Occupational

Health
and
Safety
Procedures
Occupational Health and Safety
Occupational Health is the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and
social well-being of workers in all occupations by preventing departures from health, controlling risks
and the adaptation of work to people, and people to their jobs. (ILO / WHO 1950)

Occupational safety deals with all aspects of physical, mental and social health and safety in a
workplace. It is the umbrella for company’s efforts to prevent injuries and hazards in all work
environments.

Occupational hazards are risks associated with working in specific occupations.

Occupational risk refers to likelihood that an injury or illness will occur as a result of exposure to
workplace hazards.
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD
I. Physical hazards
II. Chemical hazards
III. Biological hazards
IV. Mechanical hazards
V. Psychological hazards
Physical Hazards
 Types of physical hazards
The main factors and conditions associated
with physical hazards include:
Body stressing
Physical hazards Confined spaces
Electricity
Heat
Heights
Noise
Vibration
 Types of
Physical Hazards Body stressing is a collective term covering a
broad range of health problems associated with
repetitive and strenuous work.

Body Stressing Factors influencing body stressing

 Body stressing injuries, or musculoskeletal
disorders (MSD), often develop from carrying
out hazardous manual tasks.
 Body Stressing Warning Signs
Symptoms:
Body Stressing • muscular pain, sore joints, tingling, burning,
inflammation and cramp
• loss of grip strength
• reduced mobility
• feeling overwhelmed at work
• lack of concentration
• not being able to complete tasks
• regular feelings of fatigue
• sleep disturbance
• stress and pain affecting mood, work, family and
social life.
 Types of
Seeking Help for Body Stressing
Physical Hazards
 Talk to your manager, human resources
personnel, a health and safety
representative, a colleague or your general
practitioner
 Actively seek information, guidance or
training on working safely
Body Stressing
 Use any equipment or tools provided to
reduce exposure to body stressing hazard
 Take regular breaks
Confined Spaces

Confined spaces are enclosed or partly

enclosed spaces that are not designed for
people to work in, but in which people need to
work inside occasionally.
 Electric shock through poor electrical
Electricity
installation and faulty appliances can cause
serious injury and even death.

It can result in:

 Death from electrocution
 Burn injuries to skin and internal tissue as
well as damage to the heart
 Other injuries, such as falling from ladders
and heights, muscle spasms, palpitations and
unconsciousness.
 Types of
Physical Hazards
Heat strain can result from working in hot
temperatures and being exposed to high levels
of humidity or thermal radiation, such as in
HEAT foundries, commercial kitchens and laundries.
Heat
Heat-related Illnesses
1. Dehydration
2. Heat rash
3. Heat cramps
4. Fainting
5. Heat exhaustion
6. Heat stroke
 DEHYDRATION
Types of
Physical Hazards Symptoms:
 Mild to severe thirst
 Dry lips and tongue.
 Slowed mental function and lowered performance.
 Reduced or dark urine output.

Heat-related HEAT RASH

Symptom:
Illnesses  Itchy rash with small raised red spots on the face, neck,
back, chest or thighs
 Types of
Physical Hazards HEAT CRAMPS
Symptoms:
 Painful and often incapacitating cramps in muscles,
particularly when undertaking demanding physical
work.

Heat-related FAINTING
Symptoms:
Illnesses  Fainting (heat syncope) can occur while standing or
rising from a sitting position.
 Types of
Physical Hazards HEAT EXHAUSTION
Symptoms:
 Dehydration, thirst, and reduced or dark urine output.
 Sweating.
 Elevated body temperature.
 Weakness or fatigue.
Heat-related  Headaches and dizziness.
 Nausea.
Illnesses  Muscle cramps.
 Types of
Physical Hazards HEAT STROKE
Symptoms (not all will be present)
 The person stops sweating.
 Skin can be pink, warm and dry, or cool and blue.
 High body temperature above 39 degrees Celsius.
 Cramps.
Heat-related  Pounding, rapid pulse.
 Headache, dizziness and visual disturbances.
Illnesses  Nausea and/or vomiting.
 Working at heights is a high-risk activity and a
leading cause of death and serious injury.
Heights

Ways to minimize the risk of falls:

 The most effective way to protect workers from
the risk of falling is to eliminate the need to
work at heights.
 Other preventative measures include installing a
fall prevention device
 Noise in the workplace is considered
excessive when you need to raise your voice
NOISE to be heard by someone a meter away.

Excessive noise
 can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss or
tinnitus
 can also affect psychological health including anxiety,
depression, fatigue, sleeplessness, memory and decision
making
NOISE Easy ways to keep noise levels low
 Buy the quietest plant and machinery for the job and
always ask the manufacturer/supplier for information
about noise levels
 Change the way you do the job
 Reduce noise levels at the source
 Isolate the source of the noise
 Reduce exposure levels
 Proper maintenance of equipment and tools can result
in lower noise levels
VIBRATION

VIBRATION
There are risks connected to working with
vibrating equipment and plant which need to
be assessed and managed.
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Chemical Hazards
 Chemical Hazards in the Workplace
1. Health hazards
Where workers and other personnel are exposed to hazardous chemicals through
inhalation, absorption through the skin, or ingestion and swallowing.

Chemical health hazards can be:

 acute - nausea, vomiting, acid burns, asphyxiation
 chronic - dermatitis, asthma, liver damage, cancer
 Chemical Hazards in the Workplace

2. Physiochemical hazards
 Where workers, the workplace itself, and the environment can all be damaged or
harmed because of the physical nature of the chemical.
 These hazards surround a chemical’s physical attributes and the way they are handled
and stored.
Examples of Common Chemical
Hazards
Fires and Explosions
 Chemical hazards exist when flammables are used and stored in areas where people are smoking or
work operations create sparks and considerable heat.
 Fires and explosions also occur when containers are mishandled or dropped.

Chemical Reactions
 Reactions can occur just from exposure to heat, sunlight, and water.
 Chemical hazards also exist in the way certain chemicals are mixed.
 When staff don’t understand the nature of the chemicals they use or what to do in an emergency.
Examples of common chemical hazards

Environmental Hazards
Hazardous chemicals can be in the form of gas and heat emissions released into the air;
toxins seeping into landfill and waterways; or damage caused by fires, explosions and
chemical reactions which spread outside the worksite.
Controlling Hazards in the Workplace
The four key steps to a Chemical Management Procedure
Step 1: Identify
Clearly identify each chemical you use in your workplace, and gain an understanding of both
their health hazards and physiochemical hazards.

Step 2: Assess
Conduct a risk assessment on each of the hazardous. Take into consideration what accidents
or hazardous events could occur and the possible consequences.
Controlling Hazards in the Workplace
The four key steps to a Chemical Management Procedure
Step 3: Control
Using the Hierarchy of Controls, introduce changes in the workplace to eliminate or
minimize exposure to the hazard.

Step 4: Sustain
Have a system in place to review all your control measures as well as identify, assess and
control any new chemicals that are introduced to the workplace.
Controlling Hazards in the Workplace
The Hierarchy of Controls is a concept for
implementing practical and effective controls
in the workplace.

It is a generally accepted method for

hazardous chemical management to reduce
harm and the risk of illness or injury.

When looking at controlling a chemical hazard

the process should always begin at the top of
the hierarchy of controls and work down
choosing one or more methods of control.
 Hierarchy of Control
Elimination of Chemical Hazards in the Workplace
Elimination of a chemical products means to get rid of it entirely. The best way to remove a chemical product is to ban,
prohibit or restrict it at the worksite

Substitution of Hazardous Chemicals

The next most effective means of control is substitution. Substitution means to replace one chemical for another one with
lower physical and health hazards. Finding an effective chemical substitute may take some effort but it is worth the return
on worker health.

Engineering Controls for Chemical Hazard Management

Engineering Controls protect workers by reducing hazardous conditions or by adding a barrier between the worker and the
hazard. There are three general types of engineering controls:
 Natural ventilation
 Local exhaust ventilation
 Containment.
 Hierarchy of Control
Elimination of Chemical Hazards in the Workplace
Elimination of a chemical products means to get rid of it entirely. The best way to remove a chemical product is to ban,
prohibit or restrict it at the worksite

Substitution of Hazardous Chemicals

The next most effective means of control is substitution. Substitution means to replace one chemical for another one with
lower physical and health hazards. Finding an effective chemical substitute may take some effort but it is worth the return
on worker health.

Engineering Controls for Chemical Hazard Management

Engineering Controls protect workers by reducing hazardous conditions or by adding a barrier between the worker and the
hazard. There are three general types of engineering controls:
 Natural ventilation
 Local exhaust ventilation
 Containment.
 Hierarchy of Control
Three general types of engineering controls:
 Natural ventilation - Natural or general ventilation refers to the dilution of contaminants due
the air flow into or out of a work environment.
 Local exhaust ventilation - Local exhaust ventilation captures contaminants near the source,
away from the worker’s breathing zone and exhausts the containment outside.
 Containment.- Containment refers to a closed system to contain the chemical hazard like air-
tight chemical drums, large storage tanks, or chemical process systems.
 Hierarchy of Control
Administrative Controls to Reduce Chemical Exposure
Administrative controls are work practices designed to reduce the direction, frequency, and severity of
exposure. They are always used in conjunction with other controls.
Administrative controls often involve:
 Chemical safety policies and standard operating procedures
 Restricting access to parts of the workplace
 Decontamination procedures

Personal Protective Equipment for Workplace Safety

PPE refers to protective clothing, helmets, eyewear, and ear protection, designed to protect workers from
injury, illness, or infection.
Examples of Biological Hazards
 Mold and Fungi
 Blood and Body Fluids
 Sewage
 Airborne pathogens such as the common cold
 Stinging insects
 Harmful plants
 Animal and Bird Droppings
 Questions to Ask about Biological Hazards
when Assessing your Workplace
Are my employees working around other people who may have a contagious
disease or sickness?
Do my employees work with or around animals and insects?
Is the workspace clean and clear of mold and fungi?
Will my employees be working around potentially hazardous pathogens or
biological materials such as sewage?
 Questions to Ask about Biological Hazards
when Assessing your Workplace

If my employees are around biological hazards, do they have the proper
protective equipment to be safe?
Are there any “sharp” materials that need to be cleaned regularly and properly
and/or disposed of safely and securely?
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Mechanical Hazards
Mechanical hazards
Hazards created by the use of or exposure to either powered or manually
operated equipment, machinery and plant.
It occurs majorly in three (3) area:
1. The point of operation:
Point where work is performed on the material
2. Power transmission apparatus:
Components of the mechanical system that transmit energy to the part of the machine
performing the work.
3. Machine moving parts:
Parts of the machine that move while the machine is working.
Common Mechanical Injuries
Fracture Entrapment
Puncturing/Stabbing Crushing
Straining and spraining Shear
Impact High pressure injection
Friction and abrasion Cut
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Psychological Hazards
Psychological hazards
Psychological hazards are elements of the work environment, management practices or
organizational practices that pose a risk to mental health and well-being.
Common psychological hazards include exposure to harassment, violence or traumatic
events. Long term exposure to less severe psychological hazards, can also impact
psychological health.
A worker’s psychological health can also be affected by the following factors:
 Work organizational factors
 Environmental factors
 Personal factors
Psychological Hazards Prevention
Level 1:
Prevention that aims to prevent psychological injuries or harm
Level 2:
Prevention that looks to reduce or modify impact
Level 3:
Prevention that looks to lessen the impact of those experiencing psychological
injuries or harm
Occupational Health and Safety Tips

Be Aware Report Safety Concerns

Maintain Correct Posture Practice Effective Housekeeping

Take Breaks Regularly Make Use of Mechanical Aids

Use Equipment Properly Reduce Workplace Stress

Locate Emergency Exits Use Appropriate Safety Equipment

Occupational Health and Safety Tips
Be Aware
Always be alert to what’s happening in your surroundings; remember that your safety is your
responsibility

Maintain Correct Posture

Use correct posture to protect your back while at work.

Take Breaks Regularly

Feeling tired and burned out makes you less likely to be aware of your surroundings and is a
common cause of workplace injuries.
Occupational Health and Safety Tips
Use Equipment Properly
Always take the proper precautions when operating machinery or using tools.

Locate Emergency Exits

Always know where emergency exits are located and keep the path to them clear.

Report Safety Concerns

If you notice a potential safety hazard or risk, report it to your supervisor immediately so they
can address the situation.
Occupational Health and Safety Tips
Practice Effective Housekeeping
Maintain a clean and organized workplace environment.

Make Use of Mechanical Aids

Take the extra time to obtain a wheelbarrow, crank, conveyor belt, forklift or other mechanical aid to
assist you in lifting heavy objects.

Reduce Workplace Stress

Stress can contribute to difficulty concentrating and depression, which make it hard to be alert at work.

Use Appropriate Safety Equipment

It is important to use the proper safety equipment for a task to help protect yourself from injury
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END
 REFERENCES
OSH LAW (RA11058), https://www.safefilming.ph/osh-law-ra11058

Physical Hazards, https://www.comcare.gov.au/safe-healthy-work/prevent-harm/physical-hazards

Chemical in the Workplace, https://blog.storemasta.com.au/chemical-hazards-workplace

Workplace Hazards Series: Biological Hazards, https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/workplace-hazards-series-biological-hazards

Mechanical hazards and common mechanical injuries, https://hsewatch.com/mechanical-hazards

Assessment and Control of Psychological Hazards in the Workplace,

https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/5319ad2d-4127-4766-a230-3ed293737d40/resource/fdc233e5-f62f-4d39-a956-4c1ff4fdd8fb/download/ohs-
best-practices-bp024.pdf

Occupational Health and Safety Tips, https://www.slma.cc/occupational-health-safety-tips/

The Hierarchy of Controls & Workplace Safety from Chemical Hazards,

https://www.chemscape.com/blog/hierarchy-controls-workplace-safety-chemical-hazards