1P00CZ87: Safety Competence (Blog-1)

8.12. 2021 Social, physical and mental safety

The importance of physical, mental, and social safety in teaching and guidance for the student

Competence: Social, Physical, and Mental Safety

Safety and security mean a safe, healthy, productive, and pleasant work environment in an organization. However, work communities and employees should feel that their work is meaningful, rewarding, and supportive. It is well-operative individual relations with vocational skills at the workplace. It inspires the professionalism of employees, workplace atmosphere, motivation, and proper management. It enhances the efficiency and promise of the job, reducing uncertainties. It helps a person to be passionate, inspired, and resourceful. According to the Center for Occupational Safety in Finland, working conditions should be safe, and employees should feel sound. Practically it indicates the prevention of physical and psychosocial dangers and hazards.

The center for occupational safety in Finland guides the various tools for collaboration and interaction between employers and employees. Employers are mostly responsible for several factors, such as health and safety, in the work environment. Also, employers and employees should decide about the essential elements. For example, organizations and employees will determine the target for improvement of safety environment and workability. Employers should also take defensive measures before a difficult situation.

Competence in safety and security at UAS:

I am now doing teaching practice in the UAS. I know that all the organizations in Finland practice government rules and regulations. For example, FIOH directly states occupational safety in the work environment. I follow the professional safety act (738/2002), to cooperate with employers regarding safety issues. There is also a similar action regarding health and safety issues that encourage me to work in the UAS, e.g., the occupational safety and health act (44/2006). Usually, I am more positive in the work environment following the employment contracts act 55/2001. I always feel happy since the employer concerns about the workability, and safety issues based on the occupation health care act 1383/2001.

According to various rules and regulations, UAS gave me training with multiple instructions on safety issues. For example, the rector and the unit heads are responsible for safety issues at UAS. Besides, I am also responsible for the safety issue. According to instructions, I am always ready to inform the nearest staff member or head of security if I see any possible threat for students, staff, and university. I know the evacuation policy at UAS in any emergency. I always keep the mobile phone with me to dial 112 or the unit responsible person. I always stay safe myself. Then, I can help others in a stressful situation. I know the emergency first aid and help to the victim for breathing and blood circulation. In case of violent action and threat, I must protect myself, e.g., lie down on the floor, close the curtains, switch off the lights, close all the doors along with the students.

Similarly, I rescue myself first and call 112 if I see any fire. However, I might use an extinguisher and close all the doors and windows, go outside and provide direction to the fire department. If I hear any general alarm, I go to the assigned destination, close the doors, windows, and vent holes, and turn off the ventilation system. I have to turn on the radio and wait for the instructions. I must keep the phone line free. I have to wait for the authorities. If I see threatening situations and dangerous people, I stay calm. Even I might call 112. At XAMK, I use the mobile app in the classroom named as Secapp. Also, I use the mobile app, 112 Suomi. Both are important for me as a professional UAS teacher.

Reference:

The center for occupational safety (2020), Better work when the staff is feeling well, work becomes more efficient [Online], Available at https://ttk.fi/en [Accessed on 04.04.2020]

Ministry of social affairs and health (2020), Occupational health care and maintaining workability [Online], Available at https://stm.fi/en/occupational-health-care-and-maintaining-work-ability [Accessed on 04.04.2020].

Ministry of social affairs and health (2020), wellbeing at work [Online], Available at https://stm.fi/en/wellbeing-at-work/data-and-research [Accessed on 04.04.2020].

Finnish Institute of occupational health (2020), Well-being through work [Online], Available at https://www.ttl.fi/en/ [Accessed on 05.04.2020].

Heikkilä, M. & Mäkel’-Pusa, P., (2014), Occupational Wellbeing for workplaces; a guide to promoting health, safety, and workability at small workplaces [Online], Available at https://kuntoutussaatio.fi/files/1774/Tyohyvinv_engl_sahkoinen.pdf [Accessed on 05.04.2020].