Car Workshop Risk Assessment - Term Paper Example

CAR WORKSHOP RISK ASSESSMENT Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 1.0 Introduction 2 2.0 Definition of terms 2 3.0 Principles of risk assessment 3 4.0 Legal requirements relating to risk assessment 4 5.0 Risk assessment methodology 8 6.0 Findings 9 7.0 Conclusion 12 8.0 References 13 1.0 Introduction It is apparent that many people get injured whilst carrying out their duties in automotive workshops. The major type of injury that occurs in a car workshop is manual handling injuries. This results from heavy lifting, handling heavy objects, and prolonged job in awkward postures. Manual handling injuries are evident in installation or maintenance work and vehicle repair. Due to the nature of the job being carried out, there is constantly the risk of fatality or severe injury. However, measures can be put forth in order to mitigate or avoid these risks. While the employers have a duty to minimizing the risks involved in their workplaces in order to guarantee employee safety, employee on the other hand also have a responsibility of taking reasonable care in order to ensure their health and safety and also circumvent endangering the safety of their colleagues (Phil, and Ferrett, 2009). In order to achieve this, it is important to undertake a risk assessment of the workplace in order to identify the hazards involved thus create measures and strategies to minimize or avoid the same. This management report will focus on risk assessment in a car workshop. In general the report will identify the principles of risk assessment, legal requirements for the risk assessment, hazards involved, and control measures to be used. 2.0 Definition of terms Hazard: A situation that has the ability to cause harm to individuals, the environment or damage to property, or it can as well be described as a source of unwanted energy that has the potential of causing damage, loss or injury (Jones, 1994). Accident: An unplanned occurrence that contributes to personal injury or property damage. Employees: People employed by the organization. 3.0 Principles of risk assessment Risk assessment is a term used to refer to the practice of identifying the kinds of hazards present in a work place and the possible risks or harm that such hazards may cause to individuals (Bruce, 2011). It is an aspect of systematic procedure to health and safety. Risk assessment is a responsibility placed on all employers but the consent of the employees and their respective representatives is needed before the process is out. Their knowledge and understanding of the occupation should be integrated into the assessments. To be precise, risk assessment should be keen on all the features of the job dealings, taking into consideration what happens as the staffs are working, consider those prone to risks as well as the working of the organization. The rationale of risk assessment in any organization is to allow the employer to categorize and rate the preventive and control measures required (Haimes, 2009). In addition the employers are bound by laws and regulation to carry out an assessment on the risks at their workplaces. Risk assessment is of paramount as it helps in employee protection, protection of the business and helps in abiding by the law (Bruce, 2011). The law doesn’t expect employers to get rid of all risk, but they are necessitated to guard workers as far as is ‘reasonably feasible (Jeanne, 2006). According to Bruce (2011) risk assessment has a number of principles which include: discovering the things that could possibly go wrong. This happens to be the major principle of risk assessment and it necessitates identifying the uncertainties in an organization. This in itself entails organization exploration at all levels while stating the influences, factors as well as the results to ensure that the assessment is efficient. The second step of risk assessment is risk analysis. It entails the understanding of what each discovered uncertainty means. For each item describing a possible predicament, a study to determine the possibility of that predicament must be completed. Besides this involves the rating of the risks as well as their impacts, and determining a formula to curb or lessen such risks. Risk prioritization: this is the third principle of risk assessment. Since it is hard for an organization to tackle all its risks at the same time, the principle necessitates that the organization addresses such risks in order of priority. This therefore means that the organization should first address those risks that will most negatively affect it as well as its employees. By so doing the organization is able to save time as well as avoid the vexatious distractions that are likely to disturb its working routine. 4.0 Legal requirements relating to risk assessment It is a requirement by the law that all employers should protect the health and safety of their employees as well as that of themselves. Most importantly the law necessitates that they assess the possible risks concerning the health and safety of their employees as they carry out their duties. It is also a requirement by the law that the risk assessment should be carried out by trained and competent people in order to guarantee efficiency in the process (Pat, 2003). A range of regulations are put in place to ensure that all employees abide by these rules. The health and safety at work etc Act 1974, also known as HSW or HASAW is the major legislation that covers occupational safety and health in the United Kingdom (John, 1974). A number of principles have been laid down by the Act to help manage the health and safety at workplace. Furthermore the Act has enabled the creation of particular necessities through codes of practice or the regulations enacted as statutory instruments. These principles include the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992 and the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 (John, 1974). Regulation 3, of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, requires all employers to make appropriate and adequate assessment of the following: The risks linked to safety and health that the workers are exposed to while performing their duties, The possible risks to the health and safety of other individuals (not staff members) likely to arise as a consequence of the proceedings of the organization, The employers are also required to make arrangements for the implementation of the health and safety measures identified as critical by the risk assessment team, He is also supposed to monitor, review as well as appoint personnel with sufficient skills, knowledge and understanding to help in the implementation process, Ensure that, the workers have adequate and clear information, training as well as supervision; they should also ensure that, staffing is purely based on competency as this will help reduce the likelihood of a risk happening, Employees are also supposed to work together with employers from other similar organizations to share information on the risks which are susceptible to occur in such organizations as well as the mitigation measures to be used to lessen such risks. In our case, these risks may be experienced by the mechanics, visitors as well as other workers of the car workshop. The risks of such a workplace may be as a result of such hazards as physical, biological, psychological, environmental as well as chemical. In many cases, these hazards lead to a range of risks that affect the health and safety of the workforce and these results to work inefficiencies. Manual handling operation regulation 1992 is another regulation. This regulation requires the employers to avoid the manual handling operations in a workplace that could result to the risk of injury. In instances that the manual handling cannot be circumvented, an appropriate as well as ample evaluation should be carried out and appropriate measures to address the risk initiated established (Jeanne and International Labour Office, 1998)... In a car workshop, there are a number of activities which involve pulling, pushing, moving, lifting, carrying by hands or applying bodily force which may result to injuries to the workers on duty. It is for this reason therefore, that it is of paramount to assess the kind of task at hand, the load, the environment involved as well as the possibility of injury occurrence. Personal protective equipment at work regulations 1992, regulation 4, entails the provision of appropriate protective gears to employees in circumstances where the risks linked to their health and safety cannot be controlled sufficiently by other mitigation methods (John, 1974). In a car workshop, such protective equipment include; earmuffs, gloves, goggles, gumboots, helmets, nose masks which help the workers reduce the risk of injuries and other risks that are a threat to their life. Provision as well as Use of Work Equipment Regulations, regulation 5, necessitates the employers to make sure that the equipment are suitable for the reason they are intended, they should ensure that they have adequate knowledge in relation to the risks linked to health and safety. Regulations 8 and 9 require the employers to give adequate information, instructions, as well as the necessary trainings to the employee on the most suitable ways to use the work equipment. In addition, risks assessments made under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations will assist employers in selecting appropriate work equipment in order to lessen the likelihood of risk to health and safety occurrence (Phil and Ferrett, 2009). As in our case, the entire workforce at the car workshop that is the mechanics and other workers should be provided with the suitable equipment as well as sufficient training on the usage of the equipment. The workplace (health, safety and welfare) regulation 5 in general covers the whole working environment. This means that the employer has an obligation to make sure that an environment is always in good conditions for workers. A number of regulations in this legislation necessitate employers to provide effective ventilation, adequate lighting, reasonable temperature, adequate working space, appropriate as well as enough rest space (Jeanne and International Labour Office, 1998). In a car workshop, in order to minimize the risk of injuries as well as ensure efficiency in the work place, the employer should ensure the availability of all these. A good working environment for example will enable the mechanics to operate effectively lessening the risk of injury from falling or poorly placed objects. Good ventilation on the other hand, allows for the flow of enough fresh air through the workshop. 5.0 Risk assessment methodology In this particular car workshop, there are 15 mechanics of which three of them are apprentices who usually carry out mechanical repairs. In order to identify the hazards evident in the car workshop and all the people at risk, the following methodology and steps were followed as described by Health and Safety Executive (2008). The use of secondary data which encompassed reading the health and safety of motor vehicle repair web pages, booklets on health and safety in motor vehicle repair, and journals to know where and which hazards can take place; Checking of the manufactures data sheets for equipment and chemical; Personal observation which encompassed walking around the workplace and taking notes of the things which may pose a risk; Personal interview which involved talking to the employees in order to find out the kind of training they were provided with, the work methods employed; and their views and concerns regarding health and safety; Looked at the company’s accident book. 6.0 Findings After obtaining data which was deemed helpful for the research, the information was compiled and analyzed in order to obtain the results and findings. Through this assessment, the following was identified: the hazards which are most prevalent; people/items likely to be harmed and how; measures put in place to overcome the hazards and further actions which should be put in place. Manual handling was the major hazard and affects all employees especially those working in the store. In order to avoid injuries such as back pains, managers should ensure that fork-lift trucks should be employed in moving materials into the workshop. In addition, workers should be well trained concerning manual handling in the store. The others hazards which were identified are discussed in the table below. Hazards People/items harmed Control measures Further action required Hazardous substances 1. Contact with substances e.g. used engine oil while servicing. 2. Toxic exhausts fumes generated by car engine while running. Employees are harmed in that; contact of the oil with the skin can cause skin cancer and severe dermatitis. However, this is after a long period of time. The fumes can cause employees breathing difficulties and eye irritation. Use of nitrile gloves Use of garage overalls Regular cleaning of the overalls Car exhaust should be attached to an extractor system while the engine is running. In order to prevent leaks, the extractor system should be well maintained. Workers should have the knowledge of the possibilities of skin cancer and dermatitis. The supervisor should ensure that the employees are wearing gloves while carrying out their duties. No further action necessary. Fire 1. general 2. petrol fires Employees may suffer from fatal or severe burns in case they are trapped in a on fire building; Buildings may burn down. Prohibit smoking in the workplace. Provision of fire extinguisher which should be inspected regularly Provision of fire alarms which should be maintained and regularly tested by the manufacture. Ensure that spillages are cleared instantaneously Vehicle fuel tanks should be emptied with a fuel retriever outside. Managers should ensure that all employees are well trained regarding the use of fire extinguishers. Employees should be briefed on safe working with petrol. This can be done using HSE’s ‘Safe use of Petrol in garages’ publication. Mechanical equipment Some of the employee body parts such as the fingers/arm/hand may be trapped while moving vehicle parts causing crush injuries. Workers may cut themselves with sharp edges. The employees should ensure that all mechanical equipments are in good condition before using them and report faults to the supervisor. Enough guarding should be offered. Equipments should not be left operating unattended. Management should provide safety goggles. Trained persons should be in charge of changing grinding wheels. No further action needed. Electrical equipments including fixed equipments and portable appliances such as hand lamps. Use of faulty electrical equipments may cause burns or fatal shocks to all employees. Faulty electrical equipments may start a fire. Use of hand lamps etc (24 volts) which are low voltage. Annual tests of all portable electrical equipments and the employees should be trained on how to perform visual checks and report any defects. Use of 240 volt equipments Regular maintenance on installed equipments. Managers should evaluate appropriateness of replacing the 240 volts equipments with other alternatives. Battery charging Employees may suffer from burns in case of contact with battery acid while charging, especially when the battery is overcharged as it may explode. Installation of proprietary charger by the electricians and it should be used in according to the instructions given. Managers should offer employees with acid resistant goggles and gloves. The supervisors should ensure that the employees use the provided safety equipments while undertaking their duty. Falling objects due to car lift or jack failure. Failure of a car jack or car lift can cause severe crush injuries to a staff. Managers should make sure that car jacks and lifts are regularly serviced by a supplier and also often inspected by insurers. Car jacks should be used only when the ground conditions are stable, firm and level. No other measures required. Operation of lift truck Injuries including fractures may be caused by visitors and employees hit by the lift truck, employees falling from the lift truck, and objects may fall from the lift truck to the visitors and employees. Operators should be well trained and skilled in using the lift trucks. Managers should make certain that the lift trucks are serviced regularly. The supervisors should evaluate the suitability of the lift trucks. Managers should offer refresher training to the operators after every two years. (Charles, 2009; Haimes, 2009; Jones, 1994; Roughton, 2002; Health and Safety Executive, 2008) 7.0 Conclusion Occupational health and safety affects all workers regardless of their workplaces and those who have the obligation of health and safety management have an added duty to their portfolio. Most important of this obligation is to ensure risk reduction through the control of hazards. In a car workshop environment, the employees are exposed to a range of risks as a result of physical, chemical, psychological, biological as well as environmental factors. To reduce such risks, the law obligates the employer to carry out risk assessments at their workplaces. Regulation 3, of the management of safety and health at work Regulations 1999, requires that all employees provide appropriate and ample assessment of the risks that the worker is exposed to in his/her line of duty.  The risk assessment principles enable organizations to be always prepared in case of uncertainty as well as take appropriate mitigative measures to address the uncertainties thus ensuring work efficiency.  8.0 References Bruce, T, 2011. Principles of risk assessment, source; http://www.brighthub.com/office/project-management/articles/108431.aspx. [Accessed August 5, 2011]. Charles, D. 2009. Occupational Health Safety Management Practical AP. New York: CRC press. Haimes, Y, 2009. Risk Modeling, assessment, and management. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Health and Safety Executive, 2008. Example of risk assessment: A motor vehicle mechanical repair workshop. http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:3Z2RgXZarLMJ:www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/pdf/mvr.pdf+car+workshop+risk+assessment&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShTlmkdANF-jySWIr4d8vdwzaX8HbnVkMh2vBwKqKHg9ij9iHS8xhETPSUF4ocSeyz17YAh5yZ3TnOLPdBb8iPRwoSUojJeWFCDQA8PeC5PVETlkbWcCGZAE-rgKTrU56yAiHoS&sig=AHIEtbTl2Tx9bU67Yb2X0o41j3vjzY3p4Q Accessed August 5, 2011. Jeanne, M, International Labour Office, 1998. Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety, Volume 1; Volume 5, (4th ed), Geneva: International Labour Organization. John, G, 1974. New laws to ensure greater safety at work. The Times: p. 16, col A.  Jones, D. 1994. Nonmenclature For hazard and Risk Assessment in the Process Industries. (2nd Ed.). Institute of Chemical Engineers: United Kingdom.  Pat, P, 2003. Risk assessments questions and answers: a practical approach Questions and answers. London: Thomas Telford. Phil, H, and Ferrett, E. 2009. Introduction to health and safety at work. London: Butterworth-Heinemann.  Phil, H, and Ferrett, E. 2009. Introduction to health and safety at work. London: Butterworth-Heinemann. Roughton, J. 2002. Developing an Effective Safety Culture: A Leadership Approach (1st Ed.). London: Butterworth-Heinemann. Read More