"EL ROL DEL ADMINISTRADOR EN LA SST: MAS ALLÁ DE LOS ESPECIALISTAS Y TÉCNICOS EN LA MATERIA"

18th Business Experience Exchange Day

Introduction to the Event

• The 18th Business Experience Exchange Day is designed as a space for reflection, analysis, and critical evaluation of best business practices.

• It serves as a complementary learning experience for students in administration, international business management, human resources, and marketing.

• Participants will gain firsthand knowledge of effective business practices and insights from key industry players.

Focus on Workplace Safety and Health

• The theme of the event is "The Role of the Administrator in Workplace Safety and Health," presented by Engineer Juan Ernesto Carmona Sierra.

• Workplace safety has evolved into a strategic responsibility for organizations, extending beyond specialists to all team leaders and managers.

• Administrators play a crucial role not only in compliance but also in fostering a preventive culture centered around people.

Speaker's Background

• Juan Ernesto Carmona Sierra is an industrial engineer with postgraduate studies in risk prevention and business management, certified as an ISO 45001 lead auditor with over 15 years of experience.

• He has implemented integrated management systems in various companies such as SILEM, Hidrostal, and Sandwi.

Academic Engagement

• Students are encouraged to remain active during the presentation as they will prepare a conference review for their respective professors. Questions will be collected through distributed formats during the session.

• The conference is being broadcasted via Zoom on the university's YouTube channel.

Understanding Safety Beyond Technical Expertise

Speaker's Introduction

• Engineer Carmona expresses gratitude to Universidad del Pacífico and Universidad San Martín de Porres for the invitation while clarifying his background in industrial engineering with postgraduate studies focused on workplace safety.

Audience Interaction

• The speaker engages with the audience by asking about their fields of study: Human Resources (few), Administration (some), International Business (many), Marketing (few). This interaction sets up context for his discussion on safety within these disciplines.

Transitioning Careers

• Carmona shares his career transition from international business and marketing to focusing on workplace risk prevention and integrated management systems, indicating that this topic is relevant across various fields of study.

Key Characteristics of Leading Companies in Safety

Paradigm Shift in Safety Management

• The presentation emphasizes that safety should not be viewed solely as an engineering or technical issue but rather integrated into organizational leadership responsibilities across all processes within a company.

Inspirational Quote on Human Behavior

• A notable quote attributed to Scott Heller highlights that "Safety is a continuous struggle against human nature," emphasizing behavioral challenges faced by professionals working in risk prevention roles.

Behavioral Challenges

Understanding the Role of Administrators in Accident Prevention

Introduction to Administrator Responsibilities

• The speaker emphasizes that administrators may feel disconnected from accident prevention but must consider how their decisions can impact employee safety and health.

• Two main objectives are outlined: understanding the involvement of administrative science and marketing in risk prevention, and identifying effective approaches for success.

Legal Framework and Obligations

• Various perspectives on workplace safety are discussed, including convenience, prestige, and legal obligations. The importance of understanding whether compliance is mandatory or optional is highlighted.

• The existence of a legal framework governing workplace safety is acknowledged, including laws on occupational health and safety as well as labor inspections.

• Article 17 of Law 29783 mandates a systems approach to risk prevention, stressing that documentation alone does not suffice for compliance.

Systems Approach to Safety Management

• A common misconception among employees is addressed: some believe that merely having documents ensures compliance with safety regulations.

• A systems approach requires interrelated elements (inputs/outputs), emphasizing that documentation is just one part of a broader interactive process aimed at achieving results.

Continuous Improvement Cycle

• The speaker introduces the PHBA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act), which promotes ongoing system updates and continuous improvement in safety management practices.

• Continuous improvement is essential not only for legal compliance but also for enhancing overall system effectiveness without relying solely on external interventions.

Evaluation and Validation Processes

• Verification involves checking if processes yield expected results; however, it’s crucial to assess whether these processes effectively prevent accidents or issues from recurring.

Understanding the Management System in Occupational Health and Safety

Overview of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System

• The management system for occupational health and safety is complex, requiring adherence to at least 150 elements as mandated by law. Simply having documentation does not equate to compliance.

• Verification processes are outlined in the law, including specific indicators such as frequency and severity rates that must be calculated annually.

• Key components of an effective management system include planning, execution, verification, and action. These elements are crucial for achieving continuous improvement.

Continuous Improvement vs. Reengineering

• Continuous improvement focuses on gradual enhancements rather than rapid changes; it emphasizes steady progress without rushing towards goals.

• In contrast, reengineering involves drastic changes within a management system, which is not typically the approach taken in occupational health and safety.

Consequences of Non-compliance with Legal Requirements

• Failure to implement a compliant occupational health and safety management system can lead to significant consequences as stipulated by law.

• There are three types of sanctions: administrative fines imposed by regulatory bodies, judicial indemnities for damages caused by negligence, and potential criminal penalties for severe violations leading to worker injuries or fatalities.

Importance of Monitoring Safety Indicators

• Managers should monitor safety indicators just as they do financial metrics like sales or market penetration. Understanding accident frequency and associated costs is essential for effective oversight.

Regulatory Bodies Involved in Compliance

• Three main regulatory entities oversee compliance: the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Health, and sector-specific ministries that enforce additional regulations based on industry risks.

• All sectors must comply with general regulations; however, high-risk industries such as hydrocarbons or construction have extra obligations due to their specific hazards.

Understanding the Role of Judicial Power and Worker Rights

The Intersection of Worker Complaints and Judicial Action

• Workers and their families can escalate complaints to the judicial system seeking compensation or criminal sanctions against responsible parties.

• This highlights the importance of legal recourse in addressing workplace grievances, emphasizing accountability within organizations.

Organizational Responsibility Beyond Compliance

• Organizations should not only comply with regulations but also strive for excellence by satisfying all stakeholders, including employees and community members.

• The focus on customer satisfaction must be balanced with attention to other critical relationships that contribute to organizational success.

Long-term Implications of Management Systems

• Effective management systems in health, safety, quality, and environmental practices can lead to increased long-term profitability.

• Short-sighted views may result in incomplete projects that waste resources; proper investment leads to operational excellence and reduced costs.

Consequences of Neglecting Safety Standards

• Companies face pressure from various stakeholders (workers, NGOs) regarding safety standards; neglecting these can diminish company value due to accidents.

• Investor confidence may wane if a company is perceived as poorly managed concerning safety protocols, potentially leading to stock sell-offs.

Market Participation Requirements

• Major companies often require compliance with safety regulations for suppliers wishing to be included in procurement processes.

Understanding Workplace Safety Standards

Importance of Compliance with Safety Standards

• Companies may face additional requirements beyond local laws, necessitating robust health and safety systems to meet client expectations.

• A lack of safety can deter strategic partners; unsafe working conditions may lead service providers to withdraw, impacting business operations.

Broader Implications of Risk Management

• Neglecting risk prevention leads to various costs, including medical expenses and rework due to accidents.

• Delays in delivery caused by accidents can result in financial penalties from clients, affecting overall profitability.

Economic Impact of Accidents

• Significant losses occur during operational downtime; for instance, mining operations can lose hundreds of thousands per hour due to incidents.

• Incidents at commercial centers can trigger widespread closures, leading to substantial lost sales across multiple locations.

Roles and Responsibilities in Safety Management

Leadership and Organizational Culture

• Effective leadership is crucial; employees are influenced more by actions than words. Leaders must model safe behaviors.

• Positive reinforcement is essential for promoting safe practices over punitive measures; recognizing employee efforts enhances motivation.

Resource Allocation and Policy Development

• Adequate budgeting is necessary for implementing safety programs; administrative decisions shape the technological capabilities available for safety initiatives.

• Competence development goes beyond knowledge—skills and attitudes are vital for effective risk management.

Evaluating Safety Systems

Employer Responsibilities

• Employers must designate personnel responsible for managing workplace safety rather than relying solely on committees.

• Annual evaluations of the safety management system are critical; high-level management should review procedures regularly to ensure effectiveness.

Balancing Interests Across Departments

• Conflicts between departments (e.g., finance vs. marketing desires for unlimited credit or inventory) require clear boundaries set by management.

Roles and Responsibilities in Workplace Safety

Overview of Management's Role

• The management is responsible for approving safety projects, training staff on prevention, advising on management systems, and auditing the system.

• The role of risk prevention areas is not merely to support but to actively participate in safety committees as mandated by law 29783 regarding workplace health and safety.

Committee Structure and Function

• A workplace safety committee must consist of an equal number of employer-designated members and worker-elected representatives, ensuring a balanced representation.

• While the committee plays a role in safety discussions, it does not direct the overall safety system; that responsibility lies with the occupational health service.

Strategic Decision-Making

• High-level decisions regarding technology implementation are made by upper management rather than technical staff, emphasizing strategic oversight.

• Business operations should include monitoring accident frequency and severity alongside financial metrics to ensure comprehensive performance evaluation.

Human Resources' Contribution

• Initial employee training is crucial; however, it is not solely the responsibility of human resources. Specific job training follows general induction.

• A cooperative work environment is essential for effective health and safety programs, highlighting the importance of good communication among team members.

Incentives for Safe Practices

• Employee behavior towards safety can be influenced by reward systems; recognition for safe practices encourages adherence to protocols.

• Performance evaluations should incorporate compliance with health and safety tasks alongside regular job responsibilities to reinforce accountability.

Cultural Shift in Safety Management

• Changing workplace culture towards prioritizing safety requires support from human resources to facilitate this paradigm shift effectively.

• Disciplinary measures are necessary within HR frameworks to enforce compliance with established regulations concerning workplace conduct.

Changes in Job Descriptions Due to Safety Protocol Implementation

• Implementing a health and safety system necessitates updates to job descriptions across all roles, including logistics and administration positions.

• All supervisors will need involvement in hazard identification processes as part of their revised responsibilities under new protocols.

Key Characteristics from High Standard Companies

Continuous Improvement and Safety Management

Key Concepts in Continuous Improvement

• Emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement, which involves gradual progress and applying the cycle of planning, doing, checking, and acting (PDCA).

• Highlights the necessity for clear responsibilities within organizations to foster genuine care for people as part of human resources management.

• Discusses the significance of using KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to manage with numbers and facts, particularly in promoting safe behaviors and operational excellence.

Human Resource Competencies

• Stresses that having knowledge is not enough; one must also know how to apply it effectively with a positive attitude.

Parker's Ladder of Safety

• Introduces Parker's ladder, which outlines five stages of safety management within organizations:

• Pathological Stage: Companies show no interest in safety; accidents are ignored until they occur.

• Reactive Stage: Organizations react only when forced by regulations or after an accident occurs.

• Calculative Stage: A safety system is implemented but relies solely on a dedicated department without broader involvement.

Proactive and Generative Stages

• Describes the proactive stage where safety becomes multidisciplinary across the organization.

• The generative stage is characterized by full employee involvement in safety practices leading to new knowledge generation about workplace health and safety.

Case Study Discussion

• References a real-life incident involving a roof collapse at a shopping center, illustrating severe consequences such as legal issues, material damage, public image crises, and injuries.

• Explains that even minor injuries can be classified as serious accidents if they result in lost workdays. This highlights the need for effective communication during crises.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Concludes with a reminder that while individuals may not become specialists in their fields, they hold significant responsibility that cannot be delegated.

Influence of Leadership on Safety Policies

Multicultural Challenges

• Discusses how multicultural environments can complicate leadership effectiveness due to language barriers and differing legal frameworks across countries.

ISO 45000 Standards

• Introduces ISO 45000 as an international standard for occupational health and safety management systems that many companies should adopt alongside local laws.

Opportunities from Multinational Operations

Safety in the Workplace in the United States

Importance of Leadership and Communication

• The involvement of top management, such as the CEO, is crucial for effective safety communication within a company. For instance, Pering Birgason, the CEO at Sambic, actively signed health and safety communications.

• A committed management approach is essential; global directives dictate that only strategic partners can be contracted for occupational hygiene services, ensuring high standards are maintained.

Standardization and Budgeting

• Companies must adhere to global standards when budgeting for safety measures. This includes mandatory training requirements and specific equipment specifications like fire suppression systems.

• Local managers cannot lower established safety standards but can enhance them. This ensures consistency across different locations while allowing flexibility to meet local needs.

Implementation of Corporate Standards

• Implementing corporate standards uniformly across locations helps maintain a baseline level of safety. If local regulations require more stringent measures, additional implementations are necessary.

• A strong corporate standard provides a framework that aids in navigating varying country-specific regulations while still prioritizing employee safety.

Conclusion and Acknowledgments