UNIT 9
MAINTAIN HEALTHY, SAFE AND SECURE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Chapter 13 - Health, Safety and
Security at Workplace
HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY AT WORKPLAC
HEALTH
State of the physical, mental and social well
being.
Cleanliness at workplace is mandatory
SAFETY
Organization environment should be free from
hazards(anything that causes harm) and risks
(probability of causing harm)
SECURITY
Every organization must have separate security
department.
Proper security procedures will reduce liabilities,
insurance, operational charges and
compensation for organization.
Policies and procedures – Department
of Information Technology (DoIT)
Policy – written statement by an employer
stating the company’s commitment for the
protection of the health, safety and security
of employees and to the public
Contains health, safety and security
elements of an organization and objectives
The government has specific section
mentioned in their company laws, which
states the minimum requirements
Apart from this
Reasons for health, safety and
security programmes in workplace
Indicates the company’s commitment for
their employees' health and safety
Shows - performance of the business &
safety performance are compatible with
each other
Shows- company not only works for profits
but also takes care of its stake holders
Company can comply national policy on
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) of
Govt. of India.
Prevents illness and injury of the
employees
OH&S Clauses in the
policies
Provide adequate resources
Comply with relevant OH&S legal and other
requirements applicable to the organization
Set appropriate OH&S objectives and
targets and conduct periodic reviews
Adapt measures and processes to prevent
accidents, injuries
Workplace Safety Hazards
Hazard- danger or risk
Poses potential harm to people at work,
working environment
Cause adverse health effects and losses of
property and equipment for organization
Includes physical, biological, chemical,
ergonomic
Physical Hazards
Risks arising from physical work
environment (floors, facilities, walls,
ceilings)
Working with machinery and electricity
operated machines
Includes
Falling off heights, slipping and tripping
Electrical Hazards
Fire Hazards
Health Hazards
Falling off Heights,
Slipping and Tripping
Reasons – faulty scaffolding and ladders
leading to contact with electricity and
slipping or crashing into anything that
throws the worker off balance
Trips & slips – occur on lower levels ( floor,
ramps, uneven surface)
To avoid – arrange all things properly
Spilt liquid, food, paint should be cleaned
immediately
Proper lighting
Damaged equipment, stairways and light
fixtures are repaired immediately
Electrical Hazards
Reasons- coming in direct contact with the
live wires, or indirect contact through a
conductor
Causes – exposed, worn – out wiring,
overloading of electrical outlets,
ungrounded or faulty equipment, unsafe
use of electrical equipment
To avoid : Employees – provided
instructions about electrical safety
Routine inspections of all wiring
Fire Hazards
Comply with housekeeping standards to
ensure fire safety
Accidents lead to fire
Damages workplace, equipment, stock,
building, causes injuries
To avoid fire : follow safety precautions
Companies – have first response and
emergency mitigation systems in place.
Employees – aware of all emergency exits
( fire escape routes) and location of fire
extinguishers and alarms
Health Hazards
Health includes condition of skin, eyes, ears
and all body parts; respiratory system,
cardio- vascular system, nervous system
Noisy machine or factory environment –
damage sense of hearing
Exposure to bright light and toxic fumes &
vapour – damage eyes and nose
Exposure to harmful chemicals – damages
lungs
Potential Sources of Hazards
Bright light sources behind the display
screen can create contrast problems
To avoid:
Use blinds or drapes on windows to
eliminate bright light
Blinds and furniture placement should be
adjusted to allow light but not directly to
field of view
Use indirect or shielded lighting where
possible; lamps should have glare shields/
shades
Reorient the workstation
Hazards using computers
Includes
Poor sitting postures or excessive duration of
sitting in one position
Causes pain, strain, muscle fatigue
To avoid
Stretch at regular intervals
Do simple yoga
Handling office equipment
Improper handling – injuries
Staff should be trained to handle tem
Relevant manual should be made on
handling equipment
Lifting or moving heavy objects without
proper procedure or techniques –
dangerous
To avoid : follow approved procedure and
proper posture for lifting and moving objects
Stress at work & Working
Environment
Long working hours – stressful causing
hazards.
Can lead to conflicts or arguments with
colleagues
Relax with hobbies
Poor ventilation, inappropriate height
furniture, poor lighting, poor housekeeping
in working environment
Hazards- physical/emotional intimidation
(bullying, ganging up)
To avoid : staff aware of company’s policies
Hazard control
All feasible measures to eliminate the
hazard
If elimination is not possible, all measures
to isolate the hazard
If elimination and isolation is not possible,
minimize the harard
Safety Guidelines Checklist
Store all cleaning chemicals in tightly closed
containers
Throw garbage daily
All areas – proper lighting
No loose clothing / jewellery when working with
machines
Wear protective items
Shutdown all machines before leaving
Don’t play with switches
Don’t operate machines / equipment without training
Repair torn wires/ broken plugs
Don’t smoke in ‘ no smoking area’
Report unsafe acts to supervisor
