Occupational Health and Safety Pete - Essay Example

be affected by a single source or due to combination of several factors like poor building design, improper ventilation, improper handling of heat, presence of outside pollutants, overcrowding, radioactive elements, occupant activities, air contaminants etc. Health issues attributed to adverse working conditions are quite common nowadays. Being the Safety and Occupation Health Professional, one has the responsibility to investigate, recommend and take legal actions in order to ensure quality health environment in a workspace.

In the given case of refrigerated food distribution warehouse, there are several sources to consider that could affect the health of occupants. The complaints were received from a major food distribution warehouse that some of the employees are feeling sick with dizziness and lightheadedness. A major portion of this warehouse is refrigerated, and complaints are reported from the refrigerated section refrigerated at 40 degrees F. The employees having complaints were blister packing the products on a production line.

Within the warehouse, there are twenty loading docks, two rail road car lines which end inside the warehouse near the production area and around twelve gas powered forklifts. There are no environmental monitors or sensors within the warehouse other than those in the refrigeration systems. There are special seals in the loading dock doors in order to preserve cold, and to prevent heat from outside. The professional could not identify any distinct odors except the exhaust from forklift while they are moving.

There are fourteen employees working in this area including twelve women and five men. Four ladies sitting in the break room complain about symptoms like dizziness and lightheadedness. The warehouse manager is cooperative, but is busy with handling contract negotiation with the union. A careful study on the refrigerated food distribution warehouse would reveal lack of proper ventilation and other related issues. For instance,