Occupational Safety and Health Data of Company and Recommendations for Improvements - Case Study Example

Occupational Safety and Health Report: XYZ Company Table of Content 1.0 Introduction 2 2.0 Critical Analysis of XYZ’s OHS Data 3 2.1 Hazards 3 2.2 Near Misses 5 2.3 First Aid Injuries 6 2.4 Medical Treatment Injuries 6 2.5 Lost Time Injuries 7 2.6 Fatalities 8 3.0 Recommendations 9 4.0 Conclusion 10 5.0 References 11 1.0 Introduction Employees are entitled to work in a safe and healthy environment. However, every year work-related accidents, ailments and fatalities are experienced in a considerable number of organisations and companies across Australia. Occupational safety and health (OSH) is very important in any organisation. Employees are the most important resource in an organisation therefore, their safety and health is paramount in the realisation of smooth operations, effectiveness and efficiency. Employers have a duty of care to ensure that they protect the health, safety and welfare of all their employees (Friend & Khon, 2010). Nevertheless, some hazards are inevitable in the workplace. For instance in the paint manufacturing industry, main hazards revolve around the operation of machinery, handling of flammable, toxic and explosive chemicals and noise associated with pebble mills, vibrating screens and high speed dispensers. These hazards are bound to expose employees to various injuries, ailments and even fatalities (Stellman, 1998). Therefore, there is need for employers to take necessary precaution or measures to avert or minimise risks in the workplace. This report seeks to analyse occupational safety and health data of XYZ Company and subsequently provide recommendations for improvements. XYZ is a paint manufacturing plant with a total of 150 workers, some working as fulltime staff member others working as contractors. Firstly, this report will analyse and discuss the OSH data of XYZ Company. Secondly, based on the findings established following the data analysis, this report will provide various recommendations that can be implemented in order to improve the company’s overall safety and health. 2.0 Critical Analysis of XYZ’s OHS Data 2.1 Hazards Hazards are situations that have the potential of causing a certain level of threat to health, safety, life, environment and property. As a company that specialises in paint manufacturing, employees working in XYZ are vulnerable to hazards related to handling of chemicals and materials, operation of machinery, noise and electric shock. Firstly, the manual handling of containers, barrels or boxes can be a major source of physical injury due to possible slips, falls, improper lifting and dropping of containers. Secondly, possible chemical hazards at XYZ may include exposure to toxic substances such as lead chromate pigment which may occur when employees are filling or weighing mixtures (Stellman, 1998).When cleaning equipments employees are also vulnerable to exposures to harmful or explosive chemical substances. Moreover, XYZ employees are vulnerable to health hazards associated with the inhalation or skin contact with acrylates and isocyanates which are used in manufacturing polyurethane coatings and paints. Employees may also be exposed to gas emissions. Other hazards that employees are likely to experience emanate from the operation of machinery such as pebble mills and high speed dispensers. They could also be exposed to electrical hazards due to lack of proper machinery maintenance and repair. In addition to this, employees working in XYZ are vulnerable to noise hazards associated with the operation of pebble mills, vibrating screens and high speed dispensers (Stellman, 1998). According to XYZ’s OHS data, in the year 2003 to 2004, the company reported a total of 20 hazards. Between 2004-2005, the total number of hazards reported decreased significantly to 6. In the subsequent year, the number of hazards reported drastically increased to 90. In 2006 to 2007, the hazards reported also significantly increased to 130. The chart below summarises these findings. Figure 1: XYZ Hazard statistics Based on the data outlined in the section above regarding the number of reported hazards, it is evident that in the previous years the number of reported hazards was very low. For instance in 2003-04, the number of reported hazards was 20. In 2004-05 there was a 70% decline in the number of reported hazards. 2004 was an exceptional year in the company since this was the year with the lowest number of hazards. However, with time there has been a significant increase in the number of hazards reported in the company. In 2005-06, there was a 1400% increase in the number of reported hazards. Similarly, in 2006-07 the number of reported hazards increased by 44%. 2.2 Near Misses Near misses are generally the narrowly avoided incidences. Between 2003 to 2007 there has been a steady increase in the number of near misses. In 2003, the numbers of reported near misses were only 3, in 2004, the number increased by 433% to 16. Between 2004-2005, the number of near misses increased by 181% to 45. In the subsequent year, there was a 50 % increase to 90. Evidently, there has been a steady increase in the number of near misses that occur in the company. This shows that the number of hazards that employees experience continue to increase with time. Figure 2: XYZ's near misses statistics 2.3 First Aid Injuries In 2003, 15 employees incurred first aid injuries. In the following year, the number of first aid injuries declined by 80% as only 3 injuries were reported. In 2005, 6 cases of first aid injuries were reported. In essence, there was a 100% increase. In the subsequent year, the number of first aid injuries increased by 233% to 20. Apparently, there is a constant fluctuation in the number of reported incidences of first aid injuries. 2004 marked the year with least number of first aid injuries whereas 2006 had the highest number of incidences. The chart below summarises these findings. Figure 3: First Aid Injuries 2.4 Medical Treatment Injuries Between 2003 to 2007, there has also been fluctuation in the number of medical treatment injuries among employees in XYZ. For instance in 2003, there were 12 reported incidences of medical treatment injuries. In the following year, there was 100% decline in the total number of medical treatments injuries as no injury was reported. In 2005, the number of reported medical treatment injuries increased to 5. In the subsequent year, there was a 100% increase as 10 incidences were reported. Evidently, there seems to be a rise and fall in the number of medical treatment injuries among employees in XYZ. 2004 was an exceptional year since no injuries were reported whereas 2003 had the highest number of incidences. The chart below summarises these findings. Figure 4: Medical Treatment Injuries 2.5 Lost Time Injuries Lost time injuries occur when an employee is injured in the course of executing their duties such that they are unable to work (SWA, 2013). In XYZ, the number of lost time injuries have somewhat been fluctuating between 2003 to 2006. For instance, in 2003 there were no reported cases of LTI. In 2004, there were 10 reported cases. In the following year, the number of reported cases declined by 80% as only 2 cases were reported. In 2006, no cases were reported. The chart below summarises these findings. Figure 5: Lost Time Injuries 2.6 Fatalities Between 2003 to 2007 the rates of fatalities have also been fluctuating. In 2003, there were 4 cases of fatalities. In 2004, no cases were reported however in the following year 1 case was reported. In 2006, 2 cases were reported. The chart below summarises these findings. By taking into account the total number of safety and health incidences (hazards, near misses, LTI, MTI and fatalities) that have taken place in XYZ since 2003 to 2007, it is evident that the number of incidences in the company increases with time. Therefore, there is need for the company’s management to take necessary precaution or measures to avert or minimise risks in the workplace. 3.0 Recommendations In order to minimise risks emanating from handling or transporting paint materials the company should invest in material handling aids such as rollers, jacks, hoists and fork-lift trucks. Moreover, non-skid floors and personal protective equipments can help to minimise incidences associated with handling or transporting paint materials. Stellman, 1998). Chemical hazards can be minimised or averted by substituting pastes with powders, fitting firm enclosures to equipments so as to avoid spills and providing employees with equipments for respiratory protection. In order to avoid hazards associated with the operation of machinery, the company should ensure that all machinery are regularly assessed for damages, properly maintained and repaired accordingly in case any defect is identified (Stellman, 1998). Moreover, the company should institute regular occupational safety and health training programs that equip employees with relevant knowledge and skills on how to identify, avert and address health and safety hazards. XYZ should foster a culture of safety by developing company safety guidelines and policies. Subsequently, the management should continuously communicate these safety guidelines and policies to employees. This will help to enforce a culture of safety and health in the company. 4.0 Conclusion The key purpose of this report was to analyse occupational safety and health data of XYZ Company and subsequently provide recommendations for improvements. The findings of this report show that the number of hazards and near misses increases with time. However, the rates of first aid injuries, lost time injuries, medical treatment injuries and fatalities have been fluctuating. Nonetheless, it is established in this report that the number of incidences in the company increases with time. Therefore, there is need for the company’s management to take necessary precaution or measures to avert or minimise health and safety risks in the workplace. This report recommends that in order for the company to effectively promote occupational safety and health, it should invest in material handling aids, non-skid floors and personal protective equipments. Moreover, the company should institute regular occupational safety and health training programs. Additionally, the company should foster a culture of safety by developing and communicating safety guidelines and policies to employees. 5.0 References Friend, M. & Khon, J. (2010). Fundamentals of Occupational Safety and Health. 5th ed. Safe Work Australia (2013). Lost Time Injury Frequency Rates. Viewed May 13 2012 Stellman, J. (1998). Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety: Industries and occupations. Volume 3. Geneva: International Labour Office. Maryland: Government Institutes. Read More