Unit - 4
Chapter - 13
Maintaining Healthy, Safe and Secure Working Environment
1. Briefly explain the concept of health, safety and security at the workplace.
Ans: Health of an employee is the state of the physical, mental and
social well being. Every organisation must provide healthy and safety
working environment for their employees at the workplace. The work
places must be cleaned in the morning before the people start working.
A properly filtered water facility must be available for the employees of
the company. This will help to maintain the health of the employee. The
organisation should maintain a clean washroom facility in good
condition to be used by the employees.
Safety: The work environment of the organisation must be safe. It must
be free from hazards and risk. A hazard is the something that can cause
harm to the people. A risk is a probability of causing harm to the people.
A proper safety guidelines must be prepared by the company and it
should be strictly followed.
Security Every employee working in an organisation must feel that they
are secured in the company campus. Security is a kind of freedom from
any potential harm. Security ensures the safety of the people working in
the organisation.
2. State the most important reasons for health, safety and security
programs in workplace
Ans: There are several reasons that can be specified for safety policy as
given below.
• It clearly indicates the company’s commitment for their employee’s
health and safety;
• It shows the performance of the business and the safety performance
are compatible with each other;
• It clearly state that the company is not only doing the business for
profits but it is taking care of all its stake holders.
• The accountability of every one working for the company is outlined
for the workplace health, safety and security;
• Company can comply national policy on Occupational Health and
Safety (OH&S) of Government of India;
• Injuries and illness of the employees is prevented through such policy
3. List out the various workplace safety hazards.
Physical Hazards: It is the risks arising from the physical work
environment – floors, facilities, walls, and ceilings. Physical hazards
could also mean working with machinery and electricity operated
machines. Various injuries result from simply tripping over things at
work, while many more accidents occur when employees slip on the floor,
from motorized vehicles or from scaffolding or ladders. To avoid falls and
slips, all things must be arranged properly. Any spilt liquid, food or other
items such as paints must be immediately cleaned to avoid any accidents.
Make sure there is proper lighting and all damaged equipment, stairways
and light fixtures are repaired immediately.
Electrical Hazards At work, the common causes of electrical accidents
are exposed, worn-out wiring, overloading of electrical outlets,
ungrounded or faulty equipment, and unsafe use of electrical equipment.
Employees must be provided basic knowledge of using electrical
equipment and common problems. Employees must also be provided
instructions about electrical safety, such as keeping water and food items
away from electrical equipment.
Fire Hazards Everyone does not follow such requirements, and this leads
to accidents resulting in fire. Such incidents not only damage the vital
workplace equipment, stock and other items, and the building; it could
also lead to injuries among its employees. To avoid fire, it is important to
observe safety precautions at the workplace. Employees should be aware
of all emergency exits, including fire escape routes, of the office building
and also the locations of fire extinguishers and alarms.
Health Hazards Health refers to the physical well-being of the workers,
and this includes the condition of their skin, eyes, ears and all other body
parts. Hazards are present in most workplaces that could impact any part
of the human body. For example, a noisy machine or factory environment
could damage the sense of hearing of the workers. In the same manner,
exposure to bright lights and toxic fumes and vapor could damage the eyes
and nose. There are also more serious and long-term health issues arising
from hazardous workplaces, such as damage to the lungs because of the
exposure to harmful chemicals.
4. List out the potential sources of hazards in an organization.
Bright light sources behind the display screen can create contrast
problems, making it difficult to clearly see your work. Apply the
following possible solutions to avoid this.
• Use blinds or drapes on windows to eliminate bright light. Blinds and
furniture placement should be adjusted to allow light into the room, but
not directly into your field of view.
• Use indirect or shielded lighting where possible and avoid intense or
uneven lighting in your field of vision. Ensure that lamps have glare
shields or shades to direct light away from your line of sight.
• Reorient the workstation so bright lights from open windows are at
right angles with the computer screen.
• High contrast between light and dark areas of the computer screen,
horizontal work surface, and surrounding areas can cause eye fatigue
and headaches. So, use well-distributed diffuse light.
5. List some of the IT workplace hazards.
Hazards while using computers include poor sitting postures or
excessive duration of sitting in one position. These hazards may result in
pain and strain. Making the same movement repetitively can also cause
muscle fatigue. In addition, glare from the computer screen can be
harmful to the eyes. Stretching at regular intervals or doing some simple
yoga in your seat can mitigate such hazards.
6. What are the workplace safety rules?
Handling Office Equipment Improper handling of office equipment can
result in injuries. For example, sharp-edged equipment, if not handled
properly, can cause cuts.
Staff members should be trained to handle equipment properly. A
relevant manual should be made available by the administration on
handling equipment.
Always follow approved procedures and proper posture for lifting or
moving objects. Stress at Work In organizations, you may encounter
various stress causing hazards. Long working hours can be stressful and
so can aggressive conflicts or arguments with colleagues. Always look
for ways for conflict resolution with colleagues. Have some relaxing
hobbies for stress against long working hours. Potential hazards may
include poor ventilation, chairs and tables of inappropriate height, hard
furniture, poor lighting, staff unaware of emergency procedures, or poor
housekeeping. Hazards may also include physical or emotional
intimidation, such as bullying or ganging up against someone. The staff
should be made aware of the organisation's policies to fight against all
the given hazards related to a working environment.
7. List out different safety guidelines?
1. Store all cleaning chemicals in tightly closed containers in separate
cupboards.
2. Throw garbage daily.
3. Make sure all areas have proper lighting.
4. Do not wear loose clothing or jewellery when working with machines.
5. Never distract the attention of people who are working near a fire or
with some machinery, tools or equipment.
6. Where required, wear protective items, such as goggles, safety
glasses, masks, gloves, and hair nets.
7. Shut down all machines before leaving for the workplace.
8. Do not play with electrical controls or switches.
9. Do not operate machines or equipment until you have been properly
trained and allowed to do so by your supervisor.
10. Repair torn wires or broken plugs before using any electrical
equipment.
11. Do not use equipment if it smokes, sparks or looks unsafe.
12. Cover all food with a lid, plastic wrap or aluminium foil.
13. Do not smoke in ‘No Smoking’ areas.
14. Report any unsafe condition or acts to your supervisor.
