OSH and Quality on the Grill – A Chef’s adventure

29th November, 2022

By Strategy Planners

Figure 1: Image depicting Chef (2014) movie poster showing from left Emjay Anthony, John Leguizamo, Jon Favreau and Sofia Vergara.

The movie “Chef” tells the story of a once successful chef who quits his job amidst internal conflict at his occupation and refits an old food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise and successful reputation. He teams up with his son and past colleague on a new business venture, however the effort is fraught with many hazardous elements as they drive across America to serve food and re-establish his success. This blog will take an in-depth investigation into the physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, and ergonomic hazards encountered in the film and make recommendations to mitigate those hazards, using the Occupational, Safety and Health (OSH) Standards.

Additionally, the quality of the goods and services captured in the movie will also be assessed. In order to assess quality of goods and services in the movie, Garvin’s eight quality dimensions will be used.  The quality assessment will focus on the food truck “El Jefe” as a business venture and the food and service that Chef Casper and his team prepares for consumers.

Figure 2: YouTube trailer of the movie Chef (2014)

DIMENSIONS OF QUALITY

1. Perceived Quality

Perceived quality is the ‘pull’ that actually gets people to purchase a product. It is the perception of the customer (Mitra and Golder 2006) that allows them to make the decision to purchase or not. Within the movie, it is noted that when Carl and they were touring with the truck, the postings by Percy on Twitter generated a lot of interest in the product. From the mouth-watering photos and mini videos that served to generate overwhelming interest in the food truck, to the large crowd of customers as they moved from city to city, it is clear that the offerings were perceived to be of substantial quality.  This was further evidenced by the very long line of customers awaiting them whilst they stopped for Beignet at Café Du Monde. In this scene, Percy admitted to taking pictures and videos of their journey and posting them on social media. Carl recognized that it served as a marketing strategy that appealed to the customers who perceived that they had something of value to offer. Hence, even though the truck was closed, and there was a level of uncertainty as to whether it would be open for business on that day, Carl and Percy returned from their Beignet escapade to discover an overwhelming crowd of customers eager to try their sandwiches.

Figure 3: This image released by Merrick Morton and Open Road Films shows Emjay Anthony, left, and Writer-director-actor John Favreau, drawing a crowd on Frenchmen Street in a scene from “Chef” (2014).

Notably, the scene in which Ramsey, the food critic, approached Carl and indicated that he had purchased his sandwich, and heaped praises upon him, whilst simultaneously offering to fund a new restaurant business venture with Carl at the helm, is a testament to his perceived quality of Carl’s product offerings. Ramsey’s expectation/perception was so great that he had someone purchase the sandwich on his behalf, as he knew he would have been denied because of their previous rift. Additionally, the belief and encouragement of Inez (his ex-wife, whom he eventually remarried) to launch out on his own and start the food truck, and the extent she went to give him a start (her ex-husband) is also a strong testament to the perceived quality of his sandwich. 

2. Performance

In order to assure quality performance, one must be able to measure it. In this film the product performance being measured is the food. While the film itself did not provide much statistical data as to the performance of the product, it could have been gauged using information such as the continued increase of followers on Twitter, and the continued increase in customer crowds wherever they went.  The steady increase of followers @chefcarlcasper as they journeyed along and sold their product from city to city, can be alluded to the product performing positively.

Figure 4: Depiction above shows a recreation of the traditional Mojo Pork Cubanos, the signature sandwich emphasized in the movie Chef (2014). 

As they continued to grow in popularity, more persons kept seeking them out, therefore the long lines observed at each stop is a good indication of the product’s performance and a good way to measure same. Another method would be the sales statistics for the food truck. That is, measuring the number of products they were able to sell and finding the average of which products are more consistent in their sales than others. This is in conjunction with an analysis of the volume of sales for each particular product offered on the menu over a period of time.

Figure 5: Crowds gathered outside El Jefe Food Truck as a result of Percy’s marketing campaign.

There is also a subjective measurement of the performance, which is the taste. Taste is subjective and based on someone’s particular preference. For example, one person who enjoys Mexican and Cuban food may enjoy what El Jefe has to offer as opposed to someone who prefer Italian food. As such this performance measurement based on taste should be understood as subjective and maybe even opinion based. A good example of this is observed in the closing act of the movie where the food critic Ramsey offered to invest in Carl’s business and commented on how amazing Carl’s food tasted. When it comes to measuring performance in this film though, there is not much to go on other than inference from the crowd, reaction of persons who tasted Chef Casper’s food and the offer made by Ramsey to invest in him. These are all positive signs of performance.

3. Features

Figure 6: This image by Merrick Morton/Open Road Films shows a snapshot of  the food truck entitled “El Jefe Cubanos” from “Chef (2014).”

The food truck utilized in the movie Chef, was a 1978 Chevrolet P30 Walk-In van, which the U.S. government classified as a truck. The Chevrolet truck was “Built to Stay Tough”. A major feature of the truck was the wrap around double doors at the rear of the vehicle. They folded back flush with the side panels of the truck for easy access and would be a plus for anyone in the food truck business. This would have allowed for easier loading and off-loading of equipment and supplies. As seen in one scene of the movie, with the help of the Latino workmen and some good old-fashioned muscles and brawn, they were able to maneuver a brand new commercial sized deep fryer and range with a convection oven into the truck. Other features of the food truck that would have added to the quality and influence potential buyers of this particular vehicle were, a flat top grill, deep fryer, freezer, prep table refrigerator and waste bins. The interior of the truck also contained quite a variety of shelves for storage, a necessity for the food truck business, along with an exhaust system and the walls and ceiling lined with quilted stainless steel. The truck was also customized with a side window and awning, making it easy to serve customers passing by when parked along a sidewalk.

      Figure 7: This image by Silver Star Metal Fabricating Inc. depicts the interior of a food truck showing quilted stainless steel interior 

4. Aesthetics

In today’s oversaturated product and service environment, consumers have become adept at utilizing aesthetics to identify and differentiate aspects of quality between brands or products. However, according to Garvin (1987), aesthetics, which refers to the look, feel, sound, taste or smell of a product is a subjective dimension, reflecting an individual’s personal judgements and preferences. In assessing the quality of the food truck in the movie Chef (2014), the Cuban cultural heritage was most evidently displayed. The look of the food truck was complete with a bright and resplendent color palette that highlighted the truck brand (El Jefe), its product attribute (pork used in Cuban sandwiches) and an acknowledgement to the culture of inspiration (Cuba). 

Figure 8: Logo adapted from “El Jefe” food truck in a scene from Chef (2014). Merrick Morton, AP, Open Road Films.

Throughout the film, other aspects of the aesthetic quality could only have been perceived. According to the main character (Carl Casper), the food truck maintained “solid bones” or sound integrity for a used vehicle which contributed to the customers perception of quality. Therefore, the repairs to the vehicle when compared to its original state, allowed customers to perceive that the food offered was being prepared in a clean environment that aligned with health codes and quality standards. 

Figure 9: This image by Merrick Morton/Open Road Films shows the original condition of the food truck given to Carl Casper by Robert Downey Jr. character Marvin from “Chef (2014).”

Figure 10: This image by Merrick Morton/Open Road Films shows a snapshot of  the repaired and redeveloped food truck entitled “El Jefe Cubanos” from “Chef (2014).”

With respect to taste and smell, it can only be deduced that based on customers’ purchase intentions, market interest from advertising, actual sales and the food critic’s review and interest to fund the business, that the taste and smell of the food being prepared by the food truck is remarkable. The Mojo Pork Cubanos sandwiches, the Media Noche, Yuca Fries with banana ketchup, BBQ Brisket Sliders, Arroz con Pollo, as well as the Café Du Monde Beignets on the food truck’s menu is perceived to hold aesthetic appeal to customers which is apparent by the long lines and large crowds by the business. Therefore, in terms of the food truck’s aesthetics can be concluded that the business is of optimal quality.  

Figure 11: Depiction above shows a recreation of the traditional Mojo Pork Cubanos, the signature sandwich emphasized in the movie Chef (2014). 

Figure 12: This image highlighted by Legendary Trips shows the first location of the food truck’s success in South Beach, Miami.

5. Serviceability

Another dimension of quality is serviceability, which measures how easy it is to maintain and fix a product. Serviceability is a state of change that impacts individuals who require services as well as the goods and services that are provided. When customers obtain services that exceed their expectations, serviceability might be seen as favorable. The quality of these services might be seen as subpar if they fall short of what customers desire. Service, according to Kotler (2002), is the behavior or activity of a customer in satisfying a need or desire in a way that benefits the consumer and makes him or her feel satisfied. Kotler states, this behavior might take place both before and after the actual purchase transaction.

Serviceability measures how simple it is for customers to get help, how accommodating the staff is, and how dependable the service is. It also highlights the staff’s professionalism and behavior, as well as how well a product may be delivered. Carl, the main character, created his meals with professionalism both while he worked in the restaurant and when he went out on his own.  He was seen going to local markets to purchase quality products.  Additionally, while he was assisted by his son, working on his mobile restaurant, he emphasized the importance of marketing his brand to his son, when his son attempted to sell a customer a burnt sandwich. 

Figure 13: This image by Merrick Morton/Open Road Films shows a snapshot of the food truck entitled “El Jefe Cubanos” from “Chef (2014).”

Carl went on to emphasize to his son the significance of figuring out whether a product can be corrected, in order to evaluate whether the customer is happy with the company’s redress practices.  This is “Chef’s”’ serviceability, as it demonstrates how much the customer values the services and, in turn, how well-regarded the company is.  Each business has its own procedures for managing complaints, and not all of them place the same value on serviceability.  As an illustration, some businesses make every effort to address the complaints they receive, but others do not provide any kind of service. As seen in the movie, Carl insisted on his brand, being untraditional and revolutionary while he was employed in the restaurant establishment.  He was determined to dazzle the respected restaurant critic, with his inventive flair at a later gourmet event.  But his boss was keen on upholding the restaurant’s previous ten-year standard.  He complied with his boss’s request to the detriment of his career and ego.

Kotler defines customer satisfaction as “a layer of a person’s emotions that results from a comparison of the performance or results.”  Carl’s son used a variety of social media channels to advertise his father’s business. This technique brought a number of advantages, such as  improved customer satisfaction, an effect on follow-up purchases, and even the formation of loyal customers. 

The evolution of an ever-more modern age has impacted human lives over time, and the food industry is no exception.  Carl decided to challenge himself by marketing and distributing quick cuisine because he had excellent culinary skills, and it was both highly practical and natural for him to do so. This was obvious since consumers could be seen waiting in line for the dishes they had ordered. His popular trademark club sandwiches were one of them and were enjoyed by children, young adults, and seniors.

6. Durability

Durability is the measure of a product’s life cycle. It can be defined by the number of uses that one can get from a product before it deteriorates. In terms of the food truck, “El Jefe”, durability will also depend on how long the truck would be in operation before maintenance and repair becomes too expensive, and it becomes more feasible to purchase a new truck. According to Garrett (2014), the 1978 Chevrolet P30 Walk-In Van, was built on a P30 Chassi which is known as one of the most popular vans to have been manufactured at the time. It was well known for its affordability, weight handling abilities and maneuverability. Although the estimated lifespan of the truck is twelve (12) to twenty (20) years, and manufacturing was discontinued in the 1990’s, the P30 Chassi has transcended, thereby affirming its durability. Furthermore, although few, the van is still in existence and can still be found across the United States.  

7. Reliability

Reliability can be defined as the probability of a product working fault free within a specific period of time (Garvin, 1897). The 1978 Chevy Walk-in Van was well known for its durability due to the P30 Chassi in which it was built on. The P30 was able to support up to 10,000 pounds GVW ad was later upgraded to handle even more weight. There were no major mechanical issues reported on the van except for its excessive fuel intake and the truck did not suffer any mechanical issues after its restoration during the working trip that Chef Carl and his team took across America. The van was built on a 454 V8 engine given its estimated size at 16 feet long as reported by Garrett (2014). This is a larger engine that would have proportionate to the size of the truck used in the movie. However, the larger the engine, the more fuel is required to run the vehicle which would have resulted in the trip being quite costly and routine maintenance necessary for optimal performance.

HAZARD CATEGORIES

1. Physical Hazards

The food truck industry presents many similar hazards to the traditional brick and mortar restaurants, and a few unique hazards as the business is operating in an exponentially smaller space. Physical hazards in relation to the El Jefe food truck in the movie were as follows,

1.   Fire hazard from modified equipment. “Equipment modification was another unique area identified by the food truck owners and managers as essential to the food truck sector.” (Leandro, Stedefeldt and Nakano, 2019) It was further stated that “An increase in self-modified equipment cause concern in the area of fire safety.” (Leandro, Stedefeldt and Nakano, 2019). Food trucks use LPG and as such alteration of this equipment in any way is a definite risk to both workers and consumers.

Recommendation

• Equipment should be modified and installed by a licensed technician.

• Regular maintenance of equipment to ensure no leaks or defects of any kind.

• Equipment to be utilized according to manufacturer’s specifications only.

• Gas cylinders should be stored upright according to manufacturer’s guidelines

2. Burn hazards from hot surfaces, hot oil, and utensils. This risk is increased within the confines of the food truck, with staff having to maneuver around each other and the equipment within the truck.

Recommendation

• Ensure cooking equipment, pots and pans and utensils are in proper condition

• Non Slip flooring to prevent slips and falls within close proximity to hot surfaces and open pots

• Outfit fryers with splatter guards as per manufacturer’s specifications

• Proper training for workers on use of equipment with hot surfaces

• Implement policy for appropriate clothing, for example no loose fitting clothing that can get caught in an open flame or open toed shoes, as this increases the risk of burns to the feet from hot spills.

• Always use proper tools to handle hot items, mittens, cloths, silicone handle covers.

3. Cut hazards which can occur from the improper handling of knives. Whilst it was quite an endearing scene in the movie when the lead character purchased a chef’s knife and presented it to his son, without the proper training on the use of the tool as well as allowing its use by a minor, increased the risk for this hazard.

Recommendation

• Train workers on the proper use and handling of knives

• Only use knives for the intended purpose, not for opening cans, or boxes etc.

• Do not immerse knives in water where they cannot be seen

• Ensure there is proper storage for knives

4. The food truck is a mobile restaurant and as such this hazard is unique to this type of business. Collision hazard, with pedestrians or inanimate objects. Food trucks would operate for obvious reasons in busy areas of town where pedestrian traffic is heavy. In the movie chef we viewed in various locations crowds of persons waiting to try the famous Cuban sandwich served.

Recommendation

• Truck should only be driven by an experienced licensed driver

• Regular maintenance of the vehicle

• Ensure that all mirrors are in good order and the view of the driver is not obstructed in any way

• Follow all traffic regulations

2. Chemical Hazards

A chemical hazard is a chemical which can cause harm to one’s life or health. These chemicals can range from household cleaning products such as bleach and disinfectants to industrial chemicals such as degreasers. In commercial kitchens the most common chemical hazard faced by chefs are the use of cleaning chemicals to sanitize workstations and the kitchen. In the movie “Chef” we can see three hazards associated with chemicals being displayed during the time stamp of 1:01:12 to 1:03:30. In this scene, Carl Casper and his son Percy. Casper purchased cleaning chemicals to clean their newly acquired food truck. Whilst they did use PPE in the form of what seemed to be nitrile or rubber gloves, other forms of PPE were lacking.

The three hazards associated with chemical use that were seen in the movie are Inhalation, Absorption, and Ingestion.

Figure 14: YouTube video of Carl Casper and son Percy cleaning used food truck from the movie “Chef (2014)“

While the gloves worn would prevent absorption through the hands to an extent , there were still parts of the skin that were seen to be exposed whilst using these chemicals to clean the food truck. Once a harmful chemical is absorbed through the skin it passes through the epidermis, dermis and fatty tissues eventually making its way to the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream it is then circulated throughout the body exposing other tissues and vital organs to the harmful effects of the chemical. These can then lead to acute and chronic illnesses or symptoms. For example, redness of the skin, burning sensations and rashes. Chronic illnesses can be dermatitis or forms of cancer. What can be used to prevent this would be task appropriate gloves such as chemical resistant gloves or disposable coveralls. This would completely isolate the skin from exposure to the chemicals that they were using to clean the truck, especially so for the chef’s son who is very young. It can also be recommended to acquire and keep the safety data sheet or SDS for the chemicals being used as these can be referred to in the event of exposure and will provide guidelines for things such as handling, storage and first aid.

Inhalation would be the accidental inhaling or breathing in of harmful vapors produced by the chemicals used to clean the truck. When the vapors are inhaled it makes its way through the respiratory system and to the lungs. From there it makes its way to the bloodstream and is circulated throughout the body affecting the tissues and vital organs. Some acute effects can be things like respiratory irritation or coughing, while chronic could be illnesses like forms of respiratory cancers.

Ingestion is another hazard that would exist when using cleaning chemicals. As can be seen in the film, Percy was using these cleaning chemicals that could have splashed on him and gotten into his mouth. If this happens, he could have also accidentally swallowed these cleaning chemicals. This accidental ingestion would cause the chemicals to be absorbed through the digestive system, where it would eventually reach the bloodstream, making its way to vital organs and tissues causing harm. Acute symptoms could include vomiting and nausea, while chronic can be things like digestive system cancers. To prevent them they could have used half faced respirators as this would drastically reduce the possibility of the chemical splashing into his mouth.

Recommendation

An overall recommendation for dealing or handling chemicals that will also assist in controlling the hazard would be to ensure all those who are using potentially dangerous chemicals are trained to do so. Training such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health can act as a form of control by implementing and being able to understand hazardous chemical safety signage.

3. Psychosocial Hazards

Situational Stress – Due to conflicts, one example of a situational stress was related to Carl’s boss. Carl’s boss restricted his creative culinary skills, belittled him, which made Carl quit. The encounter with the influential restaurant critic, who poorly reviewed his dishes and degraded his culinary skills provided another source of conflict to Carl at his occupation.  His son also experienced interpersonal stress due to the impact of his parents divorce and Carl’s commitment to his career.

Demotivation – When Carl quit his job, there was little to no employment opportunities for him in any food establishment. This was as a result of  Carl’s rant in front of the restaurant critic, his boss and other patrons at the restaurant. The rant was taped and shared on social media, which gained him followers but not for his enthusiasm as an artistic chef.  These event can be seen to momentarily decrease Carl’s desire to create food periodically.

A feeling of ingratitude – Carl felt no empathy from his boss and the influential food critic.

DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING YOUTUBE CLIP CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE THAT MAY BE INAPPROPRIATE AND UNSUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTS. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLIP WAS INCLUDED SINCE IT ACCURATELY DEPICTS A RELEVANT ELEMENT OF PSYCHSOCIAL HAZARD THAT OCCURS TO CARL CASPER IN THE MOVIE CHEF (2014).

Figure 15: YouTube video of Carl Casper ranting to food critic in the movie “Chef (2014)“

Recommendation

Alter stressful situations – individuals have the power to change the situation to work in their favor. This can be achieved by letting go of one’s emotions and channeling one’s energy into their goal.  

Celebrate milestones big and small – It’s not just the big wins that should be acknowledged but also setting and celebrating mini-milestones. Employers must show empathy to their staff by being supportive, valuing their employees needs and concerns.

Allow employees to develop – allow employees room to grow within the company is a huge motivator. As this fosters the psychological factor of feeling of  trust and respect for employees’ effort. Develop listening skills.

4. Ergonomic Hazards

Ergonomic hazards are physical factors in the environment that may cause musculoskeletal injuries. It often occurs when the type of work, body positions, and working conditions put strain on your body. The main risk factor associated with Ergonomic hazards are Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) which can include Carpal tunnel syndrome, Tendinitis, Rotator cuff injuries (affects the shoulder), Epicondylitis (affects the elbow), Trigger finger, muscle strains and low back injuries. In the movie Chef (2014), a myriad of ergonomic hazards was evident as the characters engaged in work-related activities.

1. Frequent lifting of heavy objects.

Exerting excessive force or lifting heavy items improperly has the potential to cause muscle and joints injury. In the movie, some of the characters can be seen lifting or attempting to use heavy animals, equipment, and machinery incorrectly. Proper lifting techniques in some instances were not applied which often resulted in the characters straining, grunting, or candidly admitting that they may potentially hurt themselves. Additionally, tools or equipment were not utilized to alleviate some of the stress the body may endure when moving bulky items from one location to another. For instance, in one of the opening scenes, the character Martin, played by John Leguizamo, can be seen walking into the kitchen with a pig on his shoulder. While the animal was evenly placed to distribute the weight against Martin’s body, frequently performing this action with different animals, produce or supplies for the kitchen may cause injury to the shoulder, spine, and neck. Moreover, in the instances where Carl Casper, played by Jon Favreau, acquired the food truck, and commenced cleaning, repairing, and equipping the vehicle, he can be seen manually lifting weighty items without assistance or proper lifting apparatuses.

Figure 16: This image adapted from the film produced and directed  by Jon Favreau and distributed by Open Road Films shows Martin carrying a whole pig on his shoulder.

Figure 17: This image adapted from the film produced and directed  by Jon Favreau and distributed by Open Road Films shows Carl Casper attempting to lift equipment into the food truck. 

Recommendation

It is recommended that for a restaurant, investments be made to procure a forklift to lift heavy objects onto high surfaces. Additionally, trolleys can be used to move goods and equipment from one destination to another. Although this machinery can be utilized, use is contingent upon proper knowledge of how to load items properly and adjust the weight limit so that further stress wouldn’t impact the body. It is also advised that supplementary workers or manpower be incorporated to alleviate the burden that one person is subject to. 

2. Awkward body posture

In order to get past workstations or fix appliances, the main character’s body is frequently shown bending or contorting throughout the movie. Working in these uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time can put stress on the back and connective tissues, which can lead to long-term muscle damage.  In order to chop food, plate gourmet delicacies, lift items, fix broken equipment, and serve customers via the food truck’s tiny windows, Carl Casper would frequently stoop down.  His back would be subjected to constant stress as a result, this movement looks to be crucial to his employment and would be executed several times during the day, thus there is a significant potential that an injury may manifest in the future.

Figure 18: This image adapted from the film produced and directed  by Jon Favreau and distributed by Open Road Films shows Carl Casper check repairs needed on a used stove acquired with the food truck. 

 Figure 19: This image adapted from the film produced and directed  by Jon Favreau and distributed by Open Road Films shows Carl Casper bending to deliver prepared food to customers through the food truck’s window.

Figure 20: This image adapted from the film produced and directed  by Jon Favreau and distributed by Open Road Films shows Carl Casper bending at the food truck’s windows. 

Recommendation

It is advised that when working in a restaurant, various table heights can be included to accommodate for the height differences between head chef, sous chef, line cooks and other staff members to prevent back strain and potential injury. When making repairs to machinery that is lowered to the ground, it is important to be aware of the contorted positions that the body may be placed in and adjust oneself accordingly to prevent discomfort. In the confines of the food truck, a possible solution to the constant bending at the waist when serving customers is to increase the window’s height and relocate the existing storage space above. In doing so, the server, Carl, can be allowed to extend food and accomplish monetary exchange without repetitively placing his body in an uncomfortable position. 

3. Wrist Vibration

Arm vibration when using hand powered tools or excessive force has the potential to affect joints and damage small capillaries that are necessary for the functioning of the human hands and arms. Resultantly, recurrent vibrations have the tendency to increase numbness and joint fatigue in the affected area. While the likelihood and severity of vibration is most applicable to occupations that typically utilize chainsaws, drills or similar equipment, chefs in a kitchen can potentially experience relatable results. In the kitchen depicted in the movie, chef Carl Casper, exerted force on his arm through his quick movements when chopping vegetables and meats, in smashing garlic buds with the base of his palm, breaking cooled syrup with a stick, and using a mallet to reduce the broken pieces into fine dust. The force of these actions can damage the dominant arm in the long run, especially when performed against hard surfaces and in a consistent manner.

Figure 21: YouTube video of opening scene from the movie “Chef (2014)“

Figure 22: This image adapted from the film produced and directed  by Jon Favreau and distributed by Open Road Films shows Carl Casper smashing hardened caramel syrup into pieces.

Figure 23: This image adapted from the film produced and directed  by Jon Favreau and distributed by Open Road Films shows Carl Casper utilizing a mallet to crush broken pieces of hardened caramel syrup into fine dust for garnishing.

Recommendation

While the resulting likelihood of injury from ergonomic vibration in the kitchen is low, it is advised that proper tools be utilized to smash or break items. Limit the action of striking the hands against hard surfaces. Moreover, maintaining proper knife skills is crucial to the protection of the fingers and wrist from ergonomic damage while quickly chopping fine vegetables and tough meats. Additionally, where possible, use advanced kitchen technology to mitigate damage to the wrist, arms or joint. For example, instead of using the mallet to tenderize meat or crush hardened caramel syrup in a kitchen, use a commercial or electric meat tenderizer or a blender to assist with the process or to minimize the amount of force exerted on the wrist. 

5. Biological Hazards

Food safety should be a primary concern for anyone in the industry. This is especially true as any instance of a biological hazard can harm customers and ruin the brand’s image and reputation, negatively impacting business sustainability. Biological food hazards are biological agents that can pose a threat to human health and are the main cause of many foodborne illnesses. Also referred to as foodborne pathogens, these hazards include bacteria, viruses, and parasites. They can be found in blood, semen, and other bodily secretions/fluids. It is imperative that persons engaged in the preparation of food be cognizant of the many ways food can become contaminated, and implement strategies to mitigate it.   

On two separate occasions, Riva, the owner of the restaurant, entered the kitchen without any form of head covering, and during the second visit, he was arguing with Carl while touching the glasses and napkins that were to be used by the customers. His hands were unclean, and he would have produced spittle as he was shouting.  Throughout the movie, food is being prepared by Carl, Percy and Martin without any hair covering, and consistent chatter over the food. There were many instances where gloves were not worn. These incidents are considered biological hazards as contaminants are being transferred from surface to surface, and the food can become contaminated from elements contained in their hair as well as their saliva.

Figure 24: Restaurant owner, Riva, Hostess, Molly and Chef Carl Casper without hairnets in the kitchen

Another scene shows Inez calling while Carl and Percy are in the midst of preparing food on the truck and serving clients. Percy takes out the phone with his gloved hand and after speaking for a while, passes it to Carl, who does the same thing. There was no changing of the gloves, washing of hands, or other sanitizing action taken before continuing with the meal prep. The hazard here lies in the transfer of germs and bacteria from Percy’s pocket, the cellular phone, and both their mouths (which would have left salivary particles on the phone), to their hands and then to the food. Additionally, Percy got burned and licked his fingers to cool it, while preparing a sandwich to be sold.

Figure 25: Percy licked his fingers to ease the pain after being burned.

Throughout their journey, the guys made a stop at Texas OG Barbeque to obtain meat for their sandwiches. They each tasted it to determine if it was a good addition to the menu, however, they tasted from the very piece they planned to serve to customers. It was open and they were talking over it. This is another example of a very bad, unhygienic practice. 

Figure 26: At Texas OG Barbeque Sampling the Meat

On the issue of hygiene, there is no evidence of toilet/bathroom facilities for the gentlemen to relieve/refresh themselves, and they were on the road, with no fixed place of abode,  therefore, how did they keep themselves clean?  

Finally, there were two scenes where it was observed that money was being exchanged in the open, in the vicinity of the food being prepared. Money is known for harboring microbes by the thousands, and the risk of cross-contamination is increased when handling fast food and money with the same gloved hands or without using hygiene measures (Michaels 2002).  The article also cited that data accumulated over the years on the microbial status and survival of pathogens on food, points to a potential cause of sporadic cases of food borne illness. 

Figure 27: In this image their heads are uncovered and money is being handled nearby.

Recommendation

• Education on foodborne pathogens and ways to mitigate them

• Always have your head covered when preparing and serving food.

• Always wash your hands before, during, and after the preparation of meals.

• Always wear gloves

• Store food at the correct temperatures

• Cook food at the correct temperatures

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and utensils regularly.

• Use separate knives/forks for raw meat as opposed to cooked meat

• Raw meats must be handled and separated from other types of food.

• Do not sneeze, cough or shout over food.

• Raw fruits and vegetables must be washed before peeling, cutting, cooking, or eating.

• Regular, thorough cleaning and disinfecting of vehicles or tools used to transport food.

• Persons with cuts or open wounds on their hands should not prepare food.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The following link displays the hazards mentioned in this blog in a tabular format that highlights who may be harmed by each hazard identified and how, its risk rating, the persons responsible for reducing risk as well as the timeframe in which the risk should be rectified.

Risk Assessment Table:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KKvtDoc9VCcjin-01358ojLtOe_yDNHC/edit

Conclusion

The movie “Chef (2014)” is an inspirational story about resilience in the midst of trials, family values, and loyalty. The business started was shown to be of excellent quality in terms of serviceability, features, durability, aesthetics, reliability, performance and perceived quality. Moreover the movie demonstrated a number of physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, and ergonomic hazards which recommendations have been provided in this blog to assist in risk mitigation.

TOP GUN: MAVERICK

Movie Summary

Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell was a test pilot with the United States Navy, more than three decades after his experience at TOPGUN. One day his superior approaches him with plans to halt the hypersonic “Darkstar” scramjet program and divert funding to drone programs. He was then assigned to train a select squad of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilots for a pressing mission: the attack on an unauthorized uranium enrichment facility in another nation. The plant is protected by fifth-generation Su-57 fighters flying out of a neighboring air base and surface-to-air missiles because it is located in a deep depression at the end of a canyon. The mission includes two pairs of Super Hornets to be used in Maverick’s attack and they will fly across a canyon to destroy the plant.

As the pilots prepare for the trip, tension arises between two students called Hangman and Rooster. Hangman criticizes Rooster’s caution, while Rooster resents Hangman’s casual attitude toward his wingmen. Later on, Maverick selects the mission team and assigns himself to Phoenix and her WSO Bob. The remaining pilots and Hangman are placed on alert. The guided-missile cruiser fires Tomahawk cruise missiles to bomb the air base close to the plant as the team takes off from the aircraft carrier. After reaching the plant and taking it out, the crew is assaulted by surface-to-air missiles and two aircrafts belonging to their opponent that are on patrol. Maverick gives up his jet to protect one of the students when his options for defense are exhausted. He then ejects from the aircraft. The surviving aircraft return to the carrier after concluding that Maverick was killed in battle. The said student then defies instructions and goes back around to save Maverick from their opponent’s gunship. Once again together, they move in the direction of the demolished airbase where they stole an aircraft and return to their base. However, they ended up in battle with the fifth-generation fighters and Hangman came to their rescue to help defend them against their opponents. After a successful fight, the planes return to cheer on the carrier, where Maverick and Rooster reconciled their differences.

Top Gun Maverick Trailer

Introduction

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) focuses heavily on primary prevention of hazards and covers all facets of health and safety in the workplace. Its objective is to stop accidents and injuries caused by work-related activities. According to research, a safe and healthy workplace equates to successful operations and profits. Workers’ workplace safety and health fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of their employers. They are in charge of carrying out risk analyses and setting up business operations with safety as the top priority. Therefore, OSH performance is essential to reputation management. Our blog is intended to examine the various hazards demonstrated in ‘Top Gun: Maverick” as it relates to OSH, the dimensions of quality, provide a risk assessment, as well as provide suitable recommendations that could be deemed useful for organizations.

Garvin’s 8 Dimensions of Quality

Garvin, a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, based his quality writings on studies of American manufacturing. David A. Garvin, a professor at the Harvard Business School, was a well-read and esteemed scholar. Garvin stressed the importance and intensity of quality in the competitive business environment in his 1987 study article “Competing on the Eight Dimensions of Quality” in the Harvard Business Review. He advised managers to adopt a “new way of thinking” and break the concept down into digestible chunks in order to strategically comprehend quality. To achieve this, he proposed the eight (8) key qualities of quality shown in Figure One, which include performance, features, reliability, compliance, durability, serviceability, aesthetics, and perceived quality (Garvin, 1987). These qualities can be used as a framework for strategic analysis.

In the movie ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, military fighter aircraft, the F-18 Super Hornet is the U.S. Throughout, the firm the Navy’s aircraft was featured. The Boeing F-18 Super Hornet is Top Gun: Maverick’s primary fighter jet. “The aircraft provides a more diverse role than the F-14 Tomcat, as it has both air-to-ground and air-to-air capabilities, with its primary function being the suppression of enemy air defenses.” (ScreenRant, 2019) The Boeing F-18 Super Hornet are twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft variants based on the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. Both seats have pilot skills, however the back seat on an F-14 is typically reserved for a weapons system officer. The F-18 is designed for a two-person crew.

The faults with the F-18 aircraft in the movie can be discussed using five of Garvin’s eight aspects of quality. The five areas that will be emphasized are perceived quality, features, conformity, performance, and reliability.

Figure 1 shows Garvin’s 8 Dimensions of Quality

Reliability

Garvin refers to this dimension as the “profitability of a product malfunctioning or failing within a specified period of time.” With reference to the fatal scene, this took place when there was a bird strike and Phoenix’s engine experienced a flameout. She tried to shut off the engine attempting to extinguish the fire, however the engine kept spinning even though they tried to restart it. Furthermore, with the right engine being on fire, there was hydraulic failure and Phoenix lost control of the aircraft (1:13:11). As a result, the engine stalled due to the imbalance in airflow supply, which contributed to the severity of the accident for the pilots. Bob and his co-pilot, Phoenix had a close call, but both pilots managed to eject themselves in time. This shows that the F-18 aircraft was not reliable in performing its expected tasks of the pilots.

In order to prevent similar accidents from happening, it is advised that the manufacturers of these fighter aircraft carry out a number of tests to prove that the engine can withstand the conditions that trigger its stalling.

The aircraft’s ability to withstand extremely adverse conditions should be kept in mind by the manufacturers.

Scene: Phoenix Engine Flameout

Performance

Garvin refers to performance as a “product’s primary operating characteristics.” The F-18 is seen as the star of the super production movie with the aircraft having amazing performance attributes such as faster and stealthier. Within 35 minutes of the movie, Maverick and the team went for the basic fighter maneuvers. The aircraft was designed to make it tougher to manage a weapons-grade lock on the new fighter and improvement in minimizing detectability. The Navy had been tasked with destroying an unsanctioned enrichment plant, where Maverick devised a plan to attack with two pairs of F-18 Super Hornets (1:32:22). This was defended by fifth generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighters as well as previous-generation F-14 Tomcats.

According to Military.com, “The F-18 Super Hornet is the U.S. Navy’s primary strike and air superiority aircraft. The Super Hornet has a wingspan of 44 ft 8.5in, a length of 60 ft 3.5in and a height of 16 ft. Meanwhile, the wing area is 500ft2 and the empty weight of the Super Hornet is a staggering 30,500 lb. More importantly, the Super Hornet is powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 series turbofans. This offers up to 13,000 lbf thrust each engine on dry and 22,000 lbf thrust each engine with an afterburner engaged. Meanwhile, the maximum weapon load of 17,750 lb and the maximum take-off weight is 66,000 lb.”

Scene: The F-18 in operation

Features

Features are characteristics that support basic functioning of a product. There is a feature to help the pilot locate targets and check their altitude on the F-18. When Maverick shoots the fighter jets of his students, there is a feature on the screen that shows a red circle and beeps when he locks on a target. When Rooster tried to shoot Maverick for his training the altitude was below 5000 feet (37:28). The altitude was also shown, when the altitude is dangerously low then the jet system tells the pilot to pull up repeatedly and the color had changed to red (41:05). The jet system repeated the word altitude, perhaps a feature could be added where the window screen says altitude low and changes color to orange so the pilot would know they were under the recommended altitude of 5000 feet.

Scene: Display of Altitudes Warning

Scene: Display of Altitude warnings when at a dangerously low height

Another useful feature was the pilot seat being able to pull to eject the seat from the aircraft for emergency situations. When there was a bird strike, this led to an engine fire in the left engine and then subsequently the right engine. The pilot then lost hydraulics and was unable to control the aircraft. Her and her copilot were able to eject from their seat before the crash (1:13:59). They were injured but survived and were sent for overnight medical observation.

Scene: The use of Pilot seat to escape in an emergency situation

Conformance

Conformance to specifications is if the product meets specific standards. The best practice for the fighter jet pilots is to fly 5000 feet or above, Maverick was told by Admiral Beau that flying at that low altitude and the cobra maneuver could have gotten all of them killed. The cobra maneuver was where he suddenly raised the nose of the jet vertically and then flew the nose back down so behind his student Rooster’s jet (41:25). Having the seat eject and countermeasures of flares on the fighter jet helps meet safety regulations. However, during the actual mission Rooster ran out of flares and the surface-to-air missiles had locked in on his jet. Then Maverick put his plane in the way and Rooster was able to avoid the missile, but Maverick’s aircraft exploded. 

Scene: Attempt of a dangerous maneuver

Others looked for his parachute which should open after the seat is ejected from the aircraft and did not see the parachute. Later Maverick is seen on the snow with his opened parachute backpack which could mean there might have been a longer delay in the parachute opening (1:42:12). To improve the safety for any pilots trying to avoid missiles, extra flares can be loaded onto the aircraft so there is a reduced risk of them running out during a mission. The design of the missile can be changed to not affect any flying capabilities of the jet. Additionally, there can be further testing to ensure that the parachute opens automatically after the seat is ejected from the aircraft. 

Scene: Delayed opening of Parachute

Perceived Quality

Perceived Quality is the customer’s perception of a product from their experience. During the movie it is said in a meeting planning the mission that the airframe of the F-18 jet had a stress limit of 7.5 but Maverick wanted the team to go beyond that and try to reach 9 G’s even if that meant bending the airframe (1:10:33). He described it as the ‘coffin corner’ where they would overexert themselves as the pilot and the fighter jet as well. The meeting suggested that Maverick had experienced bending the airframe himself. The quality of the airframe is described as adequate but not above their expectations since they know the airframe would bend under that amount of stress. He mentioned it would take the aircraft to their breaking point, this implied that due to the quality of the plane and pushing its limits the aircraft might get damaged more easily. 

During the training session Bob was unable to lock on the target so he might have perceived the quality of the jet as lower in that moment (1:11:41). Cayote, his copilot, blindly shot the missiles, and they missed the intended target. The term ‘deadeye’ is a communication term meaning the laser designation system is inoperative (Ruzicka 2022). 

Scene: The failure of the laser designation system

Different types of Hazards found in Top Gun

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

1.     NOISE: Timestamp (1:50 sec, 8:30 sec, 1:30:38 sec)

Aircraft jet engines are extremely loud and constant exposure to this level of noise can cause permanent hearing loss. According to the National Center for Physical Acoustics at The University of Mississipp, the F/A-18 Super Hornet produces 118 decibels of noise, which is equivalent to a rock concert. At one minute, fifty seconds the fighter jets are being launched off an aircraft carrier. The engines are at near or full throttle because of the short runway, and they produce excessive noise at this power setting. The personnel involved in the launch are within close proximity to the aircraft and are exposed to these extreme noise levels.  

Scene of Aircraft Engine

At eight minutes, thirty seconds the fighter jet takes off from a land runway and makes a very low pass over an individual. At this point the throttle levels are at an elevated power setting to facilitate climb out of the aircraft. The individual is exposed to a very sudden, sharp burst of noise from the overhead jet engines. These engines can produce in excess of 115 decibels which can cause hearing damage even if exposed for a short period of time. 

Further into the movie at one hour thirty minutes and thirty-eight seconds, several aircraft are launched from the aircraft carrier in quick succession. The crew onboard the deck of the aircraft carrier is exposed to this level of noise for a substantially longer period as each aircraft must be prepared for take-off and they all use the same runway and must wait until cleared for takeoff. 

RECOMMENDATION: All personnel on the carrier deck should wear ear protection (both ear plugs and earmuffs). Also, the manpower utilized on the aircraft carrier should be rotated to prevent prolonged exposure to the extreme noise levels. With respect to the low pass above the individual, no facility should be in close proximity to the flight path and where unavoidable due to space constraints, all individuals should be mandated to wear proper PPE (hearing protection).

2.     FALLING: timestamp (4:50 sec, 16:44sec, 47:35 sec, 54:28 sec, 1:00:03sec) 

Scene: Maverick riding a motorbike without helmet

Motorcycles can be considered dangerous vehicles due to the minimal level of protection they offer to the user. At several intervals in the movie Maverick can be seen riding the motorbike without any head protection (helmet). This is an outright dangerous practice, and it is even outlawed in many countries. The US Department of Transportation states all riders and passengers are required per CVC 27803 to wear a US DOT compliant motorcycle safety helmet when riding a motorcycle. In one scene he even has a pinion rider who also does not have a helmet. In the case of even a minor mishap involving the motorcycle, it can topple and can cause serious head injury or even death to the person riding. 

RECOMMENDATION: A DOT certified helmet should be used by both people when riding the motorcycle. DOT certified helmets can reduce the number and severity of head injuries by 50%. Non-US DOT compliant helmets usually have very thin liners/padding and lack the strength to protect the rider during a collision.

3.     G-FORCE: Timestamp (11:00 sec, 1:12:20 sec, 1:37:25 sec) 

Scene showing where a force of 9 Gs was excluded

Extended exposure to high gravitational forces can cause severe damage to the human body or even death. At several instances in the movie, it is seen where the pilot accelerates to greater than 9 Gs’. The human body can only withstand this for a few seconds. Pilots in high G force maneuvers are susceptible to black out vision and G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC).

RECOMMENDATION: The pilot should not accelerate the aircraft to such extreme conditions. A lower acceleration would have fewer negative effects on the human body as well as the airframe. This would be the safer alternative as it would rule out blacking out and G-LOC conditions.

4.     CRASH: timestamp (12:35 sec)

Scene: Due to the high G force, the airframe disintegrates resulting in a crash hazard

Due to the high G forces the aircraft fuselage was under tremendous stress. Airframes are built to withstand a certain threshold of aerodynamic forces, beyond this the airframe becomes compromised and can fail with little warning. While Maverick was flying at above 10G the airframe critical alerts illuminated and the aircraft disintegrated moments later. The pilot survived by deploying his parachute.

RECOMMENDATION: Stay within the safe parameters which the aircraft was made to operate. Going beyond these parameters will compromise the airframe and cause harm to the pilot and aircraft. If faster flight or greater acceleration is needed, modern aircraft can be utilized.

5.     FALL/NOISE: Timestamp (13:40 sec)

Scene: Doors of helicopter opened

While returning to the air base, Maverick as well as the other passengers were transported in a helicopter with the door opened during flight. Any turbulence encountered by the aircraft could cause the passengers to veer close to the open doors and fall out. A simple failure of the restraint straps would be catastrophic for the individuals. Also, they are exposed to the noise from the helicopter engine and rotors. According to the length of the flight, this noise can cause hearing damage.

RECOMMENDATION: Keep doors closed while airborne and utilize seat restraints within the helicopter. Also hearing protection should be used to minimize the effect of the noise from the engine and rotors.

6.     FALL: Timestamp (30:33 sec)

Scene: Maverick was thrown out of the bar

Maverick was physically carried out the bar and thrown to the ground outside. This could result in broken bones, spinal damage and/or head injury. He was physically tossed in the air and onto the ground.

Recommendation: This could have been avoided had the bartender not implement the rule. She could have simply told him, he had to leave even though it was all fun and games.

7.     DANGEROUS MANEUVER: Timestamp (40:40 sec)

Scene: Reckless maneuvers by pilots

Maverick and another top gun graduate placed their respective aircraft into a nosedive, going beyond the set low level altitude (hard deck). This altitude is set to maintain the safety of the aircraft and the crew members. By going beyond this level, they endangered themselves and also risked crashing the aircraft into the ground.

RECOMMENDATION: Fly the aircraft within the set parameters. Do not go beyond the set low level altitude.

8.     FALLING (BOAT): Timestamp (46:45 sec)

Scene: High winds cause boat to lean

While Maverick was assisting Penny with her boat that needed repair, the winds caused the craft to lean excessively to one side. Either of them could have fallen into the ocean and risked drowning. Neither of them was wearing life jackets and the water was choppy as evidenced by the white caps visible on the waves.

RECOMMENDATION: Life jackets should be used. This would offer some protection if one was to fall into the ocean. With respect to the excessive tilting of the vessel, another experienced person should be onboard to assist Penny with navigating and maneuvering the vessel in the strong winds.

9.     FALL (JUMPING OUT WINDOW): Timestamp (1:07:15 sec)

Scene: Pete jumping out the window

Pete jumped out of Penny’s window to avoid being seen by Penny’s daughter. He falls to the ground and the daughter still sees him. He could have damaged himself from the sudden impact with the ground.

RECOMMENDATION: Maverick should have used the stairs to exit the house instead of putting his life in danger by jumping through the window to avoid being seen by the daughter who saw him anyway when he hit the ground.

10.  FIRE: timestamp (1:13:05 sec)

Scene: Aircraft engines caught fire

Both engines on the aircraft caught fire due to ingestion of birds. The pilot tries to restart one engine while it was on fire causing a total malfunction. The pilot was then forced to eject from the fiery plane which crashed in the mountain.

RECOMMENDATION: Proper procedure should be followed; the engine should not be restarted when fire is visible. She tried to restart the engine, this caused fuel to be introduced and created an explosion.

11.  LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT: timestamp (1:33:00 sec)

Scene: Flying at low altitudes

Four aircraft descend into the valley at approximately one hundred feet altitude. They have to maintain this altitude to prevent detection by the enemy radars. At this altitude it is extremely dangerous as even the slightest maneuver can result in catastrophe. The aircraft can come into contact with the ground and/or the mountainside. 

RECOMMENDATION: Due to the nature of the task and the extremely high risk involved this mission should be carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones. This would eliminate the danger posed to the pilots involved and precision missile strikes could be utilized to destroy the facility. 

12.  FIRE/EXPLOSION: Timestamp (1:40:12 sec, 1:43:20 sec)

Scene: Narrow escape from aircraft

Maverick’s jet is hit by a surface to air missile. The jet is split into two and explodes in a fireball. Soon after another aircraft is shot down by the surface to air missile defense system. Both pilots escaped by ejecting from their fiery jets before they were engulfed in flames.

RECOMMENDATION: Use of drones instead of manned aircraft. No persons would be physically involved, and this would eliminate the hazard altogether.

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

1. DESTRUCTION OF URANIUM FACILITY: Timestamp (1:38:16 sec)

Scene: Explosion of Uranium Plant (a highly toxic chemical)

The uranium enrichment facility was destroyed by two precision guided missiles launched from the F-18 aircraft. The bombs caused the entire facility to explode, and debris spread over a wide area in the mountain valley. Any radioactive material present at the site would have been exposed and would be present throughout the blast area and surroundings due to the winds.

Recommendation – The health and safety department can spend more time enlightening the pilots of the danger if they come into contact with their bodies.

2. DAMAGED JET ON AIRCRAFT CARRIER: Timestamp (1:57:15 sec)

Scene: Damaged aircraft resulting in fuselage and gas posing a chemical hazard

The damaged F-14 jet Maverick used to get back to the aircraft carrier landed without any nose landing gear as well as several bullet holes from the enemy aircraft and a malfunctioning engine. The smoke created from the damaged engine as well as the fuselage coming into contact with the deck of the aircraft carrier poses a chemical hazard to the person onboard the ship and jet.

RECOMMENDATION: Foam should be used on the landing strip to minimize the risk of fire and lessen the smoke created when the plane contacts the surface or the carrier.

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

1. CONTAMINATED SNOW: Timestamp (1:41:34 sec)

Scene: Maverick passed out in the snow

When maverick aircraft is shot down by enemy fire he ejects and parachutes into the snow. He falls into the snow, and it gets on his face and around his nostrils and mouth. Snow is known to contain bacteria from surrounding areas and contaminants from animals which may have passed by. If this snow enters a person’s mouth, eyes or nose, bacteria can be passed on to that individual.

Recommendation- In this case due to him being unconscious there is not much that can be done to mitigate the situation. However, a discussion can be help on the probability of bacteria pathogens being in the snow and to further take precautions in the event that one has to come into contact with snow during missions. 

2. SINGING LOUDLY IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER:  Timestamp (31:12 sec)

Scene: Close proximity of Pilots

The Top Gun Graduates are singing “Great balls of fire,” they are very vocal and can be seen shouting in close proximity to each other. Viruses and bacteria can easily be spread from one individual to another in this setting. Bodily fluids, in this case saliva can be expelled from one’s mouth and easily find its way to another person’s face or mouth. This would facilitate the potential transfer of germs and viruses. 

RECOMMENDATION: Stand a safe distance from each other and wear masks to prevent the spread of droplets from each other’s mouths and nostrils.

PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS

1. STRESS: Timestamp (9:18 sec)

Scene: Ignoring of Admiral orders created a tense atmosphere

The Admiral ordered the flight to be stopped immediately while Maverick was already airborne. The order is relayed to Maverick who either ignores the request or does not hear it. This puts the officers who are controlling the flight under serious stress since the admiral is in their presence and his order is not being carried out.

RECOMMENDATION: This could have been averted if maverick had followed the instructions given to him by his superiors.

2. STRESS: Timestamp (53:20 sec)

Scene: A violent altercation amongst graduates

Fellow Top Gun graduates get in an altercation because one brought up a past event which weighed heavily on one of the graduates. His father was the person the other individual was referring to and this cause emotions to run high and nearly come to blows.

RECOMMENDATION: The graduates should have been more sensitive to the situation and not raise the topic about their subordinate’s father.

3. STRESS/DEATH: Timestamp (1:16:35 sec)

Scene: The loss of a colleague

The death of old Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky weighed heavily on maverick. They both shared a long history in the navy together and his passing hurt maverick deeply. Maverick tacked the ceremonial wings unto his coffin.

Recommendation: The creation of mental support systems within the workplace is crucial considering the numerous hazards. These individuals operate within a highly stressful and dangerous profession. Based on some of these events, individuals may be traumatized or experience trauma-based behaviors such as chronic tension and social avoidance.  The workplace can offer resources to assist those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and employees should be encouraged to access such services. The diagram below highlights some ways to promote mental well-being at work. The loss of a work colleague can be traumatic so by providing counselling individuals can feel a bit at ease.

ERGONOMIC HAZARDS

Body Posture: Timestamp (1:27:08 sec)

Source: Employee constantly stretching to repair aircraft

Aircraft engineers spend a considerable amount of time in an uncomfortable skeletal position below aircraft as part of maintenance and preparation for flight. The cardiovascular and skeletal systems could become compromised by working in these positions for prolonged periods.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Employees should be rotated and work shorter periods in these compromised positions. Regular breaks should be taken to allow for stretching of muscles and flexing of joints. Also, aircraft can be placed on a ramp to facilitate maintenance.

Risk Assessment

What Hazards?	Who might be harmed and how?	Risk Rating: Likelihood, severity	Actions to reduce risk ALARP	Person responsible for action	Due by date	Signed off as done on date
Physical Hazard (Noise)	The crew at the aircraft carrier deck can be harmed by the loud aircraft jet engines which can result in permanent hearing loss.	Likelihood: 4, Severity:5, Overall risk: 4*5= 20	When assigned to any areas of the air deck or within close proximity to the aircrafts, all personnel should be mandated to wear proper PPE which would include earplugs, earmuffs and safety eyewear.	Safety Department	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (Fall)	Maverick can be harmed as in unforeseen circumstances, can result in him falling off his motorcycle, which can result in serious head injury or even death as he is seen on multiple instances riding without his helmet.	Likelihood: 5, Severity:5, Overall risk: 5*5= 25	Upon mounting on his motorcycle, Maverick should ensure that he wears a US DOT compliant motorcycle safety helmet when riding his motorcycle.	Maverick	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (G-Force)	All aircraft pilots can be harmed by G-Force as extended exposure to the gravitational force can result in severe damage to the cardiovascular system, the skeletal system and can also result in death.	Likelihood: 5, Severity:5, Overall risk: 5*5= 25	To curtail the extremes of G-Force, it can be recommended that all pilots adhere to the prerequisite limits which is under 10.0 to prevent the extremes of G-Force exposure.	Maverick	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (Crash)	Maverick was seen minorly harmed as he exposed himself and his aircraft to high levels of G-Force which resulted in putting the aircraft under immense stress as the aircraft was unable to withstand the aerodynamic forces which triggered warning alerts and malfunctions which further resulted in the aircraft disintegrating and prompted Maverick to evacuate the aircraft via the parachute handles which in turn led to him parachuting and landing abruptly onto the snow.	Likelihood: 5, Severity:5, Overall risk: 5*5= 25	This feat could have been avoided and in the future, all pilots should adhere to the rules and regulations pertaining to the safe G-Force parameters and staying under the limit. Moreover, in the event the pilots need to accelerate at a greater rate, modern aircrafts can be utilized.	Maverick	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (Fall/Noise)	Maverick can be harmed as he is seen returning to the airbase along with other passengers of the rescue team and their doors are open which means there’s a possibility that turbulence can cause the passengers to veer close to the open doors and fall out despite how secure the seat belts are. Additionally, the passengers are exposed to the noise from the helicopter’s engine and rotors and with the length of the flight, the continued noise can result in hearing ailments.	Likelihood: 3, Severity:4, Overall risk: 3*4= 12	It can be recommended that whilst airborne, the doors should remain closed and utilize the seat restraints. Furthermore, ear and hearing protection should be implemented to curb the noise vibrations.	Rescue Team	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (Fall)	Maverick was affected as he was physically carried and thrown out of the bar where he could have sustained broken bones, spinal damage or even a head injury.	Likelihood: 3, Severity:4, Overall risk: 3*4= 12	This could have been avoided had the bartender not implement that as a rule. She could have simply told him he had to leave even though it was all fun and games.	Bartender/Top Gun Graduates	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (Crash)	Both Maverick and Top Gun graduate could have been harmed whilst attempting to nosedive and going beyond the set low level altitude. Their lives were at risk as they could have crashed into the hard deck.	Likelihood: 5, Severity:5, Overall risk: 5*5= 25	It could be avoided if they maintain the set low level altitude.	Maverick	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (Fall)	Maverick and Penny could have been affected whilst sailing on Penny’s boat that he was assisting her in repairing. The gust winds resulted in the boat tilting excessively to one side and as a result either of them could have easily fallen into the deep sea and risked drowning. Moreover , they weren’t seen wearing any life jackets as the water was choppy which is evident by the white caps visible on the waves.	Likelihood: 4, Severity:4, Overall risk: 4*4= 16	To reduce the risk of drowning, life jackets should be mandatorily worn as it would provide some form of protection and safety in the event either of them falls into the ocean. Additionally, regarding the tilting of the boat, there should have been someone with experience onboard to assist with the technicalities such as navigating and maneuvering the vessel in the strong winds.	Penny	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (Fall)	Once again Maverick (Pete) is at risk as he jumps out of Penny’s window and falls to the ground. He could have sustained damage due to the sudden impact.	Likelihood: 3, Severity:4, Overall risk: 3*4= 12	This could have been prevented had he chosen to exit via the stairs, rather than risking his life jumping through the window.	Maverick	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (Fire)	Top Gun graduate Phoenix is at risk as birds flew into her engines which resulted in the engines catching on fire. Despite trying to restart the engine, the fire caused malfunctions which resulted in Phoenix having to pull on the ejection panels to get out the aircraft safely to avoid crashing with the aircraft into the mountain.	Likelihood: 5, Severity:5, Overall risk: 5*5= 25	To reduce the likelihood of this risk, pilots should follow proper procedure which entails not restarting the engines when fire is visible. This occurred due to the fuel releasing from restarting which created an explosion.	Safety Department	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (Crash)	The four pilots could have been hard as they were flying at extremely low altitudes through a valley in order to avoid being detected by enemy radars. The slightest maneuver can result in crashing into the ground or mountain.	Likelihood: 5, Severity:5, Overall risk: 5*5= 25	The risk could have been avoided had the mission been carried out using ‘unmanned aerial vehicles’ (UAV) or drones which would eliminate the danger directed to the pilots. To add, precision missile strikes could have been the solution to destroy the facility.	Safety Department	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Physical Hazard (Fire/Explosion)	Maverick could have been harmed as his jet was attacked by missiles which prior to ejecting from the jets, had split into two and exploded in a fireball.	Likelihood: 5, Severity:5, Overall risk: 5*5= 25	The risk could have been averted if drones were utilized instead of piloted aircrafts. As a result, there wouldn’t be any physical harm caused and this would eliminate the hazard altogether.	Safety Department	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Chemical Hazard	Destruction of the uranium facility. Pilots could have been harmed had any of the residual gasses seeped into their aircrafts which could result in their body systems being poisoned.	Likelihood: 3, Severity:5, Overall risk: 3*5= 15	The health and safety department can spend more time enlightening the pilots of the danger if they come into contact with their bodies.	Safety Department	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Chemical Hazard	Maverick could have been harmed by chemical fumes as his jet landed without any nose landing gear and the smoke created from the damaged engine as well as the fuselage poses a chemical hazard to Maverick as well as the rescue team which can rescue him.	Likelihood: 3, Severity:3, Overall risk: 3*3= 9	To reduce any further chemical risk, foam should be on the airstrip to reduce the risk of fire as well as reduce the smoke that is caused from friction upon contact with the surface.	Safety Department	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Biological Hazard	Maverick could have been harmed as his jet was shot down by enemy fire which resulted in him having to eject his aircraft and parachute into the snow. His face comes into contact with the snow whilst he is unconscious, and the snow is known to contain a myriad of forms of bacteria from surrounding areas and contaminants from animals. If the snow was to enter his eyes, nose or mouth, the bacteria can possibly be passed onto him which can be detrimental.	Likelihood: 2, Severity:3, Overall risk: 2*3= 6	In this case due to him being unconscious there is not much that can be done to mitigate the situation. However a discussion can be help on the probability of bacteria pathogens being in the snow and to further take precautions in the event that one has to come into contact with snow during missions.	Safety Department	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Biological Hazard	The Top Gun graduates are at risk of exposing themselves to viruses, bacteria and bodily fluids such as saliva which they can be in possession of. This can be transmitted to one another whilst they are singing loudly within close proximity of each other. The germs can be transported if it comes into contact with their mouths or noses.	Likelihood: 2, Severity:2, Overall risk: 2*2= 4	To reduce the risk of this occurring, they can stand at safe distances away from each other.	Top Gun Graduates	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Psychosocial Hazard	The officers controlling the flight are under stress as the admiral orders that the flight Maverick has taken be stopped and resultantly, Maverick does not oblige to the orders and carries on the flight.	Likelihood: 2, Severity:1, Overall risk: 2*1= 2	This could have been averted had Maverick obliged to the instructions given to him by his superior.	Maverick	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Psychosocial Hazard	The Rooster is affected by stresses as an alteration brewed better for him and his fellow graduates regarding his father which caused a rise in emotions and resultantly stress.	Likelihood: 2, Severity:2, Overall risk: 2*2= 4	Had the other graduates kept quiet and refrain from making said remarks this would avoid Rooster from becoming stressed out.	Top Gun Graduates	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Psychosocial Hazard	Maverick is affected by the death of old admiral Iceman and this weighed heavily on him. They both had a long run of history together and he seemed to be quite stressed out about his passing.	Likelihood: 1, Severity:2, Overall risk: 1*2= 2	Avoidance of this is inevitable.	No one	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022
Ergonomic Hazard	Aircraft specialists have to spend a considerable amount of time in an uncomfortable skeleton position beneath the aircrafts as part of the preparations. Their cardiovascular and skeletal systems could be harmed as a result of this.	Likelihood: 3, Severity:3, Overall risk: 3*3= 9	To reduce the strain on their bodies, employees should take turns working in short bursts rather than switching roles for long periods of time. Another preventative measure is to have the planes use a ramp before takeoff. To reduce the strain on the back, we can avoid the need to crawl under the plane by increasing its altitude.	Safety Department	December 1st, 2022	December 31st, 2022

Risk Assessment

Conclusion

This movie features every conceivable kind of risk, as well as a number of different kinds of risks within each category. Because of the high-risk environment that exists on airfields and the myriad of potential issues that could arise, health and safety should be the utmost concern there. Health and safety officials are required to provide employees with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as training in order to guarantee that workers are aware of the risks associated with their jobs. The risks associated with the dangers depicted in the movie have been associated with some recommendations that were made to assist in minimizing or mitigating those risks. In addition, these risks were evaluated in light of the requirements and standards outlined in the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and it was found that they did, in fact, violate the law, which meant that they needed to be addressed in light of this fact. The Occupational Safety and Health Act was another factor that played a role in determining the recommended course of action to mitigate the risk.

Contributors of the Blog:

Sivan Ramkissoon

Adeeta Ragbir

Steve Gunness

Tiffany Mohanlal

Daneella Jogie

Afiya Wyllie

References

Garvin, David A. 1987. “Competing on the Eight Dimensions of Quality.” Harvard Business Review, November 1987.

Ruzicka, Joe. 2022. “What Top Gun 2 Got Right and Wrong about Navy Fighter Culture.” The Drive. August 15, 2022. https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/what-top-gun-2-got-right-and-wrong-about-navy-fighter-culture.

“F/A-18E/F Super Hornet”. 2022. Military.Com. https://www.military.com/equipment/f-a-18e-f-super-hornet.

“Top Gun: Maverick – The Fighter Jets That Make The Movie”. 2022. Morson.Com. https://www.morson.com/blog/2022/05/top-gun-jets-make-movie?source=google.com.

“Top Gun: Maverick’S New Fighter Jet Explained”. 2019. Screenrant. https://screenrant.com/top-gun-mavericks-new-fighter-jet-explained/.

Water, S. 2022. Mental Health in the Workplace: Why Support Is So Important..betterup.com. https://www.betterup.com/blog/mental-health-in-the-workplace

EQUALIZER NOT SO EQUAL?

(Fuqua 2014)

INTRODUCTION 

Don’t we all just love a good action movie ?!  

The thrill, the cool moves and especially seeing popular actors like Denzel Washington!  

 Equalizer 1 is an American action film which premiered in 2014. The movie was written by Richard Wenk, directed by Antonie Fuqua and its main character Robert McCall was played by Denzel Washington. Robert McCall’s character represented a mysterious man that created a new life for himself after leaving his past life as a former United States Marine and later Defense Intelligence Agency officer. 

However, in the film we see the main character thrusted back into his role as US operative after meeting a young teenage prostitute, Teri who was brutally beaten by Russian mobsters. The events of her abuse  resulted in McCall tapping back into his powerful and formidable skills, as he comes out of retirement and adopts the role of vigilante in his community.

Throughout the movie, the character places himself in dangerous and combative situations as he endeavored to avenge the wrong doings and bring justice to the criminal elements. He assumes the role of The Equalizer and fearlessly battles his opponents throughout the movie. In the end he dismantles the Russian organizations by tricking the leader to electrocute  himself.  

After reviewing The Equalizer, it’s clear that Robert McCall is one man you don’t want to piss off! He seems like a cool and humble guy. I mean he works at Home Mart, takes the bus, eats at the local diner and even goes to great lengths to help his friend lose weight. What a guy!  

Even though Robert gave off this friendly and warm personality, when his diner friend Teri was assaulted his true colors came out and he inflicted a lot of pain on those responsible. Now don’t get me wrong, they all deserved what they got. There was a lot of bodily harm, pointy equipment and explosions which can all be classified as hazards!  

What exactly are hazards you may ask? Well, we can say a hazard is any source of potential damage. It can cause injury or loss of life or even property (Robert surely caused a lot of injury and damage).  When we’re discussing hazards it’s important to understand the different types to pay attention too. For example, physical, biological, chemical, psychosocial and ergonomic hazards.

 Each hazard has a distinct difference and reaction. Different hazards were identified within this movie and we’ll take some time to explore those hazards, their effects and how to prevent them.  

Hazard Assessment 

Physical Hazards

As mentioned, the movie has a lot of hazards identified with many of them being physical. From the kicks, punches, wounding and even gun shots!  What are physical hazards? I’m glad you asked. Let’s look at some literature reviews to get a concise definition.  

According to Che Huei L, et al., 2020, Physical hazards, which are defined as environmental risk factors that can harm the body without contact. Bob (Teri calls him Bob, so we’re going to call him Bob) works at Boston Home Mart which is a home improvement and construction store where you can purchase home products, tools and construction materials. 

The store he works in is surrounded by many different hazards such as heavy equipment and lumber but, we’re going to focus on one particular scene. 

Bob was seen operating a panel saw cutting a piece of plywood you know, just performing his daily duties. The panel saw is seen as a physical hazard because I mean there’s a sharp blade!   Panel saws are very powerful machines and have been known to cause serious injuries and operators have  experienced finger and hand amputations.  Ouch! 

Recommendation

Proper PPE must be worn at all times. In the scene Bob is not wearing his full protective wear. The required PPE when operating panel saws are as follows: 

• Eye wear 
• Ear Protection 
• Hard Hats 
• Protective Footwear  
• Gloves 
• Mask 
• Lead aprons

In the movie Robert can be seen wearing only overalls, eyewear and ear protection. Where is the rest of your PPE Robert! 

I mean even The Equalizer needs to practice safety! 

2) Always ensure the area is blocked off when the machine is in use! We can see a chain with what seems to be possibly a “caution” sign, or “closed area” sign attached to it while he works. Once the machine is in use the operator should follow all precautions to ensure his/her safety let’s look at some precautions:  

• Always wear PPE 
• Never stand or lean too close to the machine once it is in use 
• If machine is malfunctioning stop use immediately  
• If possible, always follow the lock out/tag out method when operating machines 

This movie just screams hazards from the beginning to the end. As we can see, Home Mart is a store with many hazardous items on display. Something we noticed was while workers were moving around products, sawing or drilling it was done around shoppers. In a scene in the movie showed a forklift operator carrying pieces of lumber into another lane. During this scene customers can be seen pushing their carts and shopping without the worry of their safety. Not cool Home Mart!  

It’s very clear of the danger heavy duty machines like forklifts can cause to those around. They are powerful machines and usually carries heavy loads, it’s no surprise that it poses several hazards.  

Let’s take a peep of some of the dangers of this machine: 

• Running into shelves occupied with other hazardous items 
• Colliding with customers 
• Dropping materials, it’s carrying 
• Too much load 
• Overhead obstructions in store 
• Attachments 
• Fall from the forklift itself 
• Malfunctioning 
• Blind Spots 

Whew and the list goes on!  

Recommendations 

• Close off area where the forklift is operating. This is for the safety of the employees and customers of the store. Customers casually shopping around the forklift is never safe or appropriate. This would avoid collision with other employees and customers. Those around can be struck or crushed, or the operators can fall off which can cause bodily harm or be fatal.  
• Follow safety protocols when operating/around forklift. This applies to the operator and other workers working in close proximity of the machine.  This can be done by wearing PPE such as hard hats, safety boots, gloves and safety vest so others can see the operator. Let’s not forget to wear seatbelts!  
• Avoid overloading: It’s been a long day, it’s busy and you probably missed lunch, so you try to add more load to the forklift. This can cause the machine to tip and fall causing sever damage to property and most importantly life! 

Fall Hazard 

“It is not the fall that hurts but rather the sudden stop at the end!” The former is a well known phrase used to describe the impact of a fall. OHSA describes the elements of a fall as sudden, unprepared for descent in time carried out by gravity.  A fall can lead to minor injuries , disabling injuries and even deadly outcomes. The seriousness of a fall is a direct correlation to the quickness in which the fall can occur. A fall can happen in mere seconds !

Hence, a fall hazard in the workplace consists of all factors that result in loss of balance accidentally or body support and lead to falling. Therefore it is recommended that within the workplace personnels are equipped with knowledge to identify a falling hazard as a mechanism to help prevent and mitigate.  

 In the movie Equalizer 1 the beginning scene (3:08) demonstrated the main character in an overcrowded train. He and many others are standing closely together, visibly  only supported by  straphangers. The use of straphanger is for standing passengers in trains ideally for rush hour or full capacity situations. One one had the provision can be seen as an accommodation for standing passengers however it poses severe health and safety threats to these individuals. 

 In the movie viewers see Robert and many other persons utilize these straphangers but the close proximity and quick and unpredictable movement of the train can result in these standing passengers being highly susceptible to suffering from falls. Likewise passengers who are shorter may not be able to reach the height of the straphangers, thus leaving them with no support as the train moves. Moreover, the quantity of standing passengers, the fast pace movement of the train and the possibility for the train to make sudden unanticipated stops, invites the high chance of a fall. A fall in this instance can result in head injuries, broken bones and cuts. 

Recommendation 

A recommendation would be to adopt a safety-monitoring system. The former is defined by OSHA as a set of procedures assigned to a competent person for monitoring or warning workers who may be unaware of fall hazards.In this case train attendants can be put in place to monitor or control train capacity and adverse patrons of the potential harm of being a standing passenger. Likewise, warning signs against standing in the train can also be implemented in trains as a form of signaling to the passenger of the potential danger and risk. 

Physical Hazard – Electrical Hazard 

According to OSHA an electrical hazard can be defined as a serious workplace hazard that exposes workers to the following:

•  Burns
•  Electrocution
•  Shock
•  Arc Flash/Arc Blast
•  Fire
•  Explosions

Electrocution is a fatal outcome caused by electricity. Therefore, human exposure to lethal amounts of electrical energy results in death. As we know, electricity is essential to modern life, both at home and on the job. Some employees may work directly with electricity  for example, electricians, engineers, electronic technicians, and power line workers. As such, training in electrical hazards will provide workers with information that will enable them to recognize major electrocution hazards. 

 In the final scene of the movie Equalizer 1 (2:02:00) viewers saw one of the antagonists in the film was electrocuted. The former occurred because electrical phone wires were cut on the floor.  After cutting these wires, Robert  McCall left on the sink. Faucet water overflowed from the sink onto the ground. When the individual stepped out of the shower and into the water, the exposed electrical wires released an electrical current into the water. This resulted in immediate electrical current entering his body, paralyzing his muscles and causing him to scream in agony. Hence, resulting in electrocution of the individual.

Recommendation 

It must be understood that water is a conductor of electricity and  it allows current to flow more easily in wet conditions and through wet skin. Hence, a suggestion is to always avoid coming into contact with any electrical sources when wet. Additionally, one should always ensure that the electrical wires are not exposed, cut or tampered with before coming into close contact. 

Psychological hazard

According to OSHA, aspects of the workplace and how work is structured can be linked to mental problems and/or physical harm or disease are known as psychological hazards. Psychosocial risks can have a detrimental effect on organizational metrics like productivity, absenteeism, and turnover if they are not properly managed.

Workplace PTSD

Symptoms of PTSD can interfere with the individual’s ability to work in numerous ways. These include memory problems, lack of concentration, poor relationships with coworkers, trouble staying awake, fear, anxiety, panic attacks, emotional outbursts while at work, flashbacks, and absenteeism.

This job as a retired intelligence operative entitled killing people and hurting them as such, he became obsessed with structure and habits. Robert would get flash backs thoughts when someone bad is going to occur, in the movie you would hear him talking to himself after killing the Russian mafia in the office apologizing saying sorry as that is the promise he made to him departed wife that he would stop

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment to the person it is directed at, anyone witnessing the behavior, broader work- the girls go through this as their job in the escort service dealing with men who disrespected them and even hit them from the movie Teri who real name is Alina was being abused by a client and the owner of the escort service would call her names and abuse her leaving psychological trauma

Being Held Hostage

Being held hostage on the job is a traumatic experience that can be triggering in the movie regarding this, The cashier being robbed as the woman was crying and  a gun was pointed to her This can be traumatizing experiences as such can lead to paranoia.

 

Recommendation

Based on the hierarchy of control, the process of elimination is best suited for these situations in the movie when it comes to psychological hazards with regards to Alina is elimination, removing her from the environment and sending her to therapy to deal with all the trauma she would have faced with a job like that. For Robert as he is retired he should go to a psychologist and deal with his PTSD and according to the assessment then they would see how he can be treated. For Jenny who encountered a robbery at gunpoint, that can be a traumatic experience so she should be placed into another department till she is placed into counseling to deal with her experience until she can go back to her regular job. 

Ergonomics 

According to the U.S, Department of Labour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Ergonomics is the science of designing the job to fit the worker, rather than physically forcing the worker’s body to the job. Poor ergonomic planning by an organization can lead to Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

 Musculoskeletal disorders affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligament and tendons of an individual. Employees of all organizations can be exposed to this risk of MSDs in the work environment through repetitive action task, poor posture when sitting when sitting, unnatural postures for a long period for example having a bent/arched back to complete a task, lifting a heavy object improperly and working extensive hours without breaks. Many of these examples listed, one will only feel the effect after a long duration of executing the action when a feeling of discomfort or pain begins.

It is important for an organization when strategizing and engineering the best work environment and schedule for their employees to consider existing and potential ergonomic hazards. Planning to prevent such hazards will benefit both the Organization and its employees as it will reduce employee turnover, employee physical stress for example fatigue, body pains and internal and external injuries.

In the selected movie The Equalizer, Individuals bodies were exposed to ergonomic hazards and unknown stress doing regular daily activities. Below we will list a few of the compromising positions where ergonomic hazard were present: 

Posture

 In the above video we can see Robert assisting Ralphie with his weight loss journey. They were doing a tire pulling exercise, this exercise if not executed correctly can cause Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) as it’s continuous pulling of a heavy object. Ralphie’s arms and back muscles can be damaged if continuous improper posture is used to pull the tire. The continuous stress to these muscles can restrict Jake’s movements and increase discomfort over a period of time.

Another more commonly yet not taken as seriously hazardous activity is posture when sitting. In this movie, a lunch-room scene in the home store where Robert worked, in this scene we saw Ralphie sitting on a chair slightly slouched about to eat his sandwich. Slouching goes against the natural shape of a human’s spine hence adds tension to the muscles and bones over time, which in the long term can lead to misshape of the human spine. 

Recommendation

•  Ralphie to avoid any muscular injury to back or arms should have trained on proper lifting techniques as seen in the picture above. Even though he’s not exactly doing the same activity, a similar concept can be used. Pulling the tire with a straighter back position and as well PPE that can be used to support him is a weight belt. If Robert took into consideration the potential ergonomic risk he would have trained Ralphie on better Lifting or Tire pulling techniques that will not harm him and be more effective in completing his activity. Following those lifting tips would reduce the risk of MSDs occurring which will affect the compatibility of Ralphie to continue doing his different task.

• Sitting is an activity everyone takes part in, however everyone does not do it correctly. The picture above shows the proper posture for sitting that will reduce back pain. Improper sitting posture is an Ergonomic hazard many experience but is not aware of the damage till it’s too late. An individual should sit in an upright position maintaining the S-curve of one’s back. Organizations can reduce the risk from this activity by training and provide the correct PPE. Training workers how to sit with the correct posture and providing comfortable chairs with a high backrest that does not influence individuals to slouch, these actions will lower the risk of musculoskeletal disorders for example Scoliosis.

Lengthy Hours

During the movie while Robert visited Susan and it was identified that Robert did not sleep throughout the night. Lack of sleep or rest over a period of time can affect an individuals health and it will increase the risk of ergonomic-related injuries of workers who handle heavy machinery on a regular basis and is now susceptible to sleep deprivation, fatigue, body pains and lost of focus. In Robert’s case he was preparing for his mass murderous activity due to lack of sleep leading to reduced focus, unnecessary physical injuries to by standers/unintentional targets for example his friends from work who were held in hostage could have occurred.

Recommendations

Even though it may be necessary for some employees in different jobs to work long hours, it’s important their management ensures the workers take necessary breaks to recover to avoid as many mistakes as possible and mishandling of equipment during the working hours. These breaks are important to reduce the level of ergonomic risk that can potentially occur due to the lack of rest and sleep deprivation. It was important for Robert to be well rested because during his revenge scene when he killed his opponents, he handled various tools and machinery hence focus was needed to execute the task. 

Biological Hazards

Even though Robert Mc Call is a highly trained and slightly OCD former CIA operative, he still found himself exposed to some biological hazards. Who knew that could happen while fighting Russian bad guys? Shocking, right?

So, what is a biological hazard? According to NIOSH “biological hazards are disease-producing agents (pathogens) that can be transmitted to individuals through various routes of exposure” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2022). Some sources of these biological hazards (biological agents) can include threats like bacteria, viruses, plants, insects, animals, birds and humans. Other vectors for spreading these hazards are saliva, blood, semen, human tissues and human cells. Some of the health effects of exposure to these hazards range from skin irritation, needlestick and sharp injuries to allergic reactions, cancer, AIDS, TB, infections, flu, COVID, Hepatitis A, B & C and Monkeypox. Sounds pretty serious! That’s not to mention any indoor air quality issues like moulds and fungi. Naturally, workers exposed to these modes of transmission may cause acute or chronic health conditions. Occupations such as medical staff, healthcare services, cleaning services; jobs where you deal with waste and rubbish collection and disposal. Also, working at Home Mart is a clear hazard.

Biological Hazard 1

Direct human-to-human transmission/ needlesticks and sharps injury

So, how safe was Robert? Sad to say, but not so much! Very early in the movie (about 32:30 minutes in) Bob has an encounter with several Russian gangsters (no stereotypes here) who beat his friend and sent her to the hospital. Robert had a conversation with them that didn’t go so well. A fight broke out and we see a couple of hazards occur. Firstly, bodily fluids such as blood were sprayed onto Robert after he stabs Slavi’s friends with a corkscrew. This is a sharp injury hazard as the corkscrews we left unsecured on the table and were then used in the fight. Also, blood gets all over Robert’s hands, exposing him to a risk of infections and viruses such as AIDS, TB and Hepatitis. Unfortunately, exposure to needle-stick and sharp injury hazards led to the death of Slavi and his friends. So what could be done to mitigate the risks?

Recommendations

We can implement an infection control programme that includes both engineering and administrative work practice controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) (United States Department of Labour 2022).

Protective clothing such as goggles or face shields, protective clothing like a protective cover-all, a disposal mask (N95 would be great) and gloves. This PPE would adequately protect Robert from exposure. Also, education should be provided to encourage the safe storage of sharp and use of sharp objects to avoid injury. Elimination was also an option as Slavi should have returned the wine corkscrews to the bar after use, thus removing the potential hazard.

Biological Hazard 2:

Direct human-to-human transmission and droplet/airborne contamination: Coughing up blood

We see this direct form of transmission when Slavi starts coughing up blood after being shot in his neck. Due to the blood in his throat (and the bullet), Slavi starts coughing up blood as Robert sits close to have a final chat with him. Slavi could have sprayed infectious agents directly into Robert’s face, or they could have become airborne due to his coughing.

Recommendation

Robert should have worn a mask and or a face shield when in proximity to Slavi. Droplets can be aerosolized when a person coughs, sneezes or talks and this can come into contact with the mouth, eyes or nose. This could cause him to contract influenza or any of the Covid viruses or even tuberculosis. There are OSHA standards which speak directly to the prevention of transmission of infectious agents such Bloodborne Pathogens standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) (United States Department of Labour 2022)

Biological Hazard 3:

Indirect transmission through surface contact:

At one point in the movie, Home Mart is robbed and Robert was able to get the license plate of the guy involved. No, Robert didn’t give the information to the police. Instead, Bob choose to handle it his way. However, by doing this he put his co-workers and even customers at risk. In the scene we see Robert first take a sledgehammer from the store, and then sometime later he returns with it in hand. There was human matter (blood) on the hammer and Robert wipes it off with a cloth and places it back on the shelf! Not the best way to deal with the potential contaminated surface. To top it off he shook off the cloth as he walked away. Bloodborne pathogens could have present on the surface of the hammer and may have now been spread to the floor and other touch points.

Recommendation

The surface should have been decontaminated using disinfectant recommended for such purposes (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety 2022). Also, personal protective equipment like gloves should be used when cleaning products and cleaning contaminated surfaces. Afterwards, hands should be washed thoroughly with water. A dedicated cloth should be used for cleaning and not used for any other purpose.

Chemical Hazards

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Health and Safety Authority and Agency, hazardous chemicals are any substance which poses a physical or health hazard to persons in the workplace. Hazardous chemicals may be carcinogenic, or may cause burns, respiratory illnesses, skin irritation that are harmful to a person’s health. Chemical properties may be corrosive. explosive, or flammable. Some chemicals may be classified as mutagens which can cause genetic changes to a cell’s DNA and RNA, which can cause cancer, prevent the normal operation of biological functions, or may result organ malfunction. Hazardous chemicals may also pose carcinogenic, respiratory, or skin irritant hazards. Chemicals which are classified as teratogens can cause a fetus to develop birth defects and may interrupt the healthy advancement of pregnancy. Employers have a special duty of care for those who are pregnant. Reactive hazards arise when the mixing of chemical substances may result in an explosion when they are either mixed or combined with other substances.

Section 6 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act Chapter 88:08 provides that employers have a duty to ensure that all hazardous chemicals present in the industrial establishment are properly labeled in a way that all employees can easily understand. The employer is required to obtain or prepare an up-to-date chemical safety data sheet which must be kept in the workplace. Such data sheets must be made available in English as well as any other prescribed languages. Employers are also required to properly label any secondary vessels which contain hazardous chemicals and notify the employees of 1) their identity, 2) any hazards and 3) all safety precautions associated with their use. Employers must ensure that all such hazardous chemicals are properly handled, stored, identified and labeled and that all safety data sheets concerning hazardous chemicals are properly maintained. Staff must be adequately trained regarding the use and proper handling and storage of such chemicals.

Inhalation of Cigarette Smoke – Carcinogenic, Respiratory Sensitizer Hazards

In the movie, we see Frank Masters’ character smoking a Marlboro cigarette. We can see from the cigarette butts surrounding the Marlboro package that he may have already smoked more than half the pack of cigarettes by that point.

According to the National Cancer Institute of America, cigarette smoke contains over 7000 chemicals, at least 250 of which are known to be harmful and at least 69 of which are carcinogenic. Harmful chemicals contained in cigarette smoke include ammonia, carbon monoxide, cyanide, benzene, formaldehyde and ammonia. Direct and second-hand exposure to cigarette smoke is known to cause approximately 480,000 premature deaths annually in the United States. Cigarette smoke has been found to cause cancer of the lung, pancreas, stomach, kidney, mouth and throat as well as heart disease, stroke and lung disease. Cigarette smoke is also known to be a risk of a teratogenic hazard to pregnant persons as it may interrupt the development of the fetus. Masters’ cigarette is not only harmful to himself, but to any other person who may have been with him in the room.

Recommendation:

The only way that Frank can avoid the harmful effects of smoking, is to eliminate the risk altogether. Frank will have to stop smoking. Unfortunately, smoking has been found to be addictive and habit-forming, therefore quitting won’t be easy. Frank may need to develop a strategy that includes the use of one or more of the various stop-smoking aids, such as nicotine replacement therapy in the form of nicotine patches or nicotine cigarettes. Frank may also need the support of those closest to him to help him kick the habit. An employer ought to prohibit cigarette smoking at the workplace to avoid the risk of carcinogenic or respiratory health hazards caused by either direct cigarette smoke inhalation, or inhalation of second hand cigarette smoke. 

Inhalation of Car Exhaust Fumes – Carcinogenic, Respiratory Sensitizer, Teratogenic, Mutagenic and Asphyxiation Hazards

Frank is forced to inhale car exhaust fumes which contain a potentially lethal blend of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, unburned fuel, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter such as mercury. The airborne toxins are pumped through a hose run directly from the car’s exhaust pipe into the vehicle where he sits handcuffed inside. Inhalation of car exhaust fumes poses a high risk of carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic and asphyxiant hazards. Inhalation of car exhaust fumes is potentially deadly. The carbon monoxide chemical and other chemicals displace oxygen in the body as it is absorbed by the red blood cells, which in turn leads to oxygen deprivation and eventual suffocation and death.

Recommendation: 

It is safest to completely eliminate the risk of hazards by re-engineering the process to exclude this series of events altogether. To eliminate the risk, the car ignition should remain off and the parties should be in a well-ventilated area free of airborne toxins.

Proper storage, identification and handling of hazardous chemicals – marked and unmarked vessels – Reactive and Irritant Hazards

At various points in the movie, we see that there are bottles which appear to contain substances that may be categorized as hazardous chemicals. It is uncertain whether the bottle on the table or the various bottles in the restaurant kitchen contain hazardous chemicals because the labelling is unclear to the viewer.

Recommendation: 

Assuming that these bottles contain hazardous chemicals, an employer would be required to ensure compliance with all statutory duties and obligations with respect to the proper communication and notification regarding these chemicals. Employers must ensure the required identification, labelling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals (Nathai-Balkissoon and Pun, 2016). Restaurant management must ensure there is proper health and safety training of employees, in their native languages, taking into consideration the diversity of literacy levels and cultural attitudes toward safety and risk prevention.

Cargo Ship and Tanker Explosion – Respiratory Sensitizer, Skin Irritant, Carcinogenic, Reactive, Flammable and Asphyxiant Hazards

In one of the best explosion scenes in cinema, ever Robert McCall casually walks through a cloud of dust and fumes, after having set off a series of explosions that decimated Pushkin’s cargo ship and tankers. The chemical properties of the contents of the tanker are highly flammable. The fire from the explosion produces a complex toxic combination of flame, heat, oxygen depletion, smoke and toxic gases (Stefanidou et al., 2008). Inhalation of toxic smoke from fires is actually the most common cause of fire-related deaths (Stefanidou et al., 2008). McCall is directly exposed to the toxic dust and fume cloud which comes into direct contact with his skin and eyes and is inhaled directly into his lungs. No doubt, the dust and fumes contain an airborne blend of hazardous chemicals, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, the properties of which have the potential to cause respiratory illness or other serious conditions such as cancer, or eye, throat, or skin irritant or asphyxiant hazards.

Recommendation: 

Ideally, McCall should be nowhere near this explosion scene. The explosives should be detonated while he is isolated and safe from exposure to the airborne contaminants which surround him. Alternatively, he ought to wear adequate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) such as goggles, a face shield, and a full body suit to help reduce the level of exposure.

Spraying of cleaning chemicals – Irritant Hazard

McCall gains access to one of Pushkin’s “offices” which is located in an industrial-sized meat freezer. We see that the floors are being hosed down with what may be a chemical cleaning fluid. Some (not all) persons in this scene are wearing lab coats and boots and head coverings and everyone’s face is uncovered. Assuming that the fluid used to spray the floors contains a solvent that is a hazardous chemical, there is a high likelihood that improper handling of such chemicals and direct contact with employees may be harmful to their health. Such solvents may potentially cause respiratory, skin irritation or other illnesses. 

Recommendation: 

Solvents are usually used to clean organic waste. In the context of the meat freezer, the proper use of solvents may be necessary to ensure that the floors are sanitary. If there is no less toxic substitute for the use of solvents in the sanitization of the premises, then employers will need to introduce administrative controls to ensure that all employees are properly trained in the use, handling and storage of these hazardous chemicals. Employers must also ensure that employees are made aware and understand fully, (in their native languages (DeJesus-Rivas et at., 2016)), the hazards and how to mitigate the risks of such hazards. Managers should take into consideration the diversity of culture and literacy levels of the members of the workforce in creating health and safety training and notification programs and policies (DeJesus-Rivas et al., 2016). To help reduce exposure to the toxic chemicals, the employer ought to provide and employees with adequate mandatory PPE, such as face shields, goggles, body suits, barrier cream and facilities for employees to wash up after their work shifts.

Risk Assessment Table

What hazard	Who might be harmed and how?	Risk rating: likelihood and severity	Actions to reduce risk ALARP	Person responsible for action	Due date by	Signed off as done on date
Psychological hazard- work stress PTSD	Robert McCall	3*2=6	Go to a psychologist for therapy and see if a recommend  medication if needed	Robert		The psychologist
Psychological hazard- Sexual harassment	Alina	3*2=6	Go to therapy to deal with the abuse faced with her job	Alina		The therapist
Psychological hazard -Trauma	Jenny	2*2=4	Counseling	The company	The week the robbery took place	The therapist
Physical Hazard- fall Hazard	Robert McCall & other train passengers	2*2=4	Safety assessment for trains	Train manufacturers		Safety Officer
Physical Hazard- Electrocution	Russian Mobster	3*3=9	Electrical risk training	Robert		Safety officer
Ergonomic Hazard Posture 1	Ralphie	1*2=2	Sitting Posture Training, and PPE new chairs.	Ralphie		Trainer, Safety Officer
Ergonomic Hazard Posture 2	Ralphie	2*2=4	Lifting/Pulling Training	Robert/Ralphie		Robert
Ergonomic Hazard- Sleep Deprivation	Robert	1*1=1	Rest at night, use white noise sounds to soothe the night, PPE (sleep mask), Therapy for Sleep Deprivation	Robert		Robert, Therapist
Biological Hazard 1: Direct Human to Human Transmission	Robert	2*3=6	Use proper PPE. Education on how to avoid needle sticks and sharps injury	Robert	Immediately	Robert/ Safety Officer
Biological Hazard 2: Direct human to human transmission and droplet/airborne contamination	Robert and Slavi	2*2=4	Use a mask or face shield. Proper PPE	Robert and Slavi	Immediately	Robert and Slavi/ Safety officer
Biological Hazard 3:Indirect transmission through surface contact	Robert and Slavi	2*3=6	Education. Decontamination of surface	Robert/ Safety Officer	Immediately	Safety Officer
Chemical Hazard 1 – smoking	Frank Masters	3*2=6	Stop smoking	Frank Masters	2-4 months	Frank Masters
Chemical Hazard 2 – car exhaust inhalation	Frank Masters	3*3=9	Leave car ignition turned off. Proper ventilation.	Robert	Immediate	Robert
Chemical Hazard 3 – irritant	Restaurant Owner, Robert	1*1=1	Proper identification of hazardous chemicals, proper storage, handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals, multilingual labelling, health and safety training programs for diverse cultures and literacy levels.	Restaurant Owner, Robert	1 week	Restaurant Owner, Robert
Chemical Hazard 4 – airborne explosion fumes	Robert	3*3=9	Isolation, Remote Detonation, PPE, multilingual labelling, notifications and training.	Robert	Immediate	Robert
Chemical Hazard 5 – cleaning solution	Freezer Employees	2*1=2	Substitution with less toxic cleaning chemical, Multilingual health and safety training Programs for diverse cultures and literacy levels, proper identification of hazardous chemicals, proper storage, handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals, mandatory PPE, wash up facilities.	Safety Officer – Pushkin & Co.	2 weeks	Safety Officer – Pushkin & Co.

Quality Dimensions Assessment in Equalizer 1- The Drill

What are quality dimensions? 

The quality of a product starts firstly with a  strategic question. It guides the development of product design,  sets the criteria for the selection of suppliers and raw material and  determines the choice of features or options.

A major factor in the development of sustainable competitive advantage is the product quality.   

Garvin (1987) identified the following eight dimensions for the development of products; performance, features, reliability, conformance, durability, serviceability, aesthetics, and perceived quality. In the movie Equalizer the main item that demonstrated an impactful product  was the drill utilized by the main character in the most climactic scene. It was the product that stayed within the viewer’s mind at the end of the movie. Robert and the drill!

Performance

A product’s essential function is identified as how it performs. 

The drill some might say outperformed in this movie!

A product created to drill holes into various materials was used as a weapon causing fatal damage to the body. 

The drill in the movie used by Robert McCall to defeat his opponents highlighted a high-quality product that was effective. For the main character, he will associate this product as being in alignment with the user’s expectation. The drill performed in the way the user intended and did not fall short on delivering the needs of the user. In this case the former leads to product satisfaction and positive association with the brand. This may result in repeat purchasing, product loyalty and brand advocacy. 

Reliability

 The reliability of the drill was never a question in the movie. The scene when the drill was used by Robert to kill a man showed its reliability to get the job done in a time of need and how well it performed getting the job done without failure or problem showing how reliable it can be when it is time to use it, it showed up and showed out.

Perceived quality

If I had to pick a drill to use just from that movie I would pick that drill as it showed the quality of the drill and how it can perform as such this is how the consumer sees the product, where it be from references, advertising, or demonstration in-store, to see how the drill works and if it is up to standard and based on the movie, the drill stood out and showed up when it came to perceived quality, I would surely run and buy that brand of drill based on how it was portrayed.

Features 

Drills usually have features such as variable speed and we assume this one has a hammer drill, and it is apparently waterproof! The drill also has a battery, which allows it to be portable. Also, this drill appears to be quiet as it didn’t draw that much attention when in use. All these features helped to penetrate the surfaces that Robert needed to be penetrated.

Conformance 

This refers to the extent to which a product’s design and operational characteristics align with industry standards, or how a product’s specifications match up against other similar products in the industry. In order to assess the conformance level of the drill, it will be necessary to obtain information regarding the standard specifications for other drills. In light of the fact that McCall appeared to encounter no difficulty in operating the drill, it would appear that the drill operated in much the same way as other drills in the industry.

Durability 

According to Gavin’s 1989 article, Durability can be deemed as the lifespan of the product before deterioration. It is the amount of time an individual can use this product before deterioration and excessive depreciation occurs. The lifespan of a product is subject to the amount of use it receives. Typically, the guaranteed time frame for a product to work without defects will be the warranty period. During the warranty period if the product malfunctions, it is now the responsibility of the store or manufacturer from which the item was purchased to service and fix the problem.

The chosen product from the movie the drill durability will vary based on the brand’s quality, the type of drill and the amount of use. In order for this drill in the movie to pass the durability test, it will have to survive the warranty period for example 2 years, as reliability and durability are closely linked in order for the drill to be durable we must be able to rely on this drill to function without complications at least during the warranty period. As well as it withstands drilling through different materials for example concrete or wood or in this case a human’s flesh and bones without malfunctioning in the midst of the task. 

Serviceability 

Serviceability is the sixth dimension of quality which simply means the user has no trouble repairing a faulty product. It also entails the competence, speed or courtesy of the product. Users of the product are also concerned with the length of time the product is repaired, whether the repairs correct the problems and the timeliness of the appointments. A major preference or importance to consumers is the number of service calls to correct the problem as consumers associate rapid repairs with higher quality. It’s also important to note that after repairs consumers may remain unsatisfied, which is dependent on how the complaint is handled, which has a big impact on the company’s reputation.  

However, Robert already works at Home Mart which we assume deals with product repairs! In a scene where the young guy came into the store to rob Jenny’s cash register, Robert was already attending to a customer. You can hear him say “ Can you do a quick card refund for me? Gentleman’s in a hurry”. By this, we can tell that he’s concerned about customer service and the timeliness of his service. Seeing that he works there and probably repairs is one of his job duties we can safely say it will be repaired in a jiffy!   

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A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY AND SAFETY ISSUES IN UNITED 93

AN EXAMINATION INTO UNITED 93

Fig 1 United 93 Movie Poster 2006 (IMBD)

INTRODUCTION

Our evaluation of the quality and safety issues in the movie “United 93” is focused on identifying the quality and safety issues that we observed in the various scenes of the movie and evaluating those issues using a number of evidence-based frameworks like the Garvin Model, Bird’s Triangle, the Hierarchy of Controls, the Five Hazards Framework, the Risk Scoring Matrix, and the Risk Assessment Tool.

We will discuss the theories and literature behind these tools and frameworks and explore their impact and significance for organizations and managers.

Our critical evaluation will identify a number of recommendations for improving or overcoming the quality and safety issues we have identified that will help readers and our audience be able to apply the same principles and tools to evaluating similar issues in their organizations, homes, and lives. Using the convening agent of a movie helps to improve the connection to the theoretical concepts. We will also use a number of diagrams and pictures to supplement our discussion and cater to some of our audience members who are more visually oriented.

At the end of this evaluation, we expect that readers will be able to: 1) Explain the 8 quality issues using the Garvin Model and assess quality issues in any product using the model; 2) Explain the five hazardous areas and identify hazards around them in all five areas; 3) Explain the risk assessment framework and the risk scoring tool and apply them to hazards that they face in their organizations and lives.

Before we share the outcomes of our critical evaluation, let us begin by providing a brief summary of the movie “United 93.”

SUMMARY – UNITED 93

United 93 was written and directed by Paul Greengrass in 2006. It is a movie about the events of September 11, 2001, now popularly referred to as “9/11.” On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists seized control of United Airlines Flight 93 and three other airplanes. As realization of the imminent horror dawns on passengers, crew, and loved ones on the ground, the courageous acts by those held hostage in the air count down in actual time. United 93 tells the story of the passengers and crew, their families on the ground, and the flight controllers who watched in dawning horror as United Airlines Flight 93 became the fourth hijacked plane on the day of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil: September 11, 2001.

“United 93” recreates the doomed trip in actual time, from takeoff to hijacking to the realization by those onboard that their plane was part of a coordinated attack unfolding on the ground beneath them. The film attempts to understand the abject fear and courageous decisions of those who, over the course of just 90 minutes, transformed from a random assembly of disconnected strangers into bonded allies who confronted an unthinkable situation. Unfortunately, the movie ended with all the passengers and crew on the plane dead after it crashed into a field. This was significant because of the four airplanes that were hijacked that day; only United Flight 93 did not crash into its intended target due to the bravery of the passengers. The heroic acts of the passengers as depicted in the movie were recorded through the various phone calls that the passengers made to Air Traffic Control, family members, and friends during the flight. The events of 911 changed the world of risk management and safety, so this movie is certainly an appropriate selection that is closely related to safety and quality.

QUALITY ISSUES

Quality Issues in the Key Product – Air Travel

Air travel includes all customer experiences, from booking and purchasing an airline ticket to boarding the plane and all security and administrative protocols at departure and arrival airports, as well as the in-flight experience that passengers have.We will be evaluating the quality of air travel as the product of this movie using the Garvin Framework and will focus on five of the eight elements of quality based on this framework as they relate to air travel as it is depicted in the movie.

Quality helps a firm gain a competitive advantage by delivering goods to the marketplace that meet customer needs, operate in their intended manner, and continuously improve quality dimensions in order to “surprise and delight” the customer. According to the Garvin Framework, there are eight dimensions of quality that can be used to evaluate a product or service (Garvin, 1987; Syahrial et al., 2018). These dimensions are:

1. Performance: the product’s primary operating characteristics
2. Features: attributes that supplement the product’s primary operating characteristics.
3. Reliability: the probability of a product failing within a specified time period.
4. Conformance: the extent to which a product’s design and operating characteristics meet predetermined standards
5. Durability: the amount of use a product offers a consumer before the product deteriorates
6. Serviceability: How fast, how easily, and with what degree of courtesy and competence are repairs performed?
7. Aesthetics: this is the appeal of a product to the five senses.
8. Perceived quality: the reputation, brand, image, or other inferences regarding the attributes of a product

When judging the passengers’ air travel in the movie, we found the following quality issues (both good and bad) and gave a brief explanation of each of the eight dimensions.

Garvin Dimensions	Explanation	Positive	Negative
Performance	The Primary operating characteristics of the plane and flight	The sound test by hostesses to confirm that phones were working	The Plane was hijacked   Hijackers got in with weapons despite security checks   The plane crashed
Features	Secondary characteristics of the plane and flight that enhance the appeal	Drinks and meals on the plane   Pillows and blankets for passengers   Telephone to make calls in flight.    Flight Attendant phoned United Airlines at their Speed Dial Fix number.	Privacy curtains prohibited passengers from witnessing what was taking place in 1st class
Reliability	The likelihood that the product will not fail and that expectations will be met	The plane was on time and passed safety checks for take off	Flight ended as a crash
Conformance	Extent to which the plane and flight meets established standards	Co-pilot supervising the fueling process   The knocking protocol established for accessing the cockpit   Safety demonstration was done properly	Cockpit was accessed by the terrorists   No air marshalls on board the plane
Durability	The amount of value that we can get from the plane and flight before it deteriorates	Aircraft seats were strong enough to facilitate the weight of 3 men holding onto it	The aircraft could not withstand the downward crash
Serviceability	The ease with which customers get service	Detailed reporting and updates on the delays	The Military was only informed of the hijacked plane after it crashed
Aesthetics	How the airplane looks, feels, sounds , smells and so on.	Branding of the seat covers of the plane   Nice branding on the exterior of the plane	Business class cabin did not have enough leg room and facilities
Perceived Quality	The reputation of the airline and the flight.	United is a well established brand with notable recognition for comfort and great service	After the plane was hijacked, customers feared traveling on board United planes’

Based on the foregoing quality issues, we propose the following recommendations to enhance air travel across five of the dimensions:

Dimension	Recommendations	Expected Impact
Conformance	Install digital access code to the cockpit. Deploy armed air marshals on every flight.	Limited access to the cockpit and improved on-board security.
Performance	Enhanced screening and security protocols pre-boarding.	Reducer the likelihood of hijackers having weapons onboard the airplane.
Reliability	Improved intelligence gathering and cooperation between local and international intelligence and security agencies.	Identify potential threats to airlines earlier and mitigate them.
Features	Pull back privacy curtains separating the business and economy cabin.	Improve access to information and visibility for all issues taking place in the airplane.
Perceived Quality	Deploy an aggressive communication strategy on enhanced security protocols to allay the fears of potential travelers.	Provide assurance to customers and the general public and restore public confidence in air travel.

Key Hazards in the Movie

Our review of the key hazards identified in the movie will begin with a review of relevant evidence-based concepts that practitioners use in the evaluation of hazards in any given situation. We will explain the Bird’s Triangle and the five types of hazards and then identify several examples of hazards across the five categories.

One of the earliest works done in the field of safety is attributed to Herbert W. Heinrich, who was a pioneering occupational health and safety researcher. His publication, Industrial Accident Prevention: A Scientific Approach, was based on the analysis of workplace injury and accident data collected by his employer, a large insurance company. This work, which continued for more than thirty years, identified causal factors for industrial accidents, including “unsafe acts of people” and “unsafe mechanical or physical conditions” (Heinrich, 1931). Heinrich also put forward the domino model of accident causation, a simple linear accident model.

The work was pursued and disseminated in the 1970s by Frank E. Bird, who worked for the Insurance Company of North America. F. Bird analyzed more than 1.7 million accidents reported by 297 cooperating companies. These companies represented 21 different industrial groups, employing 1.7 million employees who worked over 3 billion hours during the exposure period analyzed.The most famous result is the incident/accident pyramid, also known as the “safety pyramid,” the “accident triangle,” and “Heinrich’s law.”

The Bird Triangle depicted above proposes that for every 600 near-misses that take place, there are 30 accidents that cause damage, 10 minor injuries, and potentially one serious injury or death (Maklakovs et al., 2021). This framework challenges us to recognize the importance of paying attention to all hazards and safety issues because ignoring or trivializing them carries a statistical significance, as demonstrated in the model.

Building on the Bird Triangle Theory, researchers (Ossian, 2022; Reyes, 2022; and Martinelli, 2019) have identified five types of hazards as follows:

1. Biological Hazard: Workplace biological risks, sometimes called occupational biological hazards, are things or creatures that endanger employees’ health. These dangers can take many different forms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and poisons. From minor skin infections to fatal diseases, biological risks can cause a variety of ailments (Ossian 2022). Healthcare institutions, laboratories, and industrial sites are just a few examples of areas where biological risks can be present. Environmental elements like water or soil may include biological risks in rare circumstances. Contact with diseased people or animals can potentially expose workers to biological risks.

• Chemical Hazard: Any substance, regardless of form, that may endanger human physical safety and health or harm the environment is considered a chemical hazard. It can also be described as the actual risk posed by a particular chemical, such as the possibility of skin burns, long-term health consequences, irreversible environmental harm, fires, or even explosions (Reyes 2022).

• Ergonomic Hazards – Ergonomic hazards are environmental elements that might harm your musculoskeletal system. They are injuries induced by the body being exposed to ergonomic risks based on your sitting positions and the relationship between your body and your work tools and furniture. They are not usually immediately visible, making these dangers difficult to identify.

• Physical Hazards: Martinelli (2019) states that physical hazards are environmental elements that can hurt an employee with or without requiring them to contact them, such as heat, noise, radiation, and pressure, resulting in hazardous working circumstances. Tripping hazards could include exposed cables or a torn carpet, for example.

• Psychosocial Hazards – Psychosocial hazards or factors are features of work design or management that enhance the chance of a bad outcome resulting in job-related stress, increased non-work-related stress, or affect individual employees’ health and well-being. A stress response is a physical, mental, and emotional reaction that happens when a worker’s perceived job expectations exceed his or her abilities or resources to cope.

An inventory of the various hazards identified in the movie is captured in the table below

Type of Hazard	Examples from the Movie
Physical	People carrying bags on both hands No place to keep hot drinks – could spillCrochet in flight – prick hazardlow doorway for entering the planelady sewing with needles on a flightflight attendant with lots of jewelry removal of shoes by flight attendantThose working in the building having to escapeeating in the cockpit while flyingGetting stabbed by a knifeTrying to fly a plane without proper lessonsFlying unbuckled while descending rapidlyErratic flying maneuversRolling beverage dispenser in the aislePlane crashing into the groundLoading fuel with the hose entangled
Chemical	Fueling the plane without mask or glovesSmoke from the buildingsBuilding a bomb without proper clothingSmoke emitted from the pentagonPepper spray in the cabin of the plane
Biological	Flight attendants using same phone for announcementsServing uncovered food and drinks on the planeBlood from open wound on the plane near other passengersUsing on phone planes that others have used without sanitizingFuel leaked into soil after the crash
Psycho-social	Gentleman who initially received the hijacking notice and no one listenedGentleman who was told about the hijacking very casually Watching the tower being crashed into on the TVGentleman who is dealing with multiple hijacked airplanes and is overwhelmedPeople having to watch the second plane crash into the tower, live on TVYoung lady in military having to give a report when she is emotional unsettledAir hostess and some passengers are very afraid of flyingHighup flight status guy (in the black suit) who got promoted and had to deal with this on his first dayHaving be on the plane during a hijacking and see a guy with a bomb strapped to himselfPeople talking over each other in Air Traffic Control – NoiseWatching someone’s throat being slitFlight attendant having to make calls to try to get through to someone but not being able to get throughHaving to watch crash footage of the pentagonHaving to make the call to shut down all aircraft coming into the country when it is not the popular decisionHaving to call loved ones to let them know about what you are experiencing and say goodbyeTrying to decide how to try to take the plane back over.
Ergonomic	Non-supportive chairsLow screen angle for neck healthDimly lit workspaceWomen sleeping with neck uncomfortably bentHunching over the tray table to work on the computerStanding for extended time under stressful work situations.Only one TV so people will have to sit in an awkward position to viewThe screen at Air Traffic Control required them to look down to see

Some of the hazards are captured in the scenes from the movie depicted below.

Risk Assessment of the Hazards

To undertake a risk assessment of the hazards in the movie, we will be relying on a number of evidence-based tools: the hierarchy of controls, the risk scoring matrix, and the risk assessment table. We will explain each of these tools and provide our assessment of one of the hazards that we identified earlier in each of the categories.

The hierarchy of controls is an important tool used in risk management that helps practitioners identify the different interventions that can be used to mitigate risk. It challenges practitioners to focus on the interventions that are higher up on the hierarchy first and select the lower interventions where necessary. At the higher levels are interventions that deal with more strategic issues that have a wider-reaching impact, like eliminating the hazard or substituting another one.

In the middle are more tactical interventions like engineering and administrative controls, and at the bottom are more operational interventions like the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), which should be your last resort. The hierarchy of controls guides the quality and efficacy of remedial actions that practitioners put in place to mitigate risks.

The risk scoring matrix is another tool that practitioners use in carrying out a risk assessment. It provides a scoring system that can be used to determine the likelihood and impact of the hazard. The risk scoring matrix is a 3 by 3 matrix that measures the likelihood of the risk and its potential impact across three scales (high, medium, and low) and provides nine risk ratings as depicted in the chart below.

The green areas are low-risk, the yellow areas are medium-risk, and the red areas are high-risk. Each hazard will therefore be evaluated for its likelihood and severity using the scales provided by this tool. Several variations of this tool are used to assess risks in different sectors and contexts. One that you are no doubt familiar with is the weather alert system used by the meteorological agency here in Trinidad and Tobago and in countries all over the world. It is also used in security threat assessments at airports and important government buildings, following the events of 911.

The risk assessment table is the final tool that is required in this risk assessment process. It consists of the hazards, the persons who may be impacted, the risk rating from the risk rating matrix, the actions to reduce the risk from the hierarchy of controls, the date or timeline for implementing, and the status indicator for approval or completion. Our assessment of the hazards identified in the movie across each of the five hazard areas is captured below.

What Hazards?	Who Might be Harmed and How?	Risk Rating: Likelihood and severity	Actions to Reduce Risk- ALARP	Person Responsible for Action	Due By Date	Signed Off as Done on Date
Use of crochet on a flight (Physical hazard)	Passengers sitting close by may be hurt unintentionally.   It could also be weaponized to harm others intentionally	2	Eliminate this by preventing passengers from boarding with such items	Airport Security	T + 2 days	CEO, Airports Authority
Serving uncovered food and drinks in the plane (Biological)	Contamination and air borne diseases can spread to passengers and crew including the pilot	6	Substitute the existing catering arrangements with pre-packaged meals and drinks	Head – Guest Services	T+ 1 month	Director – Customer Service
Fueling the airplane with masks or gloves (Chemical)	Fuel attendant could inhale chemical fumes	6	Provide PPE – masks and gloves to fuel operators	Head – Flight Maintenance	T+ 5days	GM Safety
Air hostess and some passengers are very afraid of flying (Psychosocial)	The fear of the air hostess could affect her concentration and she may transfer that fear to other passengers and ruin their comfort	3	Provide counselling and pre-flight screening for air hostesses	Head – Training Academy	T + 2 months	Director – Human Resources
Dimly lit workspace (Ergonomic)	The poor lighting may cause errors in the Control Room when reading off the screens and monitoring planes	6	Install new lights in ATC Office	Head – Maintenance	T+3 days	GM Facilities

Recommendations

Based on the quality evaluation  and risk assessment that we have undertaken; we are pleased to summarize our key recommendations as follows:

Quality Issues

• Install digital access code to the cockpit.
• Deploy armed air marshals on every flight.
• Enhanced screening and security protocols pre-boarding.
• Improved intelligence gathering and cooperation between local and international intelligence and security agencies.
• Pull back privacy curtains separating the business and economy cabin.
• Deploy an aggressive communication strategy on enhanced security protocols to allay the fears of potential travelers.

Safety Issues

• Install new lights in ATC Office
• Provide counselling and pre-flight screening for air hostesses
• Provide PPE – masks and gloves to fuel operators
• Substitute the existing catering arrangements with pre-packaged meals and drinks
• Eliminate this by preventing passengers from boarding with such items

Conclusion

The critical evaluation of the quality and safety issues in the movie United 93 has explored the evidence-based theories and frameworks that practitioners can use in managing quality and risk in their organizations, including Bird’s Triangle, Garvin’s 8 quality dimensions, the Five Hazards Framework, the Risk Scoring Matrix, the Hierarchy of Controls, and the Risk Assessment Table. The movie that was used as a convening agent or case study for this evaluation provided valuable examples that practitioners can relate to and apply.

We identified a number of safety issues using the eight dimensions of safety proposed by Garvin and assessed the hazards across the five hazard areas. Our review also highlighted positive areas in terms of quality, which can serve as good examples for practitioners. We also provided recommendations to address both the quality and safety issues.

We are confident that as you reflect on the ideas and analysis that we have provided, you will be able to apply these tools to your organization and life and improve your ability to offer quality products and services to your customers and prospects and manage risk in all facets of your life.

Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments, and feedback, as well as your experiences regarding applying these tools, in the comments section that follows. Also, kindly share this article with family, friends, and colleagues so that we can build a strong community of quality and safety practitioners in our society.

References

Forker, Laura B., Shawnee K. Vickery, and Cornelia LM Droge. “The contribution of quality to business performance.” International Journal of Operations & Production Management (1996).

Garvin, David. “Competing on the eight dimensions of quality.” Harv. Bus. Rev. (1987): 101-109.

Maklakovs, Juris, Aleksandrs Bitins, Ruta Bogdane, and Vladimir Shestakov. “Using heinrich’s (Bird’s) pyramid of adverse events to assess the level of safety in an airline.” Transactions on Aerospace Research (2021).

Marczewska-Kuźma, Roma. “Correlation Approach in Defining Organizational Health and Safety Management Strategies.” European Research Studies 24, no. 2B (2021): 904-914.

Martinelli, Katie. 2019. “A Guide to the Most Common Workplace…” The Hub | High Speed Training. High Speed Training. January 7, 2019. https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/hazards-in-the-workplace/.

Ossian. 2022. “Biological Hazards in the Workplace | Guide.” DATAMYTE. October 12, 2022. https://datamyte.com/biological-hazards-in-the-workplace/.

Reyes, Jaydee. 2022. “Chemical Hazards: Definition & Types.” SafetyCulture. October 17, 2022. https://safetyculture.com/topics/chemical-hazards/.

Stewart, Mark G., and John Mueller. Are We Safe Enough?: Measuring and Assessing Aviation Security. Elsevier, 2017.

Syahrial, Erialdi, Hideo Suzuki, Shane J. Schvaneveldt, and Mitsuki Masuda. “Customer perceptions of mediating role of ownership cost in Garvin’s dimensions of quality.” Journal of Japan Industrial Management Association 69, no. 2E (2018): 95-112.

Contributors

BARROW, Omagbitse (816038418)

GILBERT, Rae Kelly (94733327)

JAIRAM, Anuja (816001707)

KRAMMES, Ryan(816035855)

SEDENO, Azekel (816012160)

THONG-REIS, Nicholas (816036085)