A308 Environment, Health and Safety Problem 2: Ouch, It Hurts!

6th Presentation
Activity Owner: Albert Ng (Dr) & Jayne Loh Inputs by: DENV Team Approved by: Soh Thian Ping (Dr) Module Chair: Jayne Loh

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Today s Problem
Our actions can cause harm to our environment. What are some of these actions that can cause harm? How do we recognise the potentially harmful actions?

We may be injured by our surroundings. How do we know what is safe and what is not? Are we able to identify areas that can cause us to be hurt?

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

What do you recognise?

Our actions cause harm to the environment The environment may be polluted and subsequently cause inconveniences to us / affect us negatively Our surroundings / workplaces may also cause ill health / harm to us The existence of unsafe conditions at our surroundings / workplaces varies and depends on the nature of the work

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

The Approach You went on a walk within Republic Polytechnic (RP) to various places. You understood how RP s operations may cause harm to the environment. You identified the various hazards that could cause harm or ill-health to persons working in or utilising the area within RP.

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Our Actions on the Environment

Our normal interactions with the environment have impacts to the environment. Environment Aspect
Element of an organisation's activities, products or services that can interact with the environment (ISO 14001 Clause 3.6)

Environment Impact
Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organisation s environmental aspects (ISO 14001 Clause 2.7) The impact may be positive and / or negative

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Our Actions on the Environment

Examples of Environmental Aspects and Impacts
Environmental Aspect Emission of exhaust/ fume/ vapor etc. to the air Discharge of wastewater, trade effluent, etc. Spillage/ leakage of chemicals, etc. Disposal of waste, general wastes or hazardous wastes Usage of resources, e.g. paper, chemicals, etc. Emission of noise causing disturbance at boundary Mosquito breeding Food contamination Environmental Impact Air pollution (e.g. global warming, ozone depletion etc. ) Water pollution (e.g. surface water contamination, groundwater contamination, etc.) Land/ Soil pollution Land / Soil pollution Resources depletion Noise pollution Environmental public health issues Environmental public health issues
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Our Surrounding on Us
Just as how our interaction with environment can cause impacts to the environment, our surroundings have impacts on us. Hazard (The Danger)
Source, situation or act with a potential for harm in terms of injury or ill health, or a combination of these (OHSAS 18001 Clause 3.6)

Ill health (The consequence)

Identifiable, adverse physical or mental condition arising from and/ or made worse by a work activity and/ or workrelated situation (OHSAS 18001 Clause 3.8)

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Types of Hazards

Physical
Psychosocial

Chemical
Types of Hazards Biological

Ergonomic

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Physical Hazards Examples of Physical Hazards:

Electrical Mechanical Fire Excessive Noise Radiation Temperature Slips, Trips and Falls Confined Space

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Physical Hazards vs. Ill Health

Physical hazard Electrical Mechanical Area of Hazard Contact with live wirings or exposed conductors, transformers, static electricity, etc. Struck by moving/ flying/ falling object Strike against stationary/ moving/ protruding object Caught between moving objects (e.g. rollers)/ stationary objects (e.g. trapped in gaps) Strike against sharp objects/ sharp or jagged edges Fire Excessive Noise Radiation Temperature Use of flammable/ explosive materials Prolonged exposure to excessive noise Exposure to x-ray, lasers, magnetic fields Contact with heat (hot surface, chemical reactions) Contact with cold surface/ exposure to cold environment Slips, Trips and Fall Fall to same level (trip and fall), fall to lower level Ill Health/ harm Electrocution Abrasion, death Abrasion, cut, sprains, death Abrasion, cut, sprains, death Abrasion, cut, death Fire/ explosion Noise-induced deafness Burn, cancer, death Burn, death Burn, death Sprain, cut, death

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Chemical Hazards Classes of Chemical Hazards:

Toxic/ poisons (e.g. benzene, chloroform, cyanide) Corrosives (e.g. acids, alkalis) Oxidisers (e.g. hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid) Flammables and explosives (e.g. acetone, gasoline, dynamite, trinitrotoluene)
Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Chemical Hazards vs. Ill Health

Area of Hazard Contact with corrosive / toxic/ reactive/ flammable materials Exposure to corrosive/ toxic/ reactive/ flammable gases/ fumes Exposure to insufficient oxygen (e.g. Confined space) Exposure to odorless chemicals (e.g. Helium, nitrogen) Ill Health/ harm Chemical burns, cancer, fire, death Lung damage, burns, cancer, death Asphyxiation, death Asphyxiation, death

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Biological Hazards
Examples of Biological Hazards: Viruses (e.g. HIV) Bacteria (e.g. Plasmodium- Malaria) Fungi and Mould (e.g. Microsporum, Aspergillus) Insect bites (e.g. mosquito, snake) Plants (e.g. Poison Ivy) Animal droppings

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Biological Hazards vs. Ill Health

Area of Hazard Exposure to pathogens (virus, bacteria, etc.) Exposure to fungi/ mould Insect bites (mosquito, snake, spider) Exposure to infected animal droppings Ill Health/ harm Infection, death Nausea, death Dengue, Malaria, death Infection, death

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Ergonomic Hazards Examples of Ergonomic Hazards:

Prolonged standing Repetitive motion Awkward posture Poor/ Heavy lifting (Manual Work/ Using force) Forceful hand exertions

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Ergonomic Hazards vs. Ill Health

Area of Hazard Over-exertion from prolonged standing Over-exertion from repetitive motion Over-exertion from awkward posture Over-exertion form poor/ heavy lifting (manual work/ using force) Over-exertion from forceful hand exertions Ill Health/ harm Backache Backache, slipped disc Backache Backache, slipped disc Carpal tunnel syndrome

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Psychosocial Hazards vs. Ill Health

Area of Hazard Worry Work Pressure Long working hours Poor supervision Stress, depression, death Ill Health/ harm

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Environmental Aspects and Hazard identification

Environmental aspects and hazard identification
The process of recognising that an environmental aspect/ hazard exists and defining its characteristics (OHSAS 18001: Clause 3.7) Usually, environmental aspects and hazard identification is conducted in a team setting It can be conducted based on a specific area/ work process

Why do we need to identify the environmental aspects/ hazard?

We want to minimise the impacts caused to the environment We want to minimise the chances of being injured and sick so that we can enjoy our work and play

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

What have you learnt ?

Our interactions with the environment cause impacts to the environment Environmental impacts may include:
Air pollution Water pollution Noise pollution Land/soil pollution Depletion of resources

Our surroundings / work conditions and unsafe practices pose health and safety hazards which can cause ill health / harm. Five types of hazards:
Physical Chemical Biological Ergonomic Psychosocial

The ill health / harm related to the types of hazards may vary from minor (e.g. small burns) to major (e.g. death). The severity can be short term or long term. Environmental aspects and hazard identification is required for a healthy environment and a safe workplace

Copyright 2011 by Republic Polytechnic, Singapore