BUSM4306 Work Health Assessment 2 - D PDF

Preview

Summary

Download BUSM4306 Work Health Assessment 2 - D PDF

Description

BUSM4306 Work, Health, Safety & Wellbeing LF01 - Group 8 Assessment 2 Group Report Lecturer: Philip Tay Hong Hui Done by: Group Member

Student ID

Chia Xin Ying

S3744567

Lim Wen Hui Anthea

S3685547

Nicole Lau Li Ting

S3683927

Stella Lee Mei Tian

S3684441

Tan Siew Hui

S3684754

Zoey Tan Xin Ying

S3684964

Executive Summary The risk assessment describes the overall process method that identify, evaluate and assign appropriate measures. In the context of Floral Landscaping Company, Chemical and Biological hazards are commonly known. 1

Firstly, identification of the related work activities likely to associate with hazards is made. Thereafter, possible harmful effects are identified with the support of Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Subsequently, possible existing control measures were identified, and the use of risk evaluation matrix was used. The Risk Prioritization Numbers (RPN) were then calculated to determine the level of risk.

Next, control measures and recommendations were made base on the risk identified. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Administrative Controls are implemented for chemical hazards, where employees are expected to wear proper clothing and attend compulsory training. Whereas for Biological hazards, Elimination, Substitution and PPE are implemented such as doing a proper pre-work assessment and wearing appropriate attire.

With all the measures mentioned, there are bound to be limitations. An example would be Ambiguous Inputs and Outputs, where the risk ratings are not accurate as incidents that could occur are uncertain.

2

Table of Contents Executive Summary

2

1.0 Introduction

4

2.0 Specific Hazards Likely To Be Involved In The Job 2.1 Chemical Hazards 2.1.1 Safety Data Sheet of Fertilizer 2.1.2 Safety Data Sheet of Herbicide 2.2 Biological Hazards

5 5 6 7 8

3.0 Assessment of Risks

9

4.0 Control Measures To Minimize Risks To The Landscaping Team 4.1 Control Measures for Chemical Hazards 4.2 Control Measures for Biological Hazards

11 11 12

5.0 Recommendations 5.1 Recommendations for Chemical Hazards

13 13

6.0 Evaluation of Risk Management approach to OHS 6.1 Ambiguous Inputs and Outputs 6.2 Errors

14 14 14

7.0 Conclusion

15

8.0 References

16

1.0 Introduction Floral Landscaping Company has a new project to design a new head office complex on a slanted floor. There are certain activities that may cause possible chemical and biological hazards

3

in the job. This report aims to recognize the specific hazards, risks assessment, determine the control measures, suggest recommendations and evaluate the risk management approach of the activities in the project.

2.0 Specific Hazards Likely To Be Involved In The Job The table below demonstrates the identification of hazards from various work activities that cause workplace injuries and illnesses.

4

2.1 Chemical Hazards Chemical hazard is a potential threat in the workplace. For instance, chemical fertilizers that contain excessive nitrogen pose dangerous health threats such as respiratory illnesses and cause skin irritation. Moreover, exposure to herbicides may have adverse effects on humans such as immune suppression, hormone disruption, diminished intelligence and cancer (Aktar, Sengupta & Chowdhury 2009). Refilling herbicides into machines is one potential contact with chemical hazards. When there is a spillage incident, workers will inhale harmful gases that are emitted, causing their respiratory system to be affected in the long run. According to the extracted SDS examples below, it suggests vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain may occur when post-handling is not handled properly.

5

2.1.1 Safety Data Sheet of Fertilizer

6

2.1.2 Safety Data Sheet of Herbicide

2.2 Biological Hazards Biological Hazards may be referred to biological substances such as microorganism, virus and

7

toxin that pose threats to the human health. For instance, landscape workers who are always in contact with soil, plant materials and sewage may develop skin infection known as Sporotrichosis, a type of fungal infection (Wu 2015). Additionally, landscaping work usually requires long hours of exposing to plants, tall grasses and stagnant water, resulting in workers experiencing wound infections from thorny plants and insect bites. Infectious disease may be passed on to the workers from these wound infections (Fox 2016).

3.0 Assessment of Risks Under the WSH (Risk Management) Regulations 2006, regulation 3(1), it states that ‘In every workplace, the employer, self-employed person and principal shall conduct a risk assessment in relation to the safety and health risks posed to any person who may be affected by his undertaking in the workplace’ (Ministry of Manpower 2006, para 3).

A 5x5 risk evaluation matrix is used to assess the level of severity and likelihood of the various

8

hazards mentioned above. Subsequently, the Risk Prioritization Number (RPN) will be presented (WHS Council 2015). In addition, Figure 3 shows the Risk Assessment Form completed by the Risk Assessment team.

From Table 2, chemical hazard has an RPN of 15 which is high risk. As chemical hazards may result in fatal injuries and life-threatening illnesses such as lung cancer, leading to long-term treatment. Similarly, biological hazards have an RPN of 20, also of high risk. As landscapers are frequently exposed to the sun, they are very likely to get heat stress and skin cancer which are life-threatening (Fox 2016).

9

Figure 3: Risk Assessment Form

10

4.0 Control Measures To Minimize Risks To The Landscaping Team

Table 3 shows the control measures based on the Hierarchy of Controls that can be adopted. It also shows the risk rating after control measures are implemented. After implementing control measures, the ratings are expected to decrease. 4.1 Control Measures for Chemical Hazards The use of Administrative Controls and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can be implemented. Bhusnure et al. (2018) suggest that the management can provide training to increase awareness of toxic chemicals and how to handle them carefully. After training, safe work procedures and rules are to be implemented. Equipment containing herbicides are to be maintained regularly and special storage for it while supervised by an experienced manager during usage. Signages and labels are encouraged to differentiate each chemicals hazards’ classes respectively.

Different types of PPE should be provided for special chemicals to reduce exposure to them

11

absorbing through airborne, skin or eye contact. For example, airtight suits, footwear and gloves are to be provided and readily available in case of emergency. They act as protection against chemicals coming in contact with the skin. With the control measures implemented, the risk rating control is Moderate / Frequent with a rate of 9.

4.2 Control Measures for Biological Hazards For biological hazard, a combination of Elimination, Substitution and PPE are implemented. In order to eliminate the hazard, the management can spray insecticide to get rid of insects before working on the vegetation (Soo 2014). Hence, minimizing the insect bites or attacks on workers. The management can replace instant turf with artificial grass to rid of pest and reduce usage of herbicides. As for manual planting, workers are provided with gloves and face protection so that the soil and bacteria will not get in contact with the skin (OHS Body of Knowledge 2012). With the control measures implemented, the risk rating control is Moderate / Remote with a rate of 6.

5.0 Recommendations For medium risk level after control measures, careful evaluation of the hazards is needed to ensure risk level is reduced to as low as reasonably practicable (WSH Council 2015). 5.1 Recommendations for Chemical Hazards Besides understanding the different classes of chemicals and undergoing safety procedure training, regular checks should be conducted on the labels to ensure they are allocated and labelled correctly. Labelling of the chemicals is critical to avoid misuse. With the current PPE provided, the management can supply customizable PPE for different circumstances, considering

12

the level of hazardous chemicals utilized. For example, extra protection when handling a more noxious chemical as compared to a less dangerous chemical. Furthermore, change the PPE frequently to prevent contamination from previous usages. Frequent changing of suits can also prevent workers from getting contact with the bacteria on the previous suits.

5.2 Recommendations for Biological Hazards With the usage of the insecticide to eliminate pest problems, regular insecticides sprays are utilized by the employees to minimize the growth of insects. An experienced pest control operator can be engaged monthly to conduct a thorough check for the vegetation to conclude that it is disease-free and safe for workers to work on (National Environment Agency 2018). Other than substituting instant turf with artificial grass to reduce insects from populating, employees have to touch up the turf frequently with the use of gloves. This ensures that the soil is properly covered underneath and prevent trapping bacteria in their nails.

To improve on manual plantation, workers can use safety equipment to avoid and reduce the chances of pest diseases. The management can further provide workers with better quality safety equipment, such as machinery guards and shields, helmets and goggles (Better Health Channel 2018). Trainings will also be provided to ensure workers are properly trained and aware of the risks and safety procedures.

13

6.0 Evaluation of Risk Management approach to OHS According to Cox (2008), there are 4 types of limitations namely Poor Resolution, Errors, Suboptimal Resource Allocation and Ambiguous Inputs and Outputs. Below are the possible limitations that has been identified. 6.1 Ambiguous Inputs and Outputs Ambiguous inputs and outputs mean that when consequences are unknown, it is difficult to identify how serious the risk is. For both hazards, there are ambiguous inputs and outputs. The ratings in the matrix are determined by the team based on general facts. There are many injuries and illnesses which are unforeseen. For instance, accidents that can occur are very broad and the ratings might not be accurate to each specific hazard as it can only be determined after accident has occurred. 6.2 Errors Errors refers to lower risk being mistakenly assigned with a higher qualitative score. For risks with negatively correlated frequencies and severities, they can lead to wrongful decisions and redundant recommendations.For example, the hazard level of using herbicides to prevent regrowth of the weeds is rated high based on the risk assessment conducted above. However, there is a possibility that the team may mistakenly evaluate as the hazard as low risk instead. This may lead to implementing the wrong risk control that may increase the risk of workers getting injured or falling ill.

7.0 Conclusion In conclusion, it is important to have risk assessment as it will help to identify and resolve the hazards to ensure safety of the employees. With the reasonably practicable measures implemented, the working environment will be a safe place for the employees to work in. Although there are limitations, accidents are preventable if all workers clearly understand and are aware of the risks as well as carrying out their work by following safety procedures.

14

8.0 References Aktar, MW, Sengupta, D & Chowdhury, A 2009, ‘Impact of pesticides use in agriculture: their benefits and hazards’, Interdisciplinary Toxicology, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-12.

Australian Government Comcare 2014, Biological hazards, Australian Government Comcare, viewed 23 August 2018, .

Better Health Channel 2018, Farm safety - risks and hazards, Better Health Channel, viewed 31 August 2018, .

15

Bhusnure, OG, Dongare, RB, Gholve, SB & Giram, PS 2018, ‘Chemical hazards and safety management in pharmaceutical industry’, Journal of Pharmacy Research, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 357369. Cox, LT 2008, ‘What’s wrong with risk matrices?’, Risk Analysis, vol. 28, no.2, pp. 597-512. Fox, N 2016, ‘Avoiding hazards during landscaping work’, Laborer’s Health & Safety Fund of North America, vol. 12, no. 2.

Gabbey, AE 2016, ‘Fertilizer and plant food poisoning’, Healthline, 27 January, viewed 24 August 2018, .

Gallivan Corporation n.d., Labels and data sheets, Gallivan Corporation, viewed 28 August 2018, .

Gallivan Corporation 2014, LESCO Granular Fertilizer - All analyses, Gallivan Corporation, viewed 28 August 2018, .

Gallivan Corporation 2015, 4-SPEED XT Selective Hazards, Gallivan Corporation, viewed 28 August 2018, .

National Environment Agency 2018, Pest Control Operators, National Environment Agency, viewed 31 August 2018, .

OHS Body of Knowledge 2012, Biological Hazards, OHS Body of Knowledge, viewed 28 August 2018, .

16

OSHA n.d., Landscape and Horticultural Services, OSHA, viewed 24 August 2018, . Schweihofer, J 2013, Biological, chemical and physical hazards assessed with HACCP, Michigan State University Extension, viewed 24 August 2018, . Soo, S 2014, Potential health hazards in landscaping work and their prevention and control, WSH Council, viewed 26 August 2018, .

WSH Council n.d., Summary of common Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) hazards by industry, WSH Council, viewed 24 August 2018, . WSH Council n.d., Workplace Safety And Health (Risk Management) Regulations 2006, WSH Council, viewed 28 August 2018, .

WSH Council 2015, Code of practice on workplace safety and health (WSH) risk management, Second Revision, WSH Council, viewed 24 August 2018 .

Wu, B 2015, Skin problems in florists, DermNet New Zealand, viewed 24 August 2018, .

17...