HAZARDS AND CONTROL - PHYSICAL-AND-PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZARDS.pdf

Hazards and control

1. PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL
HAZARDS AND CONDTROL

2. Introduction

3. The physical and psychological hazards are covered by the
following health and safety regulations:
a. Workplace (Health, safety and welfare) regulations
b. Health and safety (Display screen equipment) regulations
c. Manual Handling Operations
d. Noise at Work Regulations
e. Ionising Radiations Regulation

4. Task and Workstation Design

5. Ergonomics

6. Ergonomics
the study of the interaction between workers and their
work in the broadest sense, in that it encompasses the
whole system surrounding the work process.
Common definition of ergonomics, “the man-machine
interface” or “fitting the man to the machine rather than
vice versa”

7. c. Described as human engineering
b. Worker, machine, and environment relationship
a. Limitation of the worker
Ergonomics

8. Ergonomic Hazard
those hazards to health resulting from poor ergonomic
design and generally fall within the physical hazard category .

9. Work Related Upper
Limb Disorders
(WRULDs)

10. Work Related Upper Limb
Disorders (WRULDs)
describes a group of illnesses which can affect the neck,
shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers.

11. Tenosynovitis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Frozen Shoulder

12. Main Symptoms of Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULDs)
a. Aching pain to the back, neck and shoulders
b. Swollen joints and muscle fatigue accompanied by tingling
c. Soft tissue swelling
d. Noise at Work Regulations
e. Restriction in joint movement

13. Risk Factors of Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULDs)
a. Repetitive actions of lengthy duration
b. Application of significant force and unnatural postures
c. Possibly involving twisting
d. Over-reaching and the use of vibrating tools

14. ILL-Health due to Vibrations
Hand-held vibrating machinery can produce health risks from
hand–arm or whole body vibrations.

15. Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome
Describes a group of diseases caused by the exposure of the
hand and arm to external vibration. Some of these have been
described under WRULDs, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Also known as “vibration white finger” (VWF)

18. The risk of developing HAVS depends on
the frequency of vibration, the length of
exposure and the tightness of the grip on
the machine or tool. Some typical values
of vibration measurements for common
items of equipment used in industry

19. Whole-body Vibration (WBV)
caused by vibration from machinery passing into the body
either through the feet of standing workers or the buttocks
of sitting workers. The most common ill-health affect is
severe back pain which, in severe cases, may result in
permanent injury.

20. HSE (health, safety and environment)
commissioned measurements of WBV on
several machines and some of the results

21. Appendix 2 of the HSE Guide to
work-related upper limb disorders HSG 60
Hand-arm vibration,
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 Guidance on Regulations L140
Whole-body vibration
The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 Guidance on Regulations L141

22. Hand-Arm Vibration
a. The daily exposure limit value normalized to
an 8-hour reference period is 5 m/s2
b. The daily exposure action value normalized
to an 8-hour reference period is 2.5 m/s2
Whole-Body Vibration
a. The daily exposure limit value normalized to
an 8-hour reference period is 1.15 m/s2
b. The daily exposure action value normalized to
an 8-hour reference period is 0.5 m/s2

23. Display
Screen
Equipments

24. Display screen equipment (DSE)
Display screen equipment, which includes visual display units, is a
good example of a common work activity which relies on an
understanding of ergonomics and the ill-health conditions which can
be associated with poor ergonomic design. Legislation governing
DSE is covered by the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment)
Regulations 1992.

25. Basic Ill-health Hazards due to DSE
·Musculoskeletal problems
·Visual problems
·Psychological problems
·Radiation

26. Musculoskeletal Problems
Tenosynovitis is the most common and well-known problem which
affects the wrist of the user. Tenosynovitis, better known as RSI,
repetitive strain injury, is caused by the continual use of a keyboard
and can be relieved by the use of wrist supports.

27. Visual Problems
Unnecessary eye strain can be reduced by the following additional
steps to those already identified in this section:
·Train staff in the correct use of the equipment
·Ensure that a font size of at least 12 is used on the screen, and
·Ensure that users take regular breaks away from the screen (every
20 minutes).

28. Psychological Problems
There are several other processes and activities where ergonomic
considerations are important. These include the assembly of small
components (microelectronics assembly lines) and continually
moving assembly lines (car assembly plants).

29. Welfare and work
environment issues
must be provided together and in
a proportion to the size of
workforce.
Sanitary Conveniences and
Washing Facilities
must be readily accessible to all
the workforce.
Drinking Water
must be provided which is clean,
warm, dry, well-ventilated and
secure.
Accommodation for Clothing and
Facilities for Changing Clothing

30. Welfare and work environment issues
must be provided so that workers may sit down during break times in areas
where they do not need to wear PPE.
Facilities for Rest and Eating Meals
It should be effective and sufficient and free of any impurity and air inlets
should be sited clear of any potential contaminant.
Ventilation
It shall be reasonable (not uncomfortably high or low).
Heating and Temperature
Every workplace shall have suitable and sufficient lighting and this shall be
natural lighting so far as is reasonably practicable.
Lighting
Workstations should be arranged so that work may be done safely and
comfortably.
Workstations and Seating

31. 3 CHRONIC HEARING
EFFECTS
results from permanent damage
to the cochlea hair cells.
Noise-induced Hearing Loss
results from prolonged
exposure to loud noise.
Permanent Threshold Shift
same as the acute form.
Tinnitus
3 PRINCIPAL ACUTE
EFFECTS
caused by short excessive noise
exposures.
Temporary Threshold Shift
caused by the over-stimulation
of the hair cells.
Tinnitus
caused by a very loud noise
such as an explosion.
Acute Acoustic Trauma

32. HUMAN EAR
Noise Assessment
peak sound pressure
daily personal exposure level
Noise Measurement
Noise Action Levels
1. The lower exposure action levels are: (a) a
daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80
dB(A); and (b) a peak sound pressure of 135
dB(C)
2. The upper exposure action levels are: (a) a
daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 85
dB(A); and (b) a peak sound pressure of 137
dB(C)
3. The exposure limit values are: (a) a daily or
weekly personal noise exposure of 87 dB(A);
and (b) a peak sound pressure of 140 dB(C).

33. Attenuation of Noise Levels
➤ Orientation or Re-location of
the Equipment
➤ Enclosure
➤ Screens or Absorption Walls
➤ Damping
➤ Lagging
➤ Silencers
➤ Isolation of the workers
NOISE CONTROL
TECHNIQUES
Reduction of Noise at Source
➤ Change the process or
equipment
➤ Change the speed of the
machine
➤ Improve the maintenance
regime by regular lubrication of
bearings, tightening of belt drives.

34. ➤ durability
➤ hygiene considerations
➤ compatibility with other
personal protective equipment
➤ ease of communication and
able to hear warning alarms
➤ maintenance and storage
arrangements
➤ cost
➤ suitability for the range of sound
spectrum of frequencies to be
encountered
➤ noise reduction (attenuation)
offered by the ear protection
➤ pattern of the noise exposure
➤ acceptability and comfort of the
wearer, particularly if there are
medical problems
PERSONAL EAR PROTECTION
The following factors should be considered when selecting personal ear
protection:

35. EARPLUGS
EAR DEFENDERS
(EARMUFFS)

36. Heat
and Radiation
Hazards

37. At high temperatures, the body has more and more
difficulty in maintaining its natural temperature.
At low temperatures, the body will lose heat too rapidly
and the extremities of the body will become very cold.
Extremes of temperature

38. Alpha particles - They have little power to penetrate the
skin and can be stopped using very flimsy material, such
as paper.
Beta particles - high speed electrons whose power of
penetration depends on their speed, but penetration is
usually restricted to 2 cm of skin and tissue.
Gamma rays - electro-magnetic radiations and have far
greater penetrating power than alpha or beta particles
Ionising radiation
Typical ionising sign.

39. Ionising radiation attacks the cells of the
bodywhich leads to abnormal cell growth. .
Acute exposure can cause, blood cell changes,
nausea and vomiting, skin burns and blistering,
collapse and death.
Chronic exposure can lead to anaemia,
leukaemia and other forms of cancer.
Harmful effects of ionising radiation
Typical radiation dose limits

40. ULTRAVIOLET
VISIBLE LIGHT
INFRARED
MICROWAVE RADIATIONS
INCLUDES:
Non-ionising radiation

41. Occurs with sunlight and with electric arc welding. In both cases, the skin and the eyes are at
risk from the effect of burning.
Ultraviolet Radiation
Relocate some jobs inside a building or to a shady location
Undertake some outdoor work earlier or later in the day
Provide personal protection
Provide suitable education and training to outdoor workers.
With growing concern following the rise in skin cancers, the HSE has
suggested the following hierarchy of controls for outdoor working:

42. PROTECTION IS OBTAINED BY THE APPLICATION OF SHIELDING,
TIME AND DISTANCE EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR, MORE COMMONLY,
A MIXTURE OF ALL THREE
Ionising Radiation protection strategies
Shielding is the best method because it is an ‘engineered’ solution.
Time involves the use of the reduced time exposure principle and
thus reduces the accumulated dose
Distance works on the principle that the effect of radiation reduces
as the distance between the worker and the source increases

43. Non-ionising Radiation protection strategies
collar
goggles visor
sleevesgloves

44. The Causes
and
Prevention of
Workplace
Stress

45. In 2001, the HSE estimated that stress in the workplace cost
approximately 6.7 million days lost each year and society between
3.7 billion and 3.8 billion. This has been accompanied by an
increase in civil claims resulting from stress at work.
STRESS IS NOT A DISEASE

46. THE BASIC WORKPLACE STRESSORS ARE:
The job itself
Individual responsibility
Working conditions
Management attitudes
Relationships – unhappy relationship between workers,
bullying, sexual and racial harassment.

47. THE HSE HAVE PRODUCED ITS OWN GENERIC STRESS AUDIT SURVEY TOOL WHICH
IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE ON ITS WEBSITE AND ADVISES THE FOLLOWING
ACTION PLAN:
Identify the problem
Identify the background to the problem and how it was
discovered
Identify the remedial action required and give reasons for that
action
Identify targets and reasonable target dates, and
Agree a review date with employees to check that the
remedial action is working

48. ADDITIONAL MEASURES HAVE ALSO BEEN FOUND TO BE EFFECTIVE BY SOME
EMPLOYERS:
Take employees’ concerns seriously
Discourage employees from working excessive hours and/or
missing break periods
Monitor incidents of bullying, sexual and racial harassment
and, where necessary, take disciplinary actions
Avoid a blame culture over accidents and incidents of ill-health

49. Causes and
prevention of
workplace
violence

50. VIOLENCE AT WORK, PARTICULARLY FROM DISSATISFI ED CUSTOMERS, CLIENTS,
CLAIMANTS OR PATIENTS, CAUSES A LOT OF STRESS AND IN SOME CASES INJURY

51. PHYSICAL ASSAULTS INCLUDE
COMMON ASSAULT
WOUNDING
THEFT
THREATS (VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL)

52. THE HSE OR HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVES
VIOLENCE AT WORK IS DEFINED BY THE HSE AS: ANY
INCIDENT IN WHICH AN EMPLOYEE IS ABUSED, THREATENED
OR ASSAULTED IN CIRCUMSTANCES RELATING TO THEIR
WORK.

53. THE HSE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING FOUR-POINT ACTION PLAN:
FIND OUT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM
DECIDE ON WHAT ACTION TO TAKE
TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION
CHECK THAT THE ACTION IS EFFECTIVE

54. This involves a risk assessment to determine what the real hazards are.
Record all incidents to get a picture of what is happening over time,
THE RECORDS SHOULD INCLUDE:
➤ A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED
➤ DETAILS OF WHO WAS ATTACKED, THE ATTACKER AND ANY
WITNESSES
➤ THE OUTCOME, INCLUDING HOW PEOPLE WERE AFFECTED
AND HOW MUCH TIME WAS LOST
➤ INFORMATION ON THE LOCATION OF THE EVENT
FIND OUT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM

55. FIND OUT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM
ALL INCIDENTS SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED SO THAT AN ANALYSIS OF THE TRENDS
CAN BE EXAMINED.
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
➤ FATALITIES
➤ MAJOR INJURY
➤ LESS SEVERE INJURY OR SHOCK WHICH REQUIRES FI RST-AID TREATMENT,
OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, TIME OFF WORK OR EXPERT COUNSELING
➤ THREAT OR FEELING OF BEING AT RISK OR IN A WORRIED OR DISTRESSED
STATE.

56. DECIDE ON WHAT ACTION TO TAKE
It is important to evaluate the risks and decide who may be harmed and
how this is likely to occur.
THOSE PEOPLE AT RISK COULD INCLUDE THOSE WORKING IN:
➤ RECEPTION OR CUSTOMER SERVICE POINTS
➤ ENFORCEMENT AND INSPECTION
➤ LONE WORKING SITUATIONS AND COMMUNITY BASED
ACTIVITIES
➤ FRONT LINE SERVICE DELIVERY
➤ EDUCATION AND WELFARE
➤ AND OTHER PROFESSIONS

57. DECIDE ON WHAT ACTION TO TAKE
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING ISSUES:
➤ QUALITY OF SERVICE PROVIDED
➤ DESIGN OF THE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
➤ TYPE OF EQUIPMENT USED
➤ DESIGNING THE JOB.

58. TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION
THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEALING WITH VIOLENCE SHOULD BE
INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY POLICY AND MANAGED LIKE ANY OTHER
ASPECT OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES.
ACTION PLANS SHOULD BE DRAWN UP AND FOLLOWED THROUGH
USING THE CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS AS APPROPRIATE.
THE POLICE SHOULD ALSO BE CONSULTED TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE
HAPPY WITH THE PLAN AND ARE PREPARED TO PLAY THEIR PART IN
PROVIDING BACK UP AND THE LIKE.

59. CHECK THAT THE ACTION IS EFFECTIVE
ENSURE THAT THE RECORDS ARE BEING MAINTAINED AND ANY
REPORTED INCIDENTS ARE INVESTIGATED AND SUITABLE ACTION
TAKEN.
THE PROCEDURES SHOULD BE REGULARLY AUDITED AND CHANGES
MADE IF THEY ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
VICTIMS SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH HELP AND ASSISTANCE TO
OVERCOME THEIR DISTRESS, THROUGH DEBRIEFI NG, COUNSELLING,
TIME OFF TO RECOVER, LEGAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT FROM
COLLEAGUES.

60. The effects of
alcohol and
drugs
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61. SUDDEN MOOD CHANGES UNUSUAL IRRITABILITY OR AGGRESSION
A TENDENCY TO BECOME CONFUSED
INCREASED SHORT-TERM SICKNESS
LEAVE

62. ABNORMAL FL UCTUATIONS IN
CONCENTRATION AND ENERGY
IMPAIRED JOB PERFORMANCE
POOR TIME-KEEPING

63. A DETERIORATION IN RELATIONSHIPS
WITH COLLEAGUES, CUSTOMERS OR
MANAGEMENT
DISHONESTY AND THEFT (ARISING
FROM THE NEED TO MAINTAIN AN
EXPENSIVE HABIT).

64. A POLICY ON DRUG ABUSE CAN BE ESTABLISHED BY
INVESTIGATION OF THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM - EXAMINATION OF
SICKNESSES, BEHAVIOURAL AND PRODUCTIVITY CHANGES AND
ACCIDENT AND DISCIPLINARY RECORDS IS A GOOD STARTING POINT.
PLANNING ACTIONS - DEVELOP AN AWARENESS PROGRAMME FOR ALL
STAFF AND A SPECIAL TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR MANAGERS AND
SUPERVISORS. EMPLOYEES WITH A DRUG PROBLEM SHOULD BE
ENCOURAGED TO SEEK HELP IN A CONFI DENTIAL SETTING.

65. A POLICY ON DRUG ABUSE CAN BE ESTABLISHED BY
TAKING ACTION - PRODUCE A WRITTEN POLICY THAT INCLUDES
EVERYONE IN THE ORGANIZATION AND NAMES THE PERSON
RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE POLICY.
MONITORING THE POLICY - THE POLICY CAN BE MONITORED BY
CHECKING FOR POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE MEASURES MADE DURING THE
INITIAL INVESTIGATION (IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RATES OF SICKNESS AND
ACCIDENTS).

66. Thank you