Objective: a pleasant and safe workplace
Occupational safety and health is very much about prevention, and Semih Sahin, occupational safety and health representative for warehouse workers at Koivunen Oy, regularly goes round the workplace discussing topical issues with fellow workers. Photo: Emilia Kangasluoma.
Semih Sahin was appointed occupational safety and health representative for warehouse workers at the wholesalers Koivunen Oy for a new two-year period. He has also become their new deputy shop steward. Sahin is eager to be able to improve everyday life for employees.
The occupational safety and health representative promotes matters related to workers’ safety, wellbeing and occupational health. In January, Semih Sahin started his second term as occupational safety and health representative for warehouse wokers at Koivunen Oy, which is a wholesale operator in Helsinki. Among other things, they sell automotive spare parts, tools and building materials. The company has around 300 employees.
“My job includes making sure that occupational safety and protection meet the legal requirements. Our partner Terveystalo looks after employees’ health requirements”, he explains.
According to Sahin it is important to aim to prevent accidents at work and ensure that the working environment is safe for all workers.
“If there are shortcomings they need to be put right so that nobody comes to harm”, Sahin says.
In Sahin’s opinion, health and safety are managed well at his workplace, which he is pleased about.
An occupational accident is a sudden and unexpected accident caused by external factors due to which the employee suffers injuries. As an occupational accident is considered an accident occurring in the work place premises or, on the way home from work or vice versa or while the employee is away on a business trip or running an errand ordered by the employer.
Read more here.
“We have almost zero accidents at work. We have been good at avoiding serious accidents. Even though there are minor injuries to hands and fingers, for example, these are rare”, he states.
At Koivunen Oy, the employer has also invested in wellbeing at work by organising various events for employees to improve the working environment and create an atmosphere for open discussion. Many things can be improved by having fun. Here too, the shop steward has been active.
“Shared events are a good way to prevent workplace bullying, for example. We take about things and try to preserve the peace”, Sahin says.
There are no fail-safe tips for the work of an occupational safety and health representative, but Sahin firmly believes that his long experience has helped.
“I have been working for my employer for 23 years, and in that time I have got to know the workplace and workers well. Through this job I have obviously become familiar with the legal aspects. The knowhow of the occupational safety and health committee is very important in trying to solve things together”, Sahin says.
The occupational safety and health representative is supported by the occupational safety and health committee. Before the meeting of the committee employees can put forward matters for the meeting to consider.
“There is a box at work for ideas and suggestions for the committee meeting. These can be anonymous if you want. Every week I go round the workplace and chat to the workers. They can ask questions and I collect suggestions, and these are raised at the meeting. If something is defective, the employer is informed”.
Sahin points out that the shop steward and the occupational safety and health representative work are a good team when thinking about working conditions and also employees’ rights at the workplace.
In Sahin’s opinion a good occupational safety and health representative is active and gets on top of things. The title doesn’t boost your reputation; it’s all about doing good things at the workplace.
“You have to devote yourself to it, but you also have to check what’s going on round you. Being social and having a positive attitude help in this job. You have to treat everyone fairly and also know the law”, he stresses.
“I stood for election in the elections in the autumn because I wanted to influence things at the workplace in a positive way.”
Day to day Sahin comes up against very concrete issues of working conditions and occupational safety, and these vary enormously.
“There might be an issue with adjusting the heating or ventilation with the facility services operator”, he says.
He picked up the information and skills needed on PAM’s shop steward course. Sahin rates it highly and also recommends to others starting their shop steward career.
He stresses that employees with foreign backgrounds also need to have their voice heard in working life and they should be encouraged to take on positions of responsibility at work just like others.
“If you are interested in being an occupational safety and health representative, you should definitely take a closer look”, is Sahin’s encouragement.
The news has been updated 16.3.2020 at 11 am and specified that Sahin as a workplace respresentative represents the warehouse workers at Koivunen.