Learning

Objective
1.2 Discuss the effects of health hazards
and occupational risks

Content Standard: The learner demonstrates an understanding of the concepts of

occupational health and safety procedures

Performance Standard: The learner independently prepares an occupational

health and safety checklist being applied in carpentry.

Learning Activities

Learning Activities Special Instructions

Read the vocabulary list Read the definition of terms for better
understanding.

Answer the Pre-test Check if you already had an idea about

the topic.

Read the information sheet 1.2 Discuss the effects of health hazards
and occupational risks as well as identify
the proper ways to control them

Do all the practice tasks. Accomplish all the practice individually to

assess your own learning about the topic
then submit your output to your teacher.

Answer post-test. Answer the test item to assess your

learning.
Prepare the assignment. Accomplish the activities required for
your assignment and submit it to your
teacher.

Check the answer key. Compare your answer and see if you got
the correct answers.
 Vocabulary List

Effect – something that follows as a consequence of a cause

Risk Control – is part of risk management process that focuses on applying
methods to reduce identified risks

Pre – Test

Direction: Read each question carefully and write the correct answer on your answer
sheets.
1. Which of the following is most likely an effect of wood working machineries?
a. Lacerations c. severe dermatitis
b. Damaged respiratory system d. nasal cancer

2. What hazard involves cleaning up spills or debris as risk control?

a. Hazardous substances c. Slips and trips
b. Wood dusts d. Power and hand tools

3. Noise can cause __________.

a. Lacerations c. Fractures
b. Dermatitis d. Stress

4. Fire and explosions are what type of hazards?

a. Biological c. Ergonomic
b. Safety d. Physical

5. Avoiding awkward postures or repetitive task when lifting is a risk control for what
hazard?
a. Rotating equipment c. Electricity
b. Hazardous substances d. Manual Handling

Information Sheet 1.2

In the past lesson, you learned that there are many type of hazards that a Carpenter
usually encounters, because of these hazards it is important to know the effects of
health hazards and occupational risks that are present in the surroundings. Knowing
the effects of health hazards will enable us to provide counter measures to keep
ourselves from more danger. Remember prevention is better than cure!
The effects of health hazards and occupational risks includes the following:

 WOOD DUST - Sanding and planing wood creates dust, and breathing it in can
cause nasal cancer, dermatitis and serious lung problems. The respiratory
effects of wood dust exposure include asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and
chronic bronchitis.

Invest in a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system to filter out harmful wood dust
in your employees’ work space. Dust lamps can help track and control dust
dispersion by illuminating extra-fine dust not visible to the naked eye. Protective
equipment for the eyes and mouth are crucial.

 FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS - During a fire, there's an increased level of carbon

monoxide and carbon dioxide as well as damaging levels of chemical and
thermal irritants. These irritants can permanently damage a person's or animal's
respiratory system and cause death. Concentrations of small wood dust particles
are highly flammable. They can accumulate in machines, LEVs and in the
workroom.
Regularly clean the entire workroom, including all machines, to prevent dust
build-up. Control any fire hazards, such as wood burning stoves and cigarettes.

 WOOD WORKING MACHINERY - Workers can suffer injuries from minor

lacerations to amputations and blindness.

Employees must inspect and clean all woodworking machinery regularly. Any
employees cleaning machinery must be authorized to do so. Employees should
be authorized to use the machinery and inspect it before each use. Your
machines should have the necessary guards and required tools, such as a push
stick.

 CHAINSAWS - Some common hazards are: you can cut yourself, kick-back,
noise, vibrations, eyes injuries, the chain can derail/break, head injuries, back
injuries, etc.
 All employees using chainsaws must be trained to handle them properly. Require
employees to wear eye protection, earmuffs, safety helmets, leg protection and
protective footwear while using a chainsaw. Before activating the machine, tell
employees to scan the work area for any tripping hazards.

 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES - Some chemicals used in the woodworking

industries, such as solvent based stains, varnishes, paints and adhesives, as
well as those in wood preservatives and industrial treatment plants, can have
serious effects on the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. Inhaling or
touching certain substances, such as wood preservatives or epoxy resins, can
cause severe dermatitis, a skin condition resulting from direct irritation.

Employees should use suitable gloves and body protection when handling
hazardous chemicals. Inhaling asbestos can cause irreversible lung damage.
Stay vigilant for any asbestos threats.

 WORKING AT HEIGHT - Common cases include falls from ladders and through
fragile surfaces. Falling from height can cause serious or even fatal injury.

Employees should exercise every precaution when working at height.

Commission a risk assessment to identify any risks your employees face. Use
edge protection to help stop workers and their materials from falling. Anticipate
any fragile roofs by employing crawling boards or roof ladders. Stress proper
ladder safety: extend ladders 1 metre above the working platform, tie ladders on
both stiles to prevent slipping and maintain three points of contact.

 SLIPS AND TRIPS - Each year slips, trips and falls result in thousands of
preventable injuries. The most common ones are musculoskeletal injuries, cuts,
bruises, fractures and dislocations, but more serious injuries can also happen.
The danger of slips and trips is that
they can happen anywhere and to anyone.

Instruct your employees to wear non-slip shoes and clean their work areas
periodically throughout the day. Stress that slips and trips affect the whole
workplace, so everyone should work to eliminate them by cleaning up spills or
debris, even if they did not cause them. Dispose of all debris in a skip, as the
debris may contain nails or other sharp objects. Safety boots with steel toe caps
can help prevent foot injuries.

 NOISE - Exposure to prolonged or excessive noise has been shown to cause a

range of health problems ranging from stress, poor concentration, productivity
losses in the workplace, and communication difficulties.
 Provide your employees with hearing protection, as noise from loud machines
can cause significant hearing loss. Inspect machines for
noise, and separate the loudest ones from others.

 MANUAL HANDLING - Manual handling of loads may cause cumulative

disorders due to gradual and cumulative deterioration of the musculoskeletal
system through continuous lifting / handling activities, e.g. low back pain. It can
also cause acute trauma such as cuts or fractures due to accidents.

Woodworking is hard—make it easier on your employees by promoting safe

lifting techniques. If a load weighs more than 20 kilograms, employees should
make special lifting arrangements. Tell employees to avoid awkward postures or
repetitive tasks when lifting.

 POWER AND HAND TOOLS - Prolonged exposure to vibrations from hand-held

power tools can damage blood vessels, nerves, muscles and tendons.

Curb employee exposure by purchasing low-vibration tools and keeping tools

sharp so they remain efficient. Good circulation helps combat HAV, so
encourage your employees to keep themselves and their work spaces warm and
dry.

 ELECTRICITY - Employees using electric tools must be aware of several

dangers. Among the most serious hazards are electrical burns and shocks.
Electrical shocks, which can lead to injuries such as heart failure and burns, are
among the major hazards associated with electric-powered tools.

Your workers should treat all cables as live unless they know otherwise.
Employees should strive to keep all cables off the ground and never make
temporary repairs to cables or tools. Limit extension leads as much as possible.

 OUTDOOR EXPOSURE - Excessive sun exposure can also cause cataracts and
diseases aggravated by UVR-induced immunosuppression such as reactivation
of some latent viruses.
When working outside, encourage your employees to use sunscreen of at least
SPF15. Provide employees with plenty of water and shade for their breaks.

Practice Task #1:

 Provide what is asked on each column of the table. Example No.1 is made for
you. Write on your own paper.

CATEGORY HAZARD & RISK EFFECTS RISK CONTROL

Biological Wood dust -nasal cancer - local exhaust
-dermatitis ventilation (LEV)
- asthma system
-hypersensitivity - Dust lamps
-pneumonitis and - Protective
-chronic bronchitis. equipment for the
eyes and mouth
Fire and explosions
Wood working
machinery.
Chainsaws
Hazardous
substances
Working at height
Slips and trips
Noise
Manual handling
Power and hand tools
Hand-arm vibration
syndrome (HAV).
Electricity
Outdoor exposure

Post Test:

Direction: Write the correct answer on your answer sheet.

1. What is impossible for gloves to protect against?
a. Hazardous substances c. Cold or heat
b. Rotating parts d. Electricity

2. What is the correct way of manually lifting an object standing on the ground?
a. That your feet are spread out as far as possible
b. That after you have lifted the object you can turn it sideways
c. That you can lift the object using one arm after removing it off the ground
d. That you lift with a straight back and bent knees
 3. Why are there insulations used for electrical conductors?
a. To prevent damage
b. To prevent contact with live parts
c. To limit the consequences of a short circuit
d. To maximize electric power

4. Which of the following is the MOST important when working from a safety cage
at very high areas?
a. Everyone in the safety cage must wear a safety harness attached to the
safety cage.
b. The safety cage must be suspended from a chain or a steel cable
c. Everyone in the safety cage must have a walkie-talkie
d. Everyone in the safety cage must talk first before starting to work

5. How can you prevent falling hazards at the edge of a workfloor?

a. By placing warning signs at the edge of the workfloor
b. By placing warning signs before the edge of the workfloor
c. By putting proper barriers at the edge of the workfloor
d. By giving the workers proper instruction at the start of the work

Assignment:

Essay. Using your own idea and opinion, answer the following questions on a
whole sheet of paper.

1. Think of an accident that happened in your life or an accident that you

witnessed, what do you think is the reason why it happened?

2. Do you think it could have been prevented? How?

Answer Keys:

Pre-Test
1. A
2. C
3. D
 4. B
5. D

Post Test
1. B
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. C

REFERENCES:

https://www.crendoninsurance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Construction-Risks-
Common-Woodworking-Health-Safety-Hazards.pdf