1) Background of OSHA and Objectives The US Department of Labor spearheaded the establishment of Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) in 1970 with the desire of creating as a safe workplace for American laborers. Having being ratified in 1971, the main goal was to ensure that employers provided safe working environments and employees could get compensation for injuries within the working environment. The formation was influenced by the rising case of lead and asbestos exposure to workers in the 1960s and 70s. Presently, employees can visit OSHA as an agency to register their complaints whenever they feel that their employer has violated the provisions of the OSH Act. On their part, business owners and HR managers in the United States strive to ensure that they abide by the OSH Act guidelines. The agency (OSHA) enforces regulations geared towards ensuring that workplaces safer and healthier for employees. OSHA can also visit every workplace randomly to verify the compliance with its guidelines. Through their systems and employees, they respond to complaints, offer advice, and assistance to employers. Moreover, they analyze instances of injuries, illness, and companies with a history of poor employee policies. In most cases, heavy fines accompany the violation of its guidelines especially on the endangerment of life (Bratton & Gold, 2017). However, they do not have enforcement agency. Regarding functions, OSHA has progressed in the past found decades in ensuring that the health of an American worker is protected.

2) Steps that Management Should Take to Increase Motivation for Workplace Safety

The safety of the worker is fundamental in defining the performance and success of the organization. There is a correlation between the company’s commitment to safety and reduction in accidents with the performance of its employees. In most cases, employees give their best when they are secure both physically and psychologically. To realize this, the HR managers can encourage supervisors and team leaders in various departments to incorporate safety measures at the workplace. Moreover, safety guidelines and company policies relating to safety should be placed in strategic places where employees can read them occasionally. The management should also undertake training programs of safety among its employees to ensure that everyone is prepared to handle an emergency at the workplace. This can be bolstered using seminars and workshops on the same. The pre-hire physical exam is also necessary to ensure employees are informed about safety measures. Moreover, investigation and records of the previous accidents should be maintained as it guarantees a long lasting solution is realized to prevent future occurrence of such incidences. My suggestion is that economic work equipment is essential factors in regards to the health of the employees.

3) OSHA’s Direction on Employee Safety

OSHA was established to ensure that companies have safe working environments and regard as invaluable assets. Since its inception, OSHA has not formulated new regulations geared towards protecting workers. The agency has allowed firms to form safety...

From the circumstances described in the article, the agency has not prioritized health and safety of workers as its key objective. They have reluctantly responded to the incident at Jasper Popcorn plant. The agency blocked some of the regulations and delayed in formulating others. Therefore, they are heading in the wrong direction (Labaton, 2007).
4) My take as an HR employee at Jasper Popcorn

After noting the lack safety at the workplace at Jasper Popcorn plant, it is important to report the matter to the agency because it handles issues relating to workplace safety. It was also important to inform the fellow workers to be aware of the conditions at the workplace. Besides reporting to OSHA, other stakeholders and business partners should be informed. The strategy is to ensure that companies conduct business with other firms, which uphold similar ethical values. With the threat of ending the partnership, Jasper Popcorn will be forced to comply.

5) The Relevance of the Article To My Career and Community Experience

The article addresses the health and safety issues of the employees at the workplace. The article is relevant as on human resource issues especially on welfare and motivational factors that influence their performance. It is also relevant my career in this field as it equips me with knowledge on the need to prioritize employees’ by guaranteeing their safety. I have also learned about the important role that OSHA plays in ensuring that organizations set up safer workplaces lest they find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Week 5

1) Succession Planning and its Benefits

Succession planning is the process of preparing existing employees in the lower managerial levels to be ready to take up important position of a company when they become vacant in future. The process is done through employee training and offering opportunities for career growth and development. The concept is beneficial as it ensures that firms can retain the best talent or employees who have grown using its resources. Moreover, it guarantees the logical approach and transition of company leaders when others retire. It is appropriate for companies to hire people who are already aware of how systems are run instead of hiring a new person. Despite the qualifications of the new candidate, which could be appealing, the company might slump during the transition as the new leader tries to adapt. This can be avoided through succession planning. Moreover, it helps the company to cut costs associated with the recruitment and selection of new employees. The only costs incurred will involve the quarterly or semi-annual programs, which benefit all employees. With succession planning, the HR department will have adequate time identifying the skills, the potential, and competencies of the employees who will fill the positions in an organization (Bratton & Gold, 2017). It contrasts the normal hiring process, which normally takes a shorter period and the wrong person can be picked for the job.

2) The Need for a Solid Succession planning…