OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

ENGINEERING
(OPEN ELECTIVE – 18CV653)

FACULTY INCHARGE
P GIRISH
DEPT. OF CIVIL ENGG.
DSATM
[email protected]
COURSE OUTCOMES

CO 1 – Identify health and safety hazards at work places & suggest conducive actions to mitigate
the same

CO 2 – Understand OSHA’s safety policy’s and implement in work place to reduce health hazards

CO 3 – Understand and incorporate the causes, effect and prevention of fire and electrical hazards
at workplace

CO 4 – Frame suitable safety & preventive measures for waste treatment in Plants, RMC,
Construction site.,

CO 5 – Understand workplace Ergonomics, and importance and need for hazard control in
workplace
GOOGLE CLASS ROOM & ONLINE CLASS CODES

Google class Code

jhcuxnc
OVER-VIEW OF COURSE
MODULE – 1
What is Safety?

Safety is the state of being "safe", the condition of being protected from
harm or other non-desirable outcomes. Safety can also refer to the control
of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk
Some Standard Definitions as per World Health Organization

• The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being
of workers in all occupations

• Prevention amongst workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions, the
protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health

• The placing and maintenance of the worker in an occupational environment adapted to his
physiological and psychological capabilities,
Why Safety?

• Moral/ Confidence to employees - Employee should not have to risk injury or

death at work, nor should others associated with the work

• Economic : Poor occupational safety and health performance results in cost to the
state or industry

• Legal : Requirements may be reinforced in civil law and or criminal laws, it is a

moral obligation on the part of the organization
Safety Accidents History

1. Hawk’s Nest Tragedy

Workers due to extreme exposure to

silica while digging the tunnel for connecting
rivers for electricity generation near
West Virginia, USA.

It was estimated that around 1000 workers have died to respiratory related issues.

Use of masks and PPE’s was mandated after this incident

Safety Accidents History

2. Asbestos Menace
Asbestos was once considered a “miracle” fiber, but there are biological effects of asbestos that
this widely used material. It is used in homes, schools, offices, factories, ships, and even in the
filters of cigarettes. Studies have found that asbestos-related cancer in the lungs, gastrointestinal
tract, larynx, pharynx, kidneys, pancreas, gall bladder, and bile ducts of workers.
Safety Accidents History

3. Bhopal Gas Tragedy

40 tons of methyl isocyanate (MIC) and other lethal
gases, including hydrogen cyanide, leaked into the
northern end of Bhopal, killing more than 3,000
people in its aftermath

The following accusations were made against Union Carbide Corporation

Criminal negligence.
Corporate prejudice. Choosing poverty-stricken Bhopal, India, as the location for a hazardous
chemical plant on the assumption that few would care if something went wrong.
Avoidance. Putting its chemical plant in Bhopal, India, to avoid the stricter safety and health
standards of the United States and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in
particular
Safety Accidents History - OUT OF CONTEXT

• As a result of Hughes' death, calls were made for improvements to the cricket helmet, and this has
resulted in new designs which have additional guards fitted to the rear of the helmet.

• More recently, if the batsmen get hit on the helmet, there is a mandatory inspection from the team
physio

• Concussion substitutes are also allowed in test matches

Important Terminologies
• Hazzard : A condition with the potential of causing injury to personnel, damage to equipment
or structures, loss of material, or lessening of the ability to perform a prescribed function

• Risk : The chance of damage consequence of an accident

• Accident : An unplanned and undesirable event

• Exposure: Impact of energy released in an accident on the life and limbs of people near the
accident site
Principles of Safety

• 1st – Hazzard is inherent

• 2nd – We cant eliminate it, but only manage

• 3rd – They r not random, but have a pattern to it

• 4th – All accidents are caused due to unsafe

Conditions, or unsafe acts or both
Principles of Safety

• 5th – 88% accidents are unsafe acts

- 10 %accidents are unsafe conditions
2% accidents are natural

Epigram

“An alert worker is safe even in unsafe conditions”

NATIONAL SAFETY POLICY
The Constitution of India has laid down Directive Principles to safe guard the rights of the
citizens, which include
(a)For securing the health and strength of employees, men and women;

(b)That the tender age of children are not abused;

(c)That citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or
strength;

(d)Just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief are provided; and

(e)That the government shall take steps, by suitable legislation or in any other way, to secure the
participation of employee in the management of undertakings, establishments or other
organizations engaged in any industry.
Goals of National Safety Policy
• Providing a statutory framework on occupational safety and health in respect of all sectors of industrial
activities

• Providing administrative and technical support services

• Providing a system of incentives to employers and employees to achieve higher health and safety
standards

• Focusing on prevention strategies and monitoring performance through improved data collection system
on work related injuries and diseases

• Promoting inclusion of safety, health and environment, improvement at workplaces as an important

component

• Establishing and developing the research and development capability in emerging areas of risk and
providing for effective control measures.
Objectives of National Health Policy
(a) Continuous reduction in the incidence of work-related injuries, fatalities, diseases, disasters
and loss of national assets.

(b) Improved coverage of work-related injuries, fatalities and diseases and provide for a more
comprehensive data base for facilitating better performance and monitoring.

(c) Continuous enhancement of community awareness regarding safety, health and environment
at workplace related areas.

(d) Continually increasing community expectation of workplace health and safety standards.

(e) Improving safety, health and environment at workplace by creation of “green jobs”
contributing to sustainable enterprise development.
Important Laws/ Legislations in India for Safety and Health

• The Factories Act, 1948

Reasons for this act –
No control over conditions of work force
Rampant child labor
Machines and process lead to death in a few cases
No stipulated work timings
Even after years of implementation the law
The law Covers – still is a failure
Ensures safety and health to all the workers
• No respect for the law
Regulated working hours • Lack of appreciation of hazards
Annual leaves with wages • Accidents are act of god
A fair wage • Laxity
Abolishment of child labor
Protection against hazardous process
Important Laws/ Legislations in India for Safety and Health

• The Workmen Compensation Act, 1923

Reasons for this act –
Introduction of heavy machines and instruments
No safety precautions taken
No responsibility taken for worker’s death
Inability to provide “bread” to the family
Even after years of implementation the law
The law Covers – still is a failure
A compensation to the employee
• No respect for the law
It ensured improved safety at workplace • Rampant corruption
It increased a sense of security among workers • Compensations not provided quickly
Provide medical compensation to the workers • Only government organizations follow
rule
Set-up tribunal to close disputes
Important Laws/ Legislations in India for Safety and Health

• The Mines Act 1952

Reasons for this act –
To regulate labor and safety in mines
Ineffective administration in mines
Misuse of explosives and deaths in mines
The law Covers – Even after years of implementation the law
Formation of safety committee to oversee works still is a failure
Government appointed officer to place and remove
• No respect for the law
explosives • Rampant corruption
Abolition of child labor
Conduct regular health checkup for miners
Read throughs if Interested

• The Dock Workers (Regulation of Employment) Act, 1948

• The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
• The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act,
2013
• The Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948
• The Employees’ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952
• The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
• The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1970

Purpose of OSHA

“To assure so far as possible every working man

and woman in the nation safe and healthful
working conditions and to preserve our human
resources.”

Why OSHA
 An average of 14,000 deaths was caused by workplace
accidents (this figure has since dropped to 4,500).
 Approximately 2.5 million workers were disabled in
workplace accidents.
 Approximately 300,000 new cases of occupational diseases
were reported
Mission and Purpose of OSHA

 Encourage employers and employees to reduce workplace hazards.

 Implement new safety and health programs.
 Improve existing safety and health programs.
 Encourage research that will lead to innovative ways of dealing with workplace safety and
health problems.
 Establish the rights of employers regarding the improvement of workplace safety and health.
 Establish the rights of employees regarding the improvement of workplace safety and health.
 Monitor job-related illnesses and injuries through a system of reporting and record keeping.
Employer Rights and Responsibilities

 Keep employees informed about OSHA

 Continually examine workplace conditions to ensure that they conform to standards
 Minimize or reduce hazards
 Make sure employees have and use safe tools and equipment (including appropriate PPE) that
is properly maintained

 Not discriminate against employees who properly exercise their rights under the act

 Meet the general duty responsibility to provide a workplace free from hazards that are causing
or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees and to comply with
standards, rules, and regulations issued under the OSH Act

 Seek advice and consultation as needed by contacting or visiting the nearest OSHA office
Employee Rights and Responsibilities

 Complain to an employer, union, OSHA, or any other government agency about job safety and
health hazards
 File safety or health grievances

 Participate in a workplace safety and health committee or in union activities concerning job safety
and health Comply with all applicable OSHA standards
 Follow safety and health rules and regulations prescribed by the employer and promptly use PPE
while engaged in work
 Report hazardous conditions to the supervisor
 Report any job-related injury or illness to the employer and seek treatment promptly

 Receive safety and health training

 Be kept informed about safety and health issues
Right to know Laws

Identification of hazardous substances

Record compilation and retention requirements
u d y
Disclosure duties l f St
Se
Other hazard communication requirements
Enforcement procedures
Trade secret protection
Accidents
Domino's Theory of Accident causes and suggested remedies

• Injuries result from a completed series of factors

• An accident can occur only as the result of an unsafe act by a person

• Most accidents are the result of unsafe behaviour by people.

• An unsafe act by a person or an unsafe condition does not always immediately result in an accident/injury.

• The reasons why people commit unsafe acts can serve as helpful guides in selecting corrective actions.

• The severity of an accident is largely fortuitous, and the accident that caused it is largely preventable.

• Management should assume responsibility for safety because it is in the best position to get results.

• The supervisor is the key person in the prevention of industrial accidents.

• In addition to the direct costs of an accident

Human Factors Theory of Accident Causation
Petersen’s Accident Theory
Other Causes of Accidents

• Drugs and Accident Causation

• Depression and Accident Causation

• Epidemiological Theory of Accident Causation

• Combination theory

• Behavioral theory
Accident Investigation

Need?
• To find the cause of accident

• To prevent further accidents of same kind

• To determine direct and indirect costs

• Compensation to workers

• Who caused the accident? – Blame Game

Investigation Process
Accident and Remedies
Key responsibilities of supervisors relating to workplace safety and health

• Orienting new employees to the safe way to do their jobs

• Ensuring that new and experienced employees receive the safety and health training they need on a continual basis

• Monitoring employee performance and enforcing safety rules and regulations

• Assisting safety and health professionals in conducting accident investigations

• Assisting safety and health professionals in developing accident reports

• Keeping up-to-date on safety issues

• Setting a positive example for employees that says “the safe way is the right way.”