HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT

(HSSE)

TRAINING MANUAL ONE (1)

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LICENCES AND PARTNERS

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One: Introduction to the HSE Management System

Chapter Two: Understanding the Duties and Responsibility of Safety Officers

Chapter Three: Environmental Awareness & Waste Management

Chapter Four: Basic Fire Fighting Techniques

Chapter Five: Personal Protective Equipments

Chapter Six: Office Safety

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION TO GENERAL HSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION

Most people would agree that the poor working conditions of any type have
the potential to affect an employee’s health and safety. It would also be
agreed that our aim should be to eliminate or at least minimize the risk of
accident or injury and to protect workers from the effects of ill-health
caused by their working conditions.

However, those aims are not that simple to achieve in practice. The cost of
workplace accidents or diseases is very high. There are direct costs to the
employer in lost working time, medical costs, repair & replacement of
equipment, etc., and also a much higher indirect cost which affects the
injured or sick workers and their families. This chapter sets out a framework
of health and safety by looking at the practical, moral and financial issues
surrounding the goal of a safe workplace environment, and the legal and
organizational framework which seeks to ensure that goal.

HSE OBJECTIVES.
• To promote an injury and incident-free workplace
• To provide a consultative forum for employees on health, safety and
environment matters.
• To encourage innovative thinking and adopt new ideas
• To ensure compliance with legal and statutory requirements
• To coordinate proactive health, safety and environment efforts
including workplace inspections and system improvements
• To encourage a high level of safety awareness by all personnel on-site
• To advise management on health, safety and environment issues that
directly or indirectly affect personnel on-site and abroad.

REASONS FOR MANAGING HEALTH AND SAFETY

There are three reasons for managing or maintaining health and safety
within an organisation.

1. Ethical and Moral reasons: It is fair to say that when people go to work
they do not expect to be injured or worse. Every employee expects
that in return for the duties they perform they can expect to work in a
safe environment and return to their families and friends at the end of
the day. It is also fair to say that whether or not that you are a risk-
taker in life should not be the yardstick for jeopardizing your own
safety and health but also that of your colleagues.

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It is for these reasons that management has a moral duty to the workforce
and others who may use their premises or services contractors, visitors,
customers etc.) A Duty of Care exists between employer and employee (and
those others affected by their actions).

2. Legal reasons: There are many legal reasons why health and safety
must
be managed in organisations. There are laws in place that instill
requirements and guidelines for organisations to follow and to comply.
Failure to do so can lead to fines, imprisonment and loss of business
image within the competitive markets.

3. Financial reasons: This reason takes into account various loses

resulting from the accident and its bearing on the organisation as well
as the country. Some of these losses may appear measurable while
others are not.

Direct Costs (Insured).

Death.
Hospital, etc treatment.
Permanent disability.
Sick pay.
Legal costs.
Insurance claims.
Damage to buildings, vehicles, machinery, etc.
The product loses and or damage.
Material loses and or damage. -
Overtime working.

Indirect Costs (uninsured)

Investigation costs.
Fines.
Hiring or training replacement staff
Loss of experience and expertise.
Lowering of morale.
Loss of goodwill.
Loss of image.
Business interruptions.
Product liability.
Production delays.
Increased premiums.

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HSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM:
Key Elements of a Health And Safety Management System
The extent of the legal duties placed on employers is such that, in order to
meet them, health and safety must be addressed systematically within the
organisation. This means that it must be considered a function of
management the same as the management of production, purchasing, sales,
human resources, etc. The starting point is to express safety policy in terms
of a clear formal statement. This should cover not only general policy but
also the internal organisation and arrangements necessary to put it into
operation throughout all workplaces and all activities. However, health and
safety management has to be a dynamic process within the organisation, the
policy and arrangements must be monitored and reviewed continually to
ensure that they provide the level of protection demanded by the law.
Numerous organisations have published broadly similar standards on health
and safety management. Examples are OHSAS 18001:2007 and also the ILO —
Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems 2001.
Here we discuss the elements of the model described in ILO-OSH 2001 for
the development and maintenance of effective systems and procedures.

POLICY
The safety policy should establish health and safety as a prime commitment
of management at all levels of the organisation, but particularly at the top.
Clear targets and objectives should be set for dealing with health and safety
issues and they should form the basis on which the management organisation
and implementation is based.

KEY FEATURES AND APPROPRIATE CONTENT OF AN ORGANISATION’S HEALTH

AND SAFETY POLICY
The first part of the policy statement will be concerned with identifying the
general objectives of health and safety in the organisation’s sites and
workplaces, namely what it is trying to achieve.

General Statement of Intent

This gives a broad outline of the organisation’s overall approach in relation
to the management of health and safety. It should lay down the
commitment and the overall aim of the organization in relation to Health
and Safety (usually stating the principles of the national legislation applying
to the organisation) and identifying the objectives that the organisation will
endeavour to meet.

Signatory to Statement
The general statement of intent will identify the main Director or Chief
Officer who has overall responsibility for health and safety in order to
indicate a commitment to the policy at the very highest level. This person
will sign the statement to give authority to the policy. The statement should
also be dated. This indicates when the current statement was prepared and

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provides a point of reference for periodic review and revision in the light of
changing circumstances.

General Objectives
The main objectives of the policy should be clearly set out in the general
statement of intent. These will relate to:

Recognizing that the effective and efficient management of health, safety

and welfare is a management responsibility of equal importance to other
management operational duties such as sales, marketing, production and
similar matters. This provides a point of reference for any manager faced
with a conflict between the demands of safety and the demands of
production, etc.

Recognising that the company will comply with its legal obligations in
relation to the health, safety and welfare of its workers.

Risk assessments and control of specific hazards.

The duty of all workers is to act responsibly and to do everything they can to
prevent injury to themselves and fellow workers. Although the
implementation of the policy is basically a management responsibility, it
will rely heavily on the cooperation of the workers who actually produce the
goods and services, and take the risks.

The commitment to monitor health and safety on a continuous basis within

the organisation and to review the policy in the light of any significant
changes.
The provision of adequate resources, access to expert H & S advice,
competent workers and consultation with them.

ORGANISING
There should be a framework of roles and responsibilities for health and
safety, with duties placed upon individuals, from senior management down
to the shop floor workers. This will include organisational duties which may
be required by law, as well as appointing specialist staff (i.e. a safety
advisor) where appropriate and ensuring that general management roles and
other arrangements address health and safety issues.

Roles and Responsibilities of Employers

The prime responsibility for health and safety at work lies with the
employer. This covers responsible workers and extends to others who may
be affected by organization-wide activities. Note that we are not concerned
herewith, the use of independent contractors who will not be “employed”
under a contract of employment, but will have a client-contractor

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relationship with the organization. We will deal with responsibilities under
this relationship later in this element.

Responsibilities to Workers
Though there are regional variations, employers have a general duty to
ensure the health, safety and welfare of their workers. This broad duty
usually includes at least the following items

Provision/maintenance of safe plant/equipment and a safe system of

working
Provision of adequate instruction training supervision and information
necessary to ensure the health and safety at work (of workers).

Provision and maintenance of a safe workplace (including a safe way of

getting and out of that place of work).This is often extended to cover the
working environment and the provision of “welfare” facilities (e.g. drinking
water, sanitation, etc.).

These duties form the main setting within which employers must put in
place detailed systems and measures for the protection of workers, and
ensure by means of organization and management of the undertaking that
the arrangement is both suitable and properly followed. The extent to which
an employer should go to deliver on these duties ‘(i.e. what is considered
“reasonable”) is usually a function of region (and culture) and also a
function of the cost of a risk reduction programme (time/effort/money) in
comparison to the magnitude of the risk presented by the work.

Responsibilities to Other Persons

In addition to duties to their workers, employers have a responsibility to
others who are not their workers but who may be affected by the business
activities, e.g. visitors, contractors, members of the public etc. This, of
course, means taking measures to protects the health and safety of such
people which at the very least might include warning them about potential
hazards

Responsibilities of Directors and Senior Managers

In most organisations, the “employer” is the organisation itself and the
responsibility for fulfilling the employer’s duties for health and safety will
fail on the management of the organizational.

Senior management - comprising the Board of Directors and senior

management team (including the Chief Executive) - has particular
responsibility for setting general policy and objectives for the organisation
as a whole and is. accountable for the fulfillment of that policy and
achievement of objectives. This applies to health and safety as much as to

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any other aspect of the organisation’s goals, such as making profits. The
particular responsibilities placed on directors and senior managers, as
applied to health and safety, are as follows.

Directors
All directors, both collectively and individually, have ultimate responsibility
for ensuring the proper conduct of the company. In particular, they must
ensure that:

The company fulfils its legal responsibilities for health and safety — ensuring
that the organisation’s policies are reviewed as appropriate in order to
secure
continuing compliance with existing policies, current legislation and any
changes in the law.

The organisation’s policy is properly defined and reflected in appropriate

strategic and operational objectives, and that arrangements are in place
both to evaluate performance in relation to these objectives and to appraise
the objectives themselves.

The necessary resources are made available to maintain sound and efficient
health and safety arrangements. 1 Responsibilities for health and safety are
properly assigned within the management structure and accepted at all
levels, and that appropriate arrangements are made at senior management
level, e.g. through the appointment of a health and safety director or senior
manager.

Appropriate leadership is given by senior management in relation to both the

importance of health and safety arrangements and their continual
improvement. The Managing Director has particular responsibilities in
respect of his/her position as the leader of the board of directors. Each
director will also have personal responsibilities in respect of his/her areas of
responsibility within the organisation and relationship with senior managers
and other workers.

Senior Managers
Usually, the senior management team will be accountable collectively to the
Board of Directors and individually to particular directors in their own
specialist areas, for, the strategic objectives and plans through which
company policy and overall objectives are achieved.

In regard to health and safety, they must ensure that effective

arrangements are in place throughout the organisation for achieving the
organisation’s written statement of policy. They will have particular
responsibility for:

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Drawing up plans for and monitoring the implementation of the
organisation1s health and safety policy.

Allocating resources for health and safety procedures and measures, and for
associated training programmes.

Ensuring that lower levels of management give health and safety the
appropriate priority by reference to their responsibilities (as outlined
below).

In carrying out these responsibilities, senior management will work with

lower levels of management — middle management and supervisory staff.
They will, therefore, need a detailed understanding of the responsibilities of
the lower levels and indeed, will themselves have the same responsibilities
in respect of all workers for whom they have operational responsibility.

Responsibilities of Middle Managers and Supervisors

All managers, where they have operational responsibility for other staff or
for systems and procedures of work, will be specifically responsible for
ensuring that:

Health and safety policy is monitored and reviewed in light of the particular
circumstances applying in their working areas.

All accidents and dangerous occurrences are investigated and means of

preventing their recurrence are identified.
Appropriate safety personnel are available at all times.

Supervisors
This is the lowest tier of management within a large organisation and is the
level at which detailed operational activities, at the level of the job, are
controlled. Supervisors are therefore responsible for the day-to-day
implementation of health and safety policies and must ensure that:
Established procedures and safe working practices are implemented at all
times.

All workers are provided with all necessary information and instruction to
enable them to operate safely, with particular reference to hazardous
substances and precautions in general.

Remedial measures are introduced with immediate effect to reduce or

eliminate unsafe acts or conditions.

All accidents and other incidents that occur in their area are properly and
documented.

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Responsibilities bf Workers
The law usually expects that when a worker is at work, he or she must:

Take reasonable care for his own health and safety and that of others who
may be affected by his acts or omissions at work.

Co-operate with his employer so far as is necessary for the employer to

fulfill his legal duties. Notice that both acts and omissions are included. So
the failure of a ‘worker to wear protective clothing, or to check machinery
which he is responsible for checking, might well make him liable to
prosecution, as would exposing others to any danger or taking unsafe short-
cuts in his working methods. Legal provisions commonly include a specific
duty not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything
provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare.

in many cases, this may well be the employer. However, many companies
rent properties whose services, entry, etc., are controlled by somebody else
(a landlord). Several companies may even share the same building. It is a
reasonable expectation (and often a legal duty in some regions) to ensure
that the premises are safe and without risk to health. A duty is placed on
each person who has, to some extent control of the premises, or of the way
into or out of them, or of any plant or substance in them.

Control may be decided under the terms of the tenancy or another contract
for the premises — so the person who has the Obligation to repair or
maintain the premises, or to look after points of entry and exit, or to make
the place safe (in relation to plant or substances), is identified as the person
who has control.

PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING

Refers to the detailed specification of health and safety standards to be
applied in all areas and aspects of work, and the measures taken to ensure
that they are carried out. Fundamental to this is a risk assessment. From the
risk assessment, specific systems of work and other control measures should
be identified and implemented. Responsibility for ensuring that the systems
and measures are carried out effectively at all times will rest with
management although, workers must also be aware of and accept their
responsibilities. This requires that appropriate information and training is
provided for all staff.

EVALUATION
Evaluation means monitoring, measuring and reviewing performance. It is
not enough to simply put the control measures in place. Management must
ensure they are working effectively and this can only be determined by
holding some form of review and investigation process. The implementation,

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of the health and safety policy should be monitored on a regular basis by
collecting information about accidents and other incidents, with this
information used to assess the applied and the way in which they are being
operated the process of monitoring and review should be a clear
management process with the organization structure for dealing with
health and safety

AUDITING
This refers to the process of collecting independent information on the
efficiency effectiveness and reliability of the total safety system in the
organization

Crucially, it reflects the need to ensure that all aspects of the system
remain appropriate in the light of current developments in the field — in
relation to both legislation and good health and safety practice. It is,
therefore, necessary to obtain information and advice from outside the
organisation about these matters and to integrate this with the further
development of internal systems and procedures.

ACTION FOR IMPROVEMENT (REVIEW)

Deficiencies, if any, identified by the review process must be corrected as
soon as possible by making any necessary adjustments to the policy,
organisation and arrangements for implementation.

CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT
Arrangements need to be made for the continual improvement of all the
elements of the OSH management system. As well as taking account of
internal data sources (from, for example, results of performance
measurements, accident investigations, etc.), the performance of the
organisation should be compared with others in order to benchmark
progress.

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 CHAPTER TWO

UNDERSTANDING THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SAFETY OFFICERS

Below are the responsibilities of a safety officer in the light of protecting
workers lives, property and the environment from pollution

1. The Safety Officer is responsible for monitoring and assessing

hazardous and unsafe situations.
2. Developing measures to assure personnel safety.
3. Correct unsafe acts or conditions through the regular line of authority.
4. May exercise emergency authority to prevent or stop unsafe acts when
immediate action is required.
5. The Safety Officer maintains awareness of active and developing
situations.
6. Ensures there are safety messages in each Incident Action Plan.
7. Participate in planning meetings to identify any health and safety
concerns inherent in the operations daily work-plan.
8. Review the Incident Action Plan for safety implications.
9. Investigate accidents that have occurred within incident areas.
10. Ensure the preparation and implementation of the Site_ Safety and
Health plan. (SSHP).
11. Inspects the site to ensure it is a hazard-free environment.
12. Conducts toolbox meetings.
13. An HSE Officer is part of the project safety council and leads all
efforts to enhance safety.
14. The safety officer reviews and approves all subcontractors safety
plans.
15. Verify that injury logs and reports are completed and submitted to
relatedgovernment agencies.
16. Verify that all tools and equipment are adequate and safe for use.
17. Promotes safe practises at the job site.
18. Enforces safety guidelines
19. Trains and carries out drills and exercises on how to manage
emergency situations.
20. Conducts investigations of all accidents and near-misses.
21. Reports to concerned authorities as requested or mandated by
regulations.
22 Conduct job hazard analysis
23. Establishes safety standards and policies as needed.
24. Watches out for the safety of all workers and works to protect them
from entering hazardous situations.
25. Responds to employee’s safety concerns
26. Coordinates registration and removal of hazardous waste.
27. Serves as the link between state and local agencies and contractors.
28. Receives reports from and responds to orders issued from regulatory
agencies

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29, Arranges for mandated testing and/or evaluations of the workplace by
external agencies/consultants.
30. Support the development of policies and programs.
31. Advise and instruct on various safety-related topics (noise levels, use
of machinery etc.).
32. Conduct risk assessment and enforce preventive measures.
33. Review existing policies and measures and update according to
legislation.
34. Initiate and organize OHS training of employees and executives.
35. Inspect premises and the work of personnel to identify issues or
nonconformity (e.g. not using protective equipment)
36. Oversee installations, maintenance, disposal of substances etc.
37. Stop any unsafe acts or processes that seem dangerous or unhealthy
38. Record and investigate incidents to determine causes and handle
worker’s compensation claims
39. Prepare reports on occurrences and provide statistical information to
upper management.
40. Carry out PTW Monitoring and review

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 CHAPTER THREE

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND WASTE MANAGEMENT

The environment includes all living and non-living objects. We live in the
environment and use environmental resources like air, land and water to
meet our needs. Development also means meeting the needs of the people.
While meeting the ever-growing needs, we put pressure on the environment.
When the pressure exceeds the carrying capacity of the environment to
repair or replace itself, it creates a serious problem of environmental
degradation. If we use any environmental resource such as groundwater
beyond its limit of replacement, we may lose it forever. Therefore, there is
a need to create ‘awareness’ about Environmental protection. While efforts
are being made at the national and international level to protect our
environment, it is also the responsibility of every citizen to use our
environmental resources with care and protect them from degradation.

Environmental Degradation
The environment constitutes a very important part of our life. To
understand life without studying the impact of the environment is simply
impossible. The need to protect the environment can be ignored only at our
peril. We use environmental resources in our day to day life. These
resources are renewable and nonrenewable. We have to be more cautious in
consuming non-renewable resources like coal and petroleum, which are
prone to depletion. All human activities have an impact on the environment.
But in the last two centuries or so, the human influence on the environment
has increased manifold due to the rapid population growth and the fast
development in science and technology. These two are the major factors in
reducing the quality of the environment and causing its degradation.

The environmental degradation poses a great danger to mans own survival.

It should be realized, sooner than later, that conservation and improvement
of the environment are vital for the survival, and wellbeing of mankind.
Natural resources of land, air and water have to be used wisely as a trust to
ensure a healthy environment for the present and future generations.

 5 key to environment receptors:

 Air
 Water
 Land /soil
 Nature sources
 Community

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Important of environment
Food chain
- A group of organisms interrelated by the fact that each member of the
group feeds upon on the one below it and is in turn eaten by the organism
above it in the chain.

Ecosystem
- is a community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes)in
conjunction with the non-living components of their environment (things like
air, water and mineral soil), interacting as a system.

Environmental Problems
Some of the notable problems of the environment can be identified as
under:
a. Land, Air, and Water pollution of land and water that has affected plants,
animals and human beings. The quality of soil is deteriorating resulting in
the loss of agricultural land. The loss is estimated to be about five to seven
million hectares of land each year. Soil erosion, as a result of wind and/or
water, costs the world dearly. The recurring floods have their own peculiar
casualties like deforestation, silt in the river bed, inadequate and improper
drainage, loss of men and property.

The vast oceans, after being turned in to dumping grounds for all nuclear
wastes, have poisoned and polluted the whole natural environment.
b. Population Growth: population growth means more people to eat and
breathe, and putting excessive pressure on land and forest and
ultimately disturbing the ecological balance.

Our growing population is putting pressure on land, leading to poor

quality of productivity, deforestation (the loss of forest land so
necessary for ecological balance and extinction of wildlife leading to
an imbalance in the ecological order, loss of wildlife heritage and
ultimately dwindling of several species). The growing population is not
only a problem for the natural environment; it is a problem for any
other aspect of the environment, say, for example social, economic,
political etc.

c. Urbanization: Urbanization is no less a source of pollution, and

therefore, a threat to the environment. Urbanization means a
maddening race of people from villages to the cities. The net result of
urbanization is dirt, disease and disasters. In a state of growing
urbanization, an environmental problem like sanitation, ill-health,
housing, water-supply and electricity keep expanding. On the other,
environmental degradation is caused in rural life due to the

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 indiscriminate collection of firewood, overgrazing and depletion of
other natural resources.

d. Industrialization: Industrialization coupled with the development of

the means of transport and communication has not only polluted the
environment but also has led to the shrinking of the natural resources.
Both ways, the loss is really heavy. The increasing level of heat fluxes,
carbon dioxide and particulate, radioactive nuclear wastes and the
like create environmental hazards. On the other hand, the
consumption of the conventional source of energy leads to the loss of
natural resource. We are building a world without caring for future
generations.

Environmental Protection
In the past two decades, the environment has attracted the attention
of decision-makers, scientists and even laymen in many parts of the
world. They are becoming increasingly conscious of issues such as
famines, droughts, floods, scarcity of fuel, firewood and fodder,
pollution of air and water, problems of hazardous chemicals and
radiation, depletion of natural resources, extinction of wildlife and
dangers to flora and fauna. People are now aware of the need to
protect the natural environmental resources of air, water, soil and
plant life that constitute the natural capital on which man depends.

The environmental issues are important because the absence of their

solutions is more horrible. Unless environmental issues are solved or taken
care of, the coming generations may find earth worth not living. The need of
the planet and the needs of the person have become one.

There is no denying the fact that the environment has to be protected and
conserved so to make future life possible. Indeed, man’s needs are
increasing and accordingly, the environment is also being altered, indeed,
nature’s capacity is too accommodating and too regenerative yet there is a
limit to nature’s capacity, especially when the pressure of exploding
population and technology keep mounting. What is required is the
sustenance, conservation and improvement of the changing and fragile
environment.

The Concept of Sustainable Development

The world commission on environment and development (the Brundtland
Commission) submitted its report entitled “Our common future’ in 1987.
This report highlighted and popularized the concept of ‘sustainable
development’. Sustainable development has been defined as meeting the
needs of the present generation without compromising the need of future
generations. All developmental activities involve some amount of

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environmental degradation. What is required is to take into account the
damage to the environment as a result of development and strike a balance
between development and environmental protection. The aim should be to
achieve sustainable levels of people’s welfare and development. The
primary concern is how many people can ultimately be supported by the
environment and at what level of quality of life.

How To Realise Environmental Sustainability Programmes Seeks

Environmental Sustainability Programme as identified by UNN seeks to
achieve its goals through the following process

A: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies

and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources
• Forests are a safety net especially for the poor, but they continue to
disappear at an alarming rate.
• An increase in afforestation, a slight decrease in deforestation and the
natural expansion of forests have reduced the net loss of forest from
an
average of 8.3 million hectares annually in the 1990s to an average of
5.2 million hectares annually between 2000 and 2010.
• Between 1990 and 2012, global emissions of carbon dioxide increased
by over 50 per cent.
• Ozone-depleting substances have been virtually eliminated, and the
ozone layer is expected to recover by the middle of this century.
B: Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in
the rate of loss -
• Protected ecosystems covered 15.2 per cent of land and 8.4 per cent
of coastal marine areas worldwide by 2014.
C: Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable
access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation
• The world has met the target of halving the proportion of people
without access to improved sources of water, five years ahead of
schedule.
• Between 1990 and 2015, 2.6 billion people gained access to improved
drinking water sources.

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• Worldwide 2.1 billion people have gained access to improved
sanitation. Despite progress, 2.4 billion are still using unimproved
sanitation facilities, including 946 million people who are still
practising open defecation.
D: Achieve, by 2020, a significant improvement in the lives of at least
100 millionslum dwellers.
• Between 2000 and 2014, more than 320 million people living in slums
gained access to improved water sources, improved sanitation
facilities, or durable or less crowded housing, thereby exceeding the
MDC target.
• More than 880 million people are estimated to be living in slums
today, compared to 792 million in 2000 and 689 million in 1990.

Air pollution
What is air pollution?
- Air pollution occurs when the air contains gases, dust, fumes or odour in
harmful amounts which could be harmful to the health or comfort of humans
and animals or which could cause damage to plants and materials.

 Pollutants produced by human activity:

§ Open burning
§ Combustion Engine Exhaust
§ Plant emissions
§ Pesticides used
§ Radioactive fallout
§ Fertilizer dust
Effects
 Acid rain
 Global warming
 Effects of greenhouse
 Respiratory problem

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 The thinnest ozone layer

Water pollution
• is the contamination of water bodies when pollutants are discharged
directly or indirectly into water bodies without adequate treatment to
remove harmful compounds.

Soil pollution
• caused by the presence of xenobiotic (human-made) chemicals or other
alteration in the natural soil environment.

What is the noise?

Unwanted sound or undesirable by a listener

Effect of noise
Tinnitus
Deaf
Acoustic trauma
Permanent threshold shift (PTS)
Temporary threshold Shift (TTS)

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Regulation
Factory and Machinery Act 1989 (Noise Exposure)
Requirements: -

Ø A permissible exposure limit is established.

Ø Method of compliance is by engineering or administrative controls.
Ø Initial and ongoing monitoring is specified for employees exposed
above the action limit.
Ø Employees must be provide hearing protection when exposed above the
PEL.
Ø An audiometric testing program must be provided for all employees who
exposed above the action limit

Heat
What is heat stress?
The environment is too hot, the body is not able to cool fast enough.

Type of heat stress

Ø Heatstroke
Ø Heat exhaustion
Ø Heat syncope
Ø Heat cramps

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Control Measures
Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton
 Take breaks
 Provides water to workers
 Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT)

Dust
What is dust
Consists of particulars in the atmosphere that come from various sources

Health effects:
Respiratory problem
Asthma
Coughing

WHAT IS WASTE MANAGEMENT?

Waste management is the

• Storage
• Collection
• Transport and handling
 Recycling
• Disposal and monitoring of waste materials.

TYPE OF WASTE MANAGEMENT

Solid waste Chemical waste
Liquid’waste Commercial waste!
Gaseous waste Business waste
Animal by Biomedical waste
product(ABPs)
Biodegradable waste Bulky waste

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SOLID WASTE
It is defined as
“non-liquid, non-soluble materials ranging from municipal garbage to
industrial wastes that contain complex & sometimes hazardous
substances”

Solid waste also includes

Ø Garbage
Ø Rubbish
Ø Demolition products
Ø Sewage treatment residue
Ø Dead animals
Ø Manure and other discarded material.
--Per capita, solid waste output 0.25-2.5 Kg/day

Source
Agriculture
Fisheries
Household
Commerce and industry

TYPES
Broadly there are 3 types of waste which as follows
I. Household waste as municipal waste
2. Industrial waste as hazardous waste
3.Biomedical waste or hospital waste as infectious waste

1. MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE

The municipal solid waste consists of---
household waste
construction and demolition debris

23
sanitation residue
waste from streets
With rising urbanization and change in lifestyle and food habits, the amount
of municipal solid waste has been increasing rapidly and its composition
changing.

HAZARDOUS WASTE
Industrial and hospital waste is considered
hazardous as they may contain toxic substances
Hazardous waste could be highly toxic to
humans, animals and plants. They are
-corrosive
-highly inflammable or explosive In the industrial sector the major
generators of hazardous waste are the metal’ chemical’ paper, pesticide,
dye and rubber goods industries.
Direct exposure to chemicals in hazardous waste
such as mercury and cyanide can be fatal

A:Health hazard
If solid waste are not collected and allowed to accumulate, they may create
unsanitary conditions.

This may lead to epidemic outbreaks.

Many diseases like cholera. Diarrhoea, dysentery, plague, jaundice; or
gastrointestinal diseases may spread and cause loss of human lives

HOSPITAL WASTE OR BIOMEDICAL

24
WASTE
Bio-medical waste means “Any waste which is generated during the
diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals or in
research activities pertaining thereto or in the production or testing of
biological” -Bio-medical waste rules of 1998 states It may include; wastes
like a sharp waste, pathological waste, pharmaceutical waste, genotoxic
waste, chemical waste, and
radioactive waste etc.

EFFECT OF SOLID WASTE

In addition improper handling of the solid wastes, a health hazard for the
workers who come in direct contact with the waste.
B: Environmental impact
If the solid wastes are not treated properly decomposition and
putrefaction( decay) may take place.
The organic solid waste during decomposition may generate
obnoxious(intolerable odour).

WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCEPT

The 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to be followed for waste management.

Reuse:
Disposable goods, paper, plate, paper, Styrofoam cup, plastic, spoon, roll
of towels, paper, napkin, durable ceramic/plastics, metal, glass/plastic
drinking cups.
Re-use
• Instead of buying new containers from the market, use the ones that are
in the house.
• Don’t through away the soft drink can or bottle cover them with
homemade
paper or paint on them and use them as pencil stands or small vases

25
WASTE MANAGEMENT HIERARCHY
• There are a number of concepts about waste management which vary in
their usage between countries or regions. Some of the most general, widely
used concepts include:
1.Waste hierarchy -The waste hierarchy refers to the “3 Rs” reduce, reuse
and recycle, which classify waste management strategies according to their
desirability in terms of waste minimization. The waste hierarchy remains the
cornerstone of most waste minimization strategies.
• The aim of the waste hierarchy is to extract the maximum practical
benefits from products and to generate the minimum amount of
waste.
• Polluter pays principle - The Polluter Pays Principle is a principle
where the polluting party pays for the impact caused to the
environment. With respect to waste management, this generally
refers to the requirement for a waste generator to pay for appropriate
disposal of the unrecoverable material.

Recycling
 Recycling refers to the collection and refuses of waste materials such
as empty beverage container.
 The materials from which the hems are made can be processed into
new products.
 Materials for recycling may be collected separately from general
waste using dedicated bins.

Method of disposal
 Dumping
 Composing *
 Manure pits
 Controlled Tipping or Sanitary Landfill

26
 Incineration
 Burial

Objectives
 Reuse, recycle and recover
 Public hygiene and health.
 Energy generation
 Sustainable development
 Aesthetics

Disposal: generally to landfill, but only as a final measure.

Duty of Care
Waste management is generally controlled through a licensing system
whereby a waste management license is required by any operator who
wishes to keep, treat or dispose of waste. Similarly, all waste disposal sites
must be licensed/registered. The ‘duty of care’ is applicable to all persons
involved in the generation, importation, handling, transporting and disposal
of waste to ensure that waste:
Waste is not managed illegally. -
Does not escape from control.
Is transferred to an authorised person. -
Is adequately described.
Is accompanied by appropriate documentation, e.g. a Waste Transfer Note.

These are specific measures to ensure that waste does not escape from
control and does not cause pollution in the environment.

Classification of Waste

27
In all, Wastes are generally classified as hazardous or non-hazardous
Hazardous waste
Wastes are generally defined as hazardous if they are highly flammable,
toxic, carcinogenic or corrosive. However, the list also includes many
household products such as refrigerators, freezers, televisions, fluorescent
light tubes and computer monitors which, although not immediately
hazardous, may cause longer-term problems. Each batch of hazardous waste
must be accompanied by appropriate documentation (e.g. relating to the
amount and content of the waste, and detailing any waste transfer)
throughout each stage of the journey from the producer to final disposal and
the duty falls on the producer to ensure that other duty holders, such as
carriers and disposers, fulfill their duties appropriately

Non-Hazardous Waste:
This includes wastes which are mainly organic and are easily degradable.

CHAPTER FOUR

28
 BASIC FIRE FIGHTING TECHNIQUES

What is Fire
Fire is a chemical process in which oxygen combines with another substance
in the presence of a source of heat energy. The reaction of these elements
is called combustion, and during the reaction, heat, light, and flames are
given off.

Fire Triangle
Fire is a chemical reaction that requires three elements to be present in
adequate proportion for the reaction to take place and continue. The three
elements are:

 Heat, or an ignition source

 Fuel
 Oxygen

These three elements typically are referred to as the “fire triangle.” Fire is
the result of the reaction between the fuel and oxygen in the air. Heat, fuel
and oxygen must combine in adequate proportion for the fire to start and
continue to burn. If one element of the fire triangle is not present or
removed, the fire will not start or, if already burning, will extinguish.

Sources of Ignition
Ignition sources include any material, equipment or operation that emits a
spark or flame

An example includes obvious items, such as torches, as well as less obvious

items, such as static electricity and grinding operations. Equipment or
components that radiate heat, such as kettles, catalytic converters and
mufflers, also can be ignition sources.

Sources of Fuel -
Fuel sources include combustible materials, such as wood, paper, trash and
clothing; flammable liquids, such as gasoline or solvents; and flammable
gases, such as propane or natural gas

Sources of Oxygen -
Oxygen in the fire triangle comes from the air in the atmosphere. Air
contains approximately 79 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen. Hence
oxygen is readily available in the fire triangle -

Fire Classifications

29
Fires are classified according to the fuel type. The classification also serves
as a basis for identifying the means of extinguishing different types of fire:
They Includes

Class A: Fires involving, solid organic materials such as paper, wood i.e.
carbonaceous fires

Class B: Fires involving liquids or liquefiable solids -

The Class B Fires are further divided into 61 and 62. The 61 are Fires which
involve liquids that are soluble in water, Example is methanol. While the 62
are fires which involve liquids that are insoluble to water. An example
includes oil, Petrol, etc

Class C: Fires which involves gases such as natural gas etc or liquefiable
gases such as propane, butane

Class D: Fires involving metals i.e. magnesium, sodium, etc

Methods of Heat Transmission and Fire Spread

Fire can spread by four methods: convection, conduction, radiation and

direct burning,

Convection
The process whereby heat moves through a gas or liquid. When a gas or
liquid, such as air or water, is heated it expands and becomes less dense. As
a result, it rises and cooler air or water is drawn in to replace it, creating a
current.

Convection currents created in the air by fire are a major means of fire
spread.
They may carry burning materials through the air and into contact with
other combustible materials.

Conduction
Heat may be transmitted through certain materials, known as conductors,
without those materials themselves actually burning. This is particularly the
case with metals. The heat generated by a fire (çr any other process
producing heat) may, therefore, be transferred to a separate location where
it can act as a source of ignition.

Radiation

30
Radiation is the general term for the process by which energy is lost from a
source without direct contact. Heat radiation refers to the process whereby
the heat given off by hot objects passes through the air and through certain
types of transparent material such as glass. This radiant heat can in itself be
sufficient to act as a source of ignition. The intensity of radiant heat
diminishes with the distance from its source. However, depending on the
temperature of the source, heat transfer may take place over quite large
distances.

Fire Risk Assessment

Primary responsibility for workplace fire safety is placed on employers and
those in control of workplaces. They must provide the measures necessary to
prevent or control the risks from fire and, in particular, must ensure the
following points: That the workplace is equipped with appropriate fire-
fighting equipment, fire detectors and alarms and that any non-automatic
fire-fighting equipment is easily accessible, simple to uses and indicated by
signs. l That appropriate measures are taken for fire-fighting, the
nomination and training of workers to implement those measures, and the
arranging of contacts with external emergency services. That emergency
routes are kept clear and comply with any rules or regulations relating to
routes, doors and signs. That there is a suitable system of maintenance for
fire precautions in relation to workplace procedures in general and to
specific equipment and devices, which must be kept in good working order
and repair. These requirements may be enforced by local fire authority
inspectors.

Fire Prevention and Prevention of Fire Spread

Control Measures to Minimise the Risk of Fire in a Workplace Fires start
when a source of ignition comes into contact with some combustible
material. Fire prevention is based on two principles:

Controlling potential sources of ignition.

Controlling combustible materials.
Other principles include;
Reducing Sources of Oxygen
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Principles of Fire fighting
To fight fire basically connotes to Extinguish it. This, however, is based on
removing one or more sides of the fire triangle.

Removing the Fuel

31
Extinction by this process is known as starvation. This can be achieved by
taking the fuel away from the fire, taking the fire away from the fuel and/or
reducing the quantity or bulk of fuel available. So materials may be moved
away from the fire(to a distance sufficient to ensure that they will not be
ignited by any continuing radiant heat) or gas supply may be turned off.
Removing the Oxygen Extinction by this process is known as smothering. This
can be achieved by either’ allowing the fire to consume all the available
oxygen, whilst preventing the inward flow of any more oxygen, or adding an
inert gas to the mixture. The most usual method of smothering is by use of a
blanket of foam or a fire blanket.

Removing the Heat

Extinction by this process is known as cooling. Cooling with water is the
most common means of fighting a fire and this has a dual effect in terms of
absorbing heat and thereby reducing the heat input into the fire, and
reducing the oxygen input through the blanketing effect of the steam
produced. Although water is the most common medium used to fight fires, it
is by no means the only or the most suitable substance. Indeed, using water
on certain types of fire can make the situation worse.

Types Of Extinguishing Media

Water — Class A fires
The water extinguisher works by cooling the burning material below its
ignition temperature and thus removing the heating element from the fire
triangle.

Water extinguishers must be used in the upright position otherwise gas will
be discharged from the nozzle rather than water. (If the fire has been
extinguished, the extinguisher can be inverted to release remaining gas
pressure so that it does not keep pumping water out.) Once the extinguisher
has been used or partly used in this way they will not operate until they
have been recharged.

A water extinguisher should be regarded as a pressure vessel and maintained

according to maker instructions. They should also be lined with polythene or
some other method of corrosion protection used.

Dry Powder (Class A and B and F fires, general-purpose - Class B special-

purpose powders)

Works by forming a thin film of powder on the burning material i.e. a

smothering effect and excludes the air. Powder also works by chemically
interfering with the firing process and acts as a flame suppressant. When
used the powder should be directed at the base of the fire.
These extinguishers are also useful for electrical fires, as they do not
conduct electricity.

32
Care must also be taken with the DP extinguishers because the powder may
clog the nozzle and make it impossible to re-use it until it has been
thoroughly cleaned.

Carbon Dioxide (Class A and B and F fires)

These extinguishers consist of a pressurized cylinder containing liquid C02.
The gas is discharged by pressing a trigger valve, which releases carbon
dioxide snow that turns to gas on contact with heat. They are useful for
electrical fires but have the limitation that they have no cooling effect and
re-ignition can easily occur after the fire has apparently been extinguished.

On discharge, the horn of the extinguisher can become very cold and may
cause ice burns. Also, C02 is an asphyxiant gas and therefore should not be
used in small, enclosed spaces unless the person can escape very quickly.

A class C fire involving gas should normally only be put out by turning off the
valve or plugging the leak, not by. using an extinguisher on the flame as this
could, lead to an explosive situation being created with freely escaping gas
suddenly reigniting.

Metal fires such as magnesium and other light metals can be extinguished by
the use of dry sand, soda ash or special powders

Colour coding bf fire extinguisher

In most countries, portable appliances must be coloured red and display a
distinguishing coloured label, usually on its collar, to identify the type of
extinguishing agent contained. These are as follows:

Water— Red
Chemical foam — Cream
Carbon dioxide — Black Dry powder — Blue
In addition, each appliance has to have the date of its last inspection
marked on it

Fire Detection and Alarm Systems

There are many systems for raising an alarm on detecting an outbreak of
fire, ranging from simple handbells (or even just shouting) to sophisticated
electronically-triggered systems. However, whatever system is employed, all
staff must know how to raise an alarm on discovering fire and What to do
when the fire alarm sounds.

33
 CHAPTER FIVE

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

What is PPE?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to protective clothing, helmets,
goggles, or other garments or equipment designed to protect the wearer’s
body from injury or infection. The hazards addressed by protective
equipment include physical, electrical, heat, chemicals, biohazards, and
airborne particulate matter. Protective equipment may be worn for job-
related occupational safety and health purposes, as well as for sports and
other recreational activities. ‘Protective clothing’ is applied to traditional
categories of clothing, and ‘protective, gear’ applies to items such as pads,
guards, shields, or masks along with other items.

The purpose of personal protective equipment is to reduce employee

exposure to hazards when engineering controls and administrative controls
are not feasible or effective to reduce these risks to acceptable levels. PPE
is needed when there are hazards present. PPE has the serious limitation
that it does not eliminate the hazard at source and may result in employees
being exposed to the hazard if the equipment fails.

Any item of PPE imposes a barrier between the wearer/user and the working
environment. This can create additional strains on the wearer; impair their
ability to carry out their work and create significant levels of discomfort.
Any of these can discourage wearers from using PPE correctly, therefore
placing them at risk of injury, ill-health or, under extreme circumstances,
death. Good ergonomic design can help to minimise these barriers and can,
therefore, help to ensure safe and healthy working conditions through the
correct use of PPE.

Why is PPE important?

Making the workplace safe includes providing instructions, procedures,

training and supervision to encourage people to work safely and responsibly.
Even where engineering controls and safe systems of work have been
applied, some hazards might remain. These include injuries to:
the lungs, eg from breathing in contaminated air

• The head and feet, eg from falling materials

• The eyes, eg from flying particles or splashes of corrosive liquids
• The skin, eg from contact with corrosive materials
• the body, eg from extremes of heat or cold
PPE is needed in these cases to reduce the risk.

34
Limitation of PPE
PPE should be used as a last resort. It should never be regarded as one of
the major controls in risk control. Hence it appears as the least control
measure in the hierarchy of risk control. PPE must be chosen carefully and
employees trained to use it properly, and know how to detect and report
any faults.

Selection and use

You should ask yourself the following questions before selecting the PPE to
use for a particular occupation

• Who is exposed and to what?

• How long are they exposed?
• How much are they exposed to?
• Choose products which are CE marked in accordance with the Personal
Protective Equipment Regulations 2002— suppliers can advise you
• Choose equipment that suits the user — consider the size, fit and
weight of the PPE. If the users help choose it, they will be more likely
to use it
• If more than one item of PPE is worn at the same time, make sure
they can be used together, eg wearing safety glasses may disturb the
seal of a respirator, causing air leaks
• Instruct and train people how to use it, eg train people to remove
gloves without contaminating their skin. Tell them why it is needed,
when to use it and what its limitations are

Other advice on PPE

• Never allow exemptions from wearing PPE for those jobs that ‘only take a
few minutes’
• Check with your supplier on what PPE is appropriate — explain the jab
to them
• If in doubt, seek further advice from a specialist adviser
Maintenance
PPE must be properly looked after and stored when not in use, eg in a
dry, clean cupboard. If it is reusable it must be cleaned and kept in
good condition. Think about:
• using the right replacement parts which match the original, eg
respirator filters
• keeping replacement PPE available
• who is responsible for maintenance and how it is to be done
• having a supply of appropriate disposable suits which are useful for
dirty jobs where laundry costs are high, e.g. for visitors who need
protective clothing

35
Employees must make proper use of PPE and report its loss or destruction or
any fault in it.
Monitor and review
• Check regularly that PPE is used. If it isn't found out why not
• Safety signs can be a useful reminder that PPE should be worn
• Take note of any changes in equipment, materials and methods — you
may need to update what you provide
Types of PPE you can use

Eyes
Hazards
Chemical or metal splash, dust projectiles, gas and vapour, radiation
Options
Safety spectacles, goggles, face screens, face-shields, visors Note
Make sure the eye protection chosen has the right combination of
impact/dust/splash/molten metal eye protection for the task and fits the
user properly

Head and neck

Hazards
The impact from falling or flying objects, risk of head bumping, hair getting
tangled in machinery, chemical drips or splash, climate or temperature
Options
Industrial safety helmets, bump caps, hairnets and firefighters’ helmets
Note
• Some safety helmets incorporate or can be fitted with specially-
designed eye or hearing protection

Don’t forget neck protection, e.g. scarves for use during welding
• Replace head protection if it is damaged

Ears
Hazards
Noise — a combination of sound level and duration of exposure, very high
level sounds are a hazard even with short duration

Options
Earplugs, earmuffs, semi-insert/canal caps
Note
• Provide the right hearing protectors for the type of work, and make
sure workers know how to fit them - -
• Choose protectors that reduce noise to an acceptable level, while
allowing for safety and communication

36
Hands and arms
Hazards
Abrasion, temperature extremes, cuts and punctures, impact, chemicals,
electric shock, radiation, vibration, biological agents and prolonged
immersion in water

Options
Gloves, gloves with a cuff, gauntlets and sleeves that cover part or all of the
arm

Note
• Avoid gloves when operating machines such as bench drills where the
gloves
might get caught
• Some materials are quickly penetrated by chemicals — take care in the
selection,
• Barrier creams are unreliable and are no substitute for proper PPE
• Wearing gloves for long periods can make the skin hot and sweaty, leading
to skin problems. Using separate cotton inner gloves can help prevent this

Feet and legs

Hazards
Wet, hot and cold conditions, electrostatic build-up, slipping, cuts and
punctures, falling objects, heavy loads, metal and chemical splash, vehicles

Options
Safety Boots and shoes with protective toecaps and penetration-resistant,
mid-sole wellington boots and specific footwear, eg foundry boots and
chainsaw boots Note

Footwear can have a variety of sole patterns and materials to help prevent
slips in different conditions, including oil - or chemical-resistant soles. It can
also be anti-static, electrically conductive or thermally insulating
• Appropriate footwear should be selected for the risks identified

Lungs
Hazards
• Oxygen-deficient atmospheres, specks of dust, gases and vapours
Options respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
• Some respirators rely on filtering contaminants from workplace air.
These include simple filtering face pieces and respirators and power-
assisted respirators -
. Make sure it fits properly, eg for tight-fitting respirators (filtering face
pieces, half and full masks)

37
• There are also types of breathing apparatus which give an
independent supply of breathable air, eg fresh-air hose, compressed
airline and self-contained breathing apparatus

Note
• The right type of respirator filter must be used as each is effective for
only a limited range of substances
• Filters have only a limited life. Where there is a shortage of oxygen or
any danger of losing consciousness due to exposure to high levels of
harmful fumes, only use breathing apparatus — never use a filtering
cartridge
• You will need to use breathing apparatus in a confined space or if
there is a chance of an oxygen deficiency in the work area

Whole-body
Hazards
Heat chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks or spray guns,
contaminated dust impact or penetration, excessive wear or entanglement
of own clothing

Options
Conventional or disposable overalls, boiler suits, aprons, chemical suits

Note
• The choice of materials includes flame-retardant, anti-static, chain
mail,
chemically impermeable, and high-visibility
• Don’t forget other protection, like safety harnesses or life jackets

38
 CHAPTER SIX
OFFICE SAFETY

Office safety involves careful examination of the workplace environment,

machines/tools and the human factor. Thus adequate safety in the office
much incorporates these three components.

Common Office Hazards

While office work may not be considered as a high-risk activity by many
workers unsafe work systems and poor office layouts can and do result in
accidents and injuries to office workers.

Common office hazards include:

Slips, trips and falls
Poor housekeeping
Collision with poorly positioned furniture or other items
Exposure to chemicals used in the office
Fire -
Electricity

Control of Office hazard

Housekeeping.
Rubbish and temporary storage of material in offices present a fire hazard
and if in or near walkways, a tripping hazard as well. These can be avoided
by implementing a good housekeeping policy. Combustible refuse pending
disposal should be stored in a fire-resistant room or container set aside for
this purpose away from the immediate workplace. Arrangements should be
made for its frequent removal. General tidiness in the office is essential to
ensure safety and efficiency as well as safeguarding the visual appearance of
the office. All floors, passageways, walkways, stairs and other access routes
must be kept clear of goods and equipment.

Fire Safety
Fire routes and exits must be adequately signed and kept clear at all times,
especially of combustible materials and sources of ignition. Fire doors should
be kept shut as appropriate and never wedged or propped open. Any
flammable office materials should be stored in appropriate flammables
containers and volumes kept to a minimum. Once a fire takes hold it will
continue to develop as long as there are fuel and oxygen to support

39
combustion. This is why it is so important not to have combustible materials
in escape routes, and unnecessary stored combustible materials such as
paper, cardboard, or plastics in offices and storerooms. Further details are
contained in the Fire Policy and associated guidance notes available www.

Electrical Risks
Electrical appliances and equipment should be purchased from reputable
suppliers, manufactured to an appropriate standard and where possible they
must be CE marked and BS approved. The equipment should be used
correctly and not abused, there should be no unauthorized repairs and the
equipment should be periodically subject to a Portable Appliance Test,
(PAT).

Cables trailing across floors and walkways present a tripping hazard. If

cables have to run across an office, they should be protected by a rubber
guard strip. In addition, in many offices, there are too few installed sockets
for services to be supplied. In such cases, it is acceptable to supply an
extension board j5rovided each outlet feeds only low current equipment up
to a total current of 13 amps. Other high-powered equipment (eg kettles,
etc.) should be supplied direct from a wall socket An occasional visual check
is all that is required to identify the majority of faults.

Storage Arrangements.
Only one drawer of a filing cabinet should b open at any one time so that it
cannot topple over. Heavier files or objects should be stored in the lower
drawers or lower shelves for stability and to reduce manual handling issues.
Similarly, objects should not be dangerously placed on the top of shelves
from where they might fall and suitable ladders or kickstools should be
provided where objects are to be manually lifted from or onto high shelves.
This type of operation may require a manual handling assessment. Filing
cabinet drawers should never be left open when not directly in use or
attendance.

Manual Handling
Poor lifting and carrying technique cause injury to numerous members of
staff every year. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations make all
lifting operations the subject of assessment. If the load is on the floor or low
down always bend your legs and lift with the back straight. Do not attempt
to lift or carry too much at a time. If moving heavy loads about for any
distance, always use a trolley to avoid putting undue strain on the back. Do
not attempt to carry more than you can comfortably manage. Do not carry
so much that you cannot see where you are going. Be especially careful
when negotiating stairs while carrying things. Always use the handrail and
don’t carry so much that you are unable to do so. Good technique is vital in
preventing injury. Short courses are available within the Office that will
provide some basic skills, which if implemented, will help to prevent injury.

40
 NATO NAUTICAL TERMS

A - ALPHA O- OSCAR
B- BRAVO P- PAPA
C- CHARLIE Q- QUIBEC
D- DELTA R- ROMEO
E- ECHO S- SERIALL
F- FOXTROT T- TANGO
G- GOLF U- UNIFORM
H- HOTEL V- VICTOR
I- INDIA W- WHISKY
J- JULIET X- X-RAY
K- KILO Y- YANKEE
L- LIMA Z- ZULU

41
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

1. The three things needed to start a fire are

A. Heat, Water and Fuel
B. Heat, Oxygen and Fuel
C. Heat, Oxygen and Carbon(iv)oxide
D. Heat, Fuel and Nitrogen

2. Class of fire is defined according to

A. The combustible material
B. The degree of burning
C. The percentage of oxygen
D. The ignition temperature

3. Which of the following is correct?

A. Class A fire involves flammable liquids
B. Class B fire involves solid material (wood)
C. Class C fire involves gaseous substances
D. Class D fire involves rubber and plastics

4. An undesired event that results in harm to people, damage to property or loss to process is known as
A. Incident
B. Hazard
C. Accident
D. Near miss

5. Which of the following is an example of unsafe conditions?

A. Horse play
B. Improper lifting
C. Servicing equipment in operation
D. Poor housekeeping

6. Which of these is not a purpose of an accident investigation?

A. Look for employee fault
B. Identify the cause(s)
C. Aid better supervision
D. Modify the work procedures

7. 100% compliance only achieves a minimum acceptable standard for safety

True or False

8. A work-related injury which requires treatment and for which the injured is fit to return to his regular job
within 24 hours is called
A. Restricted workday case
B. Medical treatment case
C. First aid case
D. Lost workday case

9. Unsafe acts of workers include the following except

A. Working without authority
B. Making safety devices inoperative
C. Failure to use PPE
D. Hazardous equipment

10. The first element in the occupational health and safety management system is
A. Policy formulation
B. Implementation and operation

42
 C. Auditing
D. Management review

11. It is possible to remove all risks from a workplace

True or False?

12. Eyes of workers need special personal protective equipment against the following except
A. Flying particle
B. Electric Shock
C. Chemical liquids
D. Ultraviolet rays

13. The concentration of toxic substances which must not be exceeded for a very short period of time is
called
A. Threshold limit value
B. Maximum allowable concentration
C. Short term exposure limit
D. Ceiling value

14. The success of fire prevention programme depends on

A. Good housekeeping
B. Maintenance of firefighting equipment
C. Segregation and reduction of combustible materials
D. All of the above

15. The first vital condition for resuscitation is

A. Check for breathing
B. Open the airway
C. Check for circulation
D. Check for hazards

16. The first aider should tilt the head of the victim forward to open the airway.
True or False?

17. Artificial respiration and external chest compression are together known as
A. Cardio – pulmonary restoration
B. Cardio – pulmonary responses
C. Cardio – pulmonary resuscitation
D. Cardio – pulmonary respiration

18. The two commonly used pressure points to check for a pulse or circulation include
A. Radial pulse and carotid pulse
B. Radial pulse and limb pulse
C. Carotid pulse and pulmonary pulse
D. Radial pulse and cardiac pulse

19. An expression of possible loss in terms of severity and probability is called

A. Hazard
B. Risk
C. Severity rate
D. Incident

20. Which of the following is an example of physical hazard?

A. Smoke
B. Toxic material
C. Volatile fluids in tanks
D. Noise

21. Personal protective equipment should be used as a substitute for engineering and administrative controls.
True or False?

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22. For heavy grinding, what type of eye protection is need?
A. Safety glasses with side shields
B. Full face shield worn over safety glasses with side shields
C. Tinted safety glasses with side shields
D. A and C

23. Which type of hard hat should not be worn around electrical hazards?
A. Plastic
B. Rubber
C. Metal
D. All of the above

24. Which of the following is not a hazard to consider when selecting footwear?
A. Compression
B. Puncture
C. Slipping
D. Flexibility

25. The major housekeeping considerations include the following except

A. Keeping tools and materials in proper containers
B. Storing trash/wastes in proper containers
C. Putting cigarette stubs in butt cans
D. Stacking materials on walkways

26. Which of the following are examples of hazardous wastes?

A. Medical waste
B. Domestic waste
C. Radioactive waste
D. A and C

27. ISO 14001 is developed specifically to manage

A. Quality management
B. Environmental issues
C. Health issues
D. Security issues

28. MSDS stands for

A. Materials Statistical Data Sheet
B. Material Safety Data Sheet
C. Material Safety Data System
D. Material Statistical Data System

29. Confined spaces can be identified by the following characteristics

A. Limited openings for entry and exit
B. Poor natural ventilation
C. Not designed for continuous worker occupancy
D. All of the above

30. Examples of confined spaces are

A. Storage tanks, pits, silos and
B. Tunnels, sewers, shafts and
C. Offices, carpools and shopping
D. A and D

31. During atmospheric testing, you must

A. Continuously test and monitor air in all areas before entry
B. Make sure that the oxygen content is between 19.5% and 25.5%.
C. List any toxic materials that could be present
D. A and C

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32. Accidents occurs when a series of unrelated events coincide at a certain time and space
True or False?

33. Which of the following is not a cause of electrical fires?

A. Over loading of cables
B. Installation failures
C. Poor ventilation
D. Unapproved appliances and wiring

34. The temperature at which a combustible material gives off enough vapour to initiate ignition is called
A. Critical temperature
B. Flashpoint
C. Ignition temperature
D. Latent temperature

35. A specific place having a definite position when people assemble during fire emergency is known as
A. Fire point
B. Muster point
C. Cluster point
D. Action point

36. 36 lost time injuries were recorded in a plant working 1,200,000 man hours in a year. Compute the
frequency rate.
A. 30
B. 40
C. 50
D. 60

37. When lifting objects, the best way to prevent back injury is to
A. Keep the natural curve of your back
B. Tighten your abdominal muscles
C. Avoid twisting
D. All of the above

38. Safety glasses with side shields are designed for casual hazards in low quantity and likelihood
True or False?

39. Burn resulting in the destruction of the skin and damage to underneath tissues are called
A. First degree burns
B. Second degree burns
C. Third degree burns
D. Fourth degree burns

40. A condition that occurs when the end anyone is forced out of its normal position in a joint is called
A. Fracture
B. Dislocation
C. Sprains
D. Strains

41. The most efficient method of artificial respiration is

A. Holger-nielson method
B. Silvester’s method
C. Mouth to mouth method
D. Schafer’s pressure method

42. The scientific study of the relationship between man and his working environment is known as
A. Ecology
B. Ergonomics

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 C. Occupational study
D. Psychology

43. Wearing a hard hat eliminates the possibility of head injury by

A. Falling objects
B. Chemical splashes
C. Electric shock
D. Grinding sparks

44. Health, Safety and Environmental are Interrelated and affect each other.
True or False?

45. Toxic chemicals can enter into human tissues through the following except
A. Adsorption
B. Absorption
C. Inhalation
D. Swallowing

46. Which of these is a risk factor for cumulative trauma disorders?

A. Tool vibration
B. Repetitive forceful motions
C. Awkward positions
D. All of the above

47. The basic components of a fall arrest system include the following except
A. Fall hoists
B. Lanyards
C. Full body harness
D. Lifelines

48. Which of these is not a hazard common to crane operation?

A. Pinch point
B. Flywheel
C. Cable Kinking
D. Side pull

49. When creating a first aid plan, the first thing you should do is
A. Determine the supplies you need
B. Choose somebody who is not squeamish to be in charge
C. Review the hazards and identify the type of injuries
D. Make everyone take first aid training

50. Which of the following gases is an acid rain precursor?

A. Methane
B. Sulphur (iv) Oxide
C. Hydrogen sulphide
D. Helium

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SOLUTION

1B 26 D

2A 27 B

3C 28 B

4C 29 D

5D 30 D

6A 31 D

7 True 32 True

8A 33 C

9D 34 B

10 A 35 B

11 False 36 A

12 B 37 D

13 B 38 True

14 D 39 C

15 B 40 B

16 False 41 C

17 C 42 B

18 A 43 A

19 B 44 True

20 D 45 A

21 False 46 D

22 B 47 A

23 C 48 B

24 D 49 C

25 D 50 A

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