Running Heading: Organization Safety and Health Administration                                                                                                                                                              

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Customer Inserts Tutor’s Name31 January 2011

Running Heading: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

 

Many occupational accidents either due to lack of proper training or due to ignorance occur and cost people either their firms, lives and even there ability to work. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), that came in to play in 2007 repeal the employees act in that employers should have safe operations that do not  cause any health hazard to the employee and if it does to cease operations of the company until necessary measures are taken. The employee on the other hand has a duty to ensure he keeps his working environment clean and free from occupation hazards. In addition he should prepare a report at the end of year analyzing his safety and heath that is submitted to the relevant advisor annually. OSHA law passed in 1971 to ensure every employee during the course of work is safe and the working conditions are fulfilling. OSHA also safeguards human resources from destruction via pollution or mere mishandling by users. With this aim OSHA was established by the law department to control the safety and safeguard the health of employees during their work. It was introduced to help employees and their employers identify and reduce working hazards, introduce and safeguard existing laws that protect them from being exposed to these dangers. It has also created a background for research on the dangers affecting occupational safety and ways of cubing these menaces. Further it safeguards the rights of employees to ensure safety during work and also monitors by record keeping of such cases of injuries, deaths or illnesses at work place and due to work related causes. OSHA sets standards on how to deal with violations of human safety and also takes the initiative to train both the employers and employee on occupational hazards and the need to discourage them. Issues such as first aid if an injury or accident occurs have been catered for by training from OSHA. There standards help to protect human life and also increase quality of work and working conditions. Occupational hazards in stone cutting plants have been known to cause injuries, diseases and also loss of lives thus must be avoided. Demographics by the European Agency for Safety and Health (2001) show that 5500 people in the European Union lose their lives and many more die due to occupation accidents thus the need to address the problem. OSHA’S office of Washington DC claimed that by imposing the new rules it reduced the number of deaths by excavation to 60 from 90 thus was making a positive impact in society in protecting human life. Using these regulations occupation safety has been attained in many plants but much more needs to be done to instill the set regulations.

In the Picture provided the most prevalent health hazard is dust which not only causes pollution of the environment but is known to be the biggest problem in stone cutting plants. It is generated during crushing and blasting of stones. Further it is increased by the use of hand held saws that are mobile, used to cut stones, the Lorries carrying the stones and also from other movable machines such as tractors. This dust contains crystals of silica which is naturally occurring in the earths crust and is inhalable thus cause dangers in diseases such as silicosis, pulmonary disease that causes obstruction and increases the possibility of tuberculosis. These diseases can result to permanent disability or even death though the symptoms take time to appear. Dust may also cause allergies and may also accelerate diseases such as asthma. Dusts free from silica can also sclerosis and pneumonia. Quartz is another health hazard from dust that causes silicosis as stated by OSHA and results in to nodular lesions.  It contains 98% silicon oxide. According to CDC National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety almost 1.7 Million employees are exposed to silica dust in the US thus an increase in associated diseases. Silicosis affects the respiratory system and reduces the lungs ability to take up oxygen. This disease has no cure and the most vulnerable groups are those exposed to smoke and stone cutting jobs. OSHA is addressing the problem of dust as an occupational hazard by introducing a limit through which permitted exposure can occur. It has established a maximum amount of silica which one can inhale in a day. It requires workers to undergo hazard communication through training about crystalline silica. OSHA has an additional program that helps to recognize, decrease and eliminate the dangers of occupational exposure. Prevention by the use of protective clothing such as masks and also by incorporating pressurized water tanks in movable saws to reduce the dust is advisable. Respiratory protective devices are also worn to prevent inhalation of the dust. The eyes should be protected from exposure by wearing protective clothing. Exposure to dusty areas should be avoided since its effects are long term.

Other environmental hazards such as fluctuation to changes in temperature like hot and very cold areas must be acclimatized since they can cause fatal diseases. Extreme temperatures cause direct loss of life and make areas susceptible to diseases such as Malaria. The stone crushing plant is located in a dry area where parasites and snakes are common thus pose as risk to those working outdoors. Extreme cold areas like those on the spring beside the plant can be a hazard leading to pneumonia and influenza. These can be avoided by ensuring the right attire has been worn and other protective clothing. Any cases of bites, symptoms of weather associated diseases should be reported and appropriate measures taken.

The other hazard is the location and the plan of the plant. The site where production of the stone is taking place is located near the machinery and also the offices of the plant. There is also a road passing by and there are no head lights while they are vehicles and motorists passing nearby. The exit and entry vehicles carrying the processed stones are also using the same entrance thus a high possibility of accidents. The location of the plant offices should be far from the production area and headlights should be installed. Further there should be both an exit and entrance for vehicles leaving and coming in to prevent commotion. A clear sign indicating the entrance and one displaying the driving speed limit should be input. The plant is located adjacent to a forest thus endangering employees to attack by wild animals and allowing quick spread of fire in an accident. Company location should be at convenient sites both for the employees and the people surrounding.

The other category of health hazards are the physical hazards which include the falling from high heights that have no place to cling or due to collapsing of the mine. This can be prevented by the use of ladders. Cutting of stone is a job that involves trenching to reach out for quality stone and excavating thus indulging in it is a health hazard. Employees continue to die from accidents of caving in but on following OSHA regulations this can be avoided. Newspaper articles reporting such incidences accompany them with photos of core workers and fellow fire men trying to rescue the victims thus endanger their lives too. Such accidents occur since safety requirements of trenching are never followed. OSHA regulations stipulating that in excavations 5 feet or deeper should be protected against collapsing and cave-in, protective clothing is mandatory to prevent greater fatalism incase of an accident. Trenching as seen in the pictures could result to one being fallen on by stones.

Tripping, falls and also slips can occur in the working site. One of the machine grinding stones is pouring them on the ground where individuals passing by are in the danger of being hit. This can be prevented by clearing designating the areas of loading where trespassers should not go through.  Another incident is seen when a lorry is being loaded while there is a man standing on it thus the danger of tripping and getting hurt. Injuries from working tools, equipment and stones can also occur. Tripping is accidental thus no prediction of when they occur though care should be taken by avoiding slippery floors, climbing in high roofs while the ladder being used is defective and during manual lifting your position should be appropriate.  This is well illustrated by the man loading the vehicle while he is below a crane which can easily fall on him. He is struggling to load the lorry manually while still in it. Injuries from mechanical tools and also eye injury during splitting of stones can also occur. All these can be prevented if all tools after use are stored in their rightful place and manual lifting is avoided.

Noise is another occupational hazard that can damage the hearing ability of a person reducing the quality of life since one cannot communicate as stated by OSHA.  It occurs due to the heavy running machines that can translate to hearing problems according to UK’s noise at work regulation in 1989 (Ellis, 2003). Due to the poor planning of the plant operations of the machine also disrupt office operation eventually no smooth running of the company. According to the European Agency for Safety and health (2005) during working concerns are being expressed on the increase of noise associated disabilities. The plant mining area is near a source of water thus the danger of one slipping, drowning or caving in of the mine occurring. To solve this problem OSHA advises that employers should have hearing maintenance programs that monitor work associated noise and issue regular reports to employees concerning noise levels. Employers should also be issued with hearing aid devices such as head phones without additional fee and the users must be trained on proper use and maintenance of the devices.

Another hazard evident from the photos is the handling of their gases and fumes which expand due to heating. Flammable gases should be distanced from open flames to avoid fire accidents and sparks. These have been shown to be stored carelessly in the fields and next to electrical appliances posing the danger of explosions. Gas explosions causing fire can occur due to poor mechanical handling such as keeping carelessly, regulators being defective and putting increased pressure for compressed gases.  There is also explosions of some solvents that are contained in glues which when one inhales are carcinogenic or can cause respiratory diseases. Noticed were fumes of smokes emerging from the plant that expose the danger of breathing abnormalities and air pollution.

Also the welding machines have been placed on the ground and are exposed to direct sunlight and this can lead to destruction by interaction with heat from the sun. Welding should not be done with the naked eye since it emits ultra violet light that is destructive to the eyes and can cause blindness. Currently OSHA has no regulations concerning welding and welding fumes but advises limited exposure while the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health  considered welding fumes as potential carcinogens and advises on limited exposure (NOISH, 1992). It advises that protective gloves should be worn while using welding machines. Also stick welding method that produces fewer fumes is recommended. In confined spaces the individual should have proper ventilation and air monitoring while doing welding. While welding carbon dioxide used in shielding react to form carbon monoxide then form oxyacetylene which are all dangerous gases and can cause deaths due to respiratory arrests. While one is not in a well aired room such as confined rooms one must use a respirator, be keen to set a distance from the welding plume unlike the welder in the photo. Radiation from machines could also occur, these include infra red and ultra violet light from the welding machine that are highly carcinogenic.

The sign boards indicating non smoking zones have rusted thus are not legible posing the danger of explosions due to people violating such rules. Dangers of fire are also likely to occur since the person welding is placing the welding machine without caution which may make the fire spread to the rest of the machinery. According to statistics on the most fatal occupational hazards, fire attributed to 5% of the deaths in year 2007(Joshi & Dahal, 2008). The compressed gases in cylinders such as carbon dioxide in fire extinguishers that are important incase of a fire are not enough thus poses a danger of destruction of property incase of a fire. They have not been maintained properly since they are discolored, have been placed in open air thus the danger of air exposure, erosion and also destruction. Corrosion of the extinguishers could also weaken the gas they contain making them less efficient incase of a fire. A danger from intruding of the confined space can occur since its sign board has faded away and this may cause interference of the electrical appliances since it can contain sensitive machinery or electronics. OSHA has given regulation that confined rooms should be well labeled with enough space and only permitted for persons going to work. Compressed gases should not be placed in between electricity gadgets as they can expand and explode causing fires.

Electrical appliances are sensitive and should be handled with proper care. They should be well insulated since the possibility of coming in contact with live wires is high, also one can suffer of an electric shock. Once electrical appliances are held with bear hands one should not come in contact with your body unless on cleaning your hands so as to prevent biological hazards. These may cause allergies, parasitic diseases and infections. Contact directly with irritating substances should be kept minimal and washing of hands is essential. Proper training on handling electrical appliances is important.

Dangers of chemical exposure have also been experienced. Data from OSHA indicate than about 32 Million employees get exposed to approximately 650,000 dangerous chemicals. The hazard procedures of communication indicate that such cases should be reported and employees informed on safety measures to undertake (Bartolomei, 2010). These chemicals can de either carbon monoxide; chlorine and formaldehyde that are common in most construction plants. OSHA has set a threshold amount of the chemicals beyond which you should not exhale in a day. Chemicals should be well labeled and stored in appropriate places.

Another unique invasive pollutant and occupational hazard identified is diesel that is common in equipment using it to reduce friction. It is an airborne contaminant that causes headaches, nausea, respiratory diseases and even cancer. What is outstanding about it is the fact that though life threatening, no standards have been set by OSHA to reduce the risks it causes. Its exposure to direct sunlight allows the increase of its evaporation. It is mostly exposed to operators of such devices, truck drivers, machine operators and mechanics who are often exposed to it. Diesel is also health hazards since if spills occur and are not properly dealt with they can lead to tripping, falling and serious injuries. Diesel should be kept in sufficiently ventilated rooms and away from open flames. Even though the container is emptied it should be tightly sealed.

To ensure occupation safety all walls and working surfaces must be properly installed to prevent caving in or workers from falling. Fencing should be properly done and often checked to ensure it is in good condition. While using a ladder it should be well positioned to ensure that no tripping occurs. Safety shoes should be and also protective clothing such as mask, safety goggles, helmet and gloves should be worn. Lifting of heavy loads manually should be avoided and only done using aids for lifting. Protection of the ears is crucial using ear plugs to prevent hearing disabilities. Working attire should conform to the climatic condition. Washing of hands every time you handle poisonous chemicals should be done and each time gloves should be used. When working in dusty areas protective clothing for the respiratory system and the eyes should be worn. Instructions and correct techniques of lifting and moving of heavy loads and running of mechanical lifting aids should be followed. Hazard communication procedures that ensure all hazards are identified and instructions on how to deal with them are provided, employers too have a role of implementing hazard regulations by listing all hazards available and measures to be taken in case they occur and training their employees about them. All working tools should be returned to their rightful place after use. Disposal containers should be well labeled and emptied often and personal hygiene measures should always be practiced.

In conclusion the purpose of these findings is to enlighten the stone cutting plant employer of the need to improve his occupational safety measures for his employees. Such multiple and serious occupational hazards require to be urgently addressed since they are not only endangering his employees life but also his plant. It is also to inform the employees of the dangers they are exposing themselves to and insist the take necessary measures. The authority should also know how it is endangering lives of the environment surrounding the plant and thus take precaution. It will also caution other companies having the same anomalies to correct them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Bartolomei, K. (2010). Occupational Hazard Safety, eHow contributor, eHow Inc.

European Agency for Safety and Health at work.(2003). Biohazard Agents, Belgium.

Ellis, P. (2003). The Rospa Occupation Safety and Health journal, Volume 33, Issue 4, UK noise regulation, pp.34-35.

Joshi, S. & Dahal, P. (2008). Occupational health in small scale and Household industries in Nepal, Volume 6 No.2, Issue22, pp.152.160.

NIOSH. (1992). Reccomendations for occupational safety and health: compendium of policy documents and statements, Cincinnati, U S.

US Department of labor occupational safety end Health Administration. (2009). 200 constitution Avenue, Washington D.C