Hazard in the Workplace and Strategies for Control

This document discusses hazards in the workplace and provides strategies to control or eliminate them. It explains the concept of risk assessment and provides examples of situations where it should be performed. It also addresses fire hazards and fall hazards in mezzanine floors and commercial kitchens. The strategies mentioned include installing fire detection devices, maintaining good housekeeping, and providing proper training to employees.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Questions.........................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

Questions
1. Is a hazard something in the workplace (or that will be in the workplace) that can cause
harm to people? Describe why or why not. Answer in 40-80 words.
Ans. Hazard is basically source of potential damage which cause harm or adverse effects on the
health of the people. The hazards caused at the workplace which can cause harm to people can be
a cut from a knife, electric shocks, slip due to wet floor, metal fume fever due to welding
process, anxiety, depression, fear due to bullying and many more. This causes harm to person
physically or mentally. An object can fall from a great height on the person can also be
considered as hazard as it could harm the person which can be temporary or permanent which
can even destroy the whole life (Identifying Safety and Health Problems in the workplace, 2020).
It can be a chemical reaction which can cause harm to the respiratory system of the person or
skin damage. The harm can be caused by the release of compressed steam or gas due to high
temperature or pressure. The hair or clothing of the person can be entangled in the rotating
equipment which can cause life-long damage.
2. Do psychological hazards only occur to office workers? Describe why or why not. Answer
in 40-80 words.
Ans. Psychological hazards include stress due to occupation, anxiety, depression etc. Only the
office workers are not attacked by these but also the employees, top management and everyone
at the workplace can be affected by the psychological hazards (Health effects of psychological
hazards, 2020). The employees are in stress due to the pressure from top management, top
management are in depression sometimes because of the pressure from the competitive market in
order to get the larger profits. The conflicts can cause mental illness to the employees, workers
and the management.
3. Describe three or more situations where a risk assessment should be performed. Answer
in 80-160 words.
Ans. Risk assessment is used to explain the identification of hazard or risk factors and identify
ways which can be used to eliminate or control them. The situations at the workplace where risk
assessment should be performed are as follows:
a. When new practices, activities or processes are developed because the company has no idea
about its outcomes and the risks which can be raised. In order to implement those new activities
effectively, risk assessment is necessary.
b. When the changes are introduced to the existing activities regarding products, tools, change in
machinery and equipment or even when the information regarding harm is available.
c. When hiring the candidates as the complete picture cannot be identified during the interview,
so the person may be involved in bullying, abuse behavior etc.
d. When an employee returns to the workplace after long-term sickness which can affect the
other employees. The risk assessment should be done and the person must be allowed to work
from the place where the other employees are not affected (Risk assessments, 2020).
4. Mezzanine floors or space above offices in warehouses and manufacturing areas are
often used to store archived records and disused items. These areas can become fire
hazards, and there are fall hazards if proper access arrangements are not made. These
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hazards are not necessary. Suggest a strategy to control or eliminate this hazard. Answer in
80-160 words.
Ans. The following strategies can be used to control the fire hazards at the workplace:
a. Correct fire detection devices must be installed so that if any chances of fire occur, it can be
reported to the management and various measures can be taken.
b. Good housekeeping must be introduced which can minimize the clutter regardless of the
environment of workplace.
c. Maintaining the electrical items and machineries by keeping them in suitable working order
which can prevent the happening of overheating, sparks, short circuits etc.
d. The chemicals used by the workforce for any purpose must be used with complete
responsibility. The qualified workers must be aware of all the instructions which must be taken
before using those chemicals (10 ways to prevent fire in the workplace, 2020).
e. No open flames must be permitted in those areas where records and collections are placed.
Also that place must be adequately ventilated and does not get too hot as well.
f. The devices like fire alarms, fire detection devices, smoke alarms etc. must be tested on the
monthly basis and repair and maintenance must be done on the faulty units.
g. Smoking must be restricted at the workplace.
5. A commercial kitchen that prepares fried food requires a deep fryer. If the fryer was not
available, this type of food could not be prepared. This hazard is necessary for the
operation of the kitchen. There is a high risk of serious burns from water being spilled into
the fryer. Suggest a strategy to control or eliminate this hazard. Answer in 80-160 words.
Ans. The strategy which can be used to eliminate the hazard of severe burns due to frying
operation can be as mentioned: The employees must be trained to maintain the right level of oil
in the pan as they catch fire even at low flames. They must wear fire resistant gloves and aprons.
They must tie their hair. They must cover all the body parts with fire resistant things like goggles
etc. The uniforms of the staff must be appropriate including the non-skid shoes. The training
manuals must be explained to whole staff and the information must be conveyed to everyone in
the staff in their understandable language (10 Restaurant Safety Tips to Prevent Oil Injuries,
2017). The standards of cleanliness must be highly maintained. Proper training must be given to
the staff as this is the area where safety measures must be adapted. The operations in this area
cannot be ignored and are mandatory so the management must take such steps like adapting
automation tools which can cause no harm to the staff.
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REFERENCES
Online
10 Restaurant Safety Tips to Prevent Oil Injuries, 2017. [ONLINE] Available through :<
https://www.rti-inc.com/10-restaurant-safety-tips-to-prevent-oil-injuries>
10 ways to prevent fire in the workplace, 2020. [ONLINE]. Available through:
<https://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/intro_osha/7SafetyHealthProbsWorkplace.pdf.>
Health effects of psychological hazards, 2020. [ONLINE] Available through :<
https://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Safety/Health-effects-of-psychosocial-25391.aspx>
Identifying Safety and Health Problems in the workplace, 2020. [ONLINE] Available through :<
https://www.frontierfireprotection.com/10-ways-prevent-fire/>
Risk assessments, 2020. [ONLINE] Available through :< https://www.britsafe.org/training-and-
learning/find-the-right-course-for-you/informational-resources/risk-assessment/>
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