EMSH5103 Assignment (OSHE MGMT)

MAY SEMSTER 2011 LECTURER: Dr. NAGATHEESAN V.
MARIMUTHU
ASSIGNMENT SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT EMSH5103
STUDENT; NAME: MOHD. NORIZAM BIN MD. SALLEH MATRIC NO.: CGS 00534317 COURSE: MASTER PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Name: Mohd. Norizam Bin Md. Salleh Matriculation No.: CGS 00534317 Intake: September 2010 Assignment: EMSH5103
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Part A Question 1.. Question 4.. Question 5.. Part B Question 1.. References... APPENDIX I Sample of Highly Toxic Chemical (MSDS for Nitrogen Dioxide) .. Q1: Pg. 1 - 22 Q4: Pg. 1 - 13 Q5: Pg. 1 - 17 Part B Q1: Pg 1 - 25 References: Pg 1 - 7
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Name: Mohd. Norizam Bin Md. Salleh Matriculation No.: CGS 00534317 Intake: September 2010 Assignment EMSH5103
MAY SEMESTER 2011 SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT EMSH5103 ASSIGNMENT (50%)
PART A INSTRUCTIONS: ANSWER ANY THREE QUESTIONS ONLY.
Question 1
a. Discuss what are the possible factors that may cause accidents to occur based on various theories of accident causation. [7 marks]
Accident can be defined as an unexpected, unintentional and unlucky happening that may possibly result especially from carelessness or unawareness that causing loss or injury to property, assets, production or even to human life. In the other hand causation mean act or course of causing. Therefore accident causation can be summarised as all the cause that may results for accident to happen. Why do accidents take place in work site? Is it because of physical hazards, environmental hazards, human factors, no safety precaution or poor policy, poor on job communication with the fellow workers.
Accidents ought not to be viewed as expected incident just because hazards exist as for every accident that happen, there is a cause. They happen due to many motives and there are a lot of possible reasons that may cause accidents to occur. Preventing accidents is extremely hard especially when we do not recognize the roots of accidents.
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Some most broadly known theories of accident causation namely the domino theory, human factors theory, accident/incident theory, epidemiological theory, systems theory, combination theory, behaviour theory drug and accident causation, depression and accident causation and obesity and accident causation shall help us to understand the root of accident from various angles.
The summary of each theory and the possible factors that could help us to understand the cause of each accident are conferred below;
1. The Domino Theory.
Herbert W. Heinrich an early pioneer of accident prevention from Travelers Insurance Company in the late 1920s, studying reports of 75,000 workplace accidents, where he had concluded the following 88% of accidents are caused by unsecure acts committed by fellow workers, 10% of accidents are caused by unsecure conditions and balance of 2% of accidents are unavoidable (acts of God).
Although many of present-day research considers domino theory as outdated though todays more widely accepted theories can be referred back to Heinrichs theories. Ten testimonies introduced by Heinrich about industrial accidents that he called Axioms of Industrial Safety are mentioned below;
1. Injuries result from completed chains of factors, one of which is the accident itself. 2. An accident can occur only as the result of an unsecure act by a person or a physical or mechanical hazard, otherwise both.
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3. Most accidents are the result of unsafe conduct by people. An unsafe act by a person or an unsecure condition does not constantly instantly result in an accident or wound. 4. The basis why people perform unsecure acts can offer helpful guides in selecting remedial actions. 5. The seriousness of an accident is largely unexpected, and the accident that caused it is largely avoidable. 6. The best accident prevention techniques are similar with the best quality and output standards. 7. Management should assume accountability for safety because it is in the best position to obtain results. 8. The supervisor is the important person in the avoidance of jobsite accidents. 9. On top of the direct costs of an accident (i.e., compensation, liability claims, medical costs, and hospital expenses), there are also unforeseen or indirect costs.
Heinrich thought any safety programs implemented by any organization that taking in all the 10 axioms will likely be more effective compared to those who drop out one or more axioms.
In Heinrichs Domino Theory five issues were recognised in sequence leading to an accident;
1.
Ancestry and social environment. Negative character personality that may lead people to behave in an unsecure manner can be inborn (ancestry) or attained as a result of the social environment.
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2.
Fault of person. Negative character personality, whether inborn or attained, are why people behave in an unsecure manner and why hazardous conditions exist.
3.
Unsafe acts and mechanical or physical hazards. Unsecure acts dedicated by people and mechanical or physical hazards are the direct roots of accidents.
4.
Accident. Typically, accidents that result in injury are caused by falling or being knocked by moving objects.
5.
Injury. Typical injuries consequential from accidents include slashs and ruptures.
Two central points in Domino Theory are injuries are caused by foregoing factors and by removing the unsecure act or hazardous condition, the action of these foregoing /earlier factors is cancelled and the accidents/injuries are not permitted.
Example of Domino Theory
The construction workers of a gas pipeline contractor who carry out the installation of gas pipeline works are required to wear personal protective gear/equipment at all the time. Management observed increases in minor injuries among personnel during raining. However during the last monsoon season two workers suffer a bad foot and hand injuries. The investigation made known a series of events and a central fundamental behaviour which created a domino effect. Personal protective gear becomes uncomfortable due to wet weather especially the safety boot and hand gloves tends to get wet and tear off when the workers get into the rain and watery ditch.
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This situation raises the number of minor injuries but management does not pay attention due to the nature of injuries. Therefore it was most likely expected to experience from more serious injuries.
Solution: Removing the fundamental factor - the failure of the construction workers to use their personal protective gear precisely. Forming a safety committee. Request for committees recommendations: Provide all construction workers with safety induction training on the importance and proper use of personal protection by NIOSH, CIDB or in house. Require construction supervisors and safety representative to monitor the use of personal protection gear more closely. Establish a company policy that contains specific and progressive disciplinary measures for failure to use required personal protection equipments. Implement several wet reduction measures i.e. to provide rubber safety boot, gloves and rain coat during monsoon or to only carry out fabrication of pipe spool during raining.
2. Human Factors Theory.
This theory features accidents to a chain of events ultimately caused by human mistake. Three common factors that lead to human error are namely Overload, Inappropriate Response and Inappropriate Activities.
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Figure 1: Factors That Cause Human Errors. David L. Goetsch (2011)
Overload
Overload refers to a worker or person capacity at any given time to unevenness with the load that they carrying at a given situation. A persons capacity is he/her natural talent or a product of training, stated of mind, tiredness, stress and physical condition. Three factors reign overload are environment factor, internal factor and situational factors. Environment factor may stimulate due to noise, climatic, lightning, diversion
and other. An example is carrying out gas pipe pulling works using horizontal directional machine at an open area where heavy lightning and thunder are striking everywhere might distract the workers although all the safety matters are intact and the HDD machine are equipped with a good earthlings system. Their focus and hearing might be distracted and ruined.
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For environmental factors its contribute by personal problems, emotional stress and fears. An example is worker having a personal matter with intensely emotional stress might unknot capable to focus on his/her works and may lead to an accident. The situational factors also lead to an accident with few issues such as, level of risk, unclear instructions, newness and many more. Another good example due to an overload task is one construction project was in rush to complete within the time frame or to face a big penalty such as liquidated and ascertain damages impose by the client. The workers were pushed to produce beyond their capacity limits and need to work very long hours almost every day. This can create unevenness and put the workers under stress, tiredness, off focus and personal problems (due to not accept by the family members) all lead to the overload.
In the other hand when least supervision by the safety representatives, construction workers might take a shortcut e.g. removes the safeguards from the road cutter and grinder machine in order to charge for job completion. This later may lead to accidents.
Figure 2: Human Factors Theory. David L. Goetsch (2011)

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Inappropriate Responses /Incompatibility
How a person reacts to a given situation can lead or stop an accident is very important. Shall a person discover the hazardous condition he/she must act in an suitable manner either to make it right or to avoid an accident from occurs. If they are unable to react appropriately it will lead to an accident to happen. Inappropriateness of a persons jobsite with regard to it size, force, reach, feel and similar factors can head to accidents, injuries and even fatalities.
An example of unsuitable response is workers are disregard established safety procedures i.e. the wearing of PPE and the supervisor ignores them. In this case, accident may happen as the result of the inappropriate behaviours by the workers and their supervisor.
Inappropriate activities
It is another mistake caused by human, inappropriate activity refers to human error that can lead to inappropriate activities. An example to this error is when a worker who undertakes a task that he/she does not know how to carry out due to it is never been carried before, being a new staff or insufficient training. A person who underestimate the degree of risk involved and proceeds the task on he/his misjudgement is another example where worker miss underestimate about the degree of risk, he/she might assume that the risk is very low but in actual fact it is not it have a severe impact. For example a new supervisor who going to conduct a confine space (entering of manhole) activity might not know that it is a very harmful activity and may result to fatalities.
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A proper safety procedures such as to extract out the poisonous air from the manholes, keep monitoring the level of oxygen using oxygen meter, evacuation plan in case of emergency and others should be referred and for some companies it requires a competent person to carry out this kind of activity to accident from occurs.
3.
Accident and incident theory.
Developed by Dan Petersen this theory is an extension of human factors theory. He introduced three more additional fundamentals namely ergonomic traps, decision to err and system failure. In this model namely overloaded, ergonomic traps, decision to err and system failure all that lead to human error.
Ergonomic trap
It refers to a few factors such as unsuitable workstation and unsuited expectations. Ergonomic cares about cosiness and comfortable. For example accident can occur if workers feel unpleasant with their adjoining in term of the workstation shape, size or in some other cases, a lot of accidents happen due to fall related to height. After Inspection, the investigator reported that they were appointed to install roof steel trusts without adequate protection i.e. safety harness, lifeline. In some other cases workers refuses to wear of ear plug because it makes them feel hot, especially when it is used in hot countries.
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Figure 3: Accident/Incident Theory. David L. Goetsch (2011)
Decisions to err
The decision-to-err can also lead to human errors which subsequently contribute to the incidence of accidents (Wiegmann et al., 2005). On the other hand, human errors could halt from the decisions made by workers (LaDou, 1994). For instance, if a supervisor pressures a welder to increase the rate of weldmend , the welder might choose an unsecure approach rather than a safe one in order to save time and get the job done as quickly as possible. Petersen (1984) proposed a causation model that describe the decisions of workers to err are due to three main causes namely; 1. Logical decisions in different states such as peer pressure, close supervision, management priorities, and personal value system.
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2. Unconscious decisions-to-err, which comprise of proneness and mental nuisances. 3. Perceived low likehood in which the workers think that they will not have an accident. Similar like Superman Syndrome (It wont happen to me!), Bulletproof, Invincible, Immortal, Lucky and etc.
System failure
A vital contribution of Petersen Accident/Incident theory. First it shows the capability for underlying relationship between management decisions or management behaviour and safety. Second it ascertains managements role in accident hindrance as well as wider concept of safety and health in the workplace. (David L. Goetsch, 2011). Here are the few case of a different ways that the systems capable to fail and lead to an accident. Some of the causes why systems may fail; i) management does not set up a comprehensive policy, ii) job demarcation with regard to safety are not clearly spelled, iii) safety procedures example; measurement, inspection, correction and investigation are not clearly mentioned, iv) employees does not obtain appropriate job orientation v) is employees are not given enough or proper safety induction.
Example A precast concrete plant has developed a well-earned reputation as a safe company. When the safety manager of the firm, En Abu, was elected as the president of a state safety organization, safety issues within the firm started. En Abu neglected his duties at the plant. He more concentrates to his new position at the organisation. Workers stopped following the safety measures once they realized he had stopped observing and fixing them.
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4. Epidemiological theory.
Epidemiology is a study of fundamental relationships concerning environmental factors and sickness. Epidemiological theory embrace that the models used for examining and determining these associations can also be used to study casual relationships between environmental factors and accidents.
The key factors of epidemiological theory are predisposition characteristics and situational characteristics. These two characteristics shall they jointly happen can either result in or prevent an accident.
Example There is an example where Mr Lim the newest member of the loading unit in a fabrication yard, he had 2 days of training on proper lifting techniques before beginning his work and mandatory for the use of back-support belts. His supervisor and colleagues pressured to ignore the proper lifting methods that he learned in training. He followed his supervisor advice and after 2 months he undergone a major surgery to repair two of his ruptured disks. Predisposition factor; He inclination to pressure from his co-workers and supervisor while Situational factors; Peer pressure and precedence of supervisor.
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Figure 4: Epidemiological Theory. David L. Goetsch (2011)
5. Systems theory. Define as a group of frequently cooperating and interrelated mechanisms that together shape a unified whole. An accident may happen as a system which is combination of person, machine and environment. These three components will intermingle to determine the likelihood of an accident to happen.
Example A worker who temporarily replaces an experienced tower crane operator increases the probability of an accident due to less experience and training to conduct the work process. The main components of the systems model are the person (operator), machine (tower crane), environment (high place), and information; decisions; risks; and the task to be performed. Each of these components has a bearing on the like hood that an accident will happen.
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Figure 5: System Theory Model. David L. Goetsch (2011)
Some factors which should be considered before collecting information, determine risks and making a choice are job requirements, the workers skill and limitations, the obtain if the task is successfully completed, the loss if the task is attempted but fails and the loss if the task is not endeavoured.
Example A Construction Service Company (CSC) makes tailored trusses for residential construction works. Skill workers including the trainees use manually operated equipments which lead two problems i) It is difficult for even experienced workers to make clean exact cuts. ii) Equipments are so old that they regularly break down.
While working under a major contract, a trainee gets careless and runs his hand into the saw blade. The person-machine-environment chain can be concluded as; person involved poses not enough experiences, machine used was too old and prone to breakdown and the environment was tense and pressure- crammed
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6. Combination theory.
It is a norm for the cause of an accident cannot be adequately illustrated by only one theory. The variances between the theory and reality may exist. This theory helps to explain the actual cause of an accident by correlating different parts of several theories.
Example A company have four large warehouses. The ventilation system of these warehouses are very important and the vent filters need to be changed periodically. These vents filter have two potential hazards; unvented dust and fumes can make breathing difficult and vents are located 110 feet above the ground level, which can only be accessed through a narrow cat walk that has knee-high guardrails.
The company has a well defined rule which is strictly imposed, however an worker fell from the catwalk while he was attempting to change one of the filter. His lifeline held him for 20 minutes but when he was panicked and tried to pull himself up he mistakenly knocked the buckle of his safety harness open and fell to the concrete floor, breaking his neck.
From the investigation the significant factors found are; nonattendance of supervisor, during the incident, inexperience worker, a intentional decision by the worker to disregard the safety procedures, a faulty buckling mechanism of the safety harness and an unsafe design (only a knee-high guardrail on the catwalk).
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7. Behaviour theory.
It often referred to as Behaviour-based safety (BBS). E. Scott Geller a senior partner of Safety Performance Solutions, Inc., and a psychology professor believes in the followings 7 basic principles of BBS;
1. Use involvement that is focused on workers behaviour. 2. Determine external factors that aid in understanding and improving employee behaviour. 3. Direct behaviour with activator or events predecessor to the desired behaviour, and inspire workers to behave as desired with incentives and rewards that follow desired behaviour. 4. Focus on the positive consequences that effect from the desired behaviour as a way to inspire workers. 5. Apply scientific means to improve attempts at behavioural involvements. 6. Use theory to incorporate information rather than to limit possibilities. 7. Plan involvements with the feelings and attitudes of the individual worker in mind.
Example A safety manager concerned to conduct a week attitudes of wearing safety hard hat which able to lead to an accident. The advocates of BBS decided to apply the ABC model into unsecure behaviour pattern. First step is elimination of all the old hard hat area and substitue with newer more noticeable signs. Secondly to conduct a brief seminar on head injuries in term of awareness programme. The awareness with a powerful message may able to disciplines workers and reduce accidents.
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8. Drug and accident causation.
In each year drugs and alcohol are also the contributing factors or the root causes too many of accident cases at the worksite. According to Stephen Minter, the workplace cannot be broken up from the society within it and this kind of abuse shall be costly to health and safety issue to the workers. Workers who addicted to drugs and alcohol can harmfully affect human awareness skills. Thus, safety professionals are required to observe workers on alcohol or drugs abusers even though it is the duty for human resources department on establishing drug-free workplace programs in any company.
The evidence from survey by Department of Health and Human Service (USA) indicated 77% of drugs users are working and 6.5% of full time and 8.6% part-time workers is drugs addict. Alcoholism alone causes 500 million lost of working days annually where 125 million days were lost due to work-related injuries. 20% of fellow workers who work with alcoholism co-worker had reported that they were put in working threat, got injured, end up working harder to cover them and to do rework. It is clear that workers who addicted with drugs and alcohol will end up not capable to focus on job, easily can fall from height, a burden to their co-worker and even might endanger their safety.
9. Depression and accident causation.
Clinical depression is an unseen problem in todays jobsite. Workers who suffer from clinical depression are seriously dangerous and can cause safety risk to themselves, their fellow workers and those are surrounding them. Clinical depression may initiate due to biological, cognitive, genetic and concurring illness. The signs of clinical depression that can leads into an accident are; constant dreary moods, constant
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drowsiness, chronic physical problem such as headaches, incapability to make even a simple decision and others. Todd Nighswonger highlighted 200 million workdays were lost annually due to it and had cost US economy 43.7 billion. According to him much of this cost is unseen due to absenteeism and lost of productivity. Stephen Heidel a psychiatrist from San Diego noted that the depressed workers are normally lack of concentration, tiredness, worsening memory and slow reaction time that may causes them not work safely.
10. Obesity and accident causation.
Last but not least accident causes is obesity. Researchers from Ohio State University had founded that extremely obese workers are more likely to injure themselves compared to the normal-weight person. Despite obesity had for long known as associated with chronic diseases e.g. hyper tensioned, coronary heart diseases, diabetic and some types of cancer but now it also identified as the contributor to accident at the workplace. From 2,500 collected data by the same university, 26% of really obese male subjects reported personal injuries while 22% of the obese female. Common causes of injuries in jobsite for obese workers are over force (35.2%) and falls (29.9%)
Conclusion on accident causation
There are a lot of potential factors that may cause accident to happen. Accident causation or root of accident are very complex and must be understood effectively and in detail to avoid accident from occurs. From the accident causation theories discussed above it can clearly be realised that to prevent accident at the jobsite a lot of things that cause them need to be straighten up. Accident can be prevented by introducing a good engineering and design, close monitoring supervision by the
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management and the person in charged, proper job demarcation and training, right attitude, a acceptable design of jobsite and facilities, proper work standards and procedures, clear instructions, right tools and equipment, a good safety policy and induction and others which can lead to a good and safe working culture that is free from accident.
b. More that 60% of road accidents occur due to the unsafe acts committed by drivers themselves. Can the same conclusion be made about the workers in any industrial premise? Give brief explanation for your answer. [3 marks] [TOTAL: 10 MARKS]
According to a NHTSA and the American Automobile Association survey statistic in 1997, more than 60% of drivers who met to accident were committed to unsafe act. The NHTSA defines aggressive driving as a progression of unlawful driving actions such as undue speed, regular or unsafe lane changes, failure to signal, tailgating, failure to yield the right of way, ignore traffic controls, impaired driving, failing to see, improper passing-failing to signal intent and others. Besides that, according to their research in every 30 minutes, someone dies in an alcohol-related traffic crash in the other hand according to Olaf H. Drummer, Ph.D. in his articles; title drugs and accident risk in fatally-injured drivers; his research founded that the drivers involve with drugs other than alcohol in 1052 are fatally injured drivers.
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A 1995 study performed by the Road Safety Unit of the Automobile Association of Great Britain, had identified that 90% of the drivers surveyed had experienced "road rage" incidents during the preceding 12 months. In this study, 60% of drivers confessed to losing their angers behind the wheel during the previous year, and 1% claimed they had been physically assaulted by other motorist. Industrial can be defined as anything comprising with the business of manufacturing products; includes utility, transportation and financial companies in the other hand premise defined as land and buildings together considered as a place of making a or varies manufacturing or works i.e. factories, fabrication yards, ship yards, quarries and others .
Theoretically workers in the industrial jobsite are actually similar conditions to the roads users especially the drivers, as they are all human/person that tends to do unsafe act especially when least supervision by the supervisor/management in industrial job site or by the traffic police on the road side. In my understanding accident causation whether it happen on the road or at the industrial workplace, they are very similar as they all involves men, machine and the environment as mentioned by system causation theory especially and other accident causation theories as they all involve men behaviours.
The unsafe act produces by the vehicles drivers or the industrial workers can be derived from depressed, ancestry, overloaded, inappropriate response, ergonomic trap, decision error, fatigue, superman syndrome, stress, drowsiness, system failure, drug, alcoholism, obesity and other aspect that has discussed in accident causation theories. If on the roads drivers are mingle with varies type of vehicles, in many factories and other industrial workplaces they employ large numbers of workers who operate heavy machinery and work assembly lines to keep production on track.
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Unfortunately, these workplaces same like the roadside contain a number of hazards that could cause accident. For example; workers who handle objects quickly could slip and be injured due to working at improper speeds, ignoring or removing to wear personal protective equipments may increase chances of getting injured, working with lack of concentration, working in poor physical conditions such fatigue, stress, or drowsiness could also increase the likelihood of accidents, drugs and alcohol influence also may lead to an accident and others. This also could happen to the road drivers, shall they are at the same situation. For example a tired, stress or drowsiness drivers might not response appropriately during driving and this had caused an accident. Make it worse because of the superman syndrome the driver have not worn the safety belt and end up either fatalities or serious injuries.
There are many research proofs that the accidents in industrial premises are due to unsafe acts by workers. Heinrichs had concluded that 88% of all industrial accidents were primarily caused by unsafe acts (David L. Goetsch, 2011). Mean while Dupont says, 96% of injuries and illnesses are caused by unsafe acts. Behaviour Science Technology (BST) has quoted that between 80% and 95% of all accidents were caused by unsafe behaviour that include actions or failures to act which result in injury.
In normal case humans tend to blame somebody or something else when a mistake or accident occurs. A recent European study concluded that 80% of drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents believed that the other party could have done better to prevent the accident. Only 5% admitted that they were the only one at fault. Surveys consistently reveal that the majority consider themselves are more skillful and safer than the other or average drivers. Mistakes could occurs when a driver becomes distracted, perhaps by a cell phone call or a spilled cup of coffee. Very few accidents are result from a real 'Act of God,' for example a branch falling on a moving vehicle.
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This also goes to accident in industrial premises too, the superman syndrome of decision err of Accident/incident Causation Theory also contributes the cause of accident at the jobsite. For example the workers tend not to wear PPE which at the end accident occurs. Although the percentage between the road accident and the industrial workers accident may not be similar, but most of accidents occurs because the unsafe act by men either they are road drivers or industrial workers. With the above explanation, I strongly believe that accident causation in both cases although the percentage might not be so close we can be agreed that 60% or are more are contributed by unsafe human act.
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Question 4 Sick building syndrome is suspected to be the cause of the many workers in a factory taking medical leave due to flu-like symptoms. Explain how sick building syndrome can occur and ways to overcome it. [TOTAL: 10 MARKS] The term Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a combination of illness (a syndrome) related with an individual's place of work (office building) or residence in which building occupants or workers experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.
Figure 1: Some of SBS Related Illness.
The complaints may be localised in a particular room or section, or may be widespread throughout the building.
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In dissimilarity, the term "Building Related Illness" (BRI) is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants. A 1984 World Health Organization Committee report had suggested that up to 30 percent of new and remodelled buildings worldwide may be linked to symptoms of SBS and to be exact most of the extreme complaints related to indoor air quality (IAQ). This condition is commonly temporary but some buildings have long-term problems due to its design constraints. The intensity of this problem tends to magnify or repeated when the building maintenance been carried out inconsistenly or deviated from its stipulated operating procedures or original design. Sometimes indoor air problems may result from poor building design or nature of activities by the occupants. Frequently SBS were originated by flaws in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems. Other root cause have been attributed to contaminants produced by out gassing of some types of building materials, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), molds, improper exhaust ventilation of ozone (by product of some office machinery), light industrial chemicals used within, or lack of adequate fresh ventilation or air filtration . Symptoms of SBS are often dealt with after-the-fact by boosting the complete turnover rate of fresh air exchange with the outside air, but the new green building design should be able to avoid most of the SBS problem sources in the first place, minimize the ongoing use of VOC cleaning compounds, and get rid of conditions that encourage allergenic, potentially-deadly mold growth. In 1987, a survey was carried out in UK comprised 4373 office workers in 46 offices to determine whether productivity seemed to be adversely affected by illness.
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This was measured on the basis of whether they said they had experienced any of 10 symptoms on two or more occasions during a twelve month period. It has been estimated that 55% of the respondents were adversely affected to the extent that their productivity would undergo.
Figure 2: Overall percentage of the SBS Symptoms Collected.
Indicators of SBS include: Building occupants complain of typical symptoms like general physical uneasiness, headache, eye, nose, or throat irritation, dry cough, dry or itchy skin, dizziness and nausea, difficulty to focus, tiredness, chest tightness, flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, muscle aches and re-actions to odors. The cause of the symptoms is unknown. Most of the complainants report relief soonest leaving the building.
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Indicators of BRI include: Building occupants criticise of symptoms such as cough, chest tightness, fever, flu- like symptoms and muscle aches The symptoms can be medically defined and have clearly identifiable causes. Complainants may need to prolonged recovery times after leaving the building. (Indoor Air Facts No. 4 (revised) Sick Building Syndrome)
It is possible that complaints may result from other reason as well. These may include an illness contracted outside the building, acute sensitivity (e.g., allergies), job related stress or dissatisfaction, and other psychosocial factors. However, studies show that symptoms may be caused or intensify by indoor air quality problems.
Causes to Sick Building Syndrome The causes of Sick Building Syndrome can be contributed to inadequate ventilation, chemical contaminants from indoor or outdoor sources, biological contaminants, electromagnetic radiation, psychological factors, inappropriate lighting with absence of sunlight, bad acoustics, poor ergonomics, humidity, hot temperature and others. Elements of these SBS causation will be discussed below; Inadequate ventilation
Building ventilation standards in the early and mid 1900's, had called for approximately 15 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of outside air for each building occupant, primarily to dilute and remove body odours. As a result of the 1973 oil embargo, US national energy conservation measures had requested for a reduction in the amount of outdoor air provided for ventilation to 5 cfm per occupant.
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In many cases these reduced outdoor air airing rates were found to be insufficient to maintain the health and comfort of building occupants. Inadequate ventilation, which may also occur if Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems do not effectively dispense air to people in the building, is thought to be an important element in SBS. In an effort to achieve acceptable IAQ while minimizing energy utilization, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recently revised its ventilation standard to supply a minimum of 15 cfm of outdoor air per person (20 cfm/person in office spaces). Up to 60 cfm/person may be obligatory in some spaces (such as smoking lounges) depending on the conducts that normally occur in that space (ASHRAE Standard 62-1989).
Figure 3: Most of Modern Building is Normally Air Tight.
Chemical contaminants from indoor sources
Most interior air pollution comes from sources inside the building. For example, certain glues, carpeting, cupholstery, manufactured wood products, blue print machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents may release volatile/unstable Organic Compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde.
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Environmental tobacco smoke contributes high levels of VOCs, other toxic compounds, and respirable particulate matter. Research shows that some VOCs can lead to chronic and acute health effects at high concentrations, and some are known carcinogens. Low to moderate levels of multiple VOCs may also results to acute reactions. Incineration products such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, as well as respirable particles, can come from unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, woodstoves, fireplaces and gas stoves.
Figure 4: Source of Indoor contaminants
Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources
The outdoor air that comes into a building may also be a source of indoor air pollution. For example, pollutants from motor vehicle exhausts, cooker hood, plumbing vents, and building exhausts (e.g., from bathrooms and kitchens) can enter the building through poorly located air intake inlets, windows, and other openings. In addition, combustion products can enter a building from a nearby garage or car porch.
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Biological contaminants
Bacteria, molds, pollen, and viruses are types of biological contaminants that may breed in stagnant water that has accrued in ducts, humidifiers and drain manhole, or where water has collected on ceiling tiles, carpeting, or insulation. Sometimes insects or bird droppings can also be a source of biological contaminants. Physical symptoms related to biological contamination include cough, chest tightness, fever, chills, muscle pain, and allergic responses such as mucous membrane irritation and upper respiratory clogging. One interior bacterium, legionella, has caused both Legionnaire's Disease and Pontiac Fever. These elements may act in combination, and may enhancement other complaints such as insufficient temperature, humidity, or lighting. Even after a building investigation, however, the specific grounds of the complaints may stay unknown.
Electromagnetic radiation also may lead to SBS where house and office gadgets such as microwaves, televisions and computers release electromagnetic radiation, which ionizes the air. In the other hand extensive wiring without proper grounding also creates high magnetic fields, which have been linked to other symptoms of SBS or even cancer. Psychological factors also are related to SBS. It is because of the extreme work stress or dissatisfaction, poor interpersonal relationships and poor communication among office members. Another factor that may lead to SBS occurs is inappropriate lighting with absence of sunlight, bad acoustics, ergonomic and humidity. The symptoms of SBS are commonly seen in people with clerical jobs than in people with managerial jobs because professionals or managers have better working conditions compared than their subordinates.
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For sick building syndrome gender difference also plays a role, there is report saying women tend to report more symptoms than men. Along with this, there have been other studies where they found that women have a more responsive immune system and are more prone to mucosal dryness and facial erythematic. Also alleged by some women to be more, exposed to indoor environmental factors because they have a tendency to have more clerical work where they are exposed to unique office equipment and materials (example: blueprint machines), where in the other hand men have jobs based outside of offices. The symptoms are more frequent in airconditioned buildings rather than in the naturally ventilated buildings. Even in many investigations, there are confirmed about another causes of SBS such as cause are physical factors example high temperature or variations in temperature throughout the day, cleaning materials such as floor detergent, poor standards of cleanliness in the working environment, working with display screen equipment for extended periods of time and psychological factors, such as stress or poor staff morale.
Building Investigation Procedures
The objective of a building investigation is to identify and overcome interior air quality complaints in a way that avoid them from recurring and which avoids the creation of other problems. To achieve this objective, it is necessary for the investigators to find out whether a complaint is actually related to interior air quality, recognise the cause of the complaint, and determine the most appropriate corrective actions. An indoor air quality investigation procedure is best characterized as a cycle of information assembling, hypothesis formation, and hypothesis testing. It generally starts with a walkthrough inspection of the problem area to gather information about the four basic factors that influence interior air quality:

the residents the HVAC system

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possible pollutant from pathways possible of contaminant sources.
Preparation for a walkthrough should include recording easily obtainable information about the history of the building and of the complaints. Recognising known HVAC zones and the complaint areas. Advising residents of the upcoming investigation. Inspecting key individuals needed for information and access. The walkthrough itself requires visual assessment of critical building areas and discussion with residents and staff. The initial walkthrough should allow the investigator to develop some possible justifications for the complaint. At this point, the investigator may have enough information to formulate a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, and see if the problem is resolved. If it is, actions should be taken to ensure that it does not recur. However, if inadequate information is obtained from the walk through to construct a hypothesis, or if initial tests fail to disclose the problem, the investigator should proceed to collect more information to allow formulation of further hypotheses. The process of formulating hypotheses, testing them, and evaluating them shall goes on until the problem is solved. Although air sampling for contaminants might look to be the logical response to resident complaints, it seldom offers information about the possible causes. While certain basic measurements, e.g., temperature, relative humidity, CO2, and air movement, can offer a useful "snapshot" of current building conditions, sampling for definite pollutant concentrations is often not required to solve the problem and can even be confusing. Contaminant concentration levels hardly ever exceed existing standards and guidelines yet when occupants continue to report health complaints.
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Air sampling should not be undertaken until substantial information on the factors listed above has been composed, and any sampling approach should be based on a comprehensive understanding of how the building operates and the character of the complaints. Prevention and Solutions to Sick Building Syndrome
The following clarifications might solve or prevent sick building syndrome from occurs and usually they include combinations of the following: Air cleaning can be a useful adjunct to source control and ventilation but has certain restrictions. Particle control gadgets such as the typical furnace filter are cheap but do not effectively arrest small particles therefore the high performance air filters capture the smaller, respirable particles but are relatively expensive to install and operate shoul be considered. Mechanical filters do not get rid of gaseous pollutants. Some specific gaseous pollutants may be stopped by adsorbent beds, but these devices can be pricey and require frequent replacement of the adsorbent material. In summary air cleaners can be very useful, but have their limited application. Increasing ventilation rates and air distribution often can be a cost effective methods of reducing interior pollutant levels. HVAC systems should be designed, at a minimum, to meet ventilation standards in local building codes to make certain that the desired ventilation rates are acheived. However, many systems are not operated or maintained properly to ensure that these design ventilation rates are maintained. In many buildings, IAQ can be improved by operating the HVAC system minimum to its design standard, and to ASHRAE Standard 62-1989 if possible. When there are heavy pollutant sources, local exhaust ventilation may be suitable to extract out the contaminated air directly from the building.
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Local exhaust ventilation is mostly recommended to remove pollutants that gather in specific areas such as rest rooms, copy rooms, and printing facilities. The good airing systems must be in place and the building, which is manager and owner must take this into consideration to make certain improved air quality in order to overcome this issue. They also should rutinly check heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system maintenance schedules to ensure that they are all followed.
Pollutant source removal or modification is an effective move to sort out an IAQ problem when causes are known and control is feasible. Solution steps include routine maintenance of HVAC systems, e.g., cleaning or replacement of filters, replacement of water-stained ceiling tile and carpeting and venting contaminant source emissions to the outdoors. The keeping and use of paints, adhesives, solvents, poisonous materials, cleaning materials, fertiliser and pesticides should be restricted in well ventilated areas. If not properly keep these chemical pollutants can transform these substances into sugars, new plant material, and oxygen. It is good to restrict the use of these pollutant sources only throughout the off day and allowing time for building materials in new or re-modelled areas to off-gas pollutants before re-occupancy. Banning of smoking in the workplace or restricting smoking to a designated ventilated area and by creating no-smoking zones approved laws is another option. Employer should ban workers to smoke in office building during the office hours. For example, a company in Michigan earned major media attention in early 2005 after establishing a policy that banned employees from smoking in the premises.
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Premises cleaning. Basically, a clean and hygienic environment comfortable to work in, in addition it is the best way to prevent SBS. Therefore regular roof gravel cleaning non pressure removal of algae, mold & Gloeocapsa magma, overall office premises cleaning, regular vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner to collect and retain 99.97% of particles down to and including 0.3 micrometres might help to reduce this issue. Employers should ensure the following being taking cares the general cleanliness of the building, including checking that the vacuum cleaners are working properly, that they are regularly emptied and their filters are clean and properly maintained and others. Good Design and Healthier Approach Another approach such as a good design concept introduce by Green Building concept can also help in reducing SBS. Researchers have concluded that the application of green and sustainable building and healthy operational techniques will help to reduce the occurrence of SBS. Example; bacteria often grow best in moist areas in building, has a leaky roof or windows that arent sealed, or if moisture accumulates around the drip pans of a cooling or heating system in office building, sanitary of pipes leakage than a major problem as black mold will occur. Building with good ventilation and enough from sunlight is also another good example. In the other hand sustainable, green building techniques a much tighter and bettersealed building envelope, making it harder for the moisture required by most biological organisms to build up. Definitely, green building techniques also offers buildings that are healthier and more comfortable for their tenants. Installing ultraviolet lights in ventilation systems is another good practice, this is because its lighting systems ability to kill microbes has been known for many decades. It is used in hospitals, food processing plants and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
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Growing indoor plants is another best measures to prevent and cure SBS because plants are purify the air and absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. They also absorb trace chemicals in the atmosphere, further helping air purification by adding oxygen and curbing pollution. Education and communication are also important elements in both remedial and preventive indoor air quality management programs. When building occupants, company management, and maintenance personnel fully communicate and understand the causes and consequences of IAQ problems, they can work more effectively together to prevent problems from occurring, or to solve them if they occur. Therefore training and induction should be conducted periodically in order to educate, remind and alert the workers. Proper inspection procedure and survey should be carried out continuously in order to find out whether symptoms are occurring more often than expected. It may also help to recognise any obvious causes that can easily be fixed, such as adjusting the office temperature.
Conclusion As a wrap up, it is important to eliminate the SBS effect as it can cause employee to be sick, demoralized, depress, nausea, difficulty to concentrate, tiredness and other illness that may affect their performance and effectiveness that latter reduce the company production and performance. As workers are the greatest asset of any company, taking measures to ensure that their working environment is healthy and safe is compulsory in order for them to deliver and produce a maximum output for the best interest of the company.
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Question 5 A survey was conducted to identify the cause of high turnover rate at company manufacturing electronic components. The survey revealed that the highest contributing factor is workplace stress. Managers should be able to identify the sources of workplace stress and also reduce workplace stress. Identify the sources of workplace stress and explain how managers can contribute to reduce workplace stress. [TOTAL: 10 MARKS]
1.0 Introduction of Workplace Stress Stress can be defined as adverse reaction of people who under excessive pressure, external exposures and demands they we face. Common stress reactions include tension, irritability, inability to concentrate, and a variety of physical symptoms that include headache and a fast heartbeat. It isnt a disease but if stress is intense and goes on for quite some time, it can lead to mental and physical ill, health (e.g. depression, nervous breakdown, heart disease). Stress is commonly used to describe the; i) The handling mechanisms that we use to deal with them. ii) The consequences of our handling mechanisms. Furthermore, job stress can be defined as physically and emotional harmful, the responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources or needs of the worker. Stress in the workplace may reduces productivity, increases management pressures, and makes people ill in many ways, evidence of which is still keep growing. Workplace stress affects the functioning of the brain, including work performance, memory, concentration, and learning ability.
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In order to avoid confusion, the term stress shall be used as the overall descriptor, while stressor and distress refer to the causes (exposures, input), responses and outcomes (effects, outputs), respectively. Stressor shall refer to pressures, challenges or demands that produce adaption responses. Stressors are known to have the potential to cause distress and health problems. Distress refers to unconstructive emotional, behavioural or physical reactions. The bucket model - E Grandjean. Switzerland. It is started from a very simple picture of tiredness first proposed by the ergonomist Etienne Grandjean, who likened the human body to a bucket that could be loaded daily with unpleasant experiences, with sleep and recovery draining it for a fresh start the next day.
Figure 1: Workplace Stress Bucket Model.

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The Department of Labour upturned this model to show the human body as a reservoir of ability that was drained during the day and replenished at night and weekends. Again, this model casts everyone as responding the same. It acknowledges unwelcome possibilities, but makes little allowance for positive experiences at work for the way in which work can be rewarding and inspiring, for example, and thus fill the bucket during the day.
2.0 How to Identify the Source of Stress In this assignment a high turnover rate at an electronic factory components have been found as the highest contributing factor is workplace stress. Employers should provide a stressfree work environment, recognize where stress is becoming a problem for staff, and take action to reduce stress. Managers should be able to recognise the Signs and Symptoms of Stress at workplace, identify the Sources of Stress in order for them to take the entire necessary means to Reduce Workplace Stress. Managers tend to view stress as an individual problem united to the personality and the emotional constitute of employee where in the other hand employees view stress as a problem stimulated by poor supervision, unrealistic expectations and other management shortcoming. Both interpretations are in fact correct only they way they take them are due to their views and expectations. Workers emotion at workplace may affected by social, job-related, environmental and psychological factor that they see as a threat. When workers face too much stress at work, they will lose confidence and become annoy or withdrawn, making them less effective and productive and their work less satisfying. If these warning signs of work stress go unattended, they can lead to greater problems. Not interfering with job performance and pleasure, chronic or extreme stress can also direct to physical and emotional health problems.
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2.1 Signs and Symptoms of Workplace Stress Workplace Stress can be observing and known shall the management really want to pay attention on it. This is important as workplace stress may affect the production. The 2000 annual "Attitudes in the American Workplace VI" found that 80% of workers feel stress on the job which is half of them require help in learning on how to cope with stress. Thus, there are an approximated 1 million workers are not present every day due to stress in over 300 companies in US. (Stress Statistics) The economic costs of stress in the workplace are disturbing and annually, had costs U.S. employers $300 billion total, or $2,097 per employee. (Stress in the workplace). This were come under medical claims, increased turnover, absenteeism, workers compensation, low productivity and lack of engagement. Therefore for the management to solve work stress at the workplace and monitor their continues enhancement shall benefited them at last. Shockingly, stress is not always a awful thing as it can arouse creativity and efficiency. No one achieves top performance without some type of stress (ustress) but here we shall stress on its negative effect. Below are some of the early sign signs and indicator that can be seen on affected workers; Feeling anxious, irritable, or depressed Apathy, loss of interest in work. Problems sleeping Fatigue, Trouble concentrating Muscle tension or headaches Stomach problems Social withdrawal Loss of sex drive Using alcohol or drugs to cope
Shall these early signs and indicators of workplace stress have not been attended properly it might run to a bigger problem as below;
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Resignation Workers will resign because they cannot cope with the stress further. Cardiovascular Disease - Many studies suggest that cardiovascular disease increases shall psychologically demanding jobs only allow employees little control over the work process.. Musculoskeletal Disorders - Research by NIOSH and many other organizations, it is widely assumed that job stress raises the risk for development of back and upperextremity musculoskeletal disorders. Psychological Disorders - Some studies imply that differences in rates of mental health problems (such as depression and burnout) for several occupations are due partly to variation in job stress levels. (Economic and lifestyle differences between occupations may also contribute these problems.) Workplace Injury - Although more study is required, the concern that stressful working conditions might interfere with safe at workplace and contribute to injuries are keep growing. Suicide, Cancer, Ulcers, and Impaired Immune Function - Studies also suggest a connection between stressful working conditions and these health problems, however, more research is required before firm conclusions can be made. (Encyclopaedia of Occupational Safety and Health)
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3.0 Identify Workplace Stress Causation In my opinion workplace stress are similar from one industry to another as all shall involve the human relation factor e.g. relation between superiors and subordinate, relation between colleagues, inter-personal relationships; work situation e.g. work procedures, stiff targeted schedule, progress, irregular hours and organizational change; physical working condition commitment e.g. dealing with dangerous heavy equipment or working in an uncomfortable situation. In the first five months in the year 2010 at Foxconn Technology Groups giant that employs 300,000 worker electronics assembly plant in Longhua, China, 16 workers had attempted suicide by leaping off the top of tall dormitory buildings, resulting in 12 casualties and four crippling injuries, and at least 20 other workers were stopped before committing suicide. All workers were between 18 and 24 and were migrants from remote areas of western China. At least 49 young semiconductor workers had prescribed to cancer at the end of May 2010, where 32 brain, leukemia, and lymphoma cancers. Nineteen deaths have occurred, mostly to workers in their 20s while they were working at Samsungs huge electronics plants in Korea.. Korean magazine reprinted an internal Samsung handbook outlining the use of at least six carcinogens at its plants, including arsine, benzene, and trichloroethylene altough Samsung had denied the cancers were not work-related. In March 2010, 47 workers at the United Win cell phone plant in Suzhou, China, had been admitted to hospital for n-hexane poisonings resulting in peripheral neuropathies, severe muscle atrophy and long-term disabilities this was confirmed by Chinas State Administration for Workplace Safety (SAWS) United Win workers had uncontrolled exposures while using the solvent to clean touch screens of computers and hand phones. For record both the Foxconn and United Win factory are major contractor facilities for Apple. (Garrett Brown, Aug 04 2010)
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Global Supply Chain Standard Features had occurs in three plants one in southern China, one in coastal eastern China, and one in Korea. These plants share common characters with other contract factories of all the electronics industry, and in global supply chains for other consumer products such as garments, footwear, athletic equipment, and toys. The "standard characters" of these global supply chains has formed high levels stress at workplace, significant occupational illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Among these characteristics are; low pay (base pay in China is under $140 a month for the first 160 hours of work), which means employees work long hours of overtime to increase their take-home pay; long hours of work (70-80 hours during a six- or seven-day work week), which means intense chemical and noise exposures extending well beyond the base 40-hour week; high production quotas and low piecework pay rates, which lead to intense work periods, ergonomic issues, and additional hours of (often unpaid) work; harsh management regimes, quasi-military in Foxconn's case, with strictly enforced "factory rules" governing all aspects of workers' lives, with pay deductions (fines) for infractions, as decided by line supervisors and managers. The details of Foxconn's case can be read in (David Barboza, June 6 2010, After Suicides, Scrutiny of China Grim Factories) (Garrett Brown, Aug 04 2010)
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Photo 1: China Electronic Workers at Their Production Line.
3.1 The Causes to Workplace Stress Among other the common causes that can develops excessive workplace stress to the employees are as follows; 3.1.1. Low pay. People are working for money in order to earn a decent living. Although financial reward may not be a prime issue, it could become a factor shall the pay are insufficient for them to make a living. Example, workers in electronic components industries are reported to bring home very low pay as what other industries workers does. Imagine how the employee want to work properly shall their pay is insufficient to cover themselves and family daily expenses. 3.1.2. Long hours work, unpredictable schedule and shifts working. It is known that electronic workers need to work 70-80 hours during a six- or seven-day work week. It also might due to increase demands for overtime due to staff cutbacks.
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Longer working hour shall also mean exposure to intense chemical and noise exposures extending well beyond the base 40-hour week. Work schedule that are unpredictable, never changing and ever changing can induce stress in employees because the ability to predict their work schedules is very important. Stress will increase due to unpredictable work schedule. There is another reason will lead into stress is when the work schedule are inflexible. Ever changing work schedule such as to those associated with shift duty is able to increase work stress. Example; shift work is any work hours that cause a change in normal sleep patterns and leading causes of fatigue. This exactly happen for electronic components factory operator which put them at risk. Working at night has a greater impact than working the same number of hours during the day. Shift workers lose an average of 1 to 1.5 hours sleep each 24 hour period. 3.1.3. High production quotas and low piecework pay rates. This shall lead to intense work periods, ergonomic issues, and additional hours of (often unpaid) work, pressure to perform to meet rising expectations but with no increase in job satisfaction and pressure to work at optimum levels at all time. 3.1.4. Harsh management regimes. A quasi-military in Foxconn's case with strictly enforced "factory rules" prevailing all aspects of workers' lives, with pay deductions (fines) for infractions, as decided by line supervisors and managers shall put the employees under a great stress. 3.1.5. Environmental safety issue. Potential for workplace hazard is including the lack of environmental safety.. Unpleasant or dangerous physical conditions such as cramming, noise, air pollution, ergonomic problems, expose to extreme temperatures, pressure, electricity, fire, explosive, toxic material, ionizing radiation and many more also can cause stress to employees. According to research, some of electronic factory workers are infected by cancer i.e. brain, leukaemia, and lymphoma cancers.
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Even though no proof the chances to get infected by cancer are higher but electronic factories are normally exposed to carcinogens such as arsine, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Thus, we can make an assumption that working long hours at electronic factories which expose to carcinogens may lead to specific illness such as cancer without proper safety measures. 3.1.6. The complexity of task. Task complexity relates to the number of dissimilar demand made on worker. Emotional stress results of job are being too complex may cause feeling of inadequacy. On the other hand repetitive work and repetitive work by electronic factory workers may lead to dissatisfied job and possibly the workers may become frustrated at work without the opportunity for variation or for undertaking bigger responsibility and learning, and not receiving adequate acknowledgment. 3.1.7. Control of the workers on their works can also lead to workplace stress but responsible to a work with lacking control of it also can lead to stress. The more the work can be planned and structured to permit for a maximum control by those who do it, the less traumatic the work will be. Even when workers feel they are in control of the works that they are accountable for, they will still under pressure shall they are monitored electronically. Electronic monitoring is the same as having supervisor standing with the workers constantly. According to research, job control has been lead to cardiovascular disease and hypertension problem which may cause heart attacks. 3.1.8. Feeling of responsibility of the welfare or safety of family members may cause on the job stress. The employment risk taken by them is limited due to the accountable for welfare of his family where they may assume that they are on trap in the job. A feeling of great responsibility associated with a job can change a routine activity into stress. Example air traffic controllers who are tested by near-accident event known to experiences intense stress.
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3.1.9. Job security. This is a risk of unemployment where workers who believe their job is at stake shall experience anxiety and stress. Change management and downsizing shall normally lead to workers layoffs. Work relationship also can lead on the job stress. Working relationships can indicate those between a superior and his subordinate and those between colleagues in each department. Regardless to the nature of the work relationship, there are factors that can ascertain whether they are able to lead into positive work relationship or negative work relationship. However, office politics, turf battles and internal competition for appreciation and rewards can be tough on work relationships and conflicts between personnel happen. Understand of job satisfaction can help to avoid from job stress as job satisfaction and performance is due to the narrow course to define workplace stress. Poor work relationships can resulting from confusion and leadership, others take credit for personal achievements, poor relationships with colleagues and others. Pressure also can caused by poor or unsupportive relationships with colleagues and/or supervisors. In addition if individuals feel isolated or unfairly treated also can caused pressure. Example; when managers do not get support from fellow factory workers in electronic components factory in order to achieve the targeted production, stress level shall increase. 3.1.10. Workplace bully. Research indicates that workplace bullying is prevalent and that it is more common than sex or other harassment. Bullying can defined as unfair and inappropriate workplace behavior includes bullying, which comprises behaviour which threatens, shame, offends, insults or humiliates an individual possibly in front of co-workers, customers or clients and which includes physical or psychological behaviour. If someone at the workplace makes you feel anxious, disturbed or angry, workers will on an emotional roller-coaster, feel confused and manipulated, feel like alone, self-serving, destructive behaviours. They have become misery and there seems to be no way out.
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3.1.11. Home and family problem may create added stress to workers. It is impossible to leave behind completely all these problems when they come to work. Family problem definitely may lead to internal conflict and it must be relates with personal relationship such as children and elder folks care, children education and schools, attitude of relatives, illness of a family member, arguments with spouse or children, moving in of parents or moving out of elder children and others may causes of stress. Thus, handling the everyday work and home affairs are unavoidable and definitely may contribute to employees stress.
4.0 What managers or employers can contribute do to reduce stress at workplace. It's a manager's best interest to keep stress levels in the workplace to a minimum. Managers must act as positive role models, especially in times of high stress. All of the tips mentioned in this article are twice as important for managers to follow. If someone that we admire remains calm, it is much easier to remain calm ourselves and vice versa! There are also organizational changes that managers and employers can make to reduce workplace stress. 4.1. Improve communication. Share certain information with employees to reduce uncertainty about their jobs and futures e.g. the company direction and future plans. Clearly define employees roles and responsibilities. Try to make communication become friendly and efficient, not dishonest or petty.
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4.2. Introduce minimum wages and other pert. In this world, we cannot denied that people work for money. Management should be able to study what are the minimum wages required by workers to have a decent living. If necessary company can follow the national minimum wages guideline or even pay the workers slightly higher in order to help them on economic side. Introduce medical benefit, subsidise canteen, attendance and shift allowances, insurance policy, dormitory and others might help the workers to ease their economic status. 4.3. Consult your employees. Give workers opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their jobs and roles, consult employees about scheduling and their work rules, set realistic goals and priorities, encourage employees to be part of the prioritysetting process. Manager must ensure the workload is suitable to employees abilities and resources. When workers feel they are part of the decision, they are more likely to take responsibility, rather than just grumble about "my boss is nasty " and "this awful place". It is good to portray to workers that management treasure each one of them as workers that feel self belonging to the company might put their 100 percent commitment towards achieving companys goal. It is necessary to avoid unrealistic deadlines and important to match workload and pace to the training and abilities of workers. Harsh management regimes a quasi-military in Foxconn's case should be avoided. 4.4. Encourage good time-management techniques and take charge. Persuade employees to do proper planning for the important activities, scheduling them in advance, following up with others, and keeping good records help people get things accomplished on time and realise their value. Take time to make note of successes and projects accomplished for lesson learned.
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Take responsibility will encourage employees to take responsibility for their own task or job and for their contribution to the success of the company as a whole. This encourages a feeling of control over their life. Let them see how important their efforts are to the overall plan. 4.5. Offer rewards and incentives. Praise good work performance verbally and institutionally. Example to recognise them during monthly assembly or gave away monthly employee of the month, annually award or other creative suggestion. To provide opportunities for career development to encourage and inspired staff to work hard and achieve personal and companies goals. Promote an entrepreneurial work climate that gives employees more control over their work, cash incentives to group of workers that achieves company target also can be introduced. This also will help workers to gain extra incomes. Everyone needs a pat on the back and a sense of being a important person in the other hand constant criticism is counter-productive and causes hard feelings. After all daily positive comment goes a long way, at no cost! Make sure that all managers and supervisors recognize their subordinate when they do a good job, complement them on their neat offices or conscientious work habits. 4.6. Cultivate a friendly social climate. Provide opportunities for social interaction among employees as it will encourage good working relation between employees. Ascertain a zero-tolerance policy for harassment or bully where employees shall not be under stress unnecessary. Management actions must be consistent with organizational values such as allocate events for workers to interact among them and in between departments such as conducting sports event, company trip outing, family days, welfares activities and others.
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4.7. Improve Safety. Management should reduce hazard activities, eliminate dangerous materials and substitute them with a safer one and establish proper procedures and safety measures when working with dangerous activities and materials. Example carcinogen material should be prevented or if it is not possible, proper safety measures should be used and followed. Another example hot asbestos insulation sleeves for hot pipes can be replaced by manmade glass wool and asbestos filler in gaskets spiral wool can be replace by graphite filler. Buying insurances for workers who carried out critical and dangerous activities will also a wise step. 4.8. Proper approach to avoid/reduce stress. Stress actually can be scheduled. Stagger all known stressful activities and prepare for known stress in advance shall be a huge help in reduce stress. For example take a short break after a particularly stressful event and encourage employees to take a 5 minute walk around the block or a few minutes of quiet meditation to re-balance their energies may helps. Several short breaks can keep employees working at peak performance and freshness. Companies that encourage employees to take a "fruit break" or 5-minute walk find the employees will work more effectively than if they are "hyped" by cigarette/coffee breaks and little physical exercise in their jobs. 4.9. Dont procrastinate. Procrastination and delay breeds stress! Eliminate items which wont/cant get done and do those that are important first. This can be solved by knowing your limits and be realistic about what you can accomplish. 4.10. Education and training on how reducing stress at workplace and motivation. Conducting training and induction on how to face, get rid or reduce stress might help workers to deal with stress effectively. At least they know who to talk to shall they having this problem. Motivation can be given from time to time by managers to workers e.g. Workers should take the stressful situations as a challenge to their innovative thinking.
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Know that eventually everything will either get done or it wont, does not helps. The training and induction can also educate employees to treat their body right e.g. eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise regularly which may increase energy, sharpening focus and relaxing mind and body. . Encourage positive self-talk. Positive self-reinforcement affirmations, like "I can handle this one step at a time" and "Somehow the whole team will manage to get through" also can be used to encourage the workers. 4.11. Provide a sympathetic ear. Often stressful situations can be administered, shall there is someone who is willing to listen to the employees concerns and willing to advise and give encouragement that they will be able to solve the problem. For many people, 15 minutes of a sympathetic listener can cancel out many days of otherwise unproductive worry. Therefore Human and Resources department should take charge of this roles and even psyocotric help shoul be seek if necessary. 4.12. Children and elder folks care. The company can take initiatives to setup this cares centre near their premises in order to help workers to have a peace of mind while working in the factory as they knew that their beloved family members are safe . 4.13. Maintain a sense of humor. As a wise philosopher said, "Dont take life so seriously, its only a hobby". Find humour in the situation. Advice your workers to share a joke or funny story shall they start taking things too seriously, find a way to break through with laughter. Try to remember what was stressful in your life six months ago or a year ago. Know that this day will be just another day in history and whatever seems traumatic now will fade into oblivion as time passes.
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Conclusion Stress in the workplace is a serious matter. Not only you are putting your own business at risk if you dont address it properly but you are also putting the future health of your employees at risk, possibly even shortening their lives. Of course the workplace is stressful and this is a fact that cannot be denied or helped. Some people can handle stress and some are not. It is employers responsibility to provide a stressfree or stress-less work environment, recognise where stress is becoming a problem for staff, and take action to reduce stress. There are many things that can be done to reduce stress and to assist employees deal with the times when stress is unavoidable. Stress management training and time management training are two of the tools that you can use to help organisations educate workers to reduce stress. Giving workers control over their jobs, improve communication, provide clear job description and demarcation, fair pay, fair pert, safety workplace, chances for carrier development, provide job securities and etc. can help workers to reduce their stress and work happily.
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MAY SEMESTER 2011 SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT EMSH5103 ASSIGNMENT (50%)
PART B INSTRUCTIONS: ANSWER ANY ONE QUESTION ONLY. Question 1 A company that manufactures highly toxic chemicals employs more than 500 workers comprising of various age groups and gender. One of the major concerns in the premise is exposure to toxicity at various locations. Prepare a detailed plan on how various strategies can be implemented to ensure the workers are not in danger from toxic exposures. [TOTAL: 20 MARKS]
Definition A highly toxic material is defined by the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is a chemical that within any of these three categories; 1. A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of 50 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight when give out orally to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each. 2. A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD50) of 200 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight when give out by continuous contact for 24 hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) with the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing between two and three kilograms each.
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3. A chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LC50) in air of 200 parts per million by volume or less of gas or vapour, or 2 milligrams per litre or less of mist, fume, or dust, when give out for continuous inhalation for one hour (or less if death occurs within one hour) to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each. In the other hand toxicity is the degree to which stuff can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a any life form, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a substructure of the life form, such as a cell (cytotoxicity) or an organ (organotoxicity), such as the liver (hepatotoxicity). By extension, the word may be metaphorically used to describe toxic effects on larger and more complex groups, such as the family unit or society at large. There are several of high toxic chemical particularly in manufactures industries namely; oxalic, benzene, acrolein, nickel, and many more. The toxic exposure might be more lethal in these conditions, as the factory workers handle hazardous chemicals on a regular basis. The Bhopal chemical disaster in 1984 drastically increases chemical safety awareness in many countries throughout the world and even in Malaysia. To deal with major accidents occurs in chemical plants, the Occupational Safety and Health (Control of Major Accident Hazards) Regulations was gazetted in 1996. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy in which was considered as one of the world's worst industrial catastrophes occurred in December 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. A leak of methyl isocyanate gas and other chemicals from the plant had exposed to hundreds of thousands of people. In total 3,787 deaths linked to the gas release, others estimate 3,000 died within weeks and another 8,000 have died from gas-related diseases.
A government affidavit in 2006 correlated the leak caused 558,125 injuries including 38,478 temporary partial and approximately 3,900 severely and permanently disabling injuries. In our case, workers may come into contact with the highly toxic chemicals during the way the products are made, the type of building they work in, shall there any leaks, not wearing proper protection or shall any spill happen. The exposure may occur from breathes the chemicals, whether in a vapour forms, dust, gas, or mist. Workers also can absorb toxic chemicals through their skin or by swallowing them such as solvents, acids, carbon monoxide may lead into deadly stake while asbestos, silica, nickel are able to lead to cause toxic injury. Any good safety management plan or systems are very much depending on weather the seven basic steps is well implemented. It also goes to the factory that manufactures highly toxic chemicals in order to ensure the workers are not been harm from the toxic exposures while carry out their routine works in the factory. All the seven elements are very much interacts and depending to each other and missing one of the components might fail the whole system. The seven basic steps are as follows; 1) Commitment and Leadership/Management Commitment. 2) Policies and Objectives. 3) Organisation, Resources and Documentation / Accountability/Employee Involvement. 4) Risk Evaluation and Management / Hazard Effects and Management Process (HEMP). 5) Procedure/Planning or Other Safe Operating Procedure Incident/Accident Investigation.
6) Implementation, Recording and Monitoring / Training. 7) Audit and Review / Plan Evaluation.
Figure 1: SHE Seven Basic Elements. 1) Commitment and Leadership / Management Commitment. As per clause 15 of the OSHA 1994, it is the general duties of employers to ensure the practicable, the safety, health and welfare at workplace for all his employees. In other words the employer should addressing top-down commitment, adopt it into company culture, essential to the success of the system. Management shall provide strong visible commitment, leadership and personal involvement in health, safety and the environment. It is management responsibility to make available the necessary resources in order to achieve their HSE objectives.
Highly toxic chemical is a very lethal and any mistake in handling of dealing with it might cause death and even a catastrophes therefore it is important for the awareness programme to be started from employer or the management in order to show how serious they are in this occupational, safety, health and environment issue. The management commitment can be easily seen shall they personally can set themselves as a good example by following HSE rules, make decisions that consider HSE matters equal to cost, quality, morale and production, delegate the necessary authority to the appropriate personnel and allocate enough resources to carry out HSE functions, visit operations on a regular basis (walk the talk) to demonstrate commitment and recognise performance in HSE matters, hold those in positions of authority accountable at all levels of the company for compliance with company policies and global standards, develop HSE objectives at your level of responsibility, communicate with employees, clients, subcontractors and industry personnel so that they know and understand the intent of HSE policies, celebrate and promote your HSE success and etc. Shall the above can be carried out it shall be first step forward to, free the factory and the employees from any chemicals potential hazard.
2) Policies and Objectives. As per clause 16 of the OSHA 1994 it is the duty of the employer to formulate safety and health policy as may be appropriate revise a written statement of his general policy with respect to the safety and health at workplace of his/their employees and the organization and arrangements for the time being in force for carrying out that policy, and to bring the statement and any revision of it to the notice of all of his employees.
Addressing the corporate intentions, principles of action and HSE aspiration can be done by saying what you are going to do, develop and communicate policies demonstrating a commitment to HSE that is consistent with, and at least equal to, other business aims, supporting objectives shall be defined, deployed and maintained at all organizational levels, In our case this can be done by developing local HSE policies that support and are consistent with corporate vision, standards in this case should stressing a lot in how to avoid the highly toxic chemicals where OSHA 1994, HIRRAC, USECHH 2000 and others codes and regulations need to come in, set objectives for continuous improvement, involve all levels of management and personnel in the development of objectives for the division, develop specific objectives for the reduction of risk, communicate the policies and objectives to all employees in a clear, readily understood medium, to develop performance measures to guide and gauge progress towards achieving objectives, to meet and strive to exceed regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions, review policies and objectives at all levels on a regular basis and to determine continued validity.
3) Organisation, Resources and Documentation
This element is also known as Accountability/Employee Involvement. It addressing organization of people, resources, documentation and sound HSE performance, define, document and communicate the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities to enable every individual to fulfill their role in improving HSE performance.
In order to do this interrelationships between individuals, operating groups, support functions, employees, clients and partners in joint activities, trade associations and regulatory bodies need to be defined, appoint and support a management team representative to act as the focal point for HSE matters, to ensure that each group and individual receives sufficient information and safety induction/training to fulfil their role with respect to HSE, allocate sufficient resources to support policies and work towards, achieving objectives set for HSE issues, ensure a system that provides and maintains effective procedures and resource material and records on HSE subjects. The duties, roles, and responsibilities on safety are collective efforts, as top management need to fulfil their part the employees lead by HSE committee also must play their important roles to ensure the workers are not in danger from toxic exposures. In my opinion, conducting continuous training and full commitment from safety manager/committee are not enough to ensure safety at the workplace are up hold at an acceptable standard especially in a highly toxic chemical plan without the support from the fellow co workers.
4) Risk Evaluation and Management Also known as Hazard Effects and Management Process (HEMP). This element addressing identification and evaluation of HSE risks relating to operations, products and services, and the development of risk-reducing measures. It will continuously evaluate the HSE risks to the workforce, customers and the works environment, evaluate the processes and activities for specific hazards assess potentials, record and control the subsequent risk to a tolerable level.
In order to do that we need to ascertain a methodology that identifies both acute and chronic hazards and their associated impacts, in this case highly toxic chemical is going to be the major contributor. We need to address routine and non-routine tasks, emergencies and outside influences., to conduct hazard assessments during the design, development, operating and decommissioning stages of equipment, processes and facilities, to control hazards and reduce risk to a tolerable level through mitigating and recovery measures, to apply risk management tools to all proposed activities including acquisitions, bids and new business development. HEMP is also to establish a formal system for the performance and documentation of risk assessment of health safety and environmental issues on project site. HEMP must be effectively applied if the Contract management Plan (CMP) is to achieve its objectives. There are various strategies can be implemented in order to reduce or eliminate the danger of highly toxic exposures to the workers. There are a lot of Acts, Regulations and guides that need to be followed. Industrial Hygiene Division at NIOSH, Malaysia introduced Comprehensive Chemical Health Risk Assessment (CHRA) in order to improve current control measures. The objectives by CHRA is to evaluate the degree of exposure of employees to the chemicals hazardous to health, either through inhalation, skin absorption or ingestion, to identify the hazards to health posed by each chemical substance used, stored, handled or transported within the place of work and to conclude on the significance of the health risk posed by the chemicals hazardous to health. HIRAC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control) in the other hand means it is a process to identify types of hazard in workplace, do the risk assessments and later to propose risk controls to the organization on how to implement risk control and to review the risk control.
It is one of the general duties as prescribed under the OSHA 1994 (Act 514), the responsibility of employer to provide a safe workplace for their employees. i)Hazard Identification is to highlight the critical operations of tasks, those tasks posing significant risks to the health and safety of employees as well as highlighting those hazards relating to certain equipment due to energy sources, working conditions or activities performed. Hazards can be divided into three main groups, health hazards, safety hazards, and environmental hazards. In this case, major health and environmental hazard can be caused by the exposure to highly toxic chemical either through breath, skin or swallow. The employer shall develop a hazard identification and assessment methodology using a few information or documentation e.g. hazardous occurrence investigation reports, first aid records, minor injury records, any results of work place inspections, any employee complaints and comments, any reports made under the regulation OSHA1994, HIRAC or other regulations. ii) Risk Assessment process. Risk can be assessed and presented in variety ways to convey the results of analysis and to make judgement on risk control. The uses of likelihood and severity in qualitative is normally use in risk analysis. The result displayed in a risk matrix form is a very effective way of communicating the distribution of the risk throughout a plant or in a workplace. The identified risk later be categorized into extremely high risk, high risk, medium risk and low risk. In the risk matrix, extremely risk and high risk is requires an immediate action to control hazard as tabulated in the hierarchy of control while medium risk requires a planned approach to controlling the hazard and applies temporary measure if required.
In the other hand both high risk and medium risk the actions taken must be recorded on the risk assessment form including date for their completion. Below is the example of risk matrix in order to make risk assessment process. A risk identified as low may be considered as acceptable and further reduction may not be necessary. However, if the risk can be resolved quickly and efficiently, control instruments should also be implemented and recorded for lesson learned and future use.
Figure 2: A Sample of risk Matrix iii)Risk Control is the way to get rid of hazard. Hazards should be inhibited at their source. Control of hazard can be by removal of hazard, substitution of hazard, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. Elimination of hazardous activity, process, substance, machine, environment or etc is the best solution shall the source can be eliminated. The elimination of hazards is 100% effective to ensure workers are not in danger from highly toxic exposures.
Substitution or replacement of hazardous activity, process, substance, machine or etc with something that doing the same work but in a less hazardous way if possible. Controls must protect workers from any new hazards that are formed. Engineering control can be used shall hazard cannot be eliminated or replaced. It may be isolated, contained or otherwise kept away from workers. For example, highly toxic chemical can be isolated or contained far from other workers that no need to encounter with them. The effectiveness of engineering solutions is normally around 70 - 90%. Administrative control effectiveness ranges from 10 to 50% and it includes Safe Work Procedures, Supervision, Induction and Training, Job rotations, Housekeeping, repair and maintenance programme and Hygiene Practices. Personal protective equipment (PPE) - Workers must be trained to use and maintain equipment properly. The employer and workers must understand the usage and limitations of the personal protective equipment and to ensure the safety equipment is working properly. Example in order to protect workers from toxic exposures respiratory protection, safety glasses, safety shoe and gloves is a must subject to the exposure level.
5) Procedure / Planning. This element shall ensure all the other procedures e.g. Safe Operating Procedure, Emergency Response Plan, Incident/Accident Investigation Report, the conduct of work operation, including planning for change and others procedures will be prepared properly.
The responsibility assignments for the achievement of HSE objectives should be in line at all levels of the organization. The resources required to achieve the plan need to be determined, to identify the means by which the plan is to be achieved, to set a time scale and develop milestones for implementation, to develop contingency plans for emergencies and in cases when plans or objectives cannot be completely achieved, and to be regularly review and follow up on progress towards achieving the HSE plans and objectives. Among the important procedures required shall be discussed below; Standard Working Procedures (SOP) is one of the very important procedures in order to guide the workers how to carry out their work properly and safely, at the jobsite. Where highly toxic are the materials been dealing by the workers throughout everyday it is become more crucial. SOP is defined as a written procedure detailed out the repetitive use as a practice, in accordance with agreed upon specifications aimed at obtaining a desired outcome, SOP prescribed the works methods to be followed routinely step by step how performance of the designated operations or situations should be carried out. It shall also cover the operation document e.g. plan, regulation, compliance, and policies. The SOP should cover routine job functions and also the specific works or job function. Same like other documents where SHE is concerned, SOP should be updated regularly to ensure of conformity to the realization conditions and the working practice. Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is another important procedure where it contains valid information and protocols of work shall any event, incident or emergency occurs such as chemical spill, leaks, explosion and etc.
The elements normally covers in ERP are pre-emergency planning and coordination with outside parties, safe distances and places of refuge, site security and control, decontamination of toxicity, emergency medical treatment and first aid, emergency contact number and many more. In a chemical factory there are several procedures for handling ERP e.g. to cater chemical spills, leakage, explosion and etc. Being a chemical factory that deals with hazardous and highly toxic materials every day, Standard of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health (USECHH) Regulations 2000 should be followed strictly in all its relevant procedures. USECHH 2000 Regulations managing chemicals hazardous on workers and the public health by these followings steps;
Chemical Identification (Reg. 5 USECHH). Complying with the permissible exposure limits (Reg. 6 8 USECHH). Conducting chemical health risk assessment (Reg. 9 13 USECHH). Taking action to control hazardous exposure (Reg. 14 & 15). Labelling and relabeling chemicals hazardous to health (Reg. 7 CPL & Reg 20-21 USECHH).
Providing information, instruction and training USECHH).
(Reg. 22 & 23
Monitoring employee exposure at the place of work (Reg. 26 USECHH). Conducting health surveillance (Reg. 27 USECHH). Medical Removal Program (Reg. 28 USECHH). Posting of warning signs (Reg 7, 8 CPL & Reg 29 USECHH). Record keeping.
6) Implementation, Recording and Monitoring.
Addressing the Execution and monitoring of operations, and how corrective action should be taken when necessary. Do what you said you would do and determine and record whether those actions are effective. Activities shall be conducted in accordance with defined standards, and continuous improvement shall be promoted and monitored through active employee participation. In this element it assign necessary resources and authority to groups or individuals to implement plans, processes, procedures and work instructions, hold personnel accountable for completing tasks according to plans and HSE performance standards, develop and use systematic monitoring systems for both proactive and reactive performance measures to measure and support HSE objectives, determine non-compliance and the opportunity for practicable improvement against performance measures, determine what records are needed to meet HSE policies, objectives, company standards, local laws or regulations and customer requirements, create records that are clear, easily understood and unambiguous in the language applicable to ensign, store records for a time interval consistent with good practice and local regulations, collect and record information on incidents which actually, or have the potential to, affect health, safety and the environment, evaluate incident information to determine the need for corrective action to prevent recurrence and distribute lessons learned. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) is one of the method that can be used to track employee performance. It also can be used to monitor various aspects of the safety program and identify the areas where the program requires improvement.
7) Audit and Review.
In this element assessment of system performance, effectiveness and fundamental suitability are being address periodically. In a way this shall prove you did what you said you would do. It is a tool to check whether the Management System achieving the targeted results and fulfilling the policy intent? Audits and reviews shall be conducted to verify the implementation and effectiveness of the HSE Management System and its conformation to this specification. The frequency and level for audits for each division or operation is set. The audit report will be documented and distributed for corrective action and future reference. This document shall be reviewed by the relevant employees, monitor the progress towards achieving and completing the corrective actions at scheduled time intervals. Schedule periodic management system reviews shall include but limited to the audit finding summaries, analysis of incidents, regulatory citations and noncompliance to divisional standards, current and future requirements of customers and regulators, feedback from customers and regulators, feedback from employees, analysis of risk management processes, appropriateness of current systems to meet business needs, create review team with the authority to change the system and update the system requirements and others. The management system reviews are also structured to help to motivate employees and assist them in their performance and development. Periodically review including daily check or monthly audit shall allow workers to participate in the company HSE management system.
Their safety knowledge, competency of work practices, and awareness of emergency response issues and etc. shall be evaluated from time to time. Chemical Management As this factory produce highly toxic chemical, therefore chemical management shall be part of SOP, SHE Management Plan or ERP should consider the followings; 1. Chemical Identification (Reg. 5 USECHH). The classification for chemical involves should be referred to Schedule I CPL. For Physicochemical to identify their explosive, oxidizing, flammable limit. To know what are the effect on health weather toxic, harmful, corrosive, irritant.
Labeling (Reg 7 CPL; Reg 20 USECHH) a. clearly describe name of chemical in accordance with international recognized nomenclature. b. Name, address & telephone no. of supplier. c. symbol and indication of danger (Schedule II CPL). d. nature of risk associated with use (Schedule III CPL). e. safety precautionary measures (Schedule IV CPL).
2. Complying with the permissible exposure limits (Reg. 6 8 USECHH). It is a ceiling limit or an eight-hour time weighted average airborne concentration or the maximum exposure limit. No any employee at any time exposed to ceiling limit of any chemical hazardous to health.
No any employees exposed to any chemical exceed 8-hours TWA airborne concentration.
3. Conducting chemical health risk assessment (Reg. 9 13 USECHH). Enabling, decision to be made on appropriate control measure, induction and training for employee, monitoring & health surveillance activities as may be required to protect the health of employee who may be exposed to chemical hazardous to health at work. Employer shall made written assessment which contains the (Reg 9 USECHH) potential risk to employee as a result of exposure. method of use, handling, storage and dispose of the chemicals. nature of hazard to health. degree of exposure. risk to health due to use, handling and release. measures & procedure to control of exposure.
measures, procedures and equipment to control any emission due to leak, spill or process / equipment failure. provision of exposure monitoring program. requirement of health surveillance program. requirement of training & re-training of employees.
4. Taking action to control hazardous exposure (Reg. 14 & 15). The SOP should also identify the suitable factors to be considered in order to do the harzadous control. The hazardous properties such as the toxicity of chemical, properties of chemical, nature of work, adaptability and route of entry should be identified.
Shall the control measures are effective it can reduce the hazardous by minimizing contamination of air, reducing the release or emission of chemical and plummeting the contact or exposure to worker. The using of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system and proper PPE can also reduce the effect Substitution to less hazardous chemical can be done but this may not be as satisfactory as elimination as the risk is only reduced but still exist. No way can elimination be done as chemical factory surely will produce chemical. Engineering control (Regulation 17 - 19 USECHH 2000) can separate or isolate the hazard activity from other workers. Dilution ventilation is another engineering control that can be used but it limited to small quantities of contaminants, contaminants released at uniform rates, sufficient distance - worker and source, contaminants of low toxicity and no need to filter before discharge. Limiting the exposure of employees to hazardous material/condition by implementing safe work practice/systemSafe Operation Procedure (SOP), Scheduling, Housekeeping, etc. is called administration control.
Figure 3: Dilution Acid Should be Perform Gently With a Great Care.

The usage of proper PPE is another controlling method provided they are suitable type, fit the employee, not adversely affect the employees health and sufficient supply and readily available
Level A PPE highest level of protection (respiratory, skin, mucous membrane) is needed. chemical resistant clothing, SCBA.
Foto 1: Workers Wearing HAZMAT Level a Suit Complete with respiratory equipment during a chemical spill.
Level B PPE highest level of protection for respiratory but lesser for skin. eye protection is sufficient.
Level C PPE respiratory protection by air-purifying, canisterequipped protective device. Level D PPE standard work uniform. minimal skin protection.
Generally, cartridge respirator shall not be used if, the contaminant is human carcinogen, contaminant exist at high concentration (10x or more from PEL) and the room is oxygen deficient. 5. Labelling and relabeling chemicals hazardous to health (Reg. 7 CPL & Reg 20-21 USECHH).
All chemicals hazardous to health, purchased and used shall be labeled and the label shall not be removed, defaced, modified or altered. If a chemical hazardous to health is transferred to another container, it shall be re-labeled with the chemical name or trade name as on original label.
The label shall contained name of the hazardous chemical, name, address & telephone no. of supplier, danger symbol & indication of danger, nature of risk associated with the chemical and safety precautionary measures.
The following conditions should be considered for chemical storage; a. location and condition of storage; b. storage segregation; c. engineering protection; d. safe work practices. i. ii. procedure for receipt and issuance. signage, label. control inclusive of fire
Figure 4: Ensure Your Chemical Are Labelled.
6. Providing information, instruction and training (Reg. 22 & 23 USECHH).
Figure 5: Notices and Trainning.
Providing information, instruction, and supervision to employees and periodically conducting training shall increase their knowledge in facing the hazardous and highly toxic chemicals.
7. Monitoring employee exposure at the place of work (Reg. 26 USECHH).
Taking air samples (e.g. dust, vapor, gas or fumes) to determine the concentration of contamination in atmosphere. This can be done when the assessment indicates the monitoring is required and workers expose to any chemical listed under Schedule II USECHH 2000. The monitoring interval is 6 months to be conducted by Hygiene Technician and the record is to be kept for 30 years.
8. Conducting health surveillance (Reg. 27 USECHH).
This is to be conducted when an assessment indicates it is necessary or when an employee is exposed to hazardous substance listed in Schedule II. To be carried out by Occupational Health Doctor at the not more than 12 months. The record is to be maintained for 30 years and employee may access his record upon requested.
9. Medical Removal Program (Reg. 28 USECHH).
An employee shall be removed from the work that expose him/her after a medical finding determined by Occupational Health Doctor shows that the employee has detected medical condition which placed him at increased risk e.g. pregnant employee and breastfeeding employee.
The employer shall return the employee to her former job when a subsequent medical result the employee is no longer has detected medical condition or pregnant or breastfeeding a child.
10. Posting of warning signs (Reg 7, 8 CPL & Reg 29 USECHH).
Figure 6: Some Samples of Warning Sign to Be Put Up At Every Entrance to Warn Workers (Reg. 7, 8 CPL & Reg. 29 USECHH). 11. Record keeping. Employer shall maintain a complete & accurate CSDS / MSDS for each hazardous chemical at the workplace. Employer shall obtain the CSDS / MSDS upon purchase of material. Manufacturer or Supplier shall review & revise the CSDS and any new information that becomes available, the information shall add into the CSDS / MSDS and provide to the Customer. The CSDS shall be kept at conspicuous place close to the location where the chemical is used. Sample of MSDS and its contents can be found in Appendix 1.
Conclusion.
As a conclusion, safety is not an individual responsibility either it is in a normal workplace or in a particular high hazardous areas like the chemical plant that full with highly toxic chemical. To ensure the safety management plan success, it will take everybody efforts but off course it requires the top management support, concern and participation. All the seven elements of SHE Management should be interacted and fully functional in order to achieved the safety objectives especially while working in a highly toxic chemical plant where the potential of hazard are very high and very lethal.
Reference
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23. How to Stay Safe and Avoid Toxic Injury. Injury Board. Extracted on 26/07/2011 from website; http://wiki.injuryboard.com/help-center/articles/howto-stay-safe-and-avoid-toxic-injury.aspx 24. Indoor Air Facts No. 4 (revised) Sick Building Syndrome, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Extracted on 24/05/2011 from website; http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/sbs.html#Introduction. 25. Joan Lichterman, Holly Brown-Williams, Linda Delp, Margaret Quinn, and Julia Quint (July 2010), , Preventing Toxic Exposures Workplace Lessons In Safer Alternatives, Vol. 5, No. 1 Perspectives, Health Rearch for Action, UC Barkely. Extracted on 31/07/2011 from website; http://www.sustainableproduction.org/downloads/PreventingToxicExposure910.pdf. 26. Job Stress. The American Institute of Stress. Extracted on 15/07/2011 from website; http://www.stress.org/job.htm. 27. Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan Indiana University, Indiana University Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Extracted on 18/05/2011 from website;http://www.ehs.indiana.edu/LabSafety/Laboratory%20Chemical%20Sa fety%20Plan.htm. 28. Lingard, Helen and Steve Rowlinson (2005), Occupational Health and Safety in Construction Project Management, Taylor & Francis. 29. Lisa Koning - Updated: 28 July 2010, Reducing Stress in the Workplace. Extracted on 14/07/2011 from website; http://www.managementtrainee.co.uk/reducing-stress-workplace.html 30. List of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, Toxics and Reactives (Mandatory), Regulations (Standards 29 CFR), United States Department of Labour. Extracted on 18/05/2011 from website; http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=10647&p_ta ble=STANDARDS. (List of Highly Toxic Chemicals) 31. Michael J. Smith and Benjamin C. Amick III, Electronic Monitoring at the Workplace: Implications for Employee Control and Job Stress, University of Wisconsin, USA. Extracted on 16/07/2011 from website; http://www.sph.uth.tmc.edu/course/occupational_envHealth/bamick/home/Cha pters/ElecMonit1990.pdf.
32. Not Walking the Talk: DuPont's Untold Safety Failures, September 2005, United Steelworkers International Union. Extracted on 20/06/2011 from website;http://www.fluoridealert.org/pesticides/2005/dupont.sept.2005.report.st eelworkers.pdf. 33. NUS Laboratory Chemical Safety ManuaL, National University of Singapore. Extracted on 21/07/2011 from website; http://www.scribd.com/doc/49687912/Manual-Chemical-Safety-Manual-Finalamended-100417-RONALDO-edit-28-Feb. 34. Osmond Vitez, PSM Audit Checklist, ehow.com. Extracted on 25/05/2011 from website; http://www.ehow.com/way_6183958_psm-audit-checklist.html. 35. Patrick T. Ragan, Mark E. Kilburn, Stephen H. Roberts and Nathan A. Kimmerle (February2002), Chemical Plant Safety Applying the Tools of the Trade to a New Risk, Aventis Crop Science. CEP Magazine. Extracted on 18/05/2011 from website; http://people.clarkson.edu/~wwilcox/Design/antiterr.pdf. 36. Personal Protective Equipment and the Workplace, CWA Occupational Safety and Health Department. Extracted on 26/06/2011 from website; http://www.cwaunion.org/pages/Personal_Protective_Equipment_and_the_Workplace . 37. Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, OSHA Office of Training and Education. U.S. Department of Labour. Extracted on 18/05/2011 from website; http://www.osha.gov/doc/outreachtraining/htmlfiles/psm.html. 38. Professional Project Management Education (PPME), Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure Management (CEIM), Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. Extracted on 10/07/2011 from website; http://professionalprojectmanagement.blogspot.com/2009/11/unsafe-acts-anddecision-to-err-factors.html. 39. Reducing Stress in the Workplace, October, 2002 Online Newsletter. Extracted on 15/07/2011 from website; http://www.itstime.com/oct2002.htm. 40. Richard J. Coble, Jimmie W.Hinze and Theor C.Haupt (2000), Construction Safety and Health Management, Prentice-Hall.
41. Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals in the Workplace. California Department of Public Health. Extracted on 26/06/2011 from website; http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/ohb/Pages/SaferAlts.aspx . 42. Safety and Health Policy and Procedure Manual Hazard Communication Program. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Extracted on 18/05/2011 from website; http://www.uncg.edu/sft/pdfs/safety_manual/section0020.pdf. 43. Safety Management - Developing a Safety Plan, NTWorkSafe bulletin: WH 14.01.04, Extracted on 30/07/2011 from website; http://www.worksafe.nt.gov.au/corporate/bulletins/pdf/11-15/14.01.04.pdf 44. Safety Procedure, Case Western Reserve University. Extracted on 18/05/2011 from website; https://www.case.edu/finadmin/does/PlantSafety/HazCom.pdf. 45. Shiftwork: Health Effects & Solutions, Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers Inc.. Extracted on 15/07/2011 from website; http://www.ohcow.on.ca/resources/handbooks/shiftwork/shiftwork.pdf. 46. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Extracted on 29/05/2011 from website; http://www.slideshare.net/thang_ph/sick-building-syndrome/download. 47. Sick building syndrome (SBS). Holistic Interior Designs. Extracted on 12/07/2011 from website; http://www.holistic-interiordesigns.com/sickbuildingsyndrome.htmlhttp://www.holistic-interiordesigns.com/sickbuildingsyndrome.html. 48. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Extracted on 13/07/2011 from website; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sick_building_syndrome#cite_note-4 49. Standard Operating Procedure Collegue Safety Policy, Collegue Biological Sience, Ohio State University, Acutely Toxic Chemicals. Extracted on 18/05/2011 from website; http://www.biosci.ohiostate.edu/safety/SOP/AcutelyToxicChemicals.htm. 50. Stress at Work, Helpguide.org. Extracted on 24/05/2011 from website; http://www.helpguide.org/mental/work_stress_management.htm. 51. Stress at Work, Helpguide.org. Extracted on 24/05/2011 from website; http://www.helpguide.org/mental/work_stress_management.htm.
52. Stress in the Workplace, Zimbio, Inc. Extracted on 16/07/2011 from website;http://www.zimbio.com/Stress/articles/5/Stress+in+the+workplace 53. Stress in the workplace. Smart Business, Indianapolis.Extracted on 10/07/2011 from website; http://www.sbnonline.com/2006/06/stress-in-the-workplacecosts-go-beyond-physical-health-of-executives-employees/. 54. Stress Management at Workplace, www.amirsaiftaz.blogspot.com. Extracted on 14/07/2011 from website; http://www.slideshare.net/amirsaiftaz/stressmanagement-at-workplace. 55. Stress Statistics. HypnoKeys Hypnotherapy, Hypnosis in Tokyo. Extracted on 16/07/2011 from website; http://www.hypnokeys.com/stress-statistics. 56. Stressat Work. DHHS (NIOSH), Publication Number 99-101, Centre for Disease, Control and Prevention. USA Government. Extracted on 15/07/2011 from website; http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/. 57. Tariq S. Abdelhamid and John G. Evere (January/February 2000), Identifying Root Causes of Construction Accidents, ASCE, Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. Extracted on 10/06/2011 from website; http://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/CEM/jannadi/Identifying-Root-Causes-OfConstuction-Accident.pdf 58. The Donahey Law Firm. Columbus Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers. Extracted on 12/07/2011 from website; http://www.donaheyohioinjurylawyers.com/aop/Columbus-Motor-VehicleAccidents/. 59. The Leaders Guide to Managing Workplace Stress, Profile International. The Free Encyclopedia Extracted on 12/07/2011 from website; http://www.slideshare.net/Dpriolo/managing-workplace-stress. 60. The Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health ) Regualtions 2000, Extracted on 25/07/2011 from website; http://miosh.net/articles/OSH%20Legislations/usechh20011.doc. 61. The Phenomenon of Accident Causation Accident and Safety Defined. Extracted on 10/06/2011 from website; http://www.ceet.niu.edu/depts/tech/asse/tech434/AccCausation.doc
62. Toxic Injury at Work. Injury Board. Extracted on 26/07/2011 from website; http://wiki.injuryboard.com/help-center/articles/toxic-injury-at-work.aspx. 63. Toxic Substance. Injury Board. Extracted on 26/07/2011 from website; http://wiki.injuryboard.com/help-center/toxic-substances/default.aspx 64. Turnover (employment), From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Extracted on 14/07/2011 from website; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnover_(employment). 65. What Causes Car Accidents? smartmotorist.com. Extracted on 12/07/2011 from website; http://www.smartmotorist.com/traffic-and-safety-guideline/whatcauses-car-accidents.html. 66. What Do You Need to Know About USECCH Regulations 2000? The Chemical Industries Council of Malaysia (CICM). Extracted on 21/07/2011 from website; http://www.cicm.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=79&Ite mid=1 67. What is a Standard Operating Procedure? SOP Standard Operating Procedure. Extracted on 26/06/2011 from website; http://www.sop-standard-operatingprocedure.com/. 68. Workplace Related Stress (A Short Guide). Health and Safety Executive. Extracted on 10/07/2011 from website;http://www.scribd.com/doc/29506257/Workplace-Stress-Managementt. 69. Workplace stress. From Wikipedia,. The Free Encyclopedia. Extracted on 14/07/2011 from website; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_stress.
Name: Mohd. Norizam Bin Md. Salleh Matriculation No.: CGS 00534317 Intake: September 2010 Assignment: EMSH5103
APPENDIX I Sample of Highly Toxic Chemical (MSDS for Nitrogen Dioxide)
Page 1/8
Material Safety Data Sheet

Printing date 10/20/2008 * Version 2 Reviewed on 10/20/2008
1 Identification of substance
Product details Trade name: Nitrogen Dioxide Article number: 048-01-0009 Creation date: 08/16/2006 Manufacturer/Supplier: Linde Canada Limited 5860 Chedworth Way Mississauga, Ontario L5R 0A2 Telephone (905) 501-1700 24-HOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER: (905) 501-0802 Linde . 575 Mountain Avenue . Murray Hill, NJ 07974 . Telephone (908) 464-8100 . 24-HOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER: CHEMTREC (800) 424-9300 .
Information department: Customer Service Centre: 1-866-385-5349
2 Composition/Data on components
Chemical characterization: CAS No. Description 10102-44-0 Nitrogen dioxide Identification number(s) EINECS Number: 233-272-6 007-002-00-0 *
3 Hazards identification
Hazard description: Very toxic WHMIS-symbols: A - Compressed gas D1A - Very toxic material causing immediate and serious toxic effects E - Corrosive material
HMIS-ratings (scale 0 - 4)
HEALTH FIRE 4 0
REACTIVITY 0
Health = 4 Fire = 0 Reactivity = 0

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Printing date 10/20/2008 Trade name: Nitrogen Dioxide
(Contd. of page 1)
Version 2
Reviewed on 10/20/2008
NFPA ratings (scale 0 - 4)
Health = 4 Fire = 0 Reactivity = 0
Information pertaining to particular dangers for man and environment: Very toxic by inhalation. Causes burns. Classification system: The classification is in line with internationally approved calculation standards. It is expanded, however, by information from technical literature and by information furnished by supplier companies. GHS label elements Danger 3.1/1 - Fatal if inhaled. Danger 3.2/1B - Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Warning 2.5/C - Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated. Prevention: Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray. Wash thoroughly after handling. Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection. Wear respiratory protection. Response: IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower. IF INHALED: Remove to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing. IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician. Specific treatment is urgent (see label). Specific treatment (see label). Wash contaminated clothing before reuse. Storage: Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed. Store locked up. Protect from sunlight. Store in a well-ventilated place. Disposal: Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local/regional/national/international regulations.
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Version 2
4 First aid measures

General information: Immediately remove any clothing soiled by the product. Remove breathing apparatus only after contaminated clothing have been completely removed. In case of irregular breathing or respiratory arrest provide artificial respiration. After inhalation: Supply fresh air or oxygen; call for doctor. In case of unconsciousness place patient stably on the body side position. After skin contact: Immediately wash with water and soap and rinse thoroughly for at least 15 minutes. After eye contact: Rinse opened eye for at least 15 minutes under running water. Then consult a doctor. After swallowing: Not applicable
5 Fire fighting measures

Suitable extinguishing agents: CO2, powder or water spray. Fight larger fires with water spray or alcohol resistant foam. Protective equipment: Wear self-contained respiratory protective device.
6 Accidental release measures

Person-related safety precautions: Wear protective equipment. Keep unprotected persons away. Ensure adequate ventillation. Stop leak - ONLY if possible to do so without risk. Measures for environmental protection: Prevent seepage into sewage system, workpits and/or cellars. In case of gas release or seepage into the ground inform responsible authorities. Measures for cleaning/collecting: Use neutralizing agent. Dispose contaminated material as waste according to item 13. Ensure adequate ventillation.
7 Handling and storage

Handling: Information for safe handling: Ensure good ventilation/exhaustion at the workplace. Open and handle cylinder with care. Handle with care. Avoid jolting, friction, and impact. Use only in well ventilated areas. Store cylinders upright with valve protection cap in place and firmly secured to prevent falling or being knocked over. Information about protection against explosions and fires: Keep ignition sources away - Do not smoke. Keep respiratory protective device available.
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Version 2
Pressurized container: protect from sunlight and do not expose to temperatures exceeding 50C. Do not pierce or burn, even after use. Storage: Requirements to be met by storerooms and receptacles: Do not expose cylinder to temperatures higher than 50C (122 F) Information about storage in one common storage facility: Sources of ignition should be removed from storage area. Further information about storage conditions: Keep cylinder valve tightly closed. Store cylinder in a well ventilated area. Store in accordance with local fire code and/or building code or any pertaining regulations. *
8 Exposure controls and personal protection

Additional information about design of technical systems: Adequate local ventillation. Safety showers and eyewash stations should be nearby. Components with limit values that require monitoring at the workplace: 10102-44-0 Nitrogen dioxide (23 - 100%) EL Short-term value: C 1 ppm Additional information: The lists that were valid during the creation were used as basis. Personal protective equipment: General protective and hygienic measures: Keep away from foodstuffs, beverages and feed. Immediately remove all soiled and contaminated clothing. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of work. Store protective clothing separately. Avoid contact with the eyes and skin. Protective clothing should be kept free of oil and grease. PPE should be inspected and maintained regularly to retain it's effectiveness. Breathing equipment: Use atmosphere-supplying respirators (e.g. supplied-air: demand, pressure-demand, or continuous-flow or selfcontained breathing apparatus: demand or pressure-demand or combination supplied-air with auxiliary selfcontained air supply atmosphere-supplying respirator) in case of insufficient ventilation. Protection of hands: Protective gloves. Material of gloves The selection of the suitable gloves does not only depend on the material, but also on further marks of quality and varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Eye protection: Safety glasses
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9 Physical and chemical properties

General Information Form: Color: Odor: Compressed gas Red-brown Pungent
Change in condition Melting point/Melting range: -11.2C Boiling point/Boiling range: 21C Flash point: Danger of explosion: 21C Product does not present an explosion hazard.
10 Stability and reactivity

Thermal decomposition / conditions to be avoided: No decomposition if used according to specifications. Dangerous reactions Reacts with water to form corrosive acids and to cause corrosion to some metals. Dangerous products of decomposition: In case of fire or thermal decomposition toxic nitrogen oxides may be released.
11 Toxicological information
Acute toxicity: LD/LC50 values that are relevant for classification: 10102-44-0 Nitrogen dioxide Inhalative LC50/4hr 115 ppm (rat) Primary irritant effect: on the skin: Caustic effect on skin and mucous membranes. on the eye: Strong caustic effect. Sensitization: No sensitizing effects known. Additional toxicological information: Swallowing will lead to a strong caustic effect on mouth and throat and to the danger of perforation of esophagus and stomach.
12 Ecological information
General notes: Must not reach bodies of water or drainage ditch undiluted or unneutralized. *
13 Disposal considerations
Product: Recommendation: Unused product should be returned to vendor.
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Version 2
Uncleaned packagings: Recommendation: Cylinder and unused product should be returned to vendor. Disposable cylinder must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations. Recommended cleansing agent: None applicable. *
14 Transport information
TDG and DOT regulations:
Hazard class: 2 Identification number: UN1067 Proper shipping name (technical name): DINITROGEN TETROXIDE (NITROGEN DIOXIDE) Label 2.3 Maritime transport IMDG:
IMDG Class: UN Number: Label Marine pollutant: Proper shipping name:
2.3 1067 2.3 No DINITROGEN TETROXIDE (NITROGEN DIOXIDE)
Air transport ICAO-TI and IATA-DGR:
ICAO/IATA Class: UN/ID Number: Label Propper shipping name:
2 1067 2.3 DINITROGEN TETROXIDE (NITROGEN DIOXIDE)
UN "Model Regulation": UN1067, DINITROGEN TETROXIDE (NITROGEN DIOXIDE), 2.3 *
15 Regulations
Sara Section 355 (extremely hazardous substances): Substance is listed.
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Section 313 (Specific toxic chemical listings): Substance is not listed. TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act): Substance is listed. Proposition 65 Chemicals known to cause cancer: Substance is not listed. Chemicals known to cause reproductive toxicity for females: Substance is not listed. Chemicals known to cause reproductive toxicity for males: Substance is not listed. Chemicals known to cause developmental toxicity: Substance is not listed. Cancerogenity categories EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Substance is not listed. NTP (National Toxicology Program) Substance is not listed. TLV (Threshold Limit Value established by ACGIH) 10102-44-0 Nitrogen dioxide NIOSH-Ca (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Substance is not listed. OSHA-Ca (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) Substance is not listed. Canadian substance listings: Canadian Domestic Substances List (DSL) Substance is listed. Canadian Ingredient Disclosure list (limit 0.1%) Substance is not listed. Canadian Ingredient Disclosure list (limit 1%) Substance is listed. Product related hazard informations: The product was classified in accordance with the hazard criteria of the Canadian Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all the information required by the CPR. Hazard symbols: Very toxic Risk phrases: Very toxic by inhalation. Causes burns.
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(Contd. of page 7)
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Safety phrases: Keep container in a well-ventilated place. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of (to be specified by the manufacturer). Wear suitable protective clothing, gloves and eye/face protection. In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show the label where possible).
16 Other information
This information is based on our present knowledge. However, this shall not constitute a guarantee for any specific product features and shall not establish a legally valid contractual relationship. Please refer to the section 3 for NFPA and HMIS Hazard Codes. DISCLAIMER OF EXPRESSED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES Although reasonable care has been taken in the preparation of this document, we extend no warranties and make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, and assume no responsibility regarding the suitability of this information for the users intended purposes or for the consequences of its use. Each individual should make a determination as to the suitability of the information for their particular purpose(s). GENERAL DISCLAIMER For terms and conditions, including limitation of liability, please refer to the purchase agreement in effect between Linde Inc. (or any of its affiliates and subsidiaries) and the purchaser. Department issuing MSDS: Customer Service Centre: 1-866-385-5349 Abbreviations and Acronyms:
ACGIH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists CAS: Chemical Abstract Service (Division of the American Chemical Society) DOT: US Department of Transportation EINECS: European Inventory of Existing Commercial Chemical Substances GHS: Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals HMIS: Hazardous Material Identification System IATA: International Air Transportation Association IATA-DGR: Dangerous Goods Regulations by the International Air Transportation Association ICAO: International Civil Aviation Association ICAO-TI: Technical Instructions by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) IMDG: International Marine Code for Dangerous Goods WHIMS: Workplace Hazardous Material Information System LC50: Lethal Concentration, 50 Percent LD50: Lethal Dose, 50 Percent N/A: Not Applicable
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MAY SEMSTER 2011 LECTURER: Dr. NAGATHEESAN V.

ASSIGNMENT SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT EMSH5103

PART A INSTRUCTIONS: ANSWER ANY THREE QUESTIONS ONLY.

1. The Domino Theory.

Example of Domino Theory

2. Human Factors Theory.

Figure 1: Factors That Cause Human Errors. David L. Goetsch (2011)

Figure 2: Human Factors Theory. David L. Goetsch (2011)

Inappropriate Responses /Incompatibility

Accident and incident theory.

Figure 3: Accident/Incident Theory. David L. Goetsch (2011)

Figure 4: Epidemiological Theory. David L. Goetsch (2011)

Figure 5: System Theory Model. David L. Goetsch (2011)

8. Drug and accident causation.

9. Depression and accident causation.

10. Obesity and accident causation.

Conclusion on accident causation

Figure 1: Some of SBS Related Illness.

Figure 2: Overall percentage of the SBS Symptoms Collected.

Figure 3: Most of Modern Building is Normally Air Tight.

Chemical contaminants from indoor sources

Figure 4: Source of Indoor contaminants

Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources

Building Investigation Procedures

the residents the HVAC system

possible pollutant from pathways possible of contaminant sources.

Figure 1: Workplace Stress Bucket Model.

Photo 1: China Electronic Workers at Their Production Line.

Part B Q1: Page 1 of 25

Part B Q1: Page 2 of 25

Part B Q1: Page 3 of 25

3) Organisation, Resources and Documentation

Part B Q1: Page 6 of 25

Part B Q1: Page 7 of 25

Part B Q1: Page 8 of 25

Part B Q1: Page 12 of 25

Providing information, instruction and training USECHH).

Part B Q1: Page 13 of 25

6) Implementation, Recording and Monitoring.

Part B Q1: Page 14 of 25

7) Audit and Review.

Part B Q1: Page 15 of 25

Part B Q1: Page 16 of 25

Figure 3: Dilution Acid Should be Perform Gently With a Great Care.

Part B Q1: Page 19 of 25

Part B Q1: Page 20 of 25

Figure 4: Ensure Your Chemical Are Labelled.

Part B Q1: Page 21 of 25

6. Providing information, instruction and training (Reg. 22 & 23 USECHH).

Figure 5: Notices and Trainning.

7. Monitoring employee exposure at the place of work (Reg. 26 USECHH).

Part B Q1: Page 22 of 25

8. Conducting health surveillance (Reg. 27 USECHH).

9. Medical Removal Program (Reg. 28 USECHH).

Part B Q1: Page 23 of 25

10. Posting of warning signs (Reg 7, 8 CPL & Reg 29 USECHH).

Part B Q1: Page 24 of 25

Part B Q1: Page 25 of 25

APPENDIX I Sample of Highly Toxic Chemical (MSDS for Nitrogen Dioxide)

Material Safety Data Sheet

Information department: Customer Service Centre: 1-866-385-5349

Health = 4 Fire = 0 Reactivity = 0

Material Safety Data Sheet