PUBH6002 Health Protection And Environmental Health

Question: Context: Each state in Australia has legislative requirements that govern work health safety. Australian workplaces are obligated to conduct work health safety assessments and provide methods by which safety incidents can be reported. Work health safety has significant implications for public health, but all workplaces are required to put work health safety policies and procedures in place to promote safety in the workplace. Instructions: To prepare for this assignment: Locate a suitable environment for conducting a work health safety risk assessment. This may be your own workplace, the workplace of a friend or family member, or a home office space. Make sure that you seek permission to conduct an assessment in a professional environment. Download the work health safety risk assessment template. Review the resources at the Health and Safety Handbook website, and the six steps to completing a work safety assessment outlined at the WorkSafe ACT website: http://www.worksafe.act.gov.au/page/view/1039 To complete your work health safety risk assessment: Work through the six steps of completing a work safety risk assessment and use the template provided to record any hazards identified, existing controls in place, the relative risk level, and any controls that are needed to further reduce risk. Remember that the purpose is to reduce risk and mitigate the effects of risks where risk is inherently present. In a diverse workplace there may be subpopulations that are more vulnerable to theeffects of a safety risk than others. Identify and describe any vulnerable populations, and propose solutions for mitigating risks for these groups. To write up this case study: Identify and describe any key agencies or institutions that govern work health safety in this type of working environment, and any policies that are relevant to maintaining a safe work environment (policies can be organisational, discipline-specific and/or national). Summarise the findings of your work health safety assessment, including details relevant to managing risk for vulnerable populations, and provide recommendations to resolve the work safety risks identified. Answer: Introduction Occupational health and safety has become a public health concern and priority especially in developed and industrialized countries. OHS is a primary concern in high risk industries especially the manufacturing and construction industries. Cement manufacturing industries is one of the high risk industries where OHS has to be given a lot of priority. Since cement is widely and regularly used, it has been determined that there are many health hazards of cement which includes lung function impairment, chronic obstructive lung diseases as well as stomach and colon problems (Ridley, 2015). The report uses work safety risk assessment template and uses the six steps in filling the template. The report identifies key agencies, structures and institutions which influences environmental health. The report summarizes the findings of the risk assessment and suggests recommendations to resolve work safety risks identified. GENERAL risk assessment Managing Workplace Health and Safety Risks procedure Form WHS2 Workplace (School/Institute/Unit): Useful links: · WHS Procedure: Managing Workplace Health and Safety Risks · Approved Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Local Assessment No: If applicable Assessment Date: / / Next Review Date: / / (3 years maximum) Sign-off: (by a person with safety responsibility for the risk being assessed, for example: Head of Research Group, Workshop Supervisor, Academic Supervisor, Project Leader, Head of School, Director of Institute, School/Institute Manager) Name: Position: Date: / / What is being assessed?The assessment is on the risk factors on a job as a line manager at Sunstate Cement Limited in the port of Brisbane Australia. The Job involves spending most of my time at the factory supervising workers at the plant and even at the mines.There is a sizeable amount of risk in this occupation and hence the need to access the level of risk inthis area. Describe the item, job, process, work arrangement including the location or facili People involved in the assessment Assessor(s): Others consulted: Factory general manager, portfolio management office, project managers, plant manager, factory supervisors, elected safety and health representatives, work safety consultants and engineers. Risk assessment Risk control plan* Item Hazard description/ how exposed (Refer Appendix 1) Risk control measure(s) in place (If existing controls need improvement or new controls introduced, record under the Risk Control Plan columns) Current risk level (H/M/L/VL) with controls (Refer App.2) Extra controls needed to reduce risks to low or very low (The item should not be used or the process started until the remaining ‘residual risk’ is L or VL) Person responsible Date extra controls to be done Date extra controls completed 1 Cement Dust l Use of enclosed conveyors l Storage of crushed raw materials in closed areas l Wearing of masks and other respiratory protection materials High l Improvement of storage facilities by sealing the places that are broken l Continuous replacement of worn out gas masks in order to ensure the safety of all workers is assured (International Organization for Standardization,2017). Safety and health manager 28/11/2018 29/11/2018 2 Slips, Trips and falls l Sufficient lighting l Tidy workplace l Avoiding wet slippery surfaces Medium l Good housekeeping l Checking of ladders and other materials used for climbing Supervisors 1/12/2018 15/12/2018 3 Lack of oxygen or presence of poisonous gas, fumes or vapour l Restricted entry into confined areas l Provision of sufficient ventilation l Provision of lighting High l Testing of air to ensure that its safe and clean. l Ensuring continuous routine assessments to ensure that all gas cylinders are in good condition to avoid accidental leakages (Healey & Walker, 2009). Plant manager 28/11/2018 29/11/2018 4 Electric l All electric installation are well insulated to avoid accidents l Each panel in the cement plant is labeled l All electricians are well trained and experienced Low l Safe electrical equipment should be purchased l Regular maintenance of electrical equipment and systems Chief electrician 3/12/2018 4/1/2019 Fire/conveyor belt accidents l Adequate training on safety while operating the conveyor belt l Wearing of fire jackets when operating in areas with high risk of fire outbreak (British Standards Institution, 2008) Medium l Ensuring the workplace is always tidy l Avoid working beneath elevators or conveyor belts l Use of heat detectors l Installation of fire extinguishers l Placingfire fighting procedures and evacuation procedures in strategic areas within the factory and in all sites (British Standards Institution, 2018) Supervisors and and engineers 1/12/2018 19/12/2018 Noise and vibration l Personal noise protection gear High l Use of noise attenuation, absorption and installation technology Management and WHS representatives 2/12/2018 14/12/2018 Safety guards of machine l Following of operating guidelines for all machines l Adequate training on handling of machines Low l Proper maintenance of machines l Use of appropriate guards l HR manager 18/01/2019 10/02/2019 *may be left blank if the current risk level with existing controls in place (‘residual risk’) is low or very low. There are various institutions, policies and laws that govern work health and safety in the cement manufacturing industry. One of the institutions the institutions that govern health and safety in the workplace include; Safe Work Australia, the department of labour, and the worker’s unions (Rayburn, 2010). In Australia, different states have diverse policies and laws that govern work health and safety in specific states. The work health and safety guidelines must be in line with the national and international OHS requirements. The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is another institution governs safety at the workplace. This institution designs policies that regulate workplace safety and health for the Commonwealth government. The Australian Safety and Compensation Council maintains sets of national OHS standards. It also helps in the consolidation of national policies and state policies regarding health and safety. Some of the vulnerable groups in the cement factory include people working at in the quarry, supervisors, engineers as well as people working in the packaging section. The risk that is prevalent for each group are discussed, and a recommendation on minimizing each risk factor is also discussed. The dust has been identified as one of the major health hazards for people working in the cement industry. Most of the process followed in the manufacture of cement involves the production of dust particles which could pose a health hazard for people working both in the factory and in the quarries. One of the cement manufacturing processes that produce a lot of dust is the quarrying process. This process involves the use of explosives which generates a lot of dust with elements that are not healthy for human beings. The transportation of the raw materials, as well as the grinding process, also involves the expulsion of a lot of dust. It is therefore very crucial for Sunstate Cement Limited to put measures and policies in place to ensure the safety and health of all employees. Dust emanating from the production of cement has been identified to cause many respiratory diseases that are very harmful to the human (Dentch, 2018). One of the ways that can be used in minimizing the risk of dust hazard is the use of dust mask and safety glasses. This will help to minimize the risk of suffering an infection of the eyes as well as respiratory diseases. Use of automated automatic machines as well as using enclosed conveyors will help to reduce dust hazard in both the packaging process as well as grinding. To minimize the risk of slips and falls, Sunstate Cement Limited should put in place measures to ensure that there is sufficient lighting in the factory (Hasle&Zwetsloot, 2011). This will ensure that both visitors and workers at the factory have good visibility and hence they can avoid tripling on items that are on their way. Proper housekeeping will also be crucial since it will ensure that everything is in order and there are no wet or slippery surfaces that may cause accidents. The hazard of lack of oxygen or the presence of poisonous gases is high for employees working in the cement factory. There are many machines running in the factory as which produce poisonous gases (International Organization for Standardization, 2018). Employees and visitors in this section might, therefore, be exposed to the hazard if sufficient measures are taken to ensure that there is enough oxygen in this area(Stuart& Sweet, 2013). One of the ways of reducing this hazard is ensuring proper ventilation and testing of air to ensure that there are no accidental leakages that may risk the health of workers. Sunstate Cement Ltd can minimize the hazard of accidents or injuries related to electrical faults by making sure that all the staff in the company are well trained. The hazard can be minimized by ensuring safe electrical equipment and machines are purchased as well as making sure that electronic equipment and machinery are replaced regularly (Manuele, 2011). Labelling of every panel in the factory will also aid in minimizing accidents and injuries related to electronic equipment. The hazard of fire and conveyor belt accidents can be minimized at the Sunstate Cement Factory by making sure that all employees are familiar with the safety procedures when operating the conveyor belt. One of the requirement is that non-one should walk or operate below the conveyor belt. All employees also need to be trained on evacuation and safety measures in case of a fire breakout. Noise and vibration hazard in the factory can be minimized by ensuring all workers and visitors to the factory and quarries have protective gear to minimize the effects of loud sounds which could cause ear damage. Technology should also be utilized to minimize the hazard of noise pollution. Conclusion There are various policies and laws that govern occupational health and safety in different countries across the globe.Australia, each state formulates its work health and safety policies which govern the health and safety of employees working in each particular state. Some of the institutions involved in WHS management include; Federal government, state government, International labour organizations, local workers unions, Workers representatives in WHS committees as well as the management of the organization. The report carries out a risk assessment of the Sunstate Cement factory and classifies different hazards depending on their risk levels. The report also analyzes the risk assessment and identifies vulnerable groups and provides recommendations on improving health and safety at Sunstate Cement Ltd. References British Standards Institution. (2018). Occupational health and safety management systems: Requirements with guidance for use.London: British Standards Institution. British Standards Institution. (2008). Occupational health and safety management systems: Requirements. London: British Standards Institution. Healey, B. J., & Walker, K. T. (2009).Introduction to occupational health in public health practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. International Organization for Standardization,. (2017). Occupational health and safety management systems: Requirements with guidance for use. Geneva: ISO. International Organization for Standardization. (2018). Occupational health and safety management systems: Requirements with guidance for use = Syste?mes de management de la sante? et de la se?curite? au travail: exigences et Lignes directrices pour leurutilisation. Geneva: ISO. Dentch, M. P. (2018). The ISO 45001:2018 implementation handbook: Guidance on building an occupational health and safety management system.London: Oxford University Press Hasle, P., &Zwetsloot, G. (2011). Editorial: Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems: Issues and challenges. Safety Science, 49(7), 961-963. doi: 10.1016/j.ssci.2011.02.013 Manuele, F. A. (2011). Advanced Safety Management Focusing on Z10 and Serious Injury Prevention. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons. Myers, M. L., & American Public Health Association,.(2015). Occupational safety and health policy. New York: Springer-Verlag. Rayburn, S. R. (2010). The foundations of laboratory safety: A guide for the biomedical laboratory. New York: Springer-Verlag. Ridley, J. R. (2015). Safety at Work. Cambridge: Elsevier Science. Stuart, R., & Sweet, E. (2013).A systems approach to an institutional laboratory ventilation management plan.Journal Of Chemical Health And Safety, 20(4), 31-37. doi: 10.1016/j.jchas.2013.03.491

PUBH6002 Health Protection And Environmental Health

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PUBH6002 Health Protection And Environmental Health

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