Safety Management Assignment
Mar 13,23Question:
Introduction
Introduction
The Organizational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, 1995 requires all organizations to carry out a risk assessment before making an intervention. Risk assessment requires the risk to health and safety to be controlled so far as is reasonably practical. The purpose of this report is to spell out safety management alternatives and recommendations for a hypothetical construction company ArchitektonikiDomi Ltd. The scope of risk assessment will be limited to site layout, protective equipments of workers and noticeable health and safety hazards at the workplace.
Background Information
ArchitektonikiDomi Ltd is a private construction company in Athens, Greece. On April 11, 2009, it undertook construction of a five-storey multi-flat building. The building scheme consisted of a rectangular basement, ground floor, single flat on first floor, single flat on second and third floors and a smaller flat on fourth floor. The objectives of the scheme in terms of Time limits, Cost limits and Quality requirements have been set out. However, some concerns regarding the safety management at the worksite remains.
Approach to Risk Assessment
The first step in safety management is carrying out risk assessment under OHS guidelines (Burke, 2004)
Identification of Hazards
Several hazards were identified by the author in the given case study
Inflammable materials: The presence of several inflammable or combustible sources like welding tools, torches or even cigarettes can cause a fire or explosion at the construction site. A fire can not only affect those present on the site, but also those who are outside as the site is located at the heart of the city by causing serious damage to bodily systems like liver, lungs, or skin inflammation.
Noise levels: The noise from the trucks and other construction equipments cause a lot of noise pollution at the construction site. Noise can be irritating for the construction workers and can cause loss of hearing which can increase heart beat and stress levels in humans which can negatively impact the health of the workers at the site (Kogi, 2006).
Bird drops: The construction site attracts a lot of pigeons. The bird excrement is identified as a major hazard to the health of all those present at the construction site. Even though personal protective equipments (PPE) like facemasks with filter are mandatory for the workers and visitors, they are not completely fool-proof as workers are often observed to remove their PPE during breaks. The birds’ faeces often contain Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus which can cause infection of the lungs (CCPS, 2005). Thus, the workers are exposed to a serious health hazard.
Eating area: The eating area which contains clean drinking water is at a considerable distance from the construction site. This has been done to avoid possible contamination of food and water which can compromise the health of the workers. However, in summer months when the temperatures can soar to 40 degree Celsius, travelling in heat can cause unconsciousness and even heat stroke to the workers (OHS Australia, 2009). So, the distance of eating area can be a health hazard during summer months.
Risk Evaluation
A risk matrix is used to evaluate the seriousness and likelihood of each risk. The rating for Likelihood and Seriousness for each risk is done in the following matrix. The hazards are rated on the basis of previous records available and author’s own experiences with these hazards (Table 1). In the risk matrix, the recommended actions for various grades of risk are given according to OHS regulations (Table 2).
Existing Safety Measures
Before spelling out the recommendations for the construction site, it is important to examine the existing safety management measures
No-Smoking zone: The construction site is strictly a no-smoking zone. There is a designated smoking zone for workers who want to light a cigarette. In case a fire does occur, there are numerous fire extinguishers available at accessible places. The workers are trained in use of these fire extinguishers so that they can control minor fires. The fire alarm is audible to every place at the site and the fire station is located nearby. The evacuation drills of the workers are conducted regularly in case of an emergency. This shows that the existing control measures are reasonable.
Use of PPEs: The workers involved in welding and torching are required to wear facemasks and ear plugs at all times which can reduce the effect of noise. Other employees are also provided with appropriate PPE so that no permanent long term effects of noise are encountered. The machines are oiled regularly so that the noise level is kept to a minimum. However, noise has to be considered an occupational hazard for a construction site which cannot be completely done away with. Thus the existing control measures are adequate so far as reasonably practical.
Bird repellers: ArchitektonikiDomi Ltd. uses bird repellent techniques like spray to drive away the birds at the site. However, these are only used at the ground level. It is not economically feasible to use these sprays at the roof which has become a hub of pigeons. The faeces of these pigeons cause foul smell and mess at the construction site. It is not cleaned regularly which means that the workers are always at the risk of coming in contact with the fungi which can cause lung infection. This shows a deficiency in existing control measures which can be improved upon.
Eating area: The eating area is separated from the construction site so as to prevent possible contamination of dust particles with the food or water. The workers are expected to take a shower before they enter the main eating area though it is not mandatory. During summer months, when it is very hot, there is no arrangement for cold drinking water or glucose water at the site itself. This can cause dehydration or even unconsciousness under extreme hot conditions. The control measures are clearly not adequate and must be improved upon.
Answer:
Introduction
Safety Management Assignment
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Introduction
Risk management is necessary to empower work performance and productivity by minimising the risks to the protection of health. Before an intervention is made, it is imperative for all organisations to perform a risk assessment as per the Organisational Health and Safety Act, 1955. The main objective is to put forward the precautionary management alternatives and probable solutions for a hypothetical construction company Sanford Construction Ltd. A coherent strategy must be designed that will identify, access and manage risks. Avoidance and transference of the organisation can perform the risk assessment. It formulates a process that will regularly review and update the assessment on the basis of actions and developments.
Background Information
Sand fords Construction Limited is a commercial contractor that always caters to high-profile clients. It is one of the leading, largest and reputed construction company in the market that run a number of construction product to its clients. It is mainly offers services to its high profile customer that mainly demand for high project. Along with this, it should also be noted down that, rendering excellent quality service to the client base, it already has gained popularity. The performance of all the employees is monitored on a regular basis. It has developed a number of specific ways, strategies and practices in order to observe and understand day to day performance. It has begun its journey in 2016 and is situated in London. The company is largest in terms of employees and customer base. As a construction company, it has adopted various strategies for the growth and success. Earlier, it had its focus on building bridges and heavy buildings gradually, all kinds of projects from small-scale designs to large refurbished ones are handled deftly. The company offers to design services and consultation to expand the market base.
Approach to Risk Assessment
The risk assessment approach is a valuable part of the safety management assignment. The risk assessment approach reduces the amount of risk and also minimises hazards this approach is needed before starting new activities and when hazards are identified (Covello & Mumpower, 2018). The risk assessment process is to be conducted by a group of competent people.
Identification of Hazards
Sound pollution: The construction site must be located far away from deafening noise. It can create irritation and pose serious health hazards to all the workers and the other persons involved. In addition to it, a lot of chaos and disturbances might hamper the healthy workflow and concentration of the workers.
Bird excretion: Workers can experience serious health hazards that can be caused by bird excrements. Although it is mandatory for the visitors and workers to wear personal protective pieces of equipment, during the break, they often put off face masks and other precautionary kits. At that moment, they can experience specks of dirt and that can be a serious hazard.
Inflammable material: These kinds of materials can be greater risks for those working at the site. The nature of risk can both be temporary and permanent and at every time, there may be chances of life risk (Samimi, 2020). The presence of combustible sources like torches, cigarettes, welding tools might cause an explosion at the site that can be fatal.
Height risk: Working at a height demands extra caution on the part of the employees. At any time, accidents can happen when a worker might fall down due to an unstable work surface. Workers can misuse then protection equipment and invite danger or auto-damage of the instruments might damage. Situations might arise when any worker fails to use the ladder correctly
Electrical hazards: Flashes, blasts, shocks can cause multiple deaths and numerous injuries. Electricians and all employees people nearby need to be cautious while working close to power lines and overhead cables (American Diabetes Association, 2018). Continuing electrical work in a wet atmosphere, messy and hurried work can lead to serious additional hazards.
Manual handling: Motion injuries, musculoskeletal disorders can be arisen due to the manual handling process. Other physical problems and vibration syndrome can happen due to the misutilization of power tools and ground equipment.
Risk Evaluation
At the initial stage, the hazards must be identified and understand the minimum statutory requirement and remove the hazards by applying different risk control methods. Maintain a record of documents as May necessary (Leo, Sharma & Maddulety, 2019). Documentation is also required to evaluate the risk evaluation as the documentation process give a brief about the details of the process to assess the risk.
● In the process of the risk evaluation process, some factors are needed to be considered like the place of the task and the time taken to complete the risk (Wang et al., 2020). evaluation.The qualification and experience of the workers. and the ability of the person and how he will react in a tough situation.
● The risk evaluation process also ascertains who is harmed and how he is harmed. The necessary precautions are needed to be taken to reduce the amount of risk and keep a record of findings as may be necessary.
Existing Safety Measures
An organisation must take appropriate safety measures to minimise the risk and safeguard the financial viability Ensuring that the workplace is well designed and the floors are in better condition adequate security is also required to maintain in case of any danger like the fire is caused in the premises (Wang et al., 2020). For example, by adopting safety measures, current and potential issues can be avoided in an effective and proper manner. In preventing the risk CCTV and such other security forces are needed to maintain in case of any danger is caused immediate action is needed as a safety measure. Also, the appointment of security guards in the office premises is mandatory to prevent the amount of theft and for many other security purposes. Many risks several times caused from water damages as a safety measure an area will be chosen along with water pipes to stop the frost damage. These drains and gutters must be cleaned regularly without breaks.
Recommendations
As the risk arises in the workplace results in many employment injuries and illness and the exposure of the workers depends as per the course of their lives. The primary industries also report in what manner industries report the injury. The safety management assignment may also be improved by adapting a few techniques like a health and safety officer may be appointed to provide such other service as may deem fit. It is also necessary to assist and train the employees to survive risk and for ensuring safety. The employees must be trained and educated about the risks so potential issues can be avoided in an effective and proper manner. An employee must keep himself hydrated and fit and also in winter drink enough water and avoid dehydration in the safety management assignments all the procedures and jobs will be done in a manner that avoids shortcut and these procedures keep the workers safe from various risk.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2018). 9. Cardiovascular disease and risk management: standards of medical care in diabetes-2018. Diabetes care, 41(Suppl 1), S86-S104. Retrieved from: https://questionnaire.app.co.id/portal.nsf/7071d3d6f7f1af93472571b60034412b/c9292c58d0ac76c947256c60003ce5d9/$FILE/Proactive%2
Covello, V. T., & Mumpower, J. (2018). Risk analysis and risk management: an historical perspective. Risk analysis, 5(2), 103-120. Retrievd from: https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/45479813/Covello_and_Mumpower-with-cover-page-v2.pdf?Expires=1644405392&S
Leo, M., Sharma, S., & Maddulety, K. (2019). Machine learning in banking risk management: A literature review. Risks, 7(1), 29. Retrieved from: https://www.gestanet.be/sites/default/files/webform/pdf-the-failure-of-risk-management-why-its-broken-and-how-to-fix-it-douglas-w-hubbard
Samimi, A. (2020). Risk Management in Information Technology. Progress in Chemical and Biochemical Research, 3(2), 130-134. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amir-Samimi/publication/341505944_Risk_Management_in_Information_Technology/links/5fa0f
Wang, C., Cheng, Z., Yue, X. G., & McAleer, M. (2020). Risk management of COVID-19 by universities in China. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 13(2), 36. Retrieved from: http://dspace.onu.edu.ua:8080/bitstream/123456789/27051/1/1561_1568.pdf
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