th

Class 10
Information technology
Part B (SUBJECT SPECIFIC SKILLS)
Unit 4: managing health & safety
Chapter 14: importance of workplace safety
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Introduction

Importance of Workplace Safety

Workplace safety is a very important aspect in all types of
industries. All the members of the staff should have a safe
environment at their workplace. It is the moral responsibility of
an organisation to ensure the health and safety and wellness of
all its employees as well as employers. Human loss is
immeasurable and intolerable. A loss or injury of an employee
results in a major loss to their families. All the industries have
safety risks.
Therefore, the management of the industries should plan and
implement safety measures to avoid and minimise injuries and
damage to equipment and other useful resources. Safety
measures improve the productivity and increase the trust level
between the management and employees.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Introduction

A study conducted by the British Safety Council (a registered

charity, founded by James Tye) in India, showed that about 48,000
workers died in 2016 due to occupational hazards.
According to the International Labour Organisations, around 340
million occupational accidents happen worldwide, every year. Most
accidents can be prevented if everyone uses safety equipment and
follows safety rules properly.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Fire Safety

Fire is a very serious hazard at a workplace. It can cause major financial losses to
a business and also result in loss of human lives. Prevention is absolutely critical
when dealing with fire safety.
The following fire safety rules, if implemented correctly, can prevent and reduce
fire hazards:
● Carry Out a Fire Safety Risk Assessment
● Keep the Workplace Clean:
● Maintain Electrical Safety:
● Keep Electrical Control Panels Accessible:
● Store Chemicals Safely:
● Prevent Ignition in Explosive Areas:
● Conduct Fire Safety Training and Regular Drills:
● Fit Relevant Equipment:
● Mark the Exits
● Access to Important Information
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Fire Safety

Fire is a very serious hazard at a workplace. It can cause major financial losses to
a business and also result in loss of human lives. Prevention is absolutely critical
when dealing with fire safety, and there are many different rules that can be
implemented to reduce the risk. Let us learn about some fire safety rules.
The following fire safety rules, if implemented correctly, can prevent and reduce
fire hazards:
Carry Out a Fire Safety Risk Assessment: Employers should carry out a risk
assessment at the workplace, which can include fire prevention, fire detection
and warning, and emergency escape, and firefighting.
Fire needs three elements-heat, oxygen, and fuel. Without these elements, a fire
will not start or spread. Hence, a key strategy to prevent fire is to remove one or
more of these elements. The risk assessment should include detail on all the
three elements to minimise the risk of a fire starting and/or spreading. A fire
prevention strategy should be built based on this assessment.
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Fire Safety

Keep the Workplace Clean: A clean and tidy workplace helps prevent
fire threats, especially, if it handles a lot of flammable material. Such
material should be stored in a safe environment; away from flames.
An untidy workplace results in clutter, which acts like fuel for the fire
to spread and also prevents access to exits and emergency equipment
like fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems. Also, smoking should not
be allowed at the workplace.
Maintain Electrical Safety: A faulty wiring and malfunctioning of
electrical equipment can lead to voltage fluctuations or short circuit
that can further be a reason or cause of fire at workplace. Even
defective wiring, overloaded sockets or plugs, and equipment that are
old and faulty may lead to heating of cables and equipment, which in
turn can lead to fire. Regular inspection and maintenance of electrical
equipment should become a compulsory and regular practice to
prevent overheating or sparking of cables or equipment.
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Fire Safety

Keep Electrical Control Panels Accessible: If there is an emergency, one should be

able to quickly access the control panel to shut down the electric supply of a
particular machine. There should not be any equipment in the way that might
prevent quick access to the control panel. The control panels should be visibly
marked to enable identification at a moment's notice.
Store Chemicals Safely: Flammable chemicals are found in most of the
workplaces for different purposes. For example, cleaning of floors, product
supply, chemical supply, and many other reasons. The material safety rules
mentioned on the labels of chemicals should be followed while storing them.
Otherwise, they may cause safety hazards, like the heat generation, fire,
explosion, or leakage of toxic gas.
Prevent Ignition in Explosive Areas: Workplaces containing high levels of
flammable liquid/vapour or fine particles are highly susceptible to ignition, like
oxygen tanks stored in hospitals or petrol tanks at petrol pumps. Sparking tools
and emission of static electricity should be avoided in such environments.
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Fire Safety

Conduct Fire Safety Training and Regular Drills: All employees, both new and old,
should be regularly trained in fire safety procedures, like proper use of fire
extinguishers. One of the most important parts of fire safety training is to know
the exit procedures in the event of fire. Fire drills should be conducted regularly;
an expert consultant should be asked to conduct the fire drill. Human errors or
negligence are common causes of fires at workplaces. Well trained employees are
always alert and observant, and help greatly in achieving fire safety at the
workplaces. Knowing the best course of action in an emergency can also help in
preventing major disasters, and unnecessary loss of life and infrastructure.
Fit Relevant Equipment: Smoke alarms and sprinklers should be fitted throughout
the building. In case of fire, smoke detectors can help detect the fire and sprinkler
systems can help extinguish and reduce the spread of fire. The right fire- fighting
equipment like fire extinguishers should be made available. Fire alarms should be
installed in large workplaces with a huge number of workers to help evacuate the
personnel speedily in case of a fire. Testing of sprinkler systems and smoke
detectors should be conducted atleast once annually.
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Fire Safety

Mark the Exits: Emergency exit diagrams should be posted and emergency
exits should be well lit with neon signs.
Access to Important Information: Employees should have a list of emergency
contact numbers and basic information, like floor plans, symbols of Exit.
The safest way to deal with fire is to prevent it. Prevention is always better
than cure and it is best to try and avoid fire disasters. The simple truth is that
fire emergencies and disasters can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere. So, if a
fire does break out in workplace then one must act and not panic.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Safety from Slips and Falls

In 2016, in India, 697 workers died by falling from above, and 48,060 were
injured badly. Slips, trips, and falls are common causes of injury at the
workplace. Such accidents can be prevented to a large extent by
understanding their causes and taking measures to avoid them.
Slips happen where there is very less friction or traction between the
footwear and walking surface.
Trips happen when a person's foot collides (strikes/ hits) with an object;
causing one to lose the balance and eventually fall.
Common causes of slips or trips are:
❖ Poor lighting ❖ Trailing cables
❖ Unsuitable floor coverings ❖ Uneven or damaged floor surfaces NOTE

❖ Poor housekeeping ❖ Occasional spills Slips or trips can happen due to insecure
footing or sudden loss of balance;
❖ Weather hazards ❖ Loose, unanchored rugs, or mats
because of collision with an object.
❖ Obstructed view ❖ Uncovered cables`
❖ Contaminated floor surfaces due to liquid or grease.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Safety from Slips and Falls

Prevention of Slips and Falls at the Workplace

To reduce the potential hazards that lead to a risk of injury to your employees and
customers through slips, trips, and falls, you should proactively manage the
workplace environment and try to make it clutter free.
Following are some of the ways by which one can prevent slips, trips, and falls
around the workplace:
● Keep Walking Surfaces Clean and Free of Clutter:
● Lighting
● Signage
● Stairways/Handrails
● Footwear
● Step Stools
● Manage Cords
● Check Floor Conditions
● Clean Up Spills Immediately
● Carry Out Regular Risk Assessments
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Safety from Slips and Falls

Employee safety is an issue of prime concern to a company. Slips and falls can
result in serious injuries or even death of employees.
Prevention of Slips and Falls at the Workplace
Slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of workplace accidents and injuries,
ranging from minor bruises to severe traumas, such as head injuries, broken
bones, sprains, and wounds. These sort of accidents are often reported as the
most common causes of workers' compensation claims.
To reduce the potential hazards that lead to a risk of injury to your employees
and customers through slips, trips, and falls, you should proactively manage the
workplace environment and try to make it clutter free.
Following are some of the ways by which one can prevent slips, trips, and falls
around the workplace:
Keep Walking Surfaces Clean and Free of Clutter: Keeping walking surfaces clear,
can help reduce the potential for injury. An unobstructed path minimises the risk
for an employee to trip over an object and it also reduces the chances of a spill
that could lead to a slip.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Safety from Slips and Falls

Lighting: Proper lighting inside and outside of the workplace can help illuminate
areas, like steps or other hazards that can cause trips if they are hidden by
darkness or shadows. By installing proper lighting, one can reduce the chances
of people slipping or falling.
Signage: Using clear and well-placed signage can help call attention to potential
problem areas. A sign indicating a step, gap, uneven ground, or loose rocks will
bring the employees' attention to the hazard and increase awareness and
attentiveness. Reflective tape can also be used to highlight such problem areas.
Stairways/Handrails: Stairs are most popular place for falls at the workplace. To
reduce the risk of such injuries, stairwells should have handrails, be kept clear of
clutter, well lit, and free from any unsecured objects, like rugs and carpets. The
first and last stair should always be well marked.
Footwear: Employees should always wear footwear that is appropriate for the
specific conditions they work in. Shoes with proper traction should be used.
Properly fitted footwear increases comfort and prevents fatigue which, in turn,
improves the safety chances for the employees.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Safety from Slips and Falls

Step Stools: Providing ladders and accessible step stools can help reduce the
chances of a fall by helping employees reach heights safely. Availability of these,
reduces the chances of employees using unstable objects or other furniture to
climb.
Manage Cords: Power the internet wires and phone cords can often create a set
of obstacles for employees. To avoid it, cables should be fixed behind walls or
under carpets to keep them hidden. Power outlets, the internet connection and
phone jacks should be installed in easily accessible locations so that the cables
do not interfere with walkways.
Check Floor Conditions: Rectifying broken walking surfaces helps prevent slips
and trips. There should be no cracks or holes in the building flooring or
pavement outside. Recoating or replacing floors, installing mats, or paint-on
anti-slip coating can further improve the employee's safety and reduce the risk
of falling. Repair any problem areas immediately and be sure to place warning
signs in and around the areas that need to be fixed.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Safety from Slips and Falls

Clean Up Spills Immediately: If there is a spill, it should be cleaned up

immediately. When a spill occurs, warning signs should be placed around it
and cleaned up, as soon as possible.
Carry Out Regular Risk Assessments: The best way to identify slip, trip, and
fall hazards and control them in the workplace is to discuss the issue with the
staff and carry out a risk assessment. While considering the areas in the
workplace that could cause a hazard one needs to take into account outdoor
areas, different weather conditions, and working activities carried out in the
work premises.
While slips, trips, and falls can often be attributed to a person's carelessness
or clumsiness; most accidents are preventable. It is critical to frequently
survey the work environment to avoid potential issues that lead to such
accidents. Proactive attention to hazards ultimately helps keep the employees
happy, healthy and safe, and out of harm's way.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Electrical Safety

To understand electrical safety, it is important to first know about

electrical hazards. Electrically-powered equipment can be a major
hazard for workers, particularly when mishandled or ill maintained.
Many electrical devices have high voltage or power requirements;
so they carry a huge risk. The major hazards associated with
electricity are electrical shock, fire, and arc flash.
Humans can suffer severe injuries or fatalities, due to:
❖ coming in contact with live wire that can cause shock and burns.
❖ faulty fires.
❖ fire or explosion where electricity might be the source of
ignition.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Electrical Safety

NOTE
Effect of Current on Human Body

AC current (milliamps) Effect on human body

1 Slight tingling sensation

2-9 Small shock

10 - 24 Muscles contract; causing the person to freeze

25 - 74 Respiratory muscles become paralysed; pain; exit burns often visible

75 - 300 Usually fatal; ventricular fibrillation; entry and exit wounds visible

Death almost certain; if a person survives, he/she will have severely burnt organs
>300
and probably require amputations
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Electrical Safety

Electrical Hazards
An electric shock is a shock that occurs when a person comes in contact
with a source of electrical energy. The person experiences a shock when
this electrical energy flows through the body. There are various factors
that determine the severity of an electric shock. Some of them are high
voltage, the time of exposure, and presence of moisture on the skin. In
the presence of moisture, the current flows more easily as water is a
good conductor of electricity.
The effect of the shock may range from a slight tingle to severe burns to
cardiac arrest.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Electrical Safety

Some of the possible places where this can occur are:

● Panel boards and switchboards
● Motor control centers
● Metal clad switch gear
● Transformers
● Motor starters and drive cabinets
● Fused disconnects
● Any place that can have equipment failure
The risk of injury from electricity is strongly linked to where and how it is used
and the risk is even greater in wet and/or damp conditions.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Electrical Safety

Electric Safety Measures

An electric safety program should be established by all organisations
and followed properly.
❖ Electrical installations should be done and maintained by a
competent person and checked regularly.
❖ Extension cables, plugs, sockets, and other flexible leads and their
connections that are particularly prone to damage should be
visually checked, maintained, and where necessary, replaced
before using any equipment.
❖ Correct cable connectors or couplers should be used to join cables
together; taped joints should not be allowed.
❖ Socket outlets should not be overloaded by the use of adaptors.
❖ Electrically powered equipment should be used.
❖ Fixed electrical equipment should have a clearly identified switch
to cut off power in an emergency.
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Electrical Safety

❖ A fuse protects the device from over current. It is designed to 'blow'

and cut off the electricity when the current exceeds its rated capacity.
It is important to ensure that the correct fuse is used for all appliances.
❖ Employees working in areas where there are potential electrical
hazards must be provided with appropriate, safe, and tested protective
equipment.
❖ Insulated tools and handling equipment must be used by the
employees working near exposed energised conductors or circuit parts.
❖ Safety signs, symbols, or accident prevention tags must be used
wherever necessary to warn the employees about electrical hazards,
which may endanger them. Barricades should be used along with
safety signs where necessary to prevent or limit employee access to
those work areas that might expose them to un-insulated energised
conductors or circuit parts.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Electrical Safety

The key electrical safety principles focus on the protection of the organisation's
owners, employers, and employees. The industries can work in a safer
environment by:
❖ Understanding and following the electrical safety standards and regulations.
❖ Establishing and following an electrical safety program.
❖ Identifying electrical hazards.
❖ Using safe work procedures, tools, and protective equipment.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

First Aid

First aid is the emergency care given immediately to an injured person.

It is given to minimise injury and future disability. In serious cases, first
aid may be necessary to keep the affected person alive.
Importance of Providing First Aid
The management of an organisation is responsible for providing a safe
working environment and adequate facilities for the welfare of their
employees. Sometimes, because of the inadequate safety measures or
even inspite of these, accidents happen and in such cases first aid, if
provided at the right time, can prove to be vital. Providing immediate
and effective first aid to workers or others who have been injured or
become ill at work may reduce the severity of the injury or illness and
help in the recovery of the affected person. In some cases, this could
mean the difference between life and death.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

First Aid

The overall goals of first aid are to:

❖ Keep the victim alive.
❖ Prevent the victim's condition from worsening.
❖ Keep the victim awake until help arrives.
Situations where First Aid is Required
There are many situations in which the immediate first aid is necessary
even before the patient is taken to a hospital.
Some such situations that might occur in work places are accidents,
seizures, heart attacks, shock, bleeding, poisonings, burns, temperature
extremes, musculoskeletal injuries, bites and stings, medical
emergencies, and employees trapped in confined spaces.
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First Aid

First Aid Equipment and Training

The type of first aid equipment and training required, in a workplace, depends
on:
❖ The number of employees
❖ The types of hazards present in the workplace
❖ The travel distance to a hospital/availability of professional medical
assistance
Compiling a risk assessment is important as it will help determine the first aid
requirements. The risk can be considered low or high depending on the
workplace. A low-risk workplace is one where employees are not exposed to
hazards that could result in a serious injury or illness. Examples of low-risk
workplaces include offices, shops, or libraries.
A high-risk workplace refers to a workplace where employees are exposed to
hazards that could result in a serious injury or illness and require first aid, for
example factories with boilers or motor vehicle workshops.
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First Aid

First Aid Kit

The first aid kit should include basic equipment for administering first aid for
injuries. In order to know what contents are actually needed inside a first aid
kit, a risk assessment of the workplace is required. The kits must be
identifiable with a white cross on a green background and made of a material
that will protect its contents from dust, moisture, and contamination.
First Aid Training
The first few minutes after an accident or emergency are extremely
important. In a lot of cases, the recovery of the victims and their lives depend
on the first-aid provided at the scene of the accident. In such a situation, a
person who is trained in first-aid can stop the condition of the affected person
from becoming worse and even save lives.
Prompt, properly administered first aid care can mean the difference between
life and death, rapid versus prolonged recovery, and temporary versus
permanent disability.
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First Aid

In terms of first aid, employees should know the following:

❖ How to assess the scene and victim(s).
❖ Location of the first aid room and/or first aid kit.
❖ Location of a list of nearest medical facilities.
❖ Procedures to be followed when first aid is required, including what
types of injuries should be reported, who to call for help, remain
with the victim until first aid attendants arrive, etc.
❖ How to respond to life-threatening emergencies that include
assessing the responsiveness of the victim, shock, controlling
bleeding with direct pressure, asphyxiation, poisoning, and other
medical emergencies.
❖ How to respond to non-life threatening emergencies, like wounds,
burns, temperature extremes, eye injuries, musculoskeletal injuries,
mouth/teeth injuries, bites and stings, etc.
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First Aid

Courses differ, but in general, a basic first aid training course should cover the
following:
❖ Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills ❖ Broken bones
❖ Burns ❖ No pulse
❖ Poisoning ❖ Choking
❖ Shock ❖ Heart attack
❖ Respiratory emergencies ❖ Eye injuries
❖ Wounds causing heavy bleeding ❖ Heatstroke
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First Aid

Benefits of Having a Proper First Aid Training Program

Creates a More Positive and Safe Working Environment: Employees
face all types of hazards at work. Providing a safe work environment is
an essential feature of a healthy workplace. By sponsoring first-aid,
businesses can show their workforce that they care about them by
creating a safe and positive workplace. It also shows the company's
willingness to invest in its employees. When employees feel valued,
they are more productive and their morale is generally higher.
Faster Response Time During a Medical Emergency: A quick medical
response during a workplace accident can lessen the chance of an
injured worker losing his or her life. When employees are trained in
first-aid, they understand what needs to be done during a medical
emergency. These employees, then, possess the confidence and
critical skills needed to effectively deal with an emergency.
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First Aid

Provides Employees with Transferable Skills: Employees who reside or

work in remote areas do not have any immediate access to medical clinics
or hospitals, so they must rely on their own basic life-saving techniques
during medical emergencies. These types of skills are applicable in all the
areas of life and can go a long way to help save the lives of community or
family members even outside the workplace.
Satisfies Legal and Moral Obligations: Thousands of people are injured in
workplace accidents every year. From a legal standpoint, many countries
have laws that require that every business provide an adequate degree of
first-aid care, on site. These requirements include the following:
❖ Placing a well-stocked first aid kit in a common area.
❖ Supplying information and resources to employees about first-aid
provisions.
❖ Designating individuals as onsite "first-responders" in case an
employee suffers a serious injury.
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First Aid

Minimising hazardous risks and reducing injuries to workers is a benefit to

everyone from both an ethical and legal standpoint.
Training employees, in first aid, can mean the difference between life and
death and it also shows that the employee wellbeing is valued above
company profits.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Case Studies

The following are two case studies of hazardous incidents:

Case Study I: Fire Incident at AMRI Hospital, Kolkata, India
The Incident: On 9 December 2011, a massive fire broke out at the
Annex Building of AMRI Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata, in the early hours
of the morning. The fire was first noticed by local residents at around
3:30 a.m. The Fire Control Room of Kolkata was informed about the
incident at 4:10 a.m. There was an immediate response from the fire
brigade; who reached the venue within 20 minutes. It was found that
the entire hospital building was full of thick smoke, which caused
tremendous suffocation for all the indoor patients. Ninety people
choked to death. Many of them were in their sleep or not in condition
to even escape. Among the list of dead people, there were people from
other countries and states too. There were victims from Bangladesh,
Bihar, Tripura, and Kerala.
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Case Studies

Investigation: After investigation, the following issues of negligence were

reported:
It was reported by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) that none of the
smoke alarms activated even when the smoke started billowing out of the
basement. It seemed that they had been switch off mode because they would
go off at the slightest smoke and disturb patients.
❖ The report also said that the sprinklers, gas jets, and other water releasing
equipment that were meant to fight fire, were not functioning and none of
them went off when the fire spread in the building.
❖ Unofficial reports suggested that the basement was being used as a Smoking
Corner, thus the fire alarms were kept in the switch off mode.
❖ Though the reason of the fire outbreak is yet not known, the director of the
Fire Department had his opinion that the fire occurred most likely due to an
electrical short circuit in the basement of car parking. The combustible items,
like empty and filled up LPG cylinders, PVC pipes, rejected mattresses, and
wooden boxes immediately caught the flame.
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Case Studies

❖ A critical component, like mechanical ventilation of centrally

air-conditioned buildings was missing in the hospital building. Hence,
though the fire didn't spread to the other part or level of the hospital, as
the hospital was centrally air-conditioned, the smoke started blowing out
of the basement and spread quickly to all the floors through the
air-conditioning duct. Soon thereafter, the air-conditioners went off
because of the power cut and smoke started accumulating into the
hospital rooms and corridors. The centrally air-conditioned hospital didn't
have windows but glass façade walls. As a result, the smoke could not
pass out of the building. The fire brigade later broke open the glass facade
to help the gas escape, though by that time it was too late.
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Case Studies

❖ The hospital authority had illegally converted the upper basement floor
assigned for car parking to a dumping store for inflammable waste
materials. This was the second fire at the AMRI hospital in three years.
The fire services department, government of west Bengal had warned
AMRI Hospital in September 2011 about the inappropriate and
dangerous use of the hospital basement. It had served a notice to the
hospital authorities questioning the fact that instead of parking cars,
the hospital was using its basement for storing empty and filled up LPG
cylinders, torn mattresses, and wooden boxes and had converted the
entire space into a storehouse. The hospital was allowed three months'
time to comply, but it did not.
❖ There was carelessness on the part of the on duty staff as they did not
inform the incident to Fire Brigade for nearly one and half hours, out of
sheer understanding.
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Case Studies

Conclusion: This is a clear example of how negligence and non-compliance to

safety standards at the
workplace can lead to an irrecoverable loss of human life. The fire grew
stronger because of the presence of flammable material kept where it
shouldn't have been. There was no proper ventilation system for the smoke to
go out in case of a fire. The fire safety equipment, like the smoke detector and
fire alarm system were non-functional. Had there been an immediate alert,
lives could have been saved. The sprinklers, gas jets, and other water releasing
equipment that were required to fight fire, were not functioning. Also, the
staff neglected to inform the fire department in time, which clearly showed
lack of training or evacuation plans.
Following proper precautions for safety at the workplace and making sure
that one is ready for such emergencies is hence, extremely essential to
prevent unnecessary loss of life and property.
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Case Studies

Case Study II: Kumbakonam School Fire, Tamil Nadu

The Incident: The 2004 Kumbakonam school fire accident happened in
a school in Kumbakonam in the Thanjavur district of the Indian state of
Tamil Nadu. Tragically, 94 students of the primary section of the Krishna
English Medium School were burnt to death in their classroom as the
thatched roof caught fire.
The fire started from the mid-day meal kitchen's thatch roof and spread
rapidly to the upper levels, which also had thatched roofs. A lot of trash
material was stored and kept on the narrow staircase, which prevented
the hasty exit of the students. The staircase was located close to the
kitchen, which did not have gas stoves and so fire logs were used for
cooking. The school was overcrowded; with 900 children enrolled in it.
The thatches and the supporting bamboo poles caught fire and fell on
the students and also blocked their exit.
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Case Studies

Investigation: After investigation, the following issues of negligence were

reported:
❖ During the investigation, it was found out that the school was not
inspected by the educational officials since past three years.
❖ The fire officials reported that the building laws were not followed. The
school had a thatched roof in the kitchen as well as classroom. It had no
emergency exits and was basically a "death trap".
❖ The investigation report also pointed that the teachers were not trained
in disaster management, and some of them even asked the students to
stay in the classes as they believed that the fire was just regular smoke
from the kitchen.
❖ The report also stated that the school had inadequate exit facilities and
no firefighting capabilities.
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Case Studies

Conclusion: This is one more example of how basic safety norms are
neglected; resulting in disasters. The building structure itself was faulty,
with narrow staircases and thatched roofs that caught fire easily. There
had been no training or fire drills conducted in the school for the teachers
to understand how to respond to a fire. The school also did not have any
fire-fighting equipment available. The incident showed how not following
safety norms in structures and lack of training and knowledge can lead to
immeasurable loss of innocent lives.
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Class 10
Information technology
Part B (SUBJECT SPECIFIC SKILLS)
Unit 4: managing health & safety
Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety
Assessment time
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

A. Select the correct option.

1. A key strategy to prevent fire is to remove __________ .
a. Heat and oxygen
b. Heat, oxygen and fuel
c. Heat and fuel
d. Oxygen and Fuel

b. Heat, oxygen and fuel

 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

A. Select the correct option.

2. A fire can be caused by _________ .
a. Faulty wiring
b. Malfunctioning electrical equipment
c. Water leakage
d. Both a and b

d. Both a and b
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

A. Select the correct option.

3. Falls and trips can be prevented by _________ .
a. Proper lightening
b. Handrails on stairways
c. Both a and b
d. Slippery stairways

c. Both a and b
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

A. Select the correct option.

4. _________ is initiated by current passing between two conducting metals
through ionised gas.
a. Electric shock
b. Arc fault
c. Fire hazard
d. Electric resistance

b. Arc fault
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

A. Select the correct option.

5. The type of first aid equipment and training required depends on __________.
a. The number of employees
b. The types of hazards present in the workplace
c. Both a and b
d. Knowledge of employees

c. Both a and b
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

B. Write T for True and F for False.

1. Training is not necessary to become a first-aider.
FALSE

2. A proper first aid program is a legal and moral obligation of all

TRUE
employees in many countries.
3. A risk assessment at the workplace should include fire prevention,
TRUE
fire detection and warning, and emergency escape and fire-fighting.
4. Slips happen where there is friction or traction between the footwear
FALSE
and walking surface.
5. A fuse is designed to 'blow' and cut off the electricity when the
TRUE
current exceeds its rated capacity.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

C. Answer the following questions.

1. Write briefly about any three fire safety rules.

Ans.
● Carry out a fire safety risk assessment
● Keep the workplace clean
● Maintain electrical safety
● Store chemicals safely
● Mark the exits
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

C. Answer the following questions.

2. List some of the common causes of slips and trips at workplaces.

Ans. Common causes of slips or trips are:

● Poor lighting
● Trailing cables
● Unsuitable floor coverings
● Uneven or damaged floor surfaces
● Contaminated floor surfaces due to liquid or grease
● Poor housekeeping
● Occasional spills
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

C. Answer the following questions.

3. Mention some important measures that can be taken to prevent
slips and falls at workplaces.

Ans.
❖ Keep walking surfaces clean and free of clutter. By keeping walkways clear, you
can quickly reduce the potential for injury.
❖ Stairways & Handrails.
❖ Manage cords.
❖ Footwear.
❖ Lighting.
❖ Signage.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

C. Answer the following questions.

4. Which measures should be included in the electric safety programs
of organisations?

Ans. Measures that should be included:

❖ Shop Electrical Safety.
❖ Lockout/Tagout.
❖ Arc Flash Products.
❖ Electrical Panel Markings.
❖ Wire Management.
 Unit 4: managing health & safety | Chapter 14: Importance of workplace safety

Assessment Time

C. Answer the following questions.

5. What is the primary goal of first aid? What should the training of a
first-aid program include?

Ans. The primary goal of first aid is to prevent death or serious injury from
worsening.
❖ Keep the victim alive
❖ Prevent the victims condition from worsening
❖ Keep the victim awake until help arrives.
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