OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Read the brief scenario below before answering the following questions.

Title: Managing the work environment

Paperless Genius is an accredited online education company based in central Johannesburg. One of the few companies of their kind, Paperless Genius offers a combination of bridging courses and business related courses for those in the working environment. They offer language courses such as Spanish, French, Portuguese and more, as well as offering courses in business development and management. Considering the popularity of their company, and the ever-increasing need for online educators, the company has needed to continually expand its workforce. In the last month alone they have hired 20 new employees, bringing their current total workforce to 315 people.

Although Paperless Genius has enjoyed major success, they are still a relatively new company (only established in 2009) and they do not have all of the necessary industry and organisational expertise when it comes to the occupational health and safety requirements and obligations. In order to reduce company spending in light of these new hires, Paperless Genius has bought simple straight-backed office chairs, and standard wooden desks for its employees. Buying these chairs and desks in bulk from a discount furniture supplier has allowed Paperless Genius to save money on what they deem unnecessary costs. This has resulted in the workforce complaining of aches and pains after sitting at these workstations for eight hours every day.

Another way that Paperless Genius has managed to cut costs is by installing one set of unisex bathrooms in the company comprised of six toilets and wash stations. While this set up has worked to an extent, there are many times where employees are forced to wait in queues to access the bathroom during peak hours of the work day such as lunchtime. Paperless Genius has also chosen to forgo creating a demarcated eating area in favour of encouraging employees to have their meals at their desks if they are so inclined. However, due to increasing complaints in the last few weeks, the company is now under pressure from the workforce to improve the overall work environment.

Question 1:

Based on the above scenario, as well as research, write a 500-word submission in which you identify and explain why the current work environment at Paperless Genius is inadequate and unsuitable for the workforce in terms of health and safety requirements.

In your answer be sure to address both the employee workstations as well as the welfare arrangements. Your answer should also identify and explain the solutions or control measures needed to resolve each welfare and workstation health and safety concern mentioned above.

Total: 30 marks