The Design of Health and Safety Control Systems - Assignment Example

The Design of Health and Safety Control Systems Introduction In this assignment health and safety control systems for a variety of potentially hazardous operations have been developed. Operation One Painting is required on a sealant in the main junction of a sewer system. A spray gun is to be used for the operation. The sewer chamber is accessed via a manhole cover at ground level in the middle of a field. Risk Assessment The operation is classified as confined space operation. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has defined confined space “as a place which is substantially enclosed, and where serious injury can occur from hazardous substances within the space or nearby.” Confined spaces are governed by Confined Spaces Regulations of 1997. Risks associated with confined spaces include lack of oxygen; or poisonous gas, fume, or vapour. The levels of oxygen in confined spaces can be depleted when there is reaction between some soils and oxygen in the atmosphere; or release of gas such as carbon dioxide that can displace ambient air. Poisonous gases, fumes or vapours can built up in the sewer; enter from connecting pipes; or leak from other areas. Residues left on surface of walls can give off gas, fume, or vapour. Scraping before painting can give rise to particulates that can contaminate the ambient air. Spray painting can give rise to volatile organic compounds depending on the composition of the paint. Volatile organic compounds can have adverse health effects including cancer. The person conducting the operation is at major risk for adverse effects described above. Since the sewer is located below a field where cattle and sheep graze, an open sewer could be a fall hazard for these animals. Control System The control system for this operation includes barricades and procedures for confined space work. According to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 hazards must be identified; risks assessed and precautions determined. According to the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 presence of risks of serious injury as in the operation requires following a safe system of work, and putting in place adequate emergency measures before the start of work. The safe system of work is based on the operation described above. A supervisor should be given responsibility for ensuring that necessary precautions are observed for checking the safety at each stage and being present when the work is in execution. The operator must have sufficient experience in conducting painting work in confined spaces. A determination has to be made if there is the need to isolate the sewer, and it must be checked if the isolation is effective. Before entry cleaning is required to determine whether fumes do not develop from residues while work is underway. The size of the opening has to be determined whether the operator will be able to enter and exit by donning self-contained breathing equipment. An air test is required to determine whether the sewer is free from toxic and flammable vapours. The test must be conducted by a competent person using suitable gas detector. If the assessment indicates that the conditions may change, continuous monitoring of air may be necessary. Protected lighting is necessary for the operator to conduct the painting work. In this operation an air line breathing apparatus is desirable. Emergency procedures must be put in place covering equipment and training. The contingency plan is necessary to prepare the operator and supervisor response in case of an emergency. A failure of the control system could result in the operator being exposed to volatile organic compounds during painting. The failure of control system (such as air-line or self contained breathing) could result in severe safety hazard with serious effects. Fatalities have resulted from accidents in confined space activities. Figure 1. Sewer Operation Documentation required includes the risk assessment report and procedure adopted to minimize risks or associated hazards. Operation Two An employee has to cut the grass verge, tidy up hedgerows and trim branches adjacent to a highway and in the vicinity of a junior school in the suburban area of a small town. Also, the employee has to bag up and remove any litter present at the location. The task is to be carried out by a ride-on mower that has to be driven to site on the public highway. Risk Assessment There are several hazards associated with this operation. Driving the mower to the workplace, operating the mower, working with sharp equipment, and working at heights are some hazards associated with the operation. According to Health and Safety Executive some hazards associated with mowers include ejected blades, flails or attachments; ejected debris; moving blades or flails; mowing drive mechanisms; clearing blockages while machine is moving; crush and other hazards; working beneath raised vehicle while replacing blades or carrying out other maintenance; and overturning when mowing slopes and banks. Hazards associated with moving vehicles include moving stationary vehicles such as driveway accident; creep away; and being struck be moving vehicles. Hazards associated with vehicles arise from arrival and departure; travel within the workplace; loading, unloading and securing loads; sheeting; coupling; and vehicle maintenance work. While cutting grass, tidying, or trimming the operator is faced with hazards such as working with sharp objects; awkward postures; and working at heights. Noise is generated while running machinery. High levels of noise can cause noise induced hearing loss. Control System The practices are governed by Road Vehicles Regulations 1986. The mower must be used when cars, vans and large goods vehicles are operating off the public highway. The system for control of unsafe acts must include driver competence; provision of information and instruction; safe systems of work and traffic management; and supervision of driver and vehicle activities. A speed limit should be observed in the use of the mower. Standard procedures should be applied in the parking and operation of vehicles. Guidelines provided by HSE must be observed while operating the mower. The mower should not be operated when there are bystanders who are likely to be hit by broken blades or ejected debris. Maintenance work must not be carried out when the engine is running. Clearing of blockage must not be attempted unless the engine is switched off, blades have been stopped and ignition key has been removed. The mower must not be used when stand-off guards are missing. Maintenance work must not be carried beneath a mower that is not supported with a prop or stand. The operator must demonstrate competency before use of mower. Parts such as conditioners should be guarded to the same standard as the rest of the mower. Guards must be in position and correctly fitted before starting work and while work is carried out. The device to stop projectiles must be in place and well maintained. All controls should be disengaged and tractor engine stopped before leaving the seat. Protective gloves should be used while carrying out maintenance work. General precautions include being on the lookout for blockages. The manufacturer’s instructions should be followed while replacing blades. Replacement blades and attachments must meet manufacturer`s specifications. Run-down time for blades and cutting mechanism must be considered before approaching the machine. Maintenance and scheduling should identify and rectify faults that are developing and ensure correct operation of safety device. While using cutting tools the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed. While operating at heights fall protection should be used. Personal protective equipment must be used for all activities. This includes use of gloves, safety glasses, hearing protective devices, and safety shoes. The use of coveralls is desirable. Failure of the control system can result in accidents. The operator must be trained in the use of equipment and aware of safe working practices to deal with the hazards effectively. Documentation required include risk assessment report, and procedures adopted to control risks. Operation Three Cleaning staff have to clean after school hours on a daily basis during the term. The school is located in a socially deprived area, and the cleaning women make up the cleaning staff. Cleaners have to remove bagged waste from the premises and place it in wheelie bins in the school playground. Risk Assessment The cleaning staff are at risk of exposure to substances that could be hazardous. This includes chemicals or biological hazards. HSE has recommended guidelines for the assessment of hazardous substances. Many substances have permissible allowable levels, and employers must make efforts to minimize hazards to as low as reasonably practicable. An assessment of levels of hazardous substances should be made. This includes a determination of substances used in the laboratories, and the levels of those substances. Quantitative assessment allows determination of the levels and potential health risks. Quantitative assessment is conducted by the use of equipment and sampling techniques. An assessment of materials from the workshop should be conducted to determine health risks to workers. Hazardous substances cannot be disposed in the trash bins. An assessment is to be made whether the workers are subject to human factors issues while lifting and handling materials. Control System The use of substances is governed by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. Manual handling is governed by the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. Hazardous substances must be assessed quantitatively to determine whether levels are within permissible levels. Substances with higher levels must be controlled to allowable levels. Workers must be trained in the use of personal protective equipment while handling materials, and safe working practices. Hazardous substances should be segregated for disposal as hazardous waste. This includes specific containers for disposal that are labelled and segregated. Safe working procedures include the use of proper postures while handling materials. This includes the use of hoists when materials are above a recommended weight limit, and use of proper postures. This includes bending and lifting while handling materials. Proper personal protective equipment such as coveralls, gloves, safety shoes, and safety glasses (and respiratory protection if required) should be used as necessary. Failure of the control system could result in exposure to hazardous substances. Prolonged exposure to hazardous substances could result in health problems developing over a period of time. The actual disorder depends on the hazard and exposure level. Musculoskeletal disorders could result from poor postures while handling materials. Documentation includes risk assessment report, and procedures adopted to control hazards. This includes exposure assessment and safe material handling procedures. References HSE. (2006). Safe use of agricultural mowers. AIS. UK:1-4. HSE. (2003). Working with sewage. INDG197. 1-2. HSE. (2009). Working with sewage. INDG198. 1-3. HSE. (2006). Workplace transport safety. INDG199. 1-22. HSE. (2010). Safe work in confined spaces. 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