Ethics and the conduct of business 8th by john boatright and smith 2017 chapter 9

Ethics and the Conduct of Business Eighth edition Chapter Health and Safety Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Modules • Introduction: Health and Safety • 9.1: Rights in the Workplace • 9.2: Hazardous Work • 9.3: Reproductive Hazards • 9.4: Product Safety • Conclusion: Health and Safety Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Learning Objectives (1 of 2) • 9.1: Explain the nature of ethical issues regarding occupational health and safety, employers’ obligations to protect their employees, and the arguments over the extent of employers’ responsibilities for injury or harm • 9.2: Analyze the rights of employees to be informed about potential health and safety hazards and to refuse hazardous work, the justifications for these rights, and the difficulties they create for employers • 9.3: Assess the risks posed by reproductive hazards in the workplace and the problems with fetal protection policies, including issues of discrimination, choice, and legal liability Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Learning Objectives (2 of 2) • 9.4: Identify the responsibilities of manufacturers and consumers regarding harmful products, the ethical basis for three main theories defining these responsibilities, and problems with applying each theory Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Introduction: Health and Safety • Ford-Firestone Brawl case • Consumers have right to be protected from risk of injury • Not all products and workplaces can be made safe • Health and safety can be secured at some cost • Right of employees to be given information about workplace hazards Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved 9.1: Rights in the Workplace (1 of 2) Objective: Explain the nature of ethical issues regarding occupational health and safety, employers’ obligations to protect their employees, and the arguments over the extent of employers’ responsibilities for injury or harm 9.1.1: Meaning of Health and Safety Safety hazards Health hazards Hazardous substances Government regulations Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved 9.1: Rights in the Workplace (2 of 2) Objective: Explain the nature of ethical issues regarding occupational health and safety, employers’ obligations to protect their employees, and the arguments over the extent of employers’ responsibilities for injury or harm 9.1.2: Protecting Health and Safety Overview Concept of direct cause Voluntary risk assumption Risk and coercion Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved 9.2: Hazardous Work (1 of 2) Objective: Analyze the rights of employees to be informed about potential health and safety hazards and to refuse hazardous work, the justifications for these rights, and the difficulties they create for employers 9.2.1: Justifying a Right to Refuse Right to refuse hazardous work Conditions for justified refusal Good faith Three standards Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved 9.2: Hazardous Work (2 of 2) Objective: Analyze the rights of employees to be informed about potential health and safety hazards and to refuse hazardous work, the justifications for these rights, and the difficulties they create for employers 9.2.2: Justifying a Right to Know Overview O McGarity classification Argument from autonomy Bargaining over information Utilitarian arguments Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Figure 9.1: Assessing a Good-Faith Refusal Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved 9.3 Reproductive Hazards (1 of 3) Objective: Assess the risks posed by reproductive hazards in the workplace and the problems with fetal protection policies, including issues of discrimination, choice, and legal liability 9.3.1: Scientific Background Fetotoxins Teratogens Mutagens 9.3.2: Fetal Protection Policies Overview Drawbacks Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved 9.3 Reproductive Hazards (2 of 3) Objective: Assess the risks posed by reproductive hazards in the workplace and the problems with fetal protection policies, including issues of discrimination, choice, and legal liability 9.3.3: Charge of Discrimination Who decides? Issues in discrimination 9.3.4: Defending against the Charge Two defenses Three key elements Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved 9.3 Reproductive Hazards (3 of 3) Objective: Assess the risks posed by reproductive hazards in the workplace and the problems with fetal protection policies, including issues of discrimination, choice, and legal liability 9.3.5: Remaining Issues Two issues remain Protection of employers from legal action Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved 9.4 Product Safety (1 of 3) Objective: Identify the responsibilities of manufacturers and consumers regarding harmful products, the ethical basis for three main theories defining these responsibilities, and problems with applying each theory 9.4.1: Due Care Theory Overview Standards Element of negligence Conclusion Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Table 9.1: Standards of Due Care for Manufacturers Task Design Materials Production Quality Control Packaging, Labeling, and Warnings Notification Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Standard(s) of Due Care • • • • • • • • • • • • Must meet government and industry standards Should be safe under all foreseeable conditions Must meet government and industry standards Should be strong and durable enough to stand up to reasonable use Manufacturers must fabricate parts according to specifications All parts must be assembled correctly Must have a systematic program to inspect finished products for quality materials and construction Must keep records of all quality inspections Must package the product to avoid damage in transit Packaging itself must be safe Must provide warnings and clear directions for correct use Should have a system for notifying consumers of possible hazards 9.4 Product Safety (2 of 3) Objective: Identify the responsibilities of manufacturers and consumers regarding harmful products, the ethical basis for three main theories defining these responsibilities, and problems with applying each theory 9.4.2: Contractual Theory Overview Implied warranties Fairness in commercial dealings Problems with warranties Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved 9.4 Product Safety (3 of 3) Objective: Identify the responsibilities of manufacturers and consumers regarding harmful products, the ethical basis for three main theories defining these responsibilities, and problems with applying each theory 9.4.3: Strict Liability Theory Overview Legal issues Ethical arguments Ethical objections Which theory should be adopted? Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Table 9.2: Strict Liability and Consumers Strict Liability Theory Description Premise Manufacturers should be held responsible for all harm resulting from a dangerously defective product, even when due care has been exercised and all contracts observed Privity Privity does not apply The manufacturer or seller is liable even if there is no direct or contractual relationship with the user or consumer Pros for Consumers Consumers gain the right to be compensated for injuries from defective products without regard to fault Cons for Consumers Consumers are forced to contribute to the compensation of accident victims when they (the consumers) are not at fault, by paying higher prices Bar to Acceptance Everyone—manufacturers and consumers—pays the costs for safety, no matter who is at fault This is arguably unjust to those who are blameless Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Conclusion: Health and Safety • Workers have right to safe and healthy workplace • Employers have a moral obligation to secure right to health and safety • Two matters of controversy Copyright © 2017, 2012, 2009 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved ... Objectives (1 of 2) • 9. 1: Explain the nature of ethical issues regarding occupational health and safety, employers’ obligations to protect their employees, and the arguments over the extent of employers’... harm • 9. 2: Analyze the rights of employees to be informed about potential health and safety hazards and to refuse hazardous work, the justifications for these rights, and the difficulties they... applying each theory 9. 4.1: Due Care Theory Overview Standards Element of negligence Conclusion Copyright © 2017, 2012, 20 09 Pearson Education, Inc All Rights Reserved Table 9. 1: Standards of Due Care