Safety Management Program - Essay Example

Introduction

This report gives a brief description of my internship carried out as part of the Safety Management Program. This internship was carried out in a coffee factory in Brazil in June 2014. This is the first report about the internship for the activities undertaken within the first week. Since my major is Safety Management, the work mainly focused on the safety elements within the factory. This report gives the internship needed to complete the project, the activities that have been completed so far, and the training I have received from the internship. 

Description of the internship

The coffee factory is an old design factory located on the same piece of land where coffee is grown. It is a family-owned factory run by the family. Apart from the production of coffee, the family also engages in the production of sugarcane and feedlot beef.

Internship activities

• Understanding and evaluating the operations and activities within the factory- the nature and location of machines, lighting, etc
• Identifying the risks and hazards in the factory. This involves evaluating all possible causes of risks and hazards that may endanger the lives of workers and visitors at the factory
• Examine the mechanisms put in place to control hazards and risks at the workplace. Specifically, identify the strategies put in place to prevent or minimize harm from hazards in the workplace
• Evaluate the reporting mechanisms used within the factory to report hazards.
• Examine how the factory management communicates hazards and risks to its employees. This will involve focusing on the mechanisms used to provide employees with up-to-date and timely information on hazards and risks
• Propose and implement mechanisms that can be used to enhance the safety of the factory

Completed activities so far

1. Understanding and evaluating the operations and activities within the factory

During the first and second days, I was taken around the factory by the supervisor. I was able to observe how the factory operates, the machines used, the overall cleanliness within the factory, and the activities employees engage in. I observed that the factory was generally dirty and the lighting was poor. The mechanisms are operated too close to the workers, thereby endangering their lives.  This is against OSHA regulation number 1910.212 which gives the operation standards for all machines. During the visit, I also managed to speak to the workers for 10 minutes and gave my observations regarding safety at the factory.

2. Identifying sources of risks and hazards within the factory

A number of areas were found to pose major threats to the safety of workers and visitors. In particular, I observed that the floor was not well cleaned up and had oil, and this could easily cause injuries. The poor lighting and the manner in which machines are operated were also identified as a major threat to safety. Tractors and other heavy machinery are also parked dangerously.

3. Examining mechanisms used to control hazards

Most of the workers did not have their helmets and safety glasses on, and the supervisor confessed that it was hard to convince workers to have their helmets on. This is against OSHA regulation number 1910.120 App B which focuses on protective clothing at the workplace. The company also lacks fire protection.

Learning outcomes

Based on the completed activities so far, I have been able to learn a few things relating to safety management at the workplace.

• Gained firsthand experience in applying safety concepts in a real working environment
• Improved my understanding and application of OSHA standards and regulations
• Helped enhance my communication skills