Management of safety and health at work

The development of occupational safety and health at both the international and national levels is analyzed, as well as its importance since it provides the basis for minimizing the risks that can cause harmful health diseases and accidents; also improve the safety and hygiene conditions of the jobs. This management provides a better performance of activities and processes, achieving excellent results in terms of the quality of the product or service provided by the entity, which favors the image of the same before the community and the market, in addition to reducing costs for accidents or losses of the product or service, which generates benefits.From an epistemological and theoretical point of view, the occupational health and safety management process (PGSST) is characterized.

The management of safety and health at work is the activity that improves the working conditions of workers in their workplace, as well as minimizing occupational risks in order to reduce workplace accidents. It has a series of tools that allow the efficiency of the activity by carrying out a set of actions to improve the process.

Historical trends in the Management of Safety and Health at Work and history of Safety and Health at Work

Since the dawn of history, man has made his instinct for self-preservation a defense platform against bodily injury; such an effort was probably initially personal, instinctive - defensive. This is how Security was born, reflected in a simple individual effort rather than in an organized system.

The current Safety and Health at Work has a history as long as that of humanity, due to the risks and the means that man created to avoid them. It has been evolving and in this course it has undergone changes in its nomenclature (Protection and Hygiene at Work (PHT), Occupational Safety and Hygiene (SHO) and finally Safety and Health at Work (SST).

The stages are defined taking into account the evolution and development that the OSH has had, in its historical evolution, for which 4 stages are declared. (Monographs of: MS.c María Sotolongo Sánchez, MS.c Cecilia Toledo Hernández, Dra. Aurora Pérez González, 2000.)

The first stage that goes from 400 BC, until the 17th century. It begins to describe the most common diseases of slaves, the first rudiments for lifting loads are pronounced with incipient safety criteria, for the first time the term "Hygiene" is used.

Some examples can be cited: the first written references date back to the time of Hippocrates (400 BC), where he already recommended "hygienic baths" to miners. In large cathedral constructions in the Middle Ages, mechanisms for lifting loads were used with incipient safety criteria. Of greater importance was the contribution of Bernardo Ramazzinni, creator of occupational medicine, who in his work "De Morbis Artificium Diatriba" published in 1690, already proposed the term "Hygiene" and described in detail the risks of 54 different professions. Plato and Aristóles also studied certain physical deformations produced by certain occupational activities, raising the need for their prevention.With the French Revolution, security corporations were established to protect artisans, the economic base of the time.

The second stage was marked in the eighteenth century, there was an increase in occupational accidents and diseases, which led to the establishment of laws aimed at protecting workers and treating diseases.

Example: the beginning of the Industrial Revolution allowed a boom in the industry with the appearance of the steam power and the mechanization of the industry that did not correspond to a consequent development of the protection of workers, for which reason their struggle forced progressively to the establishment of laws that tended to their protection. This was accompanied by the recognition of the capitalists of the economic benefits that they could obtain with the improvement of working conditions.

The third stage was marked in the 19th century, so that to the previous trends the governments' concerns about the state of the OSH are added, although the first means of protection were rudimentary.

Example: In 1833 the first government inspections were carried out; but it was not until 1850 that certain improvements were verified as a result of the recommendations made then, the workday was shortened, a minimum age was established for working children and some improvements were made in safety conditions. Little by little he became aware of the need to preserve the human element. In 1874 France passed a law establishing a special inspection service for workshops, in 1877 in Massachusetts the use of guards in dangerous machinery was ordered. In 1883 the first stone of modern Occupational Safety was laid when a company was established in Paris to advise industrialists.

Finally, a fourth stage is declared from the 20th century to the present day, where the following trends are added: the normalization of OSH, the appearance of international organizations dealing with this management process.

Example of this: the topic of Safety at Work reaches its maximum expression when the International Association for the Protection of Workers was created. Currently the International Labor Organization (ILO) is the governing body and guardian of the principles and concerns regarding worker safety at all aspects and levels. On the other hand, to respond to the need to guide the development of occupational health and safety management systems in European companies, the OHSAS (Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series) certification system has been promoted. These standards emerged in response to the demand for certification of these systems in different countries.

The BS OHSAS 18001 standards currently serve as a reference for institutions and countries in adopting the most modern Occupational Health and Safety management systems.

In Cuba

In Cuba, before the 60s of the last century, the existing legislation related to the Safety and Health of workers was scarce and with great limitations, there were only regulations for some individuals such as the duration of the working day and some obligations that employers had to fulfill in terms of security.

In Cuba, Occupational Safety and Health is a state responsibility linked to the national effort carried out in the field of health, education, research and work organization, and they participate in their tasks, with different and limited rights and obligations, administrative leaders, workers and their union organization and governing bodies on the matter.

Also in Cuba, the situation was a reflection of the situation in the United States of America (USA); This is reflected (based on the previous analysis), since in the 1901 Constitution there is no reference to the rights of workers and in the 1940 Constitution there are some precepts that were generally circumvented. This situation changes with the Triumph of the Revolution, the right of workers to their protection is reflected in Article 48 of the Constitution of the Republic and consequently, Law 13 on Protection and Hygiene at Work (PHT) was promulgated in the year 1976 that, with Decree 101 form the legal body related to the activity.

Starting in 1990, the Quality and Environment systems dealt with in the ISO 9000 and 14000 Standards respectively appear, and with them new trends and concepts associated with these practices appear, which require the country to initiate their application, and with it appear new laws and resolutions regulate this action.

An important element is the creation in 1996 of the Technical Committee for Standardization CTN 6 "Safety and Health at Work"; under the presidency of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, made up of 5 thematic axes:

General principles - Machine safety - Working conditions - Personal protective equipment - Ergonomics

In 1999, with the business improvement work undertaken in the country, the recommendations of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) appear on the Cuban Model to follow for the implementation of the Management System for Safety and Health at Work and the Environment. Ambient.

As can be seen, Ergonomics is already included as a vital aspect in Safety and Health at Work, which allowed the approval of NC 116/2001 Safety and Health at Work. Basic ergonomic requirements to consider in jobs, processes and work activities.

The requirements established here are for the design of jobs, their construction, organization and maintenance. NC ISO 9241-5 / 2003 was also approved Ergonomic requirements for office jobs with data display screens (PVD) - Part 5: Workplace layout and posture requirements.

Also in our country this activity has gone through four fundamental stages:

First stage:

Before the triumph of the Revolution, when the current legislation only established some curative medical services for important workplaces and social insurance for very few workers, who did not cover all risks.

Second stage:

Between 1959 and 1990, when an important set of laws was passed, highlighting the Law No. 13 on Protection and Hygiene at Work (PHT) promulgated in 1976 and the general bases for the organization of the PHT, which marked a important progress in this activity in the country. Cuban universities are beginning to take into account all these laws.

Third stage:

This corresponds to the years of the nineties when, as in other activities, it suffered a significant deterioration. They greatly influence universities.

Fourth stage:

In this phase of recovery of the country in the late nineties and early 2000, the activity of Occupational Safety and Health is strongly revitalized, applying new concepts of Integral and Integrated Safety. (Rodríguez I., 2007)

Since 2000, an offensive has been launched with the appearance of new Resolutions that repeal the previous ones, which for having been drafted at a time of little development of the activity and following some prevailing traditions and schemes at the time that are already incompatible with the level reached in the world and in the country.

All this causes a change in the Management of Safety and Health in Cuban universities. There are experiences at the University of Holguín ¨Oscar Lucero Moya ¨ where the requirements for the implementation of the system were established as established in NC: 18001 (Ariel Solina Riverón, Ramón Guilarte Benito; diploma work: diagnosis of the Security Management System and Health at work at the University of Holguín ¨Oscar Lucero Moya ¨ Holguín / 2007).

One of the most relevant aspects is the obligation of every Cuban organization to work for the implementation and future certification of the Cuban Norms NC 18 000 system; 18,001; 18 002 and 18 011 (norms that regulate the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety Systems and the Audit System for these systems in each organization). The application of these standards has led to the revision of the complete Normalization System, a task that is being undertaken at the moment, and which is of primary importance for Cuban universities, if they want to obtain levels of excellence with the new challenges of higher education in Cuba..

As can be seen, it was necessary to revive the national, provincial and municipal Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) groups and improve the state and union inspection mechanisms.

The Cuban Legal - Standardization System came to contain a total of 205 Cuban Norms, of which 13 corresponded to Safety Techniques, 30 Resolutions and 1 Law, 3 Decrees, in addition to other regulations with the same rank from the Ministries of Public Health and the Interior on the theme.

At present, attention to man is a priority and it is an increasingly general trend, which has led to an increasing study of human factors and their safety. That is why, in this new approach to the old Occupational Safety and Hygiene, it changes and at the same time receives the new name of Safety and Health at Work.

Seeing the latter as a system, it is integrated into the business activity based on its importance, in search of the fulfillment of the strategic objectives of the organization and the increase in the quality of life of the workers, this is achieved through its maximum aspiration. (Quiñones, 2008)

As can be seen from the foregoing, the most growing trends in occupational health and safety activity are aimed at guaranteeing better working conditions, risk determination and the prevention of work accidents.

Occupational Safety and Health Background

The effort that a society dedicates to the prevention of accidents, diseases or catastrophes can be considered the most complete indicator of the level of quality of life for which that society works and to which it aspires.

Prevention is so linked to social evolution that it is an expression of it and suffers from its vicissitudes and limitations. (MAPFRE, 1992)

The preventive reality is a psychosociological reality and your criterion of identity is your own belief in it. Prevention does not exist outside of the people who trust it and promote it. Prevention is part of the achievements of human organizations in responsible societies, such as public liberties, the rule of law, etc. And, these kinds of achievements are never given or awarded, they are self-conquered. (MAPFRE, 1992)

A society in a position to tackle the preventive step in all its fullness (social, environmental, labor) would suppose a maturity such that, on a Maslow scale of the satisfaction of collective needs, it could be called social self-realization. (MAPFRE, 1992)

Societies go through prelogical phases in their explanations of the causes of challenges and misfortunes; therefore, the path traveled is not small when, once the atavisms and fatalisms of all kinds have been abandoned, preventive action can be considered from the following premises: (MAPFRE, 1992)

All accidents have natural causes and are explained naturally (law of effect). All failures and errors must be classified in terms of human characteristics and behaviors (principle of implication). The causes and contingencies of each accident are interrelated (notion of system).

Epistemological characterization of Occupational Safety and Health

In the current social and historical context in which Cuban universities operate, it is worth going into the study of the Work Safety and Health Management Process (PGSST) of the University of Las Tunas, since this is the one who guarantees the necessary conditions in which develops the entire educational teaching process, the fundamental link of the university.

The current criteria regarding Human Capital Management raise the need for a systemic and comprehensive approach based on task technology, comprising both the work system (which includes the conditions in which work is carried out) and the system logistical, all of it governed by the strategic direction and organizational culture that is assumed.

On the other hand, the contributions of the controversial ergonomics; (science, discipline or technique, according to different criteria), which addresses the complex field of work and balance in the man-work-health relationship, have been considerable from a practical point of view and have contributed to theoretical development for the analysis of work and study of healthy man.

Safety and Health at Work are priorities in the current policies of international organizations. The International Labor Organization (ILO) develops programs to achieve what it calls “decent work” in the countries, which in turn is part of a strategy to achieve competitiveness. However, developing and integrating Occupational Safety and Health Management with the general Management of the organization is not an easy task, it requires the change of deep-rooted paradigms, the development of an organizational culture and, in particular, of a culture from work with safe habits. Safety, as well as quality, as a function of productivity, requires the action of social and personal factors. (International Labor Organization (ILO).

Just as the new work systems seek to increase efficiency under different principles than the traditional ones, integrating technical, social and cultural processes to a lesser or greater extent, Occupational Safety and Health at the university must achieve its objectives without putting before magnify the technical aspect of the work process, nor conceive the social aspect as secondary to technical treatment.

Occupational Safety and Health is a very broad discipline that covers multiple specialized fields. In its most general sense, it should aim to:

The promotion and maintenance of the highest possible degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers, regardless of their occupation; The prevention among workers of the negative consequences that their working conditions may have on health; The protection of workers at their place of employment against the risks that may be caused by negative health factors; The placement and maintenance of workers in a work environment adapted to their physical or mental needs; The adaptation of work activity to humans.

In other words, Occupational Safety and Health encompasses the social, mental and physical well-being of workers, that is, "the whole person". (International Labor Office).

For the practice in Occupational Safety and Health to achieve these objectives, the collaboration and participation of employers and workers in health and safety programs are necessary, and different issues related to occupational medicine must be taken into account, industrial hygiene, toxicology, training, technical safety, ergonomics, psychology. (International Labor Office).

The positive results in terms of health and safety are not only obtained through the work of a group of technicians or from a specific area of the organization, but from a true integration of this activity into the functions and tasks of each one of its members.

In all this endeavor, an important role corresponds to the leaders, middle managers and, especially, to the technicians who are currently taking on this activity in the entity, whose technical advisory work in the identification, risk assessment, elimination of possible damage and creation of this new culture is decisive. (Quiñones, 2008).

In 1985, at a National Security Congress held in New Orleans, United States, the renowned expert Frank E. Bird (Bird, F.1985) pointed out that:

" By integrating Security into existing administrative tasks, which could be additional Security work, it becomes the right way to do the job."

Today, occupational safety and health continues to be held responsible for the integrity and health of the worker, but its scope goes beyond preventing accidents, illness or exhaustion. Its action tends to take a broader sense, as a factor of motivation and efficiency of workers, on the basis of integrating its principles and tasks into the human resources management system and, in general, to the different activities and functions of the company.. (MSc. Torrens Álvarez, Odalys, 2000)

It is now recognized that the prevention of risks at work constitutes a function of the entire company, which, as suggested by many authors, "producing well equals in the long run producing safely". (MSc. Torrens Álvarez, Odalys, 2000)

This requires that Safety and Health at Work is integrated with the different policies of the company and incorporates managers, technicians and workers. (MSc. Torrens Álvarez, Odalys, 2000)

The activity of Work Safety was defined by the classics of the subject essentially with the word control (Heinrich, 1959; Blake, 1963), and its meaning has always been interpreted from theory to practice as prevention. Prevention has been from its origins the end of all those who deal with Security. (MSc. Torrens Álvarez, Odalys, 2000).

The bibliography used establishes the requirements and objectives of the SST that are aimed at guaranteeing good care for men. Example of this:

The right to protection and hygiene at work, enshrined in Article 48 of the Constitution of the Republic, states that it must be guaranteed by the state through the adoption of adequate measures for the preservation of the health of workers, the prevention of accidents in the work and occupational diseases and the systematic improvement of working conditions, in correspondence with the technical and economic development achieved in the country. LAW NUMBER 13 LAW OF PROTECTION AND HYGIENE OF WORK, establishes in CHAPTER II: THE PURPOSES OF PROTECTION AND WORK HYGIENE. In Article 5. Work protection aims to guarantee safe and adequate working conditions, prevent accidents at work and also contribute to the prevention of occupational diseases, through research, study,design, establishment and control of systems, methods, technical-organizational means and regulatory legal provisions. In the GENERAL REGULATION OF THE LAW OF PROTECTION AND HYGIENE OF WORK. DECREE LAW No. 101/82, the regulations are proposed that complement the precepts of the Law, aimed at protecting men within their work environment. Ø RESOLUTION No.39 / 2007 GENERAL BASES OF SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK. CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS, establishes in ARTICLE 1: Protection, Safety and Hygiene at Work, hereinafter Occupational Health and Safety, has the objective of guaranteeing the safety and health of workers, seeking to achieve physical well-being, psychological and social thereof and protects the assets of the entity and the environment, by eliminating, controlling or minimizing risks.RESOLUTION No.1774 / 82, states: that the organization of work protection and hygiene activity in entities constitutes a decisive factor to achieve the objectives pursued in this area, consisting of preserving the life and health of workers, prevent occupational accidents and diseases, as well as systematically improve working conditions. RESOLUTION No. 31/2002, Identification, evaluation and control of risk factors, states that the purpose pursued by Protection, Safety and Hygiene in the Work is to increase the levels of quality of life of the workers, to eliminate or to diminish the risks of damages to the workers, to the business property and to the environment, by means of the continuous improvement of the working conditions.states: that the organization of work protection and hygiene activities in entities constitutes a decisive factor to achieve the objectives pursued in this area, consisting of preserving the life and health of workers, preventing accidents in the work and occupational diseases, as well as systematically improve working conditions. RESOLUTION No. 31/2002, Identification, evaluation and control of risk factors, states that the purpose of Protection, Safety and Hygiene at Work is to increase the levels of quality of life for workers, eliminating or minimizing the risks of damage to workers, corporate property and the environment, through the continuous improvement of working conditions.states: that the organization of work protection and hygiene activities in entities constitutes a decisive factor to achieve the objectives pursued in this area, consisting of preserving the life and health of workers, preventing accidents in the work and occupational diseases, as well as systematically improve working conditions. RESOLUTION No. 31/2002, Identification, evaluation and control of risk factors, states that the purpose of Protection, Safety and Hygiene at Work is to increase the levels of quality of life for workers, eliminating or minimizing the risks of damage to workers, corporate property and the environment, through the continuous improvement of working conditions.that the organization of work protection and hygiene activities in entities constitutes a factor of decisive importance to achieve the objectives pursued in this area, consisting of preserving the life and health of workers, preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases, as well as systematically improve working conditions. RESOLUTION No. 31/2002, Identification, evaluation and control of risk factors, states that the purpose of Protection, Safety and Hygiene at Work is to increase the levels of quality of life for workers, eliminating or minimizing the risks of damage to workers, corporate property and the environment, through the continuous improvement of working conditions.that the organization of work protection and hygiene activities in entities constitutes a factor of decisive importance to achieve the objectives pursued in this area, consisting of preserving the life and health of workers, preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases, as well as systematically improve working conditions. RESOLUTION No. 31/2002, Identification, evaluation and control of risk factors, states that the purpose of Protection, Safety and Hygiene at Work is to increase the levels of quality of life for workers, eliminating or minimizing the risks of damage to workers, corporate property and the environment, through the continuous improvement of working conditions.

For all the aforementioned, it can be seen that the fundamental objective of current safety and health at work is to achieve good care for men.

There are different definitions of safety and health at work, especially the following are mentioned:

Based on the fact that current Cuban legislation defines Occupational Safety and Health: “it is the activity aimed at creating living conditions so that the worker can carry out his work efficiently and without risks, avoiding events that affect his health and integrity, the patrimony of the entity and the environment "(Rodríguez I., 2007). On the other hand, bearing in mind that the development of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in Cuba is currently governed by NC 18,000 / 2005, which states that: safety is the absence of unacceptable risk. SST "is the activity aimed at creating conditions, capacities and culture so that the worker and her organization can carry out the work activity efficiently, avoiding events that may cause damage derived from work".Occupational Safety and Health continues to be held responsible for the integrity and health of the worker, but its scope goes beyond preventing accidents, illness or exhaustion. Its action tends to take a broader sense, as a factor of motivation and efficiency of the workers, on the basis of integrating its principles and tasks into the Human Capital system and in general to the different activities and functions of the entity. (Quiñones, 2008) Occupational Health and Safety is the systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to analyze, assess, evaluate and prevent the different types of risks that the company faces. (Dra. Iraida Rodríguez González, 2007).illness or exhaustion. Its action tends to take a broader sense, as a factor of motivation and efficiency of the workers, on the basis of integrating its principles and tasks into the Human Capital system and in general to the different activities and functions of the entity. (Quiñones, 2008) Occupational Health and Safety is the systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to analyze, assess, evaluate and prevent the different types of risks that the company faces. (Dra. Iraida Rodríguez González, 2007).illness or exhaustion. Its action tends to take a broader sense, as a factor of motivation and efficiency of the workers, on the basis of integrating its principles and tasks into the Human Capital system and in general to the different activities and functions of the entity. (Quiñones, 2008) Occupational Safety and Health is the systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to analyze, assess, evaluate and prevent the different types of risks that the company faces. (Dra. Iraida Rodríguez González, 2007).2008) Occupational Health and Safety is the systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to analyze, assess, evaluate and prevent the different types of risks that the company faces. (Dra. Iraida Rodríguez González, 2007).2008) Occupational Health and Safety is the systematic application of management policies, procedures and practices to analyze, assess, evaluate and prevent the different types of risks that the company faces. (Dra. Iraida Rodríguez González, 2007).

Work Safety can then be defined as the set of techniques and procedures that aim to eliminate or reduce the risk before occupational accidents occur.

Most of the current criteria on the mission of the occupational health and safety management system (SGSST) revolve around this approach, specifying by the authors that its fundamental objectives are aimed at:

Ensure the health and safety of workers. That the workplace is clean and organized. The existence of industrial hygiene and a psychological environment. Increase in the quality of working life.

To fulfill the first of the (main) objectives, the entity guides its work on the basis of two fundamental principles: prevention of work accidents and occupational diseases, and continuous and systematic improvement of working conditions. Compliance with these principles must allow the achievement of the fundamental objectives of Occupational Health and Safety, which can only be achieved if the prevention of occupational risks is integrated into the total work of the organization and is addressed from an integrating perspective, combining with the analysis of working conditions, to achieve a positive reduction in unpleasant accidents at work and professional illnesses and as a consequence improve the company's results, making risk prevention compatible,improving working conditions, productivity and quality; which is, in short, the goal of any comprehensive and integrated security system in any production or service organization.

There are two key concepts in this system, which are: comprehensive security and integrated security. (Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS), ART. 173 of Decree Law 187/98).

Comprehensive security

It is safety and health at work seen in a much broader sense. It covers all risks, both those related to industrial safety and health of workers, and the environment at work, fires, intrusion and theft, among others.

Comprehensive security, therefore, watches over: man, equipment, facilities, production, quality and costs, in order to improve the corporate image and the competitiveness of the company. (Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS), ART. 173 of Decree Law 187/98).

Integrated security

There are many different definitions of integrated security, albeit with fairly homogeneous approaches. Specifically, the one issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS), ART will be taken. 173 of Decree Law 187/98 for example:

It is the security integrated within the general management system of the entity, it is characterized by the incorporation of the objectives and tasks related to security in the functions and responsibilities of each area, manager and worker. The prevention of all risks and compliance with security regulations should be everyone's responsibility. The main responsibility will be assumed by the highest management of the entity.

This concept presents a number of central factors in an integrated security system, which are summarized below: (Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS), Decree Law 187/98).

A clear commitment from senior management. It is a commitment that is not only stated in writing, but is also transferred downwards in the centers in practical actions. Full participation of the workers. Workers become active agents of the discussions, with which open and constructive communication is possible, and their contribution is the subject of the highest consideration. In fact, your participation is essential to apply business and security policy in an effective and motivating way.

Many authors offer definitions in this sense, both nationally and internationally (Castro, 1982; Clerc, 1987; Goyenechea, 1994; Vaca, 1994; Chiavenato, 1993; Louart, 1994; Montero, 1995; Goetcsch, 1998; Walsh, 1999). From this analysis for the present investigation, the management of occupational safety and health (GSST) was defined as the function conceived, ordered and established in a company whose basic purpose is to awaken, attract and retain interest, effort and the action of all the members of the organization under a determined plan to prevent accidents at work and occupational diseases and the systematic improvement of working conditions (Velázquez, 1998).

In general, the occupational health and safety management system contributes to improving the Quality of Life at Work, understanding this as the impact that both their professional framework and the various work environments have on workers. It is important, then, to see if the latter facilitate their action, are gratifying and contribute to involving the worker more in the work of their group (Louart, 1994).

Internal Marketing approaches also contribute to the objective of improving the quality of life at work and use it as a mobilizing force (Quintanilla, 1991; Barranco, 1993) where the classic marketing concepts are applied to human resource management, using as “Product” to promote and sell, the conditions that the organization offers its employees to carry out their work. This concept also leads to the improvement of working conditions.

The following summarizes the features that, from a theoretical point of view, characterize contemporary health and safety management at work and that allow the fulfillment of its mission.

The management of safety and health at work is framed within the human resources management systems (SGRH), forming part of the systemic approach to compensation, an element of great importance regarding the maintenance of a level of adequate motivation in the workers, being able to appreciate this feature in the analysis carried out on the models proposed by various authors for the HRM. (Besseyre, 1990; Beer, 1989; Werther and Davis, 1991; Chia¬ato, 1993; French, 1995; Louart, 1994; Dessler, 1996; Gómez-Mejia, 1999).The management of safety and health at work significantly influences the consideration of human resources as the most important competitive factor. This is because the client has acquired great prominence, has become very demanding,putting pressure on the market to buy higher quality products and as a consequence, the market puts pressure on the company, which tries to seek profitability at all costs. The human resource is capable of activating or preventing the development of the other factors that determine profitability, so the levels that are achieved will depend on the treatment of the human factor. Working conditions occupy an important place in this sense, since not paying due attention will lead to an increase in accidents at work and occupational diseases, bringing with it a decrease in productivity, thus breaking the possibility that the company can successfully respond to market requirements,hence the great relevance that human resources acquire in our days (Denton, 1985; Dessler, 1996; Seabrook, 1999). The management of safety and health at work is an investment and not a cost, because although safety is Basically humanitarian, fortunately, is linked, even when it is not wanted, an unfailing economic gain for the company, since prevention is generally cheaper than compensation, reinforcing the previous criterion that it is also a means to achieve increased productivity and work quality. The main investments in safety are framed in engineering, training, participation and information actions (Walsh, 1999). The management of safety and health at work is an integrated function of the organization. Because with the old style of specific security,in practice, responsibility was assigned to the prevention department, however command and resources were assigned to other departments, the results obtained could not be satisfactory, thus giving rise to a new approach (Integrated Security), which consists of conceiving that safety is intrinsic and inherent in all work modalities, so that safety responsibilities are a function of the responsibilities assumed in the workplace. The person responsible for the work is also responsible for the security necessary to carry it out. Under this approach, all operating procedures must contain the necessary measures to avoid personal and material damage and the security functions attributed to each of the areas that make up the organization must be defined.including the powers and responsibilities of each. (MAPFRE, 1992; Chiavenato, 1993).The objective of the occupational health and safety management system is to contribute to achieving job satisfaction through the prevention of accidents and occupational diseases and the continuous and systematic improvement of working conditions, to favor the increase in labor productivity (Louart, 1994).

These are in general the theoretical features of modern management of safety and health at work.

Experts from the International Labor Organization recommend a group of measures to modify the traditional ways of acting in matters of Safety and Health at Work, among which the following stand out: (MSc. Torrens Álvarez, Odalys, 2000)

Adopt a Security policy that reflects the importance that it has for the company, the responsibility of management, the need to create a preventive culture with the participation of workers and the commitment of all levels of the company Adopt an organization of the prevention that establishes the responsibilities and relationships at work, that allows the analysis of the causes of risk, the necessary interdisciplinary work, and its participative nature. Have and enforce the procedural norms, establishing the distinction between: organizational norms, control, cooperation and communication. Apply internal audit. (inspection of equipment, facilities, etc.) Develop the evaluation as a tool to redirect actions.

Internationally, it has been working on models or systems that allow managing the activity and auditing this process. However, even when in these systems or management models there are general principles and objectives, independent of the economic activity in question, technological and organizational differences, and the very nature of the productive or service activity, may require solutions. particular for each case. (MSc. Torrens Álvarez, Odalys, 2000)

In order for organizations to be able to face the different challenges in occupational safety and health, the International Labor Organization has developed a set of guidelines that guide activity in this area. These recommendations, called Guidelines on Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, recognize the positive effect resulting from the introduction of these systems in the organization, both with regard to reducing risks and improving working conditions., as in the increase in productivity. (MSc. Torrens Álvarez, Odalys, 2000)

These guidelines indicate the main elements of the Occupational Health and Safety Management system in Organizations, these are:

Policy: Includes not only the establishment of the policy and the commitment of the management in this matter; but also the participation of the workers.Organization: The responsibility of the employers is established in the protection of the Safety and Health of the workers, as well as to guarantee that this activity is considered a responsibility of their managerial personnel, the establishment of a supervision. effective, due cooperation and communication, ensuring the participation of workers, establishing competence and training requirements, as well as the necessary documentation. Planning: Establishes how the system should be evaluated through an initial examination that contributes to the Creation of the Management System. Evaluation: It establishes how to supervise and measure the results,the investigation of work-related injuries and illnesses and the aspects to be addressed in theAudit of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System, also includes the examinations carried out by the management and the continuous improvement of the organization.

Whatever the security management model or system that you want to establish, knowledge of the current legislation and the situation that the organization currently has are essential. (MSc. Torrens Álvarez, Odalys, 2000)

In this sense, it is advisable to start from the results and recommendations of the inspections that have been carried out, the analysis of the accident situation, the analysis of the health situation, work-related diseases and morbidity in general. Other diagnostic instruments, such as the Checklists, may be used to assess the development of the OH&S management in the company. (MSc. Torrens Álvarez, Odalys, 2000).

In Cuba for the implementation of the management system, NC 18,000 / 2005 were prepared, which all the organizations in the country can use as a guide for the creation of the OSH management system.

Occupational safety and health today is of great importance in the development of companies, since promoting safe working conditions that meet the demands of the process not only guarantees the health of the worker, but also guarantees the quality of the production or service being performed; since men are the fundamental link in the execution of all processes.

Conclusions

The political transformations that have taken place in the world and the context in which the occupational health and safety management process is carried out, have made it go through different times, which allows defining different stages through which the Management Process has gone through. of Safety and Health at Work.

From an epistemological point of view, the importance of the Workplace Safety and Health Management Process in achieving good care for men is revealed.

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