Health, Safety and Risk Assessment in Engineering - Coursework Example

Health, Safety and Risk Assessment in Engineering Name Course code Instructor Date Table of Contents Health, Safety and Risk Assessment in Engineering 1 Name 1 Introduction 3 Task 1: Evident for existence of risk 3 Task 2: Implications of the risk 6 Task 3: Risk information for the protection of others 11 Task 4: report on minimising risks and implementing controls 12 Minimising risks 12 The hierarchy of risk control 13 Using the Level 1 Control Measures 13 Using the Level 2 Control Measures 14 Using Level 3 Control Measures 15 Implementing controls measures 15 Developing work procedures 15 Training workers 16 Supervision 16 TASK 5: Routes and Methods Of Implementation 16 Conclusion 18 Reference List 19 Introduction Obtaining and using accurate information regarding the workplace hazards for the protection of others is crucial for identifying and controlling the risks. This is because undertaking risk assessments would not be effective in controlling the risks, unless it is accompanied by preparation and implementation a safety statement, which are also kept up to date to prevent accidents and illnesses (Kutzavitch 2010). The objective would be to make ensure that no employees, visitor, or customer gets hurt or catches an illness. On the other hand, accidents and illnesses may ruin lives by leading to mental despair or death, cause a business to experience losses because of lost days out of work or fines due to legal litigations, increase insurance costs, or damage to machinery1. This paper examines evaluates evidence that would specify the existence of a risk or risks, analyses the implications of the risk and the effects on life, property and activities, identifies ways to provide information on the risk for the protection of others, generates a report on how best to minimise the risk to people, property and activities and recommend effective methods of implementation and control. Lastly, it identifies routes and methods of implementation within a company to ensure that compliance with codes of practice and regulations. Task 1: Evident for existence of risk The rationale for health risk assessment at the workplace is to help manage the health and safety of a business and to control the inherent risks. It also helps to reduce accidents and illnesses that inflict significant costs. It is also done to comply with health and safety authority regulations, which demand that organizations undertake risk assessment to reduce employees’ risk exposure. Lastly, it is done for moral and ethical reasons, as it would help reduce illnesses and injuries to employees. Risk assessment entails identifying what may cause harm to people and making a decision on whether reasonable steps are being taken to avert any harm. Hence, risk assessment is concerned with the identification of sensible measures for controlling the risks at a workplace. There is sufficient evidence that specifies the existence of risks, as indicated by Health and Safety Statistics Annual Report for Great Britain for 2014/2015. A risk assessment may suggest a need to reorganise the workplace to ensure that workers are not exposed to an unguarded edge. Its rationale is to also eliminate the risks of injuries and illnesses linked to work2. The risks may include mechanical hazards, like filing cabinets that are likely to tip once they are heavily laden with top drawers when drawn open. Physical hazards may also consist of glares that emanate from screens, or even the hot elements of photocopier machines. Additionally, the poorly designed chairs that fail to offer workers sufficient back support may also lead to back injuries. Additionally, the poorly designed works or jobs that require prolonged work hours or using a fixed posture also results to injuries. Additionally, chemical hazards also include vapours in the workplace environment, such as from asbestos, solvents, or paints. Psychological hazards may also vary from the demand to undertake excessive workloads while under pressure, as well as lack of satisfaction from a job in the event of insufficient recognition of work repetitive work (Kutzavitch 2010). Additionally, electrical hazards may be caused by damaged electrical cords or even power points that are overloaded, leading to risks of electric shock. Violence at the workplace is also a growing problem, and is a major risk factor to homicide, physical assault, verbal abuses, near misses, and sexual harassment. Pressure systems are also health and safety hazards. The pressure systems that contain fluid under pressure, including steam heating systems and boilers, make up for nearly150 incidents annually in England because of equipment failure resulting from design, improper operation as well as poor maintenance (Kutzavitch 2010). Essentially, the common injuries comprise musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs, back, and neck, as well as minor injuries that result from trips, cuts, or even falls (Kutzavitch 2010). The employer should assess the likelihood of these or other injuries at their workplace. Figure 1: Identification of common hazards Task 2: Implications of the risk The health and safety risks have various effects on property, life, and activities. They cause ill-health, injuries, workplace risks, loss of working days, economic costs to the country, and legal litigations. Workplace hazards lead to fatal injuries to workers. Some 142 workers were reported to have been fatally injured in the year 2014/15, which makes up nearly 0.46 per 100,000 workers in Britain. Overall, during the past 2 decades, a downward trend has been showed regarding the rate of fatal injuries. The most affected industrial sectors include agriculture and construction industries, which account for 33 and 35 fatal injuries in that order3. Figure 2: Statistics of fatal injuries to workers in Great Britain 2014/2015.4 Workplace hazards also lead to ill-health at the workplace as result from excessive heating in the workplace, high noise, excessive lighting levels and working for prolonged periods. The statistics indicate that nearly 1.2 million people who were engage in some kind of work during the year 2014/2015 suffered from an illness that they suggested resulted believed from the conditions of their workplace. Of this, some 0.5 million consisted of new conditions that had begun in the year. An additional 0.8 million former employees were also reported to have been suffering from an illness that came about from their past work. In 2013, some 2,538 individuals had died from mesothelioma, even as thousands more had been diagnosed with work-related cancers or mental disorders like COPD. Again, nearly 611,000 injuries were reported to have happened at work5. The issue of fatal diseases also arises. Some 13,000 deaths had occurred annually from work-related cancer and lung disease, which was as well blamed on past exposure, mainly because of dust and chemicals at the workplace. This also comprises diseases based on which it is likely either to have directly caused individual deaths, or where sufficient data exists to generate statistical estimates. Nearly 50 percent of the cancer deaths resulted from past exposure to asbestos (asbestos-related lung cancer or either mesothelioma6. Figure 3: Deaths due to work-related diseases7 The workplace hazards also lead to deaths. In the year 2013, some 2,538 deaths were reported to have resulted from mesothelioma, which refers to a cancer of the lung lining, resulting from past exposure to asbestos. Additionally, going as far back as the late 1990s, the IIDB cases each year have showed an increasing trend compared to the annual deaths, which reflects attempts to amplify the proportion that lay claims to the illness during the period8. Workplace hazards also lead to loss of working days. For instance, in the year 2014/2015, nearly 27.3 million days were estimated to have been lost because of work-related injuries or illnesses, or 15 days per person. Additionally, some 23.3 million days were also reported to have been lost because of work-related illness, and another 4.1 million days were lost because of workplace injuries9. Figure 4: Mesothelioma statistics in Great Britain10 Regarding the self-reported illness, it is estimated that in 2014/15, some 2.0 million individuals suffered from an illness found to have resulted or have been aggravated by their past or current work. An approximate 80 percent of the new work-related illnesses were due to stress or musculoskeletal disorders. Figure 5: Self-reported illnessed due to work11 The major contributors to the illnesses at the workplace result from excessive heating in the workplace, and high noise and lighting levels. These also show that a large proportion of workers get injured at the workplace when they tired (Data from HSE). It also indicates that a large proportion of individuals get injured at the workplace when they work excessive hours, overtime. The health hazards also lead to legal litigations. According to the HSE, nearly 586 cases of prosecutions were reported in Wales and England, while 70 prosecutions were in Wales and England in 2014/2015. On the other hand, all enforcement authorities issue about 12,430 enforcement notices in UK during the same period. Task 3: Risk information for the protection of others Obtaining and using accurate information regarding the workplace hazards for the protection of others is crucial for identifying and controlling the risks. This may involve using data sheets on substances, factory rules, codes of practice; and safe working procedures12. This is because undertaking risk assessments, would not be effective in controlling the risks, unless it is accompanied by preparation and implementation a safety statement, which are also kept up to date to prevent accidents and illnesses. The objective would be to make sure that no employees, visitor, or customer gets hurt or catches an illness. On the other hand, accidents and illnesses may ruin lives by leading to mental despair or death, cause a business to experience losses because of lost days out of work or fines due to legal litigations, increase insurance costs, or damage to machinery13. Employees, customers or visitors should be made to be familiar with the workplace hazards. At this level, identification of hazards and putting risks in their rights perspective, can be ensured by providing a print out of the relevant legislation or standards that cover relevant hazard (such as legislations for safe use of chemical agents or Construction Regulations) or developing a Code of Practice that all employees, visitors and clients must adhere to and placing it on a convenient place, such as the notice board.14 Data sheets may as well be used to identify risks to others. Suppliers and manufacturers should present material safety data sheets that provide information regarding the safety and health risks of using certain chemical substances. At any rate, an organisation should demand for a data sheet from the suppliers and manufacturers, which is then passed to the employees. A check list of all the chemicals used in the workplace, and their inherent risks should also be developed and passed to employees15. The workplace practices or procedures should as well reflect the risk assessments and safety statement. It should also define the recommended behaviours that ever employee, visitor or customer should exhibit, which should then be compiled in a single document. Task 4: report on minimising risks and implementing controls Minimising risks A significant step involved in the management of risks includes eliminating them or possibly minimising the risks. Risks can be controlled in many ways. The varied control options have to be considered in the process of selecting the controls that can effectively eliminate or minimise the hazard at the workplace. This may include single control measure or a mix of varied controls that would jointly provide an optimal level of protection capable of being considered to be reasonably practicable. The areas for action should be prioritised, with focus on the risks with the optimal level of risk16. The hierarchy of risk control The means to control risks can be ranked, beginning with the highest level of reliability AND protection down to the lowest ones. This process is known as hierarchy of risk control. Figure 6: Hierarchy of risk control The focal point should be eliminating a hazard, as the most effective control measure. When this is viewed to be not reasonably practicable, the risks have to be eliminated by considering the other alternatives within the hierarchy. Using the Level 1 Control Measures An effective control measure is considered elimination of the hazard and the associated risks. This can be achieved by preventing an introduction of the hazard to the workplace. This may include eliminating the risk of a fall from higher grounds by requiring that employees perform work at low levels. Technically, hazard elimination is considered cost-effective as well as more practical way to achieving risk minimisation at the design or planning phase of a project or product17. During these initial phases, emphasis should be placed on designing out hazards or integrating risk control measures, which are consistent with the functional requirements. For instance, a noisy machine, which brings about ear illnesses, could be minimised by designing and building it to general minimal noise. Risks may as well be eliminated when the hazards are removed completely, for instance, eliminating trip hazards on floors by ensuring that floors have tiles with grips18. Using the Level 2 Control Measures In situations where eliminating the hazards and associated risks is not reasonably practicable, risks may be minimised by substituting the hazard with safer elements. For instance, water-based paints be used at the workplace in place of the solvent-based paints. Additionally, the hazards may be isolated from people through physical separation of the sources of harm from individuals by use of physical barriers. For instance, guard rails may be installed around edges that are exposed or even holes found in floors. Additionally, remote control systems may be used to operate machines with sharp edges. Next, hazardous chemical should be stored in fume chambers or cabinets. Lastly, engineering control measures may be used as the last control. This involves control measures that are, by nature, physical and comprise a mechanical devices or processes. An example involves using mechanical devices like hoists or trolleys for purposes of moving heavy loads, and installing guards around mobile machinery parts. Using Level 3 Control Measures These types of control measures are not intended to control the hazards at their sources. Mostly, they depend on human behaviours and supervising human behaviours. Still, the two approaches that can be used to reduce risks include using an administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). The administrative controls comprise the work procedures or mechanism intended to reduce exposure to risks. An example includes developing procedures regarding how machinery can be operated safely, or reducing exposure time to risks, using signs for warning individuals of an existing hazard. Next includes using personal protective equipment (PPE). An example includes using respirators, ear muffs, face masks, gloves, protective eyewear, and aprons. The PPE is intended to reduce exposure to the detrimental effects of a risk, yet only when employees wear and utilise PPE correctly. Implementing controls measures The control measures to be implementing would demand changing the manner in which work is undertaken because of modified or new processes and equipment, varied or new chemicals as well as newly designed personal protective equipment. Under these circumstances, it is often crucial to provide support to the control measures in several ways. These include: Developing work procedures A safe work procedure should be developed. It describes the tasks, provides identification of the hazards and documents, as well as describes the manner in which tasks would be performed to reduce risks. Training workers Training workers on the work procedure can ensure that they carry out their tasks safely. The training should demand that workers to show that they are adequately competent in undertaking tasks based on the procedures. It is not sufficient to just provide an employee with procedures before asking them to acknowledge they have an understanding of the procedures and can therefore perform worked based on the procedures. In which case, training should be provided in a manner that employees can understand. Information as well as instruction should as well be provided to others new recruits, visitors and customers who enter a workplace. Supervision The degree of supervision needed would rely on the degree of risks in addition to the experiences of employees involved. Greater levels of supervision are needed in situations where inexperienced employees are to comply with new procedures or undertake tricky and critical tasks. An organisation would need to develop a risk register for identifying the hazards, and the associated action that should be taken, or who should be responsible for undertaking what action and during what time is the action appropriate19. TASK 5: Routes and Methods Of Implementation To ensure that controls are effectively implemented within the workplace, several actions would need to be undertaken: Accountability for health and safety Accountability has to be plainly allocated to make sure that the work procedures are complied with and maintained. This would require that supervisors and managers are provided with the resources and authority to effectively execute and maintain control measures20. Maintaining plant and equipment This requires undertaking regular inspection and testing the equipment at the workplace to determine whether they are being used properly, as defined in the work procedures. It also demands repairing or replacing damaged equipment. The process would as well demand that control measures are checked set up and used efficiently21. Frequent training The control measures, specifically the lower level controls, rely on all employees and supervisors who have the suitable competencies to undertake the job safely. There is a need to provide training in order to maintain competency as well as to make sure new workers can work safely. Updating hazard information Suppliers and Manufacturers should frequently update information regarding hazards, including that of equipment and substances. They should as well be checked to ensure that controls are not obsolete22. Frequent reviews and consultation Control measures tend to be effective in events where there frequent review of work procedures and consultation with the employees takes place23. Conclusion The rationale for health risk assessment at the workplace is to help manage the health and safety of a business and to control the inherent risks. It also helps to reduce accidents and illnesses that inflict significant costs. It is also done to comply with health and safety authority regulations, which demand that organizations undertake risk assessment to reduce employees’ risk exposure. Lastly, it is done for moral and ethical reasons, as it would help reduce illnesses and injuries to employees. The health and safety risks have various effects on property, life, and activities. They cause ill-health, injuries, workplace risks, loss of working days, economic costs to the country, and legal litigations. An effective control measure is considered to be elimination of the hazard and the associated risks. In situations where eliminating the hazards and associated risks is not reasonably practicable, risks may be minimised by substituting the hazard with safer elements. Overall, employers need to make sure that the physical environment at the workplace is adequately spaced. The workspace should also be extensive enough to be healthy and safe, as well as be adequate in respect to fresh air, stability, lighting, temperature, and ventilated. There is also a need for training of workers on health and safety issues and regularly reviewing the management system. Reference List Health and Safety Authority, Guidelines on risk assessments and safety statements, 2006, retrieved 9 June 2016 Health and Safety Authority, Safety Statement and Risk Assessment, 2006, retrieved 9 June 2016, HSE, Health and Safety Statistics: Annual Report for Great Britain, 2015, retrieved 9 June 2016, Kutzavitch, K, Change Management Issues and Risk Mitigation Strategies for the Enterprise, Pittsburgh, Mastech Press, 2010 Lucas, K, Effective Risk Management, Measurement, Monitoring Monitoring  &  Control Control Project Management Focus, 2009, retrieved 9 June 2016, Sai Global, Risk Management Guidelines Companion to AS/NZS 4360:2004, 2007, retrieved 9 June 2016, Security Standards Council, Information Supplement: PCI DSS Risk Assessment Guidelines, 2012, retrieved 9 June 2016, Read More

Additionally, the poorly designed works or jobs that require prolonged work hours or using a fixed posture also results to injuries. Additionally, chemical hazards also include vapours in the workplace environment, such as from asbestos, solvents, or paints. Psychological hazards may also vary from the demand to undertake excessive workloads while under pressure, as well as lack of satisfaction from a job in the event of insufficient recognition of work repetitive work (Kutzavitch 2010). Additionally, electrical hazards may be caused by damaged electrical cords or even power points that are overloaded, leading to risks of electric shock.

Violence at the workplace is also a growing problem, and is a major risk factor to homicide, physical assault, verbal abuses, near misses, and sexual harassment. Pressure systems are also health and safety hazards. The pressure systems that contain fluid under pressure, including steam heating systems and boilers, make up for nearly150 incidents annually in England because of equipment failure resulting from design, improper operation as well as poor maintenance (Kutzavitch 2010). Essentially, the common injuries comprise musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limbs, back, and neck, as well as minor injuries that result from trips, cuts, or even falls (Kutzavitch 2010).

The employer should assess the likelihood of these or other injuries at their workplace. Figure 1: Identification of common hazards Task 2: Implications of the risk The health and safety risks have various effects on property, life, and activities. They cause ill-health, injuries, workplace risks, loss of working days, economic costs to the country, and legal litigations. Workplace hazards lead to fatal injuries to workers. Some 142 workers were reported to have been fatally injured in the year 2014/15, which makes up nearly 0.

46 per 100,000 workers in Britain. Overall, during the past 2 decades, a downward trend has been showed regarding the rate of fatal injuries. The most affected industrial sectors include agriculture and construction industries, which account for 33 and 35 fatal injuries in that order3. Figure 2: Statistics of fatal injuries to workers in Great Britain 2014/2015.4 Workplace hazards also lead to ill-health at the workplace as result from excessive heating in the workplace, high noise, excessive lighting levels and working for prolonged periods.

The statistics indicate that nearly 1.2 million people who were engage in some kind of work during the year 2014/2015 suffered from an illness that they suggested resulted believed from the conditions of their workplace. Of this, some 0.5 million consisted of new conditions that had begun in the year. An additional 0.8 million former employees were also reported to have been suffering from an illness that came about from their past work. In 2013, some 2,538 individuals had died from mesothelioma, even as thousands more had been diagnosed with work-related cancers or mental disorders like COPD.

Again, nearly 611,000 injuries were reported to have happened at work5. The issue of fatal diseases also arises. Some 13,000 deaths had occurred annually from work-related cancer and lung disease, which was as well blamed on past exposure, mainly because of dust and chemicals at the workplace. This also comprises diseases based on which it is likely either to have directly caused individual deaths, or where sufficient data exists to generate statistical estimates. Nearly 50 percent of the cancer deaths resulted from past exposure to asbestos (asbestos-related lung cancer or either mesothelioma6.

Figure 3: Deaths due to work-related diseases7 The workplace hazards also lead to deaths. In the year 2013, some 2,538 deaths were reported to have resulted from mesothelioma, which refers to a cancer of the lung lining, resulting from past exposure to asbestos. Additionally, going as far back as the late 1990s, the IIDB cases each year have showed an increasing trend compared to the annual deaths, which reflects attempts to amplify the proportion that lay claims to the illness during the period8.

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