Workplace Health and Safety at the Workplace - Report Example

Industrial Accidents Name Institution Industrial Accidents Executive Summary Today, workplace health and safety remains one of the significant factor engineers concern. As a result, companies has been forced to review their policy on workplace health and safety which aim at setting up working environment favors workers so as to ensure maintenance and promotion the highest level of physical, social and metal well being of engineers in the organization. Therefore this report focuses on Industrial Accidents in the field of engineering. Some of the issues to be discussed by this report include why and how do these accidents happen, whether an engineer can predict or prevent them, whether there are acceptable accidents that we have to live with, ideas engineers learn by making mistakes and whether the engineers can the world safer. Table of Contents Industrial Accidents 2 Executive Summary 2 Table of Contents 3 1.0 Introduction 4 2.0 Industrial Accidents 5 3.0 Why and how these accidents happen 6 4.0 Whether an Engineer can predict or prevent industrial accidents 10 5.0 Are there acceptable accidents that we have to live with? 11 6.0 Learning about the consequences of industrial accidents through mistakes 13 7.0 An engineer makes the world safer 13 8.0 Conclusion 14 9.0 References 15 1.0 Introduction Workplace health and safety are turning out to be the most critical factor of management in engineering organizations. Experts believe that the major contributory aspects towards this idiosyncrasy looks to be because of the quick industrial and engineering development which are happening in many countries, and the increase of new product development products (David, 2006). Manufacturing activities in the engineering field like motor vehicle assembly, mining, welding bridge construction are on the increase, and since these operations involve the use of sophisticated tool, the engineers are prone to injuries of various magnitudes. Tadesse& Admassu (2006, p.3) contended that the unquenchable need for these countries to technical advance has led to the importation of the sophisticated equipment and machinery not just only in the industrial-production operations, but also to commerce and service sectors. The positive effect of occupational health and safety locally could be seen in mitigating work-related injuries and morbidity (Tadesse & Admassu, 2006, p.4). Furthermore, this will lead to few losses both to the employer and employees on the basis of as wage losses and compensation costs. Based on the information, this report will focus on Industrial Accidents in the field of engineering. Some of the questions to be addressed on this report include why and how do these accidents happen, whether an engineer can predict or prevent them, whether there are acceptable accidents that we have to live with, ideas engineers learn by making mistakes and whether the engineers can the world safer. 2.0 Industrial Accidents According to Sherriff & Tooma (2010), industrial accident is defined as the danger which originates from industrial operations and processes such as dangerous procedures, human negligence, incompetence and infrastructure failures which could cause the injury, loss of lives, damage of property, economic and social disruption, and even environmental degradation. Engineers are prone to industrial accidents due to the nature of their work. Blockley (2012) stated that engineering is a wide area, hence there is a large number of people who are affected by these accidents. In the modern era, engineering it is often regarded to comprise of the key basic branches consisting of chemical, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. Chemical Engineering entails the use of biological and physical sciences in the practice of changing chemicals or raw material into a more valuable or useful forms (Blockley, 2012). When these processes are not carried properly, spill or leakage of chemical can cause injury or toxication. Normally, chemical are used by engineers for various purposes such as greasing. Chemicals could bear acute and immediate effects, including chronic effects when breathed, drank or bathed due to exposure. Research indicates that nearly 47 000 individuals die annually because of chemical poisoning (Quinlan, Johnstone & McNamara, 2009, p.561). On the other hand, civil engineering entails construction, the design and the maintenance of natural and physical built environments forms (Blockley, 2012).. Construction involves the use of equipment such as metals, hammer, nails and other materials. When these materials are not handled properly, they can harm the engineer. For instance, during construction, metal can cut the hand or the leg of engineer leading to loss of life. Blockley (2012) posited that electrical engineering encompasses the use of electronics, electricity and electromagnetism. When wires are not connected to the right ones, engineers are likely to be electrocuted; a situation which can result to severe injury or loss of lives. In fact, loose wires can cause burning down a whole house or industry. Mechanical engineering entails the blueprint, evaluation and application of mechanical power and heat for the mechanical systems and machine operations forms (Blockley, 2012). Every year, disease and work-related injuries kill close to 2 million individuals globally. This number is higher than the worldwide yearly number of malaria deaths. Kaplan & Tetrick (2010) asserted that yearly, a close to 160 million fresh incidences of work-related disorders happens globally, consisting cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, hearing loss, cancer, reproductive disorders, musculoskeletal, neurological and mental illnesses. A growing number of employees in the industrial nations complain concerning psychological overwork and stress (Kaplan & Tetrick, 2010). The psychological forces are strongly linked with, depression, fatigue, burn-out syndromes, and insomnia including with increased risks of cardiovascular illness. Safe Work Australia (2013) claims that only 4-10 percent of engineers in the developing nations and 25-50 percent of engineers in the industrial countries are approximated to access to appropriate occupational health and safety. Even in developed countries, a big proportion of plants and industries are not frequently scrutinized for the occupational health and safety. 3.0 Why and how these accidents happen As started earlier, engineering is divided into many fields which touch almost every aspect of life. Engineering use of tools, chemical, electrical wires, electronic and building materials among others. Accidents are described as unforeseen incidences that could lead to fatalities, injuries and even damage to assets and properties (Nichols, Walters & Tasiran, 2007, p.213). A company which is injury prone loses production as the employees nurse their injuries. Similarly, much more is used to treat and compensate injured employees. According to Smith & Leggat (2005, p.140) the numerous endeavors have been conducted to develop theories of how the industrial accidents take place; scholars from diverse fields have tried coming up theories of the accident causation helps determine, isolate and do away with the elements which results to or contribute to the accidents. The two common theories which have been attributed to why accidents happen in the engineering field are the domino theory and the multiple causation theory (Vogt et al., 2010, p.153). In 1931, a researcher by the name W.H. Heinrich came up with a hypothesis of the accident cause which he termed domino theory. This theory held that 88 percent of accidents are often resulted by the unsafe acts of workmates. According to Wallace & Ross (2006), W.H. Heinrich went ahead to state that 10 percent of the industrial accidents are caused by the hazardous actions whilst 2 percent are as a result of the “act of God”. On the contrary, multiple causation theory resulted from domino theory, though it postulates that for any accident to happen there could be several causes, sub-causes and other factors. According to Wallace & Ross (2006) this theory holds that causal factors can be divided into groups comprising of behavioral and environmental. Wallace & Ross (2006) contended that behavioral factors include those that concern the employees like inappropriate attitude, less knowledge and skills. On the other hand, environmental causes regardless protection of the risky occupational aspects and equipment degradation based on the use and hazardous methods (Johnstone & King, 2008, p.284). Hence, the key dissimilarity between these two hypotheses is that the Domino Theory holds that there are sole but sequential contributors of accident whilst multiple causation theory holds that there are several factors or causatives of accident. Archer, Borthwick & Tepe (2012) opined that the domino theory believes the large percentage (up to 88%) of why accident is as because of the person’s relevance. On the contrary, the multiple causal theory maintains that accident happens because of equal measures by both the behavioral and environmental factors. In general, industrial accidents happens negligence, less knowledge and non acceptance of the change. Several colleges teach and train about workplace health and safety. The same training is also provided by the most companies. Bluff & Johnstone (2005) claimed that he training encompasses theory which accompanied by the practical. However, in most cases employees, for instance the engineers ignore the knowledge gained from the training and do the opposite. This form of act in most cases is seen as negligence. For instance, if the chemical engineers are greasing a machine within a plant and the grease spill on the floor, it is recommended that they clean the floor to stop the slipperiness (Montgomery & Kelloway, 2002). However, if they ignore the practice and the workmate fall down and gets injured the hazard can be argued as negligence. Furthermore, chemical engineers working with paints are expected to close them immediately they are through. When this is not done and a colleague breathed the paint, it can result to respiratory disease. It must be noted that this is an act that can be prevented. Quinlan, Bohle & Lamm (2010) argued that also negligence arises when an engineer fails to put on protective gear yet they are available Less knowledge also contributes to industrial accidents. Engineers attend different institutions of higher learning. Johnstone & King (2008, p.285) stated that some of these institutions have narrow syllabus concerning workplace health and safety; this is a suggestion that the students in these institutions will not be fully equipped with knowledge to prevent dangers that could arise in organizations. For instance, some of the sites engineers operates have less ventilation, someone with less knowledge about chemicals and ventilation might ignore it as a small issues, but the condition might cause injury or death. Similarly, less knowledge can cause an engineer to ignore some hazards like the loose electrical wires on the floor of the workstation, but this will eventually electrocute one of the workmate (David, 2006). Industrial accidents also happen as a result of the reluctance to accept change. Change happens so fast with the advancement of technology, and that change influences the effectiveness of the machines people work with. Walker (2010, p.38) contended that as the change takes place companies are compelled to buy new machines which are efficient, hence maintaining the pace of competition in the market. Even though, the company buys new machines, some conduct insufficient training to employees hence making their life to be risks such as injury and death (Tadesse & Admassu, 2006, p.37). From this perspective, it is obvious that maintaining machines which one has inadequate knowledge becomes difficult. Furthermore, some big machines require a spacious floor that can accommodate them yet the most companies remains reluctant to increase space which can be safe the machine and human beings. Also, there is the possibility the old buildings may not be safe new big machines because of the weakened foundation. 4.0 Whether an Engineer can predict or prevent industrial accidents Over the years, companies have been battling how to predict and prevent industrial accidents so as to maintain a safety environment for the employees (Jeffries, 2011). Predicting accidents which might occur is not an easy task. However, the company can use three ways which consist of to predict the industrial accident, including the use of predictive models, looking at the accident trend among the same industry players and seeking the advice of a professional. Shultz (2013) Claimed that the engineers can predict accidents based on using predictive models such as statistics of the past industrial accidents. Predictive analytics remains an effective tool compared to the traditional trend evaluation and this strategy has become a crucial tool for safety programs. It also involves software and system which can evaluate the wide range of the safety observations and projections of when and where the accidents could take place (Bluff & Johnstone, 2005). Models are created by the use of real time statistics and observation accompanies with decision trees and complex algorithms known to engineers. The predictive analytics has been considered an effective method for assessing the leading indicators and factors, and preventing industrial incidents. Shultz (2013) claims that compiling the raw data like the previous accident data and written audits is enough for determining problem areas, attaining the basic knowledge of data and appraising compliance with operating procedures. Experts believe that engineers can predict and prevent industrial accidents through by observing the trends among industry players. Networking with companies offering the same products is critical for creating safety in the organization (Quinlan, Johnstone & McNamara, 2009, p.567). Safety experts claim that workplace health and safeties are one area where competition should be shunned and create a good rapport with other market players to predict and prevent. Managers can ask their business competitors how and customers how they predict and improved safety. The engineers can find the patterns of industrial accidents from these companies and their causes. David (2006) advised that when the operation is the same and such operation results to accidents, then the red flag should be raised of the likely of industrial accident in the near future. An engineer is also tasked with finding out the excellent health and safety records from the comparable businesses and how they achieve such status. In a nutshell, here the engineer should benchmark the successes. On the other hand, an engineer can also study the same companies which hold poor health safety records and note then cause (Shultz, 2013). In this way, the engineer can predict and prevent industrial accidents which can arise back at their company. The engineers can also predict and prevent after seeking advice from workplace health and safety professionals. Today, several consultancy firms have open doors for companies seeking training and advices. Walker (2010, p.39) argued real professional normally have the knowledge, skills and experience in predicting through indicators and offering solution to those who want it to prevent industrial accidents. Safety professionals are always objective and honest in offering the advice based on trends, health and safety, d solutions to their clients. 5.0 Are there acceptable accidents that we have to live with? Beginning with the concept that no totally safe workplace exist, it has been found that there are some accidents which are beyond the control of an engineer or an employee hence called acceptable accidents (Wallace & Ross, 2006). The acceptable accident is defined as the extent of injury, human and property loss which an individual or organization can tolerate. Wallace & Ross (2006) affirmed that this concept is supported the Domino theory which that God also play some part in the accident. The idea holds that an action of God is a true cause of accident and thus is becomes a waste of time to put blame of engineers. In some perspective, the definition of an accident defends the concept of that accident is caused by God’s actions. The dictionary defines "accident" as an ill-timed accident which takes place unintentionally and normally leads to harm, loss of property or life, damage or injury (Smith & Leggat, 2005, p.142). The word "unintentionally" remains the key point on this definition and core idea behind accidents. However, if an engineer or other employee intentionally causes himself or herself injury, then that cannot be considered an accident; because the accident is aspect which happens despite, and against human intentions (Kaplan & Tetrick, 2010). Nevertheless, this argument does not mean that these incidences are beyond human control. Some of the acceptable industrial accidents include flooding, thunder, tsunamis and earthquakes. Such calamities can cause injury or death of employees and even damage of properties. It basically reveals the weaknesses in the human intentions and their ability to correctly predict and prevent the results of their deeds. This idea is critical to health and safety efforts (Jeffries, 2011). By means of a failure, an individual can cause an industrial accident. Nonetheless, engineers at the company plant do not make such errors deliberately, hence making the accident acceptable. Kaplan & Tetrick (2010) argues that psychological factors such as confusion and stress can also leads to acceptable industrial accidents. Human are sometimes set to fail by the manner in which their brains process information, by means of machine design or wrong procedure during as well as organization culture. To a bigger extent, accident such as an employee naturally becoming sick is also considered acceptable accident because it is caused by the external agent and certain predisposition (Kaplan & Tetrick, 2010). In some communities, disease is believed to be a punishment from God. 6.0 Learning about the consequences of industrial accidents through mistakes Although numerous engineering companies have made steps forward putting strong risk assessment and management strategies, most of these companies are yet to realize maximum benefits from the strategies. Also, others are yet to learn significant lessons that might assist them in improving their general control of the safety (Bluff & Johnstone, 2005). Despite the situations, individual employees have learned from negligence in the hard way are doing everything possible to prevent the future occurrences. According to Smith & Leggat (2005, p.147) Accidents normally arouse strong emotions, especially in a circumstance which have resulted to serious injury or death. On a more positive note, this implies attention of everyone will be focused on enhancing prevention. Walker (2010, p.38) postulated that when a company loses an employee through injury, death or disease, it suffers economic loss. The situation is resulted due to the fact that when an employee is absent because of injury, the company production reduces by some margin (Kaplan & Tetrick, 2010). Compensation of injured or dead workers also hinders the company from making maximum profit. From this perspective, the managers often learn to predict and prevent industrial accidents. On a negative note, the emotions can make employees to become more defensive or fear some machines. 7.0 An engineer makes the world safer Engineers are known to change the world through creativity and innovations. Engineers have created electricity, vehicle and tallest building in the world. However, some of their actions have threatened the normal living of a human leaving on the planet. Falling buildings, speeding vehicles and loose electrical wires have cause permanent injuries and death over the years (David, 2006). Similarly, engineers have caused their own death due to negligence. Such actions have led to several concerns whether engineers can make the world safer. The truth is engineers can actually make the world safe through positive actions and being disciplined. The engineers can create a safer world by complying with code of conduct, set laws, and best practices. In most cases, company provides engineers with code of conduct which can guide them in daily operations (Archer, Borthwick & Tepe, 2012). Some of the clauses contained in the document is to put on protective gears, repair all the loose electrical wires, alert the management of the hazard, not to leave spilled oil on the floor and close all open chemical. According to Roughton (2002) engineers can also make the world a better place by creating and living within the safety culture. The culture involve sing the right tool for the right job, being the workmate keeper and developing the right attitude towards the job. 8.0 Conclusion This research has established that positive health and safety in the organization is a key driver of employee performance and company sustainability. Engineers with right health can drive the company to a better height through creativity and innovation. An organization which is prone to injury is likely to lose both employees and profits. Individual employees have an obligation to act in a way which cannot cause accident him or self, or to colleagues. This means that every engineer has the responsibility to predict, evaluate and prevent incidents which can occur in the foreseeable future. However, this paper concludes that top management and engineers must create the safety culture through usage of the right tools, maintenance and communication to help enhance their own health and safety. 9.0 References Archer, R., Borthwick, K., & Tepe, S. (2012). WHS - A Management Guide, 3rd Ed. Victoria: Cengage Learning Australia Blockley, D. (2012). Engineering: a very short introduction. New York: Oxford University Press. Bluff, E., & Johnstone, R. (2005). The relationship between reasonably practical and risk Management. Aust. Journal of Labour Law, 18(3), 34-56. David, MC. (2006). Construction Safety Engineering Principles: Designing and Managing Safer Job Sites. McGraw-Hill Professional. Jeffries, F.L. (2011). Predicting safety related attitudes in the workplace: the influence of moral maturity and emotional intelligence. Retrieved from http://www.ibam.com/pubs/jbam/articles/vol12/no3/4%20%20Predicting%20Safety%20Related%20Attitudes%20in%20the%20Workplace%20The%20Influence%20of%20Moral%20Maturity%20and%20Emotional%20Intelligence.pdf Johnstone, R., & King, M. (2008). A responsive sanction to promote systematic compliance? Enforceable undertakings in occupational health and safety regulation. Australian Journal of Labour Law 21, 280-315. Kaplan, S., & Tetrick, LE. (2010). Workplace safety and accidents: An industrial and organizational psychology perspective. In S. Zedeck (Ed.), APA handbook of industrial and organizational psychology Washington. DC: American Psychological Association. Nichols, T., Walters, D. and Tasiran, A.C. (2007). Trade unions, industrial mediation and industrial safety: evidence from the UK. Journal of Industrial Relations, 49, 211-225. Montgomery, J & Kelloway, K. (2002). Management of Occupational Health and Safety, 2nd ed., Nelson, Canada Quinlan, M., Johnstone, R. & McNamara, M. (2009). Australian health and safety inspectors perception and actions in relation to changed work arrangements” Journal of industrial relations 51(4), 557-75. Quinlan, M., Bohle, P & Lamm, F. (2010) Managing Occupational Health and Safety: A Multidisciplinary approach. Plagrave Macmillian. Roughton, J. (2002) Developing an Effective Safety Culture: A Leadership Approach (1st ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. Safe Work Australia. (2013). Key Work Health and Safety Statistics, Australia 2013. Retrieved from http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/SWA/about/Publications/Documents/758/Key-WHS-Statistics-2013.pdf Sherriff, B.. & Tooma, M. (2010). Understanding the Model Work Health and Safety Act. North Ryde. NSW: CCH, Australia Ltd. Shultz, G. (2013). Advanced and predictive analytics in safety: Are they worth the investment? Retrieved from http://ehstoday.com/safety/advanced-and-predictive-analytics-safety-are-they-worth-investment?page=1 Smith, DR & Leggat, PA. (2005). The historical development of occupational health in Australia part 2: 1970-2000. Journal of Occupational Health, 27, 137-150. Tadesse, T., & Admassu, M. (2006). Occupational Health and Safety. University of Gondar, pp.1-249. Vogt, J. Leonhardt, J., Köper, B., & Pennig, S. (2010). Human factors in safety and business management. Ergonomics, 53, 149-163. Wallace, B., & Ross, A. (2006). Beyond Human Error: Taxonomies of Safety Science. London: CRC Press. Walker, K. (2010). Advances in accident prevention. Steel Times International, pp.38–39. Retrieved from http://www.steelfolk.co.uk/Safety.pdf Read More