Introduction
Many states require organizations to perform work practices that do not cause a risk to the health, and safety of their workers and the community in which they are located. The organization’s management is expected to initiate the risk management process, plan it, implement it, monitor and evaluate it, and improve on the non-working management strategies. The Apple Company operates in numerous states and has adopted policies in accordance with individual state requirements for occupational health and safety. This essay assesses the performance of Apple Company in creating a healthy and safe working environment.
Apple and the Environment
Production of Apple products leads to greenhouse gas emissions which are dangerous to the environment and the stakeholders of the company. The company has designed new ways to provide better environmental performance. In order to provide healthy working conditions, Apple uses renewable energy resources which are recycled in production reducing waste products (Apple, 2012). The company uses the resources that have the least negative effects on the environment so as to achieve efficiency.
The company engages in carbon footprints for all its stakeholders globally which are evaluated to facilitate improvement in environmental safety and minimize health risk for stakeholders. The company also eliminated the toxic components used in the production of Apple products. These toxic chemicals include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), carbon dioxide (CO2), and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) (Apple, 2012). Conservation of water, electricity, and natural gas is a top agenda in all Apple retailers and suppliers globally.
Apple Company is determined to observe the uppermost standards of occupational health and safety through social responsibility. As a result, Apple demands that its suppliers throughout the world provide a green working environment for their workers. The suppliers are required to treat their workers with respect and dignity in order to promote healthy work relations among them and reduce incidences (Apple, 2012). Suppliers of Apple are required to engage in environmentally healthy manufacturing processes aimed at maximizing environmental conservation and minimizing environmental pollution.
Apple educates and trains the suppliers on the importance of green practices and employee safety. Apple assesses the progress of the various companies across the globe. The assessment is also carried out for suppliers of Apple to monitor their progress and success in environmental conservation and green working conditions for workers. The results of the audit are then documented and result in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines G3/C (Apple, 2012).
Review and Improvement of Apple’s Health
Apple’s health, safety, and wellness can be improved through individual reactions to existing issues by enforcing rules and improving work behaviors to ensure a green working environment. Individual suggestions and engagement in activities that are aimed at the health and safety of Apple will prevent environmental pollution and reduce health risks in the company. Apple may engage in reactive measures such as safety audits and ergonomic changes as well as preventive measures such as employee engagement in identifying health and safety issues (Burke, Cooper, & Clarke, 2011). Management may hold seminars aimed at identifying issues that will be brainstormed and solutions sought.
Conclusion
It is the requirement of governments that all companies should provide a green working environment for their workers and ensure minimal damage to the environment in which they work. It is the responsibility of the organization managers to ensure that this healthy environment is created. The successful execution of these requirements depends on careful assessment and improvement of the policies and guidelines. Employees, governments, employers, and stakeholders are all instrumental in organizational health, safety, and wellness.
References
Apple. (2012). Apple and the Environment. Web.
Burke, R. J., Cooper, C. L., & Clarke, S. (2011). Occupational Health and Safety. Aldershot Hampshire, United Kingdom: Gower Publishing, Ltd.