Safety and Occupational Health, Manager and Employer Interview - Essay Example

Safety and Occupational Health College Affiliation Introduction As a professional in the safety and occupational health, an investigation to the plight of workers should be undertaken in a way that is the most effective and efficient way based on standards of safety and health of employees in workplaces. In regard to symptoms of workers’ condition, there is no doubt that these warehouse employees are suffering from one of the indoor air quality problems. Therefore, the investigation should be based on all factors that cause indoor air quality problems. Manager and employer interview Approach the manager as well as the employer and ask about the workers’ conditions as well as the extent of severity of dizziness and light-headedness of complaining employees. The manager should give details about the operation parameters and design of the air-conditioning system, heating, ventilating in the warehouse. The manager ought to identify the source and quantity of fresh air delivered to each occupant in the breathing zone. The employer should also disclose if there has been any recent renovation of the warehouse that could be a source of impurities or contaminants. The renovation process could comprise of painting, pesticide application, and HVAC system disinfection and ventilation system. Also, the manager should make known of any recent alteration might have taken place in the warehouse such as installation of partitions, repositioning of air intakes or relocation of exhausts. In an interview, both the employer and manager should give all the possible information that will assist to identify the origin of the problem (health, 2013). Employees’ interviews All workers of the warehouse should be interviewed to give their complaints and disclose the nature of illnesses. They should reveal all the symptoms they are experiencing and tell if the symptoms clear up after leaving the warehouse. They should explain on the occurrence and frequency of the symptoms. The ailing workers should tell whether there is any particular area or event that could have triggered the symptoms. Besides they should disclose of any rendered medical care. In additional, the workers need to reveal their characteristics such as allergies, disabilities, smoking and pre-existing illnesses. Walk-around inspection In regard to information obtained from the manager and employees, the conduction of walk-around inspection will help a lot to verify this information. It is paramount to note that inadequate ventilation is the major cause of indoor air quality problems. Therefore, the walk-around inspection should be used to examine the ventilation systems. In this respect, the investigation should determine the building features and discuss with experts about the proper HVAC systems operation. The ventilation-system testing should be executed. If the system is appropriate, screening samples should be collected to find possible causes of the problem. The HVAC system evaluation and testing should be in line with the procedure of ventilation in place under the chapter of OTM in the course of ventilation investigation. It is important to discuss how the ventilation systems operate with building engineers prior executing ventilation testing to find the proper fresh air intake. The measurement of maximum and minimum of the air-flow conditions should be made to determine the extent of intake of fresh air. The walk-around inspection should evaluate outside and inside contamination sources. It should cover all the aspects of HVAC system such as the proper operation, occupational contributors, contamination and location of air source. Potential areas of the problem In respect to the internal environment of the warehouse, the potential sources of contaminants that workers sick and complain are forklift exhausts, atmospheric pollutants, vehicle exhaust, biological contaminants, air-conditioning and ventilating systems. The air intakes and exhausts are not properly located. The distribution and flow of air are not sufficient in the warehouse. The exhaust fumes from cars and forklifts could be the major cause of the plight of the warehouse employees. It seems to be proud of seals of doors of the warehouse. In this regard, it is paramount to note that the movement of fresh air into the warehouse is limited. Likewise, there is poor flow of contaminated air from inside to outside the warehouse. Sample collection It will be very important to collect samples of the possible contaminants such as gases, particulates and vapours. The sample will enable the evaluation and testing for contaminants. Samples for airborne toxins should be subjected to the screening. These samples should be for carbon dioxide, formaldehyde and carbon dioxide. Samples may be used to monitor the components of contaminants in the course of the workday. Detector tube samples for carbon monoxide may be collected as the day starts and again late in the day. Direct reading instruments may be used together with a strip chart recorder to get a hard copy of impurity variations in the course of the day. Recommendations The most likely problem ailing the workers in the warehouse is due to poor ventilation system. Therefore, the manager and the employer should ensure that there are proper ventilation systems to keep air in the warehouse in circulation. The ventilation system should be efficiency and effective to an adequate supply of fresh air. According to ventilation standards, it is recommended to have 20 cubic feet in every minute (CFM) of fresh air for each occupant in the warehouse. In fumed places, 60 CFM of outdoor air should be provided to every occupant. The engineers recommend the use of local exhaust ventilation as well as enclosure to capture and prevent contaminants. The air in a room where contaminants are generated need to be discharge outdoors directly instead of recirculated. The ventilation efficiency should be improved by ensuring outside air-supply dampers and air-vents of the warehouse are open. The ventilation system should be rebalanced to prevent outflow or inflow of contaminated air because of rooms pressure differentials. The poor distribution of make-up air needs to be prevented by placing air exhausts and inlets properly. The outdoor air intakes of the warehouse should be positioned in proximity to possible contamination sources such as the docking areas and warehouse exhausts (labor, 1999). Workplace standards Standards of preventive maintenance recommended for work practice include; the replacing of damaged insulation, the replacing filters at regular intervals on the air handling units, and cleaning the air distribution dampers and ducts. Further, the manager of the warehouse should keep in check the positions of dampers. Also, the functioning baffles, belts, system balance and ductwork should be always checked. In conclusion, the workers affected with hypersensitivity need to be thoroughly evaluated to identify the problem. The personnel’s conditions should be collected before returning to their workplace. If the illness persists even after remedial action, the affected employees should be reassigned to another place of work. Reference health, C. c. (2013, 07 01). occupational safety and health. Retrieved from Indoor Air Quality - General: www.ccohs.ca › OSH Answers › Chemicals & Materials labor, U. S. (1999, 01 20). occupational safety and healty adminstration. 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