Occupational Safety

Occupational Safety

Refers to the measure and regulations that helps protect the health and safety of the workers at a workplace

High-risk activities

Are activities that can potentially endanger one’s safety or life. It could also cause significant harm, even death to an individual if not executed properly

High-risk industries

Are industries wherein the level of accident, injuries and environmental harm is high due to their nature of operations

Hazard identification, Risk assessment, Risk mitigation and tracking

According to Grate (2016), there are three basic safety procedures, the following are:

Hazard identification

The first step in Safety Risk Management is to identify potential hazards that an organization may face

Risk assessment

Each identified hazard would undergo risk assessment to determine its potential consequences

Risk mitigation and tracking

Mitigating factors should be fully analysed to ensure that they address the root cause of the hazard

Housekeeping

Is an act of regular cleaning or maintenance of a workplace or home

Materials Handling and Storage

refers to the process of moving, storing, and controlling materials during manufacturing, distribution, consumption, and disposal

Manual Handling

lifting, transporting or supporting a load by hand or bodily force

Mechanical Handling

use of mechanical devices to load, unload, and move goods within a work area

National Safety Council

NSC

Ergonomic Hazards

Improper lifting and carrying can cause back injuries and muscle strains

Equipment Accidents

Lack of training or maintenance can lead to machinery-related injuries

Falling Objects

Poor stacking or storage may cause materials to fall, posing risks

Collapsing Racks

Overloaded or poorly maintained racks can collapse, causing injuries and damage

Blocked Aisles/Exits

Improper storage can obstruct pathways, creating safety risks, especially in emergencies

Chemical Hazards

Incorrect chemical storage may cause leaks, spills, or harmful reactions

Pest Infestations

Poor maintenance can attract pests, leading to contamination and health risks

Electrical Hazards

Improper storage of materials near electrical panels or wiring can lead to short circuits, shocks, or fires

Use Proper Equipment

Utilize forklifts, conveyors, and hand trucks suited for specific materials

Training & Certification

Ensure operators are trained and certified, with regular refresher courses

Load Calculation

Ensure weight limits are assessed, and loads are evenly distributed to prevent accidents

Safe Lifting

Educate workers correct posture, lifting with legs, and proper use of mechanical devices

Clear Pathways

Keep work areas free from obstructions for safe material movement

Organized Layout

Arrange storage for easy access, keeping frequently used items within reach

Proper Shelving & Stacking

Use sturdy shelves, stack securely, and follow weight limits

Labeling & Signage

Clearly mark storage areas and hazardous materials

Environmental Controls

Maintain proper temperature and humidity for sensitive materials

Regular Inspection

Check for damage and perform maintenance as needed

Machine Safety

refers to the rules, guidelines, and safety precautions set in place to minimize the dangers involved in using machinery at work

Machine Safety

It aims to ensure that machines are constructed, maintained, and operated safely in order to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities

Mechanical Hazards

occur when using machinery and can lead to serious injuries or fatalities if not properly controlled. These hazards are found in workplaces like factories, construction sites, and offices

Examples of Mechanical hazards

Falling objects, moving machinery, repetitive motion, vibrations, noise, falls from heights, struck by objects, entangkement hazard, burns & thermal risks, ergonomic hazards

Follow Training & Procedures

Operate machines safely as instructed

Participate in Safety Training

Stay informed by attending safety sessions and keeping up with best practices.

Use PPE

Always wear required protective gea

Respect Safety Report Hazards

Inform supervisors of malfunctions or risks

Features

Never bypass guards or interlocks

Stay Alert

Focus on tasks and avoid distractions

Use Lockout/Tagout

Follow procedures during maintenance

Maintain a Clean Workspace

Prevent slips, trips, and falls

Adhere to Safety Signs

Follow posted warnings and guidelines

Avoid Shortcuts

Always follow proper procedures to ensure safety

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

•serves as a barrier between workers and workplace hazards.

• Includes gloves, safety glasses, shoes, earplugs, hard hats, respirators, vests, and more.

• Minimizes exposure to chemicals, physical, electrical, and mechanical dangers.

Head Protection

hard hats, bump caps

Eye and Face Protection

Safety goggles, face shields

Hearing Protection

Earplugs, earmuffs

Respiratory Protection

masks, respirators

Hand protection

Gloves for cuts, chermicals, and electricity

Body protection

Coveralls, high-visibility clothing

Foot Protection

Safety shoes, steel-toe boots

Fall Protection

Safety harnesses, lanyards

Chemical Protection

Hazmat suits, aprons

Hazard

is a condition or object with the potential to cause harm, including death, injuries, equipment damage, or operational disruptions. For aviation and workplace safety, hazards must be identified and controlled

Existing Information

Gather data from equipment manuals, safety reports, and past incidents

Inspect the workplace

Conduct regular inspections to identify hazards like tripping and housekeeping issues

Identify Health Hazards

Assess exposure to chemicals, noise, ergonomic risks, and other health threats.

Conduct Incident Investigations

Analyze past incidents to understand causes and prevent future occurrences

Identify Emergency Hazards

Evaluate potential hazards during emergencies and non-routine tasks

Characterize Hazards

Assess the severity and likelihood of hazards to prioritize control measures

3 Methodologies for identifying hazards

Reactive, Proactive, Predictive

Reactive

Analyzes past incidents to identify system deficiencies and hazards

Proactive

Actively seeks hazards in existing processes through audits and evaluations

Predictive

Uses data to identify potential future hazards and take preventive action

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

This is a safety procedure that prevents accidents caused by the unexpected release of energy from machinery or equipment. Without proper control, hazardous energy can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities

Types of Hazardous Energy

Mechanical Energy, Electrical Energy, Pneumatic Energy

Mechanical Energy

Found in gears, belts, and moving machine parts.

Can cause crushing or entanglement if not controlled.

Electrical Energy

Live wires can cause electrocution.

May result in serious injury or death

Pneumatic Energy

Hazardous substances can cause burns, poisoning, or explosions.

Requires proper handling and safety measures

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) System

Is a procedure used to prevent the accidental startup of a machine while work is being done

Lock

Is to prevent the machine from being powered on

Tag

Is to warn workers not to use the machine

Lock Hasp

Is to allow multiple locks for worker safety

confined space

It is an area that is not meant for people to stay in for a long time. It has limited entry and exit points, and it can be dangerous because of low oxygen, toxic gases, or risk of suffocation

Types of Confined Spaces

Tanks and Silos, manholes and sewers, pipelines, storage bins and hoppers, tunnels and crawl spaces

Tanks and Silos

It is used to store liquids or grains. 

Manholes and Sewers

It is found underground with limited air

Pipelines

It is a long, narrow space that carries gas or liquid

Storage Bins and Hoppers

It is used to hold materials like sand or cement

Tunnels and Crawl Spaces

It is a small underground space used for cables or maintenance

Authorized Entrant

This is the person who is permitted to perform work inside the confined space

Authorized Attendant

This person stays outside the confined space and is responsible for monitoring the entrant's safety, maintaining communication, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols

Electricity

•Belongs to high-risk establishments

•It can kill or severely harm people and cause damage to properties

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)

is a fast-acting circuit breaker that shuts off electricity in the event of a ground fault, preventing electric shock and other hazards

Fall

•Belongs to high-risk establishments

•Another common work-related injuries or death

Guardrail systems

•Used when employees are near exposed edges where they could fall from heights or between levels

• Guardrails and toe boards should be installed to protect workers from falling onto hazardous machinery (e.g., conveyor belts).

Safety Nets

•A type of fall protection that can either catch a worker or prevent a fall.

•Reduces the risk of major injury by absorbing impact and limiting the fall distance.

Personal Fall Arrest System

Essential for protecting employees working at heights.

Stops a worker from hitting the ground if they fall.

Required by OSHA when there’s a risk of falling from an elevated position

Barricades

A temporary fence or blockades is used to prevent or regulate access to a certain area.

It serves as a security and safety in a various situation.

Types of Barricades

Soft barricade, Solid barricade

Soft Barricade

it refers to the barriers that is made from less rigid materials. It typically uses plastic tapes and barrier mesh