Occupational Health and Safety in Fashion & Apparel Technology PDF

Occupational Health and Safety in Fashion and Apparel Technology APF 101 **UNIT 1** **After the lesson, students will:** 1. Identify safety precautions in the workplace, first aid treatment and personal protective equipment. 2. Learn to analyze occupational health, safety and sanitation i...

Occupational Health and Safety in Fashion and Apparel Technology APF 101 **UNIT 1** **After the lesson, students will:** 1. Identify safety precautions in the workplace, first aid treatment and personal protective equipment. 2. Learn to analyze occupational health, safety and sanitation in the workplace. 3. Identify safety signs and symbols used in the workplace. 4. Identify workplace accidents and their causes. **[DISCUSSION:]** **What is Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)?** - It is a multi-disciplinary concept that concentrates on the promotion of safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment (Bhagawati 2015) - OHS is generally defined as the science of the anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of hazards arising in or from the workplace that could impair the health and well-being of workers and taking into account the possible impacts on the surrounding communities and the general environment. (Alli 2008) - OHS is a discipline with broad scope involving many specialized fields. (International Labour Organization, 2010) - OHS in a workplace is one of the core concepts considered by all kinds of organizations to be responsible for protecting and optimizing the functionality of human resource. (Eddie & Fang, 2024) - It helps to control the dangers which are emerging from physical, chemical and other environment perils so as to set up and keep up a safe and sound workplace. (Mohibulla, et.al., 2018) - OHS captures the mental, emotional and physical well-being of the worker in relation to the conduct of work and as a result, marks an essential subject of interest impacting positively on the achievement of organizational goals. (Dartey, 2011) - OHS can also reduce employee injury and illness related costs, including medical care, sick leave and disability benefit cause, etc. (Khan, et. Al.,2016) If the organization or entity can prevent occupational health hazards, it can ensure the quality works to be done by the healthy workers with their efficiency and satisfaction. More workers will be more encouraged to gain their skills in complex and challenging works when they will find the assurance of healthy environment and health care provisions. **GENERAL PROVISIONS IN OHS WORKPLACE SAFETY AND SANITATION** R.A. 11058 (The LawPhil Project) \- An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violation thereof. -every employer, contractor or subcontractor, if any, shall provide his workers, free of charge, protective equipment for their eyes, face, hands, and feet and free and lifeline, safety belt or harness, gas or dust respirators or mask, protective shields whenever necessary by reason of the hazardous work process or environment, chemical, radiological, mechanical and other irritants or hazards capable of causing injury or impairment in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation or physical contact. R.A. 10911 -an act Prohibiting Discrimination Against any individual in employment on account of Age and providing penalties therefor. R.A. 6725- Prohibition on Discrimination Against Women R.A. 9710- Magna Carta for Women DOLE- mandates the adoption and use of appropriate practices, means, methods, operations or processes, and working conditions reasonably necessary to ensure safe and healthful employment. **What is hazard?** **What are the different kinds of hazards in a workplace?** HAZARD, can be define as: a. Is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or someone. b. It is a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition, it may cause lost of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption or environmental damage. KINDS OF HAZARDS IN A WORKPLACE 1. **PHYSICAL HAZARD** - Excessive noise - Improper lighting level - Insufficient ventilation - Excessive vibration - Extreme heat - Poor air quality - Untidy working environment - Blockage in exit ways (in case of fire) - Absence of health facilities (pure drinking water, washroom facilities, first aid kits) 2. **ERGONOMIC HAZARD** - Poor design of work stations and work condition (arrangements of machineries) - Poorly design machineries - Repetitive nature of work - Awkward postures - Lifting problems - Prolonged working hours - Manually operated machines - Inadequate circulation spaces - Lack of shifting and rotation system 3. **PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZARD** - Stress - Strain - Excessive physical workload - Abuse/harassment - Fatigue 4. **CHEMICAL HAZARD** - Excessive exposure to cotton dust - Emissions of toxic substance from dye - Inhaling dust from fabrics - Inhaling dust from machines - Exposure to dangerous chemicals (arising from liquids, solids, dusts, fumes, vapours and gases) 5. **BIOLOGICAL HAZARD** - exposure to biological agents (bacteria, viruses, infectious waste and infestations) - Poor nutrition - Problem due to imbalance diet **IS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IMPORTANT?** **ARE THERE RISK ASSESSMENTS IN YOUR SCHOOL? WORK AREA? OR AT HOME?** How to perform risk assessment. What is risk assessment? Risk assessment- - is a systematic process used to identify the potential hazards and risk in a situation, then analyze what would happen. - It is a decision making tool that aims to determine which measures should be implemented to control or eliminate those risk as well as to specify which of the risk is to be prioritized according to their likelihood and impact [Why risk assessment is important?] It is important to identify hazards and risk that may potentially harm the workers. Identifying hazards and risk assessment process is a key element in ensuring the health an safety of the employees and customers. It is also essential for a business or work place to determine the personal protective gears and equipment a worker may need for the job. **When do you perform risk assessment?** The purpose of risk assessment is to eliminate operational risk and improve the overall safety of the workplace. It is the employer's responsibility to perform the risk assessment when: 1. New processes or steps are introduced to the work flow 2. Changes are made to the existing process 3. Equipment, and tools or new hazard arise *How to perform risk assessment?* 1. **IDENTIFY HAZARDS** 2. **EVALUATE THE RISK** 3. **DECIDE ON CONTROL MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT** 4. **DOCUMENT YOUR FINDINGS** 5. **REVIEW YOUR ASSESSMENT AND UPDATE IF NECESSARY** **Facility / Activity** **Identify the hazards** **Who/what may be harmed** **Risk likelihood** **Severity of harm** **Overall risk** **Existing control measures** **Recommendations/ further action required** ------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- ------------------ ------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------                                                           ***RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL EXAMPLE*** IMPORTANCE OF RISK ASSESSMENT - It saves time and reduce costing - Stay on top of risks and incidents. - Boost productivity and efficiency. - Enhance communication and collaboration. - Discover improvements and opportunities. - Make date-driven business decisions. **UNIT 2** IDENTIFY SAFETY SIGNS AND SYMBOLS USED IN THE WORKPLACE **Safety Signs and Symbols** **Why Use Safety Symbols?** Safety symbols play a crucial role in hazard communication, and here's why their use is essential: 1. **Immediate Recognition:** Visual symbols transcend language barriers. No matter what language someone speaks or reads, a universally recognized symbol will convey the same message, ensuring instantaneous 2. **Clarity in Communication:** A well-designed symbol can convey a message succinctly without the need for verbose explanations. This ensures that the intended safety message is not lost or misinterpreted. 3. **Efficiency:** Especially in emergencies, time is of the essence. Safety symbols allow for quick action by providing immediate awareness of hazards or indicating escape routes without the delay of reading and processing textual information. 4. **Consistency:** Safety symbols, when standardized, provide a consistent message. Whether you're in a factory, lab, or public space, the same symbol will indicate the same hazard or instruction, reducing confusion. 5. **Space-saving:** Symbols can convey complex messages in a small space, making them ideal for environments where physical space might be limited, such as on machinery, equipment, or narrow corridors. 6. **Reinforcing Training:** Even if workers or the public have been trained or informed verbally, safety symbols serve as constant reminders of the protocols and hazards, reinforcing the importance of safe practices. 7. **Legal and Regulatory Compliance:** Many industries and regions have regulations mandating specific safety symbols to maintain a standardized safety protocol. Using these symbols can ensure businesses organizations remain compliant with these regulations. 8. **Reducing Accidents:** By making potential hazards and safety protocols clear, safety symbols play a direct role in reducing accidents, injuries, and property damage. 9. **Instilling a Safety Culture:** The consistent use of safety symbols emphasizes the importance of safety in a particular environment, promoting a culture where safety is prioritized and valued. In essence, safety symbols act as silent guardians, consistently communicating crucial safety information to all, ensuring that environments, be they work or public spaces, remain as safe as possible. **CATEGORIES AND COLORS OF SIGNS AND SYMBOLS** **4 KEY TYPES OF SAFETY SYMBOLS** +-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+ | **CATEGORY/COLO | **INFORMATION/* | **FEATURES** | **EXAMPLE** | | R** | * | | | | | | | | | | **INSTRUCTION** | | | +=================+=================+=================+=================+ | Prohibition | - - - - | - - - | - - - - | | (Red) | - | | | +-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+ | Warning | - - - | - - - | - - - - | | (Yellow) | | | | +-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+ | Mandatory | - | Round shape | - - - | | (Blue) | | | | | | | White pictogram | | | | | in blue | | | | | background | | +-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+ | Emergency | - - - - | - - | - - - | | (Green) | | | | +-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------+ **PROHIBITION (RED)**  Safety signs that indicate danger or a prohibition must be red and indicate that a particular behaviour must be stopped. They can also tell the reader to refrain from entering. For this type of safety sign to be lawful, red must cover at least 35% of the sign. Usually, these signs have a black image on a white and red background. For prohibition signs, a red circle with a strike-through line indicates which action must be stopped. The most common red prohibition sign is a 'no smoking' sign. **WARNING (YELLOW)** These are yellow signs that tell the reader to take precautions or be careful. They warn of possible dangers, such as an electrical or trip hazard. They are often triangular in shape, with a black image and black edging. They are usually accompanied by text explaining the warning in more detail. **MANDATORY (BLUE)**  Mandatory signs are always blue and tell the reader that a certain action is required. If you work in construction, you may recognise these signs. They are commonly seen at the entrance to the construction site and tell employees that they must follow a certain action, such as wearing the appropriate PPE. These signs have a blue background with white text and a white image. **EMERGENCY (GREEN)** Emergency exit signs are always green in colour. They indicate the location of a safe escape route that can be used if there is a fire in the building. These are usually standardised and have a green background with white writing, and an image of a man running out of a door. **BASIC RULES OF WORKPLACE SAFETY.** Safety issues can have an impact on overall productivity, work quality, and employee morale. Many occupational accidents are preventable. Here are ten workplace safety standards you may start implementing today. 1. Preventing workplace mishaps is everyone\'s responsibility, including your personal safety. Everyone plays a responsibility in ensuring workplace safety, from the administrative assistant who quickly unpacks boxes of newly delivered office supplies to the warehouse foreman who ensures that everyone on the line takes a break. When you take responsibility for your personal safety, you create a safer environment for all employees. 2. Dress correctly, including attire and footwear.\ Keeping arms and legs covered, avoiding hanging jewelry or ties, and wearing closed-toe shoes will help reduce common workplace injuries and mishaps. When and where applicable, always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and inspect it for damage before and after use to ensure that it can be repaired or replaced quickly. 3. Keep your work areas neat and tidy.\ At the start and end of each shift, remove garbage, cords and cables, and office materials. Gather the supplies you\'ll need to finish your project. This prevents you from losing things and having to bend or strain excessively to reach misplaced or out-of-reach goods. 4. Follow the rules. 5. Report workplace accidents and safety events.\ Always report incidents to your supervisor as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be done. These may involve providing care to an injured employee, resolving the issue that caused the injury, or ensuring regulatory, state, or federal reporting compliance. 6. Know and follow the emergency protocols.\ To manage emergencies safely and effectively, all staff must be taught and adhere to emergency procedures. This allows safety coordinators and emergency services to assess a situation and choose the best method to bring it under control. 7. Lift, bend, and stretch gently to avoid damage.\ Musculoskeletal issues caused by improper technique when picking up boxes or stretching to reach goods are a major source of workplace injury. If you\'re unsure how to lift, bend, or stretch properly at work, consult your supervisor or corporate safety officer. 8. Don\'t use tools or machines that you aren\'t trained for.\ While some products or equipment may appear to be very simple, it is usually preferable to avoid using them unless you have received sufficient training. This is for your own and others\' protection. 9. Avoid using drugs and alcohol at work.\ Drugs and alcohol can impair your motor abilities, judgment, and capacity to communicate. Even prescription medicines can have a significant impact on your ability to operate machines and tools properly. 10. Take sufficient pauses.\ Being well-rested allows employees to keep their focus and situational safety awareness, both of which contribute to workplace safety. Work breaks may be regulated by contract in some places; in others, employees must arrange their own breaks. These ten workplace safety guidelines apply to almost every workplace. A safe working environment allows for the maintenance of work quality and quantity without the staffing challenges generated by unexpected employee absences. When employees and management work together to improve safety, everyone benefits. **CONCLUSION** According to Saravanan (2011), the apparel industry is usually accepted as a safe place for working compared to other industries. However, as Legesse (2016) pointed out, the boom in the apparel manufacturing industry in developing countries brings risks associated with the workplaces. Some of these risks is typically high paced, demanding, involving relatively complex machineries with conveyors covering large areas and with high rate of human intervention and manual handling. As per, Sealetsa and Thatcher (2011), the workers' health related risk factors associated with the apparel industry are mostly occurred because of highly repetitive work in work postures. Further, as Sharif, et al. (2015) mentioned, OHS is directly relating to the workers of the garment factories as they are staying in the factories and in large numbers. And the workers are mostly affected for the incidents as they are mostly illiterate, not aware, not educated and not well trained to prevent the incidents and to rescue themselves from the incidents. Numerous problems that have to be faced by the workers in apparels manufacturing industry make them injured day by day (Talapatra & Rahman, 2016). Hazards in the apparel industry include accident hazards, such as burns and puncture wounds, physical hazards, such as heat and noise, chemical hazards, such as allergies, ergonomic hazards posed by poor posture, biological hazards from poor nutrition, and psychosocial ones that result from abuse on the part of supervisors and a depressing work environment. All of these are inter-related, and can affect both productivity in general and the individual health of the worker (Chaturvedi & Kumar, 2015). According to International labour organization (2014), OSH promotion in worker intensive manufacturing sector is very important to maintain the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations, the prevention of workers from adverse effects on health caused by their working circumstances, the protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health, the placing and maintenance of workers in an occupational environment adapted to physical and mental needs, the adaptation of work to humans. *[SUBJECT REQUIRMENTS]* MIDTERMS 1. Fashion Portfolio 2. 3 quizzes 3. 2 assignments 4. 1 summative test FINALS 1. Fashion portfolio 2. 3 quizzes 3. 2 assignments 4. 1 summative test