Occupational Health and Safety Basic Principles and Concepts for Employees

Occupational Health and Safety Basic Principles and Concepts Employers are required by Government to uphold worker’s rights to safety, health, and welfare in the workplace1. Definition of Terms: Health absence of illness or disease Safety freedom from accident or injury 1 http://www.ilo.org/global/standards/subjects-covered-by-international-labour-standards/occupational-safety-and-health/lang--en/index.htm

Occupational Health and Safety Basic Principles and Concepts Hazard is anything that can cause accidents (injury/illness to people, or damage to property) Accidents can come from: Hazardous conditions in the environment Hazardous actions that people commit Risk is the likelihood that something will cause harm, illness or injury

Occupational Health and Safety Basic Principles and Concepts Types of Hazards: PHYSICAL - noise, vibration, glare, temperature, etc. CHEMICAL - toxic liquids, industrial gasses, etc. BIOLOGICAL - molds, pests, sickness/illness… ERGONOMIC - load carrying tasks, posture... SAFETY HAZARDS - faulty equipment, falls, slips… WORKPLACE STRESS – organizational, personal etc. https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy10/sh-20839-10/circle_chart.pdf

Occupational Health and Safety Basic Principles and Concepts In order to achieve optimum Health and Safety, jobs and processes must be free from all hazards. Job Hazard/Safety Analysis: JHA/JSA Identify – list out tasks and possible hazards Evaluate – analyze and record observations Recommend and Correct – control hazards http://www.safetyworksmaine.gov/safe_workplace/safety_management/hazard_analysis.html

Occupational Health and Safety Basic Principles and Concepts Sample JHA Form √ Job / Operation: Job Location: Date: Analyzed by: Remarks/PPE: Sequence of Basic Tasks Potential or Existing Hazards Hazard Controls http://equificient.com/downloads/JHA-Form-Fillable.pdf

Occupational Health and Safety Basic Principles and Concepts Elimination (or else Substitution) of a Hazard is the main priority but if not possible, the steps below are to be taken in proper order. Hierarchy of Hazard Control: Engineering – change work area or process, enclose or isolate hazard and more Administrative – limit time of exposure or train and make warning signs etc. PPE – use Personal Protective Equipment when hazard cannot be eliminated… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierarchy_of_hazard_control

Occupational Health and Safety Basic Principles and Concepts Emergency Preparedness Workers are required to know what to do in case of emergencies in the workplace. Exit Routes Emergency Procedures Fire Safety First Aid Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness and Response: Getting Started https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/gettingstarted.html#business

Occupational Health and Safety Basic Principles and Concepts Employee Training Knowledge of proper and safe execution of a given task is required prior to that task being started. Address all performance issues Use Safety Manual Create Records and Documentation Hold Employee OSH Orientation Resource for Development and Delivery of Training to Workers https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3824.pdf

Your life may depend on it… SAFETY FIRST! Your life may depend on it…