OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS UNIT-5

Introduction
Managing safety and health is an integral part of managing any workplace. There is a
need to do risk assessment to find out about the hazards and risks in their workplace(s) and put
measures in place to effectively control them to ensure these hazards and risks cannot cause
harm to workers. Occupational safety and health, including compliance with the OSH
requirements pursuant to national laws and regulations, is the responsibility and duty of the
employer. The employer should show strong leadership and commitment to OSH activities in
the organization, and make appropriate arrangements for the establishment of an OSH
management system. The system should contain the main elements of policy, organizing,
planning and implementation, evaluation and action for improvement.

Health and safety considerations in water and waste water treatment plants:
Treatment of wastewater poses many risks to the health of WWTP operators as municipal
wastewater is a rich substrate for several bacterial, fungal and viruses. Industrial wastewater
also contains a range of chemicals, the exact makeup depending on the nature of the industry.
Operators can be exposed to potentially high levels of airborne bacteria, fungi and endotoxins
during wastewater treatment especially in areas where there is substantial physical movement
of the wastewater – for example during aeration and dewatering. Exposure to these hazards
increases the risk of upper respiratory infections, airway inflammation, asthma attacks, chronic
bronchitis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide and methane are also present in high levels in areas
such as influent lines, settling and clarification tanks. Potable water treatment also involves
the use of many highly corrosive chemicals such as chlorine gas, hydrofluoric acid, sodium
hypochlorite, coagulants and ozone – exposure to which can result in eye and respiratory tract
irritation.
The hazards related to this job are:
 Falls, slips and trips on floors which are wet and slippery during the handling of water.
 Falls due to working with a defective ladder and/or falls from heights while climbing
and staying on an elevated industrial installation.
 Exposure to hazardous substances because of a sudden release of toxic materials due to
a work related accident, or as a result of human error such as addition of chemicals to
an unsuitable device.
 Fire hazard due to contact of a very strong oxidizer (disinfectant) with a flammable
substance, as a result of improper storage of chemicals, human error, sudden release
from process piping, etc.
 Exposure to UV radiation during water disinfection may be damaging for eyes and skin
 Electric shock caused by contact with “live” wires or defective electrical installations.
 Exposure to high levels of noise from electro-mechanical equipments.
 Exposure to various disinfectants intended for disinfection of water and toxic
substances.
 Psychological stress and pressure due to environmental factors: annoying noise, water
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splashing, odours, high humidity, etc.

 Musculoskeletal injuries caused by awkward working postures during the
cleaning/inspection of the pipe system and/or installation.
 Overexertion while moving or handling heavy and bulky equipment or big packages of
chemicals may affect various systems of the body.
Preventive measures would be:
 Wear safety shoes with non-skid soles.
 Use ladders in good repair; make sure that ladder is in required position without the
possibility of displacement and/or collapse; inspect ladder before climbing.
 All cavities, hollow spaces, elevated working surfaces, and other locations where there
is hazard of falling should be "securely fenced" by appropriate railing guards.
 During work with the machines, ensure that work clothes are attached to the body; use
appropriate headgear; guard all moving parts of equipment that may injure the worker.
 Check electrical equipment for safety before beginning to work; call a qualified
electrician for testing of suspect equipment.
 All chemical supply connection points must be checked and post appropriate signs
must be posted at these points.
 Apply chemical safety rules when handling or working with hazardous chemicals; read
MSDS and consult a safety supervisor regarding specific chemicals.
 Apply safety rules while working in a confined space: check air quality and, if
necessary, exhaust ventilation before entering into a confined space; use harnesses that
are held by your co-workers; use respirators and gas masks; etc.
 Use appropriate ear protection
 Work clothes should fit the climatic conditions of the work place.
 Learn and use safe lifting and moving techniques for heavy or bulky loads; if
necessary, use lifting aids.
 Consider consultation with an occupational psychologist.

Safety- Hazards in Cement Industry:

In all the cement production processes there are hazards that can be classed in:
• Safe behavior
• Environment, Work and Passage Areas
• Routine and general hazards such as: Safety labeling, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Special hazards during the cement production phases such as: Quarrying, Crushing, Clinker
production, Milling processes at raw mill, cement milling and coal milling, Material transport,
Storage, Use of hazardous material.
• Special hazards as a result of the work environment: Dust, Noise, Fire, Emergency response
Environment, work and passage Areas:
The environment should be free from obstacles.

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• All tools should be placed to their respective tool box.

• All equipment and tools should be placed away from the work area to avoid obstacles
• In case of emergency, All emergency exits including fire exits should be free from obstacle,
and should have proper signage and emergency lights.
• Roads and path of trucks should be free from pedestrians and should also have proper
signage and traffic warnings.
Safety Labeling
• Attach labels and safety pre-cautions to serve as a guide to the workers.
• Attach directions and labels for emergency exits.
• Place the label to where they are easily seen else they become useless.
• All workers should have their own materials according safety operations and others.
• All workers should be supervised by a safety engineer and should wear proper personal
protective gear before going to work.
• Safety precautions should be placed in the entrances or doors to serve as a reminder to the
workers. Equipments should also have labels and warnings for basic operations.
• Warnings should be placed in dangerous areas such as sink holes in quarry, excavation,
slippery places or roads .hot bodies, etc.
Quarrying Hazards
• Common hazards associated with the heavy plant (e.g. dumper trucks, front loading shovels,
fork lift trucks) used in quarrying and bulk material transport include vehicle impact and
twisted ankles during embarking and disembarking.
• Vehicle impact has the potential for particularly high severity incidents, in quarries.
• Risk of possible falling objects.
• Hazardous fumes in the mine or quarry. E.g. coal gas.
• Helicopter Over flight Hazard.
• Risk of falling from high places.
Crushing Hazards:
• Physical direct contact to the machine might injure
• Falling objects are also present in this process.
• Traffic hazards are also present.
Clinker Production Hazards:
Incidents and injuries resulting in burns arise from contact with hot clinker or cement powder.
Hazards are particularly associated with hot cement kiln dust (CKD), and dust on preheater
systems. Chemical (alkali) burns may also result from contact with CKD.
Storage Hazards:
A confined space is any space of an enclosed nature where there is a risk of death or serious
injury from hazardous substances or dangerous conditions.
The risks in confined spaces arise due to entry into any confined space cannot proceed unless
All other options have been ruled out, permit is issued with authorization by a responsible
person(s), permit is communicated to all affected personnel and posted, as required.

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• All persons involved are competent to do the work

• All sources of energy affecting the space have been Isolated
• Testing of atmospheres is conducted, verified and repeated as often as defined by the risk
assessment
• stand-by person is stationed
• unauthorized entry is prevented
• Lack of oxygen Poisonous gas, fumes or vapour Liquids and solids, which can fill the space
suddenly Fire and explosions
Dust Hot conditions To minimize the risks associated with confined entry:
Avoid entry to confined spaces e.g. by doing the work from outside. Blockages can be cleared
in silos by use of remotely operated rotating fail devices. Inspection, sampling and cleaning
operations using the right equipment. Remote cameras can be used for internal inspection of
vessels. Make sure combustible material are separated according to it’s kind and store them in
a cool dry place.
Safety Counter Measures:
Proper signs and safety precautions, Proper lightings, Proper and frequent maintenance of
vehicles and other heavy equipments. This really helps a lot in reduction of possible risks and
hazards just like unexpected mechanical equipment failures. Phones are prohibited in the site.
This may cause disturbance to the workers. Always wear safety gears especially hard caps to
protect against unexpected falling objects. Stay away from heavy equipments, the driver has
limited eye site. Install rear cameras to reduce risk in traffic. Always wipe or clean the head
lights and back lights of heavy equipments. Dust is always present in cement industry, it might
cover the lights of heavy equipments. Always wear safety harness when working in high
places.

Safety in RMC Industry:

Ready mix concrete is rapidly developing in many countries while it is hard to find scientific
accident database and academic studies related with potential hazards of industry, Following
shall be understood and followed:
Generally, construction sites are known as one of the most dangerous working areas because
of its dynamic, changeable nature and complex tasks. On the other hand RMC production
areas are more systematic, repetitive and ordinate. However, surprisingly statistical analysis
showed that 7 out of 10 RMC related accidents occurred at production area, while only 3 out
of 10 occurred at casting sites.
However, the group with a considerable risk level is truck mixer operators. It is estimated that
around 45% of the victims were truck mixer operators. Truck mixer operators mostly got
injured when they clean mixer/pump, followed by transportation for concrete for casting and
maintenance/repair. Thus the operators are mostly under risk.
Mostly the risks are associated, by falling object, caught in or between objects were the cause
of accident. Fall has also been reported as the leading cause of accidents in construction
industry. RMC industry shows similarity with construction sector when findings related with
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falls compared. However, struck by falling object category is frequently monitored at RMC
industry. It is also found that one of the common causes of fatal injuries in the construction
industry is struck by falling objects. Most encountered nature of injury has been found to be
superficial injury and open wound. Various studies showed that workers with less work
experience, particularly within the first month of employment, are more prone to injuries.
Safety Precautions:
• Job Safety Analysis should not be performed based solely on site observations. Case
histories (statistics of accidents records) should also be taken into consideration. The hazards
for each step shall be defined, the methods for preventing/eliminating the hazard shall be
defined, and required PPE shall be provided whenever there is a need. Hazard Identification
and Control is the largest element in a company’s safety program. When completed
thoroughly, it will be used as the foundation for all other areas of the program. Collecting
statistics on safety activities will allow a company to identify common injuries and areas that
may be lacking in their safety program.
• People should not be allowed near the working area or near the material outlet place.
• Check the hopper-lifting upper and lower limit switches that they are working properly
before starting the production.
• Even if the RMC plant is small, people must not be allowed to enter the orbit hopper or
allowed to stand in the track.
• Before installation of RMC plant, lightning protection facilities must be checked.

Safety in Precast Plants:

Precast plants deal with a unique set of risks. Specifically, precast concrete is highly caustic,
making it a dangerous material for workers to use at the risk of skin burns and falling or
crushing damage.

A thorough safety assessment will highlight areas of exposure and help to create an action plan
for improvements. The three main areas of exposure – which should be addressed in the
assessment – include:
 People – The behaviors and attitudes of employees. This can also include individual
competencies, capacities and perceptions.

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 Plant – The physical conditions of the facilities. This includes tools, equipment,
buildings and general housekeeping.
 Processes – The systems and infrastructure currently in place. This includes policies,
procedures, rules, regulations, training, HR systems and more.

Once all of the risks associated with your precast plant have been identified, proper safety
procedures will be recommended to implement within each process of the plant. These
processes, when followed correctly, will mitigate the risks at hand.
Handling, transporting and erecting precast concrete elements are high-risk activities that have
resulted in deaths and serious injuries to many workers.
Risk management is not just hazard-spotting: We have to identify all risks before work
commences and put control measures in place. Involve workers in this process. Make sure
workers understand the risks and how the control measures should be used.

Effects of work on people’s health:

 physical hazards (eg noise, vibration)
 biological hazards (eg bacteria, viruses)
 chemical hazards (eg adhesives)
 ergonomic hazards (eg manual handling)
 psychosocial hazards (eg bullying, tight deadlines, other stress factors).

Risk of collapse or crush injuries can cause significant harm:

 Uncontrolled collapse of precast concrete elements, including while elements
are temporarily braced, when brace configuration is being modified, or when
braces are being removed
 A person being caught between a precast concrete element and another
object (eg mobile plant) while elements are being handled.
 The advice in these guidelines will help to minimise the likelihood of these
situations occurring.
Record how risks are being managed
It is good practice to keep written records of how work risks are being managed. When
reviewing your risks, look at these records. You can also refer to the records when training
workers about risks and control measures.
Put control measures in place:
Elimination
Elimination is the most effective control measure. First the PCBU should always try to
eliminate a risk by removing the source of harm, if this is reasonably practicable. For example,
by removing faulty lifting equipment or a broken A-frame.
Minimisation
If elimination is not reasonably practicable, the PCBU minimises the risk so far as is reasonably
practicable. One or a combination of the following approaches can be used
Substitution
Use an alternative design, product, or work practice that decreases the risk.
For example:
–– with the crane controller, consider using a different crane–– use a different product.
Isolation
Isolation prevents contact with or exposure to the hazard. For example: stand (erect) precast
concrete panels on a day when the only workers on the site are the team doing the erection.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wear PPE appropriate for the task to reduce exposure to, or contact with, the hazard. For
example:
–– wear hearing protection for work in noisy areas
–– wear safety helmets in any area where workers could be hit or struck by falling objects.

Safety in Construction Industry:

Individuals who work in construction sites have an important but often dangerous job.
Opportunities for injuries abound on construction sites, particularly for those who are not aware
of the risks. While some accidents result in more serious outcomes than others, any injury a
worker faces can limit their ability to earn an income or negatively impact their reputation
moving forward.
Wear the appropriate clothing
One of the easiest ways to ensure safety on the job as a construction contractor is to wear
appropriate clothing on a worksite. This may seem like common sense, but the right clothing
and protective gear is not always top of mind. Construction contractors should always have the
appropriate shoes or boots that are reinforced, as well as adequate head protection with a safety
helmet. Including protective eye gear and gloves can always help protect against unnecessary
injury on the job.
Be cautious when lifting
Construction contractors often experience aches and pains after a long day at a jobsite, but some
of this may be avoided with proper lifting techniques. Always take care when lifting or moving
heavy objects to bend at the knee, not the back, so there is not added pressure put on the joints,
shoulders or neck. Also, minimize twisting of the body when moving heavy items, and make
sure the body is grounded beforehand. These simple precautions can limit injuries in the future.
Limit work area crowding
A crowded work area is common on construction sites, especially when the job is large.
However, contractors can prevent unnecessary injuries by limiting the number of people in
certain areas. For instance, keeping bystanders away when machinery for a large project is
being used helps prevent potential dangers. Before starting work, take time to clear unneeded
individuals from the job site so that the project can be completed without issue.
Consider the conditions
Weather can play a critical role in construction. Even the most seasoned contractors experience
injuries when the weather conditions are not ideal. It is crucial to operate machinery with
caution, take extra time going up and down ladders, and wear the appropriate weather gear
when the environment calls for it. Cutting corners during bad weather is always a recipe for
disaster.
Use safety equipment
Ignoring the potential issues with equipment on the job can also lead to injuries for construction
contractors. With electrical work in particular, always be sure to check power supplies and the
condition of the tool or machinery before use.
Have a clean work area
Dirt and debris can wreak havoc on a construction site, but unclean work areas are the norm.
Although it may take more time, be sure to clear areas before beginning work and encourage
other contractors to do the same. This may involve cleaning up spills, drying out spaces where
electrical work may be done or removing waste. A clean project area can drastically reduce the
chance of an injury.
Get the right training
Most construction contractors undergo some form of formal training as a part of the licensing
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process. While beneficial to get licensed, ongoing training and education is an essential part of
remaining safe on the job moving forward. There are several options for on-site training as well
as online, self-directed courses that can provide insight into today’s best practices for safety.
Getting on and off machinery
Another area of concern for construction contractors is getting on and off machinery. When
performed in the wrong way, chances for injury increase. Employees should be sure to double
check their grip or footing before getting on and off heavy equipment, and check surroundings
to ensure there are no obstacles in their path. They should use hand and foot holds when
present, even if they have maneuvered the equipment before.
Understand ladder safety
According to OSHA, falls resulting from inappropriate ladder use are one of the most common
issues on construction sites. Be sure to get up to date about ladder safety rules on the job, and
take care to follow guidelines every time. Avoiding ladder injuries is simple when ladders are
grounded and stable before use.
Personal safety devices
As an extra precaution as a contractor, it is recommended to have a personal safety device on
hand at all times. For some, this means having a radio or cell phone handy in the event of an
injury or fall. Have the contact information for emergency services as well as the general
contractor accessible so that if a problem arises, help can be on the way quickly.

Each of these safety tips for construction contractors not only helps reduce the potential for
injuries on the job but they also decrease indirect issues arising from safety problems, such as a
surety bond claim or insurance rate hike. Take the time to review these safety tips before
starting the next project to ensure employees are doing everything possible to prevent
unnecessary injuries.

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Roles and Responsibilities of Worker in safety:

All workers have safety roles and responsibilities. They have to follow safe work procedures,
report unsafe conditions or incidents and be prepared to respond in the event of a workplace
injury or emergency.
 Understand their workplace health and safety requirements
 Inspect equipment and the workplace regularly
 Be alert for hazards
 Immediately report unsafe work practices and conditions to their supervisor
 Report accidents, near misses, injuries and illnesses immediately to their supervisor
 Follow safe work practices and procedures
 Cooperate with others on matters relating to occupational safety and health
All workers have three safety rights:
(i) The Right to Know:
They have a right to know what hazards are present in the workplace, and given the
information, training, and supervision you need to protect them.
(ii) The Right to Participate
They have a right to participate in keeping workplace healthy and safe, which may include
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selecting or being a health and safety representative or committee member. They also have a
right to report unsafe conditions and practices.
(iii) The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work
No employee, worker or supervisor, should work, or ask anyone else to work, in an unsafe
situation, nor operate tools or equipment they believe are hazardous.

Roles and Responsibilities of Supervisor in safety:

Supervisors are directly responsible for the safety and health of employees and other workers
that they direct or supervise. Here are the roles and responsibilities:
 Ensure the health and safety of all workers under their direct supervision.
 Know the safety requirements that apply to the work being supervised and ensure they
are followed.
 Know the Master Agreement for safety requirements.
 Ensure workers under their supervision are aware of all known or reasonably
foreseeable health and safety hazards where they work.
 Provide orientation and training to new and existing workers at workplace.
 Consult and cooperate with the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee
members or worker representatives, and cooperate with others carrying out
occupational health and safety duties, including Safety officers.
 Ensure that the appropriate personal protective equipment and clothing are available,
worn when required, and inspected and maintained.
 Investigate unsafe conditions reported, and ensure that corrective action is taken
without delay.
 Continuously learn more and act about accident prevention and investigation.
Supervisors must ensure that their workplace has developed and implemented emergency
preparedness and response procedures specific to that location. Their roles include
 Designating and training emergency wardens
 Developing and training staff in response procedures
 Establishing procedures for business continuity
 Ensuring employees understand expectations during drills and actual emergencies
 Ensuring hazard reduction inspections are regularly conducted
 Addressing concerns raised by emergency wardens
 Conducting an annual review of the emergency response plan

Roles and Responsibilities of Manager in Safety:

Many companies fail to control accidents, injuries, and associated costs simply because their
managers do not convey the necessary emphasis! For safety excellence to be realized,
managers must demonstrate the high value of safety to the organization through their personal
commitment and personal involvement, creating uncompromising expectations for the

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attainment of safety performance excellence.

• Integrating attainable leading and trailing performance indicators into the business plan.
• Establishing and rewarding milestone accomplishments.
• Requiring annual Safety Management Action Plans to be developed.
• Using safety performance as a key measure for salary increases, bonuses, and promotions.
• Measuring, force ranking, and publicly displaying peer safety performance.
• Instituting annual 360 degree safety perception surveys of managers and supervisors.
• Assuring political barriers in the way of safety concerns are bypassed.
• Beginning all meetings with discussion regarding current safety performance status and areas
of concern.
• Regularly integrating safety messages into written correspondence.
• Requiring immediate 24 hour verbal notification of serious incidents.
• Reaffirming the safety philosophy often.
• Providing adequate staffing of the (EHS) function.

Question Bank
1. Illustrate the health and safety considerations to be followed in wastewater treatment
plant.
2. Discuss the safety considerations to be followed in a construction site.
3. What are the roles and responsibilities of workers, supervisors and managers in
ascertaining health and safety in a workplace?
4. Discuss the health and safety considerations in
i. Cement Industry
ii. RMC plants
iii. Precast plants
iv. Construction sites.

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