The Design of Health and Safety Control Systems - Essay Example

HEALTH AND SAFETY (THE DESIGN OF HEALTH AND SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEMS) al Affiliation) Operation One This task involves the repair of a subterranean cracked sewer chamber by using a sealant that is meant to be sprayed on the cracks. The success of this operation not only requires expertise know-how but also requires a number of adequate as well as effective safety and health ranging from Personal Protective Equipment (PPE’s) and the safety gadgets for the operation. The Personal Protective Equipment is refers to protective clothing, helmets, eye goggles as well as other garments meant to protect the workers body from harm associated with from injury sharp objects, gas emissions and other dangerous chemicals (Alvin 2002, p.16). Protective equipment such as gas masks as well as particulate respirators can be used by the workers to protect them from hazards by filtering gases; chemicals released by the sealant other airborne particulate. The workers should also be provided with a Hazmat suit; which is an impermeable garment covering the whole body for protection from the chemicals released by the sealant as well as rock particles that may fall off from the walls of the manhole. The hazmat suit is generally made with a breathing apparatus suitable for emergency personnel working in areas of dangerous chemical hazards. Face shield such as tight eye goggle seal can be used in this operation to offer protection to the eyes from falling rock debris from the wall of the manhole as well as chemical fumes from the sealant. The operation will also need hand gloves which are pertinent in protecting the workers from cuts, chemicals of the sealant as well as the spills that may emanate from the cracked sewer line wall. Additionally, the workers will be provided with helmets that will assist in protecting them from rocks that may fall from the manhole or in the case where one slips off the ladder and falls on the floor of the manhole (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 2009, p.19) The helmets may also protect the workers from the chemical hazards of the sealant. The helmets should be fitted with special kind of a spotlight that may be used to provide light. The area surrounding the sewer line should also be fenced and the residents around shall be notified that the region is out of bounds during the period of repair. This will be directed towards protecting the health of the community as well as that of the domestic animals. Imperative Rules and Regulations of Occupational Health and Safety of the Public A myriad variety of community benchmarks in the field of occupational safety and health have been formulated and implemented on the basis of article 153 of the treaty on the operations of the European Union (ex article 137 TEC) European Union Directives are legally binding and have been extended into national laws by the signatory member states. These laws are meant to ensure the protection of the workers health, their rights as well as the environment (Stowell 2010, p.72). The European directives provides a comprehensive definition of the essential requirement that ensures high level of health protection, environment as well as consumer right protection. The directives in relation to the new approach are based on article 114 of the treaty on the operation of the European Union (ex article 95 TEC) this promotes the implementation of the benchmarks for the enhancement of free movement of products. The responsibility of drawing up the harmonized benchmarks is carried out by the European Standardization Organization (World Health Organization 2009, p.28). There are a number of injuries and accidents as well as diseases that may occur in conditions where there is failure in the health and safety management systems. For instance in this scenario, in the case of a failure in the proper functioning of the gas masks, the workers may be exposed to the dangerous chemicals of the sealant which may result into respiratory tract infections. Failure to notify the surrounding community on the planned repair of the sewer line as well as failure to fence the area may lead to occurrence of accidents and death of animals. The persons passing by may inhale the toxic gases of the sealant or even fall in the manhole and experience. Operation Two The operation may have varying health effects on the environment as well as on people especially motorists passing by along the main road who may be prevented from using the road for a certain period of time. Pedestrians using the road may be affected the noise from the mower and also may be prevented from using the road. The Students in the junior high school may also be affected by impacts of the operation such as noise from the mower as well as chainsaw. The operator of the chainsaw may also be affected by the effects of the operations (The European Agency for Health and Safety at Work 2004, p.42). The noise from the chainsaw and the mower machine may cause noise pollution hence affecting learning processes in the nearby junior school. The children may also be barred from using some of the routes nearby the operational site. This noise may affect learning processes in the school. The operator of the chainsaw as well as the mower machine may also suffer from long term hearing defects due to the excessive noise that is produced by the mower machine and the chainsaw. The two machines produce too much noise that may interfere with the eardrums of a person. Tree cutting from the operation may also hinder the free movement of motorist activities on the nearby route as well as the main highway. Additionally, the motorists may also be affected by the noise generated from the two heavy machineries. Police operation in the area might also be affected by the loud noise from the mowing and the chainsaw machines. This scenario may create a conducive environment for the suspected drug dealers to continue with their dirty businesses. Wild animals such birds that might have created their nests on the tree branches may also be scared by the operations of the mowing machine (Strategy for Health and Safety at Work 2001, p.56). Design of the Protective Equipment Use of water resistant as well as cut-proof gloves; the gloves are designed to prevent the operators of the mowing as well as the chainsaw machines from being injured by sharp tree branches that may fall on their hands (Friend 2007, p.33). Ear defenders; they are designed to assist in reduction of the amount of noise reaching the ears of the chainsaw operators. The design must adhere to the standards of the European Union EN35 2-1. Use of hard helmets; the helmets are designed and manufactured with hard PVC materials and mean to protect the workers from undergoing physical injuries from falling tree branches as well as other equipment that may fall. The helmets are also meant for protecting the workers from injuries that may occur in situations where one falls off the cutting machine. Use of face shield; this is meant to protect the workers from sustaining eye injuries from chippings as well as tree cutting during the operation. This may involve use of eye goggles and safety glasses. The workers may also be provided with special chain saw safety boots. The boots are manufactured with hard layers of protective fabrics on the exposed surface with steel on the upper edge of the toe area. The boots are always made in accordance to the EN20345 standards of chainsaw footwear. Chainsaw trousers; the trousers are designed and manufactured with a special fabric, which prevents the chain from penetrating deep into further layers. The outermost layer of the chain trouser fabric is made in a manner that it is tough and slippery hence preventing the trivial damage of the aggressive chain machine. First aid kit; the chainsaw workers always carry fully equipped first aid kit that may be used to provide first aid such as cleaning of wounds during injuries. The chainsaw operators are always trained on how carry out first aid. Whistle; the chain saw workers are always recommended to carry a functioning whistle in order to facilitate raising an alarm in times of injuries when colleagues are far and cannot hear when an accident occurs. It is pertinent that before carrying the exercise, the chainsaw operators should seek for permission from the nearby local authorities. The local communities should also be notified on the planned activity a few days prior to the operation day. Some of the transportation routes along the operational site may also be closed for a while during the activity to ensure the safety of the people is enhanced (Jonathan 2010, p.64). The operation should also be carried out after indentifying varying key issues such population distribution of the surrounding area, public as well as social amenities around the site and the flora and fauna that may be affected the operation. It is pertinent to conduct an analysis of the effects of the operation on these factors and formulate control measures. Legislation Pertinent to the Activity There are general worldwide common binding rules of operational safety standards that govern the use of chainsaws; however each state has also its own jurisdiction governing the use of chain saws. The European Union has set standards that are generally accepted by most countries in the operation of chain saws. The standards contain various specifications of the requirements needed to operate chain saws ranging from protective gears and the first aid kit. The European Standardization Organization has also developed The European Chainsaw Certificate (ECC) which is obtained after undergoing a chainsaw examination in one of the qualified, certified training providers (Your Link to Health and Safety at Work 2003, p.23). The certificate can be alternatively obtained by training course after which an examination is undertaken to test the acquired skills. The European Union highly recommends that chainsaw operators should undergo proper training programs and acquired the European Chainsaw Certificate before engaging in activities that involve use of chainsaws. Operation Three Persons who may undergo harm in case any hazard occurs; the cleaning staff may be harmed, the students may also suffer from harm in case the cleaners mishandle some of the laboratory equipment during the cleaning process. The school may also be burnt due to mishandling of some of the laboratory highly flammable chemicals by the cleaners as well as other buildings within the compound. The school is located in an isolated region meaning that there are high chances the cleaners (All women) may be easily sexually violated in case there is no security guard. The cleaners may also suffer injuries from the dangerous chemical in the laboratories if they mishandle them. In the case where they smoke within the laboratory or next to highly flammable chemicals in the laboratory, they may suffer serious injuries from explosion of these chemicals. Handling of the wastes using bare hands may also lead to the cleaners by infected by diseases resulting from contamination by germs ascribed to the dirty nature of the litter bins (Centre for Chemical Process Safety 2002, p.39). Some of the litter bags may be too heavy for the cleaners to carry hence may result to injuries resulting from muscle tears, dislocation as well as stress associated with carrying heavy materials. The cleaners may also suffer from depression resulting from tiredness and hard work since they are only three personnel meant to clean a whole school. Fires resulting from mishandling of the laboratory chemicals or smoking amongst the cleaners may cause damage of the school property as well as loss of the lives of the cleaners who may be a caught unawares of the sudden explosion. The surrounding buildings may also be burnt down leading to more losses (DiNardi 2003, p.41). The cleaners may also suffer from health problems such as respiratory tract infection as a result of the dust they inhale from the sweeping. Also some of the toxic laboratory gases may affect them. This may occur if they are not using Personal Protective Equipment such the gas masks. The workers are also prone to suffer from injuries as a result of poor handling of the milling machine. This may be propagated by the fact that the cleaners may not have undergone special training on how to handle the machine. Occurrence of accidents may also be extended by the fact that the area is isolated hence there may not be persons around to offer first aid or rescue services. Design of the Protective Gear Equipment The workers should be provided with air masks designed to filter air hence preventing the workers from health hazards such chemical fumes as well as dust particles. They should also be provided with protective hard fabric gloves. This will prevent them from direct contact with the litter bin equipment which may expose them to germs. The workers are also supposed to be provided with eye shield such as tight eye goggles to protect them from dust particles as well as other toxic chemical fumes in the laboratory (Alvin 2002, p.65). In addition, they should also be trained on how to properly handle laboratory equipment during their cleaning exercises and the dos and don’ts of the laboratory. The school should also employ a security guard who is trained of first aid techniques to specifically check on the activities of the cleaners and also offer physical security to protect them from sexual violation as well as from mishandling the school equipment. The workers should also be provided with machinery that would facilitate the transportation of the waste materials within the school. This would reduce the work loads of the workers hence reducing the trauma they may undergo as they transport heavy waste material. Laboratory equipment should also be labelled in order to caution the cleaners on the dangerous material. This may prevent injuries resulting from lack of awareness on the dangerous chemicals. Legislation Pertinent to the Case Study The Occupation Health and Safety (OHS) rules and regulations have set benchmarks for all property owners to ensure that workers meant to clean their properties are trained and retained so that they carry out their duties in a safe environment. Cleaning personnel should ensure that they are bound to their contracts to ensure they comply with the requirements of the legislation both at their work places and with the materials they use. The requirements of the contracts should be linked to the monitoring and reporting factors of the contractor management. References Alvin R. Associates 2002, The Measure of Man & Woman: Human Factors in Design, a human factors design manual Feldman, J .2011, "OSHA in Action", Public Citizen, retrieved 21st May, 2012 Centre for Chemical Process Safety 2002, Guidelines for Hazard Evaluation Procedures, with Worked Examples (2nd Edition ed.), Wiley & Sons. DiNardi, S. R 2003, The occupational environment: its evaluation, control, and management (2nd ed.), Fairfax, Va.: AIHA Press (American Industrial Hygiene Association). Friend, M. A. 2007, Fundamentals of occupational safety and health (4th ed.), Lanham, Md.: Government Institutes. Jonathan R. B. 2010, The role of exhaustion and workarounds in predicting occupational injuries: A cross-lagged panel study of health care professionals. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 15, 1-16. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 2009, Occupational health psychology, International Ergonomics Association, What is Ergonomics? Website Retrieved 21st May, 2012. Strategy for Safety and Health at Work 2001, Proceedings of a workshop jointly organized in Bilbao from 24-25 April 2001 by the Swedish Presidency of the European Union, the European Commission and the European Agency for Safety, Bilbao, Spain: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Stowell, F. 2010, Occupational safety, health, and wellness (3rd ed.), Stillwater, OK.: Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 2004 providing the insights for a safer and more productive working environment in Europe: A summary of the 2003 annual report of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Bilbao [Spain: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Your Link to Safety and Health at Work 2003, A short guide to the online network of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Luxembourg: Office for official pubs. of the E.C. World Health Organization 2009, The British Medical Journal (BMJ Publishing Group) 2 (4570): 302–303 Top of Form Bottom of Form Read More