Leadership, risk, challenges, and impact
Workplaces can be extremely dangerous especially when there are numerous hazards that are left uncontrolled and have the potential to cause injury, ill health or even death (Blaikie, Cannon, Davis & Wisner, 2014). Protecting the safety and health of employees at workplace is one of the best ways of ensuring that unexpected losses resulting from employee injuries, property damage, data loss and financial losses are mitigated. A healthy and safe workplace ensures compliance with law and eliminates any instances of lawsuits resulting from negligence. Good safety and health at workplace is all about controlling and eliminating hazards that poses a potential threat to the organizational members. In this analysis, we shall consider two hazards that face most organizations and their impacts to the particular organization. The hazards include computer risks resulting in data losses as well as gravity risks that involve the stability of persons in organizations especially when doing the activities that can subject them to fall. Thus, the paper shall offer insights on possible ways to control these risks.
Computer hazards refer to the risks of data losses resulting from loss of the physical computer equipment, corruption of data by viruses and malicious attempts by unauthorized persons. Computer hazards are caused by inadequate system of internal controls for safeguarding the organization computing resources (Godschalk, Beatley, Berke, Brower & Kaiser, 1998). As a result the computer losses are vulnerable to theft, malicious entry or manipulation of data. Whenever a computer system is not secured by the use of antivirus programs, the computer files can easily get corrupted resulting in data losses. Additionally, lack of individually assigned responsibilities for guarding the computer resources can lead to malicious entry by unauthorized persons who can either steal the physical computer equipment or even delete and manipulate data that is poorly secured. On the other hand, gravity hazards results from poorly constructed walking pathways, elevators and other raised grounds. As a result, the employees can easily slide and fall leading to injuries.
Computer and gravity hazards have a significant impact on the organization and its members (Danna & Griffin, 1999). Computer hazards result in loss of confidential data to unauthorized persons who may use it to detriment of the organization. In addition, computer related hazards are a source of financial losses. When untrustworthy employees are allowed access to computer resources of the firm, they may manipulate the employee remuneration data and records to their own advantage. Similarly, they can manipulate the data records with vague data that is intended to harm the organization management. Theft of computer equipment leads to financial losses especially due to the fact that the firm has to pay handsomely to purchase new equipment and facilitate data recovery losses.
On the other hand, gravity hazards are great cause of sustained injuries on employees especially for organizations that operate on high floored buildings. Poorly constructed walking paths and elevators can lead to sudden falls and injuries to employees. Consequently, an organization spends a lot of money in purchasing insurance and health covers to its employees. Indeed, an organization with a high potential for occurrence of gravity risks is likely to attract fewer employees due to psychological disturbances that the employees undergo and thus experiences a high turnover rate. Gravity hazard may also subject the firm to potential lawsuits from unsatisfied consumers and employees. This is due to the fact that the firm is expected to ensure the security of every individual at its premises. An injured employees or customer may opt to go to court and accuse the firm of neglect which may impose huge penalties on the firm. Similarly, the reputational damage resulting from such processes may lead to declined returns of the firm.
There are various resources that can be used to support the process of mitigating computer and gravity hazards. The resources can be obtained from the Health and Safety Authority of the United States that examines the various procedures for mitigating organizational risks. Similarly, the OHS hazards and Risks is a good source of information on health and safety issues at workplace. The OHS hazards and Risk assessment identifies various risks and the tools that can be used to contain such risks at the workplace.
An organization can adopt several strategies to mitigate computer and gravity risks. Firstly, the computer risks can be controlled by adopting a system of internal controls (Clarke & Cooper, 2004). These include using antiviruses to control against corruption of data by malicious software, using private password to prevent unauthorized entry into confidential data files by the employees. Also, the computer resources should be properly secured on lockable doors and assigning specific individuals for their maintenance and security. Gravity hazards can be controlled by adhering to building codes and ensuring that walking paths and elevators are always kept in proper working conditions to guard against falls and injuries.
To conclude, the paper has examined the hazards that face organization that have the potential of causing huge financial losses and injuries. For the purpose of this analysis, computer and gravity hazards have been examined. Computer hazards are risks that pose threat to loss of computer equipment and corruption of data while gravity hazards are those that relate to stability of employees at workplace and its premises. These hazards can be controlled through a system of internal controls for computer hazards and adhering to building codes for gravity related hazards.
References
Blaikie, P., Cannon, T., Davis, I., & Wisner, B. (2014). At Risk II-: Natural Hazards, People’s Vulnerability and Disasters. London: Routledge Publishers.
Clarke, S., & Cooper, C. L. (2004). Managing the risk of workplace stress: Health and safety hazards. Hove, UK: Psychology Press.
Danna, K., & Griffin, R. W. (1999). “Health and well-being in the workplace: A review and synthesis of the literature.” Journal of management, 25(3), 357-384.
Godschalk, D., Beatley, T., Berke, P., Brower, D. & Kaiser, E. J. (1998). “Natural hazard mitigation: Recasting disaster policy and planning.” Washington, D.C.: Island Press.