Research Paper on Common Injuries & Illnesses Risks at PepsiCo & How To Address Them

Introduction

Given that PepsiCo offers a plethora of employment opportunities, its working environment may lead to job injuries, which vary depending on the departments where one is assigned (PepsiCo.com). The common injuries and illnesses risks include; injuries from faulty equipment, electricity shocks while working on broken heat and air unit, illnesses from exposure to chemicals, neck and back abrasions, and the repetitive stress injuries to the hands and the wrists.

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Common Means of Addressing Risks of Fatalities, Illnesses or Injuries

In case of injuries, illnesses, or fatalities, the employees at PepsiCo are required to report the incident to their supervisors immediately and visit the doctor who is listed in the worker's compensation policy (PepsiCo.com). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) "Industry and Illness Data -2017," the beverage business testified a total recordable injury and sickness incidences at a rate of 4.8 per 100 full-time employees (Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gov, 2017). In comparison with PepsiCo's workplace analysis, given the common hazards that the employees have exposed to as well as the strategies they have put in place to safeguard the safety, there has been a reduction in the number of injuries and illnesses. According to BLS, in 2017, the occupational disease rate across the company was 3 percent, which was lower than in 2016.

Overview of The Four-Point Workplace Program

Management Commitment and Employee Involvement

PepsiCo has developed a People Process, which is a partnership effort between the company and each employee, which will require corporate commitment as well as the support of every manager (Steingold, 2017). The robust people process integrates the many HR initiatives, which include talent development, performance management, and career development. Through the partnership growth model, the employees, managers, and PepsiCo share responsibilities for success and visible leadership involvement. Also, the company focuses on building an inclusive environment whereby all the employees can be in a position to thrive through their people processes.

An additional procedure that the company would consider in management commitment and employee involvement is putting the right person in the correct position and providing them with the right resources to ensure they do the right thing at the right time (Appendix A). For this procedure to be successful, the management practices ought to be aligned and the organizational systems to be integrated to offer a supportive work climate for employee involvement.

Work Site Analysis

PepsiCo's scope of operations is varied, and the hazards that its employees face also come in many different forms, given that it serves a population of more than 100million people. Therefore, the company has established that it is vital to make safety a core value across all its work stations. Among the practices that the company engages in the improvement of safety in the workplaces distributing a corporate safety manual with the standardized rules, providing new employees with employee safety handbooks as well as plastering posters that displayed the company's safety commitment in all worksites (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2008). From Appendix B, the company could also consider conducting a job safety analysis on an annual basis to help in reducing the hazards exposure and creating a stronger safety culture.

Hazard Prevention and Control

One of the top priorities of PepsiCo is the protection of the safety, health, and well-being of its associates all over the world. It has embarked on effective hazard prevention and control to safeguard its staffs against the various workplace perils, to eliminate the associated safety and health risks, to avoid illnesses, incidents, and injuries, as well as helping the company to provide its employees with safe and healthy working conditions. The company has also devised ways to promote the health and safety principles through aligning its Global Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) behind a strategic plan that envisions reduced risks to its workers and the working environment and to pursue a constructive influence on the culture for its future (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2008). For effective hazard prevention and control, PepsiCo should consider involving the workers who have a better comprehension of the conditions that create hazards so they can offer insights on their control (Appendix C). Besides, employing the hierarchy of controls to enable the identification and evaluation options on how to control hazards would be an efficient procedure for the corporation.

Training for Employees, Supervisors, and Managers

PepsiCo aims at maintaining long term growth and profitability as well as maintain high market shares in the competitive business environment (Steingold, 2017). It has thus refocused its efforts while at the same time retaining its commitment to growth. Besides, due to the technological and demographic changes in the recent past, the market has become more competitive, and the demand for the best talent has increased. PepsiCo has, therefore, provided avenues for professional development and career development opportunities for its employees, supervisors, and managers. According to Appendix D, it would be advisable for PepsiCo to design an effective employee training development program for the new and the current workforce to facilitate skill development that will not only help them achieve the company's long-term goals but ensure their professional growth.

Conclusion

PepsiCo's dedication to providing its employees with safe and healthy working conditions through the elimination of safety and health risks is evident in its numerous initiatives and strategies that are aligned to the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) policy. The company's commitment to employee involvement and training is reflected in its procedures and programs that ensure their contribution to the growth and productivity of the company as well as their career and professional development.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Gov (2017). https://www.bls.gov/home.htm

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2008). Small business handbook. Government Institutes.

PepsiCo.com. https://www.pepsico.com/Steingold, F. S. (2017). The employer's legal handbook: Manage your employees & workplace effectively. Nolo.