Description

Operations management (OM) is defined as “the design, operation, and improvement of the systems that create and deliver the firm’s primary products and services”.

OM practices and research must respond to demands to address sustainability. Creating a safe work environment is critical to the success of your business, and is one of the best ways to retain staff and maximise productivity. This response is triggered by environmental concerns, the well-being of workers and communities, and other broad social demands. Definition of sustainable OM as the pursuit of social, economic and environmental objectives – the triple bottom line (TBL) – within operations of a specific firm and operational linkages that extend beyond the firm to include the supply chain and communities. As a business owner you have responsibilities regarding health and safety in your workplace. Different aspects of operational management like product design, social standards, lean operations, and supply chain management can be considered for a sustainable practice.

Temperature, relative humidity, ventilation, lighting, and noise level are all factors in work system design. People work well when the temperature is comfortable; typically, the more strenuous the work, the lower the temperature should be. Inadequate lighting can lead to production mistakes and/or physical discomfort such as headaches. Detailed work normally needs stronger light. Also, high noise levels can be distracting and can result in errors or accidents as well as impair hearing. The law was designed to ensure that all workers have healthy and safe working conditions. It mandates specific safety conditions that are inspected randomly by OSHA inspectors. The law requires the company to ensure a safe working environment for its employees. Therefore, worker safety is the primary concern in work system design. Workplace accidents are usually the result of worker carelessness or workplace hazards.