Workplace Workplace HazardsHazards

Identification Identification

And AvoidanceAnd Avoidanceand The role of ISO 18000/14000

Workplaces can be Hazardous

Why worry about hazards?

Accidents, or “near misses” in the workplace lead to lessening productivity: it costs time and money to

retrain a new worker new workers are not initially

as productive as more experienced workers

goods or equipment can be lost in the accident, costing the enterprise $ to replace it

other workers will feel afraid or unhappy to be working in a place which could injure or kill them

-this harms productivity.

Categories of Hazards

Chemical Chemical hazards hazards

Physical hazardsPhysical hazards

Classes of Chemical Hazards

Compressed gases Flammable and

combustible materials (gases, aerosols, liquids, solids)

Oxidizing substances Poisons Corrosive substances Dangerously reactive

materials Biological hazards

Poisons There are various types of poisons that

have different effects on the body; ranging from making someone sick for a long time to killing them instantly.

Three ways of coming in contact with a poison: ingestion (eating, smoking after

handling the poison) inhalation (breathing particles of the

poison) absorption (soaking in through the skin)

Proper gear to wear while handling poisons depends on the substance

Ex: handling mercury which can be absorbed through the skin, wear rubber gloves.

PoisonsDifferent chemicals are harmful in different amounts. (consumption)

Ethanol (Pure alcohol) 7060 mg/kg Methanol (Anti-freeze) 5628 mg/kg Benzene 4894 mg/kg DDT (pesticide) 87 mg/kgDDT (pesticide) 87 mg/kg Dioxin 0.02 mg/kgDioxin 0.02 mg/kg

Corrosivity

Corrosives are chemicals that will damage ( or burn) skin on contact. Use protective gear: gloves, eye wear, or chemical suit...

Any acid or base near the ends of the pH scale is corrosive.l

Safe Storage

Unsafe Storage

Pressurized Gases

All gases in containers are under pressure. Ex: a balloon.

They are likely to explode if: punctured compressed, dropped or dented heated

Pressurized gas explosions, especially flammable ones, (ex: propane, butane or acetylene) are very dangerous. Car-sized tanks can destroy towns kilometres away.

Make sure safety measures are in place and working. Ex: sprinkler systems, emergency release valves...

Some safety measures may not prevent property damage but will save lives, including that of the surrounding community (children, elderly...)

Gas Explosion and fire - Nevada

Biological Hazards Biological hazards come in

various forms. If it originates from an animal or has been near an animal, then it is biological waste. Ex: animal parts and manure, hospital waste, city sewage...

Biological hazards contain bacteria or viruses likely to make people sick.

Handle with gloves and other safety precautions dependant on substance.

Treat before releasing into the environment:

(ex: incineration, carbon filtering, distilling, bleaching, settling etc… unique to each substance)

Flammable Substances

Flammable substances are substances that are likely to quite easily catch fire. Ex: gasoline, diesel fuel, paper...

Keep extinguishers and other fire preventive measures ready (sprinkler systems...)

Use the right extinguisher for the right substance. Water won’t put out a grease fire. Class A: Water extinguishers put out wood,

paper... Class B: Gas extinguishers or dry extinguishers

put out oil, gas, grease. Class C: Dry chemical extinguishers put out

electrical fires Class D: Special/specific extinguisher for such

things as magnesium fires.

Classes of Physical Hazards

Temperature (heat, cold and their effects)Slipping, tripping, fallingCollisions with fixed and falling objects,

people, machinesEntrapment (excavations, confined

spaces, machinery)Asphyxia (lack of air )ElectrocutionNoise

Temperature

Excessive heat or cold causes lack of productivity, physical damage or even death.

The effects of heat are exaggerated by humidity whereby the body cannot cool itself by sweating

The effects of cold are exaggerated by wind chill whereby the wind steals heat away from the body.

How hot is “HOT”

How Cold is “Cold”

Dealing with Temperature

HEAT: Ways to prevent damage by heat: cool the body fans or open doors, windows allowing a breeze

to cool the body. Shade Cold fluid, cold drinks

COLD: Ways to prevent damage by cold: heat the body wear warm clothing, especially the torso and

head Stop work when extreme temperatures

encountered

Noise

Hearing can be damaged by noises that are too loud.

Protective equipment Hearing can be lost gradually

or all at once. Being exposed to very loud

noises at work for years can lead to deafness.

Hearing is needed to hear things such as emergency alarms or approaching hazards such as forklifts or trucks.

Loss of hearing results in the loss of quality of life and therefore less motivation in the workplace.

Recognizing Hazards

Labels and lights fire / reactivity / health / specific

Container shapesValves and gaugesProtective coveringsMoving partsOdours and coloursTemperature

Colour Coding of EquipmentSubstance Color

Water: Fire Protection RedWater: Non Potable (Raw) Black Water: Potable (Purified) WhiteAnesthetic or Harmful Material BlueFlammable Material YellowOxidizing Material GreenPhysically Dangerous Material GrayToxic and Poisonous Material Brown

Colour Coding

• Trained employee

•Good railings

•Monitoring process

Protecting Against Hazards

Label and colour code Label and colour code Install physical guardsInstall physical guardsProvide protective Provide protective

equipmentequipmentTrain employees in Train employees in

handling procedureshandling proceduresLimit use of dangerous materials Limit use of dangerous materials

where possiblewhere possible

Making an Emergency Plan

Plan for large scale emergencies. (Fires, explosions...) An emergency plan will save lives (of workers and community) and

property In your plan make sure that:

all emergency exits accessible and known to workers there is more than one exit all fire extinguishers, safety valves are in working order workers know how to use safety equipment all the chemicals you are using are known emergency staff know how to deal with the chemicals

A Safe and Happy Worker is a Productive Worker!

Studies show greater productivity in a clean, safe environment

Workers are the key to an effective production process

Worker health is a key indicator of environmental, social and economic sustainability

ISO is one emerging approach

Key to managers – means to take control and reduce risk

Key to access to foreign marketsIncreasingly needed to get

insurance, bank funding, foreign investment and joint ventures

ISO 18000 and trade

Increasingly used as a non-tariff barrier along with ISO 14000 to stop goods which are not compliant entering markets like Europe

Health and environment are considered in many trade agreements to be the only factors which can be used to discriminate against foreign goods

Why ISO?

International concern over standards Importers want to control product quality

and environmental impacts Some nations see ISO as a

potential trade barrier (green barrier)

Many firms see economic and market benefit in obtaining international certification

A form of risk management

Why Businesses use ISO9000, 14000 and now 18000

Improve control Reduce costs Confirm

compliance Quality control Show

management capacity to potential clients

Gain market access

Reduce risk

History

Past approaches based on regulation and compliance (needs legislation and enforcement)

ISO approach is proactive. ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are model for action to prevent problems – done by enterprise or institution

British Standards Institute took the lead to develop OHSAS standards ( ISO 18001)

The ISO link

Initial standards were the 9000 series – focus on management accountability

ISO 14000 series integrated environmental standards into management (many were also related to health and safety issues)

ISO 18000 more explicitly focuses on workplace health and safety

ISO Standards

All the 9000/14000/18000 standards are process standards – that is an enterprise (state or private) must follow a specific process designed to create accountability – and to document it.

While the standards expect the enterprise to meet the actual substantive standards of a jurisdiction, they do not specify these standards – each jurisdiction is expected to have its own – such as amount of toxins in water, noise in workplace, or contents of required training.

加拿大企业参与 ISO 认证的主要激励因素

为了向消费着提供一种保证

为了建立良好的公众关系

可以减少所需支付的保险费金额

获得市场份额 满足 客户在注册方面

的需求 加强对成本的控制 减少责任事故的发生 显示企业的责任心 降低物料和能源的消

耗

获得有关部门对企业在有关方面的批准和授权 降低 为达标和执行有关政府法规所需要投入的

经费 研究和分享解决环境问题的办法和方案 改善企业与政府之间的关系

Standards Council of Canada, 2000

Key elements: Initial Phase

Occupational Safety and Health Policy Worker participation Responsibility and accountability Competence building and training Clear documentation of OSH management

system Communication Initial review (aspects and risks) System planning, development ,

implementation plan Note that this is parallel to ISO 14000 or 9000

Key Elements: Implementation

Set measurable objectives for OSHHazard identification and prevention

(anticipatory, identify risks, preventative measures, control measures, change management, emergency prevention and response – including supply chain such as procurement and contracting)

Performance monitoring and measurement (key indicators)

Key Elements: Management

Review of performance re OSHInvestigation of work related injuries, ill

health, disease and impact on performance

AuditRegular management reviewPreventative and corrective actionContinual improvement (re-design,

change based on reviews)

Some Tools for ISO 18000

On site audit and gap analysis relative to OHMS standards and guidelines

Management training in OHMS and links to overall management

Training in: Documentation Internal safety audits Progress assessments in implementation

Performance Measures

Key to setting substantive goals and targets

What are acceptable limits? What are legislated limits?Which are monitored regularly as part of

ISO 9000/14000/18000ISO requires that an enterprise monitor

on key measures – challenge is to specify what is required and to sustain monitoring and reporting – directly into management decision proceses

Good Health and Safety equals good and sustainable management

良好的健康与安全等于可持续的良好管理