POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND SAFETY 21 BHUR and 07BHRM SUBJECT CODE: EHS712S DURATION: DATE: MARKS: EXAMINERS: MODERATOR: 3 HOURS JUNE 2014 100 MARKS MS L YDIAH WAMBUI MS P.A. MUNKAWA MS. BARBARA GOWASEB SECOND OPPORTUNITY EXAMINATION QUESTION PAPER 2014 (This question paper consists of 5 pages including the front page) Instructions 1. Read through all questions and instructions before you start writing. 2. Answer all questions. 3. Marks for each question are indicated at the end of each question 4. Write your answers clearly 5. Read through your answers to ensure that you are answering the right questions. 1
Case Study 1 Hospital case study: One of the private hospitals in Windhoek employing about two hundred (200) employees has reported a high rate of employee discomforts and injuries. In a single year, there were 12 legally recordable ergonomic injuries with thousands of dollars in workers' compensation costs. Injuries ranging from needle sticks and other sharps-related injuries which expose workers to blood borne pathogens continue to be a significant hazard for this hospital employees. Current studies estimate that 40 million workers in the healthcare industry and related occupations are at risk of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Blood borne pathogens are pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and others. Any worker handling sharp devices or equipment such as scalpels, sutures, scissors, hypodermic needles, blood collection devices, is at risk and frequently gets injured. Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINET) data shows that needle stick injuries occur most frequently in the operating room and in patient rooms. Furthermore there is evidence of multiple individual and work-related risk factors for low-back injury from the hospital employees' health records. This could have resulted from such tasks as lifting heavy equipment's and patients. Most hospital staff members find the hospital emergency room (ER) very rewarding, yet dangerous, place to work. While some injuries to workers may be inevitable due to the nature of the work, employers are required to minimize the risks and to provide employees, including medical doctors, with certain protections as required by law. One way in which workers can get hurt is by coming into contact with the blood of an individual who comes to the ER seeking emergency care. Namibian regulations require that employers ensure that employees wear appropriate protective gear and that they follow proper protocols to reduce the risk of spreading infectious diseases. Employees can also be at risk from dangerous chemicals used in the treatment of patients or attacks of bio-terrorism. Certain infections such as tuberculosis are of particular concern, in addition to other ways in which employees can get hurt. In a recent employee survey all staff members also agree that the ER is a stressful place to work. There can be stress related injuries and there can be workplace violence. The fast pace of the emergency room can lead to slip and fall injuries and other accidents. Most emergency room workers understand the risks associated with their work and the importance of their jobs in society in general as a result of the training. lt is important that they also understand their employer's responsibilities to minimize those risks. Other dangers associated with coming into contact with the patient's blood and the use of sharp medical tools is also present in the surgical units. lt is however noted that other hospitals provide regular training for their personnel in order to minimize these risks. 2
Proper methods of infection control and use of chemicals exist and when they are properly implemented the risk to workers is greatly diminished. Therefore, every staff member from the scientist to the housekeeper should be aware of proper lab protocols and how to protect themselves from cuts, chemicals and infectious substances. The hospital does not have a single set of internal safety standards, policies, audit systems, etc. The result was lack of consistency and difficulty in aligning resources to solve problems. On the average injury and absenteeism rates were high, housekeeping was poor, and employee-management trust levels were low. An increasing number of employees who are turning to a variety of mood-altering substances to help them through each day are on the increase. In most instances, workers can be dismissed for drinking or taking drugs on the job. The hospital owners were on the verge of closing the facility. As a last resort, a new management team was installed. The new team wanted to show employees they cared about safety, but were not sure on the leadership behaviours that would create the desired impact. Question 1 (45 marks) a) You are recently hired as a Human Resources (Health and Safety) Officer in this hospital. One of your initial tasks is to evaluate the health and safety conditions of this hospital. Explain in details the process you would follow in performing an organisation wide health risk assessment. (20 mks) b) In a table format describe any five (5) health hazards in this case scenario; explain the risks that could result from the hazards and the control measures that should be put in place. (15 mks) c) In a table format rate the risks in the case study arising from the hazards and my have been identified in (b) according to likelihood of happening and the impact each risk would have if it happened. (10 mks) Question 2 (32 marks) a) Discuss the importance of the following four concepts in relations to the dynamics of occupational safety and health, illustrating your answer with relevant examples: i) Unsafe Working Conditions (2) ii) Stress management (2) iii) Personal Protective Clothing (2) iv) Industrial Revolution (2) (8 mks) 3
b) Naomi, the Senior Information Technology Specialist, has been known to be one of the most enthusiastic, innovative and result-oriented members of Compu-Tech Ltd. Lately, Naomi is irritable and hardly interested in her work. She shows little support to her team and claims to be "exhausted to be involved in all the nitty-gritties of the department". All these started after the process of re-engineering the department activities and systems upgrading, 3 months ago, which eventually left many of the team members in need of skills enhancement and subsequently in constant need of Naomi's direction to cope with the new system. The goal has been set to attain a profit increase of 10%, 6 months after the implementation of this new system. The Compu-Tech Ltd management is concerned that the current state of affairs has negatively affected productivity, hence not conducive for the recovery of the 4.5 million invested in the system upgrading. You have been tasked to "bring things back to normal" in the Information Technology department. What could be the cause of Naomi's sudden change of attitude towards her job? Motivate your answer. (8 mks) c) Naomi's team has lost her usual support and leadership. This situation is likely to cause stress to the team members. List 8 effective stress management strategies or tips that you would recommend for the team members. (7 mks) d) Give recommendations on what should be done to eliminate sexual harassment at the work place? (5 mks) e) Windhoek has been voted the cleanest city in Africa. National Environment Awareness Team club (TEAM) has asked students of Polytechnic of Namibia to write and send recommendations and ideas on how to maintain the City of Windhoek as the cleanest. As one of the participants discuss what you would include in your write up? (4 mks) Question 3 (23 marks) a) In Africa the practice of having domestic workers is very common. Domestic workers can be relatives or individuals who are hired to assist in child rearing practices and housekeeping. Consider some of the challenges faced by Domestic workers in Namibia and give recommendations on how to overcome at least five challenges at household and national level. (10 mks) b) In South Africa Occupational Health and Safety is covered by different legislations. One of the legislations is the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. What are some of the provisions of this Act? (5 mks) 4
c) Optimal health is achieved when there is a balance between physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual wellness. Employee Wellness Programmes are implemented in work place to create work environment that fosters optimal health. You are hired as the HR officer and part of your responsibilities is employee health. Describe the programmes you would include in employee wellness. (4 mks) d) Explain at least three components or goals that holistic Employee Wellness Programme strives to achieve. (4 mks) 5