Ethics in Safety management system

According to utilitarianism, the morality of a course of action or method is defined by its results. According to this viewpoint, pursuing a particular goal using a specific means is morally acceptable if the overall results lead to greater happiness or the greatest good for the greatest number of people. But utilitarianism might be criticised for possibly excusing unethical tactics if they result in a good result.

Let us examine a hypothetical safety leadership situation within the context of a manufacturing organisation. The plant manager is faced with the decision of allocating a substantial amount of the money towards enhancing the safety equipment utilised by the workers. The existing equipment, while operational, has grown rather antiquated and is correlated with an increased likelihood of occupational hazards.

When considering the application of utilitarianism to this particular issue, the plant manager would carefully evaluate the probable outcomes associated with the two available options, namely, the investment in new safety equipment or the continuation of using the present equipment. The management acknowledges that implementing safety equipment upgrades will result in a more secure work environment, hence diminishing the probability of accidents, injuries, and harm to the employees.

In order to arrive at a well-informed choice, the manager does an evaluation of the anticipated advantages associated with the allocation of resources towards the acquisition of novel safety equipment. The advantages encompass the mitigation of workplace accidents, the reduction of worker injuries, and the enhancement of general well-being. The management furthermore takes into account the prospective disadvantages, such as the monetary expenses associated with the investment.

In accordance with a utilitarian perspective, the plant manager finally opts to allocate resources towards the acquisition of new safety equipment. This decision is driven by the recognition that the advantages associated with mitigating damage, enhancing overall welfare, and fostering a safer occupational milieu for the majority of staff members surpass the associated expenses. The conclusion made is in accordance with the core concept of utilitarianism, which aims to maximise the overall good and well-being for the largest number of individuals involved, with a particular emphasis on ensuring the safety and welfare of the workers.

Deontological Ethics: Immanuel Kant's writings serve as a prime example of deontological ethics, which places a strong emphasis on moral obligations and principles. Deontology holds that some methods or behaviors are fundamentally bad regardless of the intended outcome. Deontological ethics is the idea that an action is either right or wrong based on a moral principle or duty. An example of deontological ethics is the belief that it is wrong to lie, regardless of the circumstances.

For instance, the manufacturing plant manager is currently confronted with a choice pertaining to the implementation of a safety policy. The organisation has encountered challenges in its production timeline, leading to suggestions from certain employees to circumvent specific safety protocols in order to expedite the process. The safety protocols in place have been specifically formulated to safeguard workers against potential risks and dangers.

When employing deontological ethics to this particular scenario, the plant management takes into account the ethical principles and obligations implicated. Kantianism, a variant of deontological ethics, places significant emphasis on ideas such as the categorical imperative and the notion that individuals ought to be seen as ends in themselves, rather than just instruments to achieve an objective.

In the given situation, the plant management demonstrates a conscientious understanding of their responsibility to safeguard the welfare and security of the employees, as it corresponds with a core ethical tenet. Although the act of circumventing safety protocols may result in a short[1]term boost in productivity, it raises ethical concerns as it entails using workers as a mere instrument to attain this objective.

The plant manager makes the decision to uphold safety protocols and, if deemed essential, explores alternative methods to enhance production while ensuring the preservation of worker welfare and rights. The rationale for this choice is based on deontological ethics, which places emphasis on the adherence to ethical principles and obligations. This approach ensures that workers are treated with respect and their safety is upheld, regardless of any potential disruptions to production timelines.

Virtue Ethics: In virtue ethics, the character and moral traits of the individual pursuing a goal are highlighted. It is expected of virtuous people to pursue their objectives in morally just ways and to exhibit qualities like honesty, integrity, and empathy.

One instance of virtue ethics within an organization could manifest as a corporation that prioritizes the establishment of a culture centered around trust and respect. The organization has the potential to adopt policies and practices that exemplify their dedication to fostering a culture that places a high regard on principles such as honesty, integrity, and justice. Additionally, organizations have the potential to foster a culture that promotes these values by encouraging employees to embody and exemplify them in their interpersonal exchanges with both colleagues and customers. The organization may consider allocating resources towards the development of programs aimed at fostering the cultivation of essential values such as humility, courage, and compassion among its personnel. By placing emphasis on and further cultivating these core values, the organization has the potential to establish an ethical and industrious atmosphere wherein people are incentivized and supported in their pursuit of morally upright actions.

Rights-based ethical: Individuals have certain rights and dignity that must be upheld, regardless of the objectives one wishes to accomplish, according to the rights-based ethical perspective. Even when used to achieve a seemingly good aim, methods that violate fundamental rights are regarded as unethical.

The double effect doctrine: It makes a distinction between activities that have both planned and unexpected effects. It implies that if a behavior is morally acceptable in and of itself, it could still be justified on ethical grounds even if it has unfavorable side effects. However, it might be difficult to distinguish between intentional and unexpected effects. The double effect doctrine is often applied in the medical field, when a physician is faced with a difficult decision regarding a patient's treatment. For example, a physician may decide to administer a pain medication to a terminally ill patient that could have the unintended side effect of shortening the patient's life. The physician's intention is to alleviate the patient's pain, not to hasten death, and this is an example of the double effect doctrine in action.

Proportionality: The ethical principle of proportionality examines whether the methods used to accomplish a goal are appropriate given the significance of the goal. It implies that even when the goal is meaningful, using extreme or disproportionate measures is more likely to be unethical.

Proportional ethics within an organisational context entails the principle that decisions and actions ought to be commensurate with the potential consequences they may yield. For instance, when an organization contemplates terminating an employee, the determination needs to be grounded on the gravity of the individual's transgression rather than any additional considerations. This phenomenon is also evident in the manner in which an organization distributes its resources. The allocation of resources should be determined by the requirements of the organization rather than any individual inclinations or biases. Furthermore, it is imperative that any incentives or penalties are commensurate with the respective merits or demerits of the given action.

Practically speaking, ethical issues frequently call for people and organizations to balance the value of their objectives against any potential harm or moral conundrums brought on by the methods they select to attain those objectives. Making ethical decisions requires careful consideration, moral reasoning, and a dedication to values that place a high priority on the rights and well-being of people while working towards worthwhile goals.