Importance of Health and Safety Advisors in High-Risk Sectors

Health and safety advisors also known as occupational health and safety practitioners, officers or managers refers to people responsible for mitigating risk and injury at the workplace. Occupational health and safety advisors are the people who look at the health and safety welfare of all individuals at the place of work especially in sectors that pose high risks such as manufacturing, construction, energy, and mining. The health practitioner advises the management on health concerns within the workplace and ensures that the organization or firm is compliant with health and safety regulation set by the government and other relevant institutions. Health and safety advisors are expected to be in high demand especially in the mining and energy sectors which are expected to be vibrant by 2020 (Careerprofiles 2018). This is because energy sectors particularly oil and gas pose very high health and safety risks in form of toxins particularly to those working on site. Similarly, people working in mines face daily exposure to dust which contains compounds harmful to human health.

The approach used in the analysis of the role and skills required.

This involved the collection of information from various sources including interviews from health and safety practitioners concerning what it takes to be competent in this field. There was also the study of career journals which provides the career description for those aspiring to pursue this profession. The application of course knowledge particularly Henri Fayol’s principals and functions of management also provide the basis upon which to analyze the skills necessary for an occupational health and safety practitioner. 

The managerial requirements and traits of a health and safety advisor

A health and safety advisor within the mining, oil and gas industry is involved in planning and coming up with recommendations that mitigate hazards and risks prevalent within the organization. After carrying out regular inspection, analysis, and documentation, the health and safety advisor writes a report highlighting the level of health and safety within the work environment (Saarni 2014). The report also contains recommendations on the steps that should be taken to reduce employee exposure to risk and hazard. The top management uses such reports to plan and come with policies that protect employees from potential harm. A health and safety advisor is therefore required to have adequate knowledge in planning.

A health and safety advisor is also needed to possess managerial traits such as organizing and directing. These skills are particularly essential during training of employees on safety precautions regarding potential hazards (Broadbent 2012). The advisor is responsible for designing the course material and seeking trainers to assist in the delivery of content. The advisor is also responsible for setting the amount of time to be taken during training (Mark 2016). What’s more, the advisor oversees test evaluation to gauge employee’s understanding of health and safety precautions. The tests mainly revolve around the use of personal protective equipment, protection against fire as well as emergency exit strategies.

Approach Used in the Analysis of the Role and Skills Required

Workplace problems/issues facing a health advisor

The role of a health and safety advisor is hectic and demanding at times. For example, a health and safety advisor may be required to work overtime in cases of an accident or emergency incident. The role may also necessitate a lot of traveling especially if the organization has charged one advisor with overseeing multiple work sites located in different areas. Despite the health and safety advisor being an office role, the advisor spends a lot of time on the field especially during an inspection of mines, oil and gas fields. The practitioner may also need to be present during the training of employees.

Working overtime

There are some situations that may call for the health and safety advisor to work during unofficial hours. For instance, if a tragic event occurs within the organization’s work environment, the health and safety advisor will need to be present to assess the current damage as well as take immediate action to prevent further loss or injury. Therefore unforeseen events such as accidents can disrupt the health practitioner’s schedule (Gregory 2016). When an organization’s projects are running behind schedule, the health and safety advisor may asked to work overtime  to ensure completion of project within the scheduled time. For instance, if an oil and gas industry is establishing a new refinery, whose completion is behind schedule, the company may think of hiring more laborers some of whom may be inexperienced in health and safety issues. The management may therefore ask the health and safety advisor to carry out training during unofficial hours so as to save time.

Balance between organization profits and employee safety welfare

One of the major issues or problems faced by health and safety officials is convincing managers to adopt sound health and safety policies that enhance safety of employees but reduce profits (Thompson 2018).In such a scenario, the health and safety advisor is in a dilemma as whether to overlook the health and safety of employees for the sake of company profits (Eric 2012). For instance, the health advisor may recommend that the organization by expensive personal protective equipment when cheaper options exist. The management may be reluctant to the idea since their main aim is to maximize profits and cut on costs (Richard 2013). In such a scenario, the health advisor will find it wise to mention the long-term costs that may be incurred by the organization or firm as a result of using the cheap personal protective equipment (Gordon 1998). The costs may include medical costs in the treatment of conditions resulting from exposure of employees to hazards and health risks. The advisor will also be keen to inform the management of the bad reputation that would result if it became known that the management compromised on the health of its employees.

Professional development required

The skills acquired in the master of business degree mainly revolve around leadership and management and although essential, are not enough to guarantee a job as a health and safety advisor. With that in mind, therefore, it is important to pursue health and safety management courses to gain proper skills required in the field. Adequate knowledge and concepts in the relevant sector are also necessary for one to become a competent occupational safety advisor (Joshi 2011). For instance, a health and safety advisor in the mining, oil and gas plants should be aware of all the processes in extraction and refinery so as to determine health and safety concerns. A legal foundation is also key in understanding the various health and safety regulations (Bhattacharyya 2007).

Recommendations and solutions for maintaining relevancy and currency

To maintain relevance an occupational health advisor should be aware of the most current changes in health and safety regulations. The advisor can do this by regularly reading occupational health and safety journals, conducting online research as well as attending seminars or events relevant to the profession.

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