CCE332 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY LTPC

3003
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
To educate overview of EHS in industries and related Indian regulations, types of Health hazards,
effect, assessment and control methods and EHS Management System
UNIT I INTRODUCTION 9
Need for developing Environment, Health and Safety systems in work places- International
initiatives, National Policy and Legislations on EHS in India - Regulations and Codes of Practice
- Role of trade union safety representatives - Ergonomics.
UNIT II OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE 10
Definition of occupational health and hygiene - Categories of health hazards – Exposure pathways
and human responses–Exposure Assessment-occupational exposure limits - Hierarchy of control
measures - Role of personal protective equipment and the selection criteria
UNIT III WORKPLACE SAFETY AND SAFETY SYSTEMS 11
Features of Satisfactory and Safe design of work premises – good housekeeping - lighting and
color, Ventilation and Heat Control, Noise, Chemical and Radiation Safety – Electrical Safety –
Fire Safety – Safety at Construction sites, ETP – Machine guarding – Process Safety, Working at
different levels
UNIT IV HAZARDS AND RISK MANAGEMENT 8
Safety appraisal – Job Safety Analysis-Control techniques – plant safety inspection – Accident
investigation - Analysis and Reporting – Hazard and Risk Management Techniques –Onsite and
Offsite emergency Plans. Employee Participation- Education and Training- Case Studies
UNIT V ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT 7
Concept of Environmental Health and Safety Management – Elements of Environmental Health
and Safety Management Policy and implementation and review – ISO 45001-Strucure and Clauses-
Case Studies
TOTAL: 45 PERIODS
COURSE OUTCOMES:
After completion of this course, the students are expected to be able to understand:
CO1 Need for EHS in industries and related Indian regulations
CO2 Various types of Health hazards, effect, assessment and control methods
CO3 Various safety systems in working environments
CO4 The methodology for preparation of Emergency Plans and Accident investigation
CO5 EHS Management System and its elements 169

REFERENCES
1. Industrial Health and Safety Acts and Amendments, by Ministry of Labour and Employment,
Government of India
2. Fundamentals of Industrial Safety and Health by Dr.K.U.Mistry, Siddharth Prakashan, 2012
3. The Facility Manager's Guide to Environmental Health and Safety by Brian Gallant, Government
Inst Publ., 2007.
4. Effective Environmental, Health, and Safety Management Using the Team Approach by Bill
Taylor, Culinary and Hospitality Industry Publications Services, 2005.
5. Environmental and Health and Safety Management by Nicholas P.Cheremisinoff and Madelyn
L. Graffia, William Andrew Inc. NY, 1995
 UNIT I INTRODUCTION
Need for developing Environment, Health and Safety systems in work places- International
initiatives, National Policy and Legislations on EHS in India - Regulations and Codes
of Practice - Role of trade union safety representatives - Ergonomics.

1. Write the objectives of Factory Act.

The Act has been enacted primarily with the object of protecting workers employedin factories
against industrial and occupational hazards.For that purpose, it seeks to impose upon the
owner or the occupier certainobligations to protect the workers and to secure for them
employment in conditions conductive to their health and safety.

2. What is a manufacturing process?

Manufacturing process means any process for
(i) Making, altering, repairing, ornamenting, finishing, packing, oiling, washing,
cleaning, breaking up, demolishing, or otherwise treating or adapting any article
or substance with a view to its use, sale, transport, delivery or disposal;
(ii) Pumping oil, water, sewage or any other substance;
(iii) Generating, transforming or transmitting power;
(iv) Composing types for printing, printing by letter press, lithography, photogravure
or other similar process or book binding
(v) Constructing, reconstructing, repairing, refitting, finishing or breaking up ships or
vessels;
(vi) Preserving or storing any article in cold storage
3. Who is the occupier? What are the responsibilities of the occupier?

 Occupier is the person who has ultimate control over the affairs of factory.
 It includes a partner in case of firm and director in case of a company.
  In case of Government Company, 'occupier' need not be a director. In that case,
person appointed to manage affairs of the factory shall be occupier.

4. What are the general duties of Occupier?

 Occupier shall ensure the health, safety and welfare of all workers while they are
at work in the factory.
 Every occupier shall prepare a written statement of his general policy with respect
to the health and safety of the workers.
 Bring such statement and any revision thereof to the notice of all the workers.

5. What are the provisions for Safety of workers in Factory Act?

 Fencing of Machinery
 Machines of motions
 Employment of young persons on dangerous machine
 Striking gears
 Self acting machines
 Casing of new machines
 Precaution in case of fire
 Portable electric light

6. What are the provisions of Welfare Provisions in Factory Act?

 Washing facilities (Sec 42)
 Facilities for, storing & drying clothes (Sec43)
 Facilities for sitting (Sec 44)
 First aid appliances (Sec 45)
 Canteen (Sec46)
 Rest room, shelters, lunch room (Sec 47)
 Creches (Sec 48)
 Welfare Officers (Sec 49)
 Power to make rule (Sec 50)
 7. Write short notes on Working hours for Adults.
 Sec.51-Weekly hours not more than 48 hours a week
 Sec.52-First day of the week i.e. Sunday shall be a weekly holiday
 Sec.53-Compensatory holidays
 Where a weekly holiday is denied he shall be allowed to avail the compensatory
holiday within a month
 Sec.54-Daily working hours- no adult worker shall be allowed to work in a
factory for more than nine hours in any day
 Sec.55-Intervals for rest-no worker shall work for more than 5 hours before he has
had an interval for rest of at least 1/2 an hour.

8. Write short notes on Women employment.

 Prohibition of women workers at night shift
 Women shall not be allowed to work in any factory except between the hours of 6
A.M. and 7 P.M
 The inspector may relax this norm but prohibited between 10 P.M. and 5 A.M.
 Working hours not more than-weekly 48 hours & daily 9 hours

9. What is Product safety?

Product safety is some set of rules and regulations to enhance the quality standard of the
product as well as a mechanism to ensure that no third party damagers using theproduct
after selling.

10. Why the Product safety is need to be followed?

 To enhance the quality of the product

 To minimize third party damages
 To promote the brand name
 To improve sales as government requirements
 11. What are the Product safety practices in Apparel Trade?
 Sharp Tool Control Procedure
 Blade Control Procedure
 Needle Control Procedure
 Button SOP
 Metal Detection Procedure
12. Define Button SOP.
Button SOP (Standard Operation Procedure) is some set of rules and regulations to
ensure the button attaching is safe and in proper manner to comply with quality.

13. How the snap button is checked?

 Each and every button should be under gone 100% inspection by checkers. 
They should confirm that there are no exposed prongs, sharp edges, uneven
foundations, spaces.
 Every 02 hours it should be documented.
14. What is artificial humidification?
 The water used for artificial humidification should be clean
 Artificial humidification used in factories by which the humidity of the air is
artificially increased (like in textile units) and keep it in limits.
15. What is the purpose or need of Safety Education and Training?
 Safety training and education creates consciousness and develops alertness to
safety.
 Safety education develops safety – mindedness while training helps apply
acquired safety knowledge to the specific job or task or procedure.
 It is a process by which employees are helped to develop critical and conscious
mind to analyze safe work methods or procedure and develop skills in applicationof
safe methods and practices in their work and activities.
16. How the designing needs are designed?
 While designing on the contents of training, the employees’ position and the type
of work done by him in the organizations need to be considered.
 The contents must be useful to the trainees’ existing work interest and should help
him to improve his job performance.
 In determining the contents, it is profitable to consult, plant or departmental heads
and individuals to be trained so as to assess the work interest and areas of work
application. This will help in bringing their environment.
 It is particularly important to ensure that the key personals that have special safety
and health responsibilities within the organization are properly trained.

17. What are the training methods implemented on the industrial safety?
 Different training method and techniques are in vogue.
 The methods, such as lecture, discussion, and role-play technique are useful in a
formal classroom for a group of supervisory or management group.
 The techniques like, on the job instructions, fault analysis are useful for training a
small group of technicians or operatives on the shop floor. Project work and
simulation workshop help learning through application and practice at any level.

18. What are statutory requirements for safety training?

 The Factories Act 1948.
 The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulation 1990.
 The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules
1989.
 The Central Motor Vehicles (CMV) Rules 1989 as amended in 1993.
 The Mines Act 1952
 The BIS Standards.
 19. What is an MSIHC rule?
 The training provisions in the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals
(MSIHC) Rules, 1989, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, are
meantto equip the workers in the hazardous chemicals units to protect themselves and to
avert major accidents in such units, and handle an accident situation appropriately.
 Rule 4(2) (b) (ii) of MSIHC Rules, stipulates that the Occupier should ‘provide to the
persons working on the site with the information, training and equipment including
antidotes necessary to ensure their safety’.
 Rule 13(4) of MSIHC Rules, prescribes that the Occupier shall ensure that a mock drill of
the on-site emergency plan is conducted every six months. This serves as a practical
training to the workers on how to handle an accident situation.
20. Write Short notes on Mines Act.
 The law relating to the regulation of labour and safety in mines in India are governed
by Mines Act, 1952.
 Rule 58 (ff) of the Mines Act, 1952, insists for training in first-aid;
 Rule 58 (fff), insists for imparting of practical instruction to, or the training of,
persons employed or to be employed in mines;
 Rule 58 (v) of the Act, provides guidance for the formation, training composition and
duties of rescue brigades which are generally for the conduct of rescue work in mines.
21. What is safety education?
Education and training are not completely separable; each participates to some extent of the
nature of the other. Safety Education is for developing safety mindedness a vivid awareness of
the importance and correcting conditions and practices that might lead to injury
22. What are the benefits attained from effective safety training program?
 Increase in quantity and quality of production.
 Increase in production rate.
 Increase in knowledge, skill and ability about performance.
 Increase in job satisfaction and motivation.
 Decrease in accident rate.
 Decrease in production time, breakage or u consumable items.
 Decrease in absenteeism.
 Decrease in labour turnover.
 Decrease in job turnover.
 Decrease in operational cost.
  Refinement of human behaviour to intended objective or goal viz, safety
outlook interest and safety mindedness, production
‘Environment’ is a term derived from the Latin word ‘Environ’ that means ‘to surround’. As per
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, environment includes all the physical and biological
surroundings of an organism along with their interactions. Environment is thus defined as “the
sum total of water, air and land and the inter-relationships that exist among them and with
the human beings, other living organisms and materials.”
The concept of environment can be clearly understood from Fig 1. It depicts the environment of
human beings. Air, water and land surrounding us constitute our environment, and influence us
directly. At the same time we too have an influence on our environment due to overuse or over-
exploitation of resources or due to discharge of pollutants in the air, water and land. The flora,
fauna and micro-organisms as well as the man-made structures in our surroundings have a bi-
directional interaction with us directly or indirectly. The totality of all these components and
their interactions constitute the environment.

SCOPE
Environmental studies as a subject has a wide scope. It encompasses a large number of areas and
aspects, which may be summarized as follows:
• Natural resources—their conservation and management
• Ecology and biodiversity
• Environmental pollution and control
• Social issues in relation to development and environment
• Human population and environment

These are the basic aspects of environmental studies which have a direct relevance to every
section of the society. Environmental studies can also be highly specialized concentrating on
more technical aspects like environmental science, environmental engineering or environmental
management. In the recent years, the scope of environmental studies has expanded dramatically
the world over. Several career options have emerged in this field that is broadly categorized as:
 (i) Research & Development (R & D) in environment: Skilled environmental scientists have
an important role to play in examining various environmental problems in a scientific manner
and carry out R & D activities for developing cleaner technologies and promoting sustainable
development.
(ii) Green advocacy: With increasing emphasis on implementing various Acts and Laws related
to environment, need for environmental lawyers has emerged, who should be able to plead the
cases related to water and air pollution, forest, wildlife etc.
(iii) Green marketing: While ensuring the quality of products with ISO mark, now there is an
increasing emphasis on marketing goods that are environment friendly. Such products have
ecomark or ISO 14000 certification. Environmental auditors and environmental managers would
be in great demand in the coming years.
(iv) Green media: Environmental awareness can be spread amongst masses through mass media
like television, radio, newspaper, magazines, hoardings, advertisements etc. for which
environmentally educated persons are required.
(v) Environment consultancy: Many non-government organizations (NGOs), industries and
government bodies are engaging environmental consultants for systematically studying and
tackling environment related problems.
IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT
(a) Global vs. Local Importance of Environment: Environment is one subject that is actually
global as well as local in nature. Issues like global warming, depletion of ozone layer, dwindling
forests and energy resources, loss of global biodiversity etc. which are going to affect the
mankind as a whole are global in nature and for that we have to think and plan globally.
However, there are some environmental problems which are of localized importance. For dealing
with local environmental issues, e.g. impact of mining or hydroelectric project in an area,
problems of disposal and management of solid waste, river or lake pollution, soil erosion, water
logging and salinization of soil, fluorosis problem in local population, arsenic pollution of
groundwater etc., we have to think and act locally.
(b) Individualistic Importance of Environment Environmental studies is very important since
it deals with the most mundane problems of life where each individual matters, like dealing with
safe and clean drinking water, hygienic living conditions, clean and fresh air, fertile land, healthy
food and sustainable development.
Environment Calendar
NEED FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS
(a) International Efforts for Environment
Environmental issues received international attention about 35 years back in Stockholm
Conference, held on 5th June, 1972. Since then we celebrate World Environment Day on 5th
June. At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held at Rio de
Janeiro, in 1992, known popularly as Earth Summit, and ten years later, the World Summit on
Sustainable Development, held at Johannesburg in 2002, key issues of global environmental
concern were highlighted. Attention of general public was drawn towards the deteriorating
environmental conditions all over the world.
(b) Public Awareness for Environment
The goals of sustainable development cannot be achieved by any government at its own level
until the public has a participatory role in it. Public participation is possible only when the public
is aware about the ecological and environmental issues. The public has to be educated about the
fact that if we are degrading our environment we are actually harming our own selves.
(c) Role of Contemporary Indian Environmentalists in Environmental Awareness
In our country, efforts to raise environmental awareness have been initiated, and several
landmark judgments related to environmental litigations have highlighted the importance of this
subject to general public. Two noted personalities, who need a mention here, are Justice Kuldeep
Singh, known popularly as the green judge and Sh. M.C. Mehta, the green advocate, who have
immensely contributed to the cause of environment.
(d) Role of Government, Concept of Ecomark: In order to increase consumer awareness about
environment, the Government of India has introduced a scheme of ecolabelling of consumer
products as ‘Ecomark’ in 1991. It is an ‘earthen pitcher’–a symbol of eco-friendliness and our
traditional heritage. A product that is made, used or disposed off in a harmless manner is called
eco-friendly and is awarded this eco-mark. In a drive to disseminate environmental awareness
‘Eco-Clubs’ for children and ‘Eco-task force’ for army men have also been launched by the
government.

Environment is a system which provides natural surroundings for the existence of organisms
(including humans) and which is a prerequisite for their further evolution. Abiotic components
of environment (atmosphere, water, minerals, energy etc.) and biotic components of environment
(organisms – from the simplest to the most complex) are its main elements. To summarize, it is
all which surrounds us. It is noteworthy that this is essentially an anthropocentric (non-
biological) definition perceiving environment as one in which a man can live.
• Development came to be interpreted as multidimensional concept which should encompass
material, social, environmental, political and cultural components (with all of them having a
direct impact on the quality of human life). This way it was recognised that there is no single
model of development appropriate and desirable for all countries. At the same time emerged the
idea of “sustainable development”, emphasising the questions related to demographic processes,
considerate use of natural resources and mutual influences between a human and his living
environment.
The relationship between development and the environmental condition
• This interaction is interdependent on each other .Just as development is impossible without a
good condition of living environment, so quality environment cannot be maintained in inhabited
or intensively exploited areas without their sustainable development.
• From the beginning human being were directly dependent on nature for their existence.
• The nature of the relationship was different between them.
• As time flies, humans became more powerful with the help of knowledge and technology.
• Then the nature of the relationship starts to change.
• As the development of the human being taken place the conflict between man and environment
triggered.
• Different phases of development of human civilization e.g. practice of agriculture, the industrial
revolution, etc. made the environment more toxic.
Environmental problems do not endanger solely the global ecosystems vital to the people's
survival. Environmental stress and its socioeconomic and political effects touch all world's
regions and states. They influence local, regional and international security in a still more
decisive manner.
The condition or quality of living environment after/during implementation of development
programmes The implementation of development programmes or projects can have negative or
positive impacts on living environment.
Negative impacts: programmes: construction of transport infrastructure, great water dams, cities;
mining of natural resources of raw materials and energy etc. effects: fragmentation of natural
habitats; loss of fertile soil; deforestation and soil degradation; pollution of environment; local
climate change etc.
Positive impacts: programmes: construction of smaller water dams; application of environment
– friendly technologies etc. effects: increase in biodiversity; enrichment of landscape by cultural
features; sustainable exploitation of environment for present as well as future generations.

SOME SELECTED ENVIRONMRNAL CONFLICT

1. Forestry and environmental conflict
2. Agriculture and environmental conflict
3. Interference in wetlands and environmental conflict
4. Interference in the river flow and environmental conflict
5. Mining and environmental conflict
6. Urbanisation and environmental conflicts
7. Industrialization and environmental conflicts
FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICT
• From the primitive stage of human civilization forest provided the basic elements of livelihood
of human being.
• As the civilization progresses they started to destroy the forest for agricultural land, settlement,
industry etc. and the following problems became severe.
I. Loss of Biodiversity: The removal of forest cover during logging has in some instances resulted
in the scarcity or out-right extinction of many important plant and animal species. Some wild
animals have also been observed to migrate from areas where tree cover was removed to
undisturbed vegetation.
II. Soil Erosion: Destruction of forest covers during tree harvesting results in the loss of
theprotection, which the plant cover gives to the soil (Hamilton and Pearse, 1985). It is
alsointerrupts the normal nutrient cycle of the forest, promotes nitrification and increasesnutrient
leaching thereby leaving the topsoil impoverished and susceptible to erosion.
III. Disruption of Hydrological cycle: Changes in forest cover alter catchment water balances
and stream flows. The effect of destruction of forest cover on catchment water balance and runoff
dynamics depends on the climate, topography, soils and the type of forest (Vertessy and Dye
200).
IV. Desertification: Clear felling of trees for firewood has been recognised as one of the
factorsresponsible for environmental degradation in arid and semi-arid parts of Africa.

Management:
• Adaptation of rapid afforestation strategy.
• Strongly implementation of forest policies.
• Implementation of Joint Forest Management.
• Implementation of Social forestry.
• Scientific use of forest resource.
• Minimal use of forest resource for industrial purpose.
AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICT
Agriculture refers to the practice of rearing domestic animals and crops with the goal of food
production. It have certain impact on environment.
I. Climate Change: Agriculture and climate change have a reciprocal relationship. Climate
change affects agricultural production through precipitation levels and temperature variations. In
return, poor agricultural practices increase climate change. Agricultural fields are source of
different GHGs like methane, nitrous oxide and carbon Dioxide
II. Deforestation: Across the globe, cases of forests being cleared for agricultural reasons are on
the rise with people seeking to increase their scales of agricultural production.
Destruction of habitat amongst species also leads to fragmentation and depletion. Extensive
deforestation affects the water cycle, which results in interferences with precipitation.
III. Degradation of Land: The degradation of land in one form or the other is matter of serious
concern endangering sustainability of agriculture. Landslides caused by rains and flowing water
in hilly areas and deforestation, overgrazing and faulty cultural practices in the forest and other
plain areas expose the soil to water and wind erosions.
IV. Soil Degradation: Healthy soils are vital to creating ample food production. Although
agriculture is not the sole cause of soil degradation, poor farming practices are known to cause a
considerable decline in in the quality of soil. This mainly results from pesticide contamination,
water logging and salting. Soil erosion leads to loss of soil fertility and structure.
V. Irrigation: Irrigation can lead to a number of problems. Soil can be over- irrigated because
of poor distribution uniformity or management wastes water, chemicals, and may lead to water
pollution. Ground water irrigation can deplete ground water table which can cause severe
drought.
VI. Pollution: The widely used are pesticides and fertilizers, which end up as pollutants in water
run- off from the soil. Burning of agricultural waste can cause severe air pollution this run-off
can adversely affect more people and animal wildlife.
VII. Biodiversity: The most pressing issues facing the protection and restoration of native
biodiversity on productive land are invasive weeds and pest animals accelerating land use
change, and the high level of agro-chemical inputs. All of these are driving farmland towards a
low diversity environment.
Management:
Sustainable Agriculture: Sustainable agriculture is farming in sustainable ways, which means
meeting society's present food and textile needs, without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their needs.
• Reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides.
• Avoid soil erosion by planting all over the year.
• Plant trees or grasses along the edges of fields.
• Adjust the intensity of tillage of a field.
• Improve manure management.
• Raise the awareness of farmers on the topic of agricultural pollution.
INTERFERENCE IN WETLANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICT
A wet land plays very important role to the nature. Encroachment and modification of natural
wetlands can causes severe damage of the environment. Which may increase some serious
problems.
I. Increased flooding events: A wetland temporarily stores floodwater by trapping it and
slowing the water down as it passes through the wetland. If a wetland is modified or degraded,
then the water that would usually utilize may result of occurrence of floods, as well as soil erosion
II. Loss of wildlife habitat: Removing the wetland directly removes the plants or animals that
once existed in the wetland ecosystem. This shifts the food chain out of balance and may actually
result in the extinction of those species with close associations with the environment. For this
reason, protecting wetland habitats is essential for maintaining biodiversity.
III. Decline in water quality: Removing a wetland can cause a change in the chemistry of major
water systems that those wetlands would otherwise filter out. With increasing use of cars,
fertilizers and pesticides, there are an increasing number of pollutants entering our waterways.
Implementation of policies: making and implementation of polices to protect and conservation
of wetlands are very much needed.

INTERFERENCE IN THE RIVER FLOW AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICT

Construction of dam embankment on the river actually interrupt the natural system which may
lead certain vital problems.
I. Flow modifications: Dams alter the flow, temperature and sediment in river systems. Reduced
flow also decreases tributary stream flow, water table in the stream aquifer. Disrupted and altered
water flows can be as severe as completely de-watering river reaches and the life they contain.
II. Impact on Flora & Fauna: River contamination threatens biospheres and nature
conservation areas. Migratory birds shun these rivers, and hence, they can face extinction. Other
species of flora and fauna are threatened by loss of habitat caused by rising of water level in the
reserver.
MINING AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICT
Environmental impacts of mining can occur at local, regional, and global scales through direct
and indirect mining practices.
I. Air Pollution: Unrefined materials are released when mineral deposits are exposed on the
surface through mining. Wind erosion and nearby vehicular traffic cause such materials to
become airborne. Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and other toxic elements are often present in such
particles.
II. Water Pollution: Mining also causes water pollution which includes metal contamination,
increased sediment levels in streams, and acid mine drainage. High concentrations of toxic
chemicals in water bodies pose a survival threat to aquatic flora and fauna and terrestrial species
dependent on them for food.
III. Damage To Land: The creation of landscape blots like open pits and piles of waste rocks
due to mining operations can lead to the physical destruction of the land at the mining site. The
removal of soil layers and deep underground digging can destabilize the ground which threatens
the future of roads and buildings in the area.
IV. Loss of Biodiversity: The destruction or drastic modification of the pre-mined landscape
can have a catastrophic impact on the biodiversity of that area. Mining leads to a massive habitat
loss for a diversity of flora and fauna ranging from soil microorganisms to large mammals.
Toxins released through mining can wipe out entire populations of sensitive species.
Management:
• Policies should introduce for limited mining.
• Proper guideline of mining.
• Restriction of illegal mining.
• Initiative for pollution free mining.
• Proper management of mining waste.
• Preference of underground mining rather than open mining.
• Properly filling up of underground vacuums after mining.
• Use of modern technologies rather than traditional one for mining.
URBANISATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS
Urbanization (or urbanisation) refers to the population shift from rural areas to urban areas,the
decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and the ways in which each society
adapts to this change. Urban people change their environment through their consumption of food,
energy, water, and land.
I. Pollution: urbanization causes each and every types of pollution such as air, water, soil, noise.
It is also causes elevated emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
II. Unusual Rise in Temperature: The unplanned construction of large buildings in urban areas
absorbs solar radiation and in the afternoon, these emit heat radiations increasing the climatic
pressure.
III. Over Exploitation of Natural Resources: Due to high population density and expensive
life style, the rate of consumption of natural resources (e.g. water, energy, fossil fuel, forest
products etc.) is very high in urban areas.
IV. Biodiversity: urban expansion that takes place in forests, wetlands and agricultural systems
leads to habitat clearing; degradation and fragmentation of the landscapes. Which lead to loss of
biodiversity.
7. INDUSTRIALIZATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS
Since ages, industrial growth has started to affect environment with severe downside problems.
It causes tremendous stress on the entire bionetwork and natural system components like water,
air, soil, bio-diversity including surrounding eco-system.
I. Pollution:
• Air pollution caused by the presence of poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide and sulphur
dioxide. Factories producing paper, bricks, metals and other factories which burn fossils fuels
pollute the air.
• The untreated industrial waste effluents dumped into nearby water bodies by the factories lead
to water pollution.
• Soil pollution caused by the presence of man –made chemicals or other alteration in the natural
soil.
• The noise pollution caused by the industrial and constructional activities, machinery, factory
equipment, generators, etc.
II. Global Warming:
Emission of GHGs are increasing the global temperature rapidly. Industrialization is the major
cause of global warming.
III. Habitat Loss: Industrialization has led to dramatic habitat destruction. Forests are cut down
for their lumber, and ecosystems are destroyed to create roads, strip mines and gravel pits.
Destroying these habitats upsets local ecosystems and leads to plant and animal extinction if the
species are unable to relocate or adapt to their new surroundings.

Health and Safety systems in work places

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE SAFETY AND HEALTH

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM?
There are sound economic reasons for reducing work-related accidents and ill-health, as well as
ethical and regulatory reasons.
Economic Reasons
Besides reducing costs, effective safety and health management promotes business efficiency.
Thousands of work-related accidents, resulting in more than three days off work are reported to
the Health and Safety Authority each year. Work-related diseases and ill-health are more difficult
to measure due to their long latency period but result in excess of one million days lost at work
each year. These accident and ill-health cases are due to failures and deficiencies in the
occupational safety and health management in organisations.
Legal Reasons
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (the 2005 Act) requires you to ensure ,so far
as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare of your employees and to manage and
conduct your work activities in such a way as to ensure their safety, health and welfare. This
requires you to be proactive in managing your safety, health and welfare responsibilities and deal
with them in a systematic way. This guidance should help organisations to improve their safety
and health performance by providing advice on how safety and health should be managed, and
in the process help them to comply with their legal requirements.

Moral and Ethical Reasons

The proactive management of safety and health in the workplace helps organisations prevent
injuries and ill-health at work. This guidance should help organisations reduce the personal loss
caused as a result of accidents and ill-health at work.

Safety and health principles are universal, but how much action is needed will depend on the size
of the organisation, the hazards presented by its activities, the physical characteristics of the
organisation, products or services, and the adequacy of its existing arrangements.
Many of the features of effective safety and health management are analogous to the sound
management practices advocated by proponents of quality management, environmental
protection, and business excellence. Commercially successful companies often excel at safety
and health management as well, precisely because they apply the same efficient business
expertise to safety and health as to all other aspects of their operations.

KEY ELEMENTS OF SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT

POLICY AND COMMITMENT
The organisation should prepare an occupational safety and health policy programme as part of
the preparation of the Safety Statement required by section 20 of the 2005 Act.
Effective safety and health policies should set a clear direction for the organisation to follow.
They will contribute to all aspects of business performance as part of a demonstrable
commitment to continuous improvement. Responsibilities to people and the working
environment will be met in a way that fulfils the spirit and letter of the law.
Cost-effective approaches to preserving and developing human and physical resources will
reduce financial losses and liabilities. In a wider context, stakeholders’ expectations, whether
they are shareholders, employees or their representatives, customers or society at large, can be
met.
PLANNING
The organisation should formulate a plan to fulfil its safety and health policy as set out in the
Safety Statement. An effective management structure and arrangements should be put in place
for delivering the policy. Safety and health objectives and targets should be set for all managers
and employees.
IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION
For effective implementation, the organisation should develop the capabilities and support
mechanisms necessary to achieve its safety and health policy, objectives and targets. All staff
should be motivated and empowered to work safely and to protect their long-term health, not
simply to avoid accidents. The arrangements should be:
• underpinned by effective staff involvement and participation through appropriate consultation,
the use of the safety committee where it exists, and representation systems;
• sustained by effective communication and the promotion of competence which allows all
employees and their representatives to make a responsible and informed contribution to the safety
and health effort.
MEASURING PERFORMANCE
The organisation should measure, monitor and evaluate its safety and health performance.
Performance can be measured against agreed standards to reveal when and where improvement
is needed. Active self-monitoring reveals how effectively the health and safety management
system is functioning. Self-monitoring looks at both hardware (premises, plant and substances)
and software (people, procedures and systems, including individual behaviour and performance).
If controls fail, reactive monitoring should find out why they failed, by investigating the
accidents, ill-health or incidents that could have caused harm or loss. The objectives of active
and reactive monitoring are:
• To determine the immediate causes of substandard performance
• To identify any underlying causes and implications for the design and operation of the safety
and health management system. Longer-term objectives should also be monitored.
AUDITING AND REVIEWING PERFORMANCE
The organisation should review and improve its safety and health management system
continuously, so that its overall safety and health performance improves constantly. The
organisation can learn from relevant experience and apply the lessons. There should be a
systematic review of performance based on data from monitoring and from independent audits
of the whole safety and health management system. These form the basis of complying with the
organisation’s responsibilities under the 2005 Act and other statutory provisions. There should
be a strong commitment to continuous improvement involving the development of policies,
systems and techniques of risk control. Performance should be assessed by:
• Internal reference to key performance indicators;
• External comparison with the performance of business competitors and best practice in the
organisation’s employment sector.
DIAGRAM 1: KEY ELEMENTS OF A SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM

INITIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REVIEW

The organisation should carry out an initial review of its safety and health management
arrangements. This review should compare existing safety and health practice with:
• The requirements of safety and health legislation;
• The provisions set out in the organisation’s Safety Statement;
• Safety and health guidance in the organisation;
• Existing authoritative and published safety and health guidance;
• Best practice in the organisation’s employment sector.
As a minimum, in order to comply with safety and health legislation, the organization must:
• identify hazards and carry out their risk assessments;
• prepare and implement the Safety Statement requirements;
• have effective safety consultation and employee participation programmes in place;
• facilitate the selection of and support the role of the Safety Representative.
The initial review of the organisation’s safety and health management system should cover the
issues listed above. The following checklist may be use for the review:
• Is the Safety Statement clear and concise so that it can be read and understood by those who
may be at risk?
• Is it available at the workplace to which it relates and are workers given relevant extracts where
they are at specific risk?
• Is the overall safety and health policy of the organisation and the internal structure for
implementing it adequate, e.g. are responsibilities of named persons clearly outlined?

Does the Statement contain a systematic identification of hazards and an assessment of risks for
the workplace(s) it covers?
• Are risk assessments being carried out on a regular basis as risks change, and are the necessary
improvements made to keep the safety and health management system up to date?
• Are the necessary safety control measures required for a safe workplace identified and
implemented - e.g. the provision of safe access and egress, good housekeeping, clear
passageways and internal traffic control?
• Are written safe procedures available for those operations that require them, e.g. for routine
processing and ancillary activities, handling and using chemicals, preventive maintenance, plant
and equipment breakdown maintenance, accident and ill-health
Investigations, emergency planning, assessment of personal protective equipment (PPE)
requirements?
• Are procedures available for monitoring the implementation of safety systems and control
measures, e.g. are safety audits being carried out?
• Is safety and health training being carried out and does the training give adequate information
to workers on risks they might be exposed to?
Developing a Workplace Safety and Health Policy
Design, provision and maintenance of a safe place of work for all employees;
• Design, provision and maintenance of safe means of access to and egress from each part of the
workplace;
• Design, provision, and maintenance of any article, plant, equipment or machinery for use at
work in a safe manner;
• Provision of systems of work that are planned, organised, performed, maintained or revised, so
as to be safe, particularly for safety-critical process operations or services;
• Performance of ongoing hazard identification and risk assessments, and compliance with the
general principles of prevention as set out in the legislation;
• Provision and maintenance of welfare facilities and PPE;
• Preparation of emergency plans and the provision of first-aid training;
• Reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences to the Authority and their investigation;
• Provision and dissemination of safety and health information, instruction, training and
supervision as required;
• Operation of safety and health consultation, employee participation and safety representation
programmes
• Review and keeping up-to-date the safety and health policy in order to prevent adverse effects
on the safety and health of employees from changing processes, procedures, and conditions in
the workplace;
• Appointment of people responsible for keeping safety and health control systems in place and
making them aware of their responsibilities;
• Establishment of monitoring arrangements, including safety and health inspections and audits,
which should be used by the employer to ensure ongoing compliance with legal duties,
responsibilities and controls development of in-house safety and health competence;
• Employment of external safety and health experts as required;
• Use of standards, codes of practice, guidelines, or industry practices;
• Co-operation required from employees and disciplinary procedures for non- compliance.
PLANNING
Planning is essential for the implementation of safety and health policies. Adequate control of
risks can be achieved only through co-ordinated action by all members of the organisation. An
effective planning system for safety and health requires a safety and health management system
that:
• controls risks and as a minimum complies with safety and health laws;
• reacts to changing circumstances and demands;
• promotes and sustains a positive safety and health culture and supports continual improvement
in safety and health performance. Initially.
• access and identify relevant legislation, codes of practice, and guidelines;
• monitor legal and other requirements and communicate relevant information on these to
employees.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Performance standards are the basis of planning and measuring safety and health achievement.
The maxim ‘what gets measured gets done’ applies. If the organisation is to be efficient and
effective in controlling risks, it needs to co-ordinate its activities to ensure that everyone is clear
about what they are expected to achieve. Both the direction of the organisation as a whole and
specific risks have to be controlled. Setting performance standards is essential if policies are to
be translated from good intentions into a series of co-ordinated activities and tasks. Standards
should:
• set out clearly what people need to do to contribute to an environment free of injuries, ill-health,
and loss;
• Identify the competencies, expertise and training individuals need to fulfil their responsibilities;
• form the basis for measuring individual, group, and organisational performance.Good
performance standards link responsibilities to specific outputs. They should specify:
• Who is responsible. This will give a name or position. Nobody should be made responsible for
a task unless they meet suitable competence criteria (i.e. they have been trained and possess the
necessary skills and knowledge).
• What they are responsible for. This should explain what is to be done and how. It may involve
applying specific procedures or systems of work and the use of specific documents or equipment
because of legal duties. Some examples include:
— preparing plans to implement the safety and health policy;
— carrying out risk assessments in accordance with specific regulations;
— Periodic monitoring of safety and health performance;
— checking contractors’ competence and safety and health performance before awarding
contracts;
— holding supervisors’ weekly safety and health meetings, which may include, for example, a
reminder of important safety and health procedures or lessons from a recent accident providing
training providing first aid after an accident.
TRAINING, AWARENESS, AND COMPETENCE
Recruitment and placement procedures that ensure employees (including managers) have the
necessary physical and mental abilities to do their jobs or can acquire them through training and
experience; this may require individual fitness assessments by medical examination and tests of
physical fitness or aptitudes and abilities where work-associated risks require it;
• Systems to identify safety and health training needs arising from recruitment, changes in staff,
plant, substances, technology, processes, or working practices
• Training documentation as appropriate to suit the size and activity of the organisation;
• Refresher training to maintain or enhance competence, to include where necessary contractors’
employees, self-employed people, or temporary workers who are working in the organisation
• Systems and resources to provide information, instruction, training and supporting
communications
• Arrangements to ensure competent cover for staff absences, especially for staff with critical
safety and health responsibilities
• General health promotion and surveillance schemes that contribute to the maintenance of
general health and fitness; this may include assessments of fitness for work, rehabilitation, job
adaptation following injury or ill-health, or a policy on testing employees for drugs or alcohol
abuse.
Accident means an accident arising out of, or in the course of employment which, in the case of
a person carrying out work, results in personal injury.

Continuous improvement means the process of enhancing the safety and health management
system to achieve improvements in safety and health performance in line with the organisation’s
safety and health policy.

Contractor means any individual, employer or organisation whose employees undertake work
for a fixed or other sum and who supplies the materials and labour (whether their own labour or
that of another) to carry out such work, or supplies the labour only.
Employee means any person who works for an employer under a contract of employment. This
contract maybe expressed or implied, and be oral or in writing. An employee may be employed
full-time or part-time, or in a temporary capacity.

Employer means any person or organisation by which an employee is employed under a contract
of employment and includes a person under whose direction and control an employee works.
Hazard means a source or a situation with the potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill-
health, damage to property, damage to the environment, or a combination of these. Hazard
identification means the process of recognising that a hazard exists and defining its
characteristics.

Safety and health means occupational health, safety, and welfare in the context of preventing
accidents and ill-health to employees while at work.

Safety and health management system means the part of the overall management system that
includes the organisational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures
and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing and maintaining the
occupational safety and health policy.

Safety and health management system audit means the systematic and documented
verification process to obtain and evaluate evidence objectively to determine whether an
organisation’s safety and health management system conforms to the safety and health
management system audit criteria set by the organisation, and communication of the results of
this process to management.

Safety and health objective means the overall safety and health goal, arising from the safety
and health policy, that an organisation sets itself to achieve, and which is quantified where
practicable.

Safety and health performance means the measurable results of the management system related
to an organisation’s control of its safety and health aspects, based on its safety and health policy,
objectives, and targets.

Safety and health policy means a statement by an organisation of its intentions and approach in
relation to its overall safety and health performance that provides a framework for action, and
for the setting of its safety and health objectives and targets. Safety and health review means
the formal evaluation of the safety and health management system.

Safety and health target means the detailed performance requirement, quantified where
practicable, applicable to an entire organisation or its parts, that arises from the safety and health
objectives and that needs to be set and met in order to achieve these objectives.
Ill-health includes acute and chronic ill-health caused by physical, chemical, or biological agents
as well as adverse effects on mental health. Incident means an unplanned event, with the
potential to lead to an accident.

Organisation means a company, corporation, firm, enterprise, or institution, or part or

combination of any of these, whether incorporated or not, public or private, that has its own
functions and administration. For organisations with more than one operating unit, a single
operating unit may be defined as an organisation.

Risk means the likelihood that a specified undesired event will occur due to the realisation of a
hazard by, or during work activities, or by the products and services created by work activities.
A risk always has two elements: the likelihood that a hazard may occur and the consequences of
the hazardous event. Risk is also determined by the number of people exposed as well as how
often.

Risk assessment means the process of evaluating and ranking the risks to safety and health at
work arising from the identification of hazards at the workplace. It involves estimating the
magnitude of risk and deciding whether the risk is acceptable or whether more precautions need
to be taken to prevent harm.

INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES, NATIONAL POLICY AND LEGISLATIONS ON EHS IN

INDIA

NATIONAL POLICY on SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT at WORKPLACE

The National Policy was declared on 20th February 2009 Ministry of Labour & Employment is
in the process of Implementation of the National Policy on SHEW The Policy is posted on the
websites of MoLE and DGFASLI and many CIFs
NATIONAL POLICY on SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT at WORKPLACE
Seoul Declaration on Safety and Health at Work in 2008 Recalled that safety and Health should
be recognized as a fundamental Human Right and that globalisation must gohand in hand with
preventive measures to ensure Safety and Health of all at workplace
Istanbul Declaration on Safety and Health at Work in 2011 Promoting high levels of Safety and
Health at work is the responsibility of Ministries of Labour and Society as a whole,and that
Ministers of Labour must ensure that priority is given to OSH in national agendas and building
a strong and sustained National Preventative Safety and Health Culture on a continuous basis
BENEFITS OF THE NATIONAL POLICY
The Policy is not limited to large and organized sector, but extends even to MSME and
unorganized sectors.
The Policy Provides for
• general guidance to all the stakeholders to discharge their responsibilities in an appropriate
manner.
• helps to create a positive safety and health culture.
• enables development of research activities, skill development of employees, employers,
enforcement authorities, and society at large.
• participation and cooperation of employers and employees promoting employee Participation
for effective management. Ensures better compliance and implementation through a mechanism
of accrediting competent professionals and institutions.
• The implementation of the policy would enable timely collection, compilation, and analysis of
work related injuries, diseases, sicknesses etc. for qualitative decision making at the national
level.
• It provides for OSH systems approach to be followed by the management including use of
computer aided risk assessment tools for dealing with safety, health and environment at
workplace problems.
The constitution of India laid down the Directive Principles which provide
(a) Securing the health & strength of employees, men and women
(b) Tender edge of children are not abused
(c) Citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or
strength
(d) Just & humane conditions of work and maternity relief are provided
(e) Govt. shall take steps to secure participation of employee in the management
Directive principles the Government declares its policies to regulate all economic activities for
management of OSHE in consultation with social partners.
GOI believes that without Safe & Healthful Conditions social justice can not be met and that safe
and healthy working environment is recognized as a fundamental human right.
On the basis of these Directive Principles, Government is committed to regulate all economic
activities for Management of Safety and Health Risks at Workplace.
Government recognizes that Safety and Health of Workers has a positive impact on productivity
& economic and social development.
The changing job pattern, rise in self employment, greater sub-contracting, outsourcing of work,
homework etc. pose problems to management of occupational safety and health risks at
workplaces.
The increasing use of chemicals, exposure to physical, chemical, biological agents with hazard
potential unknown to people; the indiscriminate use of agro-chemicals; effects of computer
controlled technologies and alarming influence of stress at work pose serious Safety, Health &
Environmental Risks.
The fundamental purpose of the National Policy is to eliminate the incidence of work related
injuries, diseases, fatalities, disaster and loss of national assets and ensuring achievement of a
high level of safety, health and environment at workplace
The Government firmly believes that Building and Maintaining National Preventive Safety and
Health Culture is the need of the hour through Providing statutory framework on OSHE.
Providing administrative & technical support services Establish & develop R & D capability in
emerging areas of risk Providing a system of incentives to employers and employees to achieve
higher safety and health standards Promoting inclusion of safety and health and environment as
an important component in other national policy documents Focus on prevention efforts &
monitor performance by improved data collection system.
Including occupational safety and health as an integral part of every operation Improved
coverage of work related injuries, diseases and provide a database for facilitating better
performance & monitoring

• Continuous reduction in the work related injuries, diseases and loss of national assets
• Continuous enhancement of community awareness regarding safety, Health & environment at
work
• Improving Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace by creating “Green Jobs”
ACTION PROGRAMME
1. ENFORCEMENT
2. NATIONAL STANDARDS
3. COMPLIANCE
4. AWARENESS
5. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
6.OSHE SKILL DEVELOPMENT
7. DATA COLLECTION
8. REVIEW
Increases awareness on OSHE through appropriate means maximising gains from awareness
campaigns by sharing experience & learning suitable reporting procedures to help achieve
objectives good liasioning arrangements with national and international organisations. providing
medical criteria assuring that no employee will suffer diminished health providing research in
the OSHE field, including psycho-social factors and developing innovative methods, techniques
exploring ways to diagnose latent diseases, establishing causal links between diseases and work
environment ensuring a coordinated research approach and optimal allocation of resources in
OSH Sector
REGULATIONS AND CODES OF PRACTICE

The objective of the Health & Safety (H&S) Code is to protect and promote the Health & Safety
of people working at or visiting member company work sites.
To achieve this objective, the Code provides Management Practices designed to continuously
improve H&S within member Companies`. These practices provide a multidisciplinary means to
identify and assess hazards, prevent unsafe acts and conditions, maintain and improve employees
and contractors’ health and foster communication on H&S issues.
Implementation of the employee and contractor Health & Safety Code, together with other
Codes, can enable GPCA member companies to operate in a manner that further protects and
promotes the H&S of employees, contractors, and the public, and protects the environment.
This Code is divided into the following four categories / elements:
1. Program Management.
2. Identification and Evaluation.
3. Prevention and Control.
4. Communications and Training.
1) Discuss in detail about the Safety Education and Training.

Education and training have been recognized as important components of organized

health and safety programs in work places. Safety training and education creates
consciousness and develops alertness to safety. Safety education develops safety –
mindedness while training helps apply acquired safety knowledge to the specific job or task
or procedure. It is a process by which employees are helped to develop critical and conscious
mind to analyze safe work methods or procedure and develop skills in application of safe
methods and practices in their work and activities. Safety consciousness has to be
inculcated so that employees’ actions and behavior are all the time governed by such safety
considerations.
Sources of Information:
It would be appropriate to go into various aspects of training, such as sources of safety
information, designing the training needs, training methods, training plans, so that the readers
can get a comprehensive view on safety training.

The objectives of sources of safety information correspond to four different stages of accident
sequence.
At the first stage - sources of information provided prior to the task are used to educate
workers about risks and persuade them to behave safely.
The sources used for this task include safety training materials, hazard communication
programmes and various forms of safety programme materials. Methods of education and
persuasion attempt not only to reduce errors by improving worker knowledge and skills but
also to reduce intentional violation of safety rules by changing unsafe attitudes. As the
inexperienced workers are often the target audience at this stage, safety information provided
at the stage must be more detailed in content than at other stages.
At the second stage, sources such as written procedures, checklists, instructions, warning
signs, and product labels can provide critical safety information during routine task
performance. This information usually consists of brief statements, which either instructs
less skilled workers or remind skilled workers to take necessary precautions. Statements
providing such information are often embedded at the appropriate stage within step-by-
step instructions describing how to perform a task. Warning signs at appropriate locations
can play a similar role. It must be emphasized that a well-trained and motivated
workforce is a prerequisite for safety communication to be effective at this stage.
At the third stage, highly conspicuous and easily perceived sources of safety information
alert workers of abnormal or unusually hazardous conditions. The sources of information
include warning signals, safety markings, tags, signs, lockouts, etc. As in stage two, a
well-trained and motivated workforce is a prerequisite for safety communication to be
affective at this stage also.

At the fourth stage, the focus is on expediting worker performance of emergency

procedures at the time of an accident, and on the performance of remedial measures shortly
after an accident. Safety information signs and markings such as the locations of exists, fire
extinguishers, first aid station, emergency showers, eyewash fountains, etc., conspicuously
indicate facts critical to adequate performance of emergency procedures. Product safety
labels and MSDSs may specify remedial and emergency procedures to be followed. As in
stage two and three, a well-trained and motivated workforce is a prerequisite for safety
communication to be affective at this stage too.

Designating training needs:

While designing on the contents of training, the employees’ position and the type of work
done by him in the organisations need to be considered. The contents must be useful to
the trainees’ existing work interest and should help him to improve his job performance.
In determining the contents, it is profitable to consult, plant or departmental heads and
individuals to be trained so as to assess the work interest and areas of work application.
This will help in bringing their environment.

It is particularly important to ensure that the key personals that have special safety and
health responsibilities within the organisation are properly trained.

Supervisors have a vital role to play in ensuring safety and health. However, often they
receive little or no specific training. Therefore, there is a need to train the supervisors in
hazard identification and control so that the action can be taken by them to remove
hazards from their area of control. It should be borne in mind that safety training should
be an integral part of job training and job specification.

New starters to any job are vulnerable and likely to cause / meet accidents and therefore
all new starters need to be trained in safety and health relevant to their work before being
posted in a position where they are at risk or can become a hazard to others.
Supervisor can ensure that his people are working conscientiously with safe habits, only
if he checks from time to time whether the workers know, understand and willingly
follow safety rules and regulations. Supervisors shall insist positive attitude to safety,
right from the stage of induction training to on-the-job training. General things like use of
working space, location of first aid, housekeeping, disposal system, etc., could be stressed
in the initial training. While giving details of job instructions, safety points such as use of
protective equipment and guards, handling and care of tools, machines, and material and
safe methods of working should be emphasized.
To determine the content, it is necessary to have understanding of learning process in
view of the trainers’ competence and trainees’ capacity to learn.
Comprehensive information on company’s safety policy, activities and review of
company’s safety performance in terms of year to year trends, loss of man hours and
damage to goods and equipment, etc., can help stressing the role to be played by supervisors
and managers for implementation and observance of safety on the shop floor.
Training methods:
The training specialists often face within bewildering choice of training methods to meet
a defined training objective. It may be borne in mind that what learners retain from
instruction they receive vary from person to person. Many educators are of the opinion
that the following percentage apply regarding what learners retain from instruction they
receive.
Different training method and techniques are in vogue.
 The methods, such as lecture, discussion, and role-play technique are useful in a
formal classroom for a group of supervisory or management group.
 The techniques like, on the job instructions, fault analysis are useful for training a
small group of technicians or operatives on the shop floor. Project work and
simulation workshop help learning through application and practice at any level.
The training method chosen must also maintain interest of the learners.
 All the methods and aids have to be used singly or in combination depending on
the type of training, type of trainees, availability of time and facility available for
training. The right choice of method or combination of them depends upon the
training objective, the learning quality and the speed desired.
Training Plans:
Before formulating a training plan, it is necessary to clarify some broad aspects of
training, such as whether the programme is to meet short term or immediate needs or a
long range with future needs in mind. It could also be a general educat ional programme
or the specialized skill development programme. The nature of programme could be
induction, orientation for new entrants or refresher, appreciation programme for older
employees, etc.
At this stage, it is necessary to find out whether the training content so decided can be
taught in a formal training programme or can be put across informally in daily contacts.
An informal guidance and coaching can be done individually over a period of time whereas
if the group size becomes large, then the formal inputs may be necessary. The induction,
orientation, on-the-job programmes have to be organized in the company and can be
conducted exclusively by in-company officials.
The duration of the training should however be decided in view of expected result s in
terms of changes in performance and behaviour and the attempt should be to give
adequate coverage so as to reach the expected standard. However, a part-time programme
of not more than 2 hours at a time would help keep sustained interest. Programmes
organised outside or in institutes have to be full time duration for administrative
convenience.
A programme conducted at the premises of the factory has convenience of attending to
work and being available when required. However, it suffers from distraction of being
called to attend the jobs. Programme away from place of work have an advantage of
continuity of learning, minimum interruption, motivation of trainees and adequacy of
learning through exchange of views without inhibitions, etc.
The trainers chosen from within the company should be knowledgeable in their subjects
and must be interested and skill in teaching. They must be well respected for their
position in the organization and having authority in the subject besides having proven
ability to guide and coach people on safety.
Statutory Requirements:
Having recognized the importance of safety training in workplaces, it would be
appropriate to go into various statutory requirements available at National and
International Levels.
The following statutes have provision on training of workers, and some of these have also
the stipulation about information to be passed on to the general public:

 The Factories Act 1948.

 The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulation 1990.
 The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules
1989.
 The Central Motor Vehicles (CMV) Rules 1989 as amended in 1993.
 The Mines Act 1952
 The BIS Standards.
2) Explain about the statutory requirements of Safety Education and Training.
Having recognized the importance of safety training in workplaces, it would be appropriate
to go into various statutory requirements available at National and International Levels.The
following statutes have provision on training of workers, and some of these have also the
stipulation about information to be passed on to the general public:
 The Factories Act 1948.
 The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulation 1990.
 The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSIHC) Rules
1989.
 The Central Motor Vehicles (CMV) Rules 1989 as amended in 1993.
 The Mines Act 1952
 The BIS Standards.

Factories Act 1948

One of the general duties of every ‘occupier’, prescribed under Section 7A (2) (c), of the
Factories Act, 1948. It provides information, instruction, and training and supervision as
are necessary to ensure the health and safety of all workers at work’.
Under Section 41-B of the Factories Act, the occupier of every factory, involving a
hazardous process, is to disclose to the workers and the general public, in the prescribed
manner, all information regarding the health hazards and the measures to overcome such
hazards.
The State Factories Rules framed under the Factories Act have prescribed that the
information to be disclosed shall cover:
1. Requirements of Section 41-B, 41-C and 41-H of the Factories Act.
2. A list of ‘hazardous processes’ carried on in the factory.
3. Location and availability of all Material Safety Data Sheets.
4. Physical and health hazards arising out of the exposure to or handling of substances.
5. Measures taken by the occupier to ensure safety and control of physical and health
hazards.
6. Measures to be taken by the workers to ensure safe handling, storage and
transportation of hazardous substances.
7. Personal Protective Equipment required to be used by workers employed in
‘hazardous process’ or dangerous operation.
8. Meaning of various labels and markings used on the containers of hazardous
substances.
Signs and Symptoms likely to be manifested on exposure to hazardous substances and
to whom to report.
9. Measures to be taken by the workers in case of any spillage or leakage of hazardous
substances.
10. Role of workers vis-à-vis the emergency plan of the factory, in particular the
evacuation procedures.
11. Any other information considered necessary by the occupier to ensure safety and
health of workers.
The above information shall be compiled and made available to workers individually in
the form of booklets or leaflets and display of cautionary notices at the workplace.
These will be in the language understood by the majority of the workers. The contents
should also be explained to the workers.

Rules under Section 41-B of the Factories Act, also prescribe that every factory carrying
on a ‘hazardous process’ shall obtain or develop information on each hazardous
substance handled, maintain it as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and make these
available for reference to the workers, on request.

Section 41-B(1) of the Factories Act prescribes that the occupier of every hazardous
process unit shall disclose in the prescribed manner, all information regarding the health
hazards in the manufacture, transportation and storage of the hazardous substances, and
the measure to combat such hazards, to the general public in the vicinity.

The State Factories Rules prescribe that the occupier of a hazardous process unit shall, in
consultation with the designated District Emergency Authority, take appropriate steps to
furnish the information to the general public in the area.

Whereas, this is a general requirement applicable to all hazardous process unit, the State
Factories Rules have prescribed in the Schedules on dangerous operations, the display of
cautionary placards in the following processes specifically:
1. Electrolytic plating (Chromium hazard).
2. Sand blasting.
3. Liming and tanning of raw hides, etc.
4. Manufacture of Chromic Acid.
5. Manufacture of Nitro or Amino processes.
6. Handling and manipulation of corrosive substances.
7. Processes involving the manufacture, use or evolution of Carbon Disulphide and
Hydrogen Sulphide.
8. Manufacture & manipulation of dangerous Pesticides.
9. Manufacture & manipulation of Asbestos.
10. Manufacture & manipulation of Manganese
11. Benzene processes.
12. Processes involving carcinogenic dye intermediates
13. Highly flammable liquids and flammable gases.
Dock Workers Regulations:
Training of Dock Workers in the health and safety aspects of cargo handling is as
important as the training of workers in the factories. The Dock Workers (Safety, Health
and Welfare) Regulations, 1990, cover this aspect also.
Regulation No.111 stipulates that ‘initial and periodical training’ shall be imparted to all
categories of dock workers, responsible and authorized persons depending upon their
nature of work and skill required and performing their duties. Training including
refresher courses is to be imparted to all first aid personnel, by a qualified medical
officer.
MSIHC Rules:
The training provisions in the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals
(MSIHC) Rules, 1989, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, are meant
to equip the workers in the hazardous chemicals units to protect themselves and to avert
major accidents in such units, and handle an accident situation appropriately.
 Rule 4(2) (b) (ii) of MSIHC Rules, stipulates that the Occupier should ‘provide to the
persons working on the site with the information, training and equipment including
antidotes necessary to ensure their safety’.
 Rule 13(4) of MSIHC Rules, prescribes that the Occupier shall ensure that a mock drill
of the on-site emergency plan is conducted every six months. This serves as a practical
training to the workers on how to handle an accident situation.

 Rule 15(1) of MSIHC Rules, stipulates that the Occupier of a hazardous chemical
installation shall take all steps to inform the people outside the site either directly or
through the District Emergency Authority:(a) the nature of the major accident hazard;
and (b) the safety measures and the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ to be adopted in the event of a
major accident

 Rule 17(1,2,3) of MSIHC Rules, prescribes that the Occupier of a hazardous chemical
installation shall maintain Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) on the hazardous chemicals
handled and make them accessible to the workers. This stipulation is similar to the one
in the Factories Act in respect of hazardous process units.

CMV Rules:
The Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, insists that safety and accident prevention in
respect of vehicles transporting hazardous goods are ensured through appropriate
information being provided to the drivers who should also be properly trained.

 Rule 9(1) of CMV Rules, prescribes that any person driving a goods carriage carrying
goods of dangerous or hazardous nature to human life shall: (i) in addition to being the
holder of a driving licence to drive a transport vehicle, also has the ability to read and
write at least one Indian language out of those specified in the VIII Schedule of the
Constitution of India, and English, and (ii) possess a certificate having successfully
passed a course consisting of the prescribed syllabus and periodicity (duration – 3
days)
 Rule 134 of CMV Rules, stipulates that every goods carriage used for transporting any
dangerous or hazardous goods shall be legibly and conspicuously marked with an
emergency information panel on three sides of the goods carriage.
 Rule 135 of CMV Rules, stipulates that ‘the owner’ of every goods carriage
transporting dangerous or hazardous goods shall ensure that the driver of the goods
carriage has received adequate instructions & training to enable him to understand:
  The nature of the goods being transported by him,
 The nature of the risks arising out of such goods,
 The precautions he should take while the goods carriage is in motion or
stationary, and
 The action he has to take in case of any emergency.
Mines Act:
The law relating to the regulation of labour and safety in mines in India are governed by
Mines Act, 1952.

 Rule 58 (ff) of the Mines Act, 1952, insists for training in first-aid;

 Rule 58 (fff), insists for imparting of practical instruction to, or the training of, persons
employed or to be employed in mines;

 Rule 58 (v) of the Act, provides guidance for the formation, training composition and
duties of rescue brigades which are generally for the conduct of rescue work in mines.
BIS Standards:
 IS:15001 – 2000 brought out by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), provides
guidance to the organizations to develop a practical approach to management of
occupational health and safety in such a way to protect employees and general public,
whose health and safety may be in danger. The Standard also directs to improve
occupational health & safety performance of the organizations by providing the
necessary requirements and guidance. However, this standard has been re-designated
as IS: 18001-2007.

 The BIS has also published National Building Code of India (NBC) 2016, which
serves as a guide for all activities in India. Part 7 Clause 4.3.9.2 (d) of the NBC 2016
insists for the education and training of workers involved in constructions sites on safety
issues. BIS has also published several standards on various aspects of occupational
safety, health and environment, which may also serve as a source of information for
providing an effective training.
9) Define Product Safety. Mention the Product safety practices and explain in detail.
Product safety is some set of rules and regulations to enhance the quality standard of the
product as well as a mechanism to ensure that no third party damagers using the product
after selling.
Need of Product Safety
 To enhance the quality of the product
 To minimize third party damages
 To promote the brand name
 To improve sales as government requirements
Product safety practices
 Sharp Tool Control Procedure
 Blade Control Procedure
 Needle Control Procedure
 Button SOP
 Metal Detection Procedure
Sharp Tool Control Procedure
Trimmers, Scissors, Pointers, Over-clock Pins, Laying Clips, Metal Golwses are some of
the sharp tools commonly used in industries.
Handling procedure:
 All Trimmers, Scissors, Pointers, Overlook Pins should be tied off to the work
station.
 All Trimmers, Scissors, Pointers, Overlook should have numbered.
 Issuing and receiving should done through a register with users EPF
 No one is allowed to keep more than one tool
Blade Control Procedure
 No blades are issued to the operator under any circumstances.
 Blades are stored in the Machine parts stores.
 When a blade is blunt or broken, sectional recorders will forward an issue note
with signatures of Section Heads and Factory Manager to machine parts stores to
obtain a new one.
 All blunt or broken blades are counted and kept and make arrangements to dispose
in a safe place at the end of every month by Stores Manager.
 If someone wants to get a used blade the requisition should be approved from
Factory Manager and it should be returned to the stores.
Needle Control Procedure
 Requirement of all needles for the factory floor is taken from Spear Parts Stores
by a separate person who is working Needle Issuing Clark.
 Worker should keeps about 30, 50 & 100 Nos. of needles with that person as a
stock depending on the Consumption of various types of needles.
 All of these needles are kept under his custody (locked & key) and he maintains a
record for these items.
 Section Mechanics should bring the Machine ID’s and Operator ID’s to get a new
needle for broken, bent and blunt.
 Section mechanic returns used needles to the person who is handling needles &
get a new.
 All used needles are put into a sealed container & hand it over to the Stores when
the container Is filled for disposal purposes.
Broken Needles
 Machine Operator informs to the section supervisor about the broken noodles.
 The supervisor should collect all the parts and panels of the garment to RED BIN
when the needle was broken.
 Then the section supervisor, Mechanic & the particular person are searching for
the broken parts of the needle
 If they found all parts mechanic forward it to relevant person & get a new one.
 The person attaches all parts in a sheet & writes down all necessary information.
 But if they could not find all parts of the needle on the machine or in the machine
they check last 7 bundles of sewn paces. Which have been completed & previous
7 bundles thoroughly
 If they can confirm that the balance piece/pieces of needle is/are not there, they
have to fill a special form & must be signed by Machine Operator, Supervisor, Chief
Mechanic & Production Manager.
 Then they have to forward that special form to needle issuing person & can get a
fresh needle instead. All parts of broken needles must be paste on a separate sheet
with the all required details
 All parts of broken needles must be paste on a separate sheet with the all required
details.
Button SOP

Button SOP (Standard Operation Procedure) is some set of rules and regulations to
ensure the button attaching is safe and in proper manner to comply with quality.

Lock Stitch button attaching procedure

 The section mechanic should adjust the button attaching machine according to the
requirement. The passes should not be less than 16.
 Before starting the production the machine operator should attach a button to a
mockup and should be recorded.
 After finishing of each bobbin the operator should follow the same
practice. Snap button attaching procedure

Only trained operators allowed operating the snap button attachment.

 Each and every button should be under gone 100% inspection by checkers.
 They should confirm that there are no exposed prongs, sharp edges,
uneven foundations, spaces.
 Every 2 hours it should be documented.
Metal Detection Procedure
 Every garment should pass through the metal detector.
 It indicates that if the garment has at least 1.2mm metal part.
 Machine should be calibrated in every 2 hours
 10) Explain the Health provisions and safety provisions for workers in Factory Act 1948.

Health Provisions

Chapter III of Factories Act contain details regarding health of

workers a) Cleanliness (Section 11)

 The working conditions should be clean and safe.

 Clean the floor at least once a week by washing, or by some effective method.
 Effective means of drainage shall be provided.
 Do white wash for every 14 weeks Paint and varnish for every 5 years
b) Disposal of wastes and effluents (Section 12)
 There should be proper arrangements or disposal of wastes and effluents.
 Follow state govt. rules and regulations for the disposal of wastes
c) Ventilation and Temperature (Section 13)
 Proper level of ventilation temperature and humidity must be maintained.
 Make provisions for reducing excess heat
d) Dust and Fume (Section 14)
 Effective measures should be taken to prevent inhalation or accumulation of
dust
& fume by the
workers.
 If any exhaust appliance is necessary for, it shall be applied as near as possible
to the point of origin of the dust, fume or other impurity
e) Artificial Humidification (Section 15)
 Factories in which the humidity of the air is artificially increased (like in textile
units), keep it in limits.
 The water used for artificial humidification to be clean.
f) Overcrowding (Section 16)
 14.2 cubic metres space per worker should be adopted between workers to avoid
overcrowding
 While calculating this space, space above the worker beyond 4.2 meters will not
be taken into account.
  Notice specifying the maximum number of workers, which can be employed in
any work room shall be displayed in the premises

g) Lightning (Section 17)

 There must be sufficient & suitable lighting in every part of factory. There should
natural lighting as far as possible.
 All glazed windows and skylights used for the lighting of the workroom shall be
kept clean.
 Formation of shadows to such an extent as to cause eye-strain or the risk of
accident to any worker shall be prevented
h) Drinking water (Section 18)
 There should be drinking water (wholesome water). The Drinking points to be
marked as drinking water.
 They should be at least 6 meters away from wash room/urinal/ latrine/spittoons.
If more than 250 workers are working, then have cool water facility also
i) Latrines and Urinals (Section 19)
 There should be separate facility for male and female.
 Proper cleaning should be maintained.
j) Spittoons (Section 20)

 There should be sufficient number of spittoons.

 No person shall spit within the premises of a factory except in the Spittoons
provided for the purpose
 Whoever spits in contravention shall be punishable with fine not exceeding five
rupees

Safety of Worker

Chapter IV of Factory act deals with provisions for the safety of worker.
a) Fencing of Machinery (Section 21)
Every dangerous part of machineries must be securely fenced. The State Government
may pass rules which prescribe such further precautions
b) Machines in motion (Section 22)
Examination of machinery in motion should be made only by a specially trained worker
with tight fitting clothing. No women or child should be allowed to work in close
to machines in movement.
c) Employment of Young persons on dangerous machines (Section 23)
No young person should be allowed to work on dangerous machines (unless he has been
trained, and is under supervision)
d) Striking gears (Section 24)
There should be suitable striking gears etc. to switch off the power, so that if there is
any emergency, problem can be solved.
e) Self acting machines (Section 25)
Make sure that no person should walk in a space within 45 cm from any fixed structure
which is not a part of machine
f) Casing of new machines (Section 26)
All machinery driven by power & installed should be so sunk, encased or otherwise
effectively guarded as to prevent danger
g) Cotton Openers (Section 27)
No women and children are allowed to work on cotton openers
h) Hoists and Lifts (Section 28)
 Every hoist and lift should be in good condition, and properly checked.
 The maximum load it can carry – must be clearly mentioned. The gates should
be locked by interlocking / safe method (it should not open in between).
 Properly examination of hoists and lift should be followed for every 6 months.
i) Lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles (Section 29)
 Cranes & lifting machines are needed to be of good construction & to
be examined once in every 12 month. Cranes and lifting machines not to be
loaded
beyond safe working load.
 Cranes not to be approach within 6 metres of a place where any person
is employed or working.
j) Revolving Machines (Section 30)
Maximum safe speed must be mentioned for each machine. Speed indicated in
notices should not to be exceeded.
k) Pressure Plant (Section 31)

There should be safe working pressure on pressure plants. Effective measures should
be taken to ensure that the safe working pressure is not exceeded
l) Floors, stairs (Section 32)
All floors, steps, stairs, passages & gangways should be of sound construction & properly
mentioned Pits, sumps, opening in floors (Section 33)
Pits, sumps etc. should be securely covered or fenced

Excessive weight (Section 34)No person should be employed to hold more weight than the
person can hold

Protection of eyes (Section 35)Provide goggles if workers have to work on something

stretching to the eyes
Dangerous fumes (Section 36)

 Prohibited to employ workers in places where dangerous gas / fume is present.

 Practicable measures should be taken for removal of gas, fume,
etc
q) Portable electric light (Section 36 A) Voltage should not be more than 24 volts.

r) Explosive or inflammable dust, gas (Section 37)

Take all measures for safety and to prevent explosion on ignition of gas, fume

etc s) Precautions in case of Fire (Section 38)

There should be separate exit for cases of fire. There should be facilities for
extinguishing fire.
t) Role of Inspector (Section 39 – 40)
 Section 39, 40 and 40A talk about various roles that have been assigned to the
inspector. He may call for details regarding building, machines etc
u) Safety officer (Section 40 B)
If 1000 or more workers are employed, appoint a separate safety officer v) Power to

make rules to supplement the above provisions (Section 41)

The State Government may make rules requiring the provision in any factory of such
further devices & measures for securing the safety of persons employed therein as it may
deem necessary
 ROLE OF TRADE UNION SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES - ERGONOMICS

Safety representatives carry out a vital role in their trade union because they are able to:

controlled

approaches.

Safety representatives have been given a number of statutory functions under the Safety
Representatives & Safety Committees (SRSC) Regulations 1977 (1979 in Northern Ireland),
but your day-to-day activities will depend upon:

s in your workplace

Some of the tasks include:

alth and safety requirements

The people that you deal with will include:

Safety representatives’ functions and activities underpinned by the Regulations are predicated
on employers behaving positively and reasonably towards the representatives, observing the
statutory duties that the SRSC Regulations impose on them, and responding positively to
requests for facilities and assistance. Safety representatives should aim to establish a good
working relationship with the employer based on cooperation; employers should similarly
respond.
To be able to improve health and safety for your members, you will need to build a working
relationship with your employer. It is easier to achieve improvements if you can relate to
management in a constructive way and build mutual respect.
tatutory support for trade unions to organise for health and safety
The 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act (Health and Safety at Work Order (Northern Ireland)
1978) provided for the appointment of safety representatives by recognised trade unions, and
require employers to consult with such representatives where they were appointed. Detailed
arrangements were brought forward in the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees
Regulation 1977 (1979 in Northern Ireland).
These regulations set out a legal framework for the appointment of safety representatives by
recognised trade unions, provide a range of statutory functions for those appointed, and require
employers to support those functions in a variety of ways.
The Safety Reps Regulations provide a legal foundation on which to build trade union
organisation in the workplace.
Appointment of trade union safety representatives
Independent trade unions recognised by employers have the right to appoint safety
representatives. Each union has to decide upon its own arrangements for appointment. It is not
a matter for employers.
Safety representatives to be appointed by recognised trade unions (SRSC Reg. 3(1);
Guidance Paragraph 21).
Normally, representatives will be appointed to represent employees for which the union has
negotiating rights. But other employees can be represented (Guidance Paragraph 23).
Representatives are appointed to represent employees where they are likely to work or
frequent, i.e. the workplace plus access areas, canteens etc. (SRSC Reg. 2(1)).
Representatives can raise general matters affecting the health and safety of employees as a
whole (Guidance Paragraph 23).
Management must be notified in writing of the appointment and the groups of employees
represented (SRSC Reg. 3(2)).
Appointment ceases when the:

employees
(SRSC Reg.3(3))

It is for the recognised union to appoint safety representatives but may be subject to
agreement with the employer. Decisions may need to take account of:

(SRSC Reg. 3(1); Code of Practice Paragraph 13;

Guidance paragraphs 26-28).
The Functions of a safety representative
Safety representatives are not restricted to inspections and involvement in the risk assessment
process. Under the SRSC Regulations, safety representatives can investigate:

-health

Once safety representatives have investigated unsafe conditions or hazards to health in their
workplace, the SRSC Regulations give them the right to make representations to:
at work
loyer their findings and complaints after inspections

Investigations: Investigate potential hazards and dangerous occurrence (SRSC Reg. 4(1)(a))
Examine causes of accidents (SRSC Reg. 4(1)(a))
Investigate complaints by employees (SRSC Reg. 4(1)(b))
Employers must permit time off with pay during working hours to carry out functions (SRSC
Reg. 4(2)(a); Schedule to Reg. 4(2)
Dealing with employers: Make representations on specific and general matters (SRSC Reg.
4(1)(c and d))
Attend safety committee meetings (SRSC Reg. 9(1))
Employers to consult representatives over the establishment of a committee (SRSC Reg.
9(2); Guidance Paragraphs 70-96)
Inspections
Formal inspections are no substitute for daily observation, but they provide a useful
opportunity to carry out a full-scale examination of all part of the workplace. This includes the
inspection of documents required by health and safety legislation such as certificates
concerning the testing of equipment. During these inspections, safety representatives can
network with other representatives and discuss remedial action with their employers. During
inspections safety representatives are entitled to private discussion with the employer.
Following an inspection, safety representatives should complete an inspection report,
recording the date, time and details of an inspection. One copy of the completed form should
be sent to the employer and one copy should be retained by the safety representative for her/his
own records and for reference during safety committee discussion.
Formally inspect the workplace every three months (or more frequently if agreed with
management) (SRSC Reg. 5(1); Guidance Paragraph 50)
Inspect after a Notifiable Accident, Dangerous Occurrence, or Notifiable Disease (SRSC
Reg. 6(1); Guidance Paragraph 59-65)
Inspect after a substantial change in working conditions (SRSC Reg. 5(2))
Inspect after new information has become available from the HSE (SRSC Reg. 5(2))
Inspect relevant documents (SRSC Reg. 7; Code of Practice 66; Guidance Paragraphs 67-
69)
Time off for Training
Employers to provide time off with pay during working hours for training that is “reasonable
in all the circumstances” (SRSC Reg. 4(2)).
Training should be approved by the TUC or the individual union (Code of Practice 33
(under Reg. 4(2)(b)).
Risk Assessments
Safety representatives should not confuse workplace inspections with risk assessment.
Inspections seek to identify hazards and problems. Risk assessment are part of the risk
management process to identify hazards, evaluate the risk, record the findings, recommend
precautions and review progress.
It is the responsibility of the employer to carry out risk assessment, not the safety
representatives.
Legal Protection for Trade Union Safety Representatives
Under the SRSC Regulations, safety representatives are given a number of legal functions
which their employers must allow them to carry out. But safety representatives cannot be
legally penalised if they do not carry them out, or only partly carry them out.
For example, a safety representative, by accepting, or agreeing with, or not objecting to a
course of action does not take any legal responsibility for that course of action or its
consequences.
This protection does not absolve safety representatives from their general responsibility as an
employee. But it does ensure that their responsibility has not increased because of their
appointment. Like all other workers, they must carry out their responsibilities under Section 7
of HASAWA. These duties are to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that
of others, and to co-operate with employers to enable them to carry out their statutory duties
(SRSC Regulations 4(1); Guidance Paragraph 44).

ERGONOMICS.

““Ergonomics applies information about human behaviour, abilities and limitations and other
characteristics to the design of tools, machines, tasks, jobs and environments for productive, safe,
comfortable and effective human use” (McCormick and Saunders 1993).

THE IMPACT OF ERGONOMICS ON WORKPLACE DESIGN

The goal of Ergonomics is to provide maximum productivity with minimal cost; in this context
cost is expressed as the physiological or health cost to the worker. In a workplace setting there
are seldom a large number of tasks that exceed the capabilities of most of the work force. There
may be jobs that will include a specific task that requires extended reaches or overhead work that
cannot be sustained for long periods, by using Ergonomic principles to design these tasks; more people
should be able to perform the job without the risk of injury.
ERGONOMIC PRINCIPLES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO GOOD WORKPLACE DESIGN
The goal for the design of workplaces is to design for as many people as possible and to have an
understanding of the Ergonomic principles of posture and movement which play a central role in the
provision of a safe, healthy and comfortable work environment. Posture and movement at work will be
dictated by the task and the workplace, the body’s muscles, ligaments and joints are involved in
adopting posture, carrying out a movement and applying a force. The muscles provide the force
necessary to adopt a posture or make a movement. Poor posture and movement can contribute to local
mechanical stress on the muscles, ligaments and joints, resulting in complaints of the neck, back,
shoulder, wrist and other parts of the musculoskeletal system.
Manual Handling Risk Assessment:
Risk assessment is a process which involves gaining a detailed understanding of a task being carried
out, collecting all relevant technical details of the task, identifying if there are risk factors/hazards
present, exploring what options or solutions are available to reduce or 7 eliminate the risk
factors/hazards and putting a plan in place to introduce agreed control measures. There are a number
of steps in the manual handling risk assessment process and these are described briefly below:
Step 1: Identify the Manual Handling Tasks that need to be assessed
A list should be put together of all tasks being performed on site where manual handling activity is a
key component of the task.
Step 2: Develop a risk assessment schedule
A plan should be put in place that will identify what tasks are going to be assessed and when the
assessments are going to be carried out. Involving staff in the planning and implementation of the risk
assessment process can be an important way of increasing the likelihood of success of the process.
Step 3: The Risk Assessment Process
There are a number of key stages in this process and these are briefly discussed below.
Task Observation and description
The objective at this stage is to gain a detailed understanding of how a task is performed and to identify
the sub tasks that contribute to the completion of the overall task.
Collect Task Data
A well-documented manual handling risk assessment will have good quality information about the task,
which will include technical information and general information.
Examples of technical information include data on load weights, physical measures of a work area,
dimensions of a load, number of manual lifts in a task, light levels, noise levels. Frequency of lifts (lifts
per min/hour/day) and duration.

ERGONOMICS: POINTS TO REMEMBER

• Ergonomics applies information about human behaviour, abilities and limitations and other
characteristics to the design of tools, machines, tasks, jobs and environments for productive,
safe, comfortable and effective human use
• The goal for the design of workplaces is to design for as many people as possible and to have an
understanding of the Ergonomic principles of posture and movement which play a central role in the
provision of a safe, healthy and comfortable work environment
• Ergonomics has been incorporated into Irish Legislation. The Safety Health and Welfare at Work
(General Application) Regulations of 1993 contain regulations dealing with manual handling of loads
and Display Screen equipment.
• Risk Assessment of manual handling activities and Display Screen equipment workstations should
always take account of Ergonomic Principles. The Schedules outline the appropriate factors that must
be considered as part of the risk assessment process.