Group Assignment Occupational Safety and Health

J.Lavanya Jayakobi (0336334)

Sanjana Bedi (0335845)

Tan Yan Jun (0335073)

Taylor’s University

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 1. Introduction

Leung Huat Wood Sdn. Bhd. is our research company for the Occupational Safety

and Health’s assignment. This is a timber manufacturing industry that mainly processes the

timber to furniture’s or other services like moulding timbers into different kinds of products

that are required by the clients. This industry is a private company which was set up in 1998

in Malaysia which is located at the industrial area in Kuala Terengganu. Their services not

only provided to the locals but also exported the products to overseas liked Europe, United

States, Japan, Australia and others. Besides, the company is also one of the members of

Malaysian Wood Moulding & Joinery Council. (LEUNG HUAT WOOD (TRG) SDN BHD »

MWMJC - Malaysian Wood Moulding and Joinery Council, 1998) Basically, this association

is helping the timber industry manufacturer to maintain a certain standard in this field and

avoid destroying the forest environment. Now, they already have 22 years of experience in

this timber manufacturing industry and are competitive with the same industry which is

located around. There are roughly 40 local workers which include manager, supervisor,

clerks, section leader and factory workers. 

An attitude of maturity employer is necessary to identify the risks or hazards and

design a safe working environment for the workers especially for high risks work as it

improves productivity and motivation. (Bratton & Gold, 1999) Therefore, Occupational

Safety and Health is the major concern for a company’s success, not only how much the

company has done for a project. (Katunge Jonathan, 2016) Since the Occupational Safety and

Health Act (OSHA) was enacted in 1994, every industry should comply with this legislation

and practice them in the working area. We are glad that we can communicate with the

moulding manager and visit the industry for research on whether this industry provided or

practiced any safety precautions. 

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 2. Safety Risk 

Maintaining the safety of workers in the workplace is arguably one of the most

important job for any employer. As the Department of Occupational Safety and Health

(DOSH) states, it is committed to provide and maintain a quality, safe and healthy workplace

and system free of any hazard and risks. It is not only the law to keep the workers safe but is

also the moral responsibility of any organization to ensure that their workers are safe and

healthy.

The first safety hazard seen in this organization is from the use of a moulder machine.

This is a machine particularly used to shape the timber or wood with the cutters that are

known as knives and blades. It also consists of an adjustable safeguard (Work safe). There

are a few safety hazards that could arise from using this machine in Diagram 1.

Diagram 1

Firstly, complications from contact with the cutters or part of the timber could cause

severe harm or injury such as a deep cut to a finger or the hand and even bone fractures. To

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control this, the workers should be trained on how to work this machine properly as it is a

highly versatile machine which has many different parts and tools in it. Also, workers should

make sure that the safeguards are always fixed to avoid contact with the cutter.

Secondly, the dust that is released when the timber is being cut could cause eye

irritation or damage and if inhaled, could cause breathing problems and serious damage to the

lungs. To control this, the use of dust extraction equipment could be implemented to

minimize the exposure of dust.

Thirdly, while the machine is at work it would let off a loud noise, which could lead

to hearing damage or loss. To control the noise level, they could isolate the machines or

enclose it with noise barriers to reduce the noise.

As seen, these safety hazards could cause serious damage to the employees, therefore

adequate control measures should be taken in order to reduce the risks of these hazards. In

addition to the control measures mentioned, another important control measure is the use of

proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). One of the major concerns for all workers is for

their safety, and by using PPE it helps to protect these workers against health or safety risks

and reduces exposure to hazard (Daniels Insurance, Inc. 2018). As seen in Diagram 2, the

workers are not using any PPE that are essential especially for the high-risk work they are

performing. To reduce the risks mentioned above, the workers should be urged to wear

protective gloves to reduce the risks of getting cuts or injuries to the fingers or hand. They

should also always wear eye and respiratory protection, for example a mask, to avoid the dust

from getting into the eyes and lungs. The use of hearing protection is also important to

protect the workers from the loud noises. Even though the organization provides the essential

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masks and hearing protection for their workers as seen in Diagram 2 (b), they don’t seem to

be wearing it thus as the organization is directly responsible for the safety of their workers,

they should implement a stricter policy to encourage the workers to use the PPE provided to

maintain safety in the workplace.

Diagram 2 Diagram 2 (b)

Another safety hazard is from the use of forklifts. This is a motor vehicle particularly

used to lift and transport the heavy load of timber and wood. Working with a forklift may

seem to be an easier task to perform however, it is more complicated than imagined. A

forklift doesn’t work like a car; it also weighs way more than the usual car as they handle

heavy loads (Smithers, 2019). With, improper driving of a forklift could pose its own

dangers. (Eusebio, 2019). Drivers should pay close attention to its surroundings when

operating the forklift as there may be other workers around or hindrances such as machines

and other materials. Workers assigned to use the forklifts should undergo forklift training to

familiarize them not just on how to operate it but also the dangers that could arise from

improper use and handling of the forklift.

One of the safety hazards of using a forklift is the fuel, as it is highly flammable,

refuelling and recharging the forklift can pose as a potential hazard to the workplace

(Smithers, 2016). Operators should ensure not to refuel the forklift in or around the

workplace area as there are other machines as well as the timber and other workers around. 

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 Attachment hazard is also one of the several forklift hazards as it is accountable for

the clearance process and the overall capacity of the forklift. As the attachments add weight

to the lift, it reduces the capacity of the total load. The forklift operator must always ensure to

follow safety protocols and capacity limits to ensure they don’t overload the forklift. As seen

in Diagram 3(a) and 3(b), the forklift is carrying the wood at quite a high level, thus it is vital

to not overload or stack the wood more than its capacity as there are other workers around

and it could cause serious injuries if it was not attached properly and fell. Not maintaining the

attachments and forklifts well can also cause serious safety hazards. The operator should

always do a thorough check on the entire lift before he begins his work to ensure proper

safety. If there needs to be any maintenance done, he should make sure to let his supervisor

know about it and ensure the issues get fixed at the earliest (Eusebio, 2019).

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 Diagram 3(a)

Diagram 3(b)
3. Safety Risk

Working environment is an essential part for the employees and the labourers,

organizations and companies are legally responsible for maintaining the working space;

where employees and labourers can work safely to avoid possible risk that may cause to their

physical and psychological health and welfare. Besides, employees are also responsible to

obey the legislative requirements and the organization's policies to protect their health and

safety. Following the legislation and regulations is necessary in the working space because

these provide a strong foundation on safety, rehabilitation and compensation. Furthermore, a

safe working environment enhances productivity and reduces cost based on absenteeism,

medical claims, turnover and workers’ compensation. (Anon, 2013) Based on Leung Huat

Wood Sdn Bhd the timber manufacturing company; there are few hazards addressed under

the working environment which the organization should take into consideration.

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 The first hazard addressed in the company is the powerhouse. The powerhouse of the

company is placed in the manufacturing space, next to the cutting machine area based on

diagram 4(a). This could cause complications in the manufacturing area because the electrical

cutting machine is attached to the powerhouse and it is half covered around with a stainless-

steel cage. These could lead to electrical shock which can harm the labourers if the machine

is overused and there are chances to cause electrical short circuits. Electrical short circuits are

a condition where the wiring circuit is being interrupted by other wiring connections, this

occurs because the current flows in a different pathway and causes crackling sounds, smoke

and flames, sometimes sparks. (McGrath, 2019) To avoid this issue, the company can place

the electrical cutting machine much further from the powerhouse, this could avoid the

labourers from getting electrical shock from the high voltage electricity. Besides, the

company can also cover the powerhouse completely and attach hazard signs to avoid

trespassing. By doing so, this avoids the labourers, visitors or the employers from being

closer to the powerhouse and prevents them from facing complications in their health and

being injured. Besides the company can provide hazard signs to aware people from

committing to hazardous activities which can cause harm to their health. Based on diagram

4(b) and diagram 4(c) they do provide hazard sign, but they are too small to be identified and

old that need changes. The company can place new hazard signs that are bigger and look

much attractive in colour. This can be easily identified near the hazard areas and would be

much easier to read as well. Furthermore, hazard boards are necessary in the working space

because it helps to build safety and health awareness; not forgetting to manage risk and

hazards onsite. (Anon, 2020)

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 Diagram 4(a)

Diagram 4(b)

Diagram 4(c)

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 Next, the loads are unattended, and they are stacked in random space in the

manufacturing area based on diagram 4(d) and diagram 4(e); this may not be very safe

because the loads are stacked up in higher heights and the loads could lose balance and fall

on the labourers. Staking the materials can cause danger to the labourers if they fail to follow

the safety guidelines; collapsing and falling material are able to crush and pin workers which

can cause injuries and death. (Material Handling and Storage, 2020) Besides, the

manufacturing area is open-ended based on diagram 4(f), there are chances to cause flood,

heavy rain or earthquake in the forest area which later can destroy the loads in the factory.

These are natural hazards which are caused by deforestation and pollution where it loosens

the soil and creates flood; such a situation is caused by mankind to earth. (Floods, 2020) To

overcome such issues in the future, the company could create space or shelves to arrange the

loads to avoid falling and injuring anyone in the manufacturing space and this would help the

loads from getting wet or destroyed from the rain or flood. Furthermore, the labourers could

take early precautions by avoiding overloading the lift truck because it could lose balance and

may tip over or labourers could also adjust on the load to the lowest position while travelling

in the lift truck. (Material Handling and Storage, 2020). 

Diagram 4(d)

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 Diagram 4(e)

Diagram 4(f)

4. Health Risk 

A safe working environment should not be only considered with the safety, but the

employers should look into the long-term effect on the health of the employees.

Manufacturing industry usually will be exposed to a lot of chemicals, electronic machines or

even higher temperatures during the process of the work. The very first process of the timber

industry is drying the woods in a kiln room, which is called ‘air-drying’ which takes 2 to 3

weeks to completely ensure that the moisture woods totally dry shown in the diagram 5. 

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Diagram 5

Therefore, it used a very high temperature in the kiln dry room with boiling. The

sudden change of temperature from the boiler room to outside will affect the health of the

employees no matter in the short term or long term. The risk factor associated with several

respiratory conditions, such as lung cancer. (W. Lewis, n.d.) Hot kilns produced infrared

radiation which is hazardous to eyes. Besides, it can be encapsulated in the crusty material

which causes leak of gas and explosion. The leak of gas which contains carbon monoxide is

highly toxic and will cause oxygen starvation and intense frontal headache. (Ceramics |

Office of Environmental Health and Safety, 2020) The workers should always check on the

kiln room to shut off after using. However, the most important part is the workers should be

educated wearing a filter mask to avoid inhaling too much smoke or gas in the kiln room.

Since there are reported cases for the cataracts from years of looking inside the hot kiln, the

employers should provide a standard infrared goggles and hand-held welding shields while

operating the kiln. Shade numbers from 1.7 to 3.0 is recommended, but darker shade may

require in some circumstances to provide the eyesight of the workers. (Ceramics | Office of

Environmental Health and Safety, 2020) Besides, the industry had used chimneys to filter the

smoke before blowing it out to the sky shown in the diagram 6 to avoid the workers inhaling

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the polluted air. Therefore, the industry did their great job and comply with environmental

regulations.

Diagram 6

Timber treatment is the essential need in the process to prevent deterioration by

insect or fungal attack and preservation. The workers will put the 4 or 5 bundles of timber

into the treatment vessel which contained mixed chemicals as shown in the diagram 7. 

Diagram 7

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 The whole process of this treatment will take up to 2 hours to complete. Precautions

must be taken by anyone who is working with treated timber because it can be harmful to the

health or skin. For the timber treatment that this industry used is ‘CCA’ which is called

tanalised timber which contains copper, chromium and arsenic, which is a very toxic

chemical mixture. (Treated timber - The types, hazard classes, alternatives, 2014) Since the

chemical is dangerous towards skin, all the timber treatment must be carried outside of the

site area. Filter masks, safety glasses and gloves should be given to the workers to avoid

direct contact with the chemical as they might get skin cancer in the long term. (Treated

timber - The types, hazard classes, alternatives, 2014) Last but not least, the workers must

wash their hands or bathe before they are leaving the industry every day. All these steps are

to avoid carrying the toxics back to their families. The excessive chemical used by the

workers will be left in the treatment vessel and continue to use for the second time, therefore

the industry exercising the reuse method to avoid wastage or environment pollution. 

Due to the pandemic of Covid-19, this had put everyone in a fear since the new

cases reported for affection and death rising rapidly. The Human Resource Ministry had

recognized the Covid-19 as an occupational disease and therefore according to S.32(2) of the

OSHA 1994, the government can use their power to find or force every industry to comply

with any industry which is reluctant. (The Star Online, 2020) Based on the manager, they are

allowed to return to the workplace from 6 May 2020 which is the phase 3 of the MCO and

get fined as not complying with the standards of procedure (SOP) and protocol set by the

Ministry of Health. (Standard Operating Procedures (‘SOPS’) for Manufacturing Sector,

2020) Employers had a duty and responsibilities to ensure a safe working place. (Anthony,

2007) 

All precautions should be done in reminding all the workers by pasting the safety

guidelines on the noticeboard to alert them like the diagram 8. All basic requirements had to

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be supervised by the employers such as social distancing, wearing masks and sanitised the

workplace every day. Temperature checks should be enforced to keep track of the workers’

health condition. This is very important to an industry to avoid any workers affected which

will lead to closure or quarantine of the company and affect the progression of business or

extra costs such as penalty imposed. The industry should exercise safety precautions strictly

to reduce the fear of workers and help them focus on work.

Diagram 8

5. Accidents and Prevention

As per Heinrich, there are few factors that lead to accidents, which are 88% of

unsafe acts, 10% with unsafe working conditions and 2% are associated by God. (Heinrich,

Petersen, & Roos, 1980) Accidents happen in unplanned, unexpected and uncontrolled

events. The things that the employers could do is to reduce the chances of accidents by

identifying the hazards and risks, plan and design a good working environment. Most of the

reasons that cause accidents due to human factors are lack of knowledge or skills for the work

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or emotional feelings that made them lose attention during work. (DeCamp and Herskovitz,

2015) Supported by Ferrell theory, a lot of accidents came from humans’ error which might

be overload or stress from the work. A lot of employers assume that providing a safe working

environment is enough, however unsuccessful prevention. John Ridley stated that effective

accident prevention includes three points which are legal, humanitarian and economic.

(Ridley John, 1986) Safety awareness does not come from the workers automatically, training

and understanding the problems of the workers are important, by supporting legislation.

Safety information is dynamic. Therefore, the employers should always update themselves by

joining different training courses and communicate with their workers to identify the

problems and plan a method to prevent accidents. 

The best way this organization could manage health and safety in the workplace is

by going through the HIRARC process. HIRARC is simply an abbreviation for Hazard

Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control. There are a few steps needed to be taken

during this process. First is Hazard Identification which is to identify the possible hazards.

This can be done by observation or identifying past hazards that have occurred. 

Second is Risk Assessment, this involves analysing and evaluating the risk levels

including the existing controls. The risk level can be estimated by considering the likelihood

of the occurrence of the hazard or by the severity of injury or damage caused by it. The final

evaluations can then be put into a risk matrix table whereby the different risk levels of each

hazard can be seen and considered.

Third, after looking at the risk levels the organization can then proceed to

evaluating the different controls required to reduce or avoid those hazards. A hierarchy of

risk control measures can be helpful when deciding what action should be taken to reduce the

hazards.  

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 6. Conclusion 

In conclusion, this organization seems to have a lot of exposure to health and safety

hazards, thus they would have to keep precautions and maintain the health and safety of the

workers and the environment by applying more policies and rules regarding the use of

machines and other equipment. They should also encourage the use of PPE in the workplace

as the organization would be directly responsible for any accidents or harm that may be

caused to the workers. The supervisor should also be more aware of the workplace as such to

avoid any risk and ensure that the workplace is safe, and operations run smoothly. Moreover,

the company can also take early precautions on handling the manufacturing environment by

providing necessary training to the employees to be more aware of hazards and implement

the manufacturing environment to be hazard free to align with the legislations given. Lastly,

it is important to keep the labourers and employees from health risk and injuries, hence the

company can also start prioritizing on employees and labourer’s health. By doing this would

avoid further complications regarding health and risk which later provide a better working

space for the labourers and employees.   

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