Industrial Safety and Health Controls

Eliminating Hazards

• Using paint that does not contain lead-based pigments can eliminate carbon monoxide in a warehouse

Engineering Controls

• Examples: machine guards, backup alarms, guardrails, covers, slip-resistant surfaces, and using machines to move heavy objects instead of carrying them
• These controls can change the work environment to reduce hazards

Administrative Controls

• Changing labor practices, such as assigning multiple workers to a task to reduce exposure to hazards
• Examples: instead of one employee exposed to a hazard for eight hours, four workers could work for two hours each

Least Effective Control: PPE

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes respirators, eye goggles, gloves, knee pads, hard hats, steel-toed shoes, and harnesses
• PPE is the last resort to protect workers when other controls are not possible

Workers' Legal Rights

• Workers in Bangladesh have a legal right to a safe and healthy job
• Workers are protected by workplace safety laws, regardless of immigration status
• Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace
• Workers can call in government inspectors to investigate hazardous workplaces and do not have to give their name
• Workers have the right to refuse to do unsafe or unhealthful job tasks
• Workers have the right to know about the chemicals they work with and to receive training on safe handling procedures

OSHA and Worker Centers

• OSHA gives employees the right to complain about an unsafe working environment
• Complaining as a group can be more effective than individual complaints
• Worker Centers can represent employees anonymously and file OSHA complaints on their behalf
• Unions can also represent employees in workplace safety matters

ISO 45001 and Occupational Safety & Health

• ISO 45001 is an international standard for occupational health and safety (OHS) management systems
• The National Policy on Occupational Safety and Health was formulated and adopted in 2013 to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities
• The Bangladesh Labour Act (2006) sets occupational safety and health standards and provides compensation for workplace injuries and accidents
• The Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to set and enforce protective workplace safety and health standards

Employer Responsibilities

• Employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace and must correct safety and health problems
• Employers must provide a workplace that does not have serious hazards and must follow all relevant OSHA safety and health standards
• Employers must try to eliminate or reduce hazards first by making changes in working conditions rather than relying on personal protective equipment (PPE)

Learn about the different controls used to eliminate hazards in the workplace, including engineering controls and administrative controls.