15 Health and Safety Hazards and Risks

The hazards identified are discussed using the table below; Hazard Description Description of Safety/Health Hazard Suggested Control Strategy Hierarchy of Control Type Method of Implementation Working at heights During construction, the working platform may collapse or overturn causing a risk of fall Contract the construction work like painting to experienced company. Working at heights Using a ladder to access roof tops can cause risk of fall because the ladder can slide then the worker slip and fall Jeong et al 2 (p 260) emphasized that to reduce the hazard replace

Hazards and risks1
Health and Safety Hazards and Risks
Students’ Name
Department
University
Contacts
Word Count: 1828

Hazards and risks2
Introduction
Management of health and safety systems is a significant role in any organization. Workplace
environments are faced with various hazards such as physical, biological, chemical, and
ergonomic hazards which are harmful to employees. Karakhan et al 2(p 18) emphasized that for
smooth flow of operations and better performance, hazards have to be identified, evaluated and
controlled. This will ensure that employers and employees obligations are met. The purpose of
these paper is to identify safety hazards and risks in the Go with the Flow Plumbing Company,
suggest control strategies and provide the implementation method to mitigate the risks.
Overview of the Go with the Flow Plumbing Limited
Go with the Flow is middle sized plumbing company which engages in commercial, and
residential installation and service work. The company performs different task in customers’
homes such as plumbing, inspection, heating, and installation of various facilities like air
conditioning and pipes. The companies employees like plumbers encounter several hazards in
the workplace such as fall, burns, toxic atmosphere, and oxygen deficiency. Workers also use
different tools and equipment’s like saws, pipe cutters, wrenches, hang augers, cutting touches,
and pliers. From Hyatt 2 (p 10) some of the plumbing tools though make work easier they can put
workers into a risk of injuries like cuts when using pipe cutters and pliers.
As the safety person of Go with Flow company, I will identify the following hazards, control
methods, and implementation techniques. Ma et al3 (p 113) have outlined the hierarchy of hazards
control methods. The hazards identified are discussed using the table below;

Hazards and risks3
Hazard
Description
Description of
Safety/Health
Hazard
Suggested
Control
Strategy
Hierarchy of
Control Type
Method of
Implementatio
n
1. Working at
heights
During
construction, the
working
platform may
collapse or
overturn causing
a risk of fall
Contract the
construction
work like
painting to
experienced
company.
Access and
monitor the
platforms
before the
work starts
Elimination According to
Ahmad et al 2 (p
272) elimination
method can be
implemented by
hiring a
contractor to
perform high
heights tasks
like painting.
Access the
platforms and
make sure they
are strong prior
work.
2. Working at
heights
Using a ladder to
access roof tops
can cause risk of
fall because the
Jeong et al 2
(p 260)
emphasized
that to
substitution Use scaffold for
long term jobs
and scissor lifts
for short term

Hazards and risks4
ladder can slide
then the worker
slip and fall
reduce the
hazard
replace the
ladder with a
scaffold and
scissor lift
can be used
to access
high heights.
tasks.
3. Working at
heights
Heavy objects
may fall causing
harm to those
lifting them or
those they fall
on
To reduce
the hazard
use crane or
power jack
to lift objects
to high
heights
Engineering
controls
Provide and let
workers use
crane and power
jack to lift heavy
objects.
4. Working at
heights
Unguarded
openings or
holes and poor
edge protection
can cause risk of
fall
Ensure
workers no
unguarded
opening and
if any inform
workers
Administration
controls
Provide work
training and
create awareness
of any
unprotected
edges and

Hazards and risks5
about them.
Put warning
signs on
uneven floor
and
unprotected
edges.
openings. Also
ensure no
openings are left
on site
5. Working at
heights
Manual lifting of
objects can
cause strain to
hands, arms,
shoulders and
back
Ensure
workers are
wearing
personal
protective
equipment
Personal
protective
Equipment
Provide PPE
like gloves and
monitor the
usage
6. Working with
pipes
Hang supports
made on ceilings
to hold pipes
may collapse
making the pipes
to fall
Hire or
contract a
company to
do the pipe
installation
work
elimination Enter into a
contract with a
well experienced
pipe installation
company to do
the work
7. Working with
pipes
Tools like pipe
cutters and saws
used to cut and
Use pre-fab
piping or
PVC to cut
substitution Supply workers
with the
necessary pre-

Hazards and risks6
bend pipes can
cause harm like
cuts
and bend
pipes
fab piping
equipment’s.
Replace pipe
cutters with
PVC
8. Working with
pipes
Pipe bending can
cause physical
strain such as
back and hands
to workers
because of the
exertion force
used
Pipe bending
should be
performed
by
mechanical
and robotic
aid
Engineering Provision of
mechanical
equipment’s to
help workers
bend the pipes.
Employees can
also be trained
on the harm
caused through
use bending
equipment’s.
9. Working with
pipes
While installing,
workers can be
harmed by open
electrical wiring,
ducts, and mold
on the house
Workers
should be
cautious of
existing
electrical
wiring and
administration Carry out a
proactive
assessment
campaign and
report
availability of

Hazards and risks7
walls ducts wiring, mold or
ducts on the
walls
10. Working with
pipes
When replacing
warn out or
damaged pipes
workers are in
risk of burns
from Chemicals
and acids from
those pipes
Ensure all
workers are
wearing their
personal
protective
equipment
like gloves,
footwear
safety and
head glasses
Personal
Protective
equipment
Provide
puncture- proof
gloves, heavy
duty coveralls
and monitor how
they are used.
Provide training
to employees to
instil skills on
the purpose,
usage and care
of personal
protection
equipment
11. Electrical
hazards
Open electrical
wiring and
conduits pose
risk of electric
shock to
Get
professional
electricians
to inspect
and check
Elimination Hire
professional and
experienced
electricians.
Conduct pre-

Hazards and risks8
workers. Also
installation of
wiring in
bathrooms or
near water area
can cause shock
wiring on
regular basis
before
employees
start work.
Also contract
an
experienced
company to
do the work
planning tasks
by asking
electricians to
monitor and
identify
potential
electrical
hazards.
12. Electrical
Hazards
Damaged, worn,
cracked and
corroded
electrical wires
increase chances
of electrical
accidents like
shock and fire
Before
employees
start
working,
inspect,
identify and
replace
damaged and
cracked
wires with
new ones
Substitution Have
electricians
check wirings on
regular bases
and replace old,
damaged and
faulty wires with
coated wires like
copper.
13. Electrical Uncoated wiring During Engineering Use de-

Hazards and risks9
Hazards can cause
injuries to
workers like
burns and
electric shock.
Coming in
conduct with
electrical objects
with wet hands
like sockets puts
employees in
risk of shock
construction
all electrical
systems
should be de-
energized
and all
electrical
appliances
insulating
methods energized
electrical
systems. Insulate
electrical
wirings and
other electrical
systems and
isolate workers
from the
electrical power.
14. Electrical
Hazards
Heavy covered
wires, extension
cords can
overheat and
unprotected
sockets can
cause serious
injuries like
burns, falls,
thermal contact
Fix
extension
cords, use
plastic
socket
closures on
unused
sockets and
uncover
cords and
Administration Train workers
on how to
handle extension
cords, and
damaged wires.
Use plastic
closures to
protect workers
from injuries
like burns and

Hazards and risks10
burns and flash
burns.
wires shock. Put signs
and billboards
on unprotected,
and damaged
wiring.
15. Electrical
hazards
Arc flash and
fire caused by
shock can cause
risk of burn and
thermal contact
burns. Contact
with uninsulated
electrical
appliances also
cause injuries
While
handling
electrical
system,
workers
should use
gloves, and
other
personal
protective
equipment
like hard hats
and safety
footwear.
Personal
Protection
Equipment
Amidon et al 3 (p
17) summarizes
PPE
implementation
by stating that
personal
protective
equipment’s like
gloves, hard
hats, safety
footwear, shields
and flame
resistant
clothing should
be provided to
protect workers
from electric

Hazards and risks11
shock and burn.
16. Confined space Toxic
atmosphere
make workers
experience acute
effects such as
unconsciousness,
make impaired
judgments and
sometimes may
die.
Assess and
monitor
whether the
place can be
opened
before
workers start
working.
Hire a more
experienced
contract
company.
elimination Enter into
contract with an
outside company
to do the work
so that no harm
comes to
employees. Also
assessment can
be done and the
door opened
before working
commences.
Schedules be
strictly followed
so that work can
be finished in
time before the
atmosphere
become toxic.
17. Confined space Confined space
face risk of
Install
ventilation in
substitution Install good
ventilation

Hazards and risks12
heating and high
temperatures
making workers
experience
suffocation due
to oxygen
deficiency.
the place and
replace high
flammable
and high
toxic
substances
with less or
nontoxic and
inflammable
substances.
system and air
conditioning to
ensure free
circulation of
air. Replace
toxic and
flammable
substances with
non-toxic and
inflammable
substances.
18. Confined space Pospíšil et al 1 (p
50) suggests that
Confined space
are associated
with hazards like
oxygen
deficiency and
lack of
ventilation can
cause injuries to
workers like
Keep flow
dry and
remove any
flowing
liquids or
solids. Use
mechanical
ventilation
and open
windows in
the work
Engineering
controls
Provide
mechanical
ventilation in the
confined space
to reduce
oxygen
deficiency and
also enable
workers to see
clearly to
minimize falls.

Hazards and risks13
suffocation. The
place may
contain flowing
liquids and
solids which
cause falls and
burns.
area before
starting work
19. Confined space Lowing liquids
and free flowing
solids can drown
workers and
cause risk of
suffocation, falls
and burns.
According to
Cagno et al 1
(p 25) workers
leave the
work place
dirty thus
access and
remove
previous
processes
remains like
those from
chemical
reactions.
Put warning
Administration Keep working
floors clean and
dry. Get rid of
chemical
reactions
remains, flowing
liquids and
solids before
wok starts. Train
workers on the
appropriate
procedures to
follow and use
signs to pass a
warning.

Hazards and risks14
signs on
confined
space and
train workers
on how to
work
efficiently in
a confined
place.
20. Confined space Risk of heat
stroke,
suffocation and
collapse of
workers because
of the excessive
heat and
explosion of
flammable
substances.
Provide
personal
protection
equipment’s
such as
respiratory
equipment’s,
gloves, and
head masks.
Use fire
extinguishers
to put out
fire and
Personal
protection
equipment’s
Monitor and
ensure that
workers use
personal
protective
equipment’s
such as
respirators,
safety glasses,
and head masks.
Provide fire
extinguisher
equipment to put

Hazards and risks15
explosions. off fire as soon
as it starts.
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Hazards and risks16
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