OSH Practice Report
OSH Practice Report
OSH Practice Report
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
GROUP MEMBERS:
SAFETY ISSUES
A safety concern is anything that you believe has the potential to harm people, property,
or the environment. Examples include loose stair railings, tripping hazards, and other
conditions, practices, or violations that significantly increase the risk of physical harm, property
loss, and/or environmental impact. Any workplace should place a high focus on safety to help
safeguard assets, personnel, clients, clients, vendors, suppliers, and other stakeholders. In
2020, 2.7 million employees suffered non-fatal injuries at work, according to the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics. Poorly packed pallets, oil on the floor, trailing wires in the office, and other
hazards are clear to any observer looking for them. Safety representatives cannot rely on a
cursory visual inspection to demonstrate whether or not their workplace is safe and healthy
because many workplace risks are not at all evident.
In the workplace, school, and home, slips, trips, and falls result in innumerable fatalities
and injuries. Slips happen when there is insufficient friction or traction between the footwear
and the floor. A trip occurs when a foot bumps against or collides with an item, losing balance
and frequently leading to a fall. According to studies, 66% of trips or slips result in falls that
happen on the same level. There are many different reasons why these kinds of dangers exist,
but there are steps that may be taken to reduce the risk of trips, slips, and falls. Finding
common causes is the first step in removing these occupational dangers. Common reasons
people slip: greasy or moist surface, equipment that is unanchored or has loose matting,
flooring or floor surfaces with uneven amounts of traction throughout, weather risks (ice, rain,
etc.) Next is typical reasons for trips: Bad lighting, uneven floor covering, exposed cables, clutter
and view obstruction.
Next is about electricity and fire. Electrical fires may result from faulty electrical parts or
wiring. The majority of electrical fires are brought on by damaged sockets, cables, circuit
breakers, wires, or outlets that are improperly grounded. We used 62 billion kWh of energy
every day in the world in 2018. We depend heavily on energy to run our homes, companies,
and, in an increasing number of cases, our cars. Don't assume that just because your electrical
systems operate normally on a daily basis that everything is fine. There is always a risk of fire
with electrical equipment. Your risk of a fire will be reduced if you are aware of the typical
causes of electrical fires and take preventative steps to maintain your electrical equipment.
HEALTH ISSUE
A health issue happens when a workers physical, mental and social well-being of a worker is not
taken care of such as not maintaining and promoting the workers’ health, working conditions or
working environment not being conducive to a workers’ health and management not
developing measures to prevent health issues in the future. That is why, the world health
assembly urges every country to develop national policies and action plans and to build
institutional capacities on occupational health, scale up the coverage with essential
interventions for prevention and control of occupational and work-related diseases and injuries
and occupational health services and ensure in collaboration with other relevant national
health programs such as those dealing with communicable and non-communicable diseases,
prevention of injuries, health promotion, mental health, environmental health, and health
systems development.
There are four hazards that need to be checked for at any workplace in regards to workers
health which are chemical hazards which occur when employees are exposed to solid, liquid, or
gas chemicals, biological hazards which are usually associated with industries that work with
people, animals, or infectious plant material that they can get diseases from, ergonomic
hazards which is when strain is put in the body part which can cause damage in the long term
and physical hazard which is anything in the environment that cause damage to the body such
as excessive noise and extreme temperatures.
STATISTIC
SAFETY STATISTIC
Employers in the home services sector are extremely concerned about slips, trips,
and falls since their staff is most at risk for these accidents to result in serious physical
harm. Suits, workers' compensation claims, and lost productivity are all obstacles to the
profitability and expansion of your company. Slips, trips, and falls account for more than
25% of all injuries across all industries. 16% of all workplace accidents involved falls to
the ground as a result of slips, stumbles, and falls. Unfortunately, falls between two or
more stories were the cause of more than 5% of industrial injuries. The figure about
trips and slips that do not result in falls is also noteworthy to notice. Slips and trips
without a fall accounted for more than 3% of all workplace mishaps that required time
off.
Here are some data about non-fatal workplace injuries for the construction and home
services industries: Siding contractors had a 154% higher risk of suffering a fall to a lower level
than roofing contractors, who only have a 52% higher risk. Slips, stumbles, and falls were to
blame for 29% of plumbing and HVAC contractors' injuries. Contractors working with tile and
terrazzo are 474% more likely to get hurt when they raise or lower anything too heavy. Most
people picture the most hazardous occupations, such as firefighters, deep-sea fisherman, and
pilots, when they think about the professions with the highest rates of occupational injuries and
diseases. In actuality, contractors, plumbers, HVAC experts, and other professionals sustain
accidents and illnesses on a daily basis.
It's simple to dismiss the possibility of an electrical fire. You might believe your system is
functioning properly as is. However, have you ever observed burning smells or flickering lights
coming from your outlets? Those are indications that an electrical system needs to be repaired
because it is deteriorating. A fire in your home or property could perhaps be started by an
overused electrical system. The following are some concerning electrical fire statistics. The
second most common reason for house fires, according to a research by the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA), is faulty electrical installation. Equipment that was left running
unattended, such as a space heater, was the primary cause of house fires. 13% of residential
structure fires between 2012 and 2016 were brought on by damaged or dysfunctional electrical
equipment. The primary source of heat for fires was electrical arcing. When electricity jumps
from one connection to another, it is said to be electrical arcing.
HEALTH STATISTIC
Research shows approximately 20 percent of asbestos workers develop a related disease later
in life and is asbestos exposure is the number 1 cause of work-related death in the world.
Approximately 90,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases globally each year and an
estimated 125 million people worldwide remain at risk of occupational exposure to asbestos.
According to a 2022 report by the European Commission, over 70,000 workers died in 2019
from past exposure to asbestos.
OSHA estimates that 35,000 workers would be covered by its beryllium proposal. The agency
also estimates that 300,000 workers are exposed to cadmium; 558,000 workers are exposed to
hexavalent chromium; and 804,000 workers in general industry, and another 838,000
construction workers face lead exposures
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 22 million workers are exposed to
potentially damaging noise at work each year.
LAW
SAFETY ISSUE
There are numerous state and federal requirements that make up the workplace
safety law. To protect the health and safety of employees, these regulations are
imposed on businesses. A number of standards are also in place to lower the possibility
of accidents and illnesses at work. Everyone has a right to an atmosphere at work that is
secure and protected. It is your duty and moral obligation as an employer to make sure
that workplace health and safety standards are met. You might need to hire a workplace
safety attorney to make sure your company is operating legally. The major law
controlling workplace safety is administered by the Occupational Health and Safety
Administration (OSHA), a government organisation. They have the power to look into
infractions and cite anyone for not complying. If this legislation is broken, there could be
monetary fines and, in the worst instance, jail time or other legal repercussions.
The Constitution of Malaysia governs the legal framework for workplace safety and
health. The three main pieces of law are the Petroleum (Safety Measures) Act 1984, the
Factories and Machinery Act 1967, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (or "OSHA
1994"). This article will concentrate on government measures to lower occupational accidents
in Malaysia as well as laws relating to safety and health at work.
The FMA 1967, which governs factories, only covers industries like manufacturing, mining,
quarrying, and construction, which is why the OSHA 1994 was created. The percentage of the
workforce that is covered by the FMA 1967 is only 24%, whereas 90% of the workforce is
covered by OSHA 1994. A division of the Ministry of Human Resources is the Department of
Occupational Safety and Health ("DOSH"). This division is in charge of guaranteeing employee
health, safety, and welfare at work and defending the public from dangers to their health and
safety in the industry sectors included in the OSHA First Schedule of 1994.
Employees’ Social Security Act 1969
HEALTH ISSUE
There are several laws that protect the health of the workers such as:
General duties of employers and self-employed persons to their employees. (1) It shall be the
duty of every employer and every self-employed person to ensure, so far as is practicable, the
safety, health and welfare at work of all his employees.
Which means that employers are responsible for ensuring the safety, health and welfare
of all employees.
Duty to formulate safety and health policy. Except in such cases as may be prescribed, it be the
duty of every employer and every self-employed person to prepare and as often as may be
appropriate revise a written statement of his general policy with respect to the safety and
health at work of his employees and the organisation and arrangements for the time being in
force for carrying out that policy, and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice
of all of his employees.
Which means that it is the duty of the employer to make a safety and health policy for the
workers to follow
Prevention and mitigation
Safety issues: Slips, trips and falls
Slips
Wet surfaces, spills, and weather risks like ice or snow can all contribute to slips. When you
rush or sprint, wear the improper shoes, or don't pay attention to where you're walking, you
run a higher risk of slipping. By taking these safety measures, you can help prevent slips:
Develop safe walking techniques. On slick terrain, take little steps and point your feet
slightly outside to maintain your balance.
Immediately clean up spills or report them. Spills of any size can be quite dangerous.
Make sure grease doesn't build up at the office.
On smooth surfaces like freshly waxed floors, proceed with additional caution. Walking
on loose carpet should also be avoided.
Trips
Anytime your foot strikes a surface while you are travelling quickly enough to lose your
equilibrium, you trip. To avoid tripping hazards:
Make sure you can see where you are going while you walk.
Keep places used for walking and working well-lit, particularly at night.
Keep your workspace neat and orderly.
Place supplies and equipment in the proper storage locations.
Maintain walking spaces properly and notify the appropriate authorities of any potential
maintenance-related risks.
Falls
The following precautions can help you prevent falls:
Keep all electrical control panels and fire alarm equipment easily accessible.
Access to all electrical panels must be kept entirely clear and free of all clutter, including
furniture, tools, and other objects. In the case of an emergency, it will take longer to shut these
systems down if this is not done. Equipment for fire alarms should be kept free of obstructions
to ensure that it can operate effectively in the case of a fire.
For electrical panel fires, install an automatic fire detection and suppression system.
Electrical arcing and other problems can easily cause fires to ignite in electrical cabinets and
panels. Installing a detection and suppression system helps put out a fire at its source because
they can start at anyplace where there is an electric connection.
Health issues: Exposure to asbestos, heavy metal, carbon dioxide
Exposure to asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material found in soil and rocks that is composed of fibres of
various size and shape. It is also resistant to heat and most chemicals. It is widely utilised in the
manufacture of a variety of industrial items, primarily roofing, insulating materials, ceramic
floors, asbestos cement products, automotive components (brake and clutch), textiles, gaskets,
and protective apparel. Asbestos is a carcinogenic substance that can lead to lung cancer.
Heavy metals are still widely used in many countries. As a result, industrial employees
and employers must be thoroughly informed on the adverse health effects of exposure
to these elements, including the risk of developing occupational cancers.
Engineering controls
The most effective control is to eliminate the hazard by using a safer procedure or substance
whenever possible:
Administrative control
These include modifying work procedures and policies. Administrative controls include
providing awareness tools and training. All of these measures can help to reduce the danger of
carbon dioxide exposure:
Anti-vibration tools
Anti-vibration gloves
Safe work practices
Training employees
CURRENT ISSUES
SAFETY ISSUES
Most common and currently hot topic of the safety issues are “slips, trips and fall”
also “electricity and fire”. These two issues are one of the most troublesome issues
because how easy it is for them to happen or to befall employees. Firstly is about the
slips, trips and fall issues.
These three issues have the same yet different definition, meanings those three
issues are almost similar. On the surface, trips, slips, and falls might not seem like a big
deal. People won't fall all that far. Where is the harm? 172,050 injuries every year,
besides the obvious embarrassment if others are present. That's accurate. quite
humiliating. The HSE records show that a staggering 31% of all nonfatal injuries reported
were caused by slips and trips on the same level. Slips, stumbles, and falls can result in
serious injuries as well as minor ones. Fractures and other serious injuries like
dislocations are also possible. The reasons of trips, slips, and falls are frequently simple
and inexpensive to solve.
Slips can be caused by a variety of things, not just the obvious spillages. Let's look at some
common examples people might find in their workplace.The first one is damp flooring.
Numerous factors can contribute to wet floors. Spillages are a clear offender. Wet floor
surfaces can also be produced by cleaning activities. When it rains outdoors, entrance
areas may get wet because raindrops from people's shoes and clothing are tracked
inside. Additionally, poorly maintained structures may leak and let the outside in. The
next one is slick surfaces. If glossy polished floor tiles are utilised in an inappropriate
location, such as a bathroom or entrance, where the floor may become wet, they can be
a slip hazard. Even in dry weather, flooring may be slick depending on the style of shoes
worn.
Now that people are aware of the reasons of slips, what about trips? Any type of
work setti ng can have trip risks, and people need to be aware of more than simply
cables. Firstly, obstacles. Trips at work are sometimes caused by people leaving items,
tools, or equipment laying around, particularly in walkways. You must need tools in
order to work, correct? However, putti ng a tool or item in the incorrect location might
surprise someone else. Waste and packaging are frequently to blame for creating trip
hazards. Secondly, slippery floors. So we pointed out that unfastened floor coverings
and matti ng could present a slip hazard. They might also present a trip risk. Unlevel tile,
a floorboard that was loose and sticking up, and a rug that was curled at the corner.
Anything in the workplace that could accidentally induce a loss of balance or bodily
support and lead to falling is considered a fall issue. Workers are urged to anticipate falling
dangers and remove or control them by implementing safety precautions before they result in
injuries. Using a fork truck without an appropriate personnel platform, neglecting to utilise a
guardrail on a scaffold, carrying heavy things, hauling ledges without enough railing, etc. are
examples of fall dangers.
However, by being aware of the most frequent causes of electrical fires and making sure
that specific protections and checks are carried out, this danger can be reduced as much as
possible. Next is the most frequent reasons for electric fires. The majority of electrical fires are
brought on by damaged electrical outlets or corroded, improperly grounded sockets. The wiring
that supports outlets and sockets deteriorates with time, becomes looser over time, and may
eventually break and start a fire. Other than that, lamps, lightbulbs, and other lighting fixtures
are another frequent source of electrical fires. People should always adhere to the specified
amounts of watts for all of their home's light fixtures and lights. A fire may start if a light bulb
with a high enough power is used. Placing items like cloth or paper over lamp shades can
potentially spark a fire because they can heat up and catch fire. Lamps and lampshades
shouldn't ever be covered as a result. Lastly, When numerous appliances are plugged into
extension leads, a single socket may get overloaded with power and become unable to support
it.
HEALTH ISSUES
The current issues for health that we have chosen is exposure to asbestos, heavy metal, carbon
dioxide and noise and vibration.
Exposure to asbestos, heavy metal, carbon dioxide
Exposure to asbestos can cause asbestosis is a chronic lung disease which is caused by inhaling
asbestos fibers. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause lung tissue scarring and shortness
of breath. Asbestosis symptoms can range from mild to severe, and usually don't appear until
many years after initial exposure. The people most heavily exposed to asbestos are those in
construction trades, pipe fitters, shipyard workers, military workers and automobile mechanics.
Exposure to heavy metal can cause heavy metal poisoning which is the result of exposure to
heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic. Heavy metals bind to parts of your cells that
prevent your organs from doing their job. Symptoms of heavy metal poisoning can be life
threatening and they can cause irreversible damage. This mainly affects those engaged in
industrial metals-based activities where air monitoring is not being done or not done properly.
Exposure to CO2 can produce a variety of health effects. These may include headaches,
dizziness, restlessness, a tingling or pins or needles feeling, difficulty breathing, sweating,
tiredness, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, coma, asphyxia, and convulsions. That
is why NIOSH has recommended that the permissible exposure limit be changed to 10,000 ppm
averaged over a work shift of up to 10 hours per day, 40 hours per week, with a ceiling of
30,000 ppm averaged over a 10-minute period.
Noise and vibrations
Noise is one of the most common health issue and prolonged exposure can cause a person to
suffer temporary or permanent hearing loss. It can even cause psychological problems such as
losing focus, productivity or interfere with communication. The occupational exposure limit
(OEL) for noise is set at a time-weighted average (TWA) of 85dB.
Vibration exposure is also a dangerous health issue as long-term or regular exposure to HAV is
known to lead to potentially permanent and debilitating health effects known as hand-arm
vibration syndrome (HAVS), such as vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome. WBV is
caused by vibration transmitted through the seat or the feet by workplace machines and
vehicles. That is why it is best to limit a workers use of vibration tools by using shift rotation.
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