Occupational Safety - Remond Mechanical Company

Running head: OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
Name of the student
Name of the University
Authors note

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Executive Summary
The chief objective of this report is to comprehend the theory of occupational safety in the
workplace. In this paper, the occupational safety of the Remond Mechanical Company has been
discussed. The following section of the report briefly discusses different hazards, such as
physical, chemical, and ergonomic, and its risk level. The report also focuses on the
recommendation that the management must take to control hazards in the workplace by using the
Hierarchy of Risk Controls Concept. Lastly, the report concludes various resources that are
likely to be required to control hazards.

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Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................3
Discussion............................................................................................................................3
a) A brief discussion on the hazard and its risk level.................................................3
b) Existing risk control measures...............................................................................4
c) Recommendation by using the Hierarchy of Risk Controls Concept....................5
d) The rational on the proposed action.......................................................................8
e) Resources likely to be required..............................................................................9
References..........................................................................................................................10

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Introduction
Occupational safety and health management is the system in which the basic principle is
to expectancy, acknowledgment, control, and evolution of the hazards in the industry arising by
the different reasons that could affect the health of workers and the outcome of the sector. In this
paper, the occupational safety of Remond mechanical has been discussed. Remond mechanical
company is one of the renowned mechanical engineering corporations with more than one
thousand employees, situated in Singapore. It has been dealing in the production and
manufacturing of different mechanical tools and machines such as hood and spoon, ventilation
and lifting trailers, etc.
Discussion
a) A brief discussion on the hazard and its risk level
Physical Hazard - Mechanical engineers and mechanics often work on-site to overhaul,
manufacturing, or install various types of machinery. Different kinds of machinery are extremely
hazardous that they can damage even those who do not indirectly contact them, such as moving
and rotating parts of machines. Not only this, but most of the time, the workforce also falls prey
to intolerable noise, the extremely hot atmosphere that can blight the human workforce working
on-site(1).
Chemical Hazard - Different chemicals are used in the development of heavy machine tools
and parts that cause harmful repercussions to the workforce, which is in direct contact with them.
Several chemicals are flammable and easily cause air pollution, such as coke production during
the producing process releases massive chemical compounds in the air that are breathed in and

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cause respiratory problems such as asthma. What is more, soldering and welding often result in
eye infection(2).
Ergonomic Hazard - Ergonomic hazards are also in place as heavy types of machinery
and tools are being used in Remond mechanical company. The risk of musculoskeletal harm is
high at the site because workers are usually encounter lifting, pulling, pushing, standing, and
shifting of heavy duty lathe machine, hydraulic oil seal, and other hefty equipment. Further, at
the production site, labors also handle weighty machines and equipment as mentioned in the
introduction, and working with such heavy tools can cause muscle strain, which is not always
immediately apparent, and its detection is quite tricky(3).
b) Existing risk control measures
Physical Hazard - Remond mechanical company is one of the leading mechanical
engineering corporations; therefore, it has the number of steps that are already in place to control
the physical hazards. It provides various safety tools and instruments to its workforce to manage
and minimize its exposure to physical safety hazards. Mainly, in order to prevent noise pollution
or any hearing damage to its workforce, Remond mechanical company provides earbuds to all
the employees irrespective of their employment level because an organization needs to provide
equal safety measures to all. Although it has been providing different safety equipment to its
labor force, still, there is a room for undertaking severe steps to mitigate the risk of physical
safety hazards.
Chemical Hazard - The Remond mechanical company, is following only the last step of
the hazard control hierarchy by providing gloves and goggles that can reduce risks associated

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with chemical hazards. Respiratory protection masks are also given to every employee who has
direct contact with chemicals or related materials.
Ergonomic Hazard - Unfortunately, no control measures are in place in Remond
mechanical company to prevent ergonomic losses. The only measure which can be linked to
ergonomic control methods is the work duration or working schedule of employees. No
employee can work more than 8 hours a day, which can reduce the risk of ergonomic damage to
a minimal extent.
c) Recommendation by using the Hierarchy of Risk Controls Concept
Physical Hazard - It is highly advisable that the management of the Remond mechanical
company should undertake several measures to control the above mentioned physical hazards by
following the hierarchy of hazard controls.
i) Elimination: Since Remond mechanical company is a mechanical engineering
firm and deals with heavy machinery, it is impossible to eliminate these heavy
instrumentalities physically. Still, there are the number of solutions that can be
adopted to eliminate possible physical hazards, such as; moving of hazardous
machinery, which is frequently used, to highly supervised areas. Shifting or
discarding of such machinery and tools that are not in use for a year.
ii) Substitution: It is a second step in controlling hazards, but it is also a difficult
one as compared to others, particularly in engineering firms where heavy tools
cannot be easily substituted. Remond mechanical companies should conduct
thorough research and try to substitute all such machinery or its parts that have
less risky substitutes in the market.

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iii) Engineering control: To make the working condition more suitable for workers,
it is also suggested that several engineering controls should be taken, such as the
construction of shelters on the production site to make labors comfortable and
installation of vent hood to circulate air and diminish air toxins inside the
production line.
iv) Administrative control: Administrative control should include spending less
time in areas that are highly risky, working endlessly from commotion whenever
the situation allows. This can only happen when Remond mechanical company
introduces different training sessions on safety hazards and its risk to teach them
how to avoid physical hazards(4).
v) Personal protective equipment: As it is stated earlier, the Remond mechanical
company is already providing its worker's safety equipment to avoid and reduce
their contact to physical hazards; there is no room for further recommendation at
this level of control hazards hierarchy.
Chemical Hazard - Under the following head detailed plan will be given to control
chemical hazards effectively in mechanical engineering corporations.
i) Elimination: It is recommended that Remond mechanical company should
consult higher level engineers and procurement management to decide the
elimination of the most harmful chemicals. It will be the most intricate step for
the corporation to take, but it will ensure the safety of the masses. In this regard,
the elimination of the utilization of combustible forklift gas by utilizing electric
force forklifts rather than LPG controlled forklifts can be an excellent solution(5).

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ii) Substitution: It is not practicable to substitute the dangerous chemical with less
damaging chemicals as all the chemicals are equally harmful. Therefore, the only
possible way in isolation. It is suggested that Remond mechanical company
should isolate the harmful chemicals from people and other unsuited materials.
iii) Engineering control: If isolation is not possible, then another suggested measure
which can reduce the harms of chemical is the utilization of several engineering
controls such as reduction of the production of hazardous chemicals and
circumscription of the area of sullying in case of spills.
iv) Administrative control: Administrative controls should include written policies,
procedures, and guidelines for handling the harmful chemical. Through the
administrative control number, workers exposed to dangerous material should be
minimized. Duration and frequency of contact to the hazardous chemical should
be detailed in written policies, and its implementation must be ensured.
Ergonomic Hazard - Elimination and substitution are not possible for ergonomic
hazards because, as mentioned above, it is not a hazard that occurs abruptly. Therefore, the
following steps must be taken to counter it.
i) Engineering control: Engineering controls are the most desirable measures in
dealing with ergonomic losses. Installation of such mechanical lifting tools that
can restrict labors' physical strain on the body is highly suggested. Redesigning of
several tools and types of machinery is also essential for the workers to best
accommodate them(6).
ii) Administrative control: Such policies and regulations should be charted that
would enable the Remond mechanical company to control its ergonomic hazards.

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Proper utilization and maintenance of pneumatic and power tools should be
mentioned in policies and procedures.
iii) Personal protective equipment: Lastly, it is also suggested that suitable fitting
thermal gloves, proper fitting, slip-resistant footwear, and padding must be
provided to the employees working in direct contact with heavy types of
machinery.
d) The rational on the proposed action
Physical Hazard - It is indubitable that workers' safety is the first and foremost priority
of any organization. If Remond mechanical company does not follow the measures mentioned
above to control physical hazards involved in the production process, it will, for sure, lose its
credibility in the world of mechanical engineering. Further, it will result in financial loss because
the company is bound to compensate the worker who meets any calamity during his job. Lastly,
the company also has to fulfill legal obligations posed by the Workplace Safety and
Health Act 2006 (WSH)
Chemical Hazard - Further, Safe Work Singapore revealed that more than 150 workers
were killed at work during 2017. This death rate is mainly due to the lack of safety measures to
counter chemical hazards. Negligence in dealing with harmful material not only causes damage
to the family of the deceased but also to the company where he/she worked. Thus, to prevent
legal proceedings and financial losses, Remond mechanical company should adopt above-
advised measures to control different chemical hazards(7).
Ergonomic Hazard - Remond mechanical company needs to take serious measures to
adopt above suggested remedial solutions because the Workplace Safety and Health Act 2006

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(WSH) places the primary health and safety duty on the person leading a business (Legislation,
2010). Further, the recommendations mentioned above will assist the company in having
workers with safe and sound health because if the health of workers is not good, it will result in a
financial loss as the productivity of employees is severely affected due to ergonomic hazards(8).
e) Resources likely to be required
Physical Hazard - For the construction of shelters, labor is needed, which incur expenses as
well. For the execution of training programs, highly skilled trainers are required. Furthermore,
paperwork is also required to devise administrative policies(9).
Chemical Hazard - To devise measures for substitution and elimination of chemical threats,
the company has to invest in research and development, which requires not only financial capital
but also a qualified research team. Adding to this, the company also has to purchase above
mentioned personal protective equipment to ensure workers safety during working with
chemicals and other harmful materials.
Ergonomic Hazard - For the above-suggested steps, the company needs to have a team
of well-informed physiologists to assess the worker's positions and postures and other related
issues of ergonomic hazards. A hefty stack of fitted thermal gloves, proper fit slip-resistant
footwear, and pads are also required, which ultimately incur financial expenditure(10).

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References
1. Comcare.gov.au. Physical hazards [Internet]. Comcare.gov.au. 2020 [cited 22 March 2020].
Available from: https://www.comcare.gov.au/prevent-harm/hazards/physical_hazards/
2. www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardoustoxicsubstances. [Internet]. 2020 [cited 22 March 2020].
Available from: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardoustoxicsubstances/
3. www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/controlhazards.html. [Internet]. 2020 [cited 22 March
2020]. Available from: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/controlhazards.html/
4. www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/default.html. CDC - Hierarchy of Controls - NIOSH
Workplace Safety and Health Topic [Internet]. Cdc.gov. 2020 [cited 22 March 2020]. Available
from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/default.html/
5. Act W, Diligence D. How the hierarchy of control can help you fulfil your health and safety
duties [Internet]. Health & Safety Handbook. 2020 [cited 23 March 2020]. Available from:
https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/how-the-hierarchy-of-control-can-help-you-fulfil-
your-health-and-safety-duties/
6. www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/default.html. CDC - Hierarchy of Controls - NIOSH
Workplace Safety and Health Topic [Internet]. Cdc.gov. 2020 [cited 23 March 2020]. Available
from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/default.html/
7. www.hseblog.com/hierarchy-control-chemical-safety. The Hierarchy Of Control For
Chemical Safety [Internet]. Health and Safety. 2020 [cited 23 March 2020]. Available from:
https://www.hseblog.com/hierarchy-control-chemical-safety/

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8. www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/controlhazards.html. [Internet]. 2020 [cited 23 March
2020]. Available from: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/controlhazards.html
9. Middlesworth M. 8 Essential Ergonomics and Injury Prevention Solutions For Manual
Material Handling | ErgoPlus [Internet]. ErgoPlus. 2020 [cited 23 March 2020]. Available from:
https://ergo-plus.com/common-ergonomics-solutions-manual-material-handling/
10. www.oshatrain.org/courses/studyguides/152studyguide.pdf. [Internet]. Oshatrain.org. 2020
[cited 23 March 2020]. Available from:
https://www.oshatrain.org/courses/studyguides/152studyguide.pdf