Preliminary Senior Science – Summary

Humans at Work
1. The human body can have demands placed on it which can result in injury
 outline reasons for the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000
The reason for the act is to:
• Ensure the safety of all employees
• To promote improvements in working environment
• To account for the increasing injuries in NSW
 define a hazard in the workplace as anything with the potential to harm life, physical and mental
health or property
A hazard is anything that has the potential to harm life, physical and mental health or property.

 assess potential sources of risk in an area in terms of causes

Potential sources of risk are physical, chemical or biological:
• Physical: noise, dust and radiation
• Chemical: fire, poisons, and toxic chemicals
• Biological: disease, organisms, parasites

 identify hazards in the workplace that increase the risk of injury

In the workplace there are many hazards which cause and increase the risk of injury. Firstly it is
the workplace environment itself, the use of equipment, and lastly human behaviour in
experience and skill.

 assess the impact of increased understanding of the structure and function of the human body on
increased awareness of safety in the workplace and the home
The more we understand the body the more aware we become of injuries associated to it. For
example:
• The understanding of the spine and its mechanics shows us the strain given repeatedly (RSI). It
then allows people to take acts accordingly.
2. Potential risks to the respiratory system can be minimised by implementing protective
measures
The respiratory system allows the absorption of oxygen and the expulsion of carbon dioxide.
 account for the moist lining of the lungs in terms of the need to dissolve oxygen so it can diffuse
through to the blood
The lungs have to be moist to allow the dissolved oxygen to diffuse to oxygen deficient blood. The
lungs must have a large surface area which is provided by bronchiole and alveoli in which the
blood must pass through before it can be diffused with oxygen and then to the blood. The oxygen
must dissolve in water first which is why it is necessary for a moist lining in the lungs.

 outline the purpose of mucous production and the role of cilia on epithelial tissue in the lungs
Mucous is produced to trap any invading particles not desired. The hair-like cilia is lined in the
lungs which act to trap and move out the trapped particles up the throat.

 outline the effect of chronic exposure to inhaled solids on lung tissue

Prolonged exposure of substances can increase disease and make the lung tissue less
effective.
Ash – caught in the lining of bronchioles
Carbon monoxide – reduces ability to diffuse oxygen

 identify safety procedures and equipment in the school and workplace

Fume cupboards – isolate potentially hazardous fumes
Filtering masks – filter fumes, dust and gases.
Dust extractors – to redirect the dust to another location
Ventilation – to allow the air to exchange effectively
3. The structure of the eye and its function dictate that eyes must be protected from
foreign materials, intense light and deformation
The eye allows humans to see through the taking in of light and image and translating it to the
brain.
 outline the function and structure of the eye
Structure Function
Conjunctiva Membrane which covers and protects cornea
Cornea Transparent circular segment which light enters through and
is initially focused in centre of eye
Sclera The white of the eye which protects and nourishes
Retina Back of the eye which converts light to nerve impulses made
up of photoreceptors which allow shape, movement and
colour. Rods are for low light and cones (three) are for colour
RGB
Tear ducts Produce tears which protect the eye
Eyelids Physical protection in front of eye – protective measure
Iris Coloured part of eye which is a muscle for the opening of the
pupil
Convex lens Behind iris, which focuses light to the retina
Muscle in eye Eye is controlled by 3 muscles – up+down, left+right,
diagonal movement

 identify that the eye produces tears as a protective mechanism

Tears are produced in reaction to protect the eye. It contains water, salts, a lubricant and
antibacterial agent.

 assess the need for eye exercises in many work situations

The eye must be exercised to maintain its movement. In many work situations, the eye is made
to rest for long periods of time and hence tiring it.

 explain first aid procedures when substances are splashed into the eye
The eye must be splashed with water continuously for 20 minutes when the eye is affected by
substances being splashed in the eyes.

 discuss why light emitted naturally or by some technological devices may be a cause for concern
The eye is very sensitive to light, and high amounts of light can focus large amounts of light into
the retina.
- A solar eclipse might filter out the sun but the energy still penetrates the eye
- Technologies such as welding light, laser light and high-intensity light also have
high concentrations of light.

 outline the structure and discuss how the composition of one type of specialised protective glasses is
designed to protect the eye and sight
Sunglasses are an effective way to filter out much of the UV light. The glasses are produced
with a lens that is darker in colour, aimed to absorb and filter much of the heavy white light.
4. Earmuffs and ear plugs can reduce damage by sounds in the environment
The ear is an organ that lets humans hear sounds. The ear works by picking up the
vibrations of sound and transporting it until it eventually is translated to the brain.
 describe the structures of the ear and identify potential causes of hearing impairment
It is structured as:
Pinna (flap): gathers sound waves and funnels into ear passage
Eardrum (tympanic membrane): Vibrates with sounds to the middle ear
Ear ossicles: three bones: hammer, anvil and stirrup which transmit sound to inner ear
Cochlea: the snail like structure which has hair and receptors to carry sound signals to the nerve.
Auditory nerve: carries signals to the brain
Eustachian tube: balance
Potential causes for hearing impairment are ageing and exposure to loud sound.
  outline the causes of ‘industrial deafness’ and relate this to the structure and function of the ear
Industrial deafness is the loss of hearing through the exposure of noise. It cannot be reversed.
When loud noises are exposed over a long period of time, the cochlea is damaged. The
cochlea has millions of tiny hair which carry sound signals along to the auditory never. When loud
sounds are heard for a long time, the tiny hairs stiffen and die causing less transmission of
signals.

 discuss sensory fatigue and the associated problems of hearing in noisy environments
Sensory fatigue is achieved when the ear is overworked through the prolonged exposure of
noise. The brain must concentrate higher in lower sounds which make it harder to hear in noisy
and even quieter environments.

 explain how the structure of earmuffs and ear plugs reduces sound energy reaching the auditory
canal
Ear protection reduces the amount of energy passing through the auditory canal.
Earplugs are made out of foam and they are inserted into the ear canal. The foam absorbs
some of the sound waves and reduces the transmission of lower frequencies.
Earmuffs are designed to cover the whole ear and cancel much of the outside sound. It is useful
in filtration of higher frequencies.
5. While the soft tissue of the brain is protected by the bones of the skull, it can require
further protection in certain situations
The brain is a very important part of the body, and the skull protects the brain from any impact
and injury. However, rapid movement and force can cause injury to the head and brain.
 identify the role of the skull in protecting the brain
The skull has the role to protect the brain as it is a soft and important part of the body

 define the term concussion

A concussion is a sudden direct blow to the head, causing the brain to go in shock

 describe the effects of bruising of brain tissue and blood vessels

The bruising of the brain tissue and blood vessels cause the blood to be released inside the brain
and swell and crush surrounding tissue.

 discuss the energy transfers and transformations involved when a hard hat or helmet protects the
head from injury
A hard hat or helmet is designed to absorb and reduce shock delivered to the head. When
energy is suddenly delivered, the force is absorbed through compression.

 discuss the relationship between the design and use of hard hats and safety helmets in areas of
building construction and sport
Helmets and hard hats are designed to minimise the impact on the head and they must be used
where necessary. It limits the force exerted on the skull by spreading the force and scatter
energy as much as possible.

 describe situations in which hard hats and safety helmets are used
Construction areas have falling objects, which is why hard hats must be equipped with in case
of injury.
Safety helmets are widely used in sporting, where there is a high chance of sudden impact.

6. Injury to the integrated system of muscles, joints and bones that allows movement of
the human body can be reduced by using safe work practices
The skeleton along with muscles allows us to move, and the injuries to these can affect our
movability.
 describe the relationship between the axial skeleton, synovial joints and muscles
The axial skeleton is the central point including the skull, the backbone (vertebral column),
breastbone (sternum) and the ribs.
Joints have to occur in order for movement in the body. The most common joint is a synovial
joint which allows a large range of movements. They are enclosed by a synovial membrane
which lubricates the joint.
Muscles are for movement of the joints which join to two bone and act in pairs. One muscle
contracts while the other expands and vice versa.
The axial skeleton acts as a base and the joints acts as movement while the muscle act as
catalyst for the movement. All three are required for movement.

 describe the role of ligaments, tendons and cartilage in joint movement

The joint must keep moving, and for this to happen cartilage is found at the end of each bone
to act as a cushion, shock absorber and friction reducer. The bones at a joint are held
together by flexible fibres called ligaments. Ligaments keep the bone in place and in its ability.
Tendons are the attachments of muscles to the bone which then can provide the movement to
occur.

 outline the causes of, and preventative measures used to deal with, repetitive strain injury
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is caused by
• excessive work rate
• rapid and repetitive movements
• stressful postures
There are many things that can be done to reduce and avoid RSI:
• reduce unnecessary stretching
• use proper equipment
• have breaks
 analyse safe lifting practices, relative to the muscles used, to minimise injury
Lifting must be performed with minimal weight given to the backbone. Muscles in legs and
arms should be used instead of muscles at the back.