7.1.5 Hazard scenarios
Scenarios
Hazards may vary with workplaces and occupations. Let's examine a few examples.
Call Centre and Occupational Overuse Syndrome
A typical hazard that may be identified and addressed in a call centre is Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS). This refers to a number of conditions where there is persistent pain in the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. OOS was previously referred to as Repetitive Strain Injury or RSI.
OOS affects parts of the body that are used in work activities which involve one or more of the following:
- Frequent or repetitive movements (such as operating keyboards for long periods).
- Forceful movements (such as using a punch or a stamp).
- Postures that are held for long periods (such as looking at a computer screen that is too high, or holding your head at an angle when using a telephone).
Manufacturing site and manual handling
Manual Handling refers to activities such as lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing and pulling. The injuries that are most commonly associated with manual handling activities include sprains and strains, back pain, damage to the back and hernias.
Some of these injuries occur when very demanding tasks are performed, such as having to lift a very heavy box. However, most of these injuries are the result of gradual wear and tear on the joints and muscles that is caused by frequent or prolonged periods of manual handling.
Therefore many of the manual handling injuries experienced by older employees are the result of wear and tear that started when they were young.
On a manufacturing site employees need to take care not just to identify where carrying an item may cause harm, but also where they may cut themselves, sprain or strain muscles, cause repeat wear on skin, muscles or bones (especially backbone and the main joints). (See Better Health Victoria information and advice at http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Workpla
ce_safety_manual_handling_injuries?OpenDocument ). Also see the Manual Handling guidelines, checklist and strategy tool developed by The Australian Government, ComCare group at http://www.comcare.gov.au/publications/mhri/ .)
Mining site and noise
Noise may be ever present in a workplace. Loud noise can cause physical harm to individuals. However, even noise that does not rise above safe levels (decibels may vary with workplaces and work) may still cause OH&S problems. While low levels of noise are not capable of causing noise induced hearing loss, they are capable of causing stress and other adverse health effects.
The ear works by transmitting noise into the eardrum where it vibrates. This vibration is passed on into the middle ear where three little bones vibrate the fluid in the cochlea. Little hairs on the cochlea pick up the vibrations and translate these into signals to the brain. The thousands of hair cells can be damaged. If there is constant exposure to noise or exposure to very loud noise, the hairs can 'flatten' and prevent the cochlea or the ear from working. In such cases, deafness results.
Short of deafness, a number of adverse effects can result from exposure even to low-level noise:
- Irritability, headaches;
- Moodiness and insomnia;
- Loss of concentration; and
- Speech interference.
Stress, high blood pressure, other associated health problems may all translate into poor health and increased risk of injury to employees.
Remember for every three decibels the intensity of sound doubles. So a machine operating as 80 db is half as noisy as one operating at 83 db.
A Farm and hazardous substances
When placed in direct contact with an individual some hazardous substances or chemicals can cause illness, injury or even death. Some of the types of chemical most common to workplaces are:
- Alcohol
- Petrol
- Battery Acid
- Glue
- Oils and paints
- Cleaning products
- Cigarettes
On a farm the chemicals hazards may also include those used for weed control, animal treatments or fertilisers.
Farmers therefore have to be concerned about the dangers associated with:
- Inhalation
- Ingestion
- Skin or eye contact
Breathing in fumes or particles is the main way chemicals and toxic substances can enter the body. From there, entry into the lungs and thence the blood stream can cause immediate problems, or if exposed for a long time, generate serious health problems for the farmer.
Skin scratches, exposure of the eye or even simple contact onto skin (protected and unprotected) can also cause chemical harm. Eating and drinking chemicals through poor hygiene or poorly prepared foods can also cause harm.
Adverse effects may include:
- Headaches;
- Nausea;
- Coughing;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Itching;
- Vomiting;
- Skin burns;
- Loss of sleep; and at the extreme
- Cancer.
All chemicals by law must specify dangers and hazards and protective requirements for use. All workplaces and especially the farm must have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) that specify chemicals and the dangers. Specifications for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must also be set for each chemical in use.
Other hazards may include
- Slipping, tripping, stumbling, falling, bumping;
- Emissions and noise (from photocopiers to toxic fumes and such like);
- Poor ventilation; and
- Lack of training in correct safety procedures (e.g. in emergency evacuation procedures, reporting and sources of coaching).
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