CHAPTER 14

14-1. What unsafe conditions may cause accidents at the workplace? Suggest some
remedies to eliminate or minimize such conditions.
Unsafe conditions that may cause accidents are faulty scaffolds, improperly guarded
equipment, frayed wiring, unsafe storage, such as overloading, improper illumination, and
improper ventilation. Remedies to eliminate or minimize the unsafe conditions include
OSHA standards, which address potential accident-causing mechanical and physical work
conditions; the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

14-2. Why is it necessary to manage unsafe acts on top of the unsafe conditions at the
workplace? Why do you think employees act unsafely although they know that their act
may cause accidents?
Unsafe acts are people-factors that cause accidents. In practice, it's impossible to eliminate
accidents just by reducing unsafe conditions. People usually cause accidents, and no one has
a definite way to eliminate unsafe acts such as throwing materials, operating or working at
unsafe speeds, making safety devices inoperative by removing, adjusting, or disconnecting
them, lifting improperly, and refusing to wear safety apparatus.
Why people behave unsafely:
1)They are stressed and wanted to get things done quickly
2)They were not properly trained to act safely
3) They don't understand why they have to take safety measures

14-3. What approaches would you suggest companies adopt to reduce unsafe acts at the
workplace?
Screen to reduce unsafe acts (during recruitment and selection), provide safety training, use
posters, incentives, and positive reinforcement, establish a safety policy, conduct regular
safety and health inspections (safety audit), and organize a safety committee.
14-4. What are the symptoms of computer-related health problems? Discuss some
measures taken by employers to avoid such health problems. .
Symptoms include short-term eye burning, itching, and tearing, as well as eyestrain and eye
soreness. Backaches and neck aches are also widespread. People who use computers on a
regular basis may also suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by repetitive use
of the hands and arms at uncomfortable angles. NIOSH provided some general guidelines
for
employers to minimize such health problems at workplace:
1) Have employees take a 3- to 5-minute break from working at the computer every 20 to
40 minutes, and use the time for other tasks, like making copies.
2) Design maximum flexibility into the workstation so it can be adapted to the individual
operator and so that he or she doesn't stay in one position for long.
3) Reduce glare with devices such as recessed or indirect lighting.
4) Give workers a pre-placement vision exam to ensure properly corrected vision.
5) Allow users to position their wrists at the same level as the elbow.
6) Put the screen at or just below the user's eye level, at a distance of 18 to 30 inches from
the eyes.
7) Instruct users to let the wrists rest lightly on a pad for support.
8) Instruct users to put the feet flat on the floor, or provide a footrest.

14-5. Explain how an employee could reduce stress at work.

Both environmental and personal factors can lead to job stress. If individuals are feeling
dysfunctional levels of stress due to the work schedule, pace of work, job security, and
number or nature of clients, modifications in these factors should be made. Because
personal factors influence stress, health and exercise programs can be initiated. Sometimes
counseling should be sought, especially through an EAP, or a job more suitable to the
individual should be found. You may seek out other organizational remedies that may be
available, such as job transfers or counseling