INCREASING THE LEVEL OF COMPETENCIES OF OSH MANAGERS TO ENSURE HIGHER SECURITY AND PROSPERITY OF BUSINESSES

Abstract

The essence of the contribution is to present the results of the analysis of current trends in the Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) managers' competencies and to propose a competence framework for OSH managers for the study program Crisis Management at the Faculty of Security Engineering (FSE UNIZA). The proposed framework respects the legislative, normative, and managerial requirements imposed on this position, resulting from current practice in Slovakia and global trends. The authors created a framework with the requirements for basic professional knowledge and skills in the field of OSH. Managerial knowledge, skills, tasks, responsibilities for performing activities, and the entire OSH management process are described. The position of OSH manager should be moved toward strategic management. OSH manager should bear responsibility for the entire OSH management process, i.e., design, manage, and control processes associated with the OSH management process. Increasing the competence of health and safety managers will help companies minimize adverse impacts and increase prevention, safety, and company prosperity.