Occupational Health and Safety PDF

TH2203 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY What is Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)? OHS is the recognition, assessment, and control of hazards associated with the work environment (Kelloway et al., 2021). Many incidents could have been prevented through adequate h...

TH2203 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY What is Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)? OHS is the recognition, assessment, and control of hazards associated with the work environment (Kelloway et al., 2021). Many incidents could have been prevented through adequate health and safety management systems with effective controls and monitoring processes. The costs of poor safety management include the following (Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality [CTH], 2009): Fatalities Cost of sick leaves Serious injury/disability Loss of production Compensation claims Reduced staff morale Bad publicity Formulated in 1978 and amended in 1989, the Occupational Health and Safety Standards is a body of standards formulated to protect workers against the dangers of injury, sickness, or death through safe and healthful working conditions, thereby assuring the conservation of valuable manpower resources and the prevention of loss or damage to lives and properties (Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE], 2017a). The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is responsible for issuing hazard-specific guidelines and department orders and implementing rules on occupational health and safety matters (International Labor Organization [ILO], n.d.). Important OHS Terms Health refers to a sound state of the body and mind of the worker, which enables him to perform his job normally, in a state of well-being (DOLE, 2017a). Safe/Safety refers to the physical or environmental conditions of being protected against failure, breakage, or accident during work or employment (DOLE, 2017a). Work accident shall mean an unplanned or unexpected occurrence that may or may not result in personal injury, property damage, work stoppage or interference, or any combination thereof, which arises out of and in the course of employment (DOLE, 2017a). A near miss incident is an undesired event that, under slightly different circumstances, could have resulted in harm to people, property damage, business disruption, or a combination thereof. It is sometimes called a near miss, close call, warning, near hit, or simply incident (McKinnon, 2020). An occupational injury or work injury is any cut, fracture, sprain, or amputation resulting from a workplace incident (Kelloway et al., 2021). An occupational illness is any abnormal condition or disorder caused by exposure to environmental factors associated with employment (Kelloway et al., 2021). A loss is an unplanned, preventable waste of any resource, be it through injury, loss of time, damaged product or equipment, or loss of process (McKinnon, 2020). Damage is the physical harm to buildings, structures, equipment, product, process, and the environment normally caused by accidents (McKinnon, 2020). In 2018, then president Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Republic Act 11058, entitled “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof.” Its implementing rules and regulations state the rights and duties of employers and workers. These are: Duties of Employers Equip a place of employment for workers free from hazardous conditions Provide complete job safety instructions and proper orientation, as well as work environment familiarization, to all workers 07 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 1 of 8  TH2203 Ensure that chemical, physical and biological substances and agents, and ergonomic and psychosocial stresses under their control are without health risk when appropriate protection measures are taken. Use only approved specific industry sets of standards of devices and equipment for the workplace Comply with OHS standards Make arrangements for workers and their representatives to manage the OHS management system actively Provide measures identifying training and drills, and evacuation plans to deal with emergencies, fires, and accidents, including first-aid arrangements Comply with all reportorial requirements of the OHS standards Register establishment to DOLE as provided under the OHS standards. Duties of Workers Participate in capacity-building activities on safety and health and other OHS-related topics and programs Proper use of all safeguards and safety devices furnished for workers’ protection Comply with instructions to prevent accidents or imminent danger situations in the workplace Observe prescribed steps to be taken in cases of emergency Report to the immediate supervisor or any other responsible safety and health personnel any work hazard that may be discovered in the workplace. Workers’ Rights Right to Know – All workers shall be appropriately informed by the employer about all types of hazards in the workplace and be provided access to training, education, and orientation on safety, ergonomics, and other hazards and risks. Right to Refuse Unsafe Work – The worker has the right of refusal to work without threat or reprisal from the employer if an imminent danger exists. Right to Report Accidents – Workers and their representatives shall have the right to report accidents, dangerous occurrences, and hazards to the employer, DOLE, and other concerned government agencies. They shall be free from any form of retaliation for reporting any accident. Right to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – The employer shall provide workers free of charge PPE for any part of the body that may be exposed to hazards whenever necessary because of hazardous work processes or environments. Workplace Hazards Injuries and diseases in the workplace occur due to unsafe acts and conditions. Unsafe acts occur when employees do not conform or depart from an established standard, rule, or policy. These often happen when an employee has an improper attitude, physical limitations, or lacks knowledge or skills. Unsafe conditions are the physical or chemical properties of a material, machine, or environment that could cause injury to people, property damage, disrupt operations, or other losses. These conditions could be guarded or prevented (OSHC, 2017b). Table 1 shows examples of unsafe acts and conditions. Table 1 Examples of Unsafe Acts and Conditions UNSAFE ACTS UNSAFE CONDITIONS  Not wearing personal protective equipment  Slippery floors when handling chemicals  No safety locks/guards on large equipment  Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol  No proper ventilation in an enclosed space  Using any equipment without prior knowledge of operating it 07 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 2 of 8  TH2203 Types of Accidents Accidents and diseases can be prevented by identifying the risks and taking appropriate preventive measures. The list below shows the basic types of accidents. Managers, workers, and safety committees look at these accident types and use them to check which procedures, processes, occupations, and/or tasks present a hazard that may cause any of the accident types (Reese, 2015). Struck-Against. It refers to an accident where a worker strikes against something stationary or gets into contact forcefully and unexpectedly. For example, hitting the head against a low beam. Struck-By. It refers to accidents where a worker is struck abruptly with force by something that moves. For example, getting hit by falling boxes or a door swinging open. Contact-By. It refers to accidents in which an object or agent moves toward the worker, injuring him by nonforceful contact. For example, steam burns the skin while opening a pot. Contact-With. It is an accident where the worker moves toward the agent or object, causing injury by nonforceful contact. An example is spilling cleaning chemicals on bare skin while cleaning. Caught-In. A caught-in accident is when the person, or some part of their body, is caught in an enclosure or opening. An example of this is falling into an opening on a floor. Caught-On. This type of accident involves the worker getting caught on a stationary protruding object, causing a fall, or the worker’s clothing getting caught on a moving object, pulling them in. Examples of this are tripping on wires or a piece of clothing getting caught on a piece of equipment. Caught-Between. Accidents of this type involve a part of the body caught between something moving and something stationary or between two (2) moving objects. An example is when the hands get stuck inside a blender. Fall-same-level and Fall-to-Below. On both types, workers either slip or trip on something, causing them to fall to the ground. The difference between the two (2) is the height from where they fell from. The fall-to-below accidents occur when workers work above ground or floor level, and the resulting injuries are usually more severe. An example of a fall-same-level accident is slipping on wet floors, while falling from a ladder is a fall-to-below accident. Overexertion. It is an accident where a worker is injured from overexertion in lifting, pulling, or pushing materials and/or equipment. Being in an awkward position for long periods may cause strains and sprains. Repetitive motions such as chopping or typing on the keyboard cause abnormal pressure on tendons and nerves. Exposure. This type of accident refers to injury from exposure to unhealthy and unsafe environmental conditions such as noise, extreme temperatures, poor air, and toxic fumes. An example is food servers being exposed to loud music while working in a nightclub. First Aid First aid refers to the emergency care or treatment given to an ill or injured person before regular medical aid can be obtained (Merriam-Webster, n.d.b). Administering immediate care can save a life. However, it is important to only perform first aid according to the level of training received. Performing first aid without proper training may do more harm than good. The American Red Cross (n.d.) recommends the following steps in checking an injured or ill person: 1. Check the scene for safety. Make sure there is no more danger, like the risk of falling debris, moving machinery, live wires, and open fire. Form an initial impression, obtain consent from the injured person, and use PPE if necessary. 2. Check for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding, or other life-threatening conditions using shout-tap-shout. Do this for no more than ten (10) seconds. 07 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 3 of 8  TH2203 o If the person does not respond, responds but is not fully awake, is not breathing or is only grasping, or has life-threatening bleeding or other conditions, call emergency services immediately and give care based on their condition and check if additional care is necessary. Do not perform chest compressions without proper training. o If the person is responsive or responds to stimulation, is fully awake, and does not appear to have any life-threatening conditions, interview the person and ask about signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, and medical conditions. Take note of how the person is acting. Do not move the person if there is a suspected head, neck, or spinal injury. Do not ask the person to move any area of the body that causes discomfort or pain. 3. After checking, call emergency services or have someone do it while performing first aid. Remember to only give care based on the condition found and the level of training received. First-Aid Kit For non-hazardous workplaces with 100+ workers, the following medicines, medical supplies, and equipment are required to be on hand under the Occupational Health and Safety Standards in cases of minor injuries and medical emergencies: ✓ Topical antiseptic – such as povidone-iodine, used in wound cleansing to kill microorganisms ✓ 70% Isopropyl alcohol – used for general antiseptic/disinfectant ✓ Aromatic scent of ammonia – to be inhaled, used as a stimulant after fainting ✓ Hydrogen peroxide solution – mild antiseptic used in wound cleansing, commonly known as Agua Oxinada ✓ Burn ointment – used to relieve pain from burns ✓ Analgesic/antipyretic medicine – such as paracetamol, is used as a pain reliever and reduces fever ✓ Antihistamine tablets – such as loratadine or cetirizine, are used to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis ✓ Anti-diarrheal tablets – such as loperamide, are used to relieve symptoms of diarrhea ✓ Thermometer – used to take internal body temperature ✓ Stethoscope – a device used for listening to internal sounds of the body ✓ Sphygmomanometer – a device used for measuring blood pressure ✓ Sterile gauze pads – for dressing cuts, scratches, and burns ✓ Gauze bandage – for dressing cuts, scratches, and burns ✓ Adhesive tape – to keep gauze in place ✓ Absorbent cotton – used for applying topical ointments ✓ Bandage scissors – used for cutting bandages, gauze, and adhesive tapes ✓ Triangular bandage – used as a large dressing or as a sling to support sprained limbs ✓ Safety pins – to keep the triangular bandage in place ✓ Hot water bag – used for hot compress ✓ Ice bag – used for a cold compress ✓ Wooden tongue depressors – used for oral examination; can also be used as temporary splints for broken fingers ✓ Rubber tourniquet – used to constrict blood flow on arms or legs ✓ First aid box with pamphlet – The pamphlet contains a guide in giving first aid assistance for various situations as well as emergency hotlines. Treating with First Aid Below are the first aid steps for some common minor injuries as recommended by the Mayo Clinic: Burns involve tissue damage from contacting hot liquids, flames, chemicals, electricity, and steam. 07 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 4 of 8  TH2203 For minor burns: 1. Cool the burn by holding the area under cool water for about 10 minutes. 2. Remove rings or other tight items around the burned area. Do this quickly, as the area is expected to swell. 3. Do not break any blister. If it breaks, gently clean the area with clean water and apply antibiotic ointment. 4. Apply lotion or burn ointment. It will provide relief and prevent the area from drying. 5. Loosely bandage the burn to protect the blistered skin. 6. Take a nonprescription pain reliever if needed. Electrical burns, including those caused by lightning and major chemical burns, need emergency medical care. A minor burn might need emergency care if it affects the eyes, mouth, hands, or genital areas. Cuts and Scrapes. They may occur from using knives and machinery in kitchens, laundry shops, and engineering workshops. For minor cuts and scrapes: 1. Wash hands to avoid infection. 2. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure or elevating the wound. 3. Rinse the wound with water and wash the area with soap. 4. Apply an antibiotic or petroleum jelly to protect from infections, keep the surface moist, and prevent scarring. 5. Cover the wound with gauze to keep it clean. Leave it uncovered if the injury is just a minor scratch or scrape. Change the gauze frequently. Harassment in the Workplace Bullying Workplace bullying (psychological harassment or emotional abuse) results from a repeated conscious effort to mentally wound and seriously harm another person with words and actions, not violence. It was commonly viewed as a social problem and not addressed as occupational health and safety issue until recently (Reese, 2016). Bullying has various effects on both the employees and the organization. According to the Canadian Safety Council, targets of bullying waste 10-52% of their time at work consumed by the effects of their tormenters. They were demotivated, highly stressed, often absent, fearful, anxious, and depressed. Targets are more likely to have stress-related illnesses like heart disease, sleep dysfunction, and diabetes (Reese, 2016). Some effects on the organization include (Gordon, 2022): Lost productivity Erosion of employee loyalty and commitment Increased staff turnover Additional costs to recruit and train employees Poor public image Organizational efforts dealing with bullying take one of two (2) forms. First is through investigation and resolution of complaints. The second is promoting a respectful workplace (Kelloway et al., 2021). Sherry Gordon, a bullying prevention expert and author, recommends the following strategies for coping with bullying in the workplace (Gordon, 2022): Set boundaries. Let the bully know, professionally and respectfully, what they’ve done is unacceptable and that if it occurs again, it will not be tolerated. 07 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 5 of 8  TH2203 Confront the behavior. Once boundaries are set, follow through with consequences. Call out the behavior and ask the bully to leave and return only when they can behave in a professional, work- appropriate manner. Keep track of the abuse. Document the incidents by writing down details, including the time, how it happened, and any witnesses present. Record any information that can confirm the abuse. Talk to the management or human resources. If the bullying was not resolved successfully, check the employee handbook to learn more about the company policy on workplace harassment and the steps needed to file a complaint. Sexual Harassment Republic Act no 11313, known as the Safe Spaces Act, stipulates in Article IV, Section 16 that the crime of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace includes the following: An act or series of acts involving any unwelcome sexual advances, requests or demands for sexual favors, or any act of sexual nature, whether done verbally, physically, or through the use of technology (e.g., text messaging or e-mail or other forms of information and communication systems) that has or could have a detrimental effect on the conditions of an individual’s employment or education, job performance or opportunities. A conduct of sexual nature and other conduct-based on sex affecting the dignity of a person, which is unwelcome, unreasonable, and offensive to the recipient, whether done verbally, physically, or through the use of technology. Conduct that is unwelcome and pervasive that creates an intimidating, hostile, or humiliating environment for the recipient. The Act also says, “Employers or other persons of authority, influence or moral ascendancy in a workplace shall have the duty to prevent, deter, or punish the performance of acts of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace.” It is done by: Providing measures to prevent sexual harassment (e.g., anti-sexual harassment seminars) Create an independent committee that shall investigate and address sexual harassment complaints Provide a code of conduct that expressly prohibits sexual harassment and set administrative penalties. Employees and co-workers also have duties under this law. These are: Refrain from committing acts of gender-based sexual harassment; Discourage the conduct of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace; Provide emotional or social support to fellow employees, co-workers, colleagues, or peers who are victims of gender-based sexual harassment; and Report acts of gender-based sexual harassment witnessed in the workplace. Safe and Healthy Workplace Accidents and diseases can be prevented by identifying the risks and taking appropriate preventive measures. Risk assessment is the identification of hazards, the likelihood and possible risks of harm occurring, and the preventative measures taken to control the risks (CTH, 2009). Risk assessments' overall goal is to avoid near- miss incidents, thus resulting in safe operations (Kelloway et al., 2021). These are the steps when conducting risk assessment: 1. Hazard Identification – The first step in risk assessment is identifying the hazard, its type, and its sources. Hazards can be categorized into five (5) types: people, equipment, environment, materials, and processes. 07 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 6 of 8  TH2203 Some methods used in hazard identification include (Kelloway et al., 2021): o Walk-through survey – It is a survey in which a safety professional walks through a worksite and notes hazards. o Safety Sampling - It is a systematic survey procedure undertaken by safety personnel who record their observations of unsafe practices on a sampling document. 2. Risk Analysis. It is the step in risk assessment where the risk of an incident or injury is determined. The two (2) main pillars of risk analysis are probability and consequences (Kelloway et al., 2021). o Probability refers to the chance or likelihood that an event will happen and result in harm or loss. o Consequences correspond to the severity of the injury, harm, or loss and can range from dust in the eye, to amputation of a finger, to death. 3. Risk Control. It is the final step of the risk assessment process, where preventive and corrective measures are established to control the risks. Risk control measures range from totally removing the risk to reducing the risk probability. The risk controls are (Kelloway et al., 2021): o Elimination – It is the process of removing a hazard from the workplace. o Substitution – It involves replacing or changing equipment or materials for less hazardous ones. o Engineering Controls – These are modifications of work processes, equipment, and materials to reduce exposure to hazards. Some engineering controls are: ▪ Process modification – It refers to changing the way the work is done. For example, using a food processor instead of chopping large quantities of garlic by hand. ▪ Ventilation – It refers to removing contaminated air and replacing it with fresh air. The exhaust system in the kitchen is an example of this. ▪ Equipment design – Controls and displays on equipment should be visible, legible, and user-friendly. It should also be interpreted the same way by using universal symbols to avoid confusion in using the equipment. ▪ Machine guarding – This refers to protecting workers from the hazards and energies created by moving machinery. An example is adding barriers or enclosure guards to prevent workers from entering a hazardous area. o Administrative controls are changes to work practices, policies, procedures, training, and rules. These include management involvement, training of employees, rotation of employees, environmental sampling, and medical surveillance to protect individuals. Some administrative controls are: ▪ Safety awareness – This refers to programs that attempt to inform workers about health and safety issues and to remind them of the importance of health and safety. It can be done through public awareness campaigns and onboarding/orientation/training new employees. ▪ Visible reminders – These are visual reminders of the importance of safety for workers. These can be done through posters, signages, or booklets. ▪ Awards and incentives - Individual employees can be given incentives to maintain good safety performance. However, safety awards and incentive programs must be carefully designed and executed to ensure that employees and employers are engaging in safe work behaviors for the right reasons and not simply because they are rewarded for doing so. 07 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 7 of 8  TH2203 ▪ Housekeeping - Ensuring that the worksite is clean and that workers have access to cleaning facilities will contribute to the control of hazards. A clean, orderly workplace can reduce hazards and, at the same time, increase efficiency. ▪ Preventive maintenance - It refers to the orderly, continuous, and scheduled protection and repair of equipment and buildings. The main benefits of this process are uninterrupted production and the reduction of potential hazards caused by equipment failure. ▪ Monitoring/Auditing - Monitoring is an integral part of hazard control and is a continual process that occurs at various points in time with regularity. Audits are done to ensure that hazard controls are functioning effectively and to identify new hazards. o Personal Protective Equipment – This refers to using PPE. PPE consists of clothing, helmets, goggles, and other devices that protect individuals from specific hazards. To ensure that PPE is used safely, it must be: ▪ Suitable for the activity ▪ Suitable for the person who will wear it ▪ Maintained in good condition ▪ Replaced as and when necessary ▪ Correctly used by all staff at all times Not every control is perfect; therefore, it is necessary that for each level within the hierarchy, different types of controls (from each category) should be implemented (Kelloway et al., 2021). References: American Red Cross (n.d.) First aid steps. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first- aid/performing-first-aid/first-aid-steps Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (2009) Food hygiene, health and safety: Study guide. BPP Learning Media. Department of Labor and Employment (2017) Occupational Health and Safety standards. Occupational Safety and Health Center Department of Labor and Employment (2017) OSH guidelines for the hotel industry. Occupational Safety and Health Center Gordon, S. (2022, February 21). The effects of workplace bullying. In Verywellmind.com. Retrieved October 25, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-effects-of-workplace-bullying-460628 International Labour Organization (2013) Philippines. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.ilo.org/dyn/legosh/en/f?p=14100:1100:0::NO::P1100_ISO_CODE3,P1100_SUBCODE_CODE,P1100_YEAR:PHL,, 2013 Kelloway, E. K., Francis, L., Gatien, B., and Belcourt, M. (2021) Management of occupational health and safety (8th ed.). Nelson Education Ltd. Mayo Clinic (n.d.) First aid. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid McKinnon, R. C. (2020) The design, implementation, and audit of occupational and safety management systems. CRC Press. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Safety. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/safety Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). First aid. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/first%20aid Reese, C. D. (2015) Occupational health and safety management: A practical approach (3rd ed.). CRC Press Safe Spaces Act of 2018. Official Gazette. (2018) https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2019/04/17/republic-act-no-11313/ 07 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 8 of 8