Importance of HSE(Health,Safety and Environment)-The Panagora Blog

 

Health, Safety and Environment (or HSE for short) is a system of programs and procedures that involves that identifying potential hazards peculiar to a specific environment, implementing practices that help to minimize or even eliminate those hazards, and then goes on to train other staff in aspects of accident prevention, accident response, as well as other relevant related discourses.

The rise in the need for HSE Management Systems dates back in time to the faulty working practices of workers, especially in the manufacturing industry. It was around the 18th century, at the time of the industrial revolution and so came the advancement in technology. Employees were scarcely protected from the potential accidents that could arise from the machines and equipment they worked with.

Most employers at the time remained unfazed at the consistent exposure of their workers to these hazardous conditions because acquiring protection for them would come at a cost, thus, most employers would keep up with such unsafe practices in a bid to save costs, at the detriment of the lives of their workers. These accidents and illness occurred at the time because workers were often exposed to dangerous moving parts of the machines without guards, poorly lit factories, inadequately ventilated spaces, toxic gases and chemicals and inadequate training on machine usage. As a result, there was an alarming rate of accidents that led to injuries, and in severe cases, death of the employees.

Eventually, the masses began to protest and forced the government into taking actions because they were the ones who bore the brunt of those accidents, since the victims happened to be relatives and friends.

The government soon enacted the legislation requiring employers to provide safe and healthy place of work, pay for medicare and other compensation for injuries, disability, death and illness resulting from work activities.

The first factory inspectors to prevent injury and overworking, were appointed to child textile workers in 1833. This was done under the provisions of the Factories Act within that period and the inspectors had the authority to enter the mills and question workers as well as carry out surveys as regards safety in the environment. They also had the power to form new rules and regulations within the system in accordance to the Factories Act.

Over time, the changes in government consequently extended the Factories Act to practically all work places where inspectors then took om the roles of technical advisers alongside their implementation duties.

In summary, there are various occupational hazards present in every industry. These hazards are mostly dependent on the environment and the tasks carried out within that work area.Hence, the adoption of safety practices in the prevention of accidents cannot be overemphasized.