Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
2005/2006
DEDICATION
I thank my family for the love and care and only with their motivation and strong words that push
me to excellence.
To all my respected OSH Trainers on their advice and guidance, who has been such a great
inspiration to me.
To my dearest colleagues, who helped me when I most needed it. I thank you all.
For those who were not mentioned earlier, I deeply appreciate your contributions to my workplace
assignment. Without all of you, I would not have made it.
ABSTRACT
TITLE
To identify safety and health hazards in the office at Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) Divisions offices, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) at level 30, 36, 37 and 38,
Menara TM, Kuala Lumpur.
Generally, to identify six safety and health hazards including three hazards on safety and
another three hazards on health at workplace. The Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
method was adopted to identify on each hazards present. The most common possible safety and
health hazards effect associated with working environment were as follows:
i.
Ergonomic Hazard
a. Visual Display Unit (VDU) related work
b. Seating at Work
c. Manual Handling
ii.
Chemical Hazard
a. Photocopier
iii.
Electrical Hazard
a. Electrocution
iv.
Physical Hazard
a. Office Accidents
The most critical safety hazard and health hazard is office accidents and Visual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
DEDICATION
ABSTRACT
TITLE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2
OBJECTIVES
CHAPTER 3
SCOPE
CHAPTER 4
METDOHOLOGY
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
RECOMMENDATIONS
12
CHAPTER 7
CONCLUSION
22
REFERENCES
23
APPENDICES
24
LIST OF FIGURES
25
1.
INTRODUCTION
It is important to create a comfortable working environment so that workers will
not feel exhausted and stressed in places where they have to spend hours. The studies was
done at Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Divisions offices, Tenaga
Nasional Berhad (TNB) at level 30, 36, 37 and 38, Menara TM, Kuala Lumpur. Creation
of a comfortable working environment is also believed will enable workers to put their
abilities to use more effectively and refresh workplace.
The Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment method was adopted at workplace
are hoped to improve the workplace design and environment while aiming to minimize the
existing problems related to safety and health hazards.
This paper is to provide practical advice on the safety and health hazards at that
should be controlled in order to prevent accidents and work related disease.
2.
OBEJECTIVE
The objective of this paper is to provide practical advice on the principal office
hazards that should be controlled in order to prevent accidents and work related disease.
3.
SCOPE
The scopes of this paper are to:
i.
Identify six safety and health hazards including three hazards on safety and
another three hazards on health at workplace. The Hazard Identification and
Risk Assessment method was adopted to identify on each hazards present.
ii.
iii.
Give risk rating for each six hazards present. Events or situations assessed
with the most critical conditions are identified for each one of safety and
health hazards.
iv.
4.
METHODOLOGY
4.1
To successful carry out hazards identification, a worker which so familiar with the
workplace operation and be able to determine the at least six types of hazards present was
assigned.
4.2
4.3
ii.
To fully understand the whole process or activity of a workplace the process flow chart
and office layout plan were familiarized. (Appendix 1)
4.4
Task observation, walk through inspection, interview with workers at workplace were also
has been carried out.
4.5
A hazards checklist was used to ensure that main areas are covered during the inspection.
This was done through Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Form (Appendix 2).
4.6
Hazards identified were recorded and tabulated. This information was enabling to decide
on the necessary course of action to be taken.
4.7
A simple method was used to provide risk analysis based on qualitative analysis. The most
common method of qualitative risk analysis is the use of the 2D Matrix Risk Table.
4.8
Once on the likelihood and consequence of each hazardous event or situation has been
decided, a rating of each hazardous event or situation is rated to determine how serious the
risk is.
5.
5.1
This hazards identification and risk assessment was conducted on ICT workers mainly
from Helpdesk, Finance and Administration, and System Development sections who are
worked in the office environment and keyboard equipment where they have to spend long
hours.
5.2
ICTs labor force component is made up of three major races, the Malay, the Chinese and
the Indian. There are about 330 workers in the ICTs offices at Menara TM.
5.3
5.4
The results of hazards identification and Risk Assessment shows that work related disease
has long existed in the workplace. The findings had been classified into safety and health
hazards at workplace.
5.5
The most common possible safety and health hazards effect associated with working
environment were as follows:
v.
Ergonomic Hazard
a. Visual Display Unit (VDU) related work
b. Seating at Work
c. Manual Handling
vi.
Chemical Hazard
a. Photocopier
vii.
Electrical Hazard
a. Electrocution
viii.
Physical Hazard
a. Office Accident
5.6
The most critical safety hazard and health hazard is office accidents and Visual Display
Unit (VDU) related work respectively.
5.7
Staying in the same position and concentrating on screen of VDU for a long
time.
b)
c)
d)
e)
VDUs users may also experience varying level of discomfort in the hand, wrist, forearm,
neck, and lower back. An acute strain can present as muscle fatigue, aches, pain, weakness,
tenderness and / or swelling which subside with rest. The more chronic conditions function,
affecting activities of daily living, such disorders among keyboard workers have often be
associated with high workloads combined deadlines. Factors, which may contribute to the
disorder, include but not limited to:
a)
b)
Repetitive movements
c)
5.8
The most critical safety hazard is office accidents. Accidents dont just happened, they are
caused. Based on the Risk Assessment of occurrence of office accidents result from slip,
trips and fall, lifting object, punctures or cuts. Slippery floors, unclean spillages or gripless
shoes cause slips. Trips occur over objects lying on the floor or jutting out into aisles or
because of poorly surfaces. Falls can be from ladders or from standing on chairs to reach
an object.
i.
b.
c.
10
6.
RECOMMENDATION
6.1
6.2
Workplace Design
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
ii.
11
iii.
iv.
Size. The desk or work surface shall be large enough to allow a flexible
arrangement of the screen, keyboard, documents and related equipment.
ii.
Safety. Work desk or work surface, particularly the underside of the work
surface, should not have any sharp edges, corners, protrusion, or rough
surfaces likely to cause injury to users or damage to their clothing.
iii.
iv.
v.
6.2.1.3 Chairs
The chairs shall possess the following features:
i.
Stable and allow the operator easy freedom of movement and a comfortable
position
ii.
iii.
Backrest that is adjustable in both height and tilt to provide adequate back
support especially at the lower back region.
iv.
v.
Arm rest if provided should not interfere with the keyboard operation
vi.
12
It should be possible for the operator to sit on the chair with his back
adequately supported by its backrest, and to allow the entire soles of his
shoes to touch floor.
ii.
The height of the seat should be adjusted so as to avoid too much pressure
the operators thigh.
iii.
iv.
The upper edge of the display screen should be at a height lower than the
operators eye level.
ii.
Glare. The screen shall be free or reflective glare and reflections liable to
cause discomfort to the use. If provided anti glare filters should be easily
13
attached to and from the VDU and instruction for cleaning should be
available. The image on the screen should stable with no perceptible
flickering or others forms of instability.
iii.
Adjustability. The screen swivel and tilt easily and freely to suits the needs
of the operator.
iv.
6.2.2.2 Keyboards
i.
The keyboard shall be tilt able and separate from the screen so as to allow
the operator to find a comfortable working position avoiding fatigue in the
arms or hands.
ii.
The keyboard should be stable. It should not slip, tip or rock during keying
activities.
iii.
6.2.2.3 Mouse
i.
For optimal control and avoidance of excessive static muscle use, a mouse
should:
a.
b.
c.
14
Illumination.
Two problems require special attention when lighting is considered. Firstly sharp
luminance contrasts between a screen and its surrounding must be avoided.
Secondly reflections and glare must be reduce or eliminate.
VDUs and their associated equipment emit heat. Adequate ventilation and
air conditioning system are normally required.
ii.
Air currents from VDU blowers should be directed away from the operator
since excessive air movement can cause drying of the eye surface and
subsequent irritation.
iii.
iv.
15
ii.
The affects of noise from printers, and other office equipment may be
reduced by isolation, hooding or screening. The use of un-closed dot matrix
printers adjacent to operators should be avoided.
iii.
Noise from cooling fan, power supplies and keyboards should be minimal
and this should be an important consideration at the purchase stage.
iv.
The recommended ambient noise level for VDU work is between 4060dB(A).
Work Rates
Operators should work at a steady space, consistently as opposed to
maximal pace in short, sharp burst.
ii.
Work Load
Increases in workload should be carefully managed with adjustment
periods. Workloads should overall be realistic in relation to the individuals
capacity.
iii.
16
The purpose of rotation through task and job variety is to allow rest of
specific muscle groups and to eliminate prolonged periods in sustained
postures.
ii.
iii.
Productive rest tasks allow for a change in posture and the resting of
muscle. These include task such as proof reading, checking answering
telephones, discussion. These should intersperse throughout the work
routine.
iv.
ii.
Cleaning
17
i.
Work history
ii.
iii.
Vision Test
iv.
6.3
i.
ii.
iii.
Work practices
iv.
Posture
v.
vi.
vii.
Office Accidents
Accidents dont just happen, they are caused. Either unsafe acts or unsafe conditions or
both cause the accidents. As such, accidents can be prevented. The unsafe act is a violation
of an accepted safe procedure that could permit the occurrence of an accident. The unsafe
condition or circumstances that could directly permit the occurrence of an accident. Most
18
of accident result from a combination of contributing causes and one or more unsafe acts
and unsafe condition.
Most office accidents result from slip, trips and falls, lifting objects, punctures or cuts.
Slippery floors, unclean spillage or gripless shoes cause slips. Trips occur over objects
lying on the floor or jutting out into aisles or because of poorly surfaces. Falls can be
ladders or from standing on chairs to reach an object.
Simple planning and good housekeeping as follows can avoid many of these accidents:
i.
Traffic ways and aisles should be well lit, and kept clear of materials,
equipment, rubbish and electric leads.
ii.
Floors should be level and the use of mats discouraged. Slipped liquids and
anything else dropped on the floor should be immediately picked up or
cleaned.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
19
This above analysis also shows that ICT top management should give attention to
the workplace environment factors especially environment and workstation factors. ICT
top management shall take into consideration the requirements under OSHA 1994, that is
as stated in the Duties of Employers (Part IV, section 15-19) that Employer must
safeguard so far as is practicable, the health, safety and welfare of the people who work
for them and also Safety Information, Instruction, Training and Supervision (Section 15
(2)) Duty of employers to provide necessary information, instruction, training, and
supervision in safe practices, including information on legal requirements.
20
7.
CONCLUSION
From the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment analysis, it shows that
the most critical safety and health hazards are office accidents and VDU work
related respectively.
In the wake of this common use of VDUs and the expressed concern about
adverse health effects among VDU operators. The VDU workstations should be
ergonomically designed with maximum possible flexibility so that they can be
adapted to each individual operator.
Simple planning and good housekeeping can avoid many of office
accidents. The ignorance these factors leads to workplace hazards, poor worker
health, disabilities and will reduce workers productivity and products quality.
This above analysis also shows that ICT top management should give
attention to the workplace environment factors especially environment and
workstation factors.
To conclude, this paper analysis finding are hoped to improve the
workplace design and environment while aiming to minimize problem related to
safety and health hazards.
21
8.
REFERENCES
1.
MDC Publishers Printers (2004) Occupational Safety and Health Act and
Regulations. Kuala Lumpur, MDC Publishers and Printers Sdn Bhd.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
National Safety Council (1993) High Rise Office Safety & Security. USA,
National Safety Council.
7.
22
9.
APPENDICES
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT
Department
Section
ICT DIVISION
Step
No
Sequence of
Basic Job
Step
Hazard Identification
Hazard
1.
Office Work
Probability Index
4
Very Likely
Likely
Unlikely
Highly Unlikely
Prepared by
OSH EXECUTIVE
Signature
Name
ZAINORIN ALI
Date
9 January 2006
Current
Risk Control
Effect
Checked by
Risk Assessment
*
**
*** Risk Ranking
Prob Serv
Score
Level
Approved by
Risk Control
Recommended Action
Rest Break
Medium
Rest Break
Medium
Rest Break
Low
Repair
request
Medium
Competent
Low
Regular
maintenance
Low
* Probability
Description
Could happen frequently.
Exposures are excessive
Could happen occasionally. Exposures are not
adequately control.
Could happen but only rarely. Exposures are
controlled and likely to remain so.
Could happen but probably never will.
Exposures are negligible.
on
** Severity
Severity Index
4
3
2
Fatality
Major Injury/ Illness/
Property Damage
Minor Injury/ Illness/
Property
Damage
Negligible Injury/
Illness/ Property Damage
=
Description
Death/ property damage
Normally irreversible. Permanent/ Partial
Disability. Property damage.
Normally reversible and affect work performance.
Property damage.
Not affecting work performance.
First Aid Case.
High
36
Medium
1-2
Low
23
24