KEEPING IT SAFE The Health and Safety Newsletter of the Barbados Employers’ Confederation
Special points of interest:
HR Professionals should un-
derstand their role in Safety
and Health
While you are ensuring em-
ployee safety do not neglect
their security
Silicosis causes the swelling
of the lungs and therefore
shortness of breath
Drinks plenty of water when
jumping for Kadooment
Mental illness cannot be
treated like physical illness
Inside this issue:
Role of HR in Safety and
Health
2
Spot the Hazard 3
Silica and Silicosis - The
Truth About Them
4
The Importance of
Respirators
5
Chemical Safety Your
Responsibility
6
Getting Back on Track After
Crop Over
8
What is Mental Illness? 10
Vulnerability the Absence
of Security
12
Have a Chuckle 15
Upcoming Events 16
Volume 1, Issue 1 July 29, 2014
O ccupational Safety and health
(OSH) and human resource
management (HRM) are usually viewed as
separate and distinct from each other,
however this is far from the case. Such
thinking has caused many companies to
miss the mark in attaining a successful
safety program. Human resource officers
have a very integral role to play in the
execution of safe working practices within
the workplace. Many believe that this is
the job of the Safety Officer or for that
one HR Officer who was delegated such
responsibilities. Such retrograde attitudes
will lead our country no closer to
international recognition. While human
resources professionals are not expected
to know the technical aspects of work-
place health and safety, they should know
when and how to use existing resources to
respond to employee concerns.
In order for HR professionals to meet their
responsibilities as it relates to the safety,
health and welfare of their employees
they need to do the following:
Understand the health and safety
responsibili ties of employers,
managers, supervisors and employees
within the organization;
Implement management policies to ensure
that everyone in the workplace is aware
of his/her responsibilities;
Establish effective ways to accomplish
health and safety responsibilities, and;
Ensure that employees fulfill their health
and safety responsibilities as outlined in
the organizational policies and programs.
When HR and OSH have been effectively
integrated a positive work culture is usually
the end result. Cultivating a positive safety
culture is a top-down process and therefore
management must exemplify the policies they
have instituted.
HR’s mandate with respect to occupational
health and safety is to support line manage-
ment and the organization as a whole by
creating and overseeing policies, procedures
and programs, dealing with regulatory
compliance and reporting requirements.
Additionally, advising, coaching and training
line managers and employees fall within their
ambit. There are also many areas where
health and safety overlaps with core aspects
of human resources management. These
include workplace harassment and bullying,
attendance management, disability manage-
ment, workers’ compensation claims, return to
work programs, job design, wellness initiatives
and performance management.
An effective marriage of these two schools of
study will birth a core of management
professionals who have a greater
understanding of the employees as a whole
and not just a fragments.
Where HR and OSH Meet! By: Melony James
OSH/Research Coordinator - BEC
Keeping it Safe Page 2
Previous Page:
HR Responsibilities in Safety
and Health
This Page:
HR Responsibilities in Safety
and Health
Next Page:
Vulnerability the Absence of
Security
Human Resources Roles in Health and Safety
Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 1
Can You Spot the
Previous Page:
HR Responsibilities in Safety
and Health
This Page:
Can you Spot the Hazards?
Next Page:
Silica and Silicosis: The Truth
About Them
Hazards?
Keeping it Safe Page 4
Silica and Silicosis:
R espirable crystalline silica (RCS) is found in stone, rocks, sands and clays. Exposure to RCS over a long period can
cause fibrosis (hardening or scarring) of the lung tissue with a consequent loss of lung function. Sufferers are
likely to have severe shortness of breath and may find it difficult or impossible to
walk even short distances or up stairs. The effect continues to develop after exposure has
stopped and is irreversible. Sufferers usually become house- or bed-bound and often die
prematurely due to heart failure.
Acute silicosis is a rare complication of short-term exposure to very large amounts of silica.
This condition is life-threatening and associated with very significant clinical consequences.
Silica may also be linked to lung cancer. Precautions taken to control the risk of fibrosis will
serve to control the risk of lung cancer. Workers with silicosis are at an increased risk of
tuberculosis, kidney disease and arthritis. Exposure to RCS may also cause chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Occupational risks
Occupations with exposure to RCS include: quarrying, slate works, foundries, potteries, stonemasonry, construction (when
cutting or breaking stone, concrete or brick), and industries using silica flour to manufacture goods.
Respirable crystalline silica particles are produced during many work tasks, including sandblasting, mining, rock drilling,
quarrying, brick cutting, glass manufacturing, tunneling, foundry work, stone working, ceramic manufacturing and
construction activities.
There are three types of silicosis:
Chronic silicosis, the most common type of silicosis, usually occurs after 10 or more years of exposure to crystalline
silica at low levels.
Accelerated silicosis occurs 5 to 10 years after exposure and is caused by exposure to higher levels of crystalline
silica.
Acute silicosis can occur after only weeks or months of exposure to very high levels of crystalline silica. Acute silicosis
progresses rapidly and can be fatal within months.
How does silicosis affect your body?
Generally, the silica dust affects the lungs ability to work correctly. Each type of silicosis affects the body somewhat
differently:
In simple chronic silicosis, the silica dust causes areas of swelling in the lungs and chest lymph nodes, which causes
breathing difficulty.
In accelerated silicosis, swelling in the lungs and symptoms occur faster than in simple silicosis.
In acute silicosis, the lungs become very inflamed and can fill with fluid, which causes severe shortness of breath and
low blood oxygen levels.
This Page:
Silica and Silicosis: The truth
about them
Next Page
The Importance of
Respirators
Previous Page:
HR Responsibilities in Safety
and Health
The Truth About Them
Article Taken From: www.hse.gov.uk
Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 1
The Importance of
Respirators protect the user in two basic ways. The first is by the removal of contaminants from the air. Respirators of this type include particulate respirators, which filter out airborne particles; and "gas masks” which filter out chemicals and gases. Other respirators protect by supplying clean respirable air from another source. Respirators that fall into this category include airline respirators, which use compressed air from a remote source; and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which include their own air supply.
Respirators should only be used when engineering control systems are not feasible.
Engineering control systems, such as adequate ventilation or scrubbing of contaminants
are the preferred control methods for reducing worker exposures.
Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) use a fan to draw air through the filter to the user. They are easier to breathe through; however, they need a fully charged battery to work properly. They use the same type of filters/cartridges as other air-purifying respirators. It is important to know what the hazard is, and how much of it is in the air, in order to select the proper filters/cartridges.
Dust Mask
These type of respirators
purify air by adsorbing
gases or vapours on a
sorbent (adsorbing material)
in a cartridge. Selecting the
proper filter can be a
complicated process. There
are cartridges available that
protect against more than
one hazard, but there is no
‘all in one cartridge that
protects against all
substances.
Dust masks are air purifiers
that can remove
contaminants in the air that
you breathe by filtering out
particulates. Dust masks are
a cheaper, lighter, and
possibly more comfortable
alternative to respirators,
but may not provide as
much protection, and may
be more susceptible to
misuse or poor fit .
Self-Contained Breathing
Apparatus (SCBA) means
an atmosphere-supplying
respirator for which the
breathing air source is
designed to be carried by
the user. It provides clean
air from a portable air
tank when the air around
you is simply too danger-
ous to breath.
SCBAs Chemical/Gas Mask Powered Air
Previous Page:
Silica and Silicosis: The truth
About Them
This Page
The Importance of
Respirators
Next Page
Chemical Safety: Your
Responsibility
Selecting the Right Respirator
Keeping It Safe Page 6
Chemical Safety:
A fter a long morning working the field on a St. Philip Plantation, John went to the
kitchen for a cool refreshing drink. He opens the fridge door, grabs a sprite bottle
and proceeds to drink it. Almost immediately he begins to gag. He is experiencing
a burning sensation on his lips, in his mouth and in his throat. The sprite bottle did not actually
contain sprite. Rather it contained Clorox. The Clorox bottle was damaged the day before;
someone placed the remainder in an empty sprite bottle and the bottle was placed in the
fridge accidentally.
This situation seems a bit unbelievable doesn’t it? Sadly, it is a true story; only the names have been changed to protect the
innocent. Situations like this occur in infinite variety.
Chemicals directly or indirectly affect our lives and are vital to our health, our lifestyle and the environment in which we live.
According the United Nation, the production and use of chemicals is fundamental to all economics. The global chemical
business is worth more than 1.7 trillion US dollars per year. However, as someone once fittingly said, “as easily as fire
warms, it burns; so too a chemical not properly used”. If these chemicals are not properly managed they can contaminate
our groundwater, pollute our air and even make us sick.
We need to take action to prevent situations like John’s, from becoming commonplace in our society and to protect our
natural resources. So, what can we do to manage chemicals safely?
Firstly, we can purchase less hazardous chemicals.
The first step in this process is to determine the dangers associated with the chemicals that we currently use. A useful tool for
identifying and communicating these hazards is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of
Chemicals or GHS. The GHS uses standardized criteria to define hazards and transmit these hazards to workers and
consumers in an easy to understand format using labels and safety data sheets. Once the hazards of a chemical are known
then safer alternatives can be sourced.
In the United Stated it has been estimated that more than 190,000 illness and 50,000 deaths are caused by exposure to
hazardous chemicals. Studies carried out by the American Industrial Hygiene Association suggested that these statistics can
be vastly improved by implementing measures to reduce or eliminate worker exposure to these substances. By using less
hazardous alternatives to replace harmful chemicals, materials and products and by adopting safer processes, workplaces
may see a reduction in injuries and illness. This study also suggested that this type of approach has proven to be more ef-
fective than implementing common controls such as personal protective equipment.
Not only can the use of safer alternatives safeguard the employees but it can result in a reduction in the direct, indirect and
liability costs to businesses and to the wider society. The elimination or reduction of chemical hazards at the source and the
adoption of safer alternatives can also result in improvements to key success indicators. Many businesses may realise
enhanced performance efficiency, reduction in employee down time and improved corporate stewardship.
Your Responsibility
By: Mr. Philip Pile
Environmental Technical Officer
Environmental Protection Department
Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 1
Secondly, we can use, handle and store properly.
How? By carefully reading and following the information on the chemical’s label and on its safety data sheet. These two
documents supply the most accurate and reliable information for using, handling and storing a chemical safely. The label pro-
vides the user with information about the hazard of the chemicals and basic advice on using the chemical safely. Safety data
sheets provide comprehensive information about a substance including information on the potential hazards, safe use and
handling, precautionary measures and emergency response among other things. Unfortunately, according to a survey con-
ducted by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in 2010 there are many workers and consumers who did not read
chemical labels. Instead, they preferred to rely on word of mouth or their own experience to determine how best use and
handle chemicals.
To encourage people to adopt better chemical management practices so as to not endanger themselves, others or the
environment some guidelines to follow are listed below.
Clearly label all chemicals especially when they are transferred from their original container.
Store chemicals on an impervious surface to prevent soil contamination and to help contain spills.
Use chemicals in well ventilated areas.
Avoid inhalation, ingestion or contact with the skin.
Do not store chemicals together that can react with each other. For example, do not store acids with
bases.
Do not mix chemicals together.
Thirdly, we can dispose of chemicals in an environmentally sound manner.
The appropriate disposal of hazardous chemicals is important to prevent harmful health effects and contamination of the
environment. Hazardous chemicals usually require treatment to destroy them or the hazardous components made harmless
prior to final disposal. As there are presently no facilities in Barbados to treat or dispose of hazardous chemicals, there
are only three options to deal with disposal. These options are:
Reuse and recycle - Used automotive oil can be used as fuel and automotive batteries which contain harmful lead
based substances can be collected by private companies and exported for recycling.
Contact the EPD for disposal advice - Companies can submit their request for disposal advice in writing to the
department. The request should state the name and quantity of the chemical to be disposed and be
accompanied by safety datasheet for the chemical.
Export for disposal - Chemicals which cannot be treated or disposed locally must be exported for appropriate
disposal.
Finally, we need to put the above information into practice.
According to dramatist Anton Chekhov, “knowledge is of no value unless you put into practice”. Therefore, we have to make an
effort to use safer alternatives; use, handle and store our chemicals better and disposal of chemicals properly. In doing so,
we can ensure that future generations inherit an environment that is healthy, productive and enjoyable.
Previous Page
The Importance of
Respirators
This Page
Chemical Safety: Your
Responsibility
Next Page
Getting Back on Track After
Crop Over
Keeping It Safe Page 8
Getting Back on Track
M ore than a carnival, Crop Over is a Festival.
This year like many others previously,
Barbadians and others will enjoy Crop Over
2014 to the max. There were many parties, and other
events during the period which began weeks ago. The
Festival culminates with a weekend of Pic of de Crop
Finals, Fore Day Morning Jam, Cohobblopot, Bridgetown
Market and Grand Kadooment. In addition there are
many other all-inclusive and other parties. Friends from
overseas and local acquaintances encourage your
patronage at various activities at this time.
Lack of sleep, increased alcohol intake and just being on your feet for long periods are a feature of this
weekend of non-stop partying and social activities. Just watching the Grand Kadooment or Fore Day Morning
Jam, attending the various shows and parties are taxing on our bodies as these events last long and many
persons are on the go with little sleep before or after the event.
After this, it is time for a return to regular life, that is, back to productive work. Some workers take a holiday
break at this time and travel overseas with their families. Some persons take a few days off and get some
relaxation by having massages, spa treatments, or yoga, but others try to get back into the strides of every-
day life.
In order to manage your recovery, you have to prepare your bodies properly for the stress being placed on
them. Prevention is the best order of the day or days.
While jumping, be it Fore Day Morning Jam or Grand Kadooment, you will be surprised that many revellers
don’t prepare themselves properly. Wear proper footwear,
keep hydrated with water or a sports drink, take a break if
necessary and walk or chip as you go down the road. Get
some rest and rehydrate after you make it to Spring Garden,
have a good healthy meal and some sleep before you “hit the
road again.” Alcohol is a diuretic and can dehydrate you in
addition to making those muscles and nerves feel worse after.
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables before, during and after the
After Crop Over
By: Dr. Adrian Lorde
President
Barbados Sports Medicine Association
Page 9 Volume 1, Issue 1
activities. A day of naturally good fruits and veggies could help to regenerate you faster. You may have de-
prived yourself of these necessary minerals and vitamins before and during Crop Over. Your body would liter-
ally suck them in. Maybe a smoothie would be a good idea. A green power punch with celery, cucumber, spin-
ach and apple mixed together would make for good recovery.
Application and reapplication of sun block lotion will assist in preventing sunburn if you are sun exposed as a
reveller in a costume band or just watching from the side-lines.
After all of this, a proper rest is necessary for recovery. The sore muscles and the burnt skin will need time to
recover. Don’t overdo it then, work continues on Tuesday morning. Get to work as scheduled but get some rest,
as much as you can before and after work. Take care of your bodies now and always.
Previous Page
Chemical Safety: Your
Responsibility
This Page
Getting Back on Track After
Crop Over
Next Page
What is mental illness?
Apple and Beet Smoothie
Ingredients
½ cup orange juice
1 ganny apple peeled and diced
½ cup frozen mixed berries
⅓ cup raw or roasted beets, diced
1- inch piece ginger
juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon agave (simple syrup is a substitution for agave)
¼ cup coconut milk or soy milk
2-3 ice cubes
Instructions: Place all the ingredients in a blender and
blend until smooth.
Keeping It Safe Page 10
Article Taken from: http://www.acas.org.uk
M ental health is the mental and emotional
state in which we feel able to cope with the
normal stresses of everyday life.
If we are feeling good about ourselves we often work
productively, interact well with colleagues and make a
valuable contribution to our team or workplace.
Positive mental health is rarely an absolute state. One
may feel in good mental health generally but also
suffer stress or anxiety from time to time.
Mental ill health can range from feeling ‘a bit down’ to
common disorders such as anxiety and depression and,
in limited cases, to severe mental illnesses such as bipo-
lar disorder or schizophrenia.
Mental health conditions may emerge suddenly, as a
result of a specific event or incident, or gradually, over
a period of time when the condition may worsen or
improve.
Some illnesses are persistent and may be classed as a
disability, while others come and go, giving the
individual ‘good days’ and ‘bad days’.
In some contexts, we are happy to talk about the
‘mental’ as well as the ‘physical’ aspects of life. For
example, sports men and women are often said to
be good or bad at the ‘mental side of the game’ –
meaning either that they are resilient and able to
cope with the stress of competitive sport or have a
tendency to crumble under pressure.
We are often less comfortable talking about mental
health at work. Reference to an employee’s mental
health may often be seen as a form of criticism and
infer that someone is either weak or unreliable.
Illness is more easily understood if it is visible and
mental illness may be less conspicuous than some
forms of physical illness. An employee may also work
very hard to disguise their symptoms, or they may
develop other ‘secondary symptoms’ not directly
related to the original problem – for example, the
strain of coping with depression may cause someone
to become dependent on alcohol or drugs.
Many employees and line managers are uncomfort-
able talking about mental health. Misconceptions
about illnesses persist – mental health is often
viewed as something disturbing or dangerous that
lurks hidden beneath the surface of someone’s
personality.
What is Mental Health?
Page 11 Volume 1, Issue 1
Previous Page
Vulnerability: The Absence
of Security
This Page
What is Mental Illness?
Next Page
Have a
Chuckle
What if we Treat Physical Illness
Like Mental Illness….
Keeping It Safe Page 12
Vulnerability:
I n our daily lives we rely heavily on objects and measures to ensure our safety. When driving we wear
seatbelts and to prevent burglary we utilize burglar bars and alarms. This same level of security is
expected by every employee who steps into every workplace, and it is the duty of the employer to ensure
these needs are met. The security of employees should be embedded in the company’s policies to ensure a
comfortable and safe environment which is conducive to maximizing productivity. To better grasp the concept
of how crucial it is to secure your staff, the analogy of your staff being your family and your offices being
your personal home, should be used. As mentioned above, we utilize measures such as alarms and burglar
bars to protect our homes and assets from risks such as theft and fire damage, your employees are your
human assets, and therefore require the same level of protection you would afford to your biological family.
One method of ensuring security and safety is the implementation of a risk assessment program which
analyzes present operational measures and thoroughly investigates the safety of the company’s facilities and
surroundings. It is important to include the employees in this assessment process because they are on the
frontline. While executing their day to day duties employees will be able to analyze weak points in their
surroundings and provide suggestions. This inclusion also helps build confidence in their roles in the company
and their trust in the company’s commitment to providing a safer environment. The analysis identifies strengths
and vulnerabilities in the organization’s safety measures and generates recommendations on the best ways to
avert and minimize any possible risks.
The Absence of Security
By: Ms. Aleika Walker
International Business Professional
Page 13 Volume 1, Issue 1
Areas that should be regularly assessed are:
Security Equipment: alarms, security systems, effective lighting, metal detectors and identification
swipe cards for restricted areas.
Emergency Planning and Preparedness: fire drills, emergency alert systems, evacuation routes and
procedures.
It is fundamental that security systems and alarms are regularly checked for malfunctions and any necessary
upgrades be made to ensure equipment operates effectively. Security cameras must be strategically placed
allowing visibility of all areas inside and outside the facility. The company’s compound must also be well lit,
eliminating dark areas for thieves to hide and for suspicious activity to go unnoticed. It is especially important
for companies who have frontline workers, those who have direct contact with customers, to implement measures
to protect their staff from thieves and disgruntled customers. Security guards should be tactically placed at
entrances and exits to monitor the activity of visitors on compound. A visitors’ log book, accompanied with visitor
badges, should be situated at the entrance providing the ability to record persons and permitting the quick
identification of unauthorized individuals.
Assessments of contingency plans should be conducted to verify employees know the procedures in the event of
natural disasters. It is human nature to panic during emergencies, therefore to avert confusion and harm to staff
or property, a set procedure must be prepared and communicated, to lead employees to safety. Emergency
exits must be kept clear and evacuation routes and procedures must be known by all staff members.
The list of measures available to protect your company is endless. However you must ensure that you stay within
the boundaries, never cross the line by invading the employees’ privacy. A “too secured and monitored” envi-
ronment can quickly escalate into employees feeling uncomfortable and untrusted. Remember that the safety
and security of your employees is not only for due diligence but because they are your family.
Previous Page
What is mental illness
This Page
Vulnerability: The Absence
of Security
Next Page
Types of Security Cameras
Keeping It Safe Page 14
Previous Page
What is Mental Illness?
Next Page
Have a Chuckle
This Page
Types of Security Cameras
Types and Use of
Infrared Cameras produce high
resolution color video during the
day. In low lux (light) or no light
conditions they are the preferred
camera type. These cameras are
able to “illuminate the area” by
automatically switching from color
to black and white.
Dome cameras get their name
from the dome-shaped housing in
which they sit. These housings are
designed to make the cameras
unobtrusive… not covert or
hidden. Typical applications are
retail, where the camera is
designed to be unobtrusive, but
visible
Network/IP: These cameras, both
hardwired and wireless, transmit
images over the Internet, often
compressing the bandwidth so as
not to overwhelm the web. IP
cameras are easier to install than
analog cameras because they do
not require a separate cable run
or power boost to send images
over a longer distance
Security Cameras
Have A Chuckle
Page 15 Volume 1, Issue 1
CHECK US OUT HERE:
Barbados Employers Confederation
@BecBarbados
Barbados Employers’ Confederation
Braemar Court
Deighton Road
Brittons Hill
St. Michael
BARBADOS EMPL OYERS’ CONFEDERAT ION
Newsletter Coordinator
Melony James
Research/OSH Coordinator
Phone: 246-435-4753
Fax: 246-435-2907
Email: [email protected]
Upcoming Training Courses
Aug 12 Write on Target
Aug 19 Employee/Employer Rights
Aug 21 Understanding Contractual Issues
Aug 27 Managing Different Personalities
Sep 10 Keys to Exceptional Service
September 15 – 17 Managing For Success
October 15 Conducting Employee Discipline
November 5 Managing Conflict
Upcoming Open Forums
September 24 Sexual Harassment: A Modern Workplace Dilemma
October 22 Safety and Health: Investment vs Expense