Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SAFETY SERVICES
Learning Objectives
After you have studied this COURSE , you will be able to:
(5) Discuss the measures that work organizations can take in order
to maintain a healthful work environment.
(6) Discuss the measures that work organizations can take in order
to maintain a safe work environment.
• "occupational health deals with all aspects of health and safety in the
workplace and has a strong focus on primary prevention of hazards. "
Occupational health and Safety
• According to WHO & ILO
• “The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental
and social well-being of workers in all occupations – total health of all at
work”
• The goals of occupational safety and health programs is to foster a safe and
healthy work environment and also protect co-workers, family members,
employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the
workplace environment.
Defn….
"The main focus in occupational health is on three MAJOR objectives:
(i) the maintenance and promotion of workers’ health and working capacity;
(ii) the improvement of working environment and work to become conducive
to safety and health and
Employee health and safety is part of employee welfare. The welfare of employees
is their general state of well-being, for example their good health and comfort as well
as their stability and prosperity. Thus the function of maintaining employee health
and safety should be treated as being part of the important function of providing for
employee welfare.
Employee welfare was historically used to encompass the employees' physical
working conditions, e.g. facilities related to sanitation, canteens, bars, vending
machines, sports clubs, dispensaries, shortening of working hours,
counselling,Training,communications,family support ,career management and any
other initiatives of job satisfaction and improvement of quality of work life in places
of work.
INTRODUCTION:
The terms health and safety are very closely related. Let us attempt to
differentiate them.
Health is broader and more vague and difficult to explain than safety.
A person is said to be healthy, if he or she is free from illness, injury, and
mental problems that can impair his or her performance capability. However,
the borderline between a healthy and unhealthy person is open to
interpretation. So, for purposes of this course we will define a person's health
to be his or her well-being.
Safety, on the other hand, is more specific and easier to understand. Safety is relative
freedom from or protection against hazards at the place of work. A person is said to be
safe, if he or she is free from physical and psychological harms. The main purposes of
employee safety programmes, is to prevent work-related injuries and accidents. The
main focus of employee health and safety programmes is to enable the safe interaction
between people and their work environment
Intro…..
• ‘‘A hazard is a source or potential source of human
injury, ill health or disease. Anything, which might
cause injury or ill health to anyone at or near a
workplace, is an occupational hazard. While some
hazards are fairly obvious and easy to identify, others
are not’’
• Exposure to hazardous substances can affect the body
in many different ways. Skin contact, inhalation and
ingestion can cause damage.
HARZADOUS SUBSTANCES
• Hazardous Substances are defined in a number of ways
for example, they are those substances classified as
Chemical hazards and are in form of toxic, very toxic,
corrosive, harmful or irritant. Biological agents and
dusts in substantial concentrations are also classified as
hazardous substances, Exposure to hazardous substances
can affect the body in many different ways. Skin
contact, inhalation and ingestion can cause damage.
BIOLOGICAL CHEMICAL
HAZARDS HAZARDS
(mold, insects/pests, (cleaning products,
communicable diseases, etc.) pesticides, asbestos, etc.)
PHYSICAL
HAZARDS(noise,
extremes temperature,
radiation, slips, trips and falls,
faulty equipment,etc.)
WORK
ERGONOMIC
ORGANIZATION/PSYC
HOSOCIAL HAZARDS
HAZARDS
(repetition, lifting, awkward
Things that causes STRESS! postures, too much
sitting,too much
standing,bending etc.)
Chemical hazards, common chemical substances include:
Toxic substances from Dusts, Fumes, Gases, fuels,
Solvents, Metals, Acids and bases, Pesticides toxic
substances etc. Examples, Carbon monoxide, nitrogen
dioxide, hydrocarbons, tannic acid, fumes and metal dust
containing etc.
Enters the body through inhalation, ingestion, absorption
(eyes and skin)
General health impact: Respiratory diseases, Skin
diseases, Allergy, Heart diseases, Cancer, Neurological
disorder.
Risk Factors
Risk of injury depends upon:
– Duration of exposure
– Frequency of exposure
– Intensity of exposure
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What is Ergonomics?
“The scientific discipline concerned with understanding of
interactions among humans and other elements of a work
systems, and the profession that applies theory, principles,
methods and data to design in order to optimize human well-
being and overall system performance”.
Derived from two Greek words:
Ergonomics means
“fitting the job to the worker”
From the Greek
Ergo = Work
Nomos = Laws
• Source : International Ergonomics Association (IEA) in 2000
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Ergonomic Hazard
WHAT DOES IT MEAN…..?
Hence, ergonomists study human
capabilities in relationship to work demand.
There for we may define Ergonomics as the science and the art of
fitting the job and the workplace to workers’ needs. Ergonomic
hazards/stresses are work situations related, involving Poorly
designed tools and work practices.
OBJECTIVES
• The objective is to improve the efficiency of operation by
taking into account a typical person's size, strength, speed,
visual acuity, and physiological Factors to avoid physical and
psychological strain and stress's such as fatigue, overload on
decision making, and demands on memory and perception.
• To maximize productivity while lowering the risk of
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). MSDs develop as a
result of long term exposure to a combination of ergonomic
risk factors such as repetition, high forces and awkward
postures. Examples of MSDs such as back disorders.
The study of ergonomics enables a person to know how to
provide safety for a worker and his environment.
Types of ergonomics
• Physical ergonomics is the human body’s responses to physical and
physiological work loads. Repetitive strain injuries from repetition,
vibration, force, and awkward posture fall into this category.
• Cognitive ergonomics deals with the mental processes and capacities of
humans when at work. Mental strain from workload, decision making,
human error, and lack of skills fall into this category.
• Organizational ergonomics deals with the organizational structures and
designs of policies and processes in the work environment, such as shift
work, work scheduling, job satisfaction, motivation, supervision,
teamwork, telecommuting, and ethics.
ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS?
– Working practice's and conditions includes: Heavy, Frequent, or
Awkward Lifting, Pushing, Pulling or Carrying Loads, Hand Intensive
Work, Contact Stress.
– Heavy physical loads or use of force, Repetitive tasks, Static loads postures,
Awkward postures, Continuous sitting/standing, vibrations, Heavy work
(lifting, handling, forceful exertions, twisting) Prolonged stooped position,
lack of task diversity, Working with Defective equipment, unguarded
machinery, breakdown of machines, hazardous arrangement of machines
and equipment , inadequate safety/control devices, overloading, poor
house-keeping, poor maintenance and supervision are common hazards that
causes accidents at work places.
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ERGONOMIC RISK FACTORS
Static
Loading
Repetition
ss t
Force
St ntac
re
Awkward
Co
Posture
Vibration
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Awkward lifting
Lifting above the shoulders, below the knees or at arms’ length
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What are Work Related Musculo-Skeletal
Disorders (WMSDs)?
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MSDs
Ergonomic injuries or MSDs can affect the muscles, nerves, tendons,
ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs. They can be directly or
indirectly related to job duties or the work environment. Non-work activities
and environments can also impact MSDs. For example, the average
employee may spend 6-8 hours of the work day on the computer.
With features such as teleconferences, reading, work with web bill paying,
and email that employee will likely spend 2-4 additional hours per day on
his or her personal computer. As we spend more and more time on the
computer each day, it is imperative that we take the steps to be sure our
computer (both at work and at home) is set up to prevent these
Musculoskeletal Disorders.
• These injuries are called work-related musculoskeletal injuries, or WMSDs.
You may have heard of these injuries by another name, such as MSD’s
which are the same as WMSD’s, but they should happen as a result of work
related issues, cumulative trauma disorder, or CTD; repetitive strain injury,
or RSI; or overuse injuries.
• WMSDs affect the soft tissues of the body - the muscles, tendons that
connect muscles to bones, ligaments that connect bone to bone, nerves,
blood vessels, pretty much every part of your body that’s not a bone or
internal organ.
What are some of the symptoms
of WMSDs?
• Pain in the fingers, wrists, or other parts of the body: may include
a dull aching pain, a sharp stabbing pain, or even a burning
sensation
• Tingling or numbness, particularly in the hands or fingers
• Swelling, inflammation, or joint stiffness
• Loss of muscle function or weakness
• Discomfort or pain in the shoulders, neck, or upper or lower back
• Extremities turning white or feeling unusually cold
• General feeling of muscle tightness, cramping, or discomfort
• Clumsiness or loss of coordination
• Range of motion loss
• Discomfort when making certain movements
WMSDs
• WMSDs have many different symptoms, many of which
you may have experienced at one time or another.
Exercise Relaxation
Nutrition
Spirit
Mind
Body
ADVANTAGES
• A successful ergonomics program utilizes the skills of many
disciplines, including engineering, psychology, medical, safety in
management of employees or associates.
• Applications range from the design of work areas (including office
furniture, automobile interiors, and aircraft cockpits) to the
disposition of switches and gauges on the control panels of
machinery to determining the size, shape, and layout of keys on
computer terminals and character height, color, and clarity on video
displays.
ADVANTAGES
• The benefits of applying ergonomic principles:
- Maximize productivity, efficiency and quality;
- Reduce MSD risk by eliminating or minimizing
ergonomic risk factors;
- Improve employee morale; and
- Cost savings associated with injury-related
absenteeism, treatment, new hire training and WCB
claims.
• It can help you do work safely
• It can make you more comfortable
• It can prevent injuries
Biological hazards.
These are hazards caused by Biological agents , living things, or
substances produces by living things, that can cause illness or disease
in humans. Biological agents have many uses in the workplace but
some of them can be hazardous. They include bacteria, viruses, and
fungi parasites and plants. Bacteria are microscopic single celled
organisms. They are found in the air, water and soil and in living or
dead animals and plaints. Viruses are microorganisms that can
reproduce only by coming into contact with living cells. They are found
only in living animal and plant matter.
Persons who are most at risk from biological hazards include
Those who work with animals or plains plants or their products.
Veterinary services agriculture and food industry workers handle
animals and plant products.
Child care laboratory and medical personnel also can be exposed to
biological hazards
Others who may be affected include those who work with ventilation
systems or work in municipal sanitation or sewerage operations.
Biological agents enter the body by inhalation, ingestion
or by absorption through the skin, eyes. The possible
routes of entry are limited by the characteristics of the
agent
Healthy Effects: . Infections through the skin can cause
boils or blood poisoning.
• Bacterial diseases include tuberculosis, tetanus and
anthrax.
• Common fungal disease are ringworm, which is a skin
infection, and thrush, which infects the skin and mucous
membranes
• Viral disease include hepatitis (A, B and C etc.), mumps,
German measles and rabies, the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which is believed to be
the principal cause of AIDS.
Physical Hazards.
Physical Hazards are source of energy that may cause injury
or diseases; they include Noise pollution(sound pressure is
measured in decibels(dB) normal conversation may reach to
60dB extended loud to 85-140 dB can permanently damage
hearing capacity, Vibration and shocks, Illumination,
Radiation, Heat and high temperatures, Air and water
pollution, improper illumination, insufficient ventilation,
Healthy effects: Chilblain, body vibration, hand vibration,
Immersion foot and Trench foot “wet cold disease” and
Frostbite, Hypothermia, Brain and skin cancer, eye damage,
loss in hearing etc.
Psychological/Psychosocial hazards
Mainly stress, as caused by various stressors like:
Too much and poorly designed Task and role
demands, Poor Organizational leadership, Work
overload, Family problems, personal conflicts, Career
and life changes etc.
General health impact
Heart diseases
High blood pressure
Digestive ailments
Insomnia /uneasiness, concern, worry,
Nervous or emotional disorders
Substance abuse and Interpersonal and family
Risk Factors
Risk of injury depends upon:
– Duration of exposure
– Frequency of exposure
– Intensity of exposure
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RISK…
• Legislation requires employers to reduce risks to a level that is as low
as is reasonably practicable (sometimes abbreviated as ALARP)
• To carry out a duty so far as is reasonably practicable means that the
degree of risk in a particular activity or environment can be balanced
against the time, trouble, cost and physical difficulty of taking measures
to avoid the risk.
• ALARP stands for "as low as reasonably practicable", and is a term
often used in the regulation and management of safety-critical and
safety-involved systems. Is one of the fundamental principles of risk
management. We neither need nor want to manage risk to the point
where we eliminate it, because doing so is simply not a good use of
resources. ie. The point where the costs exceed benefits.
RISK…
Reasonable Practicable :Action is considered to be practicable when it is
capable of being done.
Reasonable usually takes into account:
•The severity of harm & degree of risk (or likelihood) of that injury or
harm occurring. Greater risk, reasonable to go to very considerable
expense & effort to reduce it
•How much is known about the hazard & the ways of eliminating,
reducing or controlling it. What are others practicing & what the
standards recommend?
•The ALARP principle is that the residual risk shall be reduced as far as
reasonably practicable. For a risk to be ALARP, it must be possible to
demonstrate that the cost involved in reducing the risk further would be
grossly disproportionate to the benefit gained.
•The ALARP principle arises from the fact that infinite time, effort and
money could be spent in the attempt of reducing a risk to zero. It should
not be understood as simply a quantitative measure of benefit against
detriment. It is more a best common practice of judgments of the balance
of risk and societal benefit
Intro….
An occupational disease is a disease or disorder that is caused
by the work or working conditions.
•
BIOLOGICAL
Fungi
Bacteria
Parasites
Virus
• Bacterial-
leptospirosis,anthrax,tuberculosis&
tetanus.
• Viral- encephalitis & hepatitis A & E
• Parasitic- schistosomiasis & hydatidosis.
PSYCHOSOCIAL
• Stress , aggressiveness , lack of job satisfaction
, insecurity , poor human relations
undermines both physical and mental health
of the workers.
OCC DESEASES
PNEUMOCONIOSIS
SILICOSIS
ANTHRACOSIS
BYSSANOSIS
BAGGASOSIS
ASBESTOSIS
FARMER’S LUNG DISEASES
SILCOSIS
• Occurrence – mining ,pottery ,ceramic , metal
grinding , iron & steel industry.
• Pathology-nodular fibrosis ranging from 3-4
mm mainly in the upper lobes.
• C/F-irritant cough ,dyspnea , chest pain &
decreased lung capacity.
ANTHRACOSIS
• Occurrence – mining ,pottery ,ceramic , metal
grinding , iron & steel industry.
• Pathology-nodular fibrosis ranging from 3-4
mm mainly in the upper lobes.
• C/F-irritant cough , chest pain & decreased
lung capacity.
BYSSANOSIS
• Occurrence-spinning mills and textile industry.
Pathology-chronic bronchitis and emphysema
• C/F- chronic cough and dyspnea
BAGGASOSIS
• The employer has particular general duties in the Health and Safety at Work
Act where he makes non-domestic premises available for people not in his
employment to use those premises as:
• a place of work (for example, office or workshop space rented out to tenants);
or
• a place for using plant or substances provided there for their use (for
example, a self-service launderette).
• In such circumstances, the employer who has or shares responsibilities as a
controller of those premises must take reasonable measures to ensure, so far
as is reasonably practicable, the absence of risks to health or safety to non-
employees visiting the premises as regards:
• the premises themselves;
• the means of access and entrances;
• any plant or substance in the premises.
MANAGEMENT’S ROLE IN EMPLOYEE SAFETY
There are a number of strategies that can be used by organizations to ensure a healthy and safe
workplace and ensure compliance with legal requirements. Some are:
Cary out any lawful order given to him, and obey the health
and safety rules and procedures laid down by his employer or
by any other person authorized by his employer in the interest
of health or safety.
Report any situation to the employer or to the health and
safety representative which is unsafe or unhealthy comes into
his attention.
Cont..
Group stressors
Group cohesiveness
Social support
Conflict
Factors for Individual differences to stress
• Perception
• Experience
• Social support
• Locus of control
• Personality type
Kinds of Stress
There are two kinds of stress:
• Eustress
• Distress
a) Eustress
It is the “good” kind of stress. It is the condition in which
there is drive and effort to fulfill the needs. Motivation
is high because achievement is seen as possible.
The situation is challenging. Stress disappears when the
need is fulfilled and there is success. For example, job
promotion, marriage or birth of a baby, holidays etc.
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Kinds of Stress
b) Distress
It is the “bad” kind of stress. It is the
condition when there is a sense of
helplessness in being able to achieve. The
feeling is of frustration. There is no
success. May be, there is even no attempt
because success is seen as impossible.
• The stress condition remains. For
example, death of a friend or family
member, car troubles, financial issues etc.
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Stress is Physical
• When a person experiences eustress, there are
changes in the physical system. E.g. the
muscles become tense, the eyes become
sharper. When one is under severe distress, the
person sweats, the body becomes weak and
hence, loses strength. A study of stress shows
that the response is the same whether it is
eustress or distress except the degree that
varies.
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Stress is Psychological
Stress is experienced when one perceives a threat
and may either get frightened/fear or remain calm.
Both fright and calmness are psychological
reactions. Thus, stress is a psychological
response depending upon one’s level of fear,
confidence, anxiety, anger, hurt, etc. The physical
response is an automatic outcome to one’s
psychological condition. The physical changes
depend on the extent of fear or confidence etc.
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The body is programmed to reverse these
changes and revert to normal when the threat
disappears. If however, one remains in a
continuous state of tension without becoming
normal, the changed conditions tend to remain
permanent. These abnormal conditions manifest
as diseases like high blood pressure.
Behaviorally, they lead to absenteeism,
alcoholism, use of drugs, marital disharmony
and so on which are both organizationally and
socially undesirable.
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Stress & Stressor
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• Not being recognized or valued for one’s
competence.
• Feeling that one is not adequate for the task,
particularly when compared.
• Being denied what is due (rewards, work).
• Monotony, too little work or boredom.
• Not having enough freedom at work.
• Inequity in rewards, assignments.
• Very little opportunity for growth.
• Too much of work, overload.
• Inadequate resources to do the assigned work,
creating possibilities of failures. 130
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• Conflict in values at work, being required to do what
one does not like to do.
• Too many and conflicting demands at work from the
role set.
• Responsibilities not clear, ambiguity on what is
expected.
• Un understanding, unpredictable, temperamental
boss.
• New unfamiliar work.
• Being blamed.
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Note
In all of the above situations are, in some way or
other, causing perceptions of possible failure at
work or non-recognition and consequent loss of
self-esteem.
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Symptoms Levels of Stress
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2. At the second level, there is more irritability,
stuttering and stammering, difficulty in
concentrating, restlessness, lack of appetite,
sexual disorders, and tendency to increased
smoking or drinking for those so habituated.
3. At the third level, there would be more
headache, stomachache, diarrhea, sweating,
insomnia, depression etc.
4. At the fourth level, there would be ulcers, stroke,
alcoholism, drug addiction, psychosis etc.
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BEHAVIORAL STRESS SYMPTOMS
Yawning
Talking too fast
Talking too loud
Over reacting
Emotional
Defensive
Irritable
Hostile/unfriendly
Critical
Aggressive 135
Managing Stress
Stress cannot be avoided and it should not be so. Without stress,
there will be no attempt to try the difficult. One will give up
too easily. One will not succeed in doing even what one is
easily capable of.
As a Manager
As a boss, one can ensure that subordinates are not put to
undue stress and also that they are helped to get out of stress
situations as quickly as possible. This can be done by:
• Recognize the stress levels
• Show concern
• Encourage talking
• Listen
• Empathize
• Explain and show how it can be done 136
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• Reassure
•Discuss and involve them in decisions.
• Show respect to the individuals.
• Avoid insulting, abuse, reprimand, particularly in
public.
• Avoid manipulation, coercion, blaming.
• Avoid pressurizing too much.
• Provide work and social support.
• Render support and help to reduce anxieties.
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Managing stress: organizational
approaches
Proper employee selection and placement
Training
Goal setting (clear tasks and provide feedback)
Job redesigning
Communication clarity
Clarity of authority and responsibility relationships
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Steps to be Followed in Stress
Management/individual level
Step 1; Become aware of your stressors and your
emotional and physical reactions
a. Notice your distress.
b. Do not ignore it.
c. Do not gloss over your problems.
d. Determine what events distress you.
e. What are you telling yourself about meaning of
these events?
f. Determine how your body responds to the stress.
g. Do you become nervous or physically upset? (if so,
in what specific ways) 139
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Step 2; Recognize what you can change
a. Can you change your stressors by avoiding or
eliminating them completely?
b. Can you reduce their intensity by managing
them over a period of time instead of on a daily
or weekly basis?
c. Can you shorten your exposure to stress by
taking a break or leaving the physical premises?
d. Can you devote the time and energy necessary
to make a change? (Goal setting, time
management techniques and delayed
gratification/pleasures strategies may be helpful
here).
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Step 3; Reduce the intensity of your emotional
reactions to stress
a. The stress reaction is triggered by your perception
of danger, i.e. physical danger and/or emotional
danger. Are you viewing your stressors in
exaggerated terms and/or taking a difficult situation
and making it a disaster?
b. Are you expecting to please everyone? Are you
overreacting and viewing things as absolutely
critical and urgent? Do you feel you should always
prevail in every situation?
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c. Work at adopting more moderate views. Try to
see the stress as something you can cope with
rather than something that overpowers you.
d. Try to temper your excess emotions. Put the
situation in perspective. Do not labor on the
negative aspects and the “what it’s.”
Step 4; Learn to moderate your physical
reactions to stress.
a. Slow and deep breathing brings heartbeat and
respiration back to normal.
b. Relaxation techniques reduce muscle tension.
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c. Medications, when prescribed by a physician, can
help for a short-term in moderating your physical
reactions. However, they alone are not the answer.
Learning to moderate these reactions on your own is
a preferable long-term solution.
Step 5; Build your physical reserves.
a. Exercise for cardiovascular fitness three to four
times a week. Moderate, prolonged rhythmic
exercise is best such as walking, swimming, cycling
or jogging.
b. Eat well-balanced and nutritious meals.
c. Maintain your ideal weight.
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d. Avoid nicotine, excessive caffeine and other
stimulants.
e. Mix leisure with work. Take breaks and get away
when you can.
f. Get enough sleep. Be as consistent with your
sleep schedule as possible.
Step 6; Maintain your emotional reserves
a. Develop some mutually supportive friendships
and relationships.
b. Pursue realistic goals which are meaningful to
you rather than the goals others have.
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c. Expect some frustrations, failures and sorrows.
d. Always be kind and gentle with yourself ,be a
friend to yourself.
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SUMMARY
• Managing Stress
• Individual level
• Organizational level
1. Individual Level
Primary prevention
• Learned optimism
• Time management
• Leisure time activity
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SUMMARY
Secondary prevention
• Physical exercise
• Relaxation training
• Diet
Tertiary prevention
• Opening up
• Professional help
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Organizational Level
Harassment at work
• It is any conduct which is unreasonable, unwelcome,
and offensive, and which creates an intimidating, hostile
or humiliating environment
• There is no fixed list of what is or is not harassment
because it is defined by the recipient of the behavior
Management of Stress and Emotional Welfare
• However, the following are good examples:
Offensive jokes
Sexual suggestions
Offensive gestures
Offensive physical contact
Sexual favors
Bullying
Social isolation
Display of sexual oriented materials etc
Management of Stress and Emotional Welfare
• May kill you prematurely • May make life seem not worth
living
Causes of burnout
There are many causes of burnout. In many cases, burnout
stems from the job. But anyone who feels overworked and
undervalued is at risk for burnout – from the hardworking office
worker who hasn’t had a vacation or a raise in two years to the
frazzled stay-at-home mom struggling with the heavy
responsibility of taking care of three kids, the housework, and
her aging father.
But burnout is not caused solely by stressful work or too many
responsibilities. Other factors contribute to burnout, including
your lifestyle and certain personality traits. What you do in your
downtime and how you look at the world can play just as big of
a role in causing burnout as work or home demands.
Causes of Burnout
Work-related
causes of
burnout
Lifestyle causes
of burnout
Personality traits
can contribute
to burnout
Work-related causes of burnout
Burnout is a gradual process that occurs over an extended period of time. It doesn’t
happen overnight, but it can creep up on you if you’re not paying attention to the
warning signals. The signs and symptoms of burnout are subtle(slight) at first, but
they get worse and worse as time goes on.
Adopt healthy eating, exercising, and sleeping habits. When you eat right,
engage in regular physical activity, and get plenty of rest, you have the energy and
resilience to deal with life’s hassles and demands.
Set boundaries. Don’t overextend yourself. Learn how to say “no” to requests on your
time. If you find this difficult, remind yourself that saying “no” allows you to say “yes” to
the things that you truly want to do.
Take a daily break from technology. Set a time each day when you completely
disconnect. Put away your laptop, turn off your phone, and stop checking email.
Learn how to manage stress. When you’re on the road to burnout, you may feel
helpless. But you have a lot more control over stress than you may think. Learning how
to manage stress can help you regain your balance.
Coping with job burnout
ACCIDENTS
Carelessness
Social Environment
and Inherited Fault of the
Behavior (e.g., Person Unsafe Act
(Carelessnessbad or Accident Injury
alcoholism) temper, Condition
recklessness, etc
)
MISTAKES OF PEOPLE
Heinrich’s 10 Axioms of Industrial Safety
Engineering
• Education
• Enforcement
– Insure that internal and external rules, regulations, and standard operating
Human Error
Systems Failure
Policy Inspection Accident
Responsibility Correction
Training Standards Injury/Damage
COMBINATION THEORY
•
Outgrowth of the domino theory
1. UNSAFE CONDITIONS
This refers to work related or technical causes.
These are the biggest cause of accident in the
industry. Work related causes are as follows;
a) The job itself/Nature of the job
Some jobs are inherently more dangerous than others. For example
the job of a crane man is more risky as compared to that of a
supervisor. A Laboratory attendant is in high risk compared to a
teacher. Safety experts point out that there are some high danger
zones like hand lift trucks, wheel barrow, gear and pulleys, saws and
hand rails, chisels and screw drivers, electric drop light kind of
activities etc.
b) Work schedule
Night shift is more accident prone than day shift due to fatigue and
sleepiness.
c) Psychological conditions
Emotional disturbance and mental pre occupation often cause
accidents. Over-work, monotony, boredom, anxiety, fatigue and
frustration disturb concentration and mental alertness leading to
accidents.
d) machinery and equipment
Working with Defective equipment, unguarded machinery,
breakdown of machines, hazardous arrangement of
machines and equipment , inadequate safety/control devices,
overloading, improper illumination, insufficient ventilation,
poor house-keeping, poor maintenance and supervision are
common causes of accidents in industry.
Safety experts point out that there are some high danger
zones like hand lift trucks, wheel barrow, gear and pulleys,
saws and hand rails, chisels and screw drivers, electric drop
light etc.
2. UNSAFE ACTS
Eliminate
remove the hazard completely from the workplace e.g.
removing trip hazards on the floor or disposing of unwanted
chemicals. This is the most effective control measure and must
always be considered before anything else.
Substitute
substitute or replace the hazard with a less hazardous work
practice e.g. replace solvent-based paints with water-based
paints. e.g. use a trolley to lift heavy loads.
Isolate
as much as possible, separate the hazard or hazardous work
practice from people by distance or using barriers e.g. placing
Administrative controls
These are work methods or procedures that are designed to
minimize the exposure to a hazard e.g. developing a
procedure on how to operate machinery safely or use signs
to warn people of a hazard
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
This should be insisted. PPE, such as ear muffs, hard hats,
gloves and protective eyewear, relies on the proper fit and
use of the PPE, but does nothing to change the hazard itself.
In some cases a combination of control measures may need
to be implemented to provide the highest level of protection
that is reasonably practicable
• Consult with employees about health and
safety in the workplace.
• Monitor the workplace regularly and keep a
record of what is found during the checks.
• Policies should be developed in consultation
with all employees. In some instances it may
be necessary to organize support persons or
interpreters for employees with disability so
that all employees may participate in the
consultation process.
Conclusion:
• All accidents whether major or minor are caused, there is no
such thing as an incidental accident!!