UNIT 4: MANAGING HEALTH AND SAFETY
Topic: Maintain Workplace Safety
Workplace Safety
Ensuring safety at work is a legal requirement for employers. Employees should never have to worry about their safety when they go to work. The main goal of workplace safety is to prevent injuries (harm), illnesses (diseases), or even death at work.
Workplace Safety Tips:
- Reduce Mental Stress (anxiety): Promote a calm and balanced (stable) work environment.
- Proper Use of Tools & Equipment (devices): Always follow guidelines (instructions) when using tools and machines.
- Use Mechanical Assistance (machines): Make use of machines or devices that reduce manual effort (physical labor).
- Stay Alert (vigilant): Make sure to stay awake (aware) and conscious of your surroundings (environment).
- Use Signs and Labels (indicators): Place warning signs where necessary to alert others (notify) of potential (possible) hazards (risks).
- Encourage Breaks (rest): Allow employees (workers) to take short breaks to relax and recharge (revitalize).
Fire Hazards (Fire-related Risks)
To minimize (reduce) the risk (danger) of fires at work, proper planning and infrastructure (systems) are necessary. "Fire safety" refers to all measures (precautions) taken to prevent (avoid) or control (manage) the spread of fire.
Common Fire Hazards Include:
- Sparks (flames) or open flames (fire)
- Hot surfaces (warm surfaces)
- Flammable substances (combustible materials)
- Chemicals (compounds) that can speed up (accelerate) fires
Fire Safety
Fire safety involves wearing flame-resistant (fireproof) clothing, taking preventive actions (measures), following safe work practices (procedures), and ensuring employees receive fire safety training (education). Using fire-resistant materials (non-flammable materials) in construction is also a part of fire safety.
Preventive Fire Safety Measures:
- Install Fire Alarms (fire detectors): All businesses must install fire alarms. Some alarms trigger (activate) automatically, while others are manual – staff should be trained (educated) on how to use them.
- Create an Emergency Plan (contingency plan): This plan should include steps employees need to take during a fire, evacuation (exit) routes, and warning system details.
- Design Safe Escape Routes (safe exits): Routes should be clearly marked (identified), well-lit (illuminated), and lead to a safe area (secure zone).
- Assign Fire Wardens (fire marshals): Designate trained individuals (staff) who will oversee (monitor) fire safety and assist (help) in evacuations.
- Know Fire Extinguishers (fire suppressors): Employees should understand the types of fire extinguishers (fire-fighting devices) and how to use them.
- Emergency Lighting (backup lighting): Ensure all emergency exits (evacuation points) and escape routes are well-lit, especially where changes in floor level (floor height) or direction (path) occur.
- Employee Training (staff education): Teach employees how to sound alarms (alert), where to find fire wardens (fire safety officers), escape routes, and assembly points (gathering areas) to ensure an effective response during a fire.
Falls and Slips (Trips and Slips)
Tripping (stumbling) or losing your balance (losing control) can lead to falls. Slips occur when the floor is slick (slippery) causing loss of grip (traction). Common causes of slips, trips, and falls include spills (leaks), ice (frozen water), snow (frozen precipitation), rain (wet weather), and cluttered (messy) walkways (paths).
Safety Tips to Prevent Falls and Slips:
- Report Hazards (notify about risks): Notify (inform) your supervisor (manager) about anything that could cause a fall.
- Clean Spills Immediately (quickly): Always clean up spills and be careful (cautious) when using cleaning products.
- Keep Walkways Clear (obstruction-free): Remove clutter like cords (wires), boxes (containers), or anything that might obstruct (block) paths.
- Check Floor Mats (doormat): Ensure mats are flat (level) and not wrinkled (creased) or rolled up (curled).
- Use Handrails (railings): Always hold the handrails (supports) while using stairs (steps).
- Check Ladders (ensure stability): Make sure ladders are stable (steady) and properly set up (correctly positioned) before use.
Electrical Hazards (Electricity-related Risks)
Electricity (power) is a key part of modern life but can also be dangerous (harmful) if not handled properly (correctly). Electrical hazards can lead to serious injuries, including electrocution (electric shock), burns (scalds), and fires (blazes).
Common Electrical Hazards Include:
- Electric shock (current) or burns from exposed wires (uncovered cables)
- Fires from faulty (damaged) wiring
- Overloading circuits (excessive load)
- Exposed electrical components (unshielded parts)
- Electrocution due to improper (incorrect) use of safety equipment (protective gear)
Electrical Safety
People working with electrical equipment (devices) must follow safety procedures (protocols) to reduce risks and avoid accidents (incidents).
Electrical Safety Measures:
- Maintain Distance (keep away): Stay away from electrical hazards or equipment using more than 50V.
- Close Panel Doors (shut doors): Ensure all electrical panels are closed (shut) and wires are not exposed.
- De-energize Components (turn off devices): Turn off power (shut off) before working on live electrical parts (energized components).
- Use Equipment Properly (correct usage): Follow proper procedures when using electrical devices.
- Be Careful with Cables (wires): Never pull on cables (cords), always pull the plug itself. Avoid overstretching (extending) or damaging cables.
- Install Physical Barriers (guards): Protect workers from electrical hazards with barriers.
- Check Overhead Wires (top wires): Be aware of live wires (active cables) above you when working at height (elevation).
First Aid (initial medical care)
First aid refers to the initial (beginning) care provided to someone who has been injured (hurt) or becomes ill suddenly (unexpectedly). It includes simple treatments (remedies) like cleaning wounds (injuries), treating minor burns (small injuries), or providing over-the-counter (easily available) medications (drugs).
Examples of First Aid:
- Cleaning cuts (incisions) or scrapes (abrasions)
- Treating minor burns (small scalds)
- Applying bandages (wrapping)
- Using over-the-counter medicine (readily available drugs) for minor illnesses
- Draining blisters (removing fluid-filled sacs)
- Flushing debris from the eyes (cleansing)
First Aid at the Workplace:
Basic first aid training is important (essential) for employees to assist their colleagues (team members) in case of accidents (incidents). First aid is provided before emergency services arrive.
First Aid Kit Essentials:
- Gauze pads (dressing)
- Large gauze pads (large dressings)
- Adhesive bandages (sticking plasters)
- Roller bandages (wrapping bandages)
- Triangular bandages (triangle wraps)
- Wound cleaning wipes (cleansing wipes)
- Scissors (cutting tools) and tweezers (grasping tools)