Group discussion

Introduction

We need to know about Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) because its is a requirement under the law (OSHA and its Regulations). We need to make Provisions for securing the safety, health and welfare of our colleagues. We also need to make provisions for protecting our clients against risks to safety or health in connection in our trade and activities.

Hirarc is a compound word which is made up of three consecutive activities running one after the other. The activities consists of hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control. Hazard identification is the recognizing of things which may cause injury or harm to a person. Risk assessment is the looking at the possibility of injury or harm occurring to a person if exposed to a hazard. The introduction of measures which will eliminate or reduce the risk of a person being exposed to a hazard is known as Risk Control.

We need to know about hirarc because its is the core business of all OSH personnel, safety committee members and supervisors. It is a directive from the Chief Security of the government service to all government departments and agencies through its letter of directive: UPTM 159/267/50 Klt.4 dated 20th of August 2004. Before the process identifying any hazard begin, it is necessary to know how to classify what is hazard, risk and danger. Hazard is anything that can cause harm. Risk is a probability of harm actually being done. Danger is relative exposure to a hazard. Hazard can be sub-classified into health or safety hazards.

Why need risk control and classify hierarchy???

Elimination or inactivation of a hazard in a manner such that the hazard does not pose a risk to workers who have to enter into an area or work on equipment in the course of scheduled work.Hazards should be controlled at their source by engineering controls, administrative controls or personal protective equipment (PPE).

The most effective measure is at the top of the hierarchy and the least effective is at the bottom. So the idea is that you start from the top of the hierarchy in choosing your control measures, and work your way down. In most cases a combination of control measures from the hierarchy are chosen to effectively reduce the risk posed by a hazard. The hierarchy of risk control is useful in determining which control measures are appropriate. The most effective control to deal with a hazard is to eliminate it, but that is not always possible. Some hazards cannot be eliminated. So, the aim of implementing the hierarchy of risk control is to get as many control measures in place so that the risk from a hazard is reduced "as low as reasonably practicable".

BY ELIMINATION ACTION

Getting rid off a hazardous job, tool, process, machine or substance. Example, remove a broken machine to avoid an accident occur during work.

BY SUBSTITUTION ACTION

Sometimes doing the same work in a less hazardous way is possible. For example, a hazardous chemical can be replaced with a less hazardous one.

BY ISOLATION ACTION

If a hazard cannot be eliminated can be isolated, kept away from the workers.

BY ENGINEERING CONTROL ACTION

Engineering controls protect workers by removing hazardous conditions or by placing a barrier between the worker and the hazard. Examples include local exhaust ventilation to capture and remove airborne emissions or machine guards to shield the worker. Well-designed engineering controls can be highly effective in protecting workers and will typically be independent of worker interactions. They typically do not interfere with worker productivity or personal comfort and make the work easier to perform rather than more difficult. The initial cost of engineering controls can be higher than some other control methods, but over the longer term, operating costs are frequently lower, and in some instances, can provide a cost savings in other areas of the process. To learn more about how engineering controls fit into the strategy for reducing and/or eliminating occupational hazards.

BY ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS ACTION

Administrative controls (or work practice controls) are changes in work procedures such as written safety policies, rules, supervision, schedules, and training with the goal of reducing the duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to hazardous chemicals or situations. Although administrative controls can (and should) always be used to control employee exposure, they are prone to human error and cannot be relied upon to reduce exposure all the time. Additional control mechanisms such as substitution of less hazardous materials/procedures, engineering control and personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required to address employee exposure to the hazard.

BY PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ACTION

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used when other controls measures are not feasible and where additional protection is needed. We must understand the limitations of the personal protective equipment (PPE). We also must ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is working properly.

What will happen if risk not control?

Risk is a combination of the likelihood of an occurrence of a hazardous event with specified period or in specified circumstances and the severity of injury or damage to the health of people, property, environment or any combination of these caused by the event.

            When the risk is not control, there are many hazard can happen. The one of it that will happen is an accident at the workplace. Hazard can occur when elimination is not controlled. If substitution is uncontrolled, the hazardous chemical is not replaced with a less hazardous one and can occur a chemical hazard and explosion. Next, uncontrolled isolation can cause hazard because the employer do not know that the machine is in repair. There no sign that tell the machine is not work. The employer can fall down because the workplace is not clean. It will occur when administrative is not controlled. Lastly, when the employer did not wearing safety protection during work, there will be many hazard can occur. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the employer should commitment towards safety and health to reduce the hazard at the workplace. Risk control and classify hierarchy of control are use to decrease the hazard at the workplace and increase the knowledge about safety and health. Employees must make sure their employer always follow the rules especially safety. The employees must make sure all the machine in good condition to avoid an accident occur at the workplace. Then, we should make sure the workplace always clean. We should practice safety and health with follow the rules that have been made

Reference

• ·         http://comp.utm.my/lab/?p=2079
• http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/pfa/glossary-of-path-construction-terminology/hierarchy-of-risk-control.html
• ·         https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/engcontrols/
• ·         http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/administrativecontrols.html
• ·         Chapter 6 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment And Risk Control (HIRARC) note