Occupational Health Hazards at a Factory Report

Introduction

Hazards at workplaces emerge when the surroundings can lead to illness, injury, or even death during work. Equipment, toxic materials, unsafe working methods, and human behavior are just a few of the many facets of the workplace that may pose hazards. Identifying the hazards in one’s workplace is the first step in any occupational risk assessment. Therefore, some of the occupational health hazards such as confined space entry and noise dangers are critical risks that should be recognized, evaluated and controlled in any firm through different ways.

Confined Space Entry Health Hazards Plan

Confined Space Entry Health Hazards Identification

The occurrence of particular health hazards in a confined space entry can be identified by a range of signs and symptoms that may be present in a person. These may include but are not limited to feeling lightheaded or dizzy, nausea, having difficulty in breathing, being disoriented or confused, and fatigue (Rikhotso et al., 2021). If any of these symptoms occur, it is important to exit the confined space immediately and seek medical attention. Additionally, some of the hazards in a confined space may include toxic gases, low oxygen levels, or fire risks.

Level of Risk Evaluation

There are some methods used to evaluate the level of risk for each hazard identified in a confined space entry. One approach is to use a qualitative risk assessment tool, such as the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) tool (Rikhotso et al., 2021). A HIRA is an evaluation tool that can be used to determine which hazards provide the highest risk in terms of their likelihood of occurring and the possible severity of their effects.

Control Measures Recommendations

Numerous actions can be taken to lessen the risks associated with operating in confined spaces and some can include:

1. Air Supply – If the confined space has a constrained air supply, make sure that a secure supply is brought in.
2. Monitor for Gases – The air in the confined space should be continuously checked for any hazards that could result from exposure to hazardous gasses.

Noise Health Hazards Plan

Noise Health Hazards Identification

The most likely causes of hazardous noise at the workplace are equipment and machinery. Therefore, the first step in recognizing the hazard is to identify the sources of noise in the Factory. That can be done by conducting a noise survey and, once the sources of noise have been identified, their noise levels can be measured (Rikhotso et al., 2021). If the noise levels exceed the exposure limit, then the presence of specific noise health hazards is likely.

Risk Evaluation

To evaluate the level of risk for each noise health hazard in the factory, one would need to look at the noise levels in the factory and compare them to the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) noise exposure limits. Furthermore, the level of risk for each noise health hazard can be evaluated by looking at the type of work that is done in the factory (Rikhotso et al., 2021). That is done in relation to the number of employees who are exposed to the noise.

Control Measures Recommendations

Some of the control measures recommended for eliminating identified hazards or reducing the risk of exposure to the noise hazards in the factory include:

1. Create and maintain an efficient program for protecting hearing that typically includes noise intensity and staff exposure surveillance, as well as training on the dangers of noise exposure.
2. Implement engineering controls to reduce noise exposure, such as enclosing noisy machinery or installing sound-absorbing materials in the work environment.

Conclusion

Workers must be protected from occupational safety and health threats to which they may be subjected at work. Effective risk control activities and risk analysis, assessment, and management procedures can help achieve that. Understanding the legal background, ideas, risk analysis, health and safety risk assessment technique, control methods, and the roles performed by everybody concerned is essential to carrying out an efficient risk management process.

Reference

Rikhotso, O., Morodi, T. J., & Masekameni, D. M. (2021). Occupational Health Hazards: Employer, employee, and labor union concerns. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5423. Web.