Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

Bangla


Apply Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Practice in the Workplace

Learning Outcomes:
After completing this module, you must be able to:
1.1. Identify OHS policies and procedures.
1.2. Apply personal health and safety practices.

1.3. Report hazards and risks
1.4. Respond to emergencies

OHS policies and safe operating procedures

Sample Company OSH Policy

The OSH Guideline required according to Schedule IV (2)

BLR is composed of:

- The company OSH Policy –

- Procedures on various aspects such as emergencies, accident investigation, risk assessment, and other documents required in Schedule IV (2).

The following annex is a sample of an OSH Policy. The example used is a factory, which has a Safety Officer. The Safety Committee needs to discuss this document and adapt it to the specific circumstances of the factory. The Safety Committee then submits it to the top management for approval.

Key questions around the policy are:

•  How will the policy be communicated to workers? Should the factory prepare a shorter version to inform workers? One separate communication on the Safety Committee? One communication on workers duties?
•  Are the responsibilities listed in the policy (e.g. for supervisors) also part of their job descriptions?
• How will the review of the effectiveness of the policy be conducted?
• The original file can

Adopting health and safety policy and procedures

When organizing health and safety, top management should consult with the Safety Committee to define targets, organization, responsibilities, etc. These decisions are put in writing in one document called the Company OSH Policy, so that they can easily be communicated in the company and to stakeholders. The OSH policy also contains the commitment of top management to ensuring OSH.

Clarifying supervisors’ responsibilities to ensure health and safety

Supervisors are the ones who need to enforce health and safety procedures on a daily basis, and protect the workers under their supervision (e.g. wearing of PPE, use of machine guards etc.). They need to lead by example, regularly remind workers about rules and provide support. Enforcing safety should be promoted as an integral part of their job and performance review.

Management of licenses, certificates, tests and other OSH records

The employer needs to make sure that inspections required by law are conducted, that he has the required licenses, certificates and permits and that they are renewed on time. For example:

• Building: structural safety must be certified (incl. for alterations of building; approval from the Inspector General is also required before using an existing building as a factory. The use of the building must be in conformity with the license provided
• Fire License - Certificate for the electrical system
• Drinking water certificate
• Health check for workers who perform dangerous operations

Safety Signs and Symbols

Safety symbols are pictures sometimes called safety pictographs, pictograms, or pictorials.

They are used in place of, or as a supplement to written words. These symbols provide warnings or alerts about a possible hazard.

Because pictures may convey information better than words, graphic symbols are added to

precautionary labels to show major workplace dangers like welding or cutting hazards.

The use of symbols on precautionary labels is optional, and is recommended for the following

reasons:

• Symbols may show and help to explain the hazards quickly.
• Symbols can be understood by both readers and non-readers.
• Symbols may be multilingual and usually translate directly into all languages.

The industry has adopted standardized symbols and uniform methods of use to avoid user confusion and to supplement and reinforce the written message.

Words

The large word at the top of the label is called the signal word. It is used in combination with a specific colored background and combined with the safety alert symbol to indicate the degree of seriousness of a potential hazard. Because of its colored background, the signal word is usually the first element that you notice when looking at a safety label. There are three (3) choices for a signal word:

1. DANGER. Use to indicate an imminently hazardous situation which, if avoided, will result in death or serious injury. The use of this signal word should be limited to the most extreme situations.

2. WARNING. This indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,

could result in death or serious injury.

3. CAUTION. Use to indicate a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury. CAUTION may also be used without the safety color symbol (the triangle with exclamation mark) to indicate property-damage-only.

Color

Since color is typically the first thing that draws the attention of the viewer, the color-coded surround shapes act as a first level of meaning and, as you draw closer to the sign, you are able to distinguish the specific information conveyed by the graphic symbol.

Classification of Safety Signs

   Regulatory Signs

Signs contain instructions. Failure to comply with them constitutes an offense under law, standing orders, company policy, etc.

Mandatory signs are regulatory signs which indicate that an instruction must be carried out. When symbols are used they are white on a blue disc. Text-only mandatory signs are black or white in a portrait format.

Prohibition signs are regulatory signs which indicate that an action or activity is not allowed. The symbolic shape used on prohibition signs is the red circle and slash over a black symbol. Prohibition signs may contain only the red circle and text with no symbol.

Warning Signs

Signs which warn of a hazard or hazardous condition that is not likely to be life-threatening. The symbolic shape used on warning signs is black triangle with yellow interior and black symbol. Theword warning is not required to print on the sign, although it is often used for added impact.

Danger Signs

Signs which warn of a hazard or hazardous condition that is likely to be life-threatening. It is recommended that symbols not be used on danger signs

Fire Signs

Advise the location of fire alarms and firefighting equipment. Fire signs contain a white symbol and/or text on a red background

Emergency Information Signs

Indicate the location of, or direction to, emergency related facilities (exits, first aid, safety equipment, etc.). These signs feature a white symbol and/or text on a green background.

General Information Signs

Communicate information of a general nature in order to avoid misunderstanding or confusion. These signs often refer to housekeeping, company practices and logistics.

Activity:

Put some symbols at different place of your institution. Practice following the symbols when

passing the place marked with symbol.

Share your experience to your class.

workplace emergency

A workplace emergency is an unforeseen situation that threatens your employees, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down your operations; or causes physical or environmental damage. Emergencies may be natural or manmade and include the following:

•  Floods,
•  Hurricanes,
•  Tornadoes,
•  Fires,
•  Toxic gas releases,
•  Chemical spills,
•  Radiological accidents,
•  Explosions,
•  Civil disturbances, and
•  Workplace violence resulting in bodily harm and trauma.

Employees’ role

The best emergency action plans include employees in the planning process, specify what employees should do during an emergency, and ensure that employees receive proper training for emergencies. When you include your employees in your planning, encourage them to offer suggestions about potential hazards, worst-case scenarios, and proper emergency responses. After you develop the plan, review it with your employees to make sure everyone knows what to do before, during and after an emergency.

Keep a copy of your emergency action plan in a convenient location where employees can get to it, or provide all employees a copy. If you have 10 or fewer employees, you may communicate your plan orally.

Employee information included in plan

In the event of an emergency, it could be important to have ready access to important personal information about your employees. This includes their home telephone numbers, the names and telephone numbers of their next of kin, and medical information.

Training for employees

Educate your employees about the types of emergencies that may occur and train them in the proper course of action. The size of your workplace and workforce, processes used, materials handled, and the availability of onsite or outside resources will determine your training requirements. Be sure all your employees understand the function and elements of your emergency action plan, including types of potential emergencies, reporting procedures, alarm systems, evacuation plans, and shutdown procedures. Discuss any special hazards you may have onsite such as flammable materials, toxic chemicals, radioactive sources, or water-reactive substances. Clearly communicate to your employees who will be in charge during an emergency to minimize confusion.

General training for your employees should address the following:

•  Individual roles and responsibilities;
•  Threats, hazards, and protective actions;
•  Notification, warning, and communications procedures;
•  Means for locating family members in an emergency;
•  Emergency response procedures;
•  Evacuation, shelter, and accountability procedures;
•  Location and use of common emergency equipment; and
•  Emergency shutdown procedures.

Training schedule

Review your plan with all your employees and consider requiring annual training in the plan. Also offer training when you do the following:

• Develop your initial plan;
• Hire new employees;
• Introduce new equipment, materials, or processes into the workplace that affect evacuation routes;
• Change the layout or design of the facility; and
• Revise or update your emergency procedures

Activity:

Establish an escape plan for fire in your class.

Practice escaping procedure with fire alarm.

To adjust a computer chair:

1. Set the chair height so that your thighs are approximately horizontal and your feet rest comfortably on the floor.

2. If the chair height is correctly set but the desk is too high, raise the height of the chair and use a footrest to compensate. A phone book can be used as a footrest.

3.Adjust the height and the angle of the backrest so that it supports your lower back.

The screen

The other critical factor is the height and angle of the computer screen. If the screen is in the correct position, there is less strain on your neck muscles.

•  The top of the screen should be level with your eyes and approximately an
•  Arm‟s length distance when you are typing. You can use a stand to raise
•  Your screen to the correct height.
•  You can adjust the angle of most screens. Check with your supervisor if
•  You are not sure how to do this.
•  It's also important that there is no light reflecting onto the screen.

The Keyboard and mouse

Have the keyboard:

1.  Directly in front of you so that you do not need to twist to use it,
2.  At the front edge of the desk so that you can reach the key easily
3.  Flat, as tilting it up at the back angles your wrists your wrists and causes stress.
4. Place your mouse so that the desk supports your arms as you use it. Cheek that the mouse is comfortable in size and the shape suits your hand.
5. Your wrist, your fingers, and your hands are all very delicate therefore you must learn to use correct techniques if you are to avoid injury in the long term. You must maintain an equal balance between the muscles responsible for flexing and extending the wrist. The main concerns are the horizontal and vertical bending of the wrists.

Breaks

When working on a computer it is important to take regular breaks. Frequent short pauses are preferable to infrequent long pauses. Answering the phone or collecting a document from the printer makes a good short break. Do not sit at a computer for many hours at a time. This is important for many reasons. Your eyes need a break and you need to focus on something other than your computer screen about every 20 minutes. Look out the window or the front of the room. Your eye muscles will suffer from strain if you do not do this regularly.

Defined breaks such as lunch or morning tea are also necessary. Avoid taking these „breaks‟ at your desk so that you don‟t keep working. The length and frequency of break that you need will depend on the work on you and on other factors.

You also need to change your posture and get up and move around every half an hour. This will allow your muscles to have a break. These simple rules below will help you stay healthy while working in the computer industry.

• Sit correctly in an adjustable chair.
• Have your monitor at the correct height and distance from you
• Use a document holder to position paperwork next to your monitor if you're referring to it frequently. This enables you to look directly at the document without tucking your chin and looking down at the desk, sparing you neck and eye strain.
• Take regular breaks, reminding yourself to get up and move around for a minute or two after 20 to 30 minutes of typing. Maintaining proper posture while stretching periodically decreases muscle tightness and fatigue and allows you to remain more comfortable between breaks.
• Alternate your mouse using hand.
• Rest your eyes by staring at a picture or looking in the distance for a few seconds every half an hour.
• Practice the correct typing posture by keeping your wrists straight and comfortable.

Task variety

You should vary your activities throughout the day. Try to mix typing and other computer work with task such as collecting the document at the printer, reviewing, photocopying and distributing document. Look for opportunities to stand or walk around as a break from sitting at the computer. You should also try to include task with different mental, as well as physical, demands.

Exercises

Regular exercise can reduce the effect of repetitive work such as typing.

However, you should still take the other safe-work precaution already mentioned.

The following exercises have been designed for office workers. Do a few of them a few times every day.

• Dots show the muscles that you are exercising.

• Make sure that you relax and perform them gently

• Hold the stretch or repeat as indicated on the diagram.

• Do not over-stretch.

• Stop if you feel discomfort when performing a action.

• Remember to do both sides.

While you are exercising, read the notes alongside each instruction and consider whether your workstation is adjusted to suit you.

Gently lower ear to shoulder and hold for 10 seconds. Slowly roll chin to chest and up to other shoulder and hold for 10 second. Repeat several times and be careful not to extend your back to far.

Turn head to look over left shoulder and hold for 10 seconds. Turn head the other way and hold for 10 second. Repeat several times.

Raise the head to straighten the neck. Truck the chin in and upwards creating a double chain. This also results in a forward tilt of the head. Hold for 10 second and repeat several times.

Hazards in the Workplace

Environmental Hazards

1. Physical Hazards. Hazards due to the transfer of energy between an object and a worker.

• Excessive Noise
• Inadequate Illumination
• Extreme Temperature
• Extreme Pressure
• Vibration
• Radiation

2. Chemical Hazard.

Hazards arise from inhaling chemical agents in the form of vapors, gases, dusts, fumes, mists, or by skin contact with these materials.

• Mists. Fine particles of a liquid float in air
• Gases. Substances in gaseous state but are always airborne at room temperature.
• Vapors. Results when substances that are liquids at room temperature evaporate.
• Dusts. Solid harmful substances are ground, cut or crushed by mechanical actions.
• Fumes. Gas is condensed in air, chemically changed and becomes fine solid particles which float in air.