Occupational and Environmental Hygiene in Sydney - Case Study Example

Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Institution Name Date Executive summary This study was conducted Sydney in one of the commuter train companies as a way of establishing whether there were health hazards as a way of determining if the Occupational Safety and Health Act was adequately implemented. Observation, questionnaires and secondary data sources were used to collect information used in the study. The stratified sampling methodology was used as the data was to be collected from employees in various categories of job descriptions. Discussions were made based on results obtained and a conclusion drawn to the effect that the company had not applied the OSHA act in the workplace. Consequently, recommendations were made which would make the workplace safe for employees to execute their duties comfortably. Glossary of terms Pathogen- disease causing microorganism Strata- layers or levels where one level appears below or above the other Emission- the activity involving releasing; especially in gases or fumes Introduction Sydney is considered as the most populated city in Australia, in addition to, being the largest city in Australia. This study was undertaken in one of the commuter train companies based in Sydney. In this study, tools that are used to measure the occupational health and safety among workers were identified and used to analyze the safety measures employed to protect workers. Observation was one of the data collection methods utilized in the study, in addition to, application of questionnaires. Relevant apparatus were used to detect presence of certain microorganisms present in various areas within the commuter train company. The results obtained were analyzed and a conclusion drawn from the discussion. Occupational safety and health are vital aspects of any workplace and those present at the Sydney workplace were compared to the United States occupational health and safety measures. Literature review About occupational safety and health Occupational safety and health is an aspect of environmental health that is concerned with maintenance of working environments that are not only safe but also free from injuries. This way the health, in addition to, the welfare of workers is maintained at all times so that everyone who comes into contact with the environment is safe. The aspect of occupational health and safety was enacted in the 1950s as a strategy aimed at achieving mental, emotional, as well as, physical health for employees. However, not all employers have managed to establish the dimensions in their workplaces as was discovered by this researcher (United States Department of Labor, 2011). Occupational safety and health at the workplace is advantageous as it is the source of a wide range of benefits. These include reduced sick-leave among employees, fewer medical expenses for those who fall sick in the course of duty, as well as, reduced legal complaints hence productivity of employees is increased. Similarly, occupational health and safety provides a sense of serenity as employees do not have to keep on looking behind their shoulders where danger looms constantly (United States Department of Labor, 2011). Potential health impacts There are a number of health hazards that were seen by the researcher in the commuter trains workstation at Sydney. These health hazards are mainly self-inflicted though most are beyond the capabilities of workers at the company. Among the most recurrent hazards are biological pollutants such as bacteria or fungi, noise and chemical pollutants such as dust, in addition to, poor ventilation. These health hazards pose life threatening risks to individuals working in such environments and therefore it is vital to minimize or eradicate the hazards completely in order to sustain employee health status (Spengler and Sexton, 1999). Biological hazards Biological hazards also popularly referred to as biological pollution involves living organisms which invade habitats that were not originally meant for their occupation. There are a number of living organisms which are responsible for biological pollution for instance fungi, bacteria and viruses. However, in this study, focus is limited to bacteria and fungi as these are responsible for a large number of diseases among human beings (Belland, Ouellette & Gieffers, 2004). Fungi as biological pollutants are responsible for diseases such as pneumonia, athlete’s foot and candidiasis. These fungal diseases are common in humid areas with poor ventilation or working conditions that are overcrowded. The users of commuter trains often have to contend with crowded spaces while inside the trains. This is inevitable as most of these users cannot afford private cars and they are therefore exposed to skin infections in addition to, respiratory infections (Griffith, Wesiberg and McGee, 2003). The other health impact of biological pollutants such as bacteria is that they are the causative agent of tuberculosis, diphtheria, syphilis and leprosy. Tuberculosis is a disease that affects the respiratory system hence rendering the patient unable to handle their daily tasks. A larger percentage of these bacterial diseases are spread through contact with a skin person especially where body fluids are exposed. The transport sector entails provision of services to all regardless of their physical health conditions. Consequently, individuals suffering from any of these fungal or bacterial diseases will board a commuter train and in the process transmit the pathogen to other users (Tsuji & Hirano, 2007). The crew of that commuter train is more susceptible to being infected as they tend to get into contact with ailing passengers throughout their working day. Similarly, the crew tends to spend most of their time inside the commuter train such that chances of getting fresh air at certain times are impossible. This is made worse by the fact that most passengers pay for the services using cash money which is arguably one of the most contaminated object in the world. In this aspect, a sick patient gets into contact with the money before presenting it to the cashier who may not be immunized against any of the bacterial or fungal infections hence they fall sick (Griffith, 2003). Poor ventilation makes it easier for bacterial or fungal infections to spread as it minimizes air circulation which is mandatory in reducing these diseases. For instance adequately ventilated offices or trains make it easier for fresh air to get inside while used up air moves out carrying the disease causing microorganisms. Similarly, the fact that bacteria and fungi can survive outside the human body for long periods of time makes it easier for another person to pick up the pathogens. This is unlike viral contamination which is not possible via air transmission (Belland, 2004). Noise pollution Noise if defined as any unwanted noise regardless of whether it is loud or manageable. Therefore, any form of sound that is not welcome is considered to be noise as the listener may not be in a position to enjoy listening to it. For instance, music playing from a commuter train stereo is noise such that although some passengers may enjoy it as music, others get irritated. Noise has a detrimental impact on the ears such that individuals who are exposed to loud noise for considerable periods of time can easily become deaf due to the pressure exacted on the eardrum by the noise (Field, 1993). Hearing is one of the senses present among animals that enable them to perceive events around them without having to use their eyes. Consequently, hearing is essential especially among individuals with a poor sense of sight as they do not miss out on occurrences around them. However, over the years music lovers have developed a tendency of playing music with very high voice turnover such that the blasting sound becomes unbearable to those in the vicinity (Field, 1993). The other impact of noise pollution on human beings is that noise is a major cause of migraines amongst those who are exposed to continuous loud noises. This is because noise presents high levels of pressure inside the head and at the same time brain cells are working their way round minimizing the impact of the noise hence sharp headaches are experienced (Field, 1993). Chemical hazards (ventilation) Ventilation ergonomics is a vital aspect of occupational health and safety as it ensures that the work place is not only well ventilated but also has the appropriate temperatures required by employees to stay comfortably in the workplace. Over the years, global warming has led to unpredictable weather conditions in a way those regions that were originally cold experience extremely high temperatures today. This has caused companies to adopt artificial air conditioning equipment in their workplaces as the physical structure of the building was not developed with respect to prevailing climatic conditions (Spengler, 1999). Similarly, some buildings experience excessively cold temperatures and heaters are eminent in order to make the environment bearable. However, most of the ventilation systems that are installed in some of the workplaces around Sydney are not suited for the offices they are installed. For instance, in the offices of this commuter Train Company the nature of air conditioners was not suited for that particular office setting. This is mainly because the air conditioners were set in such a way that the dry air which is supposed to cool the room is directed to employees seated below the device (Spengler, 1999). This is hazardous as the dry air which the workers are subjected to usually leads to drying of the eyes so that the eyes become irritated. This irritation causes blurriness or reddening of the years and the employee develops difficulties in normal sight. Similarly, dried eyes are exposed to numerous risks such as becoming easy targets for pathogens amongst dust particles as there are no tears to wash the foreign particles away. Tears also contain anti-microbial chemicals that tend to kill any microorganism that makes its way into the eye. However, with reduced or no tears, the eyes are exposed to more than one particle as irritation will make an employee to scratch it hence worsening the situation (Spengler, 1999). Other chemical pollutants which affect the health of employees at the commuter train offices include particles from computers, as well as, x-rays that emanate from laser printers. The computer generated particles, in addition to; the rays from laser printers possess electromagnetic radiation which triggers cancer cells in the employee’s body. Consequently, employees are more likely to develop a variety of cancerous conditions based on length of exposure to the harmful chemicals (Arnold, 2004). Similarly, smoke and fumes from train exhausts pose another health hazard amongst employees in the transport sector as they are continuously exposed to toxic gases. Most of the commuter trains are run by petroleum products that contain high levels of carbon and lead. Carbon is an organic chemical and when it undergoes incomplete combustion, it forms soot which is a black solid substance. The commuter train crew is very likely to inhale tonnes of this carbon in the course of duty so that at the end of their working day they develop breathing problems. This is because the carbon which is converted into soot is inhaled and deposited in the lungs of crew members. Deposition of soot in the lungs reduces the capacity that would otherwise be occupied by respiratory gases and before long crew members start gasping for health or else they develop asthmatic reactions (Spengler, 1999). Lead on the other hand is deposited in the lungs and after prolonged inhalation, the accumulated deposits elicit allergic reactions or it triggers development of lung cancer. Based on these examples, it is arguably significant to state that most of the respiratory diseases or cancerous conditions that occur among employees are as a result of chemical pollution in the workplace (Spengler, 1999). Sampling methodology The sampling methodology that was used in this research is stratified sampling due to the nature of data that was required by the researcher. This is because information had to be obtained from separate groups of the entire workforce at the commuter train company. For instance, some information could only have been obtained from the crew while other information could only have been given by employees who worked at the company office. Consequently, both groups worked in different environmental set ups with diverse working conditions hence their understanding of health hazard is probably diversified. Therefore, some questions were only relevant to certain members of the entire workforce hence the need to establish the strata (Freedman and Pisani, 2007). The other advantage of using stratified sampling in the research is that major groups in the population were identified first before the sample population was selected. Therefore, in each group of the workforce at the commuter Train Company representatives were randomly selected so that each employee was fully represented by the sample population. Consequently, in stratified sampling, the results obtained are never biased as the entire population is always represented without discrimination (Freedman, 2007). Results Results for bacterial population at the commuter train offices Office equipment Percentage bacteria flora Door bell 65% Door handle 50% Computer mouse 70% Office keys 20% Table surfaces 37% Computer keyboard 41% Results for bacterial population inside the commuter trains Office equipment Percentage bacteria flora Aisle rail 88% Door handle 50% Seats 12% Results for chemical pollution at the company (cases reported by employees with infections in their eyes and respiratory system) Health condition Number of cases reported per week Conjunctivitis 2 Itchy eyes 6 Nasal congestion 10 Nausea 2 Gasping for breath 1 Lung/throat cancer 0 Results for complications emanating from noise pollution Health condition Number of cases reported per week Migraines 6 Pain inside the ears 3 hearing problems 1 Discharge from the ears 4 Discussion The above results offer valid evidence that indeed there are a number of occupational health and safety measures that have not been implemented at the commuter train company. This is attributed to the fact that the health hazards identified during this study could have been eliminated had adequate measures on employee safety being put in place. Consequently, the high numbers of sick leave cases being reported at the main offices each week provide sufficient evidence on the huge loss felt by the employer when employees are unwell. The occupational safety and health regulations define a health risk as an undertaking with a relatively high probability of harming the health of an individual. The results obtained from this study the various workplace conditions are observed to pose a number of health to workers hence they are considered as health hazards (Tsuji, 2007). The high population of bacterial flora at the office buildings is attributed to the fact that employees are confined in one office where everyone gets in and out freely. This explains the high levels of bacteria on the door bell and door handle. Similarly, there seems to be a big loophole in terms of hygiene among employees as most of them rarely clean or sterilize their hands before handling the computer keyboard or mouse. This has been the sole reason behind high levels of bacteria which inhabit the human respiratory system (Belland, 2004). Safe Work Australia is an organization that is present in Sydney which plays a pivotal role towards ensuring that all workplaces in the region are provided with adequate information regarding personal hygiene which is essential in attaining workplace safety (United States Department of Labor, 2011). Poor ventilation has also contributed to the humid atmosphere inside the office so that bacteria reproduce rapidly as humid temperatures are favorable for multiplication. The bacteria found on the office keys, as well as, those found on the surfaces are transferred from contaminated hands of employees. Consequently, poor circulation of air inside the office, as well as, poor ventilation inside the commuter trains ensures that at any given time, there are thousands of harmful bacteria in circulation. This is because passengers rarely open windows when they board commuter trains and as there are usually many people confined in a closed environment, bacteria or fungi from infected passengers is often passed on to the uninfected (Griffith, 2003). The aisle rail inside the commuter train is highly contaminated as passengers tend to support themselves using the rails when boarding or alighting from the train. Consequently, most of them will have sneezed on their hands or touched contaminated objects such as the door handle hence spread the pathogens in the train (Griffith, 2003). Similarly, poor ventilation measures are responsible for the numerous health problems that are associated with chemical pollution. Problems include infections in the eyes, problems when breathing, as well as, nausea brought about by harmful electromagnetic waves. According to the American Occupational Safety and Health regulations, chemical pollution accounts for the highest percentage of cancerous cases in the world. Due to its complex nature, most of the employees who succumb to cancer are often relived off their duties on health grounds even if they had not attained their retirement age (Arnold, 2004). Noise is yet another health hazard that was witnessed at the commuter train company. However, this health risk only affected crew members out in the field as those left behind at the office enjoyed a serene atmosphere. The health impacts are exhibited by headaches, in addition to, problems in hearing mainly due to damaged eardrum. The OSHA plays a crucial role in providing adequate information on noise management and reduction. This is essential as some types of noise such as motor vehicle noise cannot be eliminated completely though it can be reduced to tolerable levels (United States Department of Labor, 2011). Conclusion In conclusion, the commuter train company has not adapted the Occupational Safety and Health act which advocates for a workplace that is free from any health risks. Similarly, based on the data collected, the company is suffering huge loses in terms of low productivity as the number of employees who are reported as sick is significant. It is essential to note that employees play a significant role in maintaining environmental hygiene at their workplace so as to minimize the spread of contaminants or pollutants. However, the company can achieve workplace safety by applying the recommendations listed below. Recommendations 1. Computers are vital tools in today’s world and therefore before making any purchase, the buyer should investigate the degree of emissions that are likely to emanate from the machine. Consequently, after the purchase, the computer should be allowed to lie idle in a vacant room for a while so as to reduce particle emissions on the first users. 2. The commuter trains, as well as, various items at the office should be sterilized frequently so as to reduce accumulation of biological pathogens. Employees should be provided with a hand sanitizer to clean their hands before and after handling office equipment. 3. The commuter train crew should be allowed to work in shifts so that all employees are able to serve in the set time rather than having the same employees being exposed to noise each day. This way, prolonged exposure to noise will reduce the cases of health problems brought about by noise pollution. 4. Proper ventilation should be established in the offices through constructions of wide windows which allow sufficient circulation of air. Similarly, air conditioning equipment should be installed properly and humidity maintained appropriately. References Arnold, C. (2004), computer energy wastes a major cause of pollution. Retrieved on September 22, 2011 from: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1960428 Belland R, Ouellette S, Gieffers J, Byrne G (2004). "Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerosis". Cell Microbiol 6 (2), pp; 117–27. doi:10.1046/j.1462- 5822.2003.00352. Field, J.M. (1993), Effect of personal and situational variables upon noise annoyance in residential areas, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, vol; 93, pp; 2753-2763 Freedman, D. and Pisani, R. (2007), statistics. 4th ed. New York: Norton Griffith, J., Wesiberg, S. and McGee, C.. (2003). Evaluation of microbial source tracking methods using mixed fecal sources in aqueous test samples. 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