Suppliers should understand that in addition to reducing work-related injuries and illnesses, a safe and healthy work environment can also improve the quality of products and services, promote production, increase employee retention rates, and enhance employee morale. Suppliers should also understand that continuous employee engagement and education are crucial for identifying and addressing health and safety issues in the workplace.
The potential safety hazards (such as chemical, electrical and other energy sources, fire, vehicles and fall hazards) that employees may encounter shall be identified, assessed and controlled through correct design, engineering and management control, preventive maintenance and safety work processes (including blocking/marking) and continuous safety training. If the hazards cannot be effectively controlled through the above methods, the employees shall be provided with appropriate and well maintained personal protective equipment and education materials on the risks that may be caused by the above hazards. In addition, appropriate measures must be taken to avoid exposing pregnant/lactating women to high-risk work environments, eliminate or reduce risks to the health and safety of pregnant/lactating women in the workplace (including those related to their work tasks), and provide appropriate facilities for lactating women.
Potential emergency situations and events should be identified and evaluated, and their impact should be minimized by implementing emergency plans and response procedures, including emergency reporting, employee notification and evacuation procedures, employee training and drills, appropriate fire detection and extinguishing equipment, clear and unobstructed escape routes, sufficient exit facilities, and recovery plans. Such plans and procedures should minimize damage to life, environment, and property as much as possible.
Procedures and systems should be established to prevent, manage, track, and report work-related injuries and illnesses, including the following provisions: encouraging employees to report; Classify and record cases of work-related injuries and illnesses; Provide necessary medical services; Investigate the case and take corrective measures to eliminate the source of the accident; Help employees return to work.
According to the principle of hierarchical control, the hazards posed to employees by chemical, biological, and physical factors should be identified, evaluated, and controlled. Eliminate or control potential hazards through appropriate design, engineering, and management controls. When the hazards cannot be fully controlled through these measures, employees should be equipped with and can use appropriate and well maintained personal protective equipment. The protection plan should include risk education materials related to these hazards.
The impact of employees engaging in physically demanding work should be identified, evaluated, and controlled, including manual handling/loading and unloading of materials, repeated lifting of heavy objects, prolonged standing, and highly repetitive or powerful assembly work.
A safety hazard assessment should be conducted on production machinery and other machinery. Machinery that may cause harm to employees should be equipped with physical protective devices, interlocking devices, and barriers, and properly maintained.
Clean restroom facilities, drinking water, and hygienic food preparation, storage, and dining facilities should be provided to employees. The staff dormitory provided by the supplier or labor agency shall be kept clean and safe, and appropriate emergency exit, hot water for bathing, sufficient light, heat and ventilation, independent safety cabinets for storing individuals and valuables, and reasonable private space with convenient access shall be provided.
Suppliers should provide employees with health and safety information in the workplace, and provide training in their mother tongue or understandable language to enable them to correctly understand the workplace hazard signs they are exposed to, including but not limited to mechanical, electrical, chemical, fire, and physical hazards. Health and safety related information should be clearly posted in the factory or posted in a prominent location visible to employees. Pre job training should be provided to employees before starting work and regular training should be provided to employees after work. Employees should be encouraged to raise safety issues.