Sewage spills and overflows accounts for 1,600 closing and advisory for beaches after storm water, wild life and boats discharges.
With the current relocation of people in large masses to the coastal areas, there has been an increase in pollution of beach waters due to sewage contamination rendering the waters unsafe for recreational activities. There are pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and other parasites found in waste.
Contaminated recreational water poses a great health risks to the public and other consumers especially young children due to their playful nature and weak immune system.
Water borne diseases
One of the main water borne diseases surfers or beach water users can be contract from contaminated beach water is typhoid, results from by a bacterium called Salmonella.
Contaminated water is with human faecal is one major source of this bacterium. Shellfish growing in faecal polluted water can build the bacteria up for the. Common signs and symptom of a person suffering from typhoid include watery diarrhoea, malaise, fever, anorexia, headache constipation and dehydration. Another disease contracted from faecal polluted water is cholera.
This is acute water borne diseases caused by vibrio cholerae bacterium and can kill within a short period if untreated. WHO estimates that 120,000 people die from cholera each year? Acute watery diarrhoea and severe dehydration are some of the signs and symptoms.
The dysentery affects walls of the intestines and is brought about by an amoeba known as Entamoeba histolytica. A suffering from dysentery does not show symptoms for long period but it damage the intestinal walls of the infected causing bleeding.
Other signs of dysentery include cramps, frequent loose stool, and some cases difficulty in passing of stool, ulcers and diarrhoea, which may contain bloods spots due to damaged intestines. Other diseases contracted by contaminated water include hepatitis, anaemia, ascariasis and schistomiasis among many more others.
Finally, another threat posed to consumers of beach waters includes the red tide. Red tides are type of microscopic algae that are responsible for production of toxins in water. These toxins can lead to serious health problems to both humans and marine creatures. Abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea are the main symptoms displayed by a victim of red tide.
Challenges in monitoring and managing beach water
Amongst the challenges encountered in monitoring and managing beach water are the uses of inconsistent indicators by different states, which have resulted to disallowing use of recreational waters regarded as safe by other states, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1999).
Another challenge is that some tests involved requires a lot of time like 24 hours so as to produce results and rather issuing of warning, some beach operators opt to re-test the waters.
Such time taking tests have greatly hindered the issue of advisory and closure notices hence increasing consumers exposure risks levels. On the other hand, use of inconsistent monitoring and managing beach programs contradicts as officers in charge may hesitate to issue the advisories due to conflicting results as per different states.
Conclusion
As an environmental health inspector, I would engage in several steps to ensure the safety of swimmers and the general health. This would include issue of advisories such as when there have been heavy downpours, ensuring that beach water are regularly tested, in case of affirmative pollution results, inform the public of time so as to avoid contact with contaminated waters. In serious cases where there been high pollution levels, I would opt for closure to guarantee the safety of the public.
Reference
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA). (1999). Action Plan for Beaches and Recreational Waters. Washington DC: Office of Water and Office of Research and Development Press.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is an energy source of great significance in terms of energy diversity and security. As one of the leading producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the world, the demand for this natural resource from Algeria is growing by the day (Stellman 1998). The first shipment of LNG from Algeria to the United Kingdom took place about 41 years ago, and the demand for natural resources appears to be growing by the day (Orgill 2004).
The liquefaction of natural gas can be traced as early as the 19th century, a time when the British physicist and chemist Michael Faraday undertook some experiments that involved liquefaction of various kinds of gases and these include natural gases as well (Tusiani 2007). In 1941, the first plant to undertake commercial liquefaction of natural gases was constructed in Cleveland, Ohio.
In terms of composition, methane is the chief constituent of natural gas. Through a liquefaction process, the natural gas may then be compressed into a form that renders its utilization for heating and cooking at homes (Pearce 1995). The temporary conversion of the liquefied natural gases to the liquid state is for purposes of easing not just its storage, but transportation as well.
Amongst all the other fossil fuels, natural gases have thus far been regarded as the most environmentally friendly of these, owing to reduced emissions of carbon dioxide fro every energy unit. However, there are some environmental groups that are against the utilization of LNG, on grounds of the carbon dioxide emissions during the production as well as the transpiration of this natural resource (Tusiani 2007).
In terms of safety, the production, storage and transportation of this combustible substance and fuel requires that certain safety measures be followed. Like all the other hydrocarbons, there is a need to handle LNG with the necessary measures of safety. This is important in order to mitigate accident related to its production and storage (Michot 2003).
Process hazards
Although LNG may not be quite explosive in a liquefied state and therefore is not at risk of burning, nevertheless there is a need to ensure that the no leaks are evident during its storage or transport, as they would result in it vaporizing rapidly, being transformed into a gas, and thereby mixing with air (Elvers 1993).
Although such a mixing process could take place in what is known as the flammable range, an ignition risk could however occur, and this may cause fire, as well as hazards of thermal radiation (CH-IV International 2002).
LNG has been depicted as one of the safest fossil fuels. Even so, the inherent threats of fire that are connected to the natural resource are quite profound. According to some estimates by the Sandia National Labs in the United States, even the minutest of the tanker breaches during the transportation of LNG is enough to result in the ignition of a fire capable of spreading a distance of more than half a mile, in addition to burning for about 20 minutes (Koroneos et al 2008)
Environmental impact
The extraction of natural gas in Algeria, just like in any other natural gas producing nations, poses a threat to the ecosystem. It is important to note that the drilling for the natural gas could take place in public lands and farms, parks, forests, as well as Rocky Mountains (Hobson 1984).
In addition, the numerous compressor stations and pipelines that crisscross the environment are an added risk factor, seeing that these have a tendency of crossing various kinds of ecosystems. Besides, the power plants for these natural gasses have been recognized as major sources of air pollution (Fisher 1994). Not only do these emit air pollutants that are quite hazardous, they also play a significant role in global warming, in addition to contributing to the emission of fine particulate matter.
There are a number of serious accidents that have occurred, involving the issue of LNG. For example, on the 29th of January, 2004 an explosion took place at, Skikda, Algeria, at the nations NNG liquefaction facility, Sonatrach (Orgill 2009). In total, 27 people got killed, a further 56 of them escaped with various kinds of injuries, while three trains belonging to LNG were also destroyed. Due to this development, the LNG production levels in Algeria reduced to 76 percent, in 2004.
The cause of the fire was later traced to a team boiler, and which constituted the liquefaction train. This boiler exploded, and this is then what set off an immense gas detonation of the hydrocarbon. 2004 production was down 76% for the year (Orgill 2009). A steam boiler that was part of a liquefaction train exploded triggering a massive hydrocarbon gas explosion. The explosion occurred where propane and ethane refrigeration storage were located (APS Review 2009).
Risk management
It is important that the necessary measures be initiated to manage as well as mitigate the impacts of natural gas liquefying process, so that the personnel involved may not be subjected to any kind of harm as a result of the process, the liquefied materials themselves, or even the process equipment (Stellman 1998). This could become viable by the application of management systems on safety. On of the process that could be incorporated in such a system is HEMP (Hazard and Effects Management Process).
The HEMP process is usually recommended that it be applied right from the conception of a project, up to a decommissioning of the same. Generally, the HEMP process is geared towards an identification of the possible hazards in a process, an evaluation of the chances of such hazards taking place, as well as the impacts that could emanate from the occurrence of these kinds of hazards (Brookshire 2009).
As such, the HEMP process seeks to assist in an effective control of a process, while at the same time ensuring that the individual involved in the process are protected from both the materials and the instruments. Moreover, this system ensures that such people are able to recover from any kind of a containment loss, with the least amount of consequences.
In terms of LNG product containment, one of the key requirements is to make sue that the most appropriate material has been used in the construction of the NLG facilities. In addition, it is important that the storage tanks be properly designed, to avoid leakage, as this would pose threats to both the personnel and the environment as well (Burgherr & Hirschberg 2009). The other form of containment otherwise referred to as secondary containment, sees to it that spills or leaks of the product do not take place onshore, at a designated facility of LNG. In this regard, the utilization of high level alarm system would be a necessity.
Environmental consequences of generating and transportation
In comparison with coal power plant, their natural gas counterparts have been shown to contribute only about half the amount of carbon dioxide emission to the environment. This notwithstanding, the combustion of natural gas that is necessary to generate and also to transport the LNG into the power plants have been shown to contribute between 20 and 40 percent extra carbon dioxide, in comparison to the practice of just burning the natural gas only (California Energy Commission 2009).
Moreover, the processes of extraction the natural gas, its processing, the transportation of the same in a chilled from, as well as a conversion of this natural gas into a form that may be utilized for example in the home environment; all of these processes when considered together, significantly contributes to the emission of the greenhouse gases (Carson & Mumford 2003).
Conclusion
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is increasingly gaining demand in the international market as an energy source of energy diversity and security. This has mean that the trade in this natural resources for such renowned producers as Algeria in looking promising. Fro the most part, the extraction, production, storage, as well as the transportation process of LNG is considered less risky, in comparison with that of the other natural gasses.
Furthermore, the carob emission as a result of the extraction of this natural resource is quite low. Nevertheless, the ensuing transportation and storage of this product, as well as the conversion of the same into a form that is worth using, significantly contributes to the green house gasses. In its liquefied from, LNG is relatively safe, but a hazard such has a fire explosion could occur as a result of a leakage or spills.
It is important therefore to ensure that the correct health and safety measures are followed in terms of storage and transportation. This is also vital, in order to protect the personnel. Moreover, the safety of the equipment used in constructing the gas facility, along with a design of the same, shall go a long way into containing a possible leakage.
Furthermore, the storage tanks and the piping systems of the LNG are known to interfere with the ecosystem, while the energy sources and resources such as water that are used in the processing of this product, are a hazard to the environment. For this reason, the risk management system that should be adopted to contain risk and hazards of methane liquefaction process should take into account these risks, so those individual working on site, as well as the environment itself, may be spared from accidents and risks.
Bibliography
APS Review. Algerian LNG is moving to UK as Europeans scramble for gas supplies. APS Review Gas Market Trends, 2005. Web.
Brookshire, K. Science focused on creating domestic supply Business journal, 2008. Web.
Burgherr, Peter & Hirschberg, Stefan. Comparative assessment of natural gas accident risks. 2005. Web.
California Energy Commission United states West, East & Gulf Coasts Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). California Energy Commission, 2009. Web.
Carson, Phillip & Mumford, C. J. Hazardous chemicals handbook. London: Elsevier, 2002.
Center for Energy Economics, Introduction to LNG,2003.
CH-IV International Safety history of international LNG operations, 2002.
Compressed Gas Association. Handbook of compressed gases. New York: Springer, 1999.
Elvers, B. Resources of oil and gas. Ullmanns encyclopedia of industrial chemistry (5th edition). Vol. 23 (1993).
Energy Information Administration (2007). Natural Gas Annual 2006. Annual Energy Review 2007.
Fisher, W. L. How technology has confounded US gas resource estimators Oil & Gas journal 1994.
Grant Howe, 1993, Kirk-Othmer encyclopedia of chemical technology (4th edition). New York: Wiley & Sons.
Gibbs, L.M, 1995, Encyclopedia of energy technology and the environment. London: John Wiley and Sons.
Hobson, G. D. Modern petroleum technology (5th edition). New York: Wiley & sons, 1984.
Koroneos,, C, Dompros, A, & Roumbas, G. Hydrogen production via biomass gasification- a life cycle assessment approach Chemical engineering and processing, Vol. 47, No. 8 (2008): 1261-1268.
Michot, Michelle. LNG safety and security 2003. Web.
Orgill, Margaret Algeria blast to hit LNG exports, importers calm. 2004. Web.
Pearce, F. A heavy responsibility. New scientist (1995):12-13.
Perry, R. H. & Chilton, C. H, 1973, Chemical Engineers Handbook (5th edition). New York: McGraw Hill.
Stellman, Jeanne. Encyclopedia of occupational health and safety. New York: McGraw Hill, 1998.
Tusiani, M & Shearer, G, 2007, LNG: a nontechnical guide. Oxford: PenWell Books.
The economic value of the construction industry is significant and the industry contributes up to 10% of the annual GDP for most nations (Purkiss, 2). The industry encompasses the use of many other complementary industries such as electrical, mining, steel and transportation to name but a few. This involvement of multiple industries suggests that the construction industries success or failure can reflect on a number of other industries.
Humans are physical beings and need buildings and other structures to enable them to carry out their day to day activities in an efficient manner. As such, the need to implement safety and preventive measures in such places is invaluable. Despite the clearly vital role of construction as an economic entity, the industry continues to be affected by inefficiencies and accidents which mostly spring from a lack of proper protective equipments, poor construction and poor decision making.
Fire is one of the most dangerous occurrences that may put many lives in danger in these facilities. To this effect, all governments and other organizations have put in place standards that stipulate the safety and preventive requirements for the various types of buildings and structures.
Fire safety and prevention should be considered while constructing buildings and other structures. This paper shall give a detailed analysis of fire as a life threatening occurrence. The various causes of fire shall be discussed and their impacts on human life addressed.
The various preventive and safety measures that can be employed to minimize or avoid the occurrences of fire shall also be highlighted. Through the exploration of the vital equipments required to quell fires in buildings and structures, this paper shall effectively provide viable recommendations geared towards fire safety and prevention in a bid to promote the preservation of life.
Brief overview of fire safety and preventive standards
Fire safety and prevention as defined by Brannigan refers to the steps and measures that are taken by people to ensure that the occurrence, control and extinguishing of unwanted fires is effective and safe to those involved (24). The existence of fire safety and prevention standards can be traced back to the late 19th century.
The reason behind their institution was mainly because fires were unpredictable, dangerous and responsible for the deaths of many as well as the loss of property. As such, these standards were put in place to ensure that fires could be contained and controlled such that the losses caused by fire were minimal.
In regards to the control of fires, the standards were set to consider the recommended heights of buildings, the ventilation of the same, the availability of exits and the use of non flammable materials during constructions (Brannigan, 80).
The building and construction codes in the UK have stipulated the various standards that should be met in a building before it is opened to the public. Among these codes are the fire safety and protection standards which dictate the fire safety and prevention equipments that should be installed in a building depending on its size.
In addition, the standards have provided clear directives on the materials that should be used in constructions to prevent and avoid the spread of fires. The materials have been clearly categorized and defined to ensure that all constructors adhere to the requirements.
In as much as there has been an increase in fire related property losses, the number of deaths associated to fires had decreased significantly since the inception of these standards. However, it should be noted that the prevention of fires is everyones responsibility and it is important that every person learns the basics as regarding to fire safety and prevention.
Statistics show that most fires are started as a result of individual negligence and carelessness. In addition, fire departments equipped with the necessary fire management facilities have been established in various locations to assist people experiencing fire related issues.
Causes of fires in buildings and structures
There are many causes that may lead to the breakout of a fire. However, most documented fires were as a result of poor electrical, water and structural installations. However, the worst cause of fires is individual negligence and carelessness.
Examples of such carelessness include but are not limited to: leaving the sockets on, smoking in the house and touching electric appliances with water among others. Furthermore, interior furnishings exacerbate the growth of fires, or they could be the primary cause of fire (Clinton, 8). This is because the materials used are more often flammable (wood, refined leather, and fabric).
The induction of IT into fire safety and prevention
Over the years, mans creativity and innovativeness have bore fruits in terms of his growth and that of the society that he dwells in.
Through his innovative nature, he has managed to discover new and better ways of making life, work and social interactions easier and safer. The highlight of such progress can undoubtedly be placed on the invention of the computers a few decades ago. Nowadays, you find computers in shops, most homes, schools and at various work stations globally.
Due to this technological advancement, computerized fire-detection alarms have been developed and are now available and at reasonable prices globally. These alarms are applied with the necessary IT tools or software which are designed to respond to various fire hazards or warn occupants of a potential fire threat.
Monitoring of high-rise buildings and structures can be a very difficult and costly affair if human labor is to be used. Nowadays, high-rise buildings and structures use sophisticated fire detection alarms to warn occupants and maintenance crews of an existing or potential fire.
There is also an array of heat and smoke detectors which have been designed to meet the safety requirements in various industries so as to increase the levels of fire-detection methods. These can be automatically or manually operated to ensure maximum protection in the event of a fire.
The photoelectric smoke detector is composed of a sensitive electronic circuit that provides alarm in case smoke is detected. Photoelectric detectors can be installed in high-ceiling areas and spaces with medium to high-velocity airflow at the ceiling level. The air-sampling detection system uses a laser beam-based photoelectric smoke detection. Warning and protective devices are also installed in air-conditioning units which may add fuel load to an existing fire.
In cases of data agencies, a fire detection and extinguishing system has been developed to ensure that the fire is extinguished without causing any damage to the data stored or the equipments (for example; server rooms and filing rooms). These systems suck out all the oxygen in a room thereby choking the fire immediately.
Fire safety and prevention in buildings and constructions
Considering the significance that fire prevention and safety systems can have in the construction industry, it would be prudent to look into the ways in which these systems can be exploited for optimal benefit. The implementation of such systems in building and structural designs provides the best means for dealing with the various factors that causes fire.
Leber declare that the construction industry is safety dependent and absence of efficient and accurate safety and preventive measures may reduce the capacity and productivity of a construction company (36). The industry has therefore been involved in research efforts to enable it overcome the safety inefficiency obstacle which greatly hamper the productivity of the industry.
In regards to fire prevention, architects and designers must at all times consider the flammability of the materials to be used during construction, the fire resistance capability and duration of these materials, the veracity of the sealing materials used in openings and other structures within and outside the buildings and the organization and arrangement of escape routes within the building.
The main aim of these considerations is to ensure that there is adequate prevention against the starting and spreading of fires and to control the spread of smoke to facilitate escape and/or rescue of persons and animals. In addition, there are active and passive precautions that should be put in place to assist in the event of a fire.
Leber defines passive considerations as those implemented to the building and its components while active precautions refer to the automated systems installed in a building or structure and deployed when a fire starts (43).
As pertaining to passive precautions, Schroll states that they are the measures relating to the structural integrity of buildings (49). They relate to the installation of fire doors and windows, the coating and casing materials used in various components and the recommended measurements required for rooms so that they can contain fires.
Active precautions refer to the smoke and fire detection systems installed. They include but are not limited to fire, smoke and heat detectors, sprinkler systems, Co2 and water extinguishers and automated smoke and heat venting systems among others (Christian, 107).
However, the installation of these systems and precautions may be deemed worthless if the architects and designers lack adequate knowledge of fire. As such, safety engineering is a worth while field of study for these professionals.
This area of study covers the types of fires, their causes, propellants and extinguishing techniques. Depending on the size of the building or structure, it is very important that the engineers ensure that proper precautions are put in place to ensure that fire can easily be detected, controlled and extinguished.
Before installing any fire detection system, the safety engineer must consider the area that these gadgets are to monitor, ceiling height and the type of roof used on the building.
In addition, they must consider the type of fire that may start in that particular building. Identifying the type of fire enables the engineer to choose the most effective system to combat the fire and extinguish it with minimal losses of lives or property. For example, heat detectors should be installed in rooms or structures that emit a lot of heat.
They are therefore set at certain degrees above which they set of the alarm. Smoke detectors are installed in places where the materials therein would emit a lot of smoke if a fire starts. Finally, fire detectors are part of the fire alarm system and they send a transmission to a remote control center (fire stations and police stations) to alert them and the occupants of the building of a fire outbreak.
Fire spread
As mentioned earlier, the materials used during construction and the proximity to other buildings may contribute highly to the spread of fires. As such, all engineers are required by law to ensure that due consideration is given to these aspects while constructing a building or structure. In this section, we are going to divide the spread of fire into two categories: internal and external fire spread.
a. Internal fire spread
During the implementation of fire and safety precautions, there are factors that must be considered as relating to the spread of fires once they have ignited.
In regards to the buildings surface, the linings and coats used on the walls and ceilings may contribute to the spreading of fires within the building. This may be hazardous especially in areas of the building with high activity and circulations because the fire may prevent the occupants from escaping.
To this effect, there are two very important factors that should be considered in relation to the materials used on these surfaces. One of them is their resistance to fire spreading over the surface and the amount of heat that the materials emit once they catch fire. There are various tests that have been conducted to gauge the integrity of surface materials and their potential threshold in the event of a fire.
In the UK, a system has been developed through which these materials are categories depending on their combustibility and their ability to facilitate fire spread. These categories are therefore used to determine the surface materials to be used in buildings and structures depending on their use, size and level of activity.
The other factor to be considered is the structure of the building. Cholin claims that the importance of making a building fire resistant and stable is invaluable (73). This can attributed to the fact that if the building or structure is stable and fire resistant, it would facilitate the escape efforts of the occupants.
In addition, it would also make it safe for by-standers and other buildings incase of a collapse. As regarding to firefighters, stable and fire resistant buildings are safe for them to go in and rescue people trapped in the fire and make it easy to handle and extinguish the fire. The level of fire resistance is classified into three categories.
They are; Resistance to collapse, resistance to fire penetration and resistance to heat penetration. Construction regulations have provided means of determining these aspects in relation to the size of the building occupancy and height of the building.
To further ensure fire safety and prevention in buildings and structures, strict rules are enforced as regarding to the division of complex and large buildings into small manageable compartments. This is done to prevent fires from spreading all over the building and ensuring that the building is fire resistant.
Close attention should be given to the junctions between the floors, the walls and the roofs of the buildings to ensure that they remain fire resistant and that they can prevent fire from spreading.
In addition, openings within these compartments are required to be installed with fire resistant components such as self-closing doors or shutters made of non-combustible materials. Finally, the set regulations require that all buildings be fitted with cavity barriers.
This is because there are unconcealed cracks and cavities within the walls, floors and ceilings of buildings which can provide a viable route in the event of a fire.
b. External fire spread
The spread of fire among adjacent buildings is prevented by using fire resistant materials on the external surfaces of the buildings (walls and roofs).
In addition to this, the spread of fires from one building to another can be mitigated by ensuring that there is ample space between buildings. As such, there are regulations which dictate the materials that should be used on the exterior surfaces of a building as well as the approximate distance between buildings and structures depending on their size, use and height.
For example, roofs do not necessarily need to be fire resistant on the inside but it is always important to ensure that the external surface of the roof is fire resistant incase fire spreads from adjacent buildings.
In addition to this, the regulations state that water canons should be strategically placed in various locations to ensure that there is enough water in the event of a fire. Water canons can come in handy in situations whereby firefighters have limited access to the fire location either due to poor urban planning of narrow roads (fire trucks cannot get to the fire).
Furthermore, there is need to install storage facilities for the hose pipes and sprinklers to ensure that they are available when needed. They should also be well maintained to ensure full efficiency.
Smoke and heat venting systems
Fire in its initial stage (during ignition) is characterized by the emission of excessive smoke. In most cases, this smoke has contributed significantly to the loss of lives. This is because it reduces visibility and inhibits proper breathing.
As such, the smoke and heat venting systems play a pivotal role in ensuring that the building on fire is visible. This helps the fire victims to escape and the firefighters to carryout their rescue missions and firefighting efforts.
Therefore, these systems assist in ensuring fire safety and prevention in the following ways: They preserve the routes that can be used to escape from the building or access it (incase of firefighters). In addition, they facilitate in firefighting, protect sensitive equipments and retard the spread of fires.
Recommendations
Fire prevention should be a concern of every individual. As such, governments and firefighting organizations should invest on promotional campaigns aimed at creating awareness of the dangers of fire, their causes and how they can be prevented.
In addition, training programs should be implemented in all commercial buildings to ensure that all the occupants have the basic skills needed to handle fires. They include, first aid skills, training on how to operate various firefighting equipments and procedures that should be followed to escape a building in the event of a fire.
In addition, the prices of firefighting equipments such as extinguishers, detectors, and sprinklers should be subsidized. In so doing, people will only use quality equipments and therefore guarantee safety to all people in buildings and structures.
Finally, the government should sponsor researchers who seek to provide more solutions to the prevention of fires.
This is because, there are many people who would like to do more studies on the types of fire, why they occur and how they can be prevented but they lack the resources in terms of finances and equipments.
Conclusion
In the implementation of fire safety and prevention measures, it is always important to ensure that the various needs required to stop or avoid fires are addressed.
Through the application of the scientific and technical theories, fire can be predicted and viable solutions can thereafter be enforced to ensure that buildings and structures are well equipped to deal with fires irrespective of their intensity or size.
The main objectives of fire alarm systems are to safeguard the lives of occupants within a building, protection of property and to warn people incase of a fire. As such, every building should install these systems to avoid disasters and losses.
However, fire safety and prevention measures may become useless if they are not maintained properly. It is therefore the duty of everyone to ensure that the installed systems are updated, in good working condition and are functioning efficiently.
From this paper, the need of fire safety and prevention has been emphasized. The various precautions that should be taken to facilitate this have been highlighted and possible recommendations as regarding to fire prevention offered. More research on fire behaviors should be done to ensure that our buildings are safe even for generations to come.
Works Cited
Brannigan, Francis L. Brannigans Building Construction for the Fire Service (Fourth Edition). London: Jones and Barlett Publishers International, 2008. Print.
Cholin, John M. Fire Alarm Systems: Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance. Operation of Fire Protection Systems. Ed. A. Cote. Massachusetts: National Fire Protection Association, Inc., 2003. 55-74. Print.
Christian, Dr S D. A Guide to Fire Safety Engineering. Essex: British Standards Edition, 2003. Print.
Leber, Fred. Fire Alarm System Interfaces. Operation of Fire Protection Systems. Ed. A. Cote. Massachusetts: National Fire Protection Association, Inc., 2003. 43-52. Print.
Purkiss, John A. Fire Safety Engineering: Design of Structures (2nd Edition). UK: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2007. Print.
Schroll, R. Craig. Industrial Fire Protection (2nd Ed.). USA: CRC Press LLC, 2002. Print.
Legislative protection in Saudi Arabia is a complicated subject for discussion, as it is regulated by a variety of agencies in different fields. International organizations and entities actively monitor and review the countrys efforts of adopting the use of nuclear energy, and from the most recent news sources, the process of integrating nuclear facilities into the life of Saudi Arabia is moving in full force. With the backing of rapid industrial development and the individual talents of its people, the country has managed to quickly adopt a variety of practices and regulatory frameworks to use nuclear energy safely (IAEA Reviews Saudi Arabias Nuclear Power Infrastructure Development 2018). King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy is an agency that regulates the implementation and construction of nuclear facilities. As reviewed by the INIR part of the IAEA, Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in preparing for the implementation of nuclear facilities (Nuclear Power in Saudi Arabia). Another piece of legislation connected with radiation safety and protection is developed by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. The organization is concerned with maintaining healthcare standards in the medical and food industry. Another piece of regulation that concerns Saudi Arabia is the European Union Council Directive of 2013, which dictates some of the regulatory safety practices that countries affected must comply with. The legislation helps members of the European Union to employ safer practices of working with radiation and protecting their employees.
Regulatory Bodies for Radiation Safety
Many organizations regulate the safety and regulation of radiation safety, and most actions of governments adhere to the rules set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The organization works based on well-developed research practices, which allow it to work in collaboration with country-specific agencies in developing unique and effective approaches. The ICRP operates in collaboration with other organizations that control radiation safety, including International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Commission on Radiation Units (ICRU), and the International Radiation Protection Association. (IRPA). These bodies all fall within a variety of requirements that benefit the growth and development of Saudi Arabia. Firstly, the regulatory efforts introduced by these organizations promote the independent growth of Saudi Arabia, as all of their efforts place the authority into the hands of the country, both in terms of regulation and in terms of implementation. Another important aspect of regulations imposed by these organizations is that they are made while taking into account the individual circumstances of each country and adapting to its particular systems and stages of development. There are a variety of standards of safety these organizations introduce, all created in an attempt to facilitate the safe and effective use of nuclear energy. The IAEA sets the standards of working with radiation and nuclear energy as the responsibility of safety, the role of government, leadership, and management for safety, justification of facilities, and optimization of protection. The first of these components states that the responsibility for enduring public safety rests on the organization responsible for using radiation/nuclear energy. The second, role of government, presupposes that government agencies should monitor and regulate radiation safety by implementing legislative frameworks. Leadership and management, on the other hand, means that organizations should be directed by strong leadership that had to be sustained for ensuring public safety. The fourth key aspect of radiation safety is called justification of facilities, and basically means that the benefits of a built facility should outweigh the dangers and detriments that radiation brings. The last component is named optimization of protection, and, self-evidently means that organizations should provide sufficient levels of protection against radiation during their work process. My organization could use these principles for the implementation of nuclear energy as a part of the production process, as they clearly outline the steps that need to be taken to make sure that a particular facility uses radioactive power responsibly, and has the optimal defense mechanisms to safeguard the safety of their employees and is overseen by the frameworks of the government.
Aspects of the 2013 Basic Safety Standards Directive
The safety standards directive can be effectively utilized to benefit the workplace, employers, and workers in establishing a safe and effective environment for work. The first beneficial standard to be implemented in my workplace would be to establish specific dose constraints for each type of staff and their line of work. This would introduce additional order and regulation to the work process and limit the potential exposure of workers. Another legislation that should be adopted in my workplace is relayed in article 10, and concerns protections for breastfeeding and pregnant people. As soon as an employer is informed that their employee is expecting a child or needs to breastfeed, conditions that will not endanger the child or affect the quality of milk produced need to be established. The third regulation that should be likely applied is connected with the identification and response to orphan sources. Workers that can be potentially exposed to the need to be educated in recognizing them and responding appropriately. The fourth article I think is relevant to implement in my setting is article 28, concerning licensing issues in relation to handling the radioactive matter. When intentionally exposing people to radioactivity or being in possession of radioactive material, sufficient licensing should be obtained. This can help to ensure the safety of any potential clients and ensure that the company has legal backing for its practices. Article 34 would be the last of the 5 I would want to see implemented and widely used in my workplace, and it entails the consultation with a radiation specialist to assist in matters concerning protection. This can aid companies in having a different and informed perspective on the protection practices in place, and ensure that the staff is able to work safely and quickly.
ICRP Documents
The ICRP, as one organization working in the field of radiation protection, has created a variety of publications that are both interesting and useful to examine. It includes articles centered on a wide array of specific subjects connected with radiation protection, in spheres of healthcare, production, and environment protection. For the purposes of this paper, three such articles of interest will be discussed. The first of these is Radiological protection from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in industrial processes (Radiological protection from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in industrial processes). The work discusses and provides recommendations on best protection methods against natural radiation, for industries that work directly with sources of danger. Improper protection can give rise to a variety of hazards, including radiation poisoning of many people and the contamination of production itself, meaning that the process has to be strictly regulated. I think it can be relevant to my work sphere and be beneficial to ensuring the safety and security of the staff while working out in the open. The next work that presents an interesting issue is Radiological protection of people and the environment in the event of a large nuclear accident, which talks about implementing frameworks of protection in lieu of large-scale incidents, such as the Fukushima and Chornobyl catastrophes (Radiological Protection of People and the Environment in the Event of a Large Nuclear Accident). I think it can be useful regardless of the workplace, as a measure of safety that informs individuals on the topic of radiation-connected disasters. The last article that is worth discussing concerns the protection against radiation in medical therapy, specifical treatment with radiopharmaceuticals (Radiological protection in therapy with radiopharmaceuticals). These types of medicine are used in treating various types of cancer, and to prevent additional harm and maximize benefits, a proper regulatory framework is necessary. This one is useful in understanding intentional exposure to radiation, and proper doses of radiation for some practices. The paper introduces a way to calculate proper radiation doses for medical facilities.
Reference List
Nuclear Power in Saudi Arabia Nuclear Power in Saudi Arabia World Nuclear Association. Web.
Radiological protection from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in industrial processes. ICRP. Web.
Radiological protection in therapy with radiopharmaceuticals. ICRP. Web.
Radiological Protection of People and the Environment in the Event of a Large Nuclear Accident. ICRP. Web.
Anon, 2018. IAEA Reviews Saudi Arabias Nuclear Power Infrastructure Development. IAEA. Web.
This study paper seeks to explore the management subject of the National Safety Council website. The study paper will review the content provided on the website in connection with the benefits of the website, shortfalls, and other relevant information. The paper will also explore the different areas of interest of the website, links to other sites the website provides, and how user friendly the site has been created. Management of associations or organizations can be through online services, and the most notable one is websites. In this study paper, we look at the management of the National Security Council through their websites. This website is a remarkably intriguing one because of the subject safety is one that affects almost every individual. Safety is a minor matter which most people overlook hoping that there are better ways of getting information on the subject. I choose the website on safety because of the recent increased awareness on the subject, which has made the subject popular. More so, I figured it would be fascinating to explore the safety website because most people have not ventured into this field. Even though safety is a daily occurrence to most people, there is no sufficient information on the subject and this website is one of the best sites on the subject.
Discussion
Just like any other organization in the present era, the National Safety Council cannot avoid the impact of technology and the benefits that come with using technology. Through technology, people can manage their affairs, and this has been possible through the development of websites. Websites allow the creators to exhibit information concerning the group, association, or site and other people can access the information. National Safety Council is a non-profit association, which dedicates its services to protect life and promote health. Visiting the site, the front cover has a display of information, which directs the user to what, and where to find information about the group. Noticeable is the color green that is paramount on the website. The titles of different information on the website are in dark green and white. The front page of the website has several parts starting with news and resources, safety at work, safety at home, on the road, products and training, NSC congress, and expo. Finally, we have the subject of identifying NSC nearby. This is not the only information, as there are other, plenty subtitles on the page, which also has information related to the organization.
For any new visitor to the website, the first compelling tab will be the one, which provides information concerning the group. In this website, this falls on the about us which has information concerning the organization. As I went through this option, I learned a lot about the National Security Council. The objective of the groups is to save the lives of people by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in communities, and at home. Also, the council aims at protecting lives on the road. From the description, the organization carries out these activities through research, leadership, advocacy, and education. This is a paramount responsibility, which cannot be handled by the organization alone. For this reason, this section provides information about the other businesses and organizations that NSC partners with to accomplish its objectives. The about us section on the website also gives brief background information of the organization from its year of foundation to the current state. In as much as the information is brief, the creators give relevant information, which allows users to understand the organizations mission, history, and duties at a glance (Summers, 2009).
The main areas of interest in the website are matters to do with safety. This is evident from the news sections, which give safety highlights, and the organizations activities about safety matters. For instance, the website had information on the organizations participation in NTSB attentive driving forum. This forum aimed at creating awareness amongst road users to avoid accidents and protect lives on the road. Since this is a safety organization, matters of safety are foremost on the website, and this profoundly contributes to the areas of interest. Safety can influence lives in different areas; therefore, the site tries to highlight these areas, which are prone to accidents. Roads form the greatest part of hazard areas followed by home, workplace, playgrounds, and even in communities.
Apart from highlighting the accident-prone areas in the community, the website also provides other data about safety. The provision of information related to safety is beneficial to the users, which makes the site even more popular. The news section enlightens the users on the recent developments on the safety matter. For example, visiting the site enlightened me on the safer-bus mobile application. This is the most recent application, which protects the lives of people on the bus. After several types of research, the organization came up with an application, which can allow users to continue with their operations while traveling and not be in danger of hurting their lives.
Exploring the National Security Council website, one quickly realizes that the site is user friendly. Starting from the language used on the website, the user can easily understand the setting and design of the organization. The words used to lead the users are clear and brief, which means it, does not require any unique interpretations. Websites, irrespective of the users, need to be friendly, and this should be in terms of understanding. The layout should be appealing and understandable without the user having trouble finding information about the organization. For instance, the home page of the National Safety Council displays all the relevant information of the group and the user only needs to click on the given title. This makes the site friendly to users of all age groups. More so, the site does not require the user to introduce other links or sites to gain access to the information. Other websites require users to subscribe to the sites to access information or materials of the given organization. However, for this case, there are no such requirements, which make access to the website easy and fast (Wankel, 2008).
Websites need to accommodate all the users about the subjects. National Security Council deals with safety matters, and this is the center stage of the website. Safety requires various subjects and approaches which the website fully covers. User-friendly websites need to provide sufficient information on the groups activities, missions, activities, and historical information. Appropriate websites should be one that gives users all the information regardless of the time, date, and place. This will be the case when one visits the National Security Council website. Interestingly, the website is up to date with all the information and activities the council takes part in and any other matters related to security. Websites need to be up to date with all the information and users should not have to look somewhere else for necessary information.
Management is not an easy task and requires varied mechanisms and techniques to attain managerial goals. According to the National Security Council website, the management of the organization has improved using the website. Security is an international matter, and this calls for management on an international level. Setting up offices in diverse regions of the globe which helps to manage the security matters can be helpful. However, this can be costly in terms of resources to handle the management of the offices and its affairs. For this reason, the major benefit of the National Security Council website is that it allows for management at the international level. People from all over the globe can access the security information provided on the website. It costs little to have a website where people can acquire information unlike setting up offices in different regions of the world. Another notable benefit of using a website is that there is no limitation on when and how to access the information provided. This can be at the comfort of the users, which can be at the home, office, or even when traveling. Users do not have to be dependent on the usual office programs to access information on the organization. Clicking on the different titles on the web page immediately informs the users of the different events, objectives, and recent information depending on the subject (Coyle, Novack & Bardi, 2010).
Management through websites, just as the National Security Council websites improves the users accessibility to relevant information. In the past times, when the internet was not a worldwide accessory, people had to be dependent on other sources for information regarding different subjects. Websites have made accessibility to information easy and less costly unlike the other methods formerly employed. The mode of communication allows the coverage of a wide area. Internet is an increased accessory, and in the modern days, everyone has access to the internet. For this reason, websites are a considerable way of communication because of the large of people the medium can reach. Also, this mode of communication is fast allowing users to have information as soon as they need or want the information. Notable is the fact that websites allow for easy networking and connection amongst their users. This networking can be for all users around the globe, and it allows people to air their opinions. There is a sharing of ideas about the subject and users can significantly contribute towards the development of programs.
Going through the website, I realized several things, which would be instrumental in enhancing the services of the organization. To improve these services in line with security, the website could do with a contextual inquiry section, which allows users to make inquiries. Through these inquiries, the management can continue to provide appropriate and useful information to its users. In most cases, websites have information but users find it to be insufficient. More so, websites do not provide channels through which users can make inquiries making communication difficult. The management of the website should also include a navigation bar, which allows for monitoring of the users. This navigation bar should allow users to report their findings and satisfaction on the websites. Having sections on the website whereby users can indicate their concerns and recommendations will be effective in improving the outlook and mission of the organization. This should, however, not be a public place as it may interfere with the trust people have with the website (Myers & Kent, 2005).
Since this is a website on a wide subject, the home page displays several icons, which can be confusing to the users. Big enhancement is necessary on fonts and text displayed to minimize the time users use to locate the information needed. Links and navigation should be more understandable for a user to expect what to find under a particular section. Mixing up information can be confusing to the users and hence reduce the ratings and use of the website. Another improvement that can be done on the website is for some information to be displayed on an actual website with options for users as a PDF download depending on their preference. The introduction of more noticeable text-decoration on hyperlinks on the website will be effective in helping the industry. The above improvements will help the industry to overcome the shortfalls noticed on the website.
Conclusion
Management is a task that can occur through different aspects, and the internet is one of those techniques. In the above discussion, it is almost certain that websites are paramount to management. Evidenced by the increasing number of organizations creating websites, management has received a new picture. Looking at the different advantages of online management, most people prefer to communicate through the internet. Reaching different and several people at any single time is one of the main reasons why most organizations chose to manage through online services. For instance, the above discussion explored the National Security Council website, which has been particularly instrumental in the management of the organization. Depending on the organization and presentation of information on the website, this mode of management can be effective and yield better results. Judging from the increasing number of hits the website receives daily, the website is beneficial to many people from all over the world.
References
Coyle, J. J., Novack, R. A., & Bardi, E. J. (2010). Transportation: A Supply Chain Perspective. Cengage Learning.
Myers, N., & Kent, J. (2005). The new atlas of planet management. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Summers, D. C. (2009). Quality management: creating and sustaining organizational effectiveness (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Wankel, C. (2008). 21st-century management: a reference handbook. Los Angeles, Calif.: SAGE Publications.
Occupational health and safety (OHS) is an area of study that focuses on safety, welfare, and health of people in a work environment (Chambers 53). Programs established under this field aim at creating a healthy work environment that promotes physical and psychological wellness for workers. OSH also covers people who may be affected by the work environment even if they do not work there. It has both ethical and economic obligations that should be fulfilled by organizations.
Organizations should ensure that workers are safe from workplace hazards that might affect their health. OHS minimizes costs related to injuries, illnesses, legal cases, and medical care (Chambers 54). It is important for the management of an organization to establish precautionary measures in order to protect workers from lethal effects of health hazards.
Ergonomic factors in a manufacturing organization include human errors, procedures, competence, and organizational culture (Chambers 54). Human factors and ergonomics refer to ways in which humans interact with their work environment, including systems that they use in doing their work.
For example, ergonomics is important in manufacturing companies to ensure that designs of equipment do not present health hazards to users. Ergonomics involves the interaction between workers, the equipment they use, and the work environment. This paper will evaluate ergonomic factors at Liberty Steel products, an organization that majors in metal fabrication and welding.
Workplace hazards
At Liberty Steels workplace, hazards can be grouped into three main classes. These include physical hazards, mechanical hazards, and psychological and social hazards. A great percentage of injuries in organization factories are mucoskeletal injuries caused by cumulative trauma on certain parts of the body.
These injuries are referred to as cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). Examples of these injuries include back injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome. Risk factors to these disorders include exposure to vibrations, high forces, strong and repetitive motions, poor posture, and excessive heat (Hopwood and Thompson 62). At Liberty Steel, poor posture, improper tool handling, manual handling of raw materials, and lack of enough rest cause CTDs.
How to make the workplace safer
Establishment of an ergonomic process is an effective way to improving safety and health of workers at the workplace in the organization. The process is intended to improve safety by addressing workplace hazards that compromise health of workers.
The process involves identification of hazards at the workplace, case documentation, and introduction of healthcare management to reduce the risks associated with the hazards (Hopwood and Thompson 64). To improve safety and health at the workplace, it is necessary to develop a program that encourages continuous assessment and improvement of the workplace safety. Such programs reduce injuries and make the workplace less stressful.
The management of the organization should support workers in their efforts to create a safer workplace. Several elements must be present in order to show the commitment of the organization. Policy statements must value the ergonomic process and consider it a way of making the workplace safer and healthier (Hopwood and Thompson 66). Ergonomic efforts must be prioritized and grouped among cost reduction activities.
Secondly, the management should set goals that target high-risk operations. Thirdly, the work force should be trained and made aware of risk factors that might cause CTDs. This should include instructions on how to handle hazardous tasks. Managers should implement policies that improve ergonomics. In addition, they should evaluate the progress of the ergonomic process and seek help from experts on ways to reduce injuries at the workplace (Hopwood and Thompson 67).
Employee involvement
Involving workers in the ergonomic process is an important step in ensuring the success of the process. It has several benefits that make the workplace safer and less stressful for workers. Benefits include better problem-solving methods, better embracement of change, job satisfaction, employee motivation, and greater knowledge on the requirements of certain risky tasks (Hopwood and Thompson 69).
Development of a task force
To implement an ergonomic process, it is necessary to develop a task force that will oversee the implementation of the process in different units in the organization. A task force will synchronize efforts of individual units. Such a task force should include safety personnel, ergonomics experts, health care providers, and human resource personnel (Reese 72). Each member of the task force should be assigned a specific role and includes monitoring progress and documentation of ergonomic factors that should be addressed.
Worker training
Training is an important aspect of any program meant to improve safety and health of workers in the workplace. Workers should be trained to identify risk factors that might cause injuries or illnesses, identify signs of injuries or illnesses, and to reduce exposure to risk during operations (Reese 77). Workers should be trained on the different ways of identifying workplace risk factors and hazards, and ways to control them. Some injuries occur without the knowledge of workers.
Therefore, workers should be trained to identify signs of injuries or illnesses that may be caused by exposure to workplace risk factors. This requires workers to converse with the organizations healthcare procedures and precautionary measures (Reese 78). Training should also teach workers how to prevent injuries and minimize exposure to risk factors. In addition, the training should help them understand how to control risk factors and the consequences of neglecting their role in minimizing exposure to workplace hazards.
Many workplaces are unhealthy and unsafe because organizations have failed to make a switch to modern organizational structures. With current advancements in technology, workers are exposed to more health and safety risks than in earlier years when technology was rarely used. The organization under consideration uses many technological applications that are highly risky.
Therefore, the organization should upgrade skills of workers through offering training programs that impart knowledge on proper use of technology in improvement of safety and health at the workplace (Reese 79). Poor training is caused by allocation of little money to health and safety programs. Many organizations do not prioritize worker health and safety. The organization should focus more on training workers other then training managers who are rarely exposed to risky operations.
Best Practices at the workplace
The best method to make the workplace safer and less physically and psychologically stressful is to adhere to requirements of best practices at the workplace. Supervisors should consider the proficiency of different workers during the process of task assignment. Jobs should be assigned and designed in a manner that minimizes exposure to risk factors. To improve health and safety at the organization, several guidelines on how to handle tasks should be followed.
Handling materials
Material handling is one of the major health hazards at the workplace. Risk factors involved in material handling include lifting heavy weights, carrying heavy loads for short or long distances, static loading, pushing and pulling heavy loads, and body twisting (Reese 86).
Other risk factors include inappropriate bending and frequent lifting of heavy loads. To reduce exposure to injuries workers should use lifting aids to lift, turn, pull, or tilt heavy loads. These aids eradicate use of excessive force or risky turning and bending while handling heavy loads (Reese 87).
They ensure that workers handle loads with reduced trunk movements thus reducing the probability of succumbing to injuries. This reduces force exerted on the spinal cord. Lift assist devices could also be used to minimize exposure to injuries. These devices use mechanical force to lift loads and eliminate use of body force to handle materials. Examples of lift assist devices include cranes, hoists, and vacuum lifters.
Material transportation usually involves pushing, pulling, lifting, twisting, and carrying, which expose workers to injuries. These activities generate large forces on certain body parts thus exposing them to injuries. Use of transport devices could help reduce such risks.
Workers should use devices such as forklifts, tugs, conveyors, and carts (Reese 88). These devices eliminate need for manual handling of materials. Use of these devices reduces accidents, reduces risk factors, reduces the number of days workers spend in hospitals, and reduce costs of medical care due t injuries.
Another cause of injuries is poor posture during material handling. Using hands to wrap up materials exposes wrists and shoulders to risk of injury. Employees usually maintain these postures for long periods and thus increase exposure to risk factors. Workers should use stretch wrapping machines and avoid manual wrapping in order to improve their safety.
With the aid of these machines, the only tasks that worker do include activation and removal of finished products from the machine. Another cause of bad posture is use of hand tools. Prolonged use of hand tools causes CTDs such as tendinitis because of high force used, repetitive motions and bad postures, and contact with surfaces of tools (Reese 90). To improve safety, workers should use powered tools instead of hand tools. Powered hand tools possess ergonomic design features that reduce risks of injury.
When using powered hand tools, workers should reduce vibration, and use protective clothing such as shades, gloves, and masks (Reese 92). In addition, workers should use padding materials that are non-conductive, and avoid gripping tools strongly. It is advisable to grip tools with both hands to distribute force evenly, and align wrists with the forearm for good posture.
Design of the workstation
In the organizations workplace, there are workstations where assembly and packaging of parts is done. Risk factors encountered in these workstations include lengthened standing on rigid surfaces, prolonged sitting on hard surfaces, and frequent bending and twisting (Hackman and Wageman 311). Standing on hard surfaces causes fatigue because it reduces flow of blood in the legs and back. On the other hand, prolonged sitting on hard surfaces exerts unnecessary force on the lower back and legs.
To improve safety and reduce stress, workers should use soft floor mats, well-designed chairs, and avoid excessive wrist flexion (Hackman and Wageman 312). Anti-fatigue mats should be used to reduce fatigue and improve blood flow in the legs. The mats reduce pressure exerted on legs because of contact with the hard surface. The soft material of the mats eases pressure and improves blood flow in the legs and back. In addition, the mat reduces possibility of sliding or tripping.
Workers should sit on chairs with ergonomic design features such as lumbar support, adjustability, padding, and arm rests. The chairs should be stable to avoid falling due to strong floor vibrations (Hackman and Wageman 313). Workers should also vary working positions between standing and sitting in order to ease pressure on legs and back, and improve blood flow in the body. It is important to reduce wrist flexion and bending by using clips to reach handle materials.
At the workplace, many hands-on activities involve risk factors for injuries. These activities are risky because they involve use of great forces that exert pressure on wrists, elbow, back, and shoulders.
Awkward postures and high forces on flexible body parts increase likelihood of succumbing to injuries (Hackman and Wageman 316). An example of such an activity is the manual removal of a welding flash from the machine on which it is attached. This activity increases probability of succumbing to injury. Workers should use machines and avoid manual execution of such activities.
Machines eliminate the use of great force. Workers only role is to operate and monitor the machines. Examples of machines that could be helpful to workers by improving their safety include packaging and sealing machines, and palletizers. Semi automation can also be applied for jobs that require active involvement of workers. However, machines execute the risky part of the tasks. For example, workers could use semi-automated machines such as presses and grinders.
Allocation of tasks
In the organization, there are many activities performed by both humans and machines. However, with current advancements in technology, many activities performed by humans have been taken over by machines. Machines are beneficial because they reduce risks associated with manual labor, require little human participation, and allow algorithmic input (Hackman and Wageman 318).
Example of activities include sorting, packaging, lifting, pulling and pushing loads, packaging, routine inspection, palletizing, and assembly of parts. To improve safety and health of workers at the workplace, machines should execute tasks that require use of excess force or that involve frequent flexion of certain body parts. These activities include material handling, high volume production, and hazardous tasks.
Certain operations emit toxic gases that expose workers to illnesses such as cancer. To improve safety and health of workers, machines should carry out these activities. Workers should carry out activities that pose fewer risks such as operation and monitoring of machines, information gathering, machine maintenance, and activities that require use of cognitive skills (Hackman and Wageman 320).
In addition, the management of the organization should develop a database that will contain all operations that need to be executed, and guidelines on how to safely execute them. Machines should be used to carry out tasks that might compromise the health and safety of workers. In cases where machines cannot perform certain tasks because of special requirements, the safety of workers should be put into consideration and prioritized.
This should involve an in-depth analysis of risks involved in the tasks in order to determine the probability of workers succumbing to injuries (Hackman and Wageman 323). After analysis, measures should be put in place to reduce exposure of the workers to risk factors that might affect their health and compromise their safety.
Design of the workplace
The design of a workplace is an important aspect in improving the safety and health of employees in an organization. The designs adopted for equipment, control rooms, and workstations determine the degree of health and safety. Organizations should adhere to ergonomic principles when designing the workplace in order to make it safer and less stressing.
Poor design of the workplace leads to ill health and injuries. To improve the safety of the workplace, the management should follow all guidelines in order to design a favorable workplace. The designs used for equipment and control rooms should follow recommended ergonomic standards. Users should be involved in the design process in order to ensure that they use equipment in ways that reduce exposure to injuries (Goetsch 82).
The work environment
Important factors to consider when creating a safe work environment include lighting, noise, workspaces, vibrations, and temperature (Goetsch 84). These factors affect the health of workers in different ways. Different sections of the workplace require different levels of lighting and temperature.
High and very low temperatures cause psychological stress, and as such affect the health of workers. On the other hand, noise and vibrations affect the hearing abilities of workers. The organization should follow certain principles concerning noise management to improve the safety and health of the work environment.
Light levels should be controlled in different workstations at the workplace. Every workstation should have a control engineer to control level of light as required. Very bright or dim light increase stress because workers strain to see or read. Light sources should have specific colors that suit the environment of the workplace (Goetsch 84).
In addition, changes in light levels should be executed gradually in order to help workers adapt to the changes without compromising their productivity. The management should ensure that there is adequate working space to move about and work efficiently.
It is important to create enough working space that facilitates movements and storage of equipment. Vibrations are another cause of stress at the workplace. Strong vibrations cause fatigue and back pain. Moreover, high frequency vibrations have been shown to cause visual impairments and psychological stress. The management of the organization should ensure that they put measures in place to reduce vibrations and loud noises such as wall and floor padding.
How to make the workplace less stressful
The main causes of stress at the workplace include inadequate social support, high job demands, inadequate and inappropriate job control, ambiguous and conflicting tasks, and rigid work schedules (Goetsch 98). In order to make the workplace less stressful, it is important to develop a strategy that manages the causes of stress. This would involve the use of an appropriate and effective organizational approach.
The management should define requirements of each job or task in order to avoid ambiguity and inconsistency. For example, workers who have expertise in production procedures should only handle tasks that are associated with production. The same criteria should also apply during assignment of tasks. Workers should be assigned tasks based on their expertise and skills (Goetsch 102). This will ensure that workers achieve desired outcomes and as such increase their productivity.
Stress is caused by poor outcome and results. The work schedule should be flexible and should give workers time for relaxation. Most workers have families and it is important to allow them time off to be with their families. It is important for workers to get time for relaxation. New workers are usually under pressure to perform and prove to the management that they are capable of achieving the goals of the organization.
Great expectations from the management exert great pressure on them and are a major cause of stress. The management and other workers should offer social support to new employees (Reese 73). Social support is important because it makes all workers feel like they are part of a team that works together to achieve organizational goals. Another strategy to reduce stress at the workplace is to practice good job control. Many managers are over-controlling and give commands to workers.
It is important for managers and supervisors to learn how to lead and guide workers without causing them stress. As such, they should involve workers in the decision making process, give them freedom to make decisions in their fields of work, and conduct open discussions as a way of solving conflicts and misunderstandings at the workplace (Reese 75). Giving commands creates an atmosphere of fear and a negative organizational culture. High job demand is another stress factor at the workplace.
Managers should define very job and ensure that they assign demanding jobs to qualified workers. Many workers become stressed because managers assign them jobs that are beyond their knowledge scope. As a result, they fail to achieve the desired outcome. This demoralizes them and creates a feeling of underachievement. Jobs that are very demanding should be assigned to workers who possess more skills and knowledge than others do. That way the tasks are completed effectively and the desired results are achieved.
Conclusion
Occupational health and safety (OHS) is an area of study that focuses on safety, welfare, and health of people in a work environment. Organizations should ensure that workers are safe from workplace hazards that might affect their health. OHS minimizes costs related to injuries, illnesses, legal cases, and medical care.
Hospitals are workplaces that have many health hazards that affect both workers and patients. It is important for the management of organizations to put precautionary measures in place to protect both patients and workers from the lethal effects of health hazards. at Liberty Steel products, many things could be done to make the workplace safer and less physically and psychologically stressful.
These include worker training, employee involvement, development of a task force to implement the ergonomic process, adherence to best practice procedures, and offering social support to workers. Workers should be trained on ways to identify and manage risk factors at the workplace. Safety measures that could make the workplace safer include automation, development of training programs for workers, and development of an ergonomic process.
To make the workplace less psychologically stressful, the management should offer social support to workers, ensure that the work schedule is flexible, practice good job control, and assign tasks to workers based on their levels of competence. On the other hand, the design of equipment and the workplace should focus on making the workplace safer. Equipment should be designed in a way that reduces exposure of workers to health hazards.
Works Cited
Chambers, Gary. Concise Guide to Workplace Safety and Health: What You Need to Know, When You Need It. New York: CRC Press, 2002. Print.
Goetsch, David. Occupational Safety and Health: for Technologists, Engineers, and Managers. New York: Prentice Hall PTR, 2002. Print.
Hackman, Jared, and Wageman Robert. Total Quality Management: Empirical, Conceptual and Practical Issues, Administrative Science Quarterly, 40 (2005): 309-342. Print.
Hopwood, Dan, and Thompson Steve. Workplace Safety: A Guide for Small and Midsized Companies. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2006. Print.
Before the company was bought, it had instituted very little safety procedures for the workers. It was only concerned with the safety precautions which it regarded as mandatory in order to avoid OSHA fines. The author worked for the company in the 1970s. When he joined the same company 20 years later, the management of the company had done very little to upgrade and improve their safety standards.
After joining the company in the 1990s, he realized that the company had not still instituted a formal safety plan. In addition, new employees did not get any safety training which is considered very necessary in mitigating injuries in such undertakings. Most of the jobs in the company were not accompanied by any fall protections.
The company did not use any PPE in most instances, unless the contractor it was working for insisted on it. To make matters worse, the company did not have an employee who was a CPR or first aid certified.
Therefore, the company was not well prepared to give first-aid assistance to those employees who suffered from falls or injuries. The company suffered from a high number of injuries which were very expensive as insurance expenses (Mundy, 2003). To have employees who are first-aid certified is very necessary for roofing professionals as first-aid services are very essential in managing injuries.
They greatly help to stop bleeding in case of injuries which is one of the major causes of deaths in many accident victims attributed to hemorrhage. In addition, first-aid skills are very essential as they guide the people who assist in rescue on how to handle the injured and especially victims of falls in order to avoid worsening of the internal injuries or spinal chord injuries.
The sale of the company to a new owner was regarded as a new era because of many safety changes that were put in place to make the company compliant with OSHA Standards. The new management emphasized the importance of employees to their own benefits as well as those of the company. The new owner realized the positive results that accompany the implementation of appropriate safety programs.
An effective safety program was expected to reduce employees injuries as well as the insurance costs in order for the company to establish a competitive edge over its competitors. Because the company lacked a safety plan, the new owner recommended to hire a safety manager who would thoroughly understand the challenges that roofers experience in order to help the company establish a successful safety program.
The owner anticipated to get a full-time manager who would be an experienced roofer and could identify with the other workers in order to influence them to embrace the changes. The move was meant to transform the manner in which business was conducted in the company.
After being selected as a new safety manager, I initially formalized the OSHA standards in order to be conversant with all the safety procedures that were needed to be implemented in order for the company to be fully compliant with the safety requirements specified by OSHA.
I then explained to the workers on how they would benefit from the new changes as well as how these changes would help improve the performance of the company for everyones wellbeing. This was then followed by pre-employment and random testing of employees. The workers who could not cope with these new changes left the company. Some tried to test the system and were penalized accordingly.
Initially, it was very challenging to convince the employees to adopt the changes but in a time span of three years, the workers had internalized the changes which was reflected in improved performance and reduced accidents. To make the program more effective, the company bought warning lines as well as guardrails and safety vests for monitors. In addition, mandated and fall protections were also purchased.
I campaigned a lot in order for the workers to embrace these new facilities for their own safety as their jobs became more secure. These procedures were followed by safety training for all the employees. The company provided us with all the required training materials that include training videos that covered fall protection as well as appropriate roofing protocols.
Employees were also taught on how they could safely use cranes and forklift. All foremen and lead-men were obliged to become CPR/ first-aid certified in order to give appropriate assistance in case of accidents. Apart from receiving these skills, I was authorized to train and certify the others. The adoption of the safety program helped the company reduce the number of accidents from 20 to less than 4 cases.
To make the safety plan more successful, the management used a motivational strategy to supplement the safety skills learned. In this perspective, the company started rewarding the well-experienced employees (Mundy, 2003).
The issue of safety at the work places has prevailed for long. In the early 1930s when there were no established courses about work place safety, companies used to employ a safety man, who, in most cases, was once a victim of an accident. Thus, that person could keep his job as well.
A safety man was in charge of recording accidents in the company that were to be handled by relevant insurance companies as well as appropriate government agencies. During those days, companies did not have extensive safety programs as compared to these days.
The management employed only people to record the accidents that occurred in the industries for compensation purposes as well as reporting to appropriate governments. Nowadays, the issue of safety at the work places has gained a lot of attention. Companies employ qualified professionals to manage safety issues.
The department in charge of safety gives new recruits the appropriate training in order to minimize accidents at the work places. In addition, they ensure that workers wear appropriate clothes as well as follow the set standards while working. That is why relevant programs have been establishment in learning institutions in order to teach about appropriate safety procedures at the work places.
These programs have greatly assisted in reducing the number of accidents at workplaces which have in turn cut down the costs incurred for insurance covers. The issues highlighted by the article discussed above are similar to the subject matter in this chapter. They both agree on the need to reduce the number of accidents at the work places as well as the importance of safety training in mitigating accidents prevalence.
Reference List
Mundy, R. D. (2003). The safety man cometh: Professional Safety. Professional Safety Journal, 48, 12, 43-46.
The issues that must be addressed in the report include the need for the appropriate safety measures at the gym, including availing of an automated external defibrillator. An appropriate first aid kit needs to be purchased and put in place as well, so that individuals who might get ailments or medical complications while exercising can be attended to.
The report also looks at the need for relevant and qualified medical practitioners on a standby to give the appropriate medical assistance incase of an emergency. Given that Tommy was transported to the nearest medical center when it was already too late to save his life, the issue of the appropriate means of transport also needs to be addressed. There is need to address the issue of negligence at the Silvers gym (Kerber 100).
The report also has to look at the need for an appropriate code that would allow the gym to run its activities in a safe and systematic manner. The additional information that could be needed for the firm includes the availability of appropriate personnel to handle the automated external defibrillator. Other information would include the availability of the appropriate policy that governs the usage, maintenance and safety of the device.
Introduction
Most people who frequent the gym may be prone to various heart complications and if their exercise regimen is not well addressed. The result could be fatal and in some cases, death may occur. There is therefore need to address this issue by taking the most appropriate measures, the best option being the purchase and appropriate use of the automated external defibrillator.
The report covers findings from Silvers gym following the death of Tommys death at the gym. It looks into the issues of negligence and unpreparedness witnessed at the gym that could have resulted in Tommys death and the need to take appropriate measures to ensure that such an incident does not reoccur.
Body
An analysis was done after Tommys death. The analysis done showed that there were several factors which might have contributed to his death. The main one was the lack of appropriate medical equipment to deal with the issue. The gym for instance lacked an automated external defibrillator. The device could have saved the life of a person suffering from cardiac arrest had it been at the gym.
It has the capability to detect and automatically stroke the patient until the situation normalize. This would have saved for instance saved the life of Tommy. Tommy was also taken to hospital when the situation had reached a point where no remedy would have possibly saved his life. The gym was therefore supposed have the appropriate transportation system so as to take victims in bad conditions to the appropriate medical center on time (American Red Cross 77).
There is need to ensure that sufficient funds are set aside to meet the cost of the AED device as well as ensure its maintenance. The availing of the device would also require the services of qualified personnel to operate it. Alternatively, existing personnel were supposed to be trained on the use of the device.
The appropriate policy was also supposed to be put in place to facilitate the appropriate usage of the device. For instance, people who would use the device with good intentions but in an inappropriate manner would have to bear the legal consequences in case of an accident or death that resulting from their use of the device.
Conclusion
Tommys death could have been prevented if the gym possessed an AED device. The Silvers gym needs prioritize the safety and health of its clients and this would include the purchase of an AED device. In addition, the personnel should be trained on how to operate the AED device. The gym also needs to adopt appropriate transportation means to ensure that victims in critical conditions are taken to the medical center on time (American Red Cross 63).
Recommendations
Purchase of the AED device
Training the gyms medical personnel on how to use the device.
Upgrading the gyms means of transport.
Educating the personnel and even other users on the policy governing the usage of the device.
Works Cited
American Red Cross. The Professional Rescuer (participants manual). Yardley: StayWell, 2006. Print.
Kerber, Richard E. Automatic External Defibrillators for Public Access Defibrillation. Circulation (American Heart Association) (1997): 2000.
From the article, Safety Man Cometh by Mundy, the author described discussed various health and safety concerns existing in the company, which posed great danger to stakeholders including employees, owners, companies and the industry. The safety and health concerns are apparent as the author indicates the company did not have a formal safety and health plan to ensure safety in the construction process.
Over time, the company had avoided inspection and potential hefty penalties. New employees received no or little training on safety matters and most jobs had no provisions for fall protections in spite of constructors working above the required heights. There was no PPE required unless contractor needed it, which posed major health concerns (Mundy, 2003).
Worse still, Mundy revealed that the company did not adopt employee training on first aid to help victims in case of accidents (Mundy, 2003). It is important for organizations across the world to effect measures of helping workers at times of work-related accidents, which could negatively impact employees and the performance outcomes of firms.
With the poor safety and health conditions, the company and employees stood in great danger because of detrimental implication of accidents and the resulting fines. Indeed, various injuries to employees often bore heavily on the company as they had to deal with insurance woes. Employees suffered from injuries such as sprains, cuts, broken bones and burns.
Employees suffering from safety and health irresponsibility caused a lot in form of compensation, treatment and lost working time. Overall, the author portrays a company working under the major risks in construction including falling, strikes from falling objects, rough material, heavy loads moving, loud noise, slips and trips among other dangers (Mundy, 2003).
The article is precise in highlighting the deplorable safety and health conditions existing in the company, which could be very costly for both the company and its employees (Lingard & Rowlinson, 2005).
Following the change of ownership in the company, the new management introduced several healthy and safety initiatives through systematic management of health and safety issues in the company. Through the new initiatives the company implemented mechanisms to facilitate identification of hazards, operational guidelines, performance, and standards procedures.
The initiatives aimed at reducing risks for injury and the associated insurance costs, which affected the companys competitiveness in the industry (Mundy, 2003). For effective implementation of the safety initiatives, the new owner hired a full time manager, with sufficient roofing experience to oversee the process. OSHA regulations and policies provided the framework for the new initiatives (Reese & Eidson, 2006).
Major areas of focus for success were changing employee attitudes through cultural change, implementation of fall protection, safety training for employees, and improvement of record keeping.
In the new initiatives, the company complied with OSHA standards, which provides ways for systematic management of safety and health in the workplace. The design of constructions was affected by the new initiatives, as constructors, designers and other actors in the company had to consider safety and health issues in the actual construction, repair, or demolition of structures.
Through the hazard, profiles in the new initiatives facilitated the identification of common hazards related to the roofing activities including the possible measures to ensure safe performing of tasks. The profiles also covered training of the involved stakeholders. Safety measurement was an important way of ensuring standard performance of tasks and improvement of awareness on health and safety issues in the workplace.
Supervisors were major stakeholders in the new initiatives as they had to ensure compliance with standard operations in daily activities. Overall, OSHA regulations and policies formed the basis of the new initiatives, which resulted in major improvements in the construction company (Reese & Eidson, 2006). In fact, many firms to improve their performances through the adoption of the OSHA regulations and policies..
From the information discussed about the safety man and Mundy, the safety engineer, there is similarity in terms of the position description, which entails ensuring safety in the company. However, the roles are dissimilar because while the safety man focussed more on the aftermath of an accident, Mundy, as a safety engineer focused more on the prevention aspect through compliance with health and safety standards.
The safety man focused providing effective reporting of accidents to guide insurance companies in compensation while the safety engineer focused on ensuring the company reduces insurance costs through elimination of workplace safety risks.
The position of the safety man was mostly meant for people who had suffered injuries as a way of avoiding compensation while the safety engineer was appointed to supervise implementation of safety and healthy requirements in the company.
The safety engineer had adequate educational qualification and undertook continuous training to increase knowledge on workplace safety while the safety man had limited information other than the actual accident.
Another unique aspect that could be noted is that the safety man was gender specific while the safety engineers position did not consider ones gender (Mundy, 2003). This could have negatively impacted the performance of the organization.
References
Lingard, H., & Rowlinson, S. M. (2005). Occupational health and safety in construction project management. London, United Kingdom: Spon Press.
Mundy, R. D. (2003). The Safety Man Cometh; Improving the perception of Safety in the Roofing Industry. Professional Safety Journal, 48(12), 1-151.
Reese, C. D., & Eidson, J. V. (2006). Handbook of OSHA construction safety and health (2nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC/Taylor & Francis.
I am writing about employee safety, which can be defined as the indefeasible right of any employee and the responsibility of any employer. Employee safety is the issue that cannot be overestimated. Once the employee safety is out offhand, the most deplorable consequences can follow, which is why the issue is worth serious consideration.
To illustrate the importance of the issue better, I would like to describe the situation which occurred at the company known as the Beck Consulting Co. According to the company policy, those employees who leave the building last are supposed to lock the door to the office before leaving the building.
Working late at Friday night, I was the last one to leave the building on August, 17, 2012. As I was about to go out of the office and lock it, I dropped the key in the corridor. When I was going out in the corridor to pick the key, a gust of wind blew, shutting the door and leaving me the room with no key and the door shut tight. I had to stay in the office whole night long until employees came in the morning and released me.
In the given situation, an obvious negligence of the employee safety rules can be observed. To start with, I have to admit that there was a fault of mine as well.
According to the logics of the employee safety issue, I was not supposed to stay late at work. However, to my credit, I must add that whether I finished the project on time had great significance for the company. Thus, a delay in some 20 minutes was crucial for both me and the company I was working part-time for. On the other hand, the drawbacks of the company policy are obvious in the given situation, too.
To start with, it has not been stated in the company rules that all employees must leave the office at certain time; otherwise, the given situation would not have taken place. In addition, it is more than reasonable that there was a person who would be responsible for checking the office in the nighttime, e.g., an assistant or a night watch. With no one to assist and to watch over the office in the bight, the chances for an accident to happen are quite high.
Therefore, I would recommend Beck Consulting Co. to reconsider their employee safety policy and to make sure that no one is going to be left alone in the nighttime in case of an accident. The given problem can be prevented in several ways. As I have already stated above, the two most obvious means of solving the problem are either making it obligatory for all employees to leave the company office at certain time, which raises the chances that there will be someone to assist the person who locks the door to the office.
However, taking into account the human factor, I must admit that the given solution is flawed as well. The second way to solve the issue is to establish the time at which all employees must leave the office. Thus, no one is going to stay overnight working on a project and the deplorable situations like the one described are not going to happen. However, the suggested solution only minimizes the chances for the incident to happen, yet does not prevent it. Therefore, the best way to solve the problem will be to hire a person who will watch the office in the night.