Safety & Information: Legislation

Safety & Information:

Legislation

Occupational safety and health is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting human and facility resources in the workplace.
Standards of occupational safety and health (OSH) are normally set in legislation; Governments have long realized that poor occupational safety and health performance results in cost to the State (e.g. through social security payments to the incapacitated, medical costs for treatment, but also through the loss of the "employability" of the worker).
In the European Union, Member States have enforcing authorities to ensure that the basic legal requirements relating to occupational safety and health are met. In many EU countries, there is strong cooperation between employer and worker organizations (e.g. Unions) to ensure good OSH performance as it is recognized this has benefits for both worker (maintenance of health) and enterprise (improved productivity and quality).
In the USA, OSHA has been regulating occupational safety and health since the 1970s.
Occupational safety and health interacts strongly with other disciplines, such as ergonomics, toxicology, and psychology.

Hazards, risks, outcomes

The terminology used in OSH varies between Countries, States and Provinces, but generally speaking:

• A hazard is something that can cause harm
• A risk is the probability of the hazard causing harm
• The outcome is the result of when the hazard causes harm

For example, repetitively carrying out manual handling of heavy objects is a hazard (it can cause harm). The risk can either be expressed mathematically, (0.5 = a 50/50 chance) or just as "high/medium/low". The outcome would be a musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's).

Risk assessment

Modern occupational safety and health legislation usually demands that a risk assessment be carried out prior to making an intervention. This assessment should:

• Identify the hazards
• Identify all affected by the hazard and how
• Evaluate the risk
• Identify and prioritize the required actions

The assessment should be recorded and reviewed periodically and whenever there is a significant change to work practices.

Common workplace hazard groups

In the automotive industry individuals can be subjected to coming into contact with the following hazards during their daily operations, as such it is vitally important that you should be aware of the these hazards and of who to deal with them. Most items have specific safety recommendations attached to them. Always follow any approved recommendations and instructions when using such substances or when coming into contact with such potential hazards.

• Biological agents
• Chemical agents
• Physical agents, including
  • Noise
  • Vibration
• Physical hazards
  • Falls
  • Workplace transport
  • Dangerous machinery
  • Electricity
• Work related stress causal factors

Some of the major changes in industrial safety brought about by OSH:

1. Guards on all moving parts - By 1970, there were guards to prevent inadvertent contact with most moving parts that were accessible in the normal course of operation. With OSHA, use of guards was expanded to cover essentially all parts where contact is possible.
2. Permissible exposure levels (PEL) - Maximum concentrations of chemicals stipulated by law for chemicals and dusts
3. Personal protective equipment (PPE) - Broader use of respirators, gloves, coveralls, and other protective equipment when handling hazardous chemicals; goggles, face shields, ear protection in typical industrial environments
4. Lockout/tagout - In the 1980s, requirements for locking out energy sources in an "off" condition when performing repairs or maintenance
5. Confined space - In the 1990s, specific requirements for air sampling and use of a "buddy system" when working inside tanks, manholes, pits, bins, and similar enclosed areas
6. Hazard Communication (HazCom) - Also known as the "Right to Know" standard, it was issued as 29CFR1910.1200 in November 25, 1983 (48 FR 53280, requires developing and communicating information on the hazards of chemical products used in the workplace.
7. Process Safety Management (PSM) - Issued in 1992 as 29CFR1910.119 in an attempt to reduce large scale industrial accidents.