Chayil Group Project (Risks) – Rojoho Helicopters

RISK ASSESSMENT PROJECT (CHAYIL GROUP)

ROJOHO HELICOPTERS LIMITED

 ROJOHO AW 139 HELICOPTER(50skyshades.com)

INTRODUCTION

All Passengers on Rojoho AW 139 lets get ready to board and identify the risk of the company  on our journey! This blog discusses a risk assessment overview of Rojoho Helicopters Limited. operation, specifically the engineering department. The company is located in Couva, Trinidad. However, for the purpose of this blog, a fictitious name was used to protect the identity of the actual company that was examined. Rojoho Helicopters Limited has a fleet of under ten helicopters with four aircraft types. Three of the types are among the latest and most popular helicopters on the market today. The Rojoho company is considered a small to medium size outfit with a staff compliment of approximately 125. The company was formed in 1989 and one of its core functions is to provide transport for Trinidad’s oil and gas industry.The objective of this blog is to examine some of the hazards that exist at Rohojo Helicopters and discuss control measures that can be used to ensure safety. Where our main focus is on the engineering department within the company. This department was chosen because it has the highest amount of hazards and  risk to the staff. See below Table 1, which shows an outline of the Risk Matrix Template that will be used.

TABLE 1: RISK MATRIX TEMPLATE (N.H.S.L, 2017)

Con’t. Below

• Risk Rating 1- 4 Very weak risk, control measure effective or harm/severity small. Monitor risks for change and reassess if required.
• Risk Rating 5 – 10 Low risk, probability of harm to organization is low, control measures not implemented.
• Risk Rating 15 – 30 Moderate risk, probability of harm to organization is moderate if control measures are not implemented.
• Risk Rating 40 – 60 High risk, probability of harm to organization is significant if control measures not implemented. Urgent action is required. Action required within 1 month or consider stopping procedure.
• Risk Rating 75 Unacceptable risk, Take immediate action. The stopping of a procedure, process, services, may be considered.

     

Additionally, hazards are a threat to the well being of one’s self, and innocent persons in close proximity.

As such, the hazards at Rojoho Helicopters that will be discussed, are listed below in Table 2.

TABLE 2: ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAZARDS

PHYSICAL	ERGONOMIC	CHEMICAL	BIOLOGICAL	PSYCHOLOGICAL
Impurities in lunch (lunch room in same area with locker room) Dropped Objects Slip/Trip/Fall Manual Handling Noise	Extended period in bad position Poor lifting techniques Poor posture	Chemical stores – Burns Cleaning chemicals Fumes (Respiration fumes)	Bird droppings Rat urine	Verbal abuse from Boss Fear : making errors while doing maintenance Distraction

PHYSICAL HAZARDS:

• Impurities in lunch : As seen in Figure 1, the lunch/rest area is located in the same room as the male locker room where both male and female staff have their lunch. The room is approximately 14 X 14 feet and holds approximately 61 narrow lockers. There is a small table with two benches and some chairs. When eating, the room is very congested and food is opened to impurities flying in the air. Also, individuals may be changing their clothing with lockers faced away from the lunch table. One staff explained that many times individuals will shake clothing and even sit on a chair next to you putting on their shoes, and doing other stuff that is only appropriate for a locker room.  This type of action causes unhealthy contaminants in the air, which affects the quality of the food eaten by maintenance staff. See Fig. 1 below

Fig. 1

Engineering Launch/Rest/Locker Room

                                                                     

• Dropped Objects:  The hangar floor and stores area are areas for potential crush hazards. Many times while performing maintenance on the helicopters, engineering staff can experience crush hazards. One of the areas this is seen is when removing main rotor blades from the S76 series helicopters. Two guys are normally on top of the main rotor head removing the attached bolts for the main rotor blades. After the rotor blade is separated from the head, it is passed to two guys perched on two stands. These two guys will now take the blade then step off the stands, unto the ground after which the blade is secured in a blade stand. You can see the potential danger for the two guys receiving the blade. They are situated under the heavy blade which weighs over 150 lbs each. One slip, and the heavy blade can easily crush any one or both of the guys  receiving the blade.The stores personnel are also capable of receiving crush injuries. Many times when transport vehicles arrive to deliver or take away very heavy items like engines or  transmissions, the stores personnel are in very close proximity to the operation.This puts them at grave risk of being crush by the heavy load if the hoist fails or the cargo shifts and fall. See figure 2 below.

  Fig 2.

Crush hazard caused by heavy boxes

             

• Slip/Trip/Fall hazards: These hazards can be found anywhere on the hanger floor. Especially during heavy maintenance, you can find electrical cords and cables strewn across the work floor area. This poses a hazard to anyone walking in that area, to fall and hurt themselves. Sometimes oil or hydraulic fluid will leak unto the floor area from a removed part. This has the potential for someone to get badly injured. As you already know, a damaged spine can really change your life forever. Many work stands do not have the necessary protection rails and this puts mechanics in a dangerous position where they can fall and sustain serious injury. See figure 3a & 3b below.

Fig 3a & 3b

Loose electrical cords & cables on the floor & Work Stand with no Railings

 (Rope to Secure Wheels)

   Picture 1 : 3a                                             Picture 2: 3b

• Manual Handling: Working on the hanger floor or the stores department, workers are expected to lift heavy loads. Like lifting swashplate and main rotor hub assemblies and aircraft parts and equipment that arrive in boxes. If the improper lifting technique is used, it can lead to severe injury.

• Noise: Noise is a big problem at Rojoho Helicopters. From the inception, because of the the layout design of the ramp area, the helicopters startup, takeoff and do ground runs, within 30 – 100 feet of the hangar floor and offices. This noise is constant from in the early morning all down to around 6 pm in the evening. It makes life difficult for staff at the heliport and many times one will have to shout in order to be heard.

ERGONOMIC HAZARD:

• Extended Period in bad position: Unfortunately, this happens a lot in the aviation field especially helicopters which normally are smaller than most fixed wing aircraft. It is not always convenient to get a crawler and so many times a mechanic will have to twist his/her body to get into position to perform work on the aircraft. One area is working in the tail boom area of the S76 series helicopters. It is a very tight enclosed area and one will have to insert themselves into this area to perform maintenance. Normally, a fan is positioned to allow air circulation. The body is turned into a very uncomfortable position, and after a while in this compartment your body starts hurting.

• Poor Lifting Techniques: Due to haste or just negligence, engineering staff at Rojoho helicopters receive minor damage from poor lifting techniques. As was said before, many of the components worked on are heavy. Some mechanics did complain of stiff back and other minor injuries after lifting heavy loads. Stores personnel lifting heavy boxes and at times hurting themselves due to poor lifting techniques. The hangar floor and stores area have shelvings and many times parts that are somewhat heavy are manually lifted unto the shelves. If proper lifting techniques is not used, it can lead to injury.

• Poor Posture: It was also observed that many of the seating chairs in the engineering were generally old, many being used by other departments and now finding itself on the hangar floor/offices. Sitting on these chairs hurt your back many times. The chairs have a loose feeling from years of use, and management thinks it is cool to now pass it on to the engineering department. The workbenches in the workshop have narrow seating with no back support. Mechanics have to work their shift many times curving their back whilst performing maintenance.This bad posture over time leads to back problems. See Figure 4 below.

Fig. 4

Aircraft workshop: Poor Seating

CHEMICAL HAZARDS:

• Chemical stores/Cleaning chemicals: Engineering staff including stores personnel are exposed to chemicals on a daily basis. In order to clean and treat areas on components or aircraft, mechanics use different types of chemicals in order to accomplish their work. Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) and Zinc Chromate primer are used a lot in the aviation field. Although the use of gloves and mask are provided by the company, at times some mechanics work with their bare hands and no face mask. This causes their health to be compromised with more serious issues later on in life. The chemical stores is on the east side of the main building. You can find all types of chemicals including paints in this container. The ventilation in this area is not of high quality and can create a dangerous situation for staff. On almost every occasion you will see staff going into this container with no face mask and gloves etc. The chemical stores located in a container, can pose a risk to staff not using the correct PPE.

• Fumes: There is no paint booth on the compound and the refurbishers have to paint on the outside of the building. The wind will carry the paint fumes back into the hanger and some nearby offices. This causes problems for other staff members and management were informed of this situation many times in the past. Costing was done on purchasing a dedicated paint booth, and the feedback was the high price. In the meantime, staff at Rojoho helicopters continue to suffer. Also, working around Jet A1 fuel can cause fire injury and even death. Fumes are derived from refuelling aircraft and also the engine exhaust gasses. Mechanics are also exposed to hydraulic fluids, oils, greases and carbon monoxide from operating any ground equipment in an enclosed area. The above could also have a potential health impact, on the respiratory system.

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS:

• Bird Droppings: The entire hanger suffered from and invasion of pigeons and other species of birds a few years ago. Droppings from these birds could be found everywhere you go. This contamination even affected aircraft components and the aircraft itself. As you would know, bird droppings carry various diseases that can affect our lives greatly.

            Besides avian flu and the west nile virus, there are over sixty (60) other diseases that

            birds and their droppings can carry. Many of these diseases are airborne and can be

            transferred to humans just by being around the droppings. This problem is now greatly

            reduced, because management installed netting in the roof area. See figure 5 below.

     

     

                                                                           Fig. 5

      Picture showing Bird Droppings on Hanger Floor

• Rat Urine: Rojoho helicopters is located in an area that once had cane plantation. Although the cane is gone, the hanger is surrounded by built-up canals that run off water.The surrounding grass and shrubs allow rats to come unto the compound. Although it  may be impossible for a staff member to be bitten by a rat, the urine of the rat poses serious risks. Rat urine is responsible for the spread of leptospirosis which can result in  liver and kidney damage. It can be contracted through handling or inhalation of scat. Complications include renal and liver failure, as well as cardiovascular problem.

PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZARDS:

• Abusive Boss: Like many companies, Rojoho helicopters engineering staff had it’s share of working with an abusive boss. This Boss headed the engineering department at one time and although he got good reviews for being assertive with forward thinking ideas, his downfall was being abusive to subordinate staff. It was not uncommon for even middle managers in the company to receive his wrath. Many staff members shied away from his presence when possible. This eventually led to the engineering staff getting fedup of his behavior and subsequent actions were taken by the company to relieve him of his position as head of the maintenance department. Needless to say how many staff members suffered psychological stress.

• Fear Making Mistakes: This sub-topic may sound controversial but we will nevertheless discuss it. In the back of every mechanic’s mind is the latent fear that one day a mistake can be made by them that can prove catastrophic. No one wants to be the person “standing out in the crowd” when an incident or accident happens. Even when it is obvious that an error was made by a particular mechanic , there is a normal trend to cover up the incident. Co-workers also tend to join in the cover-up, having this psychological fear of being the one or group found culpable. Incidents like this has happened at Rojoho helicopters in the past.

• Distraction: Unfortunately, this is one of the human factors “Dirty Dozen” main culprits. It is responsible for many aircraft crashes with accompanying loss of life. On the ground in the maintenance hangar, mechanics also have their fair share of incidents because of distraction. Rojoho helicopters have had many incidents in the past where distraction played a part in most of the incidents. (Distractions is anything that draws your attention away from the task at hand. It is the number one cause of forgetting things, including what has or has not been done in a maintenance task).

TABLE 3: Risk Register for Engineering Department

(See Risk Matrix Above)

No.	Hazard Type	Hazard Description	Group Harmed	Conseq	Likel’d	Risk Rating	Controls/Workplace (For all hazards)
1 (a)	Impurities in  lunch DroppedObjects Slip/Trip/Fall Manual Handling Noise Exposure	Food Contamination Crush hazard Oily Floor, tall workstands cords on floor Injuries, back pain from lifting heavy/bulky items Aircraft Noise	Engineering Engineering Engineering Engineering Entire Staff/Passengers	Mod. 5 Sig.10 Sig.10 Sig. 10 Sig.10	Prob. 3 Prob. 3 Prob. 3 Freq. 5 Freq. 5	Mod.15 Mod.30 Mod.30 High 50 High 50	Non-skid boots Keep floor clear Walk-over covers Air defenders OSH signs SMS training Housekeeping rules Back supports Procedures updated MPM & MCM Training (continue below) Heliport noise Monitoring PPE given to employees Air defenders given to passengers Safety Inspection
1 (b)	Add. Controls Implemented	Responsibilities	Due Date	Date Completed
-Hearing Test -New locker    room	Director of Maintenance/ HRM	2Q 2018	———

TABLE 4: Risk Register for Engineering Department

(See Risk Matrix Above)

No.	Hazard Type	Hazard Description	Group Harmed	Conseq	Likel’d	Risk Rating	Controls/Workplace (For all hazards)
2 (a)	Chemical Burns Cleaning products Fumes	Burns from contacting hazardous substances MEK, White spirits and acetone Jet A1 Fuel & Hyd. fluid fumes, Paints/Adhesives fumes	Engineering Engineering Engineering	High 15 High 15 High 15	Prob. 3 Prob. 3 Prob. 3	High 45 High 45 High 45	Dangerous goods training MSDS training Audits by QA Respirator in stores SMS training Fire Extinguishers Gloves provided Wash bay setup (continue below) Chemical spill kits Smoke detectors Chemical handling training
2 (b)	Add. Controls Implemented	Responsibilities	Due Date	Date Completed
Aircraft paint booth with extractor fan	Director of Maintenance/ Purchasing	2Q 2018	———

TABLE 5: Risk Register for Engineering Department

(See Risk Matrix Above)

No.	Hazard Type	Hazard Description	Group Harmed	Conseq	Likel’d	Risk Rating	Controls/Workplace (For all hazards)
3 (a)	Ergonomics Bad position Poor lifting techniques Poor posture	Potential for Musculoskeletal Injury Potential for Musculoskeletal Injury Potential for Musculoskeletal Injury	Engineering Engineering Engineering	Mod. 10 Mod. 10 Mod. 10	Prob. 3 Prob. 3 Prob. 3	Mod. 30 Mod. 30 Mod. 30	Ergonomic procedure in HSE manual Max. weight lifting limits Incident reporting for strains, nerve damage etc. Manual handling procedure Manual handling training Policies & Procedures Training
3 (b)	Add. Controls Implemented	Responsibilities	Due Date	Date Completed	(continue below)
Purchase better chairs and work benches for proper back support	Director of Maintenance/ Purchasing	1Q 2018	———

TABLE 6: Risk Register for Engineering Department

(See Risk Matrix Above)

No.	Hazard Type	Hazard Description	Group Harmed	Conseq	Likel’d	Risk Rating	Controls/Workplace (For all hazards)
4 (a)	Biological Bird droppings Rat urine	Coming in contact with biological waste from birds and rats Coming in contact with biological waste from birds and rats	Engineering/ Entire staff Engineering/ Entire staff	High 15 High 15	Possible. 2 Possible. 2	Mod. 30 Mod. 30	Bird-netting installed (north side) Insect control Cleaning of Air Ducting System Pre-employment medicals SOP in HSE manual PPE available Insect/Rodent controls implemented Contracted cleaning crew First-Aid training Control plan for persons suspected of biological diseases
4 (b)	Add. Controls Implemented	Responsibilities	Due Date	Date Completed
Bird netting for new south hanger	Director of Maintenance/ Purchasing	1Q 2018	———

TABLE 7: Risk Register for Engineering Department

(See Risk Matrix Above)

No.	Hazard Type	Hazard Description	Group Harmed	Conseq	Likel’d	Risk Rating	Controls/Workplace (For all hazards)
5 (a)	Psychological Verbal abuse Fear Distraction	Psychological hazards and stress from abuse Psychological hazards and stress from fear Mental lapse	Engineering Engineering Engineering	Sig. 15 Sig. 15 Sig. 15	Possible 2 Prob. 3 Prob. 3	Mod.30 Mod.30 High 45	MCM & MPM procedures updated and training Supervisor training Human Factors training Drug and alcohol Posters Fatigue Risk Management Plan SMS training including Fatigue Risk Management
5 (b)	Add. Controls Implemented	Responsibilities	Due Date	Date Completed
Human Factors training for managers/supervisors and engineering staff	Engineering & Quality	On going	———

CONCLUSION

So let’s conclude! We can see the many challenges facing Rojoho helicopters. Like many companies, the workplace especially the hangar floor, has its challenges. However, the company has made great strides in implementing a Risk Management and Safety Management Systems (SMS) in the workplace. The company is also OSH compliant, and makes a concerted effort to deal with any safety issues that may arise in the company.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES

• “Air transport – OSH issues.” Air transport – OSH issues: OSHwiki. Accessed November 21,2017.https://oshwiki.eu/wiki/Air_transport_%E2%80%93_OSH_issues#Ground_staff_3.

• “Birds and their droppings can carry over 60 diseases.” Medical News Today. September 22, 2014. Accessed November 21, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/61646.php

• “Figure 2f from: Irimia R, Gottschling M (2016) Taxonomic revision of Rochefortia Sw. (Ehretiaceae, Boraginales). Biodiversity Data Journal 4: e7720. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.4.e7720.” doi:10.3897/bdj.4.e7720.figure2f.

• Google. Accessed November 21, 2017. https://www.google.tt/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi8jLnpkNDXAhUIbSYKHRHTBBwQtwIILDAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DPZmNZi8bon8&usg=AOvVaw0Ye1wN-kLh_Jk8UuBtPQPD

• “National Rodent Diseases: Types of Diseases Carried and Spread by Rats.” Orkin.com. Accessed November 21,

• “Rodent Borne Diseases: Types of Diseases Carried and Spread by Rats.” Orkin.com. Accessed November 21, 2017. https://www.orkin.com/rodents/rats/rat-borne-diseases/.

• “National Helicopter Services Limited” Risk Matrix Accessed November 21, 2017

 

• “Pakistan again chooses the AW-139 for transport and EMS requirements” World Aviation News https://www.50shades.com

THANK YOU FOR READING OUR BLOG ON THE RISK ASSESSMENT OF ROJOHO

HELICOPTERS LIMITED!!! 

The Chayil Group Members

Brewster Joseph

Candice Pascal

Cicely Moses

Nakaida Belle-Lindie

Nicole McPherson

Nesheir Pascal

Shirelle Samaroo

Please feel free to leave your comments below…

                                                   

                                         

                                                   

                                         

ROSS HELICOPTERS- TARGET ZERO

 

ROSS Helicopters Company Overview and History

ROSS Helicopters supports the Gas and Oil industry and operates from the Far East to the Americas.  It is the second Largest Helicopter Company to that of the Canadian Helicopter Company. Ross Helicopters was founded in 1953 and was one of the earliest suppliers of offshore helicopter support in the UK, including Search and Rescue services to the UK government. ROSS also became an established Training Organisation, providing both Pilot and Engineering training to the Military and Civilian Industries.  Regionally Ross Helicopters is the Largest Helicopter resource capability in T&T and the Region in terms of number of aircraft, pilots, engineers, infrastructure and overall competencies.  Currently operates seven several aircraft types in Trinidad providing services for the Oil & Gas Sector.  We currently Operate (2) Facilities for Maintenance & Engineering, Flight Planning and Operations Control as well as a Passenger Terminal with international airport level security (ICAO/IATA) and computerized passenger tracking system.

ROSS Helicopters complies with all requirements of international ‘Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, ICAO Safety Management Systems, IATA) Transport of Dangerous Goods regulations, the Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Health and Safety Act as well as their internal Health and Safety Global requirements

In the Helicopter operations there are many Hazards that require daily evaluations and the implementation of mitigation plans and controls. There are hazards associated with the process of operating an aircraft whether parked, rotor running or in flight.

‘HAZARDS’ & ‘RISK’: what do Hazards and Risk really mean?

The ICAO Safety Management Systems defines Hazards as “A condition, object or activity with the potential of causing injuries to personnel, damage to equipment or structures, loss of material, or reduction of ability to perform a prescribed function.”

Risks are disruptions resulting from the unpredictability of the future caused by accidental derogation possibilities of planned targets, expressed in terms of predicted probability and severity, of the consequence(s) of a hazard taking as reference the worst foreseeable situation. It takes into consideration the identified hazard and classifies it into two categories— “probability” and “severity”.

 

HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS – Why is it IMPORTANT to ROSS Helicopters?

According to the OSH requirements which states “ GENERAL DUTIES 6. (1) It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all his employees.  In all cases, the employer to has a duty of due diligence and is responsible for ‘taking all reasonable precautions, under the particular circumstances, to prevent injuries or accidents in the workplace’.  ROSS Helicopters complies these regulations and applies the ‘Hierarchy of Controls’ to ensure that all hazardous substances and processes are suitably and sufficiently assessed, for potential risk to health, in order to eliminate, control and protect the health of employees, contractors, visitors and the environment from adverse effects which may have immediate or chronic consequences.

In our visit to ROSS Helicopters and discussion with the HSE (Health Safety and Environment)  Team we found that ROSS Helicopters has a very robust Risk Management system by which hazards are formally, systematically identified, assessed and mitigated.  Nevertheless the 7 Wonders was appreciatively welcomed by ROSS Helicopters to work along with the HSE Team and  take up the challenge of  identifying hazards with the objective of producing ‘Hazards Assessments Reports’ that will identify who and how the hazards  impact on the person affected, analyzing the Risk Likelihood and Severity, making recommendations for immediate actions to eliminate the hazard, and or identify mitigation controls, demonstrate how the implementation of these control reduces the risk and identify any residual risk (if any) for continuous improvement strategies. The diagram below illustrates our objective and approach.

SPOTTING HAZARDS

The 7 Wonders Team, after dividing into (4) four sub-teams, we excitedly started our ‘Hazard Hunt’.  On day one we came up empty handed, however we didn’t give up!  As the operational work activities increased on day (2) two and day (3) three, we were no longer camera shy and our keen eyes for hazards went to work.

Although it was not easy, finally we were able to identify Hazards in the following categories:

• Chemical Hazards – Aircraft Refuelling, Paint Shop Fumes

• Physical Hazards – Aircraft Noise and Wet Floors

• Ergonomic Hazards – Working At Heights and Manual Handling

• Physiological Hazards – Distractions and Working in Confined Spaces

 

1) CHEMICAL HAZARDS

A) HAZARD – AIRCRAFT FUELLING

Hazard 1 Spotted: Chemical Explosion
The most commonly recognized hazard of refueling work is the jet fuel itself. Jet fuel is a flammable liquid and can be ignited given certain ambient conditions, primarily temperature and vapor concentration.  Jet A and Jet A1, are types of Kerosene -type fuel. At Ross helicopters, the use of JET A1 fuel is used for fueling aircrafts.  Jet fuel, is a flammable liquid, which can be ignited, given the certain ambient conditions, primarily temperature and vapour concentration.  A hazardous vapour concentration, can be present, when the vapour level reaches a level of known as the lower flammability limit (LFL) or lower explosive limit (LEL). The temperature at which the vapors of a flammable liquid can ignite is known as the “flash point.” The risk associated with released fuel vapor from re-fueling, is that it can cause an unintended ignition of the fuel vapor, from a single spark.  A sufficient amount of quantity associated with fuel vapor, has a very high risk of ignition, which may be as a result of from spillage arising from procedural errors, leaks, aircraft tank venting or failure of pressurized fuel lines or their couplings. If a explosion occurs all in close proximity will experience serious injury and even death.

Chemical Fumes:

A hazardous vapor concentration is present when a fuel vapor reaches a level known as the lower flammability limit (LFL) or lower explosive limit (LEL).   Jet fuel, may also present toxic or irritant hazards. At high concentrations, jet fuel and other hydrocarbons can affect the nervous system, causing headache, dizziness, and lack of coordination.  During re-fuelling, refuellers may experience Short term (acute) symptoms, such as chemical burns, feeling unwell, signs of dizziness and can also be affected through, lungs damage, irritation of the skin, and eyes irritations.  In some instances coma and death are prevalent.  Additionally it can also be long term (chronic), such that it can be cancerous, can cause dermatitis on the skin, asthma and long term damage.

Build-up of static electricity during fuel delivery leading to ignition of fuel vapors.

The flowing movement of flammable liquids like gasoline or kerosene inside a pipe can build up static electricity. Non-polar liquids such as gasoline and kerosene exhibit significant ability for charge accumulation and charge retention during high velocity flow. Electrostatic discharges can ignite the fuel vapor. When the electrostatic discharge energy is high enough, it can ignite a fuel vapor and air mixture. Different fuels have different flammable limits and require different levels of electrostatic discharge energy to ignite. The impact of static electricity on the human body, as according to scientist states, is that it causes Electrical Shocks. In most cases, however, the effects of static electricity on human beings have been considered harmful, or at least unwanted. In the age of the sick-building syndrome, it was almost unavoidable that some of the many unspecific effects of an imperfect indoor climate should be attributed to the exotic phenomenon of static electricity. Static charging has sometimes been the suspected cause of headaches, dry mucosa, itchy skin, and other similar ailments. Rarely in such cases has any possible mechanism or explanation been suggested that was based on well-documented studies. There is also plating out, which is one physical effect of static electricity that has some likelihood of causing physiological or hygienic problems: the effect an electric field around a person has on airborne particulates. Several scientific projects have demonstrated that electric fields around a person dramatically increase the plate-out rate of airborne particulates. It has been suggested that if such particulates are of an allergenic nature, the plate-out might result in an increased occurrence of skin irritation or disease. Such a relation, however, has not been demonstrated.

Chemical burns:

Without the proper wearing of clothing, and proper use of equipment’s, some worker in the work environment, may be exposed to fuel oils contact to the skin. Some workers may be exposed to fuel oils through their skin if they come into contact with them without adequate protection, such as gloves, boots, coveralls, or other protective clothing.

 

Risk Assessment:

A  quantitative or qualitative risk assessment was developed in relation to all the Chemical Hazards identified above. For every Hazard identify the 7 Wonders were able to share with the ROSS Helicopters HSE Team, that with the implementation of the Controls how the risk can be reduced from a Medium to Low Risk.

Recommendations and Control Measures

Some possible mechanisms that can be used to eliminate the problem are, having Trained and competent person in attendance with fire extinguisher, ensuring adequate earthing and bonding during refueling operation, having Adequate PPE as per QID 195 Procedure 40, and Audits and Inspections both internally and externally. As such, it is mandatory that while refueling aircrafts, that aviation professionals, use a fire extinguisher, at all times and work in pairs, since from a single spark, can cause flames or explosion. Additionally, it is also mandatory that you do not use cell phones while fueling aircrafts, since it call also cause vapor fuel, to ignite.

Environment for Refueling:

Refueling in an open ramp area as illustrated in the video, can prevent the accumulation of fumes, this will facilitate the proper precautions for breathing.  Refullers should not stand down wind where breathing hydrocarbon vapors, will cause sickness or dizziness, or may even be fatal to one’s health. Also in addition to high lead content, fuel should not be allowed to come into contact with skin, clothes or eyes.

Electrical Bonding:

Electrical bonding: To avoid static electricity from occurring through the transmission of fuel unto the aircraft, there must be a cable to link the designated points or to clean unpainted metal surfaces on the aircraft. The bonding cables are connected to the aircraft and the fuel delivery. These connections are made before filter caps are removed, prior to the start of fueling then not broken until fueling is complete and the filler caps have been replaced where applicable. On no account should either the fueling vehicle (including hydrant dispenser) or the aircraft be bonded to a fuel hydrant pit. It should be noted that Fuel Hoses, including so-called “conductive” hoses, are not suitable substitutes for dedicated clips and bonding wires.

Image illustrating the proper safety use of jet fuels, to avoid static dissaptor

Persons affected from the build-up of static electricity, would be the employers themselves. Some precautions that can be used for when refueling the aircraft, is to (1) ensure that the aircraft is properly switched off, (2) ensure that the refueling hose is properly earthed, (3) ensure that the air craft I properly earthed, (4) ensure that the fueling nozzle is bonded to the aircraft before the refueling process begins, (5) remove earth bonding cable, only after detaching hose from aircraft. (6) Audits and inspections should be done both internally and externally.

Personal Protective Equipment

In order to solve this problem, aviation professional, are to wear chemical gloves, wear proper eye protection, ensure regular laundering of work wear, wash hands after handling the use of all chemical, before eating and drinking, SDS available, ensuring Medical packs are available, including creams and washes for eyes and body, in the event of the fuel spillage, to help stop any possible reactions.
As such proper overall, covers should be worn, and if in an instance, fuel came into contact with your clothing, it should be removed as soon as possible and the parts of the body that came into contact with the fuel, should be properly washed thoroughly with soap and water. In the case if fuel enters the eyes, medical attention should be sought immediately.

FUMES HAZARD WHEN USING SOLVENTS or MIXING OF SOLVENTS

The chemical hazards comes from Solvents/Painting sheet metal and Aircraft refuelling at Ross Helicopters. Chemical burns, chemical fumes are some ways in which an employee can be harm from chemical usage at Ross Helicopters workplace.  There is a serious DANGER in mixing of solvents for the purpose of cleaning an aircraft or part.  Every workplace has chemicals ranging from cleaning products to full scale chemical. At Ross Helicopters they use Aircraft Safety Solvent, it is a non-toxic substance developed to use for the aerospace industry, and it is a low unpredictability substitute for Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), Trichloroethane, Toluene and blends of Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Toluene.

B) Painting of Aircraft

The second hazardous substance being used at Ross Helicopters, is the paint use to coat sheet metal. Paint has three components: resin as coating material, pigment for colour, and solvents to reduce the mix to a workable viscosity. Research, has shown that paint is a potentially hazardous product. It contains a variation of numerous hazardous chemicals, which can endanger human health, or the environment. In Painting aircrafts at Ross Helicopters, is said to have three components, which is resin as coating material, pigment for colour, and solvents to reduce the mix to a workable viscosity.  However as HAZARD noted the employee using a dust mask while painting a sheet metal part, this can endanger their health, since as it was investigated that  these paints and primers, can cause  various forms of cancer when contacted with the skin, or respiratory diseases, when breathing in the vapour  of this paint.

Risk Assessment:

A  quantitative or qualitative risk assessment was developed in relation to all the Hazards identified above. For every Hazard identify the 7 Wonders were able to share with the ROSS Helicopters HSE Team, that with the implementation of the Controls how the risk can be reduced from a Medium to Low Risk.

Recommendations and Control Measures

Elimination: Using Personnel and Environment Friendly Solvents:  The use of Aircraft Safety Solvent reduces risks of hazardous chemical spills, eliminates most hazardous waste disposal costs, and eliminates the health hazards associated with traditional solvents. Its formula is a representation of a major improvement in the Occupational Health and Safety standards as well as being recyclable and an environmentally safe solvent.

Reengineering:

Spray painting is the most common and effective way to protect and remodel parts, products, vehicles, and buildings. At Ross Helicopters, spray painting allows for a large coverage of areas with coats of primer, paint, sealers, and other coatings.

 

Proper Labelling of Chemicals: The Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Safety and Health Act 2004 as amended 2006, Section 6 Subsection 3 (a), (b), (4), (5) & (6). Which states that, 3(a) “An employer shall ensure that all hazardous chemicals present in the industrial establishment are labelled in a way easily understandable to the employees or are identified in the prescribed manner.” It was suggested to ROSS Helicopters a bonded fireproof cabinet for the proper storage of chemical and to ensure that each solvent is properly labelled.

MSDS Availability: The Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Safety and Health Act 2004 as amended 2006, Section 6 Subsection 3(b) stated that “An employer shall obtain or prepare as may be prescribed, an unexpired chemical safety data sheet for all hazardous chemicals present in the workplace.” According to the Trinidad and Tobago OSH Act 2006, Section 6, Subsection 4 reads, “An employer shall ensure that a hazardous chemical is not used, handled or stored in the industrial establishment unless the prescribed requirements concerning identification, chemical safety data sheets and workers instruction and training are met”, while Subsection 5 states that, “An employer shall advise the Chief Inspector in writing if the employer, after making reasonable efforts, is unable to obtain a label or chemical safety data sheet required by Subsection 3. Subsection(6) states that “A copy of the most recent version of the inventory and of every unexpired chemical safety data sheet required by this Part in respect of hazardous chemicals in a workplace shall be— (a) made available by the employer in such a manner as to allow examination by the employees;  Before any Chemical is to be issued by the Stores Personnel, an MSDS is to be made available for the Mechanic or Technician to read and evaluate the risk before using the chemical.  It should be the responsibility of the Stores Personnel to ensure that the MSDS are up-to-date at all times.

Proper Ventilation: Additionally, proper ventilation is important when working with paint coatings, having a Paint Workshop is an outstanding way to remove spray paint vapors and debris from a worker’s breathing zone. Many coatings contain flammable substances that are aerosolized when sprayed through powered equipment and without proper ventilation, such as in the Paint Workshop, these vapors can build up and create an explosion and fire danger. working with air powered tools.

 

Personnel Protective Equipment: The air-purifying type of respirator should be used only during exposure to those specific chemicals, or groups of chemicals, described on the respirator cartridge. These containers are useable only for a limited time and must be replaced with new ones when the smell of vapors enters the mask, they become difficult to breathe through, or they have been used for their specific lifetime. The atmosphere-supplying type of respirator must be used in some paint spraying operations, particularly with urethane paints or when painting in a confined. Whichever respirator is used, it must fit properly to ensure acceptable protection. Respirator maintenance and cleaning is important. All employees at Ross Helicopter should keep your respirator in good condition by cleaning and sanitizing it regularly, since no one wants to use a dirty, leaky respirator which has been worn previously by someone else. Also these equipment should be stored it in a clean place. They the employees of Ross Helicopters are advice to check their gears often for pliability and signs of deterioration before wore. If the respirator needs repair, use only the manufacturer’s recommended replacement parts. With a little thought, and a small amount of effort, your respirator will protect you for a long time.

Residual Risk: 

Leakage in mask or the lack of use of mask- causing respiratory problems

As a result to provide maximum protection, the Paint Workshop is properly maintained, including regular cleaning of the system air filters and overspray of the air compressors, coating tucks, spray guns. In order to prevent sparking a flammable substance, smoking and other sources of flame near spray painting operations should be prohibited and tools should be properly rated and grounded for work in a spray painting area. Due to much of the equipment used for spray painting and surface preparation uses compressed air at Ross Helicopters, workers should be aware that noise can be a risk, so should wear hearing protection when in close proximity of the areas affected paint fumes.

 

2) Physical Hazards 

A) WET FLOORS – SLIPPING HAZARDS

According to Canadian Center for Occupation Health and Safety, “physical hazards are defined as substances or activities that threaten your physical safety. They are the most common and are present in most workplaces at one time or another. These include unsafe conditions that can cause injury, illness and death”. Physical hazards are not always something that you can see or touch.

 

A slipping hazard refers to a situation in which there is too little friction to permit a walking person to stay upright. The hazard is usually related to smooth and even surfaces. It can be increased by ice, water or other liquid on the surface, and the inclination of the surface. The quality of the footwear and the method of moving also affect safety.

 

RISK ASSESSMENT

This risk can be classified as medium priority in the work place as it is very likely that a person will trip on wet floors especially tiled ones and unfortunately most work places has tiled floors like Ross Helicopters. The severity depends on the individual but most of the times a sprained ankle or damage to one’s foot can occur. After the controls are put in place, the risk of wet floors will drop to low as it then decreases the likelihood and severity of someone slipping on wet floors. At Ross Helicopter, Slip hazards are present in the work place as cleaning of the floors are part of the custodian’s daily routine. Wet floors in the bathroom is also a risk to employees because when someone washes their hands, sometimes water falls to the ground and then employees will be exposed to the slip hazard. Wet floors can be deemed a hazard to the employees and also visitors to the compound. Footwear can also determine the extent of the injury, women that wear shoes with heels, pregnant women and elder persons are at the highest risk because they will be more prone to bodily injuries such as twisting their ankles, falling and damaging their spine and can result in pregnant women having a miscarriage. According to HSP Supply Inc, “Workers’ Compensation boards reported 32,337 time-loss injuries in 2001. Slips are the third largest category for time-loss injuries, and a significant number are slip-falls.”

Even though this risk is seen as medium, it should be taken seriously because if it isn’t, the company can be held responsible and may face many legal challenges no matter how little and will be required to compensate the employee.  (4) An occupier shall ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that no unsafe structure exists in the industrial establishment that is likely to expose persons to risks to bodily injury.”

In section 46A states “Where an accident causes injury to a person at a workplace whereby the person is unable to perform his usual work or requires medical attention, and such occurrence does not cause death or critical injury leading to disability, the employer shall give notice in the prescribed form within four days of the occurrence, to the Chief Inspector, containing information and particulars of the accidents.

Recommendations and Control Measures

The hierarchy of controls were used to reduce or eliminate the risk of wet floors in the workplace. Risk can be reduced by keeping walkways, working surfaces and steps in good condition. In order words,

Elimination: We can eliminate risk by simply mopping the floors as soon as a spill happens, mopping the floor after/ before work hours so that during the day when most staff is present, it does not need to be done and if it is necessary to mop during the work hours, a fan or something of the sort should be implement so it can dry the floors quickly to reduce the number of persons having to walk on the wet floor.

Substitution: If elimination is impossible we then move on to substitution, since this particular control cannot be applied to this risk, we move on to the other which is to isolate.

Isolate: To isolate wet floors we will simply ask workers to use a different route to get to their destination instead of the route where there are wet floors. If this is impossible which will be very rare as most of the times there will be a number of routes that can be taken to get to your work station, we will now go to the engineering level in the Hierarchy of controls.

Administration: Employees should be trained to report spills and wet floors in the workplace. Employees should pay attention to where they walk and the surrounding areas.  Have Safety officers inspect the organization frequency and make staff aware of hazards and the type of impact it can have on them because little things are often overlooked.

The hierarchy of controls which starts from elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering, administration and finally PPE were used to find ways to decrease the risk of slips from 2D being a medium risk to now 1B being a low risk.

B) NOISE HAZARD

Just Imagine… if an aircraft runway was close proximity to your house and several 737 aircraft and Bell 412 helicopters landed all day and night. What would be your reaction to the noise? That’s exactly what the employees at ROSS Helicopters experience everyday!

Exposure to high noise levels caused by running aircrafts can cause hearing impairment and/or repeated exposure can cause permanent hearing loss that cannot be corrected by surgery or a hearing aid. Short-term exposure to loud noise can cause a temporary change in hearing frequency.

Apart from short term and long term effects, noise hazards can also:

• Create physical and psychological stress
• Reduce productivity
• Interfere with communication and concentration
• Contribute to workplace accidents and injuries by making it difficult to hear warning signals.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported that since 2004 nearly 125,000 workers have suffered significant, permanent hearing loss. In 2009 alone the BLS reported there were more than 21,000 cases of hearing loss. Twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year according to the United States Department of Labour. Last year it was stated, U.S. business paid more than $1.5 million in penalties for not protecting workers from noise which shows clearly this is a prominent risk factor in the workplace that continues to be a hazard. (Cited on Design Products “Workplace Noise Hazards”, BLS, USD of Labour).

RISK ASSESSMENT

Noise-related hazard is another type of physical hazard that can cause hearing loss which is one of the most common health issues. Risk assessment is geared towards minimizing the risk of injury inclined by exposure to noise when working close to running aircrafts and other environmental noises. Following the procedures will limit the risk and adverse effects to hearing. All personnel working on aircraft can be exposed and the problems may not be limited to operations outside the hangar.

After performing the risk assessment for noise hazard, it shows medium risk levels however it is Ross Helicopter’s duty to ensure the safety of engineers in accordance with the OSH Act. The emphasis of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2004 as amended (2006) is on the assessment of risks due to noise exposure and implementation of controls to minimize those risks. Section 34 (1-2) speaks that, (1) Every owner, occupier or employer shall take adequate steps to prevent hearing impairment caused by noise, and diseases caused by vibration, from occurring to persons in, or in the vicinity of, his industrial establishment and shall comply with such directives as—(a) the Chief Inspector may issue an order to reduce the level of noise or vibration generated by a machine, device or process;. 

Recommendations and Control Measures

‘If I was wearing my ‘what’?!’

 

The hierarchy of controls are possible measure can be implemented although may be limited in scope but what is needed to reduce risk in noise exposure to the lowest level possible could include:

1. We cannot eliminate the risk completely however we can reduce the noise impact through technical measures i.e. provide aviation helmets that include hearing protection and communication systems to enable staff to communicate through helmets/ ear defenders to warn each other of potential threats or danger.
2. Substitute controls cannot be applied to Ross Helicopters because it is an environment where it is mandatory for engineering staff to comply with instructions as a protection measure to reduce risk attached to noise exposure. There are special PPE to be used that as it relates to aircraft noise.
3. In terms of isolation control, unauthorized personnel should not be allowed as they are more susceptible of being at risk due to the lack the knowledge and training on the health and safety requirements when exposed to a nosey environment. Ross Helicopters can isolate the aircraft noise in one specific location to avoid distraction or irritation to other functional departments.
4. Engineering controls of hierarchy should install warning signs in strategic locations, visible and clear to the public as well as to have supervisors to monitor the adherence of cautionary measures to prevent or reduce risks.

5. Administration must ensure policies, procedures and work practices are implemented and that training is available to staff to sensitize and bring awareness about the risk involved from poor health and safety practice. PPE is to be provided for its staff to help minimise the risk involved working in an aircraft noisy environment.

In the aviation industry, noise problems are significant; to control the hazards the following can be applied where feasible:

1. Identification of where there is a risk from noise and who is likely to be affected.
2. Measuring and assessing the levels of noise personnel are exposed to and comparing the exposure with the exposure action values and limit values.
3. Tackling any immediate risk; for example, by providing hearing protection.
4. Identify measures to control noise exposure at source, how much reduction could be achieved, and what is reasonably practicable.
5. Use a different process that is quieter or quieter equipment if this is feasible.
6. Enforce the low noise purchasing policy for new machinery and equipment.
7. Modify the path between the noise source and the exposed personnel; for example, by providing quiet rooms and acoustic barriers.
8. Design and lay out the workplace to ensure low noise emission.
9. Limit the time spent by employees in noisy areas.
10. Make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded;
11. Provide your employees with information, instruction and training;
12. Identify any employees who need to be provided with health surveillance and whether any are at particular risk.
13. As a last resort, and if noise cannot be controlled adequately by engineering measures, issue appropriate hearing protection ensure the hearing protection will:

Managing noise risk diagram

The steps of control in the workplace and adapting good practice standards will make working a safe and healthy environment which will stimulate motivation and increased performance, higher productivity while preserving one’s health. To accomplish this requires a comprehensive safety and health management system where constant monitoring and enhancement is needed that will ultimately increase coverage for safety. In application of the after controls noise hazards moved from 3C “medium” risk to a 1B low risk.

3) Ergonomic Hazards

A) Working At Heights

Can you spot the Hazard Here?  If you guessed “Falling from Heights” you are absolutely correct. In 2007/08 falls from height accounted for 58 fatal accidents at work and around 3235 major injuries.  They remain the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of major injury.

ROSS Helicopters statistics for 2007 & 2008 are: eleven work at height / movement through height injuries, two of which were LWC’s (lost work cases) with one MTC (medical treatment case) and eight FAC’s (first aid cases)

Maintenance of an aircraft requires access to height and there is a need for a Mechanic or Engineer to have access to the top areas of the aircraft to perform maintenance task. When performing minor inspection it is often the norm to use the aircraft inbuilt access steps to climb on to the aircraft as indicated in the picture above.  However lets refer to the Hazards and Risk Assessments tool above in identifying this activity if has the potential to cause harm to the Engineer or Mechanic as we evaluate the risk involved.

What Makes Working at Heights Hazardous?

There are several factors that make Working at heights hazardous, and increase the risk of injury. Falls from working at heights can result in Fatalities, Serious Injury that can lead to permanent disability or paralysis and or multiple fractures.  Falling objects from height can also cause severe injuries that may result in brain damage, paralysis or multiple fractures.

RISK ASSESSMENT

 

Factors that contribute to the increased Risk of Falling at Heights:

 Distance of fall: The distance from the Top of the helicopter the floor is approximately 4.98 m (16ft. 4 inches). A person and or object can fall and will have a direct bearing on the severity of injury or damage it can cause.

Deterioration of Materials:  If the aircraft step uplift is being used to access the top of the helicopter the structure and condition should be sound as materials deteriorate over time, particularly when exposed to the effects of sea blast and corrosion.

Unprotected Edges:  Where the edges of surfaces on which people are working are open, the risk of falls or falling objects is greatly increased.

Weather: The weather can increase the risk associated with working at heights: Working in excessive rain can increase the risk associated with working at height.  High winds can make workings stands and access equipment unstable, blow loose materials off (and in extreme conditions workers).

Falling Materials: Objects falling from a height are capable of causing considerable damage to both people and other materials that they hit. The loose materials may be tools, loose aircraft parts removed due to incorrect methods to getting material down to the ground working area.

 

Recommendations and Control Measures

Elimination: Working at Height is unavoidable when working in the aviation industry, as many maintenance task and inspections requires the Mechanic and Engineers to work at heights. However when working at heights careful planning.  Prior to working at height a full risk assessment must be carried out to determine the risk, not only with regard to the task in hand but also having regard for the weather, the location and any other environmental issues present that may increase the risk of falling.

Engineering: Scaffold Towers, work stands and platforms provided should always be used to gain access to top of the helicopter to perform inspections and maintenance work. Guard Railings must be placed during the time the platforms are in use. Towers are only to be used on a firm level base, with wheel casters locked. The structure is to be braced in all planes, to distribute loads correctly, to prevent twisting and collapse.

The ratio of the minimum base dimension to the height of the working platform must not exceed 1:3 when used outside and 1:3.5 for internal use, unless the tower is tied (secured) to another permanent structure at all times. Base ratios can be increased by the use of outriggers, these are to be fully extended and capable of taking loads at all times.   Free standing towers must not exceed 9.00 metres high to the working platform unless tied. The maximum height to the upper working platform when tied must not exceed 12 metres.  For minor inspections where only visual check are required can the aircraft structural steps or built-in work platforms, can be acceptable for use, if the aircraft is outside or on the ramp.

Administration: Base Management must ensure personnel, contractors and subcontractors are trained and competent as follows when moving through height and working at height:

• Correct and appropriate use of access equipment
• Work at height training
• Movement through height training
• Use of head protection
• Competency maintained via continuation training
• Base management must also ensure that training is updated on an annual basis for all personnel.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment: All employees, contractors etc. when using work stands, platforms and towers MUST be wearing approved head protection.  The head protection must be inspected before use, in place before moving from the ground, adjusted to the wearer, securely fastened during use, worn by both engineers and pilots, or other persons gaining height on the aircraft, must not be removed during checks on the aircraft and must not be removed until back on the ground.

Use Proper Equipment:  The type of equipment workers require to work at height varies based on the type of job they are attempting to do. For example, ladders should only be used for short-term jobs and workers should not use this equipment if they are going to be remaining at height for a significant period of time.

All equipment should be checked regularly for signs of wear or other problems. This is especially important if workers rent equipment for the purpose of completing a particular job. Rented equipment may not always be of the highest quality due to how many others have used it.

Residual Risk:

Unstable or Poorly Maintained Access Equipment:  Working stands and access equipment must be maintained, inspected on a regularly bases to ensure that it is structurally secure to be used by the mechanics.

Poor Positioning of Working Stands – Any access equipment if not positioned correctly and locked and cause a mechanic to over reach when doing aircraft task or fittings, or the working stands can shift in positioning which can cause a catastrophic collapse or topple.

Work Stands Railings & Steps:  Employees not using Work stand Railings and non-skid strips not applied to steps.  Control: “Use hand railings” signs should be place on the work stands as well as non-skid tape be included on steps.

Finally the responsibility to ensure protection for personnel working at height is with the base management, delegated to nominated and competent supervisors within the operation. All tasks undertaken within the base where access to height is required must be evaluated by risk assessment.

B) MANUAL HANDLING OPERATIONS

Lifting….. It’s not complicated, is it? You pick something up and put in back down again. Most of us have been doing it since we were a few months old. Yet incredibly, according to the Fourth European Working Conditions Survey carried out in the EU-27 in 2005, 35% of all workers are exposed to the risk of carrying or moving heavy loads for at least a quarter of their working time. So what’s going wrong?
Manual handling is a part of everyday life, we all have to lift things and none of us want to suffer from muscular injuries. Not only that, in accordance with the OSH Chap. 88:08 Part II – General Duties 6. (1) “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety health and welfare at work of all his employees”. As an employer ROSS Helicopters has a duty to ensure that the manual handling tasks carried out on our premises are done in a safe manner.

It’s important to understand what we mean by “manual handling”. The legal definition in accordance with Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations is: “any transportation or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, and pulling, carrying or moving) by hand or by bodily force”. At Ross Helicopters Manual Handling takes place in almost all working environment however it especially common in the areas of Freight and baggage handling, Workshops, Warehouse / stores, Engineering hangars, Offices / administration areas and the Battery shop.

RISK ASSESSMENT

Factors that Contribute to the Increased Risk of Manual Handling?

There are several factors that make manual handling hazardous, and increase the risk of injury. These are called risk factors. The risk factors, particularly for back injury, are related to 4 aspects of manual handling: the load, the task, the environment and the individual.

The Load:
The risk of back injury increases during lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of loads, if the load is:
Too heavy: There is no exact weight limit for manual handling. A weight of 20 to 25 kg is heavy to lift for most people, especially if the load is handled several times in an hour. Note that pushing or pulling often imposes less loading on the body than lifting or carrying.
Too large: One basic rule for lifting and carrying is to keep the load as close to the body as possible. In order to get a broad load close to the body, the worker has to open the arms to reach and hold the load. The arm muscles cannot produce force when reaching as effectively as with the arms held in close. Thus, the muscles will get tired more rapidly when handling a large bulky load.
Difficult to grasp: Loads that are difficult to grasp can result in the object slipping, causing sudden movement of the load. Gloves usually make grasping more difficult than with bare hands. Providing the objects with handles or using aids for gripping (e.g. when carrying plate material) reduces the load on the worker. Loads with sharp edges or of dangerous materials (solids or liquids) can injure workers, especially in the event of a collision.
Unbalanced: Unstable or if the contents can move: With unbalanced objects, it is difficult to hold the centre of gravity of the load close to the middle of the body. This leads to uneven loading of muscles, and fatigue. Unstable or moving content, such as a liquid, causes uneven loading of the muscles and sudden movements of the load can make workers lose their balance and fall.
Difficult to reach: Loads that can only be reached with outstretched arms, or by bending or twisting the trunk, require more muscular force. The spine may easily be hurt if the trunk is bent or twisted while lifting.

The Task:

The risk of back injury increases if the task:
Is too strenuous: Tasks may be very demanding if they have to be carried out too frequently or for too long with insufficient rest or recovery time (e.g. continuous lifting or carrying for long distances, or activities where the working speed is imposed by a process which cannot be altered by the worker).
• Involves awkward postures or movements: Working with a bent and/or twisted trunk, raised arms, bent wrists, a bent neck and turned head increases the risk of back injury and should be avoided, as should twisting, turning and bending movements of the trunk, overreaching, sudden movements and repetitive handling.

The Environment:

The following characteristics of the work environment may increase the risk of back injury:
• Space available: A lack of space to carry out manual handling may lead to inappropriate body postures and dangerous imbalance in the loads.
• Floor: Handling loads on different working levels or on floors that are slippery, uneven or unstable (such as working platforms or fishing boats) may increase the risk of accidents and back injury.
• Climate: The physical climate (temperature, humidity and ventilation) may affect the risk of back injury. Heat makes you feel tired, and sweat makes it hard to hold tools, requiring more force. Cold can make your hands numb, making it hard to grip.
• Lighting: Insufficient lighting may increase the risk of accidents when handling loads. It may also make you work in awkward positions to see clearly what you are doing.

The Individual:

There are also some individual factors that can influence the risk of back injury:
• Experience, training and familiarity with the job (for example, new episodes of low back pain are common in the first year of employment) 8
• Age (the risk of low back disorders increases with the number of years at work: the first episode of low back pain occurs in most people by the age of 30) According to the OSH Chap. 88:08 PART 1—REQUIREMENTS HEALTH7. Lifting Excessive Weights—a young person shall not be employed to lift, carry or move any load so heavy as to be likely to cause injury to him.
• Physical dimensions and capacity (length, weight, strength, etc.)
• Personal lifestyle (smoking may, for example, increase the risk of low back disorders)
• History of back disorders (this is a predictor of future back injuries)
• Willingness to use personal protective equipment (for example, clothing and footwear).

Types of Injury Caused by Manual Handling:

While taking into consideration all the important factors mentioned above, there are many other factors that can create a risk of injury, for example the number of times an Aircraft Handler has to pick up or carry an bagging and freight every flight, the distance its being carried, where its picked it up from or putting it down (picking it up from the floor, putting it on a shelf above shoulder level) and any twisting, bending, stretching or other awkward posture you may adopt while doing the task. The term ‘musculoskeletal disorders’ covers any injury, damage or disorder of the joints or other tissues in the upper/lower limbs or the back. Statistics from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicate that MSD cases, including those caused by manual handling, account for more than a third of all work-related illnesses reported each year to the enforcing authorities.
The 2016/17 statistics show that 38% of Musculoskeletal disorders were affected in the ‘Back” area. At Ross Helicopters in 2016/2017 there were (4) four cases of back injury due to the lifting of heavy objects and continuous lifting of baggage and pushing and pulling trolleys.

Recommendations and Control Measures –

Manual Handling Techniques
The negative health effects of manual handling can be prevented by trying to eliminate or at least reduce the risk factors involved. The following hierarchy of prevention measures should be used:

Elimination
First, can the work be designed and organised in such a way that manual handling can be avoided completely, or at least restricted (e.g. using powered or mechanical handling equipment such as conveyor belts, lift trucks, electric hoists or gravity-inclined roller track)

       

Technical Measures
If manual handling cannot be avoided,automation, mechanisation and the use of lifting and transport equipment should be considered (e.g. conveyors, hoists, cranes, vacuum lifting devices, lift tables, pallet trucks, lift trucks, barrows, trolleys). However, attention should be paid to ensure that new work risks are not created (e.g. through noise, or hand-arm vibration).

Organisational Measures
Organisational or administrative measures should only be considered if elimination of manual handling is not possible, and if technical measures are not effective in reducing the risks involved in manual handling. Heavy or frequent manual handling tasks should be carried out by several people or, if possible, the amount that is handled should be reduced or the load split into smaller ones. The rate of manual handling should not be set by a machine, supervisor or colleagues. The time taken to carry out manual handling tasks should be extended by taking breaks, or by alternating them with other tasks so that the muscles have time to recover.

Provide information and training to workers
If workers have to carry out manual handling activities, they should be informed of the risks of accidents and ill health, particularly concerning their specific tasks. They should also receive training on the use of equipment and on correct handling techniques (see below).

Correct handling techniques:

Lifting
You should adopt the following technique when lifting the load:
• Put your feet around the load and your body over it (if this is not feasible, try to keep your body as close possible to the load and in front of it)
• Use the muscles of your legs when lifting
• Keep your back straight
• Pull the load as close as possible to your body
• Lift and carry the load with straight arms.

 

 

 

4) Psychological Hazard.

A) Distractions

A psychological Hazard is any hazard that affects the mental well-being or mental health of a worker by overwhelming individual coping mechanisms and impacting the workers ability to work in a healthy and safe manner. Psychological hazard can cause stress and stress is one of the psychological hazard. Industrial Job that has a lot of tasks, roles and work demand and if there were lack of organisation leadership employee can face psychological hazards at their workplace.  

The picture shows an image of an aircraft mechanical staff doing the pre-flight check-up on an operation day. While doing that, he also had a mobile phone over his shoulder and was having a conversation. Aircrafts engineers used to work longer hours, some of them had to work overtime to wait for all aircrafts into the hanger for check-ups and get prepared for another day. A phone call during working work hours especially when involving tasks that are very much on mechanical work can is identified as a “distraction Hazard”. This job is demanding and need certain responsibility to proper finish all check-up carefully because the risk to it may cause the livelihood of other people. As assessed, this phone call might be of work-family conflict, or there must have been an increasing responsibility on the job, this person is working alone, he could have had difficult co-worker to deal with, or a challenging manager. Overall, it was identified as a psychological hazard.

Working in a helicopter firm is a very demanding because of the nature if it’s environment where you deal with things that needs your full attention and right decision-making while being at work or while handling with aircrafts.  Psychological hazard can lead to occupational hazards and there are some occupational diseases that impacts health. According to Mrs Marcia (2017), Psychological factors (e.g. stress from conflict job overload, boredom, uncertainty, lack of control, fear, bullying) are the causes of psychological hazards and it was further confirmed through the OSH Acts.

RISK ASSESSMENT

Higher risk of violence may occur to Helicopter service staff as a transportation industry. If distraction hazard is not measured and managed properly, it can lead to serious problem. People who work in a transportation industry like airlines and helicopter services may understand the long working hours, job demand through increasing responsibility, tight and frequent rescheduling of schedules, challenging manager, these demands the full concentration of an employee.
According to the Trinidad and Tobago OSHA 25A (2015) states “in an industrial establishment every (a) Prime mover, (b) Part of a transmission machinery; (c) Dangerous part of a machine, shall be effectively safeguarded in accordance with sects 25 B, 25C and 25D, this can also be applied to the machinery that were used by helicopter services. Employees must be very careful when dealing with machines that can cause harm to another person who will be using it next.

 

Recommendations and Control Measures

According to the Osh act, Hazard information which includes safety procedure and information, use of signs manuals must be present and accessible for employees to abide by in the work place, for example, restrictions to the use of mobile works while servicing the aircraft, this can help employees being reminded regularly to adhere to the rules and regulation in way that they can be safe guarded from psychological hazard and be more focused.  Eliminate the use of PHONES on the Hangar Floor where work is conducted.

 

B) CONFINED SPACES

What are confined spaces?

Ventilation hoses provide air and exhaust toxic vapors during confined space entry. A guardrail would also be necessary to protect workers from potential falls.
OSHA uses the term “permit-required confined space” (permit space) to describe a confined space that has one or more of the following characteristics: contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere; contains material that has the potential to engulf an entrant; has walls that converge inward or floors that slope downward and taper into a smaller area which could trap or asphyxiate an entrant; or contains any other recognized safety or health hazard, such as unguarded machinery, exposed live wires, or heat stress.

At Ross Helicopters, the hazard involves workers entering the helicopter’s restricted areas for repairs. Operating in these cramped areas over a lengthy period of time can be mentally taxing for repair workers, especially those who may have issues with claustrophobia and panic attacks. In the event of a mental breakdown, further harm can befall onto the worker as well as the equipment and resulting in overall damage to the aircraft.

RISK ASSESSMENT

 

Recommendations and Control Measures

There are many ways in which the psychological hazard of confined spaces can be mitigated. Firstly, workers should be put on a shift system, where each is allowed to work for an hour until the other swaps in. The constant rotation of workers will reduce the long period in the confined spaces making them much more bearable. Also by having the close supervision of another employee during the helicopter’s servicing, in the event of a “worker meltdown”, emergency protocols can be carried out quickly.

Understanding what these issues are will help you overcome intangible fears and frustrations while on work place and can keep you focused and avoid distraction at work place, for Psychosocial hazards include but aren’t limited to stress, violence and other workplace stressors.

CONCLUSION

The Hazards identified at ROSS Helicopters was discussed with the HSE TEAM.  Most of Controls recommended for implementation by the 7 Wonders  were immediately actioned by ROSS Helicopters Management Team. During the debrief  it was  recommended that ROSS Helicopters use in the flow below when managing their Noise Risk which is a Major Hazard that is affected by all employees.

The 7 Wonders also discussed the introduction of the ‘The Entropy Model’ that offers organizations with a planned method to handling risk in the short and longer term.  They even adopted our template used for the Risk Assessment evaluation. The procedure, referred to as the Four-Fold Strategy, addresses entropic and outstanding risks using a multidisciplinary approach. It involves:

1. Taking immediate corrective action to eliminate entropic risk;
2. Establishing maintenance strategies to prevent future entropic risk;
3. Managing residual risk in the short term
4. Minimizing residual risk in the longer term.

In order the control and management of risks within each system factor requires the input of various specialist personnel. Engineers should develop maintenance plans to counter degradation on plants and equipment. The implementation of the Four-Fold Strategy requires the OHS practitioner to play a central coordination and advisory role with the OHS department strategically situated at a senior management level in the organizational structure. The model represents risk in relation to business systems and, therefore, can assist any organization to manage its risks more effectively. Therefore, by identifying residual risk as a significant threat, it is mainly beneficial for ROSS Helicopters to adopt.

The 7 Wonders were invited to return to ROSS Helicopters within (6) months time to reevaluate the organization for the effectiveness of the controls implemented.

References

• “An Accident Theory that Ties Safety and Productivity Together.” EHS Today. October 20, 2002. http://www.ehstoday.com/mag/ehs_imp_35910.
• “Aircraft Fuelling.” http://avstop.com/ac/apgeneral/aircraftfueling.html.
• Canada Center for Occupational Health and Safety https://www.ccohs.ca/topics/hazards/physical/
• Ergo Science “Anatomy of Slips, Trips and Falls” http://info.ergoscience.com/employer-blog/anatomy-of-slips-trips-and-falls
• Graphic Products: Workplace Noise Hazards https://www.graphicproducts.com/articles/workplace-noise-hazards/
• “Hazards of Airplane Fuel-Tank Entry.” http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/aero_04/textonly/s01txt.html.
• Health and Safety Executive (United Kingdom) – Getting to grips with manual handling: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg143.pdfHealth and Safety Executive:
• Managing Noise Risks http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/flowchart.htm

 

• HSP supply inc. “How much does a slip fall cost?” http://hspsupplyinc.com/stats.htm
• In Compliance. “Static Electricity and People.” In Compliance: The Electrical and Electronics Engineers Guide to Design. Testing and Compliance. 2014. https://incompliancemag.com/article/static-electricity-and-people/.
• “Jet A/Jet A-1.” Exxon Mobil. https://www.exxonmobil.com/en/aviation/products-and-services/Products/Jet-A-Jet-A-1.
• Label Master 2017:Signs by message https://www.labelmaster.com/shop/signs/signs-by-message/
• Osh Act of Trinidad and Tobago 2014 as amended 2016 https://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/laws2/alphabetical_list/lawspdfs/88.08.pdf
• Osh Act of Trinidad and Tobago 2004 as amended 2006 http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/88.08.pdf
• Occupational Safety and Health Service of the Department of Labour and the Accident Compensation Corporation (New Zealand) – Code of practice for manual handling: osh.govt.nz/order/catalogue/pdf/manualcode.pdf
• http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/manualhandling.htm
• “Parts Cleaning Solvents – Health & Safety Risks.” Envirofluid For A Better World. July 2, 2014.
• Protective clothes cartoon and comics.
• https://www.google.tt/search?rlz=1C1VEAE_enTT599TT603&biw=1093&bih=490&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=gK0RWsGtOYaamQGM65a4Dg&q=noise+hazard+funny&oq=noise+hazard+funny&gs_l=psy-ab.3…957.9818.0.10252.12.12.0.0.0.0.254.960.2-4.4.0….0…1.1.64.psy-ab..8.3.682…0j0i24k1j0i13k1j0i67k1.0.gkYcDps4UcI#imgrc=xNBhpfOMeuAtGM
• “Respirators – Wearing a Respirator.” Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/ppe/wearing.html.
• “Refuelling and Defuelling Risks.” Sky Brary. https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Refuelling_and_Defuelling_Risks.
• Ross Helicopters QID 195 HSE Procedure Manual: Noise and Vibration in the workplace
• Ross Helicopters HSEM 20/2 Manual: Noise and Vibration in the workplace
• Slipping cat on wet floor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz2P3Z14ZgE
• http://www.osha.mddsz.gov.si/resources/files/pdf/E-fact_14_-_Hazards_and_risks_associated_with_manual_handling_in_the_workplace.pdf
• Wayne S. Maynard “Tribology: Preventing Slips and Falls in the Workplace.” Liberty Directions” (2002)https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Wayne_Maynard/publication/11091055_Tribology_preventing_slips_and_falls_in_the_workplace/links/00b7d537cb2694aacb000000/Tribology-preventing-slips-and-falls-in-the-workplace.pdf

The StratExecs – Risk Assessment – Local Primary School in Trinidad and Tobago

INTRODUCTION

What is safety?

Safety refers to the “relative freedom from danger, risk, or threat of harm, injury, or loss to personnel and/or property, whether caused deliberately or by accident” (businessdictionary.com).

Many people wonder, how safe are you at home, or at work or even at school. What “hazards” do we face and what “risks” are we exposed to if an accident does happen?

Our analysis is focused on a local school, which for the purpose of this assignment will be referred to as ‘The School’ as officials have requested that the name not be used. The School was opened in 1951 and houses a population of 155 students and 14 staff. It is a primary level educational institution with student ages ranging from five (5) years to twelve (12) years old. The School is comprised of a main building, housing the administrative office and classrooms, washroom facilities for students and staff, parking facilities and an open play area for children.

Schools hold an important value in society, our children spend nearly one quarter of their day at these institutions and as such, their safety and those of educators is of utmost importance. As minors, the responsibility lies on the administration to provide a safe and optimal learning environment. Locally, schools are classified as an “industrial establishment” under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Trinidad and Tobago 2004) and are guided by the legislation within.

Throughout this blog, we will discuss the hazards identified at The School and categorize them based on the five main types of hazards (Physical, Biological, Ergonomic, Chemical and Psychological). In doing so, we will evaluate each hazard identified and the person(s) affected or who could potentially be affected. Finally, we will aim to complete a risk rating assessment of the hazards noted, and provide recommendations for improvements and mitigation. We expect that our assessment of the hazards posing risks to occupants of the School would allow the administration to make the necessary changes recommended by our group in the interest of Occupational Health and Safety for the protection of our children and the people who care for them throughout the school day.

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

“Physical Hazards are factors within the environment that can harm the body without necessarily touching it “(osha.gov).

Fall Hazard

Figure 1. Fall hazards

The photos illustrated above in Figure 1. depicts two stairways used by students and staff of The School. Under the OSH Act (2004) Safety Requirement number sixteen, it states “floors, passages, gangways, steps, stairs and ladders must be soundly constructed and properly maintained and handrails must be provided for stairs.” We spoke with one of the teachers who lamented that students often run up and down the staircase, while also using the bannisters as a slide. This practice is quite dangerous given the heights of the staircases, a fall from such distance can be fatal. In younger children, bones are malleable or softer and are more easily broken, thus as compared to a fallen taken by an adult the risk of serious injury is greater. Other injuries which may potentially be inflicted from a fall on this stairway include: sprained ligaments, superficial or deep wounds and fractured bones. Staff are also not exempted, and are at risk of falling or twisting an ankle particularly if heels are being worn.

The second image shows a blue guardrail which was recently installed to improve the safety of the stairs however, work is yet to be completed.

Risk Assessment = Likelihood x Severity

RA score (Fall Hazard)= 3 x 3 = 9

In our risk assessment the risk score for a fall hazard was moderate. This score was moderate because while the children can fall, there is a level of supervision provided by teachers which reduces the practice of children sliding down the bannisters. Also, the railing which had started to be put in place, is an indication that the risk is being treated.

Trip and Fall Hazard

Trip hazards are those which occur due to a physical or structural element which causes an individual to become unbalanced and can result in a fall or other injury. In Figure 2. we observed at The School, a common classroom apparatus, blackboards, which have contributed a number of trips and falls.

Figure 2. Trip and fall hazards

If one looks carefully, the base or feet of the blackboards are slightly protruding. If one is walking or running without paying attention it is quite easy to make contact and lose balance resulting in a trip and fall. This photo evoked memories of our own primary school years as some of our group members can distinctly remember having this experience!

Another issue identified with the blackboards was the probability of them falling. Given the size and width as compared to the base structure any medium to heavy physical contact set it into a rocking motion. We were informed by teachers that blackboards have fallen before, however thankfully never on a student or member of staff. Regardless, the inherent risk of injury due to an occurrence such as this is a cause for concern, with students as small as five (5) years old, such a large object can do lasting damage.

Risk Assessment = Likelihood x Severity

RA score (Trip and Fall)= 2 x 2= 4

In our RA a trip and fall hazard is rated as low. This is because the probability is low since there is adequate space for walking. It would also take an inattentive person to trip over the whole leg of the blackboard. Also, the severity of the fall would be low because a person would not falling from a great height. Therefore the impact would not be very high.

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

“Biological agents are living things, or products of living things, that can cause illness and disease in humans. Biological agents include viruses, bacteria and fungi, as well as parasitic worms and some plants”(takeonestep.org).

Biological hazards encompass a wide range of substances of biological origin (viruses, toxins, microorganisms and more) which pose a threat to humans. Effects of this type of hazard can be mild, from skin irritation and rashes to severe infections and allergic reactions.

Animal Hazard

Figure 3. Animal hazard

These pigeons were observed trying to obtain an education in the classrooms.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of the UK, animal droppings are unsanitary and a source of diseases and allergens. Faecal matter from pigeons can contain a number potentially infectious diseases such as salmonella and tuberculosis which present health issues in humans. Staff and students who may be sensitive to allergens are also at a risk for respiratory illnesses and skin infections from pigeons nesting at the school.

There have been numerous news reports of schools locally, being dismissed or closed temporarily due to pigeon infestation: Trinidad Guardian “Pigeon and heat keep two schools closed” (Persad, 2013),  Trinidad Express “Pigeon problem closes school” ( 2012). In addition to it being a health issue, disruptions to classes affects the teaching staff’s ability to complete syllabus work and disadvantages students.

Risk Assessment = Likelihood x Severity

RA score (Animal Hazard)= 3 x 3 = 9

Our assessment of the animal hazard was a moderate rating of nine. In our estimation the school was not experiencing an infestation of pigeons and there were attempts made to keep them away (use of wiring to block off access to the roof). However, the diseases carried by pigeons are severe enough to warrant concern

Insect Bite Hazard

Figure 4. Insect hazards

The grassy area pictured above is located to the back of the school adjacent to the students main recreational area, it is not closed off and is freely accessible. While teachers endeavour their best to keep an eye on students, it is not always possible to watch them every minute of the day. The thickness of the grass may conceal ants nests and other insects that can potentially bite children.

The second photo shows a Jack Spaniard’s nest of more locally know ‘jep’ nest. Fortunately, at the time the photo was taken it was not occupied, however, its existence means a horde may be around somewhere.

Children, during their recess and lunch breaks may venture into the area with insects and unassumingly be bitten or stung. In the case of the jep nest, they may find it adventurous to provoke the nest, as some of us did during our childhood. While the bite or sting of ants and jeps are not a toxic danger to human health, it is painful and those with sensitive skin may experience more severe reactions that may require medical attention.

Risk Assessment = Likelihood x Severity

RA score (Insect Hazard)= 3 x 4 = 12

In our risk assessment the risk score for a  insect hazard is moderate. The score was moderate because the insects involved are not toxic to us, it is painful and may cause a bad reaction but it’s not life threatening. However, in more severe situations it may cause diseases such as dengue and for this reason, this hazard has the highest score out of all our scores.

ERGONOMIC HAZARDS

“An ergonomic hazard is a physical factor within the environment that harms the musculoskeletal system. Ergonomic hazards include themes such as repetitive movement, manual handling, workplace/job/task design, uncomfortable workstation height and poor body positioning” (comcare.gov.au).

Workstation Hazard

Teachers spend the majority of the school day in classrooms, whether standing at the blackboard instructing or sitting at their desks. Within The School space is limited and classrooms are in close proximity of each other. Figure 5. shows images of two teachers’ workstations.

Figure 5. Workstation hazards

The spaces appear confined and offer very little room for maneuvering around. Also, the desks are small and unable to hold much material, in the first picture the water bottle can clearly be seen on the verge of falling off the edge of the desk. Ergonomically, such small spaces limit flexibility and put strains on the muscles resulting in feelings of soreness.

Another issue noted was the chairs provided for teachers as they appear to offer very little padding and are not adjustable. According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety “A chair becomes ergonomic only when it specifically suits a worker’s size (body dimensions), his or her particular workstation, and the tasks that must be performed there.” They further went on to describe the characteristics of a good chair:

• Adjustability
• Backrest
• Seat depth
• Stability
• Seat height range

Back and spinal pain is one of the most common injuries suffered at work. A good chair, particularly when prolonged sitting is involved is beneficial to reducing health issues.

Image via: https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/office/chair.html 

Figure 6. Ergonomic chair

Risk Assessment = Likelihood x Severity

RA score (Workstation Hazard)= 2 x 2 = 4

In our RA the work station hazard scored low. Ergonomically the set-up was not the best for  comfort, but we believe the teachers have other options to reduce negative health effects such as taking breaks, walking and stretching. about the premises.

Posture Hazard

Figure 7. Posture hazards

Above, we have pictured the student classroom furniture for infants (left) and standard five pupils (right). Again the close proximity of students to each other is seen, but more importantly the picture shows the homogeneity of the desks and chairs. Most of us would remember sitting at these desks, hunched over feverishly writing notes but at the time didn’t consider it was bad for our posture.

In addition to carrying heavy backpacks, students are subjected to hours of sitting at these conventional desks and chairs, up to 80% of the school day according to one source. Due to the furniture being a one-size fits all there is often a mismatch with some students. Children grow at varying rates and as such desks and chairs should ideally match the height and weight of the individual. In the absence of these accommodations, children tend to compensate by slouching and constantly moving around trying to find a comfortable position. This can lead to irritability and problems focusing in the classroom.

Risk Assessment = Likelihood x Severity

RA score (Posture Hazard)= 2 x 3 =6

The posture hazard was rated low in our risk assessment. We acknowledge that ergonomical issues are important but are confident that sufficient accommodations would be made if a child was uncomfortable at a desk. Also, the school day is usually broken up with breaks and class activities which allow children a respite from sitting all day.

PSYCHOLOGICAL HAZARDS

Psychological hazards are mental in nature and put a strain on the human ability to cope with external situations. It can be regarded as a mental health and workplace issue if/when persons become exceedingly overwhelmed and are unable to carry out their work in a healthy and safe manner.

Community Violence Hazard

Via https://www.familiesforlife.sg/discover-an-article/Pages/Practical-Exam-Tips-for-Children.aspx

Figure 8. Effects of community violence hazards

In one of our conversations with a teacher, she stated several of the students experience psychological issues stemming from their home lives. These issues are then brought into the school creating a stressful environment. The location of the school is within an area which is considered high risk by police. It was further revealed that community violence could often be seen and heard from the school compound, including gunshots or physical fights. The shootings frighten and leave students emotionally shaken while also making them fearful to be in the school.

Teachers also suffer similar effects of having to work in high-stress environments and constantly worry not only about students’ safety but their own. While teachers can be natural nurturers, it takes a lot out of a person to play the role of teacher and counsellor to students in need of help. Furthermore, it is common for children from these type of environments to be disruptive and display rebellious tendencies in class.

Risk Assessment = Likelihood x Severity

RA score (Psychological Hazard)= 3 x 3  = 9

In our RA, Psychological Hazard scored moderately. This is because violence around the area can scare children and is likely to happen in a high crime area. However, the violence is within the environs and not against the children. Also, children may become numb to community violence as it has become the norm for them.

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

Chemical hazards in the workplace exists when workers or occupants are exposed to chemical components which have the potential to cause harm. This exposure can lead to a host of medical issues such as skin irritation, burns, respiratory illnesses or more serious implications.

The following photo (Figure 9.) was taken at The School, and depicts a storage room for cleaning supplies. Notable also were the play items, which we were told the older student would be allowed access to. On the shelves we can see supplies such as bleach, toilet bowl cleaners and disinfectant bottles. All of these contain harsh and harmful chemical and come with warning label indicating the severity of complications if used incorrectly The door to the storage room had a lock which was non-functional posing a risk to students who may access it unknowingly to the staff.

Locks should be a priority, to limit access to high risk areas such as this room as there are minors at the school and chemical hazards can be fatal.

Figure 9. Chemical hazards

Risk Assessment = Likelihood x Severity

RA score (Chemical Hazard)= 1 x 4 = 4

Our rating of the chemical hazard fell into the low category, the location of the storage room is sufficient to deter younger students from entering. We do note the severity should an incident occur hence, a score of four given.

RISK ASSESSMENT

What hazards?	Who might be harmed?	Risk rating; Likelihood, Severity	Actions to reduce risk ALARP	Person responsible for action	Due by date	Signed off as done on date
Physical Fall hazard Trip and fall hazard	Teachers Students Cleaners Maintenance staff Security	3 x 3= 9 2 x 2 = 4	Signage near stairways. Installation of raised railing.	School Supervisor	December 31st, 2017.
Psychological Community Violence	Teachers Students	3 x 3 = 9	Provide access to guidance counsellors and social workers.. Also, get Ministry of Education to encourage police to have regular patrols in the area.	School Principal	Continuous Weekly Attendance
Biological Animal Insect Bite	Teachers Students Cleaners Maintenance staff Security	3x 3 = 9 3 x 4 = 12	Keep clean environment so that it does not attract pigeons. Cutting of grass. So that it does not remain a habitat for insects and spray insecticide.	School Supervisor	By the last Friday of every month
Ergonomic Work station hazard Posture hazards	Workstation affect teachers Students are affected from bad posture	2 x 2=4 2 x 3=6	Rearrange desks and furniture so that their is more space. Purchase basic ergonomically adjustable chair	School Supervisor	Within 1 week First day of next school term
Chemical Cleaning supplies (bleach)	Teachers Students	1 x 4= 4	Limit the access to the rooms which keep cleaning supplies. Ensure door has a lock. Replace Cabinet	School Supervisor

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Fall Hazard – The fall hazards identified at the school represent some of the most significant risk, especially to the students. The comments that we received on the alternate uses of the staircase rail as a slide should be taken very seriously. It would appear by the already in progress efforts of the school, that this risk has been identified, however prompt and immediate action is required in these circumstances. In our estimation, the solution is acceptable, and we recommend that the administrators of the School insist that the work of completing the guard rail already started be completed within the next 2 weeks. In the interim, the school can consider installation of a temporary barrier solution constructed from sheets of inexpensive ply board until the work is completed and also erect signage reminding students the act is prohibited.

Trip Hazard – Blackboards are essential tools for a school. Often information needs to be retained on one board for a student to write down, while work continues on another. The need for additional real estate of blackboards is a norm among primary schools. The risk of a trip or fall originating from the blackboard with protruding legs is however real and has a high potential to occur. There have been advances in alternates to the blackboard such as the white board. The use of whiteboards differ to the blackboard such as they use a marker instead of chalk. Chalk creates a dusty unpleasant at times environment which also poses a threat to those with lower dust tolerances. Whiteboards are lighter than wooden blackboards. Whiteboards can be rigidly attached to the ceiling and extend downward to the floor, thereby eliminating the trip hazard. Securing the whiteboard from ceiling and floor, also creates a safer environment by eliminating the topple over and fall over phenomenon associated with the blackboard currently in use. As this is an item that may be costly, the timeframe for implementation may be affected by budgetary constraints customary at many schools. In the interim, circular, soft material, high visibility moulds can be made and shrouded around the legs, thereby reducing the trip hazard. Simple solid braces can be attached to the ceiling and extend downward to the top of the blackboard and secured, to eliminate the risk of the blackboard falling on someone accidentally.

Animal Hazard – The StratExecs have no objection to the Pigeons seeking higher education. We too seek the same right of education. There are more appropriate schools that they can attend, and we advised them of same. In speaking with a Teacher at the school, she too was futile in trying to explain to them an alternate school where they would be better served. As a result we suggest immediate expulsion. In order to accomplish this though, we must understand that the causes for concern with their co-existence is the possible effect on the health of the human population at the school. In this regard, the humane and ethical way would be to remove the attraction of the School environment in making it their habitat, removal of food sources, and general employment of methods that would deter their attraction to the school. Beyond removal of the sources of food, the immediate suggestion to the school is to implement proper screens across points of access where the offenders may enter. Additionally introduction of bird spikes at higher roosting points such as on roof tops, roof eaves, window sills and fences where it is not easily accessible would curb the enthusiasm of the Pigeon to roost at those places. If the budget will allow, installation of a fake replica of a life size bird of prey at strategic locations around the school would act as a natural and safe deterrent. Technology has also introduced an acoustic means that generates an annoying sound to the pigeons that also keeps them well away from the offending sound. Temporary and innovative measures can be immediately taken to reduce access points by having screens material placed over entrance points while proper fit permanent screens are manufactured until full installation.

Insect Bite Hazard – Insect bites can be dangerous to someone allergic to certain type of bites. The common factor around the chances of being bitten is the amount of foliage around the immediate area. We may all agree that in the city, it is expected to be less common to receive an insect bite than it would be in the countryside. This may be due to the grassy areas and abundance of foliage. It is also a more natural habitat for insects to exist. When our urban environments are allowed to become overgrown with foliage, and neglect the importance to ensure that the grassy areas are kept groomed, we introduce higher possibilities that our insect friends may not want to return to the rural habitat, and may decide to dwell in the urban environment. This is where the increased exposure to annoying humans may occur, causing retaliation by the insects resulting in an insect bite being delivered to a victim. I am told that most biting insects feel the same way about humans, so it is anybody’s guess as to what type of insect may launch the insect bite attack on the human. What is clear is that in order to stem this risk, that the environment should be kept to a sufficiently groomed condition which the administration has the ability to have this task accomplished and maintained. Acute sense of continued observation in the forming of “‘jep’ nest” can eliminate this problem. In summary, the School would be required to enter into a proper and thorough maintenance program with the goal of elimination of the insect bite hazard. This maintenance program if so entered would also have a positive effect in reduction of risk in some of the other categories of hazards such as Biological and Physical. The solution recommended can be implemented within one week. Maintenance Companies exist in just about every district and in many cases there is an in-house maintenance worker that can start the process initially and immediately.

Workstation Hazard – Workstations and the level has been in the past relied on durability and availability rather than ergonomic comfort. Today, we have realized the results of poor ergonomics on stress of the body. The issues associated with poor ergonomics can affect someone permanently. The effects can be short term or long term, but regardless of the term, we must be cognisant of this reality. Workstations have become creative and artistic based on the number ways they can accommodate a person’s comfort posture. These are usually expensive pieces of furniture, and out of the range of affordability of many school organisations. The School may not have the necessary resources to invest in state of the art ergonomic furniture, the operational space can be improved with some better space management practices, and even a modest improvement in the most important pieces of furniture such as a basic adjustable chair can stave off many ill effects of poor ergonomic furniture. We have estimated that due to budgetary constraints, a target implementation for comfortable seating for each of the classroom’s teaching position could be set to the first day of the following new term.

Posture Hazard – The school system student furniture has not evolved in Trinidad and Tobago to levels that consider individual ergonomic differences. While it may not be in the budget at this time to consider replacement of furniture for the Students, it remains a valid and worthwhile consideration as a step in the right direction. In the absence of implementing improved furniture, changes to the length of time spent per class session, and the frequency of breaks may need to be considered to bring those parameters in harmony with reducing the effects of poor posture. Parents also share a responsibility with respect to improving the means by which their children transport their school supplies. Today many parents have transitioned their children’s school bags to a school bag on wheels that can be rolled rather than carried. This would reduce the the physical stress exerted on shoulders and backs of developing children. Some Schools have adopted a policy where some of the books are kept at school, and only what is needed for the nightly homework will go home. This practice however is usually seen in private schools and has not yet trickled down to the public Government Schools such as the one we performed the analysis on. We therefore recommend that the Schools implement immediately a book management scheme thereby reducing student bag loads, and Parents can invest in bags that are on wheels as the choice of purchase when the need arises to replace the current bag, or if resources are available the Parent could opt to replace the bag immediately.

Community Violence Hazards and Behavioural Hazard- This type of psychological hazard is most unfortunate, but a reality of some districts throughout the world. In Trinidad and Tobago, we are not exempt and this School experiences this type of hazard from both the home, and immediate surrounding community. This is a difficult hazard to find a permanent definitive solution to. Parents need to be sensitive of their actions and what their children are exposed to that may have an effect on their psychological well being. We would recommend to the school that a weekly professional counselling service be made available to Students, Teachers and Parents to assist where may be needed to reverse the negative effects of the community. This service could be implemented immediately as the reversal of these negative effects would need time to get to a level of resolution. On behavioral corrective measures, the Principal of the school could use the morning assembly to emphasize the requirement and importance of excellent conduct both in and out of the School uniform. Students should also be reminded by the Principal and Teachers of the School how misconduct and engaging in illegal activities can diminish their character while simultaneously reinforcing the consequences of bad behaviour and poor conduct in and out of the school.This positive reinforcement could demonstrate to the Students how to identify and reject the negative effects of the community in which they operate.

Chemical Hazard – Chemical Hazards pose in our opinion the second most significant risk as the negative effect can result in death from accidental or deliberate ingestion. Students, Teachers, Cleaners and people are not supposed to access the storage cupboard are at risk. At a minimum, the storage cabinet is required to be replaced and a lock be put onto the door to the storage room. The practice of allowing students to access the storage cabinet must immediately cease. Addressing these changes should be priority and be accomplished within one week from the date of our recommendation due to the severe risk posed.

Our recommended corrective measures to be implemented is directed at the administrative Principal of the School as the person responsible for matters of safety. It is expected that based on the severity of the risk, that due attention will be given to have the corrective action implemented by at least the timeframe specified. We understand that the Ministry of Education must have input to these issues and the timeframe and implementation of the corrective actions. It is our wish that our recommendations be taken seriously by the administration and by extent, the Ministry of Education, and that we would have added valuable insight into the Hazards and Risks that are being experienced at this school, with a view that they may accomplish similar exercises on other schools under their supervision.

CONCLUSION:

The overall assessment done by The StratExecs showed that The School has a few hazards and risks within the compound. Some of the risks and and hazards highlighted in our assessment included: physical hazards-trip and fall, psychological hazards-community violence, biological hazards-animal and insect bites, ergonomic hazards-workstation and posture and chemical hazards-cleaning supplies(bleach). Even though most of the risks and hazards were minor in nature, the trip and fall hazard along with the chemical hazard revealed to be the most detrimental hazards on the School’s compound. It is quite evident that the safety and health of both the staff members and students of the School are at risk everyday on this compound. Schools are very important in today’s society and most of the time students and staff members spend at school outweighs the time spent at home therefore, it is very critical that risks and hazards are carefully assessed and addressed in order to provide a safe,clean and comfortable learning environment for the students and staff. For all the hazards and risks identified within the School, we were able to suggest constructive recommendations that should be adopted by the administrative team at the School along with the Ministry of Education in order to mitigate and address these issues within the stated timeframes. In this way, staff and students would be able to function successfully in a safe and healthy School environment.

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REFERENCES:

1. “Biological Hazards.” Take One Step: Wellness at Work. Accessed November 19, 2017. http://www.takeonestep.org/Pages/yoursafety/safenotsorry/biologicalhazards.aspx.
2. “Biological Hazards.” Health and Safety Executive. Accessed November 19, 2017. http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/faq-biological.htm.
3. Comcare. “Ergonomic hazards.” Comcare. February 04, 2014. Accessed November 19, 2017. https://www.comcare.gov.au/preventing/hazards/ergonomic_hazards.
4. Persad, Khara. “Pigeons and heat keep two schools closed.” The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper. September 02, 2013. Accessed November 19, 2017. http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2013-09-02/pigeons-and-heat-keep-two-schools-closed.
5. Pigeon problem closes school.” Daily Express. March 20, 2012. Accessed November 19, 2017. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Pigeon_problem_closes_school-143592196.html.
6. “Safety Hazards.” OSHA. Accessed November 20, 2017. https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy10/sh-20839-10/circle_chart.pdf.
7. “The Role and Function of a School Supervisor.” Ministry of Education. Accessed November 19, 2017. http://moe.gov.tt/Services/Office-of-the-CEO/SchoolSupervision/Roles-and-Function1.
8. “What is safety? definition and meaning.” BusinessDictionary.com. Accessed November 19, 2017. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/safety.html.

 

 

GROUP MEMBERS AND I.D. NUMBERS:

Eva Cheng – 816011566

Rachel Telfer – 814005192

E. Sealy – 816012158

Dylan Waheed – 814001644

Simone Sirjue – 816008505

Priya Galbaran – 813000255

Andrea Kinsale – 808000489

HOME is where the “hazard” is…

As the rush of everyday life seemingly consumes us, it is nice to have a retreat at the end of the day or on the weekend. A place to kick up your feet and relax and spend time with those who matter most, our family and close friends. However, our sanctuaries can be plagued with hazards that are easily overlooked due to distractions and in some instances plain negligence.

While the OSH Act of Trinidad and Tobago does not cover private dwellings, many people consider their home their primary place of work. The global economic downturn has many men and women looking at the profession of homemaker. This profession is on the rise both in an attempt to seek jobs that allow one to earn a living while at home as well as to make a comfortable living space for those who are still required to leave the home for work and face the stresses of the traditional workplace.

In the UK the number of mothers in full-time employment stood at close to 30 per cent in 2008 but has fallen to closer to 29 per cent since the onset of the recession, figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal. Locally, the Central Statistical Office of Trinidad and Tobago has shown that unemployment has risen by 4.5% in the last recorded quarter in March this year. Clearly as time passes more persons will be spending time at home and it is important to note and rectify the hazards they may face.

The Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Safety and Health Authority and Agency defines a hazard as the potential for harm if left uncontrolled, can result in an injury or illness to a person or people that come in contact with that hazard.  Hazards can be physical which includes ergonomic, psychological, biological, chemical and electrical. They note that a risk is a chance, either high or low, that someone will be harmed by the hazard. A risk assessment must be conducted to address and rectify all hazards and put systems in place to reduce the risk of all involved.

A risk assessment was conducted on the home of the Mortons. The Morton household is a three person townhouse dwelling. In this two-story house lives Mr. Morton, Mrs. Morton, little miss Morton who is four years old and their pet cat Pumpkin. Occasionally Ms. Garcia, Mrs. Morton’s mother, would make extended visits. The Morton household is the centre of operations for a small business that makes natural products as well the epicentre for family gatherings, birthdays and Christmas parties. The Morton townhouse is a newly constructed rental unit situated in the community of Tunapuna. The Mortons are the first occupants of the dwelling having moved in only in February of this year.

***Not the actual Morton household.

In this risk assessment, hazards would be identified and categorised. Each hazard will be rated on a scale of one to five for both likelihood of harm and the severity of harm it can potentially inflict.

The likelihood and severity would noted for the primary occupants of the household, the two adults and the child, where necessary, annotations would be made to include the secondary occupants i.e. Ms. Garcia and Pumpkin.

Steps are then identified, through the hierarchy of hazard control, on how to deal with the hazard identified. Hierarchy of hazard control is a system used in industry to minimise or eliminate exposure to hazards. It is a widely accepted system promoted by numerous safety organisations. This concept can be adjusted and applied to the household as well.

Physical Hazard

According to Comcare Australia, a physical hazard is defined as “a factor within the environment that can harm the body without necessarily touching it.” Physical hazards are most common source of injury in many homes.  Physical hazards include electricity, radiation, noise, vibration, trip and fall, explosion, fire, burn, crush, and many others that cause physical harm. Fall and Fire are two leading causes of injury and death in the home. US Centre of Disease control reports that over 800,000 patients in the US a year are hospitalised because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture. According to the National Fire Protection Association in the United States, more than 300,000 house fires ignite each year in the U.S.

1. Fire Hazard

Fire hazard is a material, substance, or action that has potential for ignition and cause a fire. The fire hazard can found everywhere around us and homes. The most common fire hazard at home is unattended cooking, smoking, children playing fire, misuse of candle, etc. Candles are widely used in every household, but the misuse of candles can cause home fire.  According to the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), each year there are over 15,000 candle fires which cause 1,300 injuries, and 166 deaths.

 

 

Calming Candle or agent of FIRE?!

Face the fire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture shows the candle is placed on the table and surrounded by books, makeup and flammable objects which is high risk. The wind through the window might blow the item next to it or the curtain over the candle which could start a fire. The consequences can be very serious that everyone in the house can be a victim of burn.

 

Recommended Hierarchy of Control: Elimination, substitution, and isolation

• Blow out candle when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Keep lighted candle 2 feet away from anything that can burn such as furniture, books, curtains, carpet, etc.
• Keep candle away from fans and air currents.
• Replaced by battery-operated candle.

2. Falling Hazard

Falling hazard is anything cause body to lose balance and result in fall. There are many outcomes of falling. If you fall and landed on your buttocks, it could result in stress fracture and bruises. If you fall and the head hits the hard hard floor, it could result in brain injury and spinal cord injury.

A very common contributing factor is neglecting to use handrails. In the photo, above the stairway has handrails but only on one side. Because stairway accidents can cause severe injury and even death, building codes for stairs and ramps are should be rigorous. Good design can substantially reduce the potential for mis-stepping by providing the means to retrieve balance, but even the best design cannot eliminate falling hazards entirely. The need for proper design also applies to ramps.

If one loses balance their reflexes may not permit them to grab the railing on the one side. The railing design may encourage a small unattended child to climb on the outside of the railing which can also run the risk of the child falling. Also the design of the railing causes a residual pinch or crush hazards which allows for small limbs or head to fit if the child is left unattended but may not be able to remove without assistance. The fact is that some incidents can be caused by inattention, unsafe behaviour, and inappropriate footwear.

Recommended Hierarchy of Control: Engineering, Administrative

• As an engineering control, install railings on both sides of the stairway. Ensure the design of the stairway considers the residual risk of pinch or crush hazards for high risk family members.
• As an administrative control, keep stairway clear of water, obstacles and debris.

Ergonomic Hazard

Another physical hazard is ergonomic hazard within the environment that harms the musculoskeletal system. Ergonomic hazards include repetitive movement, manual handling, workplace/job/task design, uncomfortable workstation height and poor body positioning. This hazard is frequently overlooked and it is important to highlight as this poses a high but silent risk to employees and of course occupants of the Morton household. Persons at high risk for ergonomic hazards are pregnant women, overweight persons, persons with pre-existing conditions caused by previous exposure to ergonomic hazards and the elderly.

Beating the face, the books…and apparently the back! Ouch!

1. Workplace/job/task design Hazard

In the above photo is the workstation where Mrs. Morton spends time either completing assignments, answering work emails or applying makeup. The chair at the workstation, though stylish, has no back or arm support. It is also too low for comfortable use of the table. It is important to note that Mrs. Morton has a pre-existing condition of early onset cervical spondylosis or cervical arthritis, which is an age-related condition that affects the joints and discs in your neck. The condition can occur in young people with weaken bones due to bad diet or from sleeping incorrectly over an extended period of time.

Recommended Hierarchy of Control: Substitution

• Change chair to one ergonomically designed for long time use. The chair should have appropriate back and neck support. This is especially important ergonomic hazards has contributed to the creating the ailment putting Mrs. Morton at higher risk.

2. Poor body positioning Hazard

Poor body positioning can occur at the workstation when it can be recognised and consciously addressed. It can also occur when one’s asleep as a result of too many pillows on the bed. The body may roll into an awkward position during the night resulting in poor sleeping posture and aches and pains in the morning. Persons at high risk for such a hazard are persons who are overweight, elderly or have pre-existing conditions.

Recommended Hierarchy of Control: Elimination, substitution.

• 
• Remove pillows from the bed. Sleep on the  flat bed.
• Replace with a pillow designed to support the natural arch of the neck and spine.

Chemical Hazards

Chemical hazards are hazards related to chemicals that may be found in both liquid and solid products that based on the chemical components found in them, has the potential to cause harm to someone through exposure to them. According to Mrs. Marcia Nathai Balkissoon (2017 OSH Training Module Slides) chemicals are hazardous if they are Asphyxiating, Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Teratogenic, Poisonous, Toxic, Sensitizing, Radioactive, Corrosive, Oxidizing, Flammable, Combustible, Explosive, Reactive.

A person’s health can be negatively impacted by chemical hazards depending on the substance properties, quantity, how much one is exposed and for how long, route of entry, and tissues in which chemical localizes and how much it affects an individual (resistance levels). Most common routes of entry are through, inhalation, absorption, ingestion and injection.

Diagram of entry routes

BATHROOM – Below Face Basin: LISTERINE & PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS STORED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO HOUSEHOLD CLEANING PRODUCTS

Below the face basin located in the bathroom can be observed chemical hazards- Lanher bathroom cleaning liquids, men antiperspirant deodorant, Listerine, toothpaste. Observe that this is a perfect example of improper storage of chemicals in a home that has a four year old child occupant. It also highlights the fact that household cleaning agents are being stored with personal hygiene products like Listerine and toothpaste. Below is a table of each product and the chemicals in each along with the potential hazards.

PRODUCT	CHEMICALS	SIDE EFFECTS
Bathroom Cleaning Liquids	Ammonia, Chlorine, Sodium Hydroxide	Respiratory ailments, skin and eye irritation, burns. Long term effects include organ damage including liver and kidney, cancer, asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Anti-perspirant deodorant	Aluminum based compounds, parabens (artificial preservative), Propylene Glycol ( a humectant), TEA-triethanolamine and DEA-diethananolamine(cleanser base), Triclosan(artificial antimicrobial chemical), FD&C colors  and Talc (absorbent)	Eye and skin irritation, long term effects include Kidney and liver damage, cancer, thyroid and hormonal malfunction.
Mouthwash	Alcohol, Sorbitol, Aroma, Poloxamer 407, Benzoic acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium saccharin, Eucalyptol, Methyl salicylate, Thymol, Menthol, Sodium fluoride, CI 42053, CI 47005	Can be poisonous to children or adults, diarrhea, vomiting,  allergic reactions, skin and eye irritation,  intoxicating, long term effect can cause cancer
Toothpaste	Sodium Fluoride, Triclosan, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, DEA	Long term effects include liver and kidney abnormalities, cancer.

FACE BASIN & STORAGE SHELVING: HAIR AND FACE PRODUCTS NEXT TO CHILD MEDICATION; EXPOSED TOOTHBRUSHES

PRODUCT	CHEMICALS	SIDE EFFECTS
Face and Skin Products	Mineral oil, Alcohols and Parabens, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Laurel Sulphate, Dibutylphthalate, Artificial Colors, Diethanolamine.	Psoriasis or eczema, hormonal imbalance, cancer, skin irritant, liver and kidney damage.
Hair conditioner	Propylene Glycol, Momoethanolamine, Formaldehyde, 1, 4 Dioxane, Methylisothiazoline	Liver, kidney and brain damage, severe allergic reactions, hormonal imbalance, abnormal brain development and brain damage.

Area below Kitchen Sink: ARRAY OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (WASH CONCENTRATE, HOUSEHOLD BLEACH, SPRAY PAINT, BRAKE FLUID) STORED TOGETHER. NOTE ALSO EMPTY GASOLINE CONTAINER.

Based on this risk assessment of the subject’s home for chemical hazards, there is clearly a need for immediate corrective action to ensure the safety of all that live there especially the four year old child who is at even more risk due to these chemical hazards in the home. Steps must be taken to drastically improve in the home the storage of the different products used especially for a home that has a child or children present.

While the OSHA does not cover private dwellings, the standard set out in it applies to an industrial standard which contains very stringent and important guidelines, some of which can be adapted for private dwellings. The responsibility for such adaptations and applications will have to fall on one or more adult in the home and will go a long way in increasing the safety of occupants.

This means that individuals within the household will have to take it upon themselves to ensure that they make themselves more knowledgeable about the products they purchase by paying more attention to:

• Chemical composition information of the products they purchase
• Identifying the hazards of the chemicals used in the products
• First Aid measures involving these chemicals
• Accidental release measures
• Handling and storage
• Exposure Controls
• Toxicological information
• Disposal considerations

Individuals can create their own Chemical Safety Data Sheet (CSDS) adapted for the home environment. They can become knowledgeable on doses and concentration of the household chemicals identified and what will be the doses or concentration likely to cause serious harm or even death. Research can be done and natural substitutes used to replace products containing more toxic chemicals used in household cleaning, washing, face and skin, hair and other personal hygiene products.

Occupational Health and Safety is not only for the industrial environment but the recommendations and procedures identified in the OSH Act of Trinidad & Tobago provides excellent guidelines that can be adapted to the home environment, Occupational Health and Safety is everybody business and where better to start than in the home environment.

Biological Hazards

Biological hazards are “organisms or products of organisms that present a health hazard to humans” (Dalezios, 2017). Biological hazards could be found anywhere in the environment- home, school or work. Biological hazards are often divided into three categories, including bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Bacteria- microscopic organisms that live in soil, water, organic matter or the bodies of plants and animals and are characterized by lack of a distinct nucleus and the inability to photosynthesize. E.g. Escherichia coli, Micobacterium tuberculosis (TB), tetanus.

Viruses- a group of pathogens that consist mostly of nucleic acids that lack cellular structure. E.g. common cold, influenza, measles, SARS, Hantavirus, rabies.

Fungi- any of a major group of lower plants that lack chlorophyll and live on dead or other living organisms. E.g. athlete’s foot, mould, rusts, mildew, smut, yeast, mushrooms.

Some other biological hazards include insect stings/bites, allergic reactions, and poisonous plants and animals.

Biological hazards can enter the body through different routes. Some common routes include inhalation, absorption, ingestion and injection.

 Bacterial Hazards

All animals carry germs that have the potential to make people sick. This household has both fishes and a cat. While illness due to keeping fish is rare, fish and aquarium water are biological hazards. The uncovered fish tank is a biological hazard as fishes carry germs that could make people sick and these germs can also contaminate the water in which fish live. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention identifies several diseases associated with aquarium fish.

Uncovered fish aquarium

Don’t touch the fishes!

 

Aeromonas Infection- Adults and children with weak immune systems can become infected through open wounds or by drinking contaminated water. Person affected experience diarrhea or blood infections.

Mycobacterium marinum- People become infected by having direct contact with affected animals or contaminated water (e.g. contaminated aquariums). Skin infection is the most common sign of Mycobacterium marinum.

Salmonella- contact with the stool or habitat (aquarium) of certain fishes can spread this bacteria. People infected experience diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or abdominal cramps.

Streptococcus iniae- persons with open skin abrasions or scrapes could become infected while handling infected fish or cleaning aquariums. The site of the open cut or scrape develops a skin infection.

Recommended Hierarchy of Control: Engineering, Administrative and PPE

Get a cover for the aquarium. Wash your hands before and after cleaning or maintaining the aquarium or aquarium water. Wear gloves when working with the fish or aquarium particularly if you have any cuts or wounds on your hands to avoid possible infection. Avoid cleaning fish aquariums in areas where people with weak immune systems may be affected. Don’t allow children younger than 5 years of age to clean aquariums. Don’t use kitchen sinks to dump aquarium water into or to wash aquariums. If you use a bathtub to dump aquarium water into or to wash aquariums, clean the tub thoroughly afterwards, and use a commercial disinfectant like bleach.

The cat is another biological hazard. Germs from cats may also cause a variety of illnesses in people, from minor skin infections to serious illnesses. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention identifies several common diseases associated with cats that can cause human illness.

Adorable, I know!

Look at that face! How can she possibly be a hazard?

Photos of pet cat sleeping cat. 

Cat-scratch Disease- Bacterial disease that people may get after being bitten or scratched by a cat. Person bitten or scratched by an affected cat may develop a mild infection at the site of the wound. The infection may worsen causing fever, headache, poor appetite and exhaustion.

Hookworm- people become infected with cat hookworms while walking barefoot, kneeling and sitting on ground contaminated with stool of infected animals. Hookworm larvae enter the top layers of skin and cause an itchy reaction.

Plague- People become infected through flea bites or from contact with body fluids of infected animals. Symptoms include high fever, chills, headache, malaise and swollen lymph nodes.    

Recommended Hierarchy of Control: Administrative and PPE

Wash your hands with soap and running water after contact with cats, cat saliva or stool, and after cleaning. Thoroughly washing your hands will reduce the risk of disease transmission to people. Keep cats indoors, and prevent pet cats from interacting with stray animals. Train cats to use a litter box and keep litter boxes clean. Visit your veterinarian for routine evaluation and care to keep your cat healthy and to prevent infectious diseases. Be aware that even though a cat or kitten appears healthy, it may still spread diseases to people and animals.

Psychological Hazard

A psychological hazard is any hazard that affects the mental well-being or mental health of person by overwhelming individual coping mechanisms and impacting the individual’s ability to work in a healthy and safe manner.

Some sources of psychological hazards are work organisational factors, workplace violence and harassment, stress, fear, working alone, change, technological change, fatigue, long hours of work, personal factors, substance abuse, depression, mental illness and anxiety.

Image courtesy Facebook, source unknown.

STRESS

Families are susceptible to high levels of stress, and from careful assessment this family is not exempted. The demands of the workplace, school, managing a family business, family responsibilities and attempting to find the right balance between them are all significant sources of stress. An online survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), conducted by Harris Interactive in August 2010, found that 73 percent of parents report family responsibilities as a significant source of stress. It is also noted that there is a relationship between high levels of stress and health, so consideration must be taken in the type of methods used to deal with stress so it does not have adverse effects on the family.

Pilling workload. Soda not recommended but definitely required.

The risks of this hazard can be lowered by the use of the Administrative Control Method from the Hierarchy of Control. Changes can be implemented, by means of counseling, offered through an Employee Assistance Programme. Employee Assistance Programmes or EAPs are work-based programmes designed to improve organizational performance through the provision of structured management/workplace and employee support services. Through a confidential and professional framework it is intended to help employees deal with personal concerns or issues that may adversely impact their job performance, health and well-being.

Sometimes a hug is all it takes…

Mrs. Morton, being a registered student at the University of the West Indies also has the option of utilizing (CAPS) which is the student counseling and psychological service. (CAPS) offers a range of services including crisis intervention, diagnostic assessment, and therapy for individuals, couples and families. All services provided are free and confidential.

Another psychological hazard identified was fear. This fear is triggered by the high crime rate and high instance of robberies in Tunapuna where this family is located. This can adversely affect their quality of life by making major changes to avoid perceived risks.

Trapped in your own home.

Recommended Hierarchy of Control: Substitution, Isolation, Administrative, PPE

Substitution: Where the family can relocate to a much safer environment thereby lowering the risk.

Isolation: Requesting that the landlord raise the level of the walls, install a CCTV monitoring system and electronic gate.

Administrative: Sporadic changes can be made to their schedules, to avoid the possibility of being followed or monitored by criminal elements. A family curfew can be implemented, when possible, based on the criminal trends of the area.

PPE: Having knowledge that this family also runs a business, steps can be taken to acquire a licensed firearm for family and business protection.

Residual Risk:

With all these recommendations, there is still a possibility of Residual Risk. Residual risk can be defined as a threat that remains after all efforts to identify and eliminate risks have been made. In this case, the licensed firearm was identified as the residual risk. If the firearm isn’t secured properly, it can be left exposed to the child of the home, who is not trained to use a weapon, therefore causing harm or fatality to themselves or others.

In conclusion, while we go forth as Masters students in the effort to make the world a better place, we tend to forget ourselves. It is important to ensure that your residence is held to even higher standards than where we work or educate ourselves. This is why it is encouraged that you seek the hazards in your home that put your loved ones at risk and remove them as soon as possible.

“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
― Eleanor Brownn

References

1. “Baby before looking for work: Percentage of young women with jobs falls for the first time in generations.”Rob Cooper http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2380317/Rise-stay-home-mother-Percentage-young-women-workplace-falls-time-generations.html.

2. Chemical-sensitivity.info/chemicals-in-face-wash – 2007 – 2016

3. Chemical-sensitivity.info/chemicals-in-hair-conditioner – 2007 – 2016

 

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last modified May 13, 2016. https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/cats.html.https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/fallcost.html Accessed November 16th 2017.

5. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/safety_haz/stairs_fallprevention.html. Accessed November 16th 2017.

6. Environmental Hazards Methodologies for Risk Assessment and Management.Dalezios, Nicolas.  London, UK: IWA Publishing, 2017. Accessed November 16th 2017.

7. Latest Indicators.Central Statistical Office, http://cso.gov.tt/latest-indicators/2017. Accessed November 16th 2017.

8. “National Fire Protection Association”.http://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Top-causes-of-fire/Candles

9. Natural Cosmetic News article on Dangerous Chemicals on Deodorant & Antiperspirant: A Detailed Review of the Chemicals, Research & Avoidance Tips-by Melissa Field 2010. Accessed November 16th 2017.

10. Occupational Safety and Health Authority and Agency – Guide to Risk Assessment

Click to access a_guide_to_risk_assessment.pdf

11. “8 Hidden Toxins: What’s Lurking in Your Cleaning Products”  Jessie Sholl 2011 Accessed November 16th 2017.

12. Occupational Safety and Health Act Amended 2006

13. OSH Training Slides – Mrs. Marcia Nathai Balkissoon P.P 121 – 131, 2017

 

Probing Eye: A risk assessment of the UWI Open Campus

Hello again readers!

Once upon a time, this was the scene that would greet you on entering the UWI Open Campus, particularly at night.

UWI Open Campus, Gordon Street

However, since being renamed from the UWI School of Continuing Studies nearly ten years ago, the infrastructure at the Gordon Street location has fallen behind the times. We, the Unruly Strategists, based on an eager suggestion from one of our colleagues who is employed there, have decided to tackle this academic institution conducting and documenting an Occupational Safety and Health Risk Assessment. The UWI Open Campus caters daily to hundreds of students with an administrative staff complement of 50 (UWI Open Campus 2014). As such we have chosen to examine selected student and staff spaces as well as the general ground.

Before we jump right into, let’s get an understanding of some key terms. Risk assessment is a term used to describe the process of identification of hazards and risk factors that have the potential to cause harm, in the work place (Canada 2017).  Hazards present threats to well-being while risk is the probability that a person will be harmed. According to Part II Section 31A of the Trinidad and Tobago Occupation Safety and Health Act (2004), an employer is obligated to conduct an annual risk assessment. So not only is a risk assessment a critical step in protecting employees and the workplace, but it’s also the law! The law doesn’t require you to eliminate all the risks totally, but to reduce risk to as low as reasonably possible (ALARP).

In mitigating against exposures to occupational hazards, a Hierarchy of Controls is employed, as a guide to the implementation of feasible and effecting measures of control. Take a look at the representation of these Controls below.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 

From this hierarchy, control methods at the top are expected to be more effective and serve to better to protect than those that are at the bottom.

Elimination and Substitution

Though Elimination and Substitution maybe most effective at reducing hazards, they also tend to be the most difficult to implement in an existing process. If the process is still at the design or development stage, elimination and substitution of hazards may be inexpensive and simple to implement. For an existing process, major changes in equipment and procedures may be required to eliminate or substitute for a hazard (NIOSH 2017).

Engineering Controls

Engineering Controls are favored over Administrative and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for controlling existing worker exposures in the workplace because they are designed to remove the hazard at the source, before it comes in contact with the worker.  The initial cost of engineering controls can be higher than the cost of administrative controls or PPE, but overtime, operating costs are frequently lower, and in some instances, can provide a cost savings in other areas of the process (NIOSH 2017).

Administrative Controls and PPE

Administrative controls and PPE are frequently used with existing processes where hazards are not particularly well controlled. Administrative controls and PPE programmes may be relatively inexpensive to establish but, overtime can be very costly to sustain. These methods for protecting workers have also proven to be less effective than other measures (NIOSH 2017).

Let’s start with the most common area – Physical Hazards.

Physical Hazards

So, what are they? As you might have guessed, a physical hazard is any substance  or  activity that threatens your physical safety. This includes unsafe conditions that can cause injury, illness and death (Canada 2017). These types of hazards are the most common group. Many physical hazards were observed at the UWI Open Campus, which was not surprising due to the size of the compound and physical plant – tripping, falling and crush hazards; as well as potential minor fire and electrical hazards. Due to the sheer number of instances that caught the eye, potential incidents caused firstly by falls, and secondly, by crushes were deemed the most pertinent for evaluation in this category. These hazards posed varying levels of risk.

Trip/Fall Hazards

Various fall hazards (trip and fall, stump and fall and slip and fall) were observed in both the interior office and classroom spaces examined as well as in the outdoor areas.

Interior Spaces

Interior office spaces were somewhat cluttered with foreign or improperly stored objects which narrowed passageways and congested workstations. These objects, including wires, exposed staff to risk of tripping and falling. Passages in the offices examined as well as the conference room area (which doubled as a lunch room with a small kitchen) were narrowed or obscured with bags and other items which could easily be tripped over by staff during daily activities, and particularly, in the event of an emergency. Additionally, slip and fall hazards were seen in the student bathrooms due to wet floors.

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Mitigation

These hazards could easily be address based on the hierarchy of controls using various protective and preventive measures (Alli 2008, 47). Firstly, the hazards can be eliminated by removing the items blocking passageways. This comes down to good ‘housekeeping’ and will call for an increase in storage space. Additionally, loose wires and cables should be secured if necessary for day to day use or removed if not. Where wet floors are concerned, the Trinidad and Tobago OSH Act specifically addresses cleanliness in Section 31 (d) noting that ‘effective means shall be provided and maintained for the draining of wet floors’. While this is more crucial to industrial environments, a combination of substitution principles and administrative controls are recommended to address this. Ancillary staff could be rostered to perform frequent checks of the bathrooms and clean up if necessary, while it is also suggested that the surfaces in the bathroom be changed to include no-slip and quick-drying agents if drainage mechanisms cannot be provided.

Outdoor Areas

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Moving on to the outdoor area, flaws in some of the walkways could cause students and staff to trip, particularly those in heels. ‘Foreign objects’ (broken chairs, abandoned vending machine) in walking areas also present a problem.

Guilty party! One of our observers tripped over this chair

During our investigation, one of our observers actually tripped over this broken chair seen to the right.  Two notable trip and fall hazards were seen close to the student common area. Firstly, there was some possible construction work being undertaken while close by, raised walking stones by tree roots presented a medium to high risk of serious injury not only from falling but additional harm from landing on the edge of a protruding slab. Additionally, while not directly observed, we were informed that the sculptures/artwork on the lawns posed problems at night due to poor lighting.

Mitigation

As noted earlier, step 1 should always be elimination.  All foreign objects like the broken chairs and old equipment should be removed. Remedial work should be undertaken on corridors to address uneven surfaces. Additionally, temporary signage or warning indicators like cones could be placed in the most damaged areas. Engineering controls could address the broken and displaced walking stones. The area should be cordoning off with caution tape immediately, followed by the removal of the stones which have been disturbed. In the long term, the area could be landscaped, for example, with a flower hedge around the tree which would also reduce the likelihood of trips over raised tree roots. The minor construction work should also be cordoned off until completed. Adequate lighting should be installed around the lawn area for the artwork to address issues faced at night. We wouldn’t recommend their removal as they add aesthetic and artistic value to the institution.

Crush Hazards

Watch your head!

The first area of concern here was the main reception office area. There is a barrier (seen above) which needs to be lifted to gain entry into the inner office. Staff and students who enter this area are at risk as this barrier could fall on them if not raised correctly, causing injury. Several near-misses were reported to us as well as past incidents of hands being squeezed.

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Additionally, miscellaneous items (boxes, papers, books and trophies) were stacked on virtually every available space. This was coupled with unstable partitions and space dividers in some areas. Staff could be struck in the head or upper body by falling items, particularly those whose desks sit below such hazards. None of the items were secured and could fall if shifted, if more objects are placed on top, or in the event of an earthquake.

Incidentally in the Facilities Department which is housed in a retrofitted container, a pane of glass approximately four feet high was propped on a wall close to the  entrance, from where it could easily fall on someone.

Glass pane by the doorway of the Facilities Department – an accident waiting to happen

Makeshift steps by the Facilities entrance; bottom of glass pane partially seen

Dust on the surface suggested it had been there a while. It could also cause further damage via cuts should the glass break. The staff of that department as well as anyone visiting is at risk of injury, particularly on exiting, as the makeshift step of concrete blocks is unstable.  Dangling, damaged roof tiles were also observed in some areas.

Ready to fall

Mitigation

Again, we start with eliminating the threat. All items on heights should be removed and properly stored and/or displayed. The glass pane and dangling roof tiles should also be removed. Partitions and dividers in the office spaces should be stabilised while some stabilisation mechanism should be installed on the entry way barrier until it can be substituted for a new means of entry.

While not the focus of this section of our investigation, other areas of potential concern were observed or reported by staff. There was a leaking AC unit in the main reception office (this was not leaking during our visit) which had reportedly damaged a radio beneath it. Additionally, termite trails were seen which might suggest a weakened structure and warrants further investigation.

Ergonomic Hazards

A specific type of physical hazards which deserves close attention is the category of ergonomic hazards. Ergonomic hazards are aspects of an environment that may cause harm to the human body – specifically the muscles and skeleton. Injuries that are caused by strain placed on the body from ergonomic hazards aren’t always immediately obvious, making these hazards difficult to detect (Safetyline 2017).

Poor planning and design of a workspace typically leads to ergonomic hazards. Some of these hazards include performing repetitive tasks, confined workspaces, poorly positioned workstations and chairs, poor posture for any reason in executing a job and strenuous activities performed throughout the day. We were able to identify some ergonomic hazards at UWI Open Campus as well.

Confined Work Space

Confined work spaces were found in both the offices and classrooms of the campus. Extended use of these tight work spaces could lead to ergonomic issues. The multiple workstations in the administration office of the auditorium (seen below) were a prime example of poor design.

Tight office space

Movement through the room was hampered by the limited space between the chairs and the wall (seen at right). In order to allow someone to pass, the staff member sitting would either need to re-position him/herself or stand up completely. On a particularly busy day, this would result on constant reshuffling by sitting staff members. This repetitive motion would cause strain on the body as well as increasing discomfort and the possibility of poor posture with every re-position.

Poorly positioned work station

Another perfect example of poor design and planning is the workstation in the printing office; placed next to an active doorway (as seen at right ). The staff member has to move every time someone enters the office and with it being the printing office, it is safe to assume that this occurs multiple times during the day. Again, the same issue of repetitive motion as stated above applies here – not to mention the obvious physical hazard as people have been struck by the door on many occasions

The spacing between the chairs and the desks in the classroom (seen below) was limited at best. Students are restricted in their range of motion in the work space. Couple this with the poor design of the chairs, and ergonomic risks are many.

Classroom environment

Mitigation

A re-design and execution by the facilities team of the above-mentioned space would reduce ergonomic hazards that currently exist. This new design should maximize the use of the space as well as limit issues without compromising functionality and productivity.

High Workstation

One workstation in the reception area was at an unusual height with a curiously high chair, similar to a bar stool (as seen below). The unfortunate height of this station poses many ergonomic risks. Some of these include poor posture, inability of feet to touch the ground.

High work station

This is a real problem for the staff member who currently operates from this station. Due to her height, her feet cannot reach the ‘support’ bar on the chair while to be seated, she has to hop on and off.

Mitigation

A complete redesign of this station is recommended. The new design should be fixed at the standard desk height and be accompanied by an ergonomic chair.

Biological Hazards

Another category of hazards is biological. Biological agents are everywhere! And while they may be very beneficial for life, they may also be dangerous. Workers and employers tend to know little about the risk of exposure to biological agents. Risk assessment for biological agents is challenging, for many reasons, firstly, because of the diversity of these agents. Additionally, occupational exposure limits have not been set for many of them. Pathogenic microorganisms (sounds scary, we know) may be hazardous at extremely low concentrations, and of course biological agents, which can be living organisms or products of living organisms are not visible to the naked eye (Irimia and Gottschling 2016).

Mosquitoes

Potential mosquito breeding ground

The above picture shows an example of standing water found by the Campus. Mosquito-borne diseases are those spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Diseases that are spread to people by mosquitoes include Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, Dengue, and Malaria (NIOSH 2017). Staff should be protected by their employer and the staff and students should also protect themselves from diseases spread by mosquitoes. Severe cases of mosquito-borne diseases can cause death.

Mitigation

Mosquitoes breed in standing or stagnant water. Steps should be taken to decrease mosquito populations (which were reported to be a problem) at the worksite by removing, turning over, covering, or storing equipment. Drains and guttering should be kept clear. Mosquitoes could also be kept out of indoor areas by ensuring that doors and windows have screens and are kept closed when possible.

Mould

Mould growth can have harmful effects on both property and the health of the people inside. Mould can gradually damage building materials and furnishings and even cause structural damage. Inhaling mould fragments or spores can inflame the airways, causing nasal congestion, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing and throat irritation. Prolonged exposure to high levels of indoor dampness can reduce lung function and cause chronic health problems such as asthma.

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While in our normal environment it is impossible to eliminate mould entirely, it is however possible to prevent mould from growing. In order to do so it takes awareness and effort. Mould can grow almost everywhere and on any surface as long as moisture is present. Reducing indoor moisture as much as possible will reduce the possibility of indoor mould. Moisture, however, is a fact of life in almost all buildings. It is most present in tightly sealed buildings with diminished ventilation. In addition to this, a second and common source of moisture is water leaks and spills, which occur regardless of the age of the building.

Mitigation

The highest priority must be to protect the health and safety of the building’s occupants by identifying condensation and wet spots. Once identified condensation should be prevented by increasing surface temperature, through insulation or increased air circulation, or by reducing humidity through repair of leaks and, depending on the outside air, ventilating or dehumidifying. Also, mould can be removed from the contaminated surfaces found on the walls within the campus by wiping or scrubbing with water and household bleach and then drying the surface thoroughly to discourage further growth. Proper personal protective equipment (P2 respirators) must be worn to avoid inhaling the mould spores when removing.

Rodents

The below photo shows an air handler which is no longer function still in storage outside the campus. Rodents such as rats are very adaptable public health pests. They are not fussy eaters and can make themselves at home in houses, sheds, garages and gardens.

Air handler – no longer in use

This spot is a perfect example of a potential breeding ground for rodents. Rodents can also cause unpleasant odours and damage to property and possessions, posing a risk to human health. They carry diseases such as leptospirosis and typhus fever. They can contaminate food with their hair, droppings and urine, resulting in food poisoning and spoilage.

Mitigation

The air handler is no longer in service and therefore should be removed. The area should be regularly cleaned and cleared of unwanted, unserviceable items. Inspections of areas for potential rodent entrances should be done, and blocked, where possible with concrete, hard setting filler, steel wool or heavy gauge sheet metal. During our visit, when asked, personnel from the Facilities Department indicated they were hoping to have it removed within the next six months.

Chemical Hazards

Getting into even more serious stuff, a chemical hazard is basically a type of occupational hazard which is caused by some kind of exposure to in the workplace. Chemical hazards and toxic substances can pose a wide range of health  hazards (like irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity), and physical hazards (like flammability, corrosion, and explosibility) (U.S. Department of Labour ).

Potential Poison

When we entered the compound, making our way to the Reception Area, this was one of the first hazards that we saw.

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Exposed, like nobody’s business was a rodent bait station, with its cover off and contents open to the atmosphere. Rodent bait stations are designed to protect children and pets from accidental poisoning, as the bait is held securely. However in this case, the contents of the bait station were exposed which could result in unintentional ingestion. The hazard here is mainly due to the composition of the bait, the rodenticide which is mainly comprised of anticoagulants and of ingested oral is highly toxic. Other chemicals, for example, Brodifacoum has toxicity effects if ingested orally, inhaled or touches the skin. In assessing the risk as you will see in our assessment table later, a likelihood of 2 was given here as the disassembled bait station was at the side of the building. However, it was very close to the walkway and its location was in an easily accessible area. The severity of an incident here would be high, as the toxicity of rodenticides is typically high and if ingested can quickly become fatal.

Mitigation

The haphazard manner in which the rodent bait station is being kept is unacceptable. The provider of the bait station, who we saw on the label is Rentokil, should be called in to replace the bait station. Facilities technicians should conduct daily inspections of the stations to ensure they are maintained. From the Hierarchy of Controls this would be elimination.

More Potential Poison?

In the kitchen area, we noticed that there were cleaning chemicals being stored under the table. More crucially, there were unlabeled bottles placed next to water bottles. The first hazard here arises out of the cleaning chemicals being stored right under the kitchen table.

Chemicals and unlabeled bottles in the kitchen area

Chemicals and unlabeled bottles in the kitchen area

These chemicals all have warning labels that detail proper use and storage. When storing household cleaning products, the main concerns are child safety, indoor air quality and prevention of damage to equipment or the environment. Ingestion of any of these chemicals will result in illness and the severity, dependent upon the toxicity. The second hazard here is the storing of unlabeled containers next to water bottles. Someone could easily consume the contents, mistaking it for water, resulting in illness from ingestion of these unknown substances.

Mitigation

Such chemical products are to be stored in locked cabinet and/or kept in dry tightly sealed containers. The hazard should be eliminated with the products being physically removed and properly stored. Routine checks should be carried out to ensure the containers are tightly closed and that the sides are not bulging. They should also be clearly labeled and dated if necessary. This would be an administrative control as it changes the way the person responsible for these chemicals would treat with them, not carelessly placing them.

More chemicals

Back to the Facilities Department which we mentioned was housed in a retrofitted cargo container. Here, we were greeted by chemicals which included paint and joint compound being stored in the small air-conditioned office space. Inhalation of paint solvent can result in headaches, dizziness and nausea. What makes it worst is that it is being stored in an air-conditioned office space, that at the time of the visit was occupied by three employees.

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Mitigation

What is needed here is the elimination control. These cans of paint and joint compound should be removed. In terms of engineering controls, the Facilities Department can construct a locker or cabinet for storage of such items, isolating office staff from this hazard.

Psychological Hazards

An often overlooked category is that of psychological hazards. A psychological hazard is defined as any hazardous factors also known as stressors in and around an environment affecting mental health and well-being of those around (PT Alberta 2017). These stressors can have major influence on individuals’ behaviour, mood and general health. At the UWI Open Campus, students, tutors and general staff are faced with several psychological hazards, some more severe than others, in and around the institution; all mainly stemming from the existing physical, biological, ergonomic, and chemical hazards. The psychological hazards faced include:

• Fear of physical hazards and illness
• Discomfort, frustration and overwork
• Demotivation
• Safety

Fear of Physical Hazards and Illness

Students and staff are very cognizant of the physical and ergonomic hazards outlined earlier. There is increased fear and anxiety among staff following the occurrence of injuries, one of the most recent impacting a colleague involved in a high chair incident. There is also a growing concern for contracting acute and chronic symptoms from related hazards. Examples of acute symptoms staff acquired include skin rashes and allergic reactions. This was caused by the copious breeding grounds available for these insects. As a result, there is the unremitting concern for coming down with any acute and chronic symptoms that have proven to negatively affect staff and students.

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Mitigation

In order to mitigate these issues, the first step is for the Facilities Manager would be to acknowledge staff concerns, recognize the various physical and ergonomic hazards and devise action plans accordingly. Sensitizing students and staff on the hazards by conducting health and safety programmes, procedures and plans, and advising measures of that can be implemented, will be essential, given the severity and likelihood of this psychological hazard. With this being of high severity and likelihood of contracting illness, the Facilities Manager should also give this concern high priority so as to decrease the psychological impact on students and staff.

Discomfort, Frustration and Overwork

Discomfort is also an issue due to the limited working space. The office as well as the classroom design does not support proper ergonomic standards to along for comfort while working and learning. Many of these spaces are congested. This contributes to frustration and feeling overwhelmed.  Overwork is also an issue. For example, two departments – Reception and Marketing and Communications occupy the same space. Within the departments, there exist four (4) persons.  Overwork occurs because there are not enough staff members to distribute the work load, and more often than not, burnout occurs. The Marketing and Communications staff sometimes assist Reception staff in attending to customers and students.

Photo from Google Images

Mitigation

However, in order to mitigate the psychological hazards to the problems outlined above, the removal of unused office furniture is crucial. Additionally, finding other storage locations for unproductive items is imperative. In terms of the classrooms, an overall titivation is essential to diminish the likelihood and severity of hazards occurring. Hence frustration and distress is avoided. Where overwork is concerned, additional staff members are required.  In the interest of its staff, the Institution should recruit additional staff members so minimize issues related to being overworked.

Demotivation

Demotivation at work is another psychological hazard faced by staff, tutors and students at the UWI Open Campus. Staff and tutors become demotivated to work and students discouraged to attend classes. This distress has caused issues such as lowered productivity, concentration and comfort.

Mitigation

Human Resource personnel and managers could practice interdepartmental staff rotation and a complete revamping of the facilities as a means of addressing these concerns. Interdepartmental rotation involves the rotation of employees in different departments so as to alleviate the issue of boredom faced by staff. Also, in terms of lessening the stressors on the students and tutors, the Country Manager and the Facilities Manager could implement recreational incentives, such a game room for students and a lounge for tutors. If this is done, student and tutors would feel enthusiastic and contented to learn and teach respectively within this environment.

UWI Open Campus

Safety

 

Due the poor security system in place at UWI Open Campus, there is a high likelihood of the occurrence of burglary and unwanted assailants entering the compound. This makes staff and students susceptible to the threat of violence and/or burglary. The Institution currently has one security officer stationed at the entrance of the building and his/her duty is to secure and oversee the entire compound which comprises of UWI Open Campus and UWI Creative Arts subdivision.

Mitigation

The risk to students and staff could be mitigated by increasing the security presence on the compound and making use of some form of security mechanisms such as cameras and alarm systems.

Risk Assessment Summary

We’ve pulled our entire evaluation together in the below Risk Assessment Table giving a risk rating for each hazard.

Preview of Risk Assessment Record (UWI Open Campus)

For the full assessment please click here.

 

Recommendations and Conclusions

The Open Campus does not have a functioning Safety and Health Committee. The establishment of such a committee is not only mandated by law, but would also assist future sustained efforts of health and safety initiatives. As Alli (2008, 49) notes “cooperation in the field of occupational safety and health between management and workers or their representatives at the workplace is an essential element in maintaining a healthy working environment. It may also contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a good social climate.”  Additionally, it was noted that many of the hazards seen, particularly physical and chemical would be mitigated with the introduction of adequate storage.

In spite of the hazards identified, it is important to point out that the Institution does have some safety and health controls in place which shows evidence of an awareness of OHS-related requirements. The grounds were generally maintained with grass kept low. There was visible warning signage relating while stairs were also coated with material that offered a non-slip surface.

Warning Signs

Warning Signs

Additionally, while there is currently no operational fire alarm system, ample fire hoses and reels as well as fire extinguishers were observed with all but one being up to date.

Employees and students also have a role to play in their own safety. In addition to self and general awareness of health and safety matters, staff and students should always formally report any conditions which they believe might pose a risk to their health and/or safety for further investigation by the relevant personnel. Measures for the prevention and control of occupational hazards in the workplace should be based upon a clear, implementable and well-defined policy (Alli 2008; Nathai-Balkissoon, 2011). From our interaction with staff, it was evident that this was not the case. A formal plan be devised and communicated to, and easily accessible by both administrative and academic staff as well as students.

We recommend that a full risk assessment be carried out by the Facilities Unit. Members of the unit expressed an interest in our findings and we believe our preliminary investigation could set the basis for a full assessment carried out on all areas of the compound.

References

Alli, Benjamnin O. 2008. Fundamental Principles of Occupational Health and Safety. Geneva: ILO, 2008. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost. Accessed November 19 2017.

Canada. 2017. “Hazards”. CCOHS – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. https://www.ccohs.ca/topics/hazards/physical/. Accessed November 12 2017.

Irimia Ramona-Elena and Marc Gottschling. 2016. “Taxonomic Revision of Rochefortia Sw.” Biodiversity Data Journal 4(e7720). doi:10.3897/bdj.4.e7720.figure2f.

NIOSH – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 2017. “Hazards to Outdoor Workers”. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor/default.html. Accessed on November 19 2017.

NIOSH – The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 2017. “Hierarchy of Controls”. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor/default.html. Accessed on November 19 2017.

Trinidad and Tobago. 2004. “Occupational Safety and Health Act (2004) as Amended (2006).” http://rgd.legalaffairs.gov.tt/Laws2/Alphabetical_List/lawspdfs/88.08.pdf. Accessed on November 18 2017.

Nathai-Balkissoon, Marcia. 2011, “Towards Compliance with the OSH Act of Trinidad and Tobago: Gap Analysis of a Food and Beverage Manufacturing Enterprise.” Journal of the Association of Professional Engineers of T&T. 40(1), 3443. Available online at http://www.apett.org/home/images/stories/pdf/vol40/japett_v40n1pp34-43mnbalkissoon-may2011.pdf

PT Alberta. 2017. “Psychological Hazards and Controls for Rehabilitation Professionals.” Physiotherapy Alberta College + Association.

https://www.physiotherapyalberta.ca/course_materials/ohs_module_6_handout.pdf. Accessed November 15 2017.

U.S. Department of Labour. n.d. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardoustoxicsubstances/index.html. Accessed November 19 2017.

UWI Open Campus. 2014. The First Years of The UWI Open Campus. https://www.open.uwi.edu/sites/default/files/docs/TheFirstYearsOfTheOpenCampus.pdf. Accessed November 18 2017.

“Workplace Hazards Series: Ergonomic Hazards.” 2017. SafetyLine. April 25. https://safetylineloneworker.com/blog/workplace-hazards-series-ergonomics/. Accessed November 13 2017.