Understanding of key drivers of improving occupational health and safety performance: a case study of a fast-moving consumer goods manufacturing company.
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Date
2019
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Abstract
The benefits of implementing good occupational health and safety management
systems or programs are well documented. Simple improvements in occupational
health and safety can increase competitiveness, profitability and motivation of
employees. Reckitt Benckiser Group plc is the global leading consumer health and
hygiene company driven by a purpose of providing innovative solutions for healthier
lives and happier homes. The company recognized occupational health and safety
of its employees as a priority and embarked on a number of key initiatives or
programs to drive improvements of its occupational health and safety performance.
The study assessed the impact or effectiveness of the key occupational health and
safety initiatives or programs which have been implemented at the South Africa
manufacturing site over the period Jan 2017 to May 2019. The effectiveness or
impact of the various initiatives or programs was measured using a survey of the
shop floor employees who have seen the transformation of their work environment
brought about by the initiatives as well as participated in the initiatives or programs.
A 100 employees participated in the study out of a total eligible population of 250
employees. Out of the 14 key initiatives or programs reviewed the most effective
health and safety initiatives or programs which were confirmed by both cumulative
analysis and average ratings are; Health and Safety Golden Rules, Permit to Work,
Health and Safety Toolbox talks and Machinery Guarding Improvements while the
least effective initiatives are; SHE Competitions, near Miss Reporting, Engagement
with Team Leaders and SHE Recognition Activities. The study recommended that
the company needs to pursue the implementation of the most effective initiatives or
programs in their current form or reinforce them as they can be attributed to the turnaround
in the recent improvement in occupational health and safety performance
experienced by the company. These initiatives or programs can be adopted in
similar manufacturing environments in turning around occupational health and
safety performance. The company needs to review the least effective programs with
a view of understanding the reason why they have not been very impactful and how
they can be turned around or fine-tuned to be more effective. The continuation of
these programs in their current form will most likely lead to poor participation from
employees and lack of interest as they are perceived to be less effective by
employees.
Description
Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.