Occupational Health and Safety - Essay Example

Employees are required to inspect hoses for leaks at every start of each shift. Further, hoses of oxygen and fuel gas, when taped together, should not exceed one-third of the entire length of the hose (osha.gov, 1996).   Grease and oil are also potential hazards and OSHA requires that oxygen cylinders be kept away from grease or oil.  Greasy clothes and oily surfaces should be kept away from getting in contact with oxygen cylinders, hoses or any other parts of the valves and regulators (osha.gov, 1996).

Safety Hazards of the ScenarioThe scenario showed that the cylinders were lying on the floor and were all stored together in the area.  This poses a tripping hazard and greater tendency for the cylinders to roll and bump on each other. The manner with which the hoses were taped together does not comply with the safety regulations because the hoses were entirely taped, while the regulation only requires one-third of the length.The smell of the room being similar to a nail-polish remover suggests that there is a leak in the acetylene cylinder.

  This suggests that the employee was not able to check the cylinders or the hoses for leakage.  Further, the welder, not recognizing the smell is in a very dangerous situation because of the high flammability of acetylene.  His activity of chipping the welding slag with the torch tip is high risk of creating sparks that can ignite the room and cause an explosion.  With him wearing greasy gloves puts him at even greater risk because the material will immediately catch fire since he was already using the welding slag.

ConclusionThe scenario given suggests a very unsafe working condition.  It is then very important that employees in construction sites, in this case, those involved in welding and cutting, must be aware of the guidelines set by OSHA to be able to prevent any accidents that may occur in the work area.