Minimizing Risks in the Workplace

The assignment discusses the importance of effective compliance and risk management in various industries, particularly in the context of work health and safety (WHS) risks. It highlights the need for organizations to establish controls and procedures to minimize risks associated with slips and trips, struck by objects or persons, falls from height, fire (arson and electrical), and other hazards. The assignment also emphasizes the importance of providing adequate training to workers, maintaining good housekeeping standards, and ensuring that the organization has a clear strategy for minimizing risks. Furthermore, it underscores the significance of compliance in avoiding criminal charges and maintaining a positive public image. In conclusion, effective compliance and risk management are essential for organizations to maintain a safe and healthy work environment, reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries, and achieve their business objectives.

Table of Contents
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................................1
Task 2.........................................................................................................................................................4
Task 3.........................................................................................................................................................7
Task 4.........................................................................................................................................................8
Task 5.......................................................................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................................13

Health and Care
Task 1
The risk assessment is required because of the underlying risks:
1. The work activity presents a large number of psychosocial and physical risk factors. The
most commonly cited risk factors were to deal with difficult patients, customers, and
pupils, etc. which was present in more than two-third of workplaces. Although this risk
has been identified as the psychosocial risk, it can also consider as physical risks
according to the violent and threats for the workers.
2. The second most prevalent risk factors present in the workplaces are lifting or loads or
moving people. In case the risk is not controlled it ultimately leads to the cases of manual
handling accidents along with longer-term musculoskeletal disorders. This case has been
observed in around 60 percent of the workplaces.
3. The other physical risk factors which are seen to be observed in the workplace
contributing to the longer-term musculoskeletal disorders also includes slips, trips and
falls, repetitive arm movements and even includes working in painful positions. These
risks have been reported in most of the workplaces.
This ill health and the injuries incidents impose human costs including the quality of life of
an individual, loss of life or fatal injuries and financial cost which includes lost production.
Therefore, the total economic workplace cost for the ill health and injuries include valuation
of human costs along with financial costs incurred. Most of the deaths are taking place due to
work-related cancer and lung diseases due to past exposure or exposure to dust and
chemicals. The diseases taking place develop with time and ultimately leads to deaths due to
the past workplace conditions. The ways to reduce the possibilities of exposure to the risk
include (Australia, S. W., 2011)
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1. Elimination which includes substitution: In order to remove the hazard from the
workplace, or to substitute the hazardous machines or materials with the machines or
equipment which are less hazardous. This is a step to control the risk in most effective
manner. This is the most preferred method for controlling the hazard and must be used
within the organization whenever possible.
2. Engineering Controls: This section includes the modifications or designs for
equipment, plants or even the ventilation systems and the processes which can help to
reduce the exposure source. The engineering controls are one of the reliable methods for
controlling the worker exposures in the case when the controls are designed and
maintained and used very effectively. The most basic engineering controls are
 Process control
 Ventilation
 Enclosure and/or isolation of emission source.
3. Administrative Controls: These controls are the one who can alter the work
methodology which also includes policies, work timing and other rules and the work
related practice like operating procedures and standards which include housekeeping,
training, maintenance of equipment and personal hygiene practices.
4. Personal Protective Equipment: These equipment are worn by the workers which can
lead to the reduction in the exposure to chemicals and even the exposure to heat and
noise.
All these methods are termed as the "hierarchy of control" due to their orderly consideration so
as to eliminate all the risk and hazards.
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The data above highlights the number of workers being exposed to high risk due to heat, over
time and tiredness (Harrington, J. M., 2001). Whereas the people working in the vehicle spray
painters and the bakers are the ones with highest rates of asthma.
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Task 2
According to the current estimates, it has been estimated that around eight thousands of the
work-related cancer deaths take place every year in Britain and more than fifty percent of the
cancer deaths are caused due to past exposure to mesothelioma or asbestos. Furthermore, the
biggest categories of the work-related cancer are caused due to diesel engine exhaust, silica,
mineral oils and even breast cancer.
In 2013, around 217 deaths were encountered due to asbestosis being the underlying cause.
The cases of ill health have been seen to fall since 2001, and the cases reached a low in 2011
with 454,000 in 2011 however 516, 00 new cases were reported in 2014 related to work-illness.
It has been registered that new cases of depression, stress or anxiety remain flat, and the numbers
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were found to be of around 234,000. The higher number of cases with musculoskeletal disorders
were found. The data sheet given below showcases the cases of ill-health due to work problems.
Further due to no consideration is given to the risk assessment, there were higher cases of fatal
injuries, and the rate was found. Over the last two decades, it has been found that that the rate of
fatal injuries has been seen in a downward trend. The sectors like agriculture, construction and
waste have a major number of fatal injuries. Although the analysis of trend has been highly
complicated due to the reporting regulation it has been seen that due to the changes implemented
in the working places these injuries have seen a downfall in past one decade. The maximum
number of injuries have been seen to be due to lifting, handling or trips, and slips whereas some
of the injuries have been seen to be due to being struck by the object in motion.
These injuries and accidents take place in case the working environment are not safe for the
employees. These risks can be dependent on the working conditions being kept tidy, clean and
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even uncluttered, the stairs and floor must be kept in good conditions and control must be
exercised in other trip injuries. There must be measures of cleaning the spilled liquid so as to
avoid more injuries. Changes have to be introduced in the environment be it organizational
structure, substances used or equipment used, legislation, technical knowledge. Although the
changes will have numerous impacts like the change in a number of workers, replacement of
experienced workers with the trainers, etc.
The employer must be responsible for ensuring that the working conditions are good and should
keep a check on the working environment. The working condition affects the health and safety
along with the security of the workers. In the case of working conditions not being good for the
workers than it can damage their health and can put their safety at high risk.
The organization must provide training for using all the materials and equipment to all the
employees, must take care of employee's needs and their health and safety. The working or the
insufficient working conditions that might put the health or safety at high risks must be
eliminated or reduced to the minimum.
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Task 3
The safety data sheets or SDSs are summary documents which are responsible for providing data
and information regarding the hazards of the products and material and also provide advice
regarding the safety conditions. These safety data sheets are written by the supplier or
manufacturer of the product. In some of the instances, the employer of the workplace is also
responsible for preparing the SDS. These act as important resources for the workplaces and the
employees to help them learn about the products and materials. This information and data are
helpful in identifying the hazards of the materials and products and help to protect people from
these hazards which further include the emergency measures and the safe handling. SDS are
solely dependent on telling the hazards of the materials, how to safely use the products and the
recommendations which have to be followed and recognizing the symptoms of the exposures
(Carayon, P., 2006).
A complete description and concise description of the toxic health effects and the information
have to be used to identify the effects the information includes various routes of exposures,
symptoms for the toxicological, chemical and physical characteristics. The information also
includes immediate effects and the delayed from the long-term and short-term exposures along
with the numerical measures of the toxicity. The workers should make sure that product that is
used should have all the protective measures for guiding them.
This booklet helps the employees and workers to understand and to read all the labels and the
material safety data sheets related to all the chemicals and materials being used in the process.
These material safety data sheet helps the workers to understand the ingredients of the products,
precautions to be followed while using the material and the health effects of the products along
with the first aid precautions and instruction on safe handling and safe storage which can be
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helpful in risk assessment and avoid a large number of hazards. The workers should read all the
information and data so as to minimize the risk and to do the risk assessment.
Hazard identification checklist can be used for identifying as well as evaluating the hazards in
the workplace where the identification checklist covers a plethora of workplace safety as well as
health hazards. This checklist will be beneficial in identifying all the potential hazards to the
employees and the workers who are engaged in the mechanical or straining work in the
organization. This checklist differs for different workplaces. For instance the wind turbines
sector will consider all the specific hazards related to the entire life cycle of wind turbines, from
the basic steps of manufacturing to the production and transportation of their parts. The hazards
and risks during the installation, maintenance, operation and the waste treatment etc. are also
mentioned covering all the common hazards which are associated with the installations however,
it does not mitigate the requirement of undertaking thorough risk assessment. This checklist
presents all the problems and hazards separately, and helps in taking into account the interactions
between the risk factors and problems. This helps in giving a preventive measure for tackling
risk factors and preventing another one to happen. This helps the employees to be aware of all
risks and hazards beforehand and provides a guidance for them to avoid risks.
Task 4
The following measures have been given to minimize the following risks by following these
measures.
1. Accidents with tools, machinery and materials: the equipment must be guarded
effectively along with appropriate controls. This can be done by routine inspection and a
good defect reporting system that can be beneficial in the reduction of minimization of
risk. Therefore, the workers must also be given adequate training.
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2. Slips and trips: for this risk the floor must be kept in good condition and must be
adequately lit. Good housekeeping standards must be maintained, and the workers must
be asked to wear suitable footwear for minimizing the slips and trips. The workers should
be documented a cleaning program and strategy.
3. Struck by object/person – the identification of various incidents and introduction of
appropriate control measures including the good housekeeping and traffic control with
effective machinery guarding.
4. Fall from height – a proper planning of the work with control of risks and assessments is
very important. The employee should decide upon the provision of alternative equipment.
5. Fire (Arson) – the best methods for minimizing the risk of fire include adequate security
and experts for checking all the shutters and locks. The organization must use enclosed
and lockable bins and skips for preventing the problem.
6. Fire (Gas or Electrical) – the organization must ensure that every system that is being
installed has suitable contractors and testing for minimizing the electrical risk. The use of
portable appliances and the controls establishment on them can act as an insurance
requirement.
7. Fire (Processes and Storage) – it must be ensured that the suitable cut-outs and
thermostats must be used for minimizing the risk of storage fires and risk of the process.
The layout of storage must constantly be reviewed which can help in reducing the
likelihood of all the combustible materials that are not kept near any heat source will help
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to minimize risk. Protection and fire detection system are very important (HOW TO
MANAGE to WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS, 2011).
The steps to control the risk when we are electric arc welding and to protect ourselves
include:
1. Wearing dry gloves in a good condition and not to touch electrode or any part of
metal with bare hand or wet clothing and further be aware of insulating oneself
from work as well as the ground so as to keep dry insulation between the metal to
be welded and the body.
2. Adequate ventilation and local exhaust for keeping all the gases and fumes away
from the general and breathing area. A fan, or an installed exhaust system along
with removable exhaust hood are used for removing all the hazardous fumes and
gases from the workplace.
The organization must be available for all the information which are related to the health and
safety for enabling constructive discussion. This information much include: technical guidance
regarding the risks and risk control measures, risk assessments along with hazards reports, safety
procedures and policies, proposing changes towards the systems of work and workplaces. The
information should be presented in a manner which can be understood by all the workers by
taking into account all the literacy needs and cultural background of the workers in workplaces.
The most common and effective method is to have a face-to-face meeting featuring the health
and safety methods.
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Task 5
Compliance is referred to as obeying of all the regulations and laws and helps in managing the
business, employees and their treatments towards the organizations and the consumers of the
organization. The sole concept of the compliance is to make sure that whole organization is
acting responsibly. The compliances are highly beneficial for supporting the business partners
and helps in exploring new offering which are initially hindered by the privacy issues and other
security issues. For example, in the health care sectors, the companies are looking towards the
service offering like electronic medical records, e-transcriptions which can impact the care and
its quality along with reduction in administrations overhead costs. Various applications are
observed with high success.
The ethical compliance helps in guiding the organization regarding the ethical policies. For
instance a zero tolerance regarding the corporate policy for the sexual harassment towards the
laws which can be governing the workplace activity. The compliance can be highly beneficial in
developing a work culture which can be abiding the workplace laws along with the reduction of
the capital associated with the lawsuits. The ethical compliance further helps in creating a
suitable culture for treating the employees with respect. The employee will be given equal access
for higher opportunities and therefore ends up providing the positive as well as nurturing
environment. This type of environment helps in increasing the productivity of the organization
and creates intense working relationships among the staffs. This has improved the morale of the
organization with reduction of the employee turnover and therefore is highly profitable for the
organization.
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The most helpful significance of compliance in a business is avoidance of all the criminal
charges. No organization wants to face criminal accusations for not sticking to the law. There are
such a variety of various controls and laws concerning how a business ought to deal with its
staff, how stock is handles, how publicizing is handles, the principles of engagement when
purchasing and offering, rules on arranging with clients, on representative pay, wellbeing tenets,
thus numerous others. With an appropriate compliance and legitimate compliance administration
an organization can keep focused light side of the law.
The accomplishment of your business essentially relies on upon its reputation and public image.
At the point when an organization begins confronting a few court cases, the overall population
will lose their trust in the organization and deals in items and administrations will in the end
drop. Consistence will guarantee that an organization can maintain a positive picture and
construct buyer trust. This additionally manufactures purchaser unwaveringness, since clients are
more probable going to come back to an administration or item from an organization they
distinguish as dependable. This additionally helps a business with backers, promoters, and
government prerequisites. A business that satisfies administrative business consistence through
effective corporate consistence administration for the most part gets marked rapidly and
effortlessly at whatever point required. They additionally pull through episodes like individual
court cases prudently before it develops into an open concern.
Furthermore, the compliance can help in seeking efficiencies for improving the stakeholder’s
returns with regards to the operational efficiency of the compliance. As compliances are highly
embedded in the business operations DNA they make the tasks highly efficient. Therefore,
compliance is highly beneficial for any organization.
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References
Australia, S. W. (2011). How to manage work health and safety risks: Code of
Practice. Canberra: Safe Work Australia.
Harrington, J. M. (2001). Health effects of shift work and extended hours of
work. Occupational and Environmental medicine, 58(1), 68-72.
Carayon, P., Hundt, A. S., Karsh, B. T., Gurses, A. P., Alvarado, C. J., Smith, M., &
Brennan, P. F. (2006). Work system design for patient safety: the SEIPS model. Quality and
Safety in Health Care, 15(suppl 1), i50-i58.
Caruso, C. C., Bushnell, T., Eggerth, D., Heitmann, A., Kojola, B., Newman, K., ... & Vila,
B. (2006). Long working hours, safety, and health: toward a National Research
Agenda. American journal of industrial medicine, 49(11), 930-942.
HOW TO MANAGE WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS. (2011). 1st ed. [ebook]
australia. Available at:
https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/uploaded_files/How_to_Manage_Work_Health_and_Safety
_Risks.pdf [Accessed 15 Jun. 2016].
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