SAFETY

Definition

■ Safety is the state of being certain that adverse effect will not be caused by some agents
under defined conditions.
■ Any method or technique or process which can minimize unwanted events ( accidents)
in an industrial concern may be referred to as a method, technique or process of
industrial safety.
■ Industrial safety is the science & art of identifying, evaluating and controlling
workplace hazards. It includes measure to prevent human exposures to chemical and
physical agents as well as faulty or unsafe work practices
■ The importance of industrial safety was realized because every year millions of
industrial accidents occur which result in either death or in temporary or permanent
disablement.
■ This results in loss of money. Not only the economic cost , there is the human cost in
terms of emotional sufferings to the partners, children, family and workmates of those
killed at work. This is measurable.
■ Industrial safety is mainly concerned with minimizing hazards.
■ Hazard is a state physical or chemical having the potential to injure the person.
■ Risk or danger arises out of hazard. Risk is the product of two factors; that is probability
of an event which might occur and severity of the event if it occurs.
Safety and productivity

■ Productivity is a measure of effectiveness of the use of resources to produce goods and

services.
■ Safety and productivity are e closely related to each other. To improve productivity in an
organization workplace must be conducive.
■ The following points reveal the relation between safety and productivity.
a) If an organization is free from hazards and accidents then the managerial staff can save
their valuable time otherwise lost in ; assisting injured workers, arranging other
workers, preparing accident report and investigating the cause of accidents.
b) If the workers are mentally ensured that they are working in a safe environment free
from hazards and their life is safe in all possible aspects than they will possibly work with
more zeal and concentration and thus the quality and productivity will increase
considerably.
c) If in an industrial organization the workplace is safe then in such situations the workers
will be highly motivated to perform their jobs in an efficient manner and thus the
productivity will increase considerably.
d) If the working environment is safe then the labor turnover will be reduced and each and
every worker will possibly be optimistic and contribute their best which in turn will
improve productivity.
■ E) if the working place is safe then there is considerable reduction in accidents and
hence reduction in direct and indirect cost of accidents. Damage to machines, materials,
buildings is also reduced in safe work environment. Thus there is an improvement in
productivity.
Safety and plant layout

■ Plant layout is a technique by which location of machines, the plant services as well as the processes within the
factory premises are so arranged that the greatest possible high quality output coupled with lowest possible cost
of production can be achieved.
■ Proper plant layout aims at minimizing the total operating costs at the same time providing for proper allocation
of spaces coupled with systematic arrangement of equipment.
■ Plant should be designed in manner such that it may provide safety and security to the workers at all costs. A
good plant layout provides better working conditions to the workers.
■ It should be designed in a manner such that there is least movement of workers as well as of raw materials
coupled with minimum discomfort to all concerned.
■ A good plant layout call for high operating efficiency coupled with proper safety provisions, safe and optimum
planning of industrial facilities including operating equipments and material handling equipments, personnel
etc. factors like material, workers, circulation or movement space, material handling and storage should be
taken care of in plant layout.
Safety and equipment design

■ The following measures should be taken while equipment design:

 The working equipments should be provided with guards or safety.
 In all operations the workers should have an easy and quick access to the controlling
mechanism.
 The design and installation of the machine guards and safety devices must be foolproof
so far as structural stability, ease of installations and workings and proper specifications
etc. are concerned.
 The working equipment which are sharp, pointed ones must be adequately covered to
prevent injury.
■
Safety and working environment
The working environment includes the atmosphere, temperature and comfort, lighting, air quality, noise and the
general surroundings.
■ Lighting:
■ There must be levels of lighting sufficient for the work areas and tasks being performed. Too much and too little light
can lead to :
■ Eye strain, headaches, blurred vision.
■ Temperature and Humidity:
very warm or cold work environments can affect the Comfort, concentration and productivity of employees. Factors
which contribute to comfort include:
■ Humidity, air movement, level of activity and clothing.
■ Temperature controls can range from fans and blowers to air conditioning and heating systems.
■ Noise:
■ All sound that are distracting, annoying or harmful to every day activities such as work, rest entertainment, study and
so forth are regarded as noises. Infact any sound judged by the recipient as undesirable can be considered as a noise.
Noise is generally harmful and a serious health hazard. It has physical, physiological and psychological effects.