1) ERGONOMIC HAZARDS: Musculoskeletal injuries that may result from the risk factors either inherent to work activities or acquired risks from the surrounding environment like
- Repetitive tasks and Postures: Assembly line work, Packing containers, wrapping, welding and cutting operations, awkward postures like reaching objects about shoulder height, getting in and out of confined spaces, improper seating arrangement,
- Excessive force: Using excessive force like, lifting heavy objects, pushing or pulling heavy loads, lifting and manually pouring materials using carboys, using wrong tools for the required job, using excessive force for opening or closing of valves, pushing or pulling doors, which are stuck up etc
- Pressing: Legs and Hands getting stuck up against hard objects, impacts on hands, using the hand as a hammer
- Environmental factors: Vibrations while handling power tools etc.
CONTROLS: Risk assessment of potential hazardous manual tasks to be carried out which will help in identifying the forces, movements and postures and also helps in identifying the critical point of hazard. A well planned, well designed, well-lit workplace along with ergonomically designed tools and equipment will go a long way in eliminating risk factors associated with hazardous manual tasks
2) ELECTRICAL HAZARDS: Accidents and Injuries that may result from working on energized electrical equipment and high voltage installations like:-
- Faulty electrical equipment: Leaving electrical parts exposed which is a part of poor equipment condition, overloaded plugs, exposed and naked wires, damaged electrical cords, extension cords getting damaged due to wear and tear and getting exposed and equipment getting exposed to the surrounding condition will result in electrocution or fire.
- Lockout and tag out: Injuries resulting in improper Lockout and tag out procedures.
- Lack of compliance: Not following safety regulations, unsafe working conditions, unsafe acts and not using required personal protective equipment gear.
Control Measures: Ensuring proper grounding to prevent the build-up of voltages, installation of protection devices like GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter), guarding the electrical equipment with warning and caution signs
3) CHEMICAL HAZARDS: Hazards that may arise when a person is exposed to hazardous chemicals like:-
- Toxic chemicals: Chemicals that harm the health of the personnel if proper precautions are not taken, these health effects may either result in chronic or acute based on oral, dermal and inhalation toxicity conditions
- Flammable gases: Improper handling, storing of flammable gases results in fires and explosions leading to burns and fires Examples are hydrogen and acetylene
- Flammable liquids: Liquids with flash points below 90° C are more dangerous. If not stored properly flammable liquids may give off vapours that lead to a potential fire hazard, releasing toxic fumes into the atmosphere
CONTROLS: Availability of MSDS(Material Safety Data Sheet) which provides the complete hazard communication regarding the particular chemical, and ensuring storing, transportation or handling as per the regulatory guidelines. To ensure effective protection against chemicals, PPE should be properly selected, correctly maintained and used. A proper system of storage of hazardous chemicals to be ensured taking into consideration the properties of chemicals, incompatibility, amount of storage, and environmental conditions.
4) FALL FROM HEIGHTS: Accidents or Injuries resulting from falls, these are due to improper ways of doing work or not taking required safety precautions like
o Wrong work activities: Standing on swivel chairs and tables not meant to withstand human weight, improper step ladders or using shorthanded equipment while working near edges
o Equipment usage: Ladders/step ladders /platforms/scaffolds if not properly secured at the bottom and top may lead to falling from staircases and stairways, through fragile surfaces, off landings and stepladders and from vehicles
CONTROLS: Provisions of proper support systems like handrails, safety harnesses, fencing, toe guards, safety nets and use of bannisters on open sideways of stairways and handrails to prevent people from falling, holes in floors and pits should be covered
5) NOISE HAZARD: Continuous exposure to noise above 80 dB will lead to Occupational health problems like tinnitus, acoustic trauma and in extreme cases permanent loss of hearing. Due to increased continuous exposure to noise in residential areas, vehicular noise during travelling and Industrial equipment related to noise at the workplace, workers are exposed to high levels of noise continuously.
The noise hazards are from equipment or process which generates more noise like blasting in mines, shake out in foundries, jackhammers (pneumatic operations), plasma jets, cutting torches, sandblasting, metal works, print machines, compressors, vacuum systems
CONTROLS: Reduction of noise at source, provision of acoustic enclosures around machines to reduce noise levels, regular maintenance and lubrication, tightening of belt drives and trying to ensure that the noisy work activity is confined to a relatively small area where an acoustical booth or shelter may be installed and to minimize the time workers spend in the noisy environment. Use of damping and lagging wherever possible
6) HOUSEKEEPING: Mostly near-miss incidents like slips, trips and fall hazards happen due to poor housekeeping and other conditions which aggravate fire risk are
o Improper storage and inventory systems for hazardous substances and other potentially dangerous items.
o Spillages not cleaned immediately,
o Overflowing dustbins and open containers
o Obstruction in pathways like fire exits, corridors and staircases
CONTROLS: The audit process on safety for housekeeping should be based on objective measurements for all the housekeeping standards based on the same guidelines as –“5S”. Housekeeping is an effective way to control risks.
7) INADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS: Different departments and third party agencies are involved in daily industrial and maintenance activities, each having their own set of duties, some of the activities are of high-risk potential. Such activities are to be done with proper communication, coordination, safety precautions and supervision. It is to create a safe system of work for potentially hazardous jobs. There may be instances where
1. Power sources and other connections are not removed before starting the work, which results in unexpected starting of the machine resulting in the accident.
2. Taking up hazardous activity without providing all the safeguards, without Lockout and tag out procedures, without removal of all other hazards surrounding the work and not wearing the required PPE protection.
CONTROLS: Carrying out all the listed hazardous works using Work permit system (or) the permit-to-work procedure. Work permits ensure that all hazards have been considered, responsible persons are identified and notified, and appropriate precautions are taken care of and the work is carried out in correct sequence.
Article by PJ Mohan
Sr.Faculty, NIFS
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