AW101 Introduction to Occupational Safety & Health (Chapter 1)

By Mr. Michael Sillang Lecturer Department of Electrical Eng. Polytechnic Mukah Sarawak

What is occupational Safety and Health?

What is occupational Safety and Health?

Occupational safety and health (OSH) is a crossdisciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goals of occupational safety and health programs include fostering a safe and healthy work environment. OSH may also protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment.

The main focus in occupational health is on three different objectives: (i) The maintenance and promotion of workers health and working capacity; (ii) The improvement of working environment and work to become conducive to safety and health and

(iii) Development of work organizations

and working cultures in a direction which supports health and safety at work and in doing so also promotes a positive social climate and smooth operation and may enhance productivity of the undertakings.

The concept of working culture is a reflection of the essential value systems adopted by the undertaking concerned. Such a culture is reflected in practice in the managerial systems, personnel policy, principles for participation, training policies and quality management of the undertaking.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

The Machinery Department in Malaya undertakes the duties of engineer Surveyors and of factories inspectors, and is responsible for the safety of boilers, unfired pressure vessels and hoisting machine. In addition it is responsible for the safety, health and welfare of persons employed in factories.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

Information on the earliest days is incomplete but there is reason to believe that and inspector of machines was appointed at Taiping, Perak as early as 1878. His duties is not known, neither is the legislation under which he was appointed, but it is probable that he was concerned only whit the safety of the boilers that coming in to use for pumping water at the mines of Larut.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

About 1890 the Perak state government instituted a system where by private persons were permitted to act as boiler surveyors. They were granted licenses for which they paid a fee of $1 per annum, and were empowered to charge $12 for a complete inspection of a boiler and $5 for testing a boiler under steam to ensure the correct setting of the safety valves.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

In 1953, a year after the birth of the Machinery Department, a new Ordinance, was passed by which the Federated Malay States, Johore, Kedah and Straits Settlements (as far as Penang and Malacca were concerned) Enactments were repealed, together with any Rules made under the Johore, Kedah and Straits Settlements Enactments.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

The Federated Malay States Rules remained in force and applied to all the territories comprising the Federation of Malaya. Thus machinery throughout the country became subject to one Ordinance and one set of regulation. Under the Machinery Ordinance No. 18 of 1953 various Regulations have been made.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

The main provisions are: 1. The provision of a Board of Examiners with power to hold examinations and issue Certificates of Competency. 2. The making of regulations regarding all aspects of factories and machinery. 3. The necessity for Certificates of Fitness, without hitch machinery cannot be operated. 4. The necessity for qualified person to be in charge of machinery. 5. The periodic inspection of machinery.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

6. The approval of an Inspector before installing or altering machinery. 7. The reporting of accidents, both to persons and property on premises which contain machinery, and the investigation of such accidents. 8. That no person shall act in a manner likely to cause injury to any person or tamper with safety devices. 9. That machinery which does not comply with the regulations shall not be sold or let on hire. 10. The granting of power of entry to Inspectors and the power to render inoperative any unsafe machinery.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

The first Regulations to be made under the Ordinance concerned Electric Passenger and Goods Lifts. No revolutionary requirements are contained in the Regulations which are based on accepted Codes of Practice in use throughout the world and then followed by Safety, Health and Welfare Regulations, a notable advance in social legislation in Malaya in that minimum standards are laid down regarding the safety, health and welfare of factory employees.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

The main requirements are:1. Access to machinery and available floor space to prevent overcrowding. 2. Alternative means of exit from upper floors in case of fire and the provision of fire extinguishers. 3. Safety in the use and storage of inflammable, volatile and dangerous liquids.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

4. Provision of protective clothing where processes are wet, dusty, hot or dangerous and where food-stuffs remanufactured. 5. Provision of first aid materials. 6. Extraction of dust and fumes. 7. Provision of drinking water, washing and sanitary conveniences which must be separate for male and female employees.

History of Occupational Safety & Health

8. Provision of seating accommodation for employees where the process permits sitting and in any case for female and young person so that they can sit when the opportunity arises. 9. Minimum standards of lighting for various trades. 10. Provision of an adequate ventilation.

The Importance of Safety In The Workplace

It

is your workplace where you spend a major part of your day. Your workplace is like your second home. This makes it important for any workplace to cater to the needs of its employees. It is important for the workplace to make its employees feel safe and comfortable working there.

The Importance of Safety In The Workplace

A

safe situation is one where the risks of injuries or damage to property are low. Safety is generally meant to impact the risk of death or injury. Different employees do different types of work in an organization. Some types of work may involve great risks.

The Importance of Safety In The Workplace

Workplace safety is a responsibility of the management. It includes the formation and execution of safety programs and policies. Insurance is often seen as something that can restitute the loss caused to the employee while working. The company can issue policies for the employees to help them feel financially secure.