Chapter 6 Workplace Hazards and Risk Control

31. A car maintenance workshop located adjacent to a river was flooded. Repairs were needed to structural steelwork, garage pits and basements, electrical equipment and flammable stores. - Identify FOUR emergencies that may occur during the repairs. - Outline why emergency procedures are needed. - Identify FOUR types of permits that may be required to undertake the repairs AND Outline a relevant task that requires EACH of the specified permits.

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18. Outline THREE types of work situations that may require a permit-to-work system, giving reasons in EACH case for the requirement

1. General permit for any high risk work where the system of work is complex and other operations may interfere. 2. Hot work due to a source of ignition in any plant in which highly flammable materials are handled and the potential for fires in all processes. 3. Confined space work due to the potential presence of toxic or other dangerous substances and the absence of adequate oxygen. 4. Work on high-voltage apparatus, as this is potentially high risk due to a possibly fatal electric shock/burns to the people doing the work, potential electrical fires/explosions, and consequential danger from disruption of power supply to safety-critical plant and equipment.

25. Identify FOUR 'specified risks' that may arise from work in a confined space

1. The entrance/exit of the confined space might not allow the worker to get out in time should there be a flood or collapse of free-flowing solid. 2. Self-rescue by the worker is more difficult. 3. Rescue of the victim is more difficult. The interior configuration of the confined space often does not allow easy movement of people or equipment within it. 4. Natural ventilation alone will often not be sufficient to maintain breathable quality air. The interior configuration of the confined space does not allow easy movement of air within it. 5. Conditions can change very quickly. 6. The space outside the confined space can impact on the conditions inside the confined space and vice versa. 7. Work activities may introduce hazards not present initially.

23. Give the meaning of 'confined space', giving TWO workplace examples

A confined space is any space that has limited or restricted means of entry or exit, is large enough for a person to enter to perform tasks, and is not designed or configured for continuous occupancy. Examples of confined spaces include chambers, tanks (sealed and open-top), vessels, furnaces, ducts, sewers, manholes, pits, flues, excavations, boilers, reactors and ovens.

9. Explain the meaning of the term 'safe system of work'

A safe system of work is a defined method for doing a job in a safe way. It takes into account all foreseeable hazards to health and safety and seeks to eliminate or minimize these through control measures, equipment needed, the environment, contingent requirements and the competence and skills required of personnel. They are normally formal and documented, but in some cases may be verbal.

7. Identify the shape and colour, and give a relevant example, of the following type of safety sign: Emergency escape or first aid

Emergency escape or first-aid - Safe condition signs - Green oblong or square with symbol or text in white - provides information about safe conditions

3 Outline the possible effects on health and safety of poor standards of housekeeping in the workplace.

Good housekeeping is a very cheap and effective means of controlling risks. It involves keeping the workplace clean and tidy at all times and maintaining good storage systems for hazardous substances. The risks most likely associated with good housekeeping are fire and slips, trips and falls.

6. Identify the shape and colour, and give a relevant example, of the following type of safety sign: Mandatory

Mandatory - Blue circle with white symbol - specific course of action must be take. Masks Must be Worn

1. With respect to the management risk within the workplace, explain the meaning of the term "hierarchy of control"

'Hierarchy of control' refers to the order of priority for preventive and protective measures when assessing the adequacy of existing controls or introducing new controls. It reflects the concept that risk elimination and risk control by the use of physical engineering controls and safeguards can be more reliably maintained than those which rely solely on people.

15. An organization is introducing a new work activity that requires a safe system of work. Explain why it is important to involve workers in the development of a safe system of work. Why it is important for safe systems of work to have written procedures

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16. Due to an increase in knife related accidents among hotel kitchen staff who use the sharp tools in the preparation of food for the restaurant, a safe system of work is to be developed to minimize the risk of injury to this group of employees. Describe the issues to be addressed when developing the safe system of work for the hotel kitchen staff who use the knives as part of their work. Outline the ways in which the employer could motivate the hotel kitchen staff to follow the safe system of work.

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26. Outline the precautions that should be taken in order to ensure the safety of employees undertaking maintenance work in an underground storage vessel.

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28. Identify FOUR types of emergency procedures that an organization might need to have in place. Explain why visitors to a workplace should be informed of the emergency procedures.

At a minimum, your emergency procedures should have the following in place: • A preferred method for reporting fires and other emergencies; • An evacuation policy and procedure; • Emergency escape procedures and route assignments, such as floor plans, workplace maps, and safe or refuge areas; • Names, titles, departments, and telephone numbers of individuals both within and outside your company to contact for additional information or explanation of duties and responsibilities under the emergency plan; • Procedures for employees who remain to perform or shut down critical plant operations, operate fire extinguishers, or perform other essential services that cannot be shut down for every emergency alarm before evacuating; and • Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them. You also may want to consider designating an assembly location and procedures to account for all employees after an evacuation.

30. Explain why it is important to develop workplace procedures to enable the safe evacuation of employees during an emergency

It is important to have control procedures in place to limit the damage to people and property caused by an incident. Without a control procedure in place for the safe evacuation of employees, employees will not know what to do and the employer will not have any way of knowing that their employees are safe. Control procedures identify who is in charge during an emergency and communicate the process to be followed to all employees. This provides organization during an emergency vs chaos, allowing for efficient evacuation and check points to ensure everyone got out safely. A good workplace procedure for emergencies will ensure: • The necessary information, internal communication and coordination are provided to protect all people in the event of an emergency at the worksite. • Provide information to, and communication with, the relevant competent authorities, and the neighbourhood and emergency response services. • Address first-aid and medical assistance, firefighting and evacualtion of all people at the worksite. • Provide relevant information and training to all members of the organization, at all levels, including regular exercises in emergency prevention, preparedness and response procedures.

8. Explain why personal protective equipment (PPE) should be considered as a last resort in the control of occupational health hazards

Personal Protective Equipment should only be used as a last resort as it only protects the person wearing it, it relies on people to wear it at all times, must be used properly, and must be replaced when it no longer offers the correct level of protection.

10. Describe the enforcement action that could be taken by an enforcing authority when a safe system of work has not been implemented

Possible enforcement actions are the issue of an improvement or prohibition notice, and prosecution. An inspector may give verbal or written advice and/or warning before taking more serious action.

32. Identify the TWO main functions of first-aid treatment

Preserving life and minimizing the consequences of serious injury. Treatment of minor injuries that do not require medical attention.

4. Identify the shape and colour, and give a relevant example, of the following type of safety sign: Prohibition

Prohibition - Red circular band with diagonal crossbar on a white background. The symbol within the circle to be black denoting a safety sign that indicates that a certain behavior is prohibited. No Cell Phones

17. Define the term 'permit-to-work system'

The 'permit-to-work system' is a specialized safe work system for ensuring that potentially very dangerous work is done safely. The fundamental principle is that certain defined operations are prohibited without the specific permission of a responsible manager, this permission only being granted once stringent checks have been made to ensure that all necessary precautions have been taken and that it is safe for the work to proceed.

5. Identify the shape and colour, and give a relevant example, of the following type of safety sign: Warning

Warning - Yellow triangle with black border and symbol within the yellow area denoting a safety sign that gives warning of a hazard. High Voltage Sign

29. Identify THREE types of emergency in the workplace for which employees may need to be evacuated.

i. Fire ii. Explosion iii. Escape of toxic gases or fumes iv. Discovery of dangerous dusts such as asbestos v. Severe weather with high winds and flooding

27. Outline the factors that should be considered when preparing a procedure to deal with a workplace emergency.

• Conditions under which an evacuation would be necessary; • A clear chain of command and designation of the person in your business authorized to order an evacuation or shutdown. You may want to designate an "evacuation warden" to assist others in an evacuation and to account for personnel; • Specific evacuation procedures, including routes and exits. Post these procedures where they are easily accessible to all employees; • Procedures for assisting people with disabilities or who do not speak English; • Designation of what, if any, employees will continue or shut down critical operations during an evacuation. These people must be capable of recognizing when to abandon the operation and evacuate themselves; and • A system for accounting for personnel following an evacuation. Consider employees' transportation needs for community-wide evacuations.

2. With respect to the management risk within the workplace, outline, with examples, the standard hierarchy that should be applied with respect to controlling health and safety risks in the workplace

• Eliminate the Risk (always preferred) • Substitute the current system of work, equipment or substance with a lesser Risk • Use engineering controls, such as treatment or containment for Environmental Risks or machine safeguarding for Health and Safety Risks. • Use administrative controls, such as warning signs, training, routine maintenance, specific documented procedures, work instructions, or adequate supervision • Conduct a Job Hazard/Safety Analysis and/or use personal protective equipment a. Best and most effective way of reducing risks is by avoiding a hazard and its associated risks. For example, avoid working at height by using a long-handled tool to clean windows. This may also involve substitution of a less hazardous form of a substance or process, such as the use of water-based rather than solvent-based paints. b. Reduced time exposure involves reducing the time during the working day that the employee is exposed to the hazard by giving the employee other work or rest periods. It is important to note that a short time of exposure to a dangerous part of a machine is never acceptable. However, short bouts of intensive work with rest periods when employees are engaged in heavy labour such as manual digging when machines are not permitted due to the confines of the space is a good example. c. Controlling risks by isolating them or segregating people and the hazard is an effective control measure and used in many instances. For example, separating vehicles and pedestrians on factory sites. d. Engineering design is another way to control risks. This may involve controlling the risk at the source, such as purchasing less noisy equipment. Or, it may involve controlling the risk of exposure by isolating the equipment by the use of an enclosures, barrier or guard; insulating any electrical or temperature hazard; or ventilating away any hazardous fumes or gases either naturally or by the use of extractor fans and hoods. e. Implementing safe systems of work is another control which entails addressing the hazards that have been identified in the risk assessment and describing the safe method of performing the job or activity. This may be the most economical, and potentially practical way of managing a particular risk. This may either by in writing, for high or medium risk tasks, or verbal, for low-risk activities. Records should be kept that employees and contractors have been trained or instructed in the safe system of work, and that they will abide by it. f. Training is another control that helps people acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes to make them competent in the health and safety aspects of their work. This includes specific safety training (on-the job) which aims at specific tasks, as well as planned training which is used for general safety training, induction training, management training, etc. g. Information is another means of controlling by identifying and receiving relevant health and safety information. h. Safety signs i. Personal Protective Equipment should only be used as a last resort as it only protects the person wearing it, it relies on people to wear it at all times, must be used properly, and must be replaced when it no longer offers the correct level of protection. j. Welfare facilities k. Monitoring and supervsion

24. Outline specific hazards associated with working in confined spaces

• Potential presence of toxic or other dangerous substances. • Absence of adequate oxygen. • Mechanical hazards such as entanglement on agitators. • Ingress of fluids. • Risk of engulfment in a free flowing solid like grain or sugar • Raised temperatures.

20. Identify TWO specific work activities for which a permit-to-work system might be needed

• Roof work • Modifying equipment where mechanical, toxic or electrical hazards may arise. • Work on pipelines with hazardous contents.

11. Outline the factors that should be considered when developing a safe system of work.

• Sequence of events to be carried out. • Equipment, plant, machinery and tools involved. • Chemicals and other substances to which people might be exposed in the course of the work. • The people doing the work, their skill and experience. • Foreseeable hazards (health, safety and environment), whether to the people doing the work or to others who might be affected by it. • Practical precautions which, when adopted, will eliminate or minimize these hazards. • The training needs of those who will manage and operate under the procedure. • Monitoring systems to ensure that the defined precautions are implemented effectively.

21. Outline the key elements of a permit-to-work system

• Specifies what work is to be done. • Identifies the plant/equipment involved. • Who is authorized to do the work. • The steps which have already been taken to make the plant safe. • Potential hazards which remain, or which may arise as the work proceeds. • The precautions to be taken against these hazards. • How long the permit is valid. • That the equipment is released to those who are to carry out the work. • Space for the signature certifying the work is complete. • Signature certifying re-acceptance of the plant/equipment.

14. Outline the reasons why employees might fail to comply with safety procedures at work.

• The procedure may not be communicated to all employees. • Employees may not be properly trained in the procedure. • Employees may not be aligned with the procedure, especially if they weren't consulted in the development. • Employee may try to shortcut the procedure to save time, etc.

33. Outline the factors to consider when making an assessment of first-aid provision in a workplace.

• The size of the organization and number of employees; • The layout of the workplace; • The identified hazards and risks; • The distance from the workplace to the nearest source of emergency medical services; • Working patterns such as leave and shift working; and • The need in some circumstances to train first aid personnel in special procedures.

13. In relation to a safe system of work, outline the factors that might influence the choice of risk control measures.

• Types of risk involved in the operation • Magnitude of the risk, including consideration of the worst foreseeable loss. • Complexity of the operation. • Past accident and loss experience. • Requirements and recommendations of the relevant health and safety authorities. • The type of documentation needed. • Resources required to implement the safe system of work (including training and monitoring).

12. Identify EIGHT sources of information that might usefully be consulted when developing a safe system of work

• What is the work to be done. • What are the potential hazards. • Is the work covered by any existing instructions or procedures? If so, to what extent (if any) do these need to be modified? • Who is to do the work? • What are their skills and abilities - is any special training required? • Under whose control and supervision will the work be done? • Will any special tools, protective clothing or equipment (eg breathing apparatus) be needed? Are they readily available? • Are the people who are to do the work adequately trained to use the above? • What isolations and locking-off will be needed for the work to be done safely? • Is a permit-to-work required for any aspect of the work? • Will the work interfere with other activities? Will other activities create a hazard to the people doing the work? • Have other departments been informed about the work to be done, where appropriate? • How will the people doing the work communicate with each other? • Have possible emergencies and the action to be taken been considered? • Should the emergency services be notified? • What are the arrangements for handover of the plant/equipment at the end of the work? • Do the planned precautions take account all foreseeable hazards? • Who needs to be informed about or receive copies of the safe system of work? • What arrangements will there be to see that the agreed system is followed and that it works in practice? • What mechanism is there to ensure that the safe system of work stays relevant and up-to-date?

19. Outline the specific details that should be included in a permit-to-work entry into a confined space.

• What work is to be done. • The specific equipment involved and how it is identified. • Who is authorized to do the work. • The steps which have already been taken to make the plant safe. • Potential hazards which remain, or which may arise as the work proceeds. • The precautions to be taken against these hazards. • How long the permit is valid. • That the equipment is released to those who are to carry out the work. • Space for the signature certifying the work is complete. • Signature certifying re-acceptance of the plant/equipment.

22. Outline the issues to be addressed in a training session on the operation of a permit-to-work system

• Wherever possible, and especially with routine jobs, hazards should be eliminated so that the work can be done safely without requiring a permit-to-work. • Although the Site Manager may delegate the responsibility for the operation of the permit system, the overall responsibility for ensuring safe operation rests with him/her. • The permit must be recognized as the master instruction which, until it is cancelled, overrides all other instructions. • The permit applies to everyone on site, including contractors. • Information given in a permit must be detailed and accurate. It must state: o Which plant/equipment has been made safe and the steps by which this has been achieved. o What work may be done. o The time at which the permit comes into effect. • The permit remains in force until the work has been completed and the permit is cancelled by the person who issues it or by the person nominated by management to take over the responsibility. • No work other than that specified is authorized. If it is found that the planned work has to be changed, the existing permit should be cancelled and a new one issued. • Responsibility for the plant must be clearly defined at all stages.