Maintaining a Healthy and Safe Workplace for the Employee

Questions: 1.Illustrate the three key Factors to good Housekeeping2.Briefly, discuss the benefits of Implementing a 5S Program.3.What may be some of the Initiatives that may be used to sustain the Momentum and Interest in 5S Implementation.4.Objections Ravi can raise before the Commissioner for Labor5.Can the Employer or Insurer raise any Objections to the Injury Claim?6. Differences between WICA and Common Law7.Appraise whether the third party or his Insurer can raise any Objections to this claim of Special Damages by Ravi Answers: 1.Proper Layout and Sufficient Space In order to maintain a healthy and safe workplace, proper housekeeping is mandatory. According to Agwu and Ajayi (2014), a poor housekeeping can expose workers to hazards. Some of the hazards include slipping, hitting objects, and tripping on objects. In this case, managers should come up with plans to establish good housekeeping, for instance, orderly storage of materials. Similarly, managers should establish sufficient space in the workplace in order to accomplish a given task (Agrahari, Dangle Chandratre, 2015). An ideal workplace requires adequate space, tools, and the people to carry out the task. All materials and equipment tend to be in the way of a systematic flow of movement around the workplace and a proper assessment of the tasks space requirements can help come up with a proper layout. A well-designed workspace that is organized for efficient flow of work helps in boosting productivity and the ease of completing certain activities (AgwuAjayi, 2014). Appropriate Storage and Handling of Materials Correct storage together with the handling tools such as the forklifts, engineered shelves, conveyor systems and handling robots help in the movement and placing of materials in a workplace or storage site. This helps to avoid hazardous storage without blocked pathways or any obstructions to the access of things such as the fire control equipment. Poor storage may cause piling of unwanted inventory and waste materials(Randhawa, Ahuja Ahuja, 2017). Therefore, managers should come up with strategies that ensure proper handling and storage of materials in order to assure workers of their safety. General orderliness and tidiness In order to achieve orderliness and tidiness in the workplace, the following tips should be considered: All spillages should be cleaned up immediately. Ripped, worn, and damaged flooring should be replaced and anti- slip floors used in areas that are not cleaned continually (Agrahari, Dangle Chandratre, 2015). Light fixtures should be maintained to improve lighting Stairways and aisles should be kept clean, also, warning signs should be installed to improve prospect in dark corners. Overall, any workplace needs to have all of its working space cleaned, well arranged and uncluttered through frequent housekeeping and disposal of rarely used items or those, which are no longer needed. Hygiene and safety should always be upheld to maintain a conducive working environment (Osman, Awang, Hassan Yusof, 2015). 2.To begin with, the working environment is clean and organized in a conducive manner. Specific actions of sorting, straightening, shining, and standardizing 5S helps to attain a tidied up workspace that is well arranged in an orderly manner.In addition, the quality of the goods and services being produced improves with fewer cases of complaints, wastes, and rejects (Singh, Rastogi Sharma, 2014).Moreover, the functional operations are more efficient and productive. Each activity is carried out systematically in a subsequent manner and in the end; there is standardization that helps sustain a culture of efficient productivity.Furthermore, there is increased safety at the workplace. For instance, waste and excess items and unwanted inventory are disposed of, this frees up space in a heavily trafficked environment that could potentially cause a worker to trip over, and get injured (DewiSetiawan, 2013). In addition, the 5S program helps to create a more spacious storage area due to the freed up space that can be utilized more efficiently. It helps in reducing the square footage for the required space for current activities. Further, implementation of the 5S helps in boosting the workplace morale because employees achieve a heightened sense of pride in their tasks and they fully own their responsibilities at work (Agrahari, Dangle Chandratre, 2015). This is as a result of the routine procedures that help minimize backslides and disorganization. Lastly, the positive results of a 5S program are clearly visible to everyone including outsiders and this helps in enhancing the image of the organization. This is because the work environment is conducive and safe enough to foster efficiency in productivity and cultivate more profitable business results(Lerssi, Hopsu Salmi, 2014). Therefore, an ideal working place should be one that adheres to tidiness and cleanliness to assure its workers their safety. Hence, managers should come up with strategies that assure workers th eir safety. 3.First, training would help sustain employees momentum and interest in the 5S program. Basic 5S training should be carried out to those who are not familiar with the 5S and effective housekeeping concept. An advanced training on 5S should be conducted as a follow-up on the 5S implementation to those who are already in the program. Refresher training done in frequent intervals is recommended in revisiting the 5S fundamentals and benchmarking among colleagues across departments (Sahu, PatidarSoni, 2015). Communication and creating awareness is the other area whereby management could come up with 5S slogans on stickers, banners, or posters with memorable messages. These banners, posters, newsletters, photo exhibits, pocket manuals, and handbooks could help in promoting a culture of good housekeeping and communicating the 5S concepts (Agrahari, Dangle, Chandratre, 2015).In addition, continuous learning in forums such as 5S in-house seminars where there are internal talks on implementati on challenges encountered and how they were overcome could help sustain the program. Department tours through model departments that have implemented the 5S program help in gaining an understanding of the various 5S approaches and cultivate a commitment to the 5S activities. Moreover, creativity and innovation could be used to sustain interest in the 5S implementation. 5S projects could be set up with teams to work on the housekeeping domain by identifying the required resources and putting them into use (Gupta Jain, 2015). 5S friendly competitions between departments or project teams to foster continuous creativity could be carried out. Furthermore, awards and recognition systems could be set up for departments, individuals, and teams that have attained an outstanding 5S performance. This could also go out to those who win 5S competitions and those who do well in a 5S audit in forms such as cash bonuses, meal vouchers, movie tickets, management commendation, or any kind of an awar d (Goriwondo, 2013). Therefore, departments should use the 5S programs to cultivate commitment of the employees in the organization. 4.According to Singapores laws and regulations, the plaintiff can raise an objection to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) assessment where his injury worsens. There must be medical evidence that is objective showing that the very same workplace injury has become worse and requires more medical attention. Ravi will be eligible to receive medical and time-loss benefits. He could also claim that since the assessment, he has experienced emotional distress which has been a result of the physical injury suffered. Further, where the injury caused Ravi to discontinue any physical activity, hobby or sport that he was engaging in before the incident, he could object the assessment made by the Commissioner. In addition, the plaintiff can raise an objection claiming that the $42,000 paid for medical expenses and the medical leave wages do not fully compensate him for the injury and damages suffered following the work-related injury. He can appeal for a larger amount of compensation (Singapore, Mini stry of Manpower, 2014) 5.The employer and the insurer can raise objections on to whether the injury suffered was work-related or not as stipulated in Singapores Work Injury Compensation Act Chapter 354. The employer can dispute a claim that intends to cover a pre-existing condition of the plaintiff that was not a consequence of the work injury.The insurer could also dispute a claim being made on an expired insurance policy. In addition, Geo Insurance Company could object the injury claim if the employer under-declared the number of employees to the insurer, an action that resulted in some of the employers, Ravi being one of them being uninsured. They must, however, complete and submit the objection document attached to the Notice of Assessment (NOA) issued by the Singapores Ministry of Manpower in 14 days. Following these objections, a panel that is appointed by the Work Injury Compensation Medical Board will assess Ravis injuries and it is made up of two senior consultants from any restructured hospitals. The objecting party, in this case, the insurer or the employer will pay the Medical Board a fee of $357 and any other costs of tests needed by the board. The objection will be struck off if these fees are not paid on time. Another objection could be whether the average monthly earning of the employee shown in the Notice of Assessment (NOA), is correct(Butler, GardnerKleinman, 2013). The objecting party must produce evidence and documents that support their objections. Where the objection made cannot be substantiated, it is struck off. The case proceeds to the Labor Court for further hearing if at all the dispute cannot be settled at the conference (Singh Ahuja, 2015). Therefore, by submitting the objection document, the insurer and the employer can raise objections of whether the injury was suffered by the plaintiff. 6.Differences between WICA and Common Law When it comes to making a claim, with WICA the claim is made with MOM and is decided upon by the Assistant Commissioners. However, with the Common Law, the claim is made with the High Court. Another difference is that one does not need a lawyer with WICA and it is only optional to engage legal representation since MOM will guide you through the claim process. In Common Law, you will need a lawyer and will have to pay a legal fee (Hua, 2014). In addition, the amount of compensation in WICA is determined by a formula and it has limits while in Common, Law there are no limits but one needs to prove the damages suffered before the court. The final difference is that under WICA you will have to prove that the injury was work-related but there will be no need to prove negligence or fault on anyone while in Common Law you will have to prove that your employer was at fault(Wong Choy, 2015). 7.According to Singapores regulations, the third party or his insurer can raise objections on a plaintiffs claim of special damages in the High Court. The objections could be on whether Ravis condition is worsening as an actual result of the injury suffered at work or is it due to other factors such as failure to adhere to the already paid for medical services. In addition, the objection could also be in determining whether the injury has really worsened since the assessment or the injury has remained constant or even improved. The insurer could also object by arguing that the damages and compensation formula used to calculate the extent of Ravis injury determined the final worth of his claim. Moreover, if Ravi makes a poor appearance to the High Court as a witness and does not communicate effectively the events surrounding his accident, the third party can object the special claims. If Ravi fails to identify the precise grounds for his special claims, the third party would get a pla tform to raise objections. Where the insurer does not concur that the plaintiff suffered emotional distress as a consequence of the incident, the insurer could dispute the special claims.The third party could also dispute the plaintiffs claim of special damages if there has been deliberate self-injury or aggravation of the injury. Further, the insurance company can object Ravis special claims in the case where witnesses such as the employer and the medical board assessing his injuries dispute his version of facts for the claim and they substantiate the defendants version. Finally, if they do not agree that he has discontinued the specified physical activities, hobby or sport due to the injury, they could raise objections. The defendant could claim that Ravi is exaggerating his complaints as compared to the medical records presented (Lilley, Davie, Langley, Ameratunga Derrett, 2013) References Agrahari, R. S., Dangle, P. A., Chandratre, K. V. (2015). Implementation of 5S Methodology in the Small Scale Industry: A Case Study.International Journal,3(1), 130-137. Agwu, M. O., Ajayi, S. O. (2014). Good Housekeeping-A Panacea for Slips, Trips Falls Accident in the NLNG Project, Bonny.International Journal of Business Administration,5(4), 12. Butler, R. J., Gardner, H. H., Kleinman, N. L. (2013). Workers compensation: occupational injury insurances influence on the workplace. InHandbook of insurance(pp. 449-469). Springer New York. Dewi, S. R., Setiawan, B., WP, S. N. 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