The Need for an Environmental Health Plan at Green Gas Company - Term Paper Example

The Need for an Environmental Health and Safety Plan at Green Gas Company Executive Summary The Green Gas Company is in the business of generating energy in a way that will save the environment from devastation and reduce levels of ecological imbalance. In addition to protecting the environment for all its stakeholders, the company needs to develop a health and safety plan. The health and safety of employees and customers is one of the first steps that employers need to consider when setting up a business. The physical environment should be conducive to the achievement of the goals of the organization in an efficient and effective manner. The physical, chemical and biological hazards that exist in the work environment should be identified by a professional and communicated to everyone. Additionally, controls should be put in place to remove those which can be eliminated by way of engineering and other controls as well as to reduce or mitigate the effects of those which cannot be totally eliminated. Furthermore, the necessary protective gears need to be provided as well as training on how they can be effectively utilized to prevent danger to life and property. Compliance is a necessary part of this process and so workers have to be monitored and corrective actions taken when required to ensure that they understand the importance of adhering to organizational policies. A health and safety plan needs to be carefully crafted and should give due regards to the health and safety of all those who come in contact with the organization. This should involve a risk assessment of the organization and should be in keeping with guidelines provided by the body responsible for health and safety of workers in the particular area. There are standards that are accepted and applied worldwide and are therefore appropriate to the crafting of any such plans. 1.0 Introduction The use of fossil fuels in the generation of electricity and other forms of energy for transportation as well as commercial and domestic use has had a negative impact on the environment over the years. This has resulted in an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the air from 280 parts per million (ppm) to 385ppm (Hansen 2009). The amount of carbon dioxide is growing by 2ppm per year and this is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. New alternatives have been sought that will reduce the amount of waste generated as well as the amount of resources such as water that is been used in processing energy for use in appliances, for transportation, and for heating and lighting. The need for green gas plants is great as our environment continues to be impacted by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Green Gas Company is focused on ensuring that the process of converting waste to gas is such that the environment is not impacted negatively and that the workers engaged in this process are safe in all respects. This is the way of the future and Green Gas Company wants to have a place in it while contributing to the advancement of the human race. A number of companies have taken the lead in this regard and their efforts will serve as an example for Green Gas Company. Green gas plants are much safer for the environment than the regular gas plants. However, there are still environmental health and safety risks associated with their operations. Therefore, the necessary precautions need to be taken to address these matters. In designing a health and safety plan for the Green Gas Company a number of factors need to be considered. They include and are not limited to the features of these plants; types of hazards that are common to green gas plants; identification of risks associated with hazards; controls that need to be in place; and emergency response plans. 2.0 Features of green gas production plants In addition to producing clean energy there are green gas plants that use domestic and other waste to produce gas. Using food and other domestic wastes is a way of preventing it from reaching landfills and releasing methane which is highly polluting to the environment. The waste generated can be used in the production of organic fertilizer. However, the way in which materials are handled can pose a threat to those who have the task of dealing with them. Additionally, some of the chemicals that are used in the process of breaking down various materials pose a threat to the health of those who come in contact with them. In producing gas it is important that steps are taken to ensure that no excess greenhouse gas (GHG) is released into the atmosphere. Therefore, in addition to taking the necessary steps to prevent these occurrences the design of the processing plant is very important. 3.0 Hazards of green gas plants According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) (2009) the meaning of the word hazard can be rather confusing as it is sometimes used interchangeably with risk. Hazards are associated with any source that is potentially harmful and that will cause damage or result in adverse health effects at the workplace under certain conditions (CCOHS 2009). It is a situation that can potentially lead to accidents which have undesirable consequences (OSHA 1992). It can cause damage to equipment and therefore equipment loss or it may have health effects on individuals in the workplace. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119 makes reference to hazards which can have catastrophic consequences such as loss of containment of flames, combustion, toxic substances, and material that has a high level of reactivity and could therefore has a negative effect on employees. In this regard, it is important that hazards are identified quickly and that measures are put in place to assess the risks associated with them in the workplace. OSHA (n.d.) provides guidelines which are neither standards nor regulations but provides advise that are aimed at assisting employees in their provision of a healthy and safe work environment for employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Act require employees to be compliant with health and safety standards that are laid down by OSHA. Employees are required to provide a work environment that is free from all recognizable hazards which can cause serious injuries or death. Employees are also required to take steps that are considered reasonable to prevent hazards. If there is a failure in the implementation of specific recommendations this does not constitute a breach of the General Duty Clause. 3.1 Physical Hazards According to Wald (2002) physical hazards comes about because of energy and matter as well as the relationship between them both. Wald (2002) also divides physical hazards into three types – those that are as a result of the workers interfacing with materials, the physical work environment as well as energy and electro-magnetic radiation. The exposure to these hazards can be modified by using certain protective gears (Wald 2002). Obtaining the appropriate gears is one of the ways in which employees can play their part in protecting workers. However, the onus is on workers to use them and to fit them properly. 3.2 Chemical Hazards Chemical hazards are related to the risk of coming into contact with harmful substances (ILO 2009). Chemicals exist everywhere and the toxic levels that characterize them are well known since antiquity (Roberts 2011). The rapid growth in chemical use has led to the realization of the need to manage them and in so doing protect workers around the world from the harmful effects (Robert 2011). In fact UN (2011) indicates that the practice of using chemicals to provide enhancement and improvement to life is carried on throughout the world. In order to mitigate the adverse effects of chemicals a number of organizations and countries have put in place laws and regulations regarding their use. The labeling of chemicals communicates information on the uses to which they can be put and the hazards associated with their use. 3.3 Biological Hazards Workplace Standards Tasmania (n.d.) indicates that biological hazards are represented by agents that cause infections. These infections may be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic. Biological hazards also refer to the risk of contracting a communicable disease though close contact, inhalation and ingestion (ILO 2009). Training should be provided on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as how to store and transport wastes that has the potential to cause infection (Frazier et al 2002). Work surfaces should be decontaminated. Additionally, prohibitions should be put in place in relation to the storage and consumption of foods in areas where exposure to harmful bacteria is possible. The necessary vaccines should also be provided where there are risks of exposure to certain diseases at no cost to employees. Where employees refuse to be vaccinated they should be asked to fill out forms that are provided for that purpose. Procedures should be put in place to perform evaluations of workers who are exposed. The potential for infection at the source should be determined and medical care should be provided for all workers who are exposed. All information including training and vaccination as well as refusal to be vaccinated should be documented. Exposure to biological hazards can be prevented by putting in place engineering, work practice controls and by using PPE (Frazier et al 2002). 4.0 Health, Safety and the Environment The health and safety of workers in their work environment is an important aspect of all workplace. This is a requirement under the law. In order to ensure this management has to ensure that the organization has plans and procedures in place that will facilitate the process. Each employee should be given a copy of the organization’s health and safety policy. Employees should also be asked to sign an agreement in relation to their acceptance of the procedures to be followed in carrying out their daily activities. In return management should put in place the necessary controls that will facilitate the lowering of the level of risks associated with certain functions to be carried out by workers. A health and safety plan will facilitate the smooth running of any organization. However, such a plan should be specific to the function and needs of the organization. It requires an identification of potential hazards in the organization. The physical hazards should be highlighted and addressed to prevent injuries and other health related issues. A health and safety plan should also include an emergency response plan which provides information on how to respond when there is an emergency situation. It involves information on who to get in touch with when there is an emergency. This information should be available to all workers. This should include energy numbers for fire and the police department. There should be several routes for evacuation of the area and drills should be performed on a regular basis to ensure that workers learn to respond to emergency situations appropriately. 5.0 Identification of risks associated with hazards in the work environment According to Asbury and Ashwell (2007) audits have become a critical aspect of any business. Audit and risk assessment plays a key role in providing safety and protection of employees and customers. The importance of auditor applies equally to external audits as it does to health and safety in the workplace (Ashbury and Ashwell 2007). In order for an effective health and safety plan to be drawn up an audit of the physical environment as well as the processes and procedures need to be carried out. This need to be done by a consultant who has received training and experience in the particular area. This would allow for corrective actions to be taken in order to put in place the necessary controls that would facilitate a safe working environment for all those engaged in production at the Green Gas Company. 6.0 Hazard Communication Information relating to hazards should be communicated throughout the organization. Once this is done safeguards can be put in place to eliminate them where possible or to mitigate their negative effects. Warning signs should be posted where they can be seen and attention should be directed to them and the importance of adherence to guidelines by way of training, meetings and staff memorandum. Additionally, the labeling of chemicals is one way of communicating hazards (OSHA 2012). 7.0 Designing a Health and Safety Plan for Green Gas Company A health and safety plan for green gas company would take into account all the hazards to health and safety that exists at the company and the potential risks to life as a result of failing to identify and to put in place measures to protect employees from negative consequences. It should include details on the appropriate controls that can be used to eliminate hazards as well as to prevent them from having the full impact. Where the elimination of hazards is not possible the necessary safeguards should be taken. Frazer et al (2002) indicates that engineering controls are the preferred means of preventing exposure to biological hazards. This is expected to reduce concentration levels of hazards in the air as well as limit movements around the work area. This requires ventilation systems that are appropriately designed in accordance with the circumstances. In terms of work practices, good work habits are encouraged in order to reduce the level of exposures due to various occurrences such as spills, release of substances accidentally or any other causes (Frazier et al 2002). Proper hygiene such as regular washing of hands and decontamination of work surfaces should be practiced. Additionally, the forbidding of consumption and storage of food and beverage in certain areas where they may come in contact with biological hazards should be ensured (Frazier et al 2002). PPE is encouraged when the design of a particular area does not allow for the elimination of certain hazards (Frazier et al 2002). In this regard protective equipment should be worn when handing agents or materials which can cause infection. Gloves should be worn when handling any agent that can cause infection. Additionally, inhalation of infectious substances can be prevented by wearing HEPA filter mask or dust/mist respirator (Frazier et al 2002). It is recommended that employees be trained to fit these mask in order to ensure that they have the ability to do so properly before they use them in the workplace (Frazier et al 2002). This is an indication of the importance placed on ensuring that the negative effects of hazards are substantially reduced. In terms of waste handling there are several ways in which they can be dealt with including sterilization, disinfection, sanitization or antisepsis (Frazier et al 2002). Some of these methods lead to total elimination of the contaminants while others result in partial decontamination. Sterilization is one sure way of getting rid of them while disinfection, sanitization and antisepsis get rid of only some of the decontaminants (Frazier et al 2002). All work surfaces should be properly disinfected in order to prevent contamination. Proper guidance in the form of training should be provided. Employers should ensure that these disinfectants are properly labeled and the uses for which they are allowed are clearly stated along with information on the quantities in which they should be used. Doing otherwise may result in serious consequences for all parties concerned. Health and safety plans are documents which indicate how employees and others such as visitors, customers and suppliers are protected when they are on the business premises. The health and safety plan should consider the regulations and standards governing health and safety at the workplace. Additional areas that should be considered include the following: i. Fire Safety Procedures ii. Accident procedures iii. Reporting procedures iv. Disaster procedures 8.0 Ensuring Compliance In order to ensure compliance the relevant systems should be put in place to ensure that there are consequences when policies and procedures are not adhered to. It will be costly for the organization if proper preventative measures are not utilized by all parties to the agreement. The starting point is the agreement to comply with the policies of the organization. Both the worker and the employer have a responsibility in this regard. The employer also needs to communicate information in relation to health and safety systems to the employee by way of training, labeling of chemicals, and warning signs which are clearly printed and which are properly placed around the organization. Visitors should not be allowed to enter areas where hazards exists and so security personnel should be well positioned to ensure that this rule is adhered to. Additionally, employees who do not work in certain areas should not be allowed to enter at anytime. The necessary steps should be taken to ensure that where violations take place they are dealt with in such a way that ensures that there are no re-occurrences. These should serve as warnings to those who may choose to defy the rules. 9.0 Conclusion Hazards exist in all industries and it is something that is always present in the work environment. However, it is how these hazards are identified and dealt with that is important. The work environment should be constantly monitored and the right mechanisms put in place to prevent any effects that may result from them. Training of employees in order to mitigate risks and consequences resulting from them is also of major importance. These are just a few of the things that should be taken into consideration in the design of a health and safety plan. The hazards in the workplace are from a number of sources including substances, materials, processes, practices and can cause harm under certain conditions (CCOHS 2009). There are substances, materials and processes that are present in green gas plants that are or can be hazardous to employees as well as visitors. These hazards need to be identified so that the necessary precautions can be put in place regarding the use of substances and materials and so that proper monitoring of processes can take place. There are regulations governing process safety management and this is critical to the achievement of the goals of the organization in an effective and efficient manner. Emergency response plans are also an important aspect of environmental safety. These plans should be well documented as they form a very important part of the health and safety plan. Regular assessment and revision is important to ensure that all acceptable standards that are practiced worldwide are included. References Asbury, S and Ashwell, P. (2007). Health and Safety, Environment and Quality Audits: A Risk- Based Approach. Great Britain: Butterworth-Heinemann Publishers CCOHS (2009). Hazard and Risk. Retrieved from http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/hazard_risk.html [Last accessed 15th December 2012] Frazier, L.M., Stave, G.M., Tulis, J.J. (2002). Prevention of Illness from Biological Hazards, in P. Wald and G. M. Stave. (Eds) Physical and Biological Hazards of the Workplace (p.313 - 328), New York: John Wiley & Sons Hansen, J. (2009). Coal-fired power stations are death factories. Close them. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/15/james-hansen-power-plants-coal. [Last accessed 10th December 2012] ILO. (2009). International Hazard Datasheets on Occupation. Retrieved from http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---safework/documents/publication/wcms_192430.pdf. (Last accessed 16th December 2012] OSHA (n.d.). Guidance for Hazard Determination. Retrieved from http://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/ghd053107.html. [Last accessed 15th December 2012] OSHA (2012). Hazard Communication. Retrieved from http://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/index.html. [Last accessed 16th December 2012] Roberts, J.A. (2011). Creating and Controlling Chemicals: A Brief History in P. Wexler, J. van der Kolk, A.Mohapatra and R. Agarwal (Eds). Chemicals, Environment, Health: A Global Management Perspective. (p. 1 – 13). USA: CRC Press United Nations (2011). Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). 4th ed. UN: New York Wald (2002). Introduction to Physical Hazards, in P. Wald and G. M. Stave. (Eds) Physical and Biological Hazards of the Workplace (p. 3 - 18), New York: John Wiley & Sons Workplace Standards Tasmania. (n.d) Biological hazards. Retrieved From Available at http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/safety_comply/dang_subs/biological_hazards. [Last accessed 15th December 2012] Read More