Lim Sei cK

16 th May – Lecture: Safety & Health 2 19 th May – Presentation/ Tutorial: Safety & Health 2

Your job 19 th May: Individual presentation (Safety & Health) – 15% 19 th /23 rd: 20% - Individual assignment

“Safety isn’t a policy people read, remember a few days, and then forget. Safety is something people practice at work and in their personal lives. Essentially, every person is responsible for his or her own safety, as well as the people around them”.

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970 Mission of OSHA To assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards providing training, outreach, and education establishing partnerships with businesses encouraging continual improvements in workplace safety and health Coverage of employees—all nongovernmental employers and employees; state and local government employees

Enforcing OSHA Standards Workplace inspections Citations and penalties On-site consultations Voluntary protection programs Training and education

Employer Responsibilities under OSHA Provide hazard-free workplace. Be familiar with mandatory OSHA standards. Inform all employees about OSHA. Examine workplace conditions for conformity to applicable standards. Minimize or reduce hazards. Provide safe tools and equipment. Warn employees of potential hazards. Establish operating procedures to protect employee safety & health, and communicate them. Provide medical examinations where required by OSHA standards. Provide training required by OSHA standards.

Employee Responsibilities under OSHA Read the OSHA poster at the jobsite. Comply with all applicable OSHA standards. Follow all employer safety and health rules and regulations. Wear or use prescribed protective equipment at work. Report hazardous conditions to the supervisor. Report any job-related injury or illness to the employer, and seek treatment promptly. Cooperate with OSHA compliance officer on inspections. Exercise employee rights under the Act in a responsible manner.

Creating a Safe Work Environment Safety Awareness Programs Safety Motivation and Knowledge Enforcement of Safety Rules Accident Investigations and Records Elements in Creating a Safe Work Environment

Workplace Violence Reducing Violence in the Workplace Commitment to prevent violence Identify areas of potential violence Develop violence prevention policies Provide violence prevention training Evaluate program effectiveness

Violence Indicators: Know the Warning Signs Violence Indicators: Know the Warning Signs Direct or veiled threatening statements Recent performance declines, including concentration problems and excessive excuses Prominent mood or behavior changes; despondence Preoccupation with guns, knives, or other weapons Reckless or antisocial behavior; evidence of prior assaultive behavior Aggressive behavior or intimidating statements Serious stress in personal life Violence against a family member Substance abuse

Crisis Management Teams Teams, composed of both hourly and managerial employees, conduct: Initial risk assessment surveys Develop action plans to respond to violent situations Perform crisis intervention during violent, or potentially violent, encounters

Calming an Angry Employee Strive to save the employee’s dignity during an angry confrontation. Hold all conversations in private. Always remain calm. Listen to the employee with an open mind and nonjudgmental behavior. Recognize the employee’s legitimate concerns or feelings.

Employee Assistance Programs Emotional Problems Alcoholism Abuse of Illegal Drugs Personal Crises Abuse of Legal Drugs

Dealing with Troubled Employees Monitor: Employee performance and document unusual employee behavior Advise: Employee about negative job-performance and suggest professional counseling assistance Make reasonable accommodations: To employees covered by Federal legislation Take disciplinary action when appropriate Maintain contact with HR personnel for guidance and advice

What Is Stress? Stress Any adjustive demand caused by physical, mental, or emotional factors that requires coping behavior. Alarm Reaction A response to stress that involves an elevated heart rate, increased respiration, elevated levels of adrenaline in the blood, and increased blood pressure.

Job-Related Stress Eustress Positive stress that accompanies achievement and exhilaration. Distress Harmful stress characterized by a loss of feelings of security and adequacy. Burnout Most severe stage of distress, manifesting itself in depression, frustration, and loss of productivity.

Coping with Stress Major Stressors: Responsibility without authority Inability to voice complaints Prejudice because of age, gender, race, or religion Poor working conditions Inadequate recognition Lack of a clear job description or chain of command Unfriendly interpersonal relationships

Tips for Reducing Job-Related Stress Build rewarding relationships with co-workers. Talk openly with managers or employees about job or personal concerns. Prepare for the future by keeping abreast of likely changes in job demands. Don’t greatly exceed your skills and abilities. Set realistic deadlines; negotiate reasonable deadlines with managers. Act now on problems or concerns of importance.

Ergonomics Ergonomics is the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability. Ergonomics is employed to fulfill the two goals of health and productivity. It is relevant in the design of such things as safe furniture and easy-to-use interfaces to machines.

Identify aspects of the physical work activities Obtain information about the specific tasks or actions the job involves Obtain information about the job and problems in it from employees who perform the job Observe the job Identify specific job factors Evaluate those factors (eg. Duration, frequency, magnitude) to determine cause of problem

Ergonomic risk factors The aspects of a job or task that impose a biomechanical stress on the worker -force (physical effort) -vibration (localised vibration in contact with objects) -repetition (series of motions with little variation) -contact stress (typing, hammering, etc) -awkward postures (deviate from neutral position) -cold or hot temperatures -static postures (same posture throughout exertion)

Size of workers Shortest employees in the job- more likely to make the longest reaches or have work surfaces too high Tallest- most awkward postures (e.g leaning over assembly line) Smallest hands- exert more force to grip and operate tools Coldest area- exert more force to perform repetitive motions

Creating a Healthy Work Environment Recognizing and Controlling Health Hazards Related to Hazardous Materials and Processes Use substitutes for hazardous materials. Alter hazardous processes and engineering controls. Enclose or isolate hazardous processes. Issue clothing to protect against hazards. Improve ventilation.

Creating a Healthy Work Environment Problems with Video Display Terminals (VDT) Visual difficulties, muscular aches and pains, and job stress Solutions: Place the computer screen four to nine inches below eye level. Keep the monitor directly in front of you. Sit in an adjustable-height chair and use a copyholder that attaches to both the desk and the monitor. Use a screen with adjustable brightness and contrast controls. Use shades or blinds to reduce the computer-screen glare created by window lighting.

Creating a Healthy Work Environment Cumulative Trauma Disorders (Repetitive Motion Injuries) Injuries involving tendons of the fingers, hands, and arms that become inflamed from repeated stresses and strains resulting from jobs requiring repetitive motion of the fingers, hands, or arms. Injuries lower employee productivity, increase employer health costs, and incur workers’ compensation payments.

Key Elements for a Successful Ergonomics Program Provide notice and training for employees. Conduct pre-injury hazard assessment. Involve employees. File injury reports. Plan and execute. Evaluate and assess the ergonomics program.