Health and Safety Executive - Assignment Example

Health and Safety Executive I. Operation 1 (a.) Hazards: The cracks which developed in the subterranean chamber of the main junction of the sewer system requires to be repaired in dispatch as it will cause more damage if no immediate remedy is done. The chamber can be found in a field that is located at the top of a farmer’s private lane that is 1 mile from the main road and the field is being used by the farmer to graze cattle and sheep. (b.) Who may be harmed: The owner of the private property where the chamber is situated and the entire community living within the vicinity are at risk if the chamber shall not be fixed instantly. The passers-by who use the main road are also in danger. The cattle and sheep may be potentially exposed to serious peril if the chamber suddenly explodes. (c.) Evaluation of Risks: Due to the impending peril of a potential explosion of the chamber brought about by the cracks, it is best that immediate remedy shall be effected swiftly. The toxic pollutants found in the sewer system can cause a critical threat to public health. In the event that it explodes, the water system shall be affected which can harm the community that uses the sewer system. (d.) Implementation: A simple solution to fix the cracks by applying a sealant to the cracked edges is just a temporary relief. There is a need to upgrade the sewer system management plan. In order to prevent sewer overflows, it suggested that some guideline should be followed: 1. “Maintain uninterrupted sewage flow without health hazard, effluent leakage, or water infiltration and inflow. 2. Operate a sanitary sewer system that meets all regulatory requirements. 3. Avoid sanitary sewer overflows and respond to sanitary sewer overflows quickly and mitigate any impact of the overflow. 4. Maintain standards and specifications for the installation of new wastewater systems. 5. Verify the wastewater collection system has adequate capacity to convey sewage during peak flows". Details on how to achieve a sewer system management plan can be found in this website http://www.ci.san-luis-obispo.ca.us/utilities/download/ssmpgoal.pdf. (e.) Review of Assessment : The grave problem must be acted upon immediately. There is no need to wait for the operation to take place in June. The sewer system issue must be resolved in the soonest possible time as many people shall be exposed to the danger of spreading diseases and toxic pollutants in the water system which can be caused by a broken subterranean chamber of the sewer system. II. Operation 2 (a.) Hazards: The maintenance and upkeep of growing trees, grasses and hedgerows along highway and in the vicinity of a junior school in the suburbs of a small town has become a refuge of drug traders living in the area. The possible menace that the drug dealers can cause to the innocent children, the people who reside in the community, and the motorists who traverse the highway, should be prevented. (b.) Who may be harmed: The safety and well-being of the students attending the junior school and the entire school community are in jeopardy for they may encounter misfortune with the members of the drug syndicate. The gardener who is responsible for the upkeep of grass verge, tidy up hedgerows, and trim tree branches is in also peril if he is left alone to finish the task. The landowners near the site will also be in danger if no maintenance is implemented. “The highway users are exposed to harm, especially if they are blind and disabled and wheelchair or pushchair users. Children are particularly at risk from eye injury. They can also impair vision for drivers at junctions”. Details on the danger caused by overgrown trees and hedges to highway users can be viewed in the website of Worcestershire County Council which can be viewed at http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/transport-and-streets/streets/trees-and-hedgerows.aspx. (c.) Evaluation of Risks: It is impossible for the grass cutter, which is a ride-on mower to be driven to the site on the public highway as it is too large and heavy to be transported with the vehicles available. The highway adjacent to the site is a main commuter route and can put people’s safety at risk. (d.) Implementation: In order to complete the task of clean-up and maintenance of the targeted area, the local council should involve more employees to perform the job. The more people who are hired to complete the work, less time shall be required to accomplish the clean-up. (e.) Review of Assessment: The council should change the equipment and tools to be utilized in the clean-up of the work site. The large cutter should be removed and replaced by smaller equipment. The maintenance should be done monthly to prevent overgrown trees and hedgerows. III. Operation 3 (a.) Hazards: The women cleaners of the school laboratory are transporting the waste products near the school playground. The health and well-being of young children who spend time in the playground are at serious risk, as they are being exposed to toxic chemicals. (b.) Who may be harmed: The children who go to playground are at risk because of the presence of toxic chemicals from the school laboratory. “Their nervous and endocrine systems are under development and are much more likely to be disrupted by these harmful chemical messengers. Very young children are especially vulnerable because they crawl around the floor and when they put their hands into their mouths they transfer the toxic chemicals right into their systems”. Details on the effects of toxic chemicals on children can be viewed at the website of RM Barry Publications at http://www.rmbarry.com/research/toxics_schools.html. The women who are assigned to do the clean-up are also being subjected to extreme danger especially if they are pregnant. Studies have shown that “exposure to chemicals during fetal development has been shown to increase the risk of adverse health consequences, including preterm birth and birth defects, childhood morbidity, and adult disease and mortality according to the research team”. Details on the effects of chemicals on pregnant women can be viewed at the website of The Canary Report at http://www.thecanaryreport.org/2011/01/15/ucsf-study/. (c.) Evaluation of Risks: The women cleaners who are pregnant should take a leave from work. The school playground should be closed down if the school’s administration continues to order the waste from the laboratories to be placed inside the wheelie bins in the playground. (d.) Implementation: The school administration should create a waste disposal management plan. They should be able to identify a more suitable place where they can store the waste product from the laboratory. This should remove the chemical waste inside the school playground. If this is not done immediately, they should close down the playground temporarily until they find a better location. (e.) Review of Assessment: Children and pregnant women are more prone to serious health problems if they continue to be exposed to the toxic chemicals. To prevent this from happening, the school administration should implement a waste disposal management plan. References: Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Five steps to risk assessment. Viewed on June 1, 2011, from, < http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/fivesteps.htm>. “Children & Chemical Exposure Outside the Home Research Report”. RM Barry Publications. Viewed on June 1, 2011, at . Sewer System Management Plan. City of San Luis Obispo. Retrieved on June 1, 2011, from < http://www.ci.san-luis-obispo.ca.us/utilities/download/ssmpgoal.pdf>. “Trees and hedgerows”. Worcestershire County Council. Viewed on June 1, 2011, from . USCF study finds toxic chemicals in pregnant women. The Canary Report. Viewed on June 1, 2011, at . 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