will authorize our staff to encourage and offer direction with respect to the organization of workplace safety and health. The implementation of the Safety and Health program will be in line with law-making guidelines as well as best practice standards. A main part of the program will be the apparent provision of responsibility and liability to executives and staff that will be sustained by the availability of suitable supplies and safety gear.

The XKC management will guarantee that suitable methods of information sharing are installed to smooth the progress of well-organized and valuable discussion and communication with staff and farmers that use our products. The objective of valuable discussion and communication will be to advance a positive protection culture by facilitating staff contribution in the decision-making process to ensure safety and health at work and during the use of our products and services.

The XKC organizational structure defines an apparent guideline for supervision at all ranks to follow. The organizational structure will add value to all facets of our company performance as a component of a comprehensible dedication to constant development. Responsibilities to the staff and the work setting will be countered in ways that fulfill the character and defines of the rules and regulations (”Recommended Practices for Safety & Health Programs | Occupational Safety and Health Administration,”). Implementation of cost-effective methods of preservation and development of individual and corporeal resources will decrease monetary losses and charges. In a greater scope, stakeholder and their representatives, farmers and distributors’ expectations will be met.

XKC leadership and fraternity are dedicated to guaranteeing that the comprehensive safety and health program is subjected to continuous supervision and re-evaluation. This will make sure that the work environment and operational systems are safe and contribute towards the quality improvement of services to all parties involved (United States, 1978). This corporate safety statement is a live document that will develop and change over time as a result of reviews and changes to organizational structure and other requirements.

This corporate Safety Statement will be an improvement on our previous practices that were undocumented and are well known to our former employees. Our new employees are welcome to be part of the team to help implement this Comprehensive Safety and Health Program for the benefit of our organization.

Chief Executive Officer

X-Kemica Company                                                                                                   March 2018

Safety Staff

The Director of Safety, Health, and Regulatory Matters will be tasked with ensuring the safety of operations, welfare, and health of staff during their working hours. To save on costs, the Department of Safety, Health, and Regulatory Matters at XKC will not hire new staff. The department will make use of existing staff and human resources to ensure safety and health of staff and all stakeholders at XKC.

Safety staff will operate as follows:

1. The Director of Safety, Health, and Regulatory Matters

The member of staff in this role will be answerable to the managing director on matters relevant to safety and health of staff and other affected parties. In this role, the Director of Safety, Health and Regulatory Matters will:

i. To ensure that the board of directors is aware of any health and safety matters on a regular basis

ii. Understand and interpret the effect of new bylaws and ensure that the board of directors is aware of them

iii. To ensure that the employees are able to maintain a proper communication channel with their employers at XKC

iv. Work with safety personnel to ensure that they are able to cover the full scope of their job description

v. To ensure that all risk exposures to improper environmental and safety practices are discovered during regular inspections and internal audits

vi. Ensure implementation of changes and new health and safety practices acquired from new legislation and other sources

vii. Ensure installation of proper parameters for accident prevention and enhancement of codes of practice

viii. To ensure that health and safety parameters do not interfere with the required standard of manufacturing and production

ix. Ensure sufficient training and education of staff on health and safety. The aim of this is to ensure that a culture of health and safety is adopted amongst the employees

x. Ensure that products manufactured by XKC are safe for the environment and safe for use by the customers

xi. To be a good example and set the standard for use of protective gear and best practice on health and safety

2. The Managing Director

The Managing Director is tasked with overall organization and execution of business operations to ensure that safety, health, and welfare of all staff and stakeholders are upheld whilst achieving the overall business objectives. Therefore, the Managing Director should:

i. Ensure that XKC health and safety policy is communicated to all the staff and contractors. This also involves communication of individual responsibility of every employee

ii. To ensure recruitment or appointment of the best-fit personnel to the position of Director of Safety, Health, and Regulatory matters. As seen in their job description, the member of staff in this role is a key determinant in the implementation of best practice in health and safety

iii. To ensure that all acts of parliament, rules, and regulations are adhered to within XKC

iv. To  ensure that their leadership team adhere to health and safety standards whilst executing their individual health and safety responsibility

v. Ensure availability and allocation of funds according to company policies with regard to health and safety

vi. Organize and ensure that all staff are adequately trained on health and safety practices

vii.  Ensure preparation and forwarding of health and safety reports to relevant authorities

viii. To be a good example and set the standard for use of protective gear and best practice on health and safety

3. Heads of Departments

Every department head is expected to ensure his own safety and that of people working under him or her. Particularly, the heads of departments are expected to:

i. Comprehend and execute XKC safety and health policy

ii. Ensure each member of staff in their department is educated on their responsibility with regard to health and safety, and are skilled to execute this role

iii. Conduct regular assessment of practices and operations within the department to ensure that all procedure, rules, and regulations are applied. This in extension ensures the safety and health of members of staff during work operations

iv. Provide instructions to be followed by members of the department to identify likely hazards and their corresponding precautions and prevention methods.

v. Ensure the processes of reporting accidents and near-miss accidents are understood and conducted appropriately to enable investigation

vi. Ensure training of new staff on procedures, techniques, and ways to safely carry out tasks that could pose a threat to their wellness

vii. Ensure proper display of instructions and caution signs on machinery used in the manufacturing process

viii. Ensure every member of staff uses the prescribed safety gear to prevent accidents and threats to wellness

ix. Reproach members of staff who fail to adhere to set standards of ensuring health and safety

x. To be a good example and set the standard for use of protective gear and best practice on health and safety

4. All Employees

Both the employer and the employee bare responsibility for their own safety and that of their colleagues to a certain extent. Therefore the employers and employees should be able to work together to ensure that overall safety and health is upheld. Additionally, the employees are expected to:

i. Conduct operations in a safe way according to training and instructions provided. The members of staff should ensure compliance with health and safety standards, rules, and regulations at all time

ii. Consult whenever they are uncertain about the safety of machinery and chemicals that they are about to use

iii. Acquire the necessary equipment for the specific task at hand. Use of the wrong equipment may lead to destruction and increased the danger to their own wellness or that of their colleagues

iv. Ensure that they use the provided protective gear at all times

v. Ensure that they only operate machinery that they are authorized to operate

vi. Ensure that they report accidents, incidents, and near-misses to their supervisors. This ensures that investigation is conducted and danger is evaded in the future

vii. Ensure shutdown of equipment and plants that are not in use to ensure their security

viii. Avoid improvising and follow manuals provided for the equipment being operated

ix. Ensure that they choose the safest possible method of hazard elimination

x. To avoid games that may place their colleagues in danger through their actions

Procedures

Procedures are an important method of health and safety maintenance. Procedures can be categorized into different categories at XKC to ensure all threats are prevented.

1. Grouping of products and chemicals used

Group of final products and chemicals facilitates differentiation and prevents mix-ups. For instance, some soil conditioners manufactured by XKC are not interchangeable with fertilizers manufactured by the same company. They are manufactured for different uses and need not be mixed up (Messier & Hart, 1991). Proper grouping and labeling is a procedure that acts as a precaution. XKC products are classified according to categories of toxicity, irritancy, corrosivity, flammability, and explosivity.

2. Storage and Packaging procedures

Exposure to improperly stored fertilizers may pose a risk hazard to an individual. Some fertilizers emit natural and chemical gases that are poisonous when inhaled. Moreover, when these products and gases come into contact with the skin, skin absorption may occur, leading to complications. As a result, XKC ensures proper packaging on products to ensure their preservation. These packages are not only branded with the company and brand name but also have instructions for use. These instructions provide guidelines on the ratio of soil to soil conditioners or the ratio of soil to fertilizers that should be followed. Therefore, XKC should be stored and packaged according to set procedures to enhance safety, health, and welfare for XKC staff and customers.

3. Manufacturing procedures

During manufacturing, the members of staff are expected to wear protective gear. It is important to note that XKC is using a new method of collecting grass clippings and leaves left at curbsides in residential areas. These raw materials may contain foreign objects that could pose a threat to the staff, therefore, on arrival, the grass and leaves pickings should be sifted through to remove foreign objects (Education Service Professionals, 1998). The manufacturing plant is created to process grass and leaves. Running the grass and leaves picking through the plant before sifting may compromise the plant and lead to the incurrence of repair costs. They may also slow down the process of manufacturing.

Additionally, XKC requires filling of chemicals, raw materials, and finished products data sheet. These data sheets contain information about the chemicals, raw materials, and finished products. This information consists of identification methods and quantity of each item. For most companies, these records are used as stock control measures. However, at XKC, these records are also used as a safety measure since all harmful chemicals, waste and raw materials can be tracked and identified easily (”Recommended Practices for Safety & Health Programs | Occupational Safety and Health Administration,”). As a result, operational control is enforced, whilst preventing spillage, loss, and misuse.

4. Personal Protective Procedures

Personal hygiene procedures require that the staff use head protection, eye, ear, face protection, respiratory protection, and protective gloves to protect various body parts. These are provided by the company to the staff to ensure that every member of staff is protected.

5. Regular training procedures

Regular training ensures that the member of staff updates their skills and capabilities required in the manufacturing process. Members of staff are trained on how to protect themselves, their colleagues, whilst producing the highest standard of products. They are also trained in fire prevention and extinguishing.

Other Hazards

1. Poisoning

Poisoning occurs when the body comes into contact with poisonous substances. This may be as a result of ingestion or contact with eyes or skin absorption. According to XKC procedures, once poisoning occurs, the company doctor is called. However, it highly risky situations, the victim is rushed to hospital in an ambulance. However, members of staff are also trained in first aid treatment which may involve removal of contaminated clothing whilst avoiding self-contamination. XKC has a poison information center at the manufacturing plants with trained personnel who are able to ensure poisoning is prevented before it occurs.

2. Injury

In the course of duty, it is a possibility that injury may occur. Depending on the type of injury, medical personnel may be invited while first aid treatment is conducted.

3. Spillage

Agrochemicals produced during the production process may spill. This leads to wastage and spillage. Spillage could result from container bursts, puncture or leakage, careless transfer, and failure of equipment. In such as situation, spillage spread is contained to prevent it from spreading further. Members of staff present and any animals are relocated from the site. Moreover, all members of staff are checked for protective gear to confirm that no member of staff needs immediate treatment. Next, these agrochemicals are soaked using absorbent substances such as soil, sand, grass, or wood shavings. The area is then cleaned and decontaminated. The mixture is then removed and assessed before disposal or reuse. However, such incidents are rarely because XKC uses organic products throughout their process.

4. Biological Hazards

The manufacturing process of fertilizers may result in the production of biological hazards which include organisms that could threaten human well-being. These may lead to intoxication, infection and in the worst case scenario, death. These organisms attack their host and tend to multiply at a very high rate. They could infect the body with toxin-producing bacteria that intoxicate and harm the body. Heat is used in the manufacturing process to destroy these pathogens. They can either manifest themselves as bacteria, viruses or parasites. These pathogens are naturally occurring in untreated soil, water, and contaminated manure that are part of the manufacturing process for XKC. XKC controls these through prevention and protective measures taken by the staff. Additionally, the XKC manufacturing process applies thermal processing, and hydration. The end productions are packaged in vacuum packaging to prevent the development of toxins within the package.

In conclusion, XKC places paramount importance on protecting its staff and stakeholders. The business ensures a clean environment in its areas of operation through recycling of waste materials, and proper disposal of toxins. This comprehensive Safety and Health Program shows methods applied by X-Kemica company management and members of staff to ensure a safe work environment.

References

Education Service Professionals. (1998). PrintGuard: Comprehensive safety and health program : a model safety and health program for graphic communication companies. Kansas City, MO: Printing Industries Association of the Heartland.

Messier, S., & Hart, R. (1991). A Comprehensive Road Safety Program. SPE Health, Safety and Environment in Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Conference. doi:10.2118/23221-ms

Recommended Practices for Safety & Health Programs | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/shpguidelines/

United States. (1978). Comprehensive environment, health, and safety program report. Washington: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Assistant Secretary for Environment, Office of Program Coordination.