MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (HMAWBI)

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

(OSH)

LECTURED BY; DAW EI KHINE KYAW

 INTRODUCTION

• Generally defined as the science of

a) Anticipation
b) Recognition
c) Evaluation
d) Control of hazards

• Arising in or from the workplace that could impair health and well-being of workers ,

• Taking into account the possible impacts on the surrounding communities and the environment

• A wide range of Structures, Skills, Knowledge, Analytical capacities are

needed to implement all of “ building blocks” that make up national OSH systems
 INTRODUCTION

• Scope of OSH has evolved gradually and continuously in response to

a) Social

b) Political

c) Technological

d) Economic changes

• In recent years, globalization of the world’s economies and its repercussions have been

perceived as greatest force for change in world of work

• Consequently, in the scope of OSH , both positive and negative

 INTRODUCTION

Definitions of the two terms HAZARD and RISK

HAZARD is defined as;

• The potential cause to harm – which can include substances or machines, methods of work or

other aspects of the organization

RISK is defined as;

• The likelihood that the harm from a particular hazard is realized

 INTRODUCTION

Significant
Liberalization of Rapid technological developments in
world trade progress transport &
communication

All generate new types & patterns of

hazards, exposures & risks

Different employment Size, structures & life

Shifting patterns of cycles of new
patterns of men &
employment technologies
women
 INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO)

• ILO is a United Nations Agency dealing with

a) Labour issues
b) International labour standards
c) Social protection
d) Work opportunities for all

• Unlike other UN specialized agencies, ILO has a tripartite governing structure – representing

• Governments, employers, workers ( with a ratio of 2:1:1)

• A large number of areas of ILO activity include OSH related components –

child labour, informal economy, gender mainstreaming, labour statistics, labour inspection and maritime

safety, HIV/AIDS & world of work and international migration

 INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO)

• Health and safety management should be a straight forward part of managing the business as

a whole

• Involves practical steps that protects people from harm and

• At the same time, protect the future success of the business

• Accidents cost both money and time –

a) People off work

Are not covered
b) Material costs by insurance

c) Damage to buildings, plant or product

 MAIN CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS AT WORK

• Every year, over 200 people are killed at work- several hundred thousands are injured and suffer ill health

• Biggest causes of days off work sick are – aches and pains such as back

problems and stress

• Most common causes of serious accidental injury at work are – slips and trips

• Most common causes of deaths from accidents are –

falls from a height and being struck by vehicles in the
workplace
 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF OSH

Occupational hazards and risks National programmes for Occupational

safety and health

Key principles in Occupational safety Occupational safety and health policy

and health with the enterprise

General framework for Occupational Management of Occupational safety

safety and health and health

National system for Occupational

safety and health
 OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS AND RISKS

Scope and Purpose of OSH Standards

• General protection measures –

a) Guarding of machinery

b) Medical examination of young workers or

c) Limiting the weights of loads to be transported by a single worker

• Protection in specific branches of economic activities –

a) Mining

b) Building industry

c) Commerce & dock work

 OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS AND RISKS

Scope and Purpose of OSH Standards

• Protection for specific professions – nurses and seafarers and women or young workers

• Protection against specific risks – ionizing radiation, benzene, asbestos

• Prevention of occupational cancer

• Control of air pollution

• Noise and vibration in working environment

• Measures to ensure safety in use of chemicals

• Prevention of major industrial accidents

• Organizational measures – labour inspection or compensation for occupational injuries and diseases
 KEY PRINCIPLES IN OSH

Employer’s Responsibilities
• Provide and maintain workplaces , machinery equipment and use work methods which are safe and

without risk to health

• Ensure that , so far as reasonably predictable, chemical, physical and biological substances and agents

under their control are without risk to health – measure of protection are taken

• Give the necessary instructions and training to managers and staff

• Provide adequate supervision of work practices

• Provide adequate personal protective clothing and

equipment without coat to the workers

 KEY PRINCIPLES IN OSH

Workers’ Duties and Rights

• Take reasonable care of their own safety and that of other persons who may be affected by their

acts or omissions

• Comply with instructions given for their own safety and those for others
 GENERAL FRAMEWORK FOR OSH

• 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

• Specify measures to be taken for the surveillance of the working environment and worker’s

health
10 RULES FOR WORKPLACE SAFETY

1. You are responsible for your own safety and for the safety of others

2. All accidents are preventable.

3. Do not take shortcuts- always follow the rules.

4. If you are not trained, don’t do it.

5. Use the right tools and equipment and use them in the right way.

6. Access the risks before you approach your work.

7. Never wear loose clothes or slippery footwear.

8. Do not indulge in horseplay while at work.

9. Practice good housekeeping.

10. Always wear PPEs.

 10 COMMON CONSTRUCTIN SITE HAZARDS

The top ten risks and hazards from working on construction sites are:
1. Working at height.
2. Moving objects.
3. Slips, trips, and falls.
4. Noise.
5. Hand arm vibration syndrome.
6. Material and manual handling.
7. Collapsing trenches.
8. Asbestos.
9. Electricity.
10. Airborne fibers and materials.
 1. Working at Height

• Each year, approximately a quarter of worker fatalities are caused by a fall from height.

• This puts working at height as the most common cause of fatal injuries to workers

• Suitable training is required for all employees who work at height - such as how to work safely on

scaffolding, ladders, and roofs

• Certain approaches and precautions should be adopted. These are:

• Avoid working at height where possible- E.g. if something can be assembled on

ground level, do it there.

• Use equipment with an extra level of safety to reduce the risk of a fatal fall.

• For example, a scaffold with a double guard-rail.

• Minimize the consequences of a fall, for example by providing a safety net.

 2. Moving Objects

• A construction site is an ever-changing environment,

• Many moving objects commonly encountered on construction sites such as –

• Overhead lifting equipment, supply vehicles, and diggers, all of which move around a usually uneven

terrain
• Workers should always:

a) Avoid working close to the moving object.

b) Be vigilant of their surroundings, especially if the object does not

have lights or beepers.

c) Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as a high visibility

jacket, to ensure they are seen.

 3. Slips, Trips, and Falls

• Slips, trips, and falls can happen in almost any environment.

• As construction sites often have uneven terrain,
• Buildings at various stages of completion, and
• Unused materials on site, it is unsurprising that slips, trips, and falls are a common hazard.

• Uneven surfaces – providing walkways that are clearly designated as walkways, having
good conditions underfoot, and being well lit.
• Obstacles – everyone keeping their work and storage areas tidy and designating specific
areas for waste collection.
• Trailing cables – Cordless tools should be used where possible. If not possible, cables
should be run at high levels.
• Wet or slippery surfaces – Any areas that are slippery should be signposted, and footwear
with a good grip should be worn.
 4. Noise

• Construction is noisy

• Noise is a common construction hazard

• Loud, repetitive, and excessive noise causes long term hearing problems, such as deafness

• Noise may distract the worker from the task at hand, which can cause accidents

• It is the employer’s responsibility to carry out a comprehensive noise risk assessment

• Provide appropriate PPE where necessary.

 5. Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome

• A painful and debilitating disease of the blood vessels, nerves, and joints

• Usually caused by the prolonged use of hand-held power tools, including vibratory power tools

• Damage from the disease can include the inability to do fine work, and cold temperatures can trigger

painful attacks in the fingers.

• Construction workers should be given appropriate protection when using vibrating tools, and equipment

should be well maintained

 6. Material and Manual Handling

• Materials and equipment are constantly being lifted and moved around construction sites

• Whether this be manually or by equipment

• Adequate training must be provided

• If an employee is required to use lifting equipment - they must be trained in how to use this

• A test should be taken to check their ability to use the equipment safely
 7. Collapsing Trenches

• A building that is being demolished or under construction can suddenly and unexpectedly collapse,

which can seriously injure, or even kill, those inside.

• If the project requires a trench, site managers should:

a) Consider the kind of support that is best suited for the trench.

b) Ensure the trench is fully secure.

c) Regularly inspect the trench both before and during the work shift.
 8. Asbestos

• When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, these fibres are released into the air.

• Inhaling these fibres can cause fatal and serious diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural

thickening.

• Asbestos kills around 5,000 workers per year, and an average of 20 tradespeople die every week as a

result of past exposure.

• If there is asbestos on the construction site, workers must be informed where it is.

• They must be trained in what to do should they come across suspicious materials that may contain

asbestos.
 9. Electricity

• Is harmful to be exposed to electrical live parts.

• Harm can occur either by touching live parts directly, or indirectly by a conducting object or material.

• Approximately 1,000 electrical accidents at work are reported every year

• Most of these accidents arise from contact with overhead or underground power cables and electrical

equipment/machinery

• Electric shocks are a common cause for falls from ladders, scaffolds, and other work platforms
 10. Airborne Fibres and Materials

10. Airborne Fibres and Materials

• A lot of dust is produced on construction sites.

• The dust on construction sites is often an invisible, fine, and toxic mixture of hazardous materials and

fibres.

• This can damage the lungs and lead to diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma,

and silicosis.

• It is the duty of all employers to ensure protective equipment is used. Simply providing it is not enough.
 THANKS
FOR
YOUR
ATTENTION !