Is it acceptable practice for a company to fire a worker on the spot without a second warning for failure to wear PPE?
A worker should not be fired for misconduct that under national law or practice would justify termination only if repeated on one or more occasions, unless the employer has given the worker appropriate written warning2. While an employee may be validly dismissed for his/her misconduct, such as the violation of work rules related to safety and health, steps should be taken to ensure that employees are aware of their obligations and the consequences of violating the work rules. The immediate firing of workers for not wearing his or her PPE indicates that the company does not have a clear understanding of how OSH should be managed effectively within an enterprise. A positive commitment to OSH brings great benefits to the workers and the well-being of them and their families; and to the enterprise in terms of productivity and sustainability. Good safety and health is good business and must be a concern for all parties involved. Safety and health in the workplace is a shared responsibility.
