WORKPLACE HAZARDS, HEALTH AND

SAFETY PRINCIPLE IN PRACTICE

 by
PHIDELIS EBLEDZI
(Accredited CILT Lecturer)

Managing Partner
Integrity Logistics and Educational Consult

0240999639/0267300177
 LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this session, participants will appreciate workplace
hazards and health and safety principles in practice. This
presentation covers:

Workplace hazards

Identification and classification of workplace hazards

Hazard control strategies

Health and safety principles in practice

 Methods of Presentation

It is a 3 hour presentation.

Participatory and interactive approaches will be used to

enable participants to share their experiences.

Adult learning approach will also be adopted.

Small groups may be employed for group exercises.

 RULES

You are expected to behave in a professional

manner.

All mobile phones should be off/silent.

 Workplace Hazards
The ethical conduct and profitability of organizations relies on occupational
hazards identified and managed within competent risk assessment processes .

Hazards are the potential for harm. In practical terms, a hazard is associated
with a condition or activity that, if left uncontrolled can result in an injury or
illness.

Occupational hazards can be physical, chemical or physiological that lead to

workplace accidents and impact on firms productivity and profitability
(Ramsay et al., 2006; Lees, 1996; Hollmann et al., 2001 ).

Hazards contribute to workplace risk and include the actions of people and
the characteristics of equipment, dust, and chemicals.
 Identification of Hazards
Identification requires the individual not only to recognize obvious, but
also emerging hazards.

If workers are not skilled in hazard identification, then the risk assessment
process is incomplete and workplace safety cannot be guaranteed.

Documenting the knowledge and process in identifying workplace

hazards is important exercise that assists in the provision of future safety
training needs.

When managers and employees proactively identify hazards in the

workplace, injury and damage to plant as well as the environment may
decrease.
 Identification of Hazards Contd
Identification requires the individual not only to recognize obvious, but
also emerging hazards.

If workers are not skilled

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
 Hazard Control Strategies

Typology of hazards. Category Examples of

hazards Obvious Unguarded machinery,
electrical leads laying in water, uneven
ground and unsupported ground Trivial
Screwdriver on the floor, cables across
access ways, and broken light switches
Emerging Loose rung on a ladder,
unlabelled chemical bottles, repetitive
work, and improper use of equipment
Hidden Underground electrical cable,
unexpected ground movements and
exposure to hazardous substances e.g., gases
 Health and Safety Principles in Practice
The general principles of prevention as set out by the safety, Health and
Welfare at Work Act take into account that all workplace risk cannot be
eliminated completely.

However these principles can help to reduce the risk to as low as is

reasonably possible.
The avoidance of risks;
The evaluation of unavoidable risks;
The combating of risks at source;
The adoption of work to the individual: - Alleviating monotonous work should
be taken into account when it comes to the design of places of work, the choice
of work equipment and the choice of systems of work, and work at a
predetermined work rate in order to reduce the effect of this work on health.
Training and instructions to employees.
 Health and Safety Principles in Practice
The adaptation of the place of work to technical progress;

The replacement of dangerous articles or systems:- replacement of

dangerous articles or systems of work with safe or less dangerous articles,
substances or systems of work;

Giving priority to collective protective measures over individual protective

measures;

The development of an adequate prevention policy:- The policy in relation

to safety, health and welfare at work, takes account of technology,
organisation of work, working conditions, social factors and the influence of
factors related to the working environment; and

Giving appropriate training and instructions to employees.

 Occupational Health and Safety Policy within the Enterprise
Since occupational accidents and work-related injuries to health occur at the
individual workplace, preventive and control measures within the enterprise
should be planned and initiated jointly by the employer, managers and workers
concerned.

Measures for the prevention and control of occupational hazards in the

workplace should be based upon a clear, implementable and well-defined policy
at the level of the enterprise.

This occupational safety and health policy represents the foundation from which
occupational safety and health goals and objectives, performance measures and
other system components are developed. It should be concise, easily
understood, approved by the highest level of management and known by all
employees in the organization.
Occupational Health and Safety Policy within the Enterprise Contd
The policy may be expressed in terms of organizational mission and vision
statements, as a document that reflects the enterprises occupational safety and
health values.

It should define the duties and responsibilities of the departmental head or the
occupational safety and health team leader who will be the prime mover in the
process of translating policy objectives into reality within the enterprise.

The OHS policy within the enterprise should include the following:
allocate the various responsibilities for OSH within the enterprise;

bring policy information to the notice of every worker, supervisor and manager;

determine how occupational health services are to be organized; and

specify measures to be taken for the surveillance of the working environment and
workers health.
END OF LECTURE