6.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SECTION

6.1 Workplace hazards.
Employers have a responsibility to protect workers against health and safety
hazards at work. Workers have the right to know about potential hazards and to refuse
work that they believe is dangerous. Workers also have a responsibility to work safely
with hazardous materials. Health and safety hazards exist in every workplace. Some
are easily identified and corrected, while others create extremely dangerous situations
that could be a threat to your life or long-term health. The best way to protect
yourself is to learn to recognize and prevent hazards in your workplace. There are
four main types of workplace hazards:
- Physical hazards are the most common and will be present in most workplaces at one
time or another. They include unsafe conditions that can cause injury, illness and
death.
Examples of physical hazards include:

electrical hazards: frayed cords, missing ground pins, improper wiring

unguarded machinery and moving machinery parts: guards removed or moving

parts that a worker can accidentally touch

constant loud noise

high exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet rays, heat or cold

working from heights, including ladders, scaffolds, roofs, or any raised work
area

working with mobile equipment such as fork lifts (operation of fork lifts and
similar mobile equipment in the workplace requires significant additional training
and experience)

spills on floors or tripping hazards, such as blocked aisle or cords running

across the floor.

- Biological hazards come from working with animals, people or infectious plant
materials. Work in day care, hospitals, hotel laundry and room cleaning, laboratories,
veterinary offices and nursing homes may expose you to biological hazards.
The types of things may be exposed to include:

blood or other body fluids

fungi

bacteria and viruses

plants

insect bites

animal and bird droppings.

- Ergonomic hazards occur when the type of work, body position and working
conditions put strain on your body. They are the hardest to spot since you don't
always immediately notice the strain on your body or the harm these hazards pose.
Short-term exposure may result in "sore muscles" the next day or in the days
following exposure, but long term exposure can result in serious long-term injuries.
Ergonomic hazards include:

poor lighting

improperly adjusted workstations and chairs

frequent lifting

poor posture

awkward movements, especially if they are repetitive

repeating the same movements over and over

having to use too much force, especially if you have to do it frequently.

- Chemical hazards are present when a worker is exposed to any chemical preparation
in the workplace in any form (solid, liquid or gas). Some are safer than others, but to
some workers who are more sensitive to chemicals, even common solutions can
cause illness, skin irritation or breathing problems.
Beware of:

liquids like cleaning products, paints, acids, solvents especially chemicals in an

unlabeled container (warning sign!)

vapors and fumes, for instance those that come from welding or exposure to
solvents

gases like acetylene, propane, carbon monoxide and helium

flammable materials like gasoline, solvents and explosive chemicals.

6.2 Risks from electricity.

Harm can be caused to any person when they are exposed to live parts that
are either touched directly or indirectly by means of some conducting object or
material. Voltages over 50 volts AC or 120 volts DC are considered hazardous.
Basic electrical safety
Below are some minimum steps you should take to ensure electrical safety.
Mains supplies
- maintain all electrical installations in good working order
- provide enough socket-outlets for equipment in use
- avoid overloading socket-outlets using adaptors can cause fires
- provide an accessible and clearly identified switch ('Emergency Off' or 'EMO' button)
near fixed machinery to cut off power in an emergency
- for portable equipment, connect to nearby socket-outlets so that it can be easily
disconnected in an emergency.
- use the right equipment
- choose electrical equipment that is suitable for its working environment
- ensure that equipment is safe when supplied and maintain it in a safe condition
- electrical equipment used in flammable/explosive atmospheres should be designed
not to produce sparks. Seek specialist advice when choosing this type of equipment.

- protect light bulbs and other easily damaged equipment there is a risk of electric
shock if they are broken.
- Maintenance and repairs
- ensure equipment is fitted with the correctly rated fuse.
- ensure cable ends always have their outer sheaths firmly clamped to stop wires
working loose from plugs or inside equipment
- replace damaged sections of cable completely never repair cuts with insulating tape.
- use proper connectors to join lengths of cable don't use connector blocks covered in
insulating tape or 'splice' wires by twisting them together
- some equipment is double insulated. These are often marked with a double-square
symbol. The supply leads have only two wires live (brown) and neutral (blue)
- make sure all wires are connected securely if the 13A plug is not a molded-on type.
Make sure that:
- suspect or faulty equipment is taken out of use immediately
- suspect or faulty equipment is labelled DO NOT USE
- suspect or faulty equipment is kept secure until examined by a competent person
- where possible, tools and power socket-outlets are switched off before plugging in or
unplugging
- equipment is switched off and/or unplugged before cleaning or making adjustments
- where possible, all electrical appliances are switched off at the mains at the end of the
working day.
More complicated tasks, such as equipment repairs or alterations to an
electrical installation, should only be tackled by people with knowledge of the risks
and the precautions needed.

Work on exposed live parts of equipment and systems must not be carried out
unless it is absolutely unavoidable and suitable precautions have been taken to
prevent injury, both to the workers and to anyone else who may be in the area.

6.3 Fire risks and the workplace.

Fire presents significant risk to businesses. It can kill or seriously injure
employees or visitors and can damage or destroy buildings, equipment and stock.
Organizations operating from single premises are particularly vulnerable as
loss of premises may completely disrupt their operations. Many businesses fail to
continue trading following a severe fire.
Fire may have a more significant impact on businesses that:
- stock combustible materials including flammable liquids or gases
- use heat processes
- have people working alone in parts of the building
- have poorly maintained equipment or electrical circuits
- have public access (i.e. are at risk from arson)
- have poor housekeeping standards.
-

Legal duties and responsibilities around fire safety

Under the legislation, those who are responsible for premises, including
owners, employers, managers, employees and others occupying non-domestic
premises must manage fire safety on those premises.
Those responsible should:
- take steps to prevent and reduce the impact of fire on the workplace and carry out a
fire risk assessment of their workplace

- identify the significant findings of the risk assessment and the details of anyone who
might be especially at risk in case of fire (these must be recorded if more than five e
employees)
- provide and maintain fire precautions necessary to safeguard anyone using the
workplace (including visitors). The Scottish Business Crime Centre has a useful
checklist (external link) to help you record fire safety information.
- provide information, instruction and training to employees about the fire precautions
in the workplace.
Fire alarms and detectors (fire warning systems)
- ensure existing means of detection discover a fire quickly enough to raise an alarm in
time for all the occupants to escape to a safe place
- the means for giving warning should be clearly heard and understood throughout the
whole premises when initiated from any single point
- if the fire detection and warning system is electrically powered, ensure it has a backup power supply
- ensure employees know about the fire warning system, and that they know how to
operate and respond to it
- ensure there are instructions/notices for employees on how to operate the fire warning
system.
Escape routes
- make sure there is a reasonable length of time for all the occupants to escape to a
place of safety once a fire has been detected.
- ensure there are enough exits and that they are in the right places. The type and size
of exits should be suitable and sufficient for the number of people likely to need to
use them.
- in the event of fire anywhere in the workplace, make sure at least one route from any
part of the premises remains available

- all escape routes must be easily identifiable, free from any obstructions and
adequately illuminated
- all staff should be instructed and trained in using the means of escape
- instructions about the means of escape should be displayed for employees
- means of escape arrangements should be included in the emergency plan.
Fire extinguishers
- ensure extinguishers are suitable for the purpose and of sufficient capacity for the fire
risks on the premises
- ensure sufficient extinguishers are sited throughout the workplace
- ensure the right types of extinguishers are located close to the fire hazards and that
users can gain access to them without exposing themselves to risk
- ensure the locations of the extinguishers are obvious or highlight their positions
- give the people likely to use the fire extinguishers adequate instruction and training
- include the use of fire-fighting equipment in your emergency plan.

6.4 Microclimate impact.

Workplace microclimate separately and altogether is influenced by:

- temperature
- humidity
- air velocity
- thermal radiation
When all these parameters are well balanced the employee feels well, can
perform efficiently and is exposed to minimal risk.
The following shall be considered during the assessment of microclimate:

air temperature
air humidity
air velocity
thermal radiation
work loads
clothing and total duration of exposure
Taking

into

consideration

all

parameters

influencing

workplace

microclimate, hotel and restaurant employee structure, employee activities, and

tools and equipment used we may see that kitchen staff are most often exposed to
hazards caused by inappropriate environment (heat, humidity, noise).
Influence of high temperature on human health:
heart and blood vessel disorders
breathing disorders
lower electrolyte and water content
The

aforementioned

factors

cause

exhaustion,

fatigue,

lack

of

concentration, errors and accidents at work.

To prevent the negative influence of workplace microclimate the following
should be implemented:
natural ventilation and HVAC systems to control air temperature, humidity,
reduce vapour condensing, remove fumes and dust
additional mechanical ventilation (above stoves, grills, ovens, gas equipment
etc.)
install easily reachable, removable and cleanable screens or other type of
protective covers on ventilation holes
preventive measures against direct sun rays (blinds, reflecting or heat absorbing
windows)
proper work clothing
work breaks in special rooms
cold water dispensers

introductory workplace instructions to new and especially young employees

highlighting heat caused accidents and ways to prevent them and first aid
measures.

6.5 Electric & Magnetic Fields.

Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible areas of energy, often
referred to as radiation, that are associated with the use of electrical power and
various forms of natural and man-made lighting. EMFs are typically characterized by
wavelength or frequency into one of two radioactive categories:
-

Non-ionizing: low-level radiation which is generally perceived as harmless to

humans

Ionizing: high-level radiation which has the potential for cellular and DNA
damage.
Table 6.1 - The structure of measures of protection against the impact of
electromagnetic radio frequency and microwave radiation.

Name of
protection
measures
Organizational
protective

Collective

Individual protection

protection

Medical - preventive measures

- the use of means of
visual warning

- conducting a medical
examination when applying for

about the presence

of EMF
- putting up posters,
leaflets with a list
of key actions of
precautions

- periodic medical examinations

and medical surveillance of
staff

- conducting
lectures on labor
safety when
measurements

a job

- objective information about the

level of the intensity on the job
place and a clear understanding

working with
sources of EMF
and prevention of
overexposures

of their possible impact on

health status
- making briefing on the safety
rules when working in

- reducing the
impact of related

conditions of EMR

factors of
production
Measures of protection by the "time" factor
development of an

being in contact with the EMR only

optimal mode of work

when necessary with a clear regulation in

and recreation of staff

time and space

with the organization

with the minimum
possible working time to
the exposure with EMR

Measures of protection based on rational distribution of

objects
rational
distribution of irradiating

organization of the workplace in

and irradiated objects: an order to create an environment with

increase in the distance

minimal levels of exposure to

between them, the rise of electromagnetic radiation

antennas or patterns, etc.

sectoral blocking
of radiation areas

materials

reflecting

and technical
measures

by radio reflecting or radio absorbing

radio-

Engineering
protection

screening of individual workplaces

materials
shielding

radio-

amounts of absorbing
radiation

materials,
building

personal kit of
total protection

Costumes

with means of

coveralls

local protection

materials
afforestation
absorbing loads
shielding radioemitting sources

personal radioprotective

dummy antenna means of gowns gloves

local
helmet shields
power absorbers
attenuators

protection glasses, etc.