HOW TO REGISTER AS A COMPETENT SAFETY OFFICER

This is my last article for Miss Baiti’s blog. Now I am not going to write the typical issue in safety such as safety precaution while handling work and so on, but this time I am going to elaborate the quite interesting topic which is how to register as a competent safety officer. I believe there are some of us (students/safety practitioner) who still did not clear on the process of becoming the registered competent safety officer.

In Malaysia competent safety officer meaning someone who possesses the green book which will be obtained once they registered with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). After obtained the green book, they will automatically entitle as the competent safety officer. At this stage the safety officer is empower to handle the high risk project (as stated in order 3, Occupational Safety and Health (Safety and Health Officer) Order, OSHA 1994) and they have to responsible in the issue pertaining to safety and health at their workplace.
There are three common conditions which qualify us to get the green book are as follows:

a. Those who already working in the area of Occupational Safety and Health at
least for 10 years

b. Those who successfully completed a course of training in occupational safety
and health (from registered training provider – refer to the DOSH website)
and passed the examination for that course. After passed the examination they
must at least have three years experienced in occupational safety and health
before applying the green book

c. Those who hold the diploma or degree or equivalent qualification in
Occupational Safety and Health from any professional body or institution (the
professional body must be recognised by DOSH). In this condition, the
students who successfully finished their study is also need to gain an
experience for at least three years in safety and health before applying the
green book.

For those who choose the last condition as to be the safety officer, they need to aware because not all of the institution which offers the Safety and Health course got the recognition from DOSH. If the institution does not recognised by DOSH the student must find another option to get the green book such as jump to the first and second condition. To check whether the institution which offering safety and health course is being recognised by DOSH is by visiting the DOSH website itself and look at the recognised institution and registered training provider. Good news is CONSIST College is one of the institution which offering safety and health course that being recognised by DOSH.

Lockout or Tagout Safety

Dozens of construction workers are killed and more are injured every year because they did
not de-energize and lock out equipment before working on it. Most of the deaths are
electrocutions, but workers sometimes are crushed or have amputations or other injuries.
These types of energy need to be controlled: electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical,
heat, and pressurized liquids, vapors, and gases.

Protect Yourself

Lockout/tagout is a way to make sure electricity or other energy is not turned on (or released) while someone is working on machinery. Turning off a power switch is not enough. You must de-energize (prevent equipment from starting or moving), lock it out, release stored energy (for instance, bleed air from a pneumatic hose), and test to make sure the energy is off.

• Your employer should:

• Set up a written lockout/tagout program
• Train you to use the program.

• The program should cover:

• Planning to identify:
• energy sources
• workers who can get hurt
• who will de-energize equipment (and how).
• Keeping track of all involved workers
• Telling workers on new shifts about the lockout/tagout job
• Making sure the equipment is de-energized so it cannot be restarted
• Setting and removing lockout/tagout devices
• Coordinating with other jobs under way
• Releasing stored energy (for instance, discharging capacitors)
• Returning equipment to service (including testing or positioning of equipment).

Lockout/Tagout Procedure

1. Notification. Tell equipment operators and supervisors that power is being disconnected or isolated.
2. Preparation. Check with your supervisor for a written procedure (or checklist) that tells how to shut down and restart the equipment you are working on.
3. Shutdown. Turn off the equipment.
4. Isolation. Separate all energy sources using proper isolating devices – like manual circuit breakers or disconnect switches. Pushbuttons or selector switches cannot be the only way to de-energize. A lot of equipment has more than one type of energy that needs to be isolated.
5. Lockout/tagout application. Every worker who can be exposed to hazardous energy must be part of the lockout/tagout process.

Individual qualified employee control. For minor servicing, maintenance, or inspection of plug-and-cord equipment, you may work without attaching lockout/tagout devices if you unplug the equipment and you always work next to the power plug and control the plug.
Complex lockout/tagout. A special written plan is needed when a job has more than one of any of these:

• Energy source
• Crew
• Craft
• Location
• Employer
• Way to isolate energy, or
• Work shift.

One crew member should be in charge of the whole lockout/tagout. This person
should be trained and identified by name in the written plan. Each worker still should
check to be sure all energy sources are locked out before starting work.
6. Control of stored energy. Release energy by discharging capacitors, removing jacks or
chock blocks, or draining hydraulic lines, for instance.
7. Verification. Use testing equipment (such as an electric circuit tester) to make sure
equipment has been de-energized.
8. Removal of lockout/tagout devices. Only the worker who puts on a lockout or tagout
device should take it off. If someone else must take off the device, he/she must be sure that
the person who installed it is not on the site, and must warn that employee when he/she
returns.
9. Return to service. When the work is done and lockout/tagout devices are off, you must
test and look to be sure all tools, mechanical restraints, and electrical devices have been
removed before you turn on power. Before you re-energize, you must warn all workers who
can operate the equipment and make sure no one else is near it.
10. Temporary release. If the job requiring lockout/tagout is interrupted for testing or
positioning equipment, the procedures must start all over.

Redo for October 2011

STANDING HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE

Many jobs require that workers stand or walk for prolonged periods. Prolonged walking and/or standing can cause lower back pain, sore feet, varicose veins and a variety of other related problems. The following hazard mitigation strategies can help minimize these problems for workers who must stand and walk for prolonged periods.

Antifatigue Mats

Antifatigue mats provide cushioning between the feet and hard working surfaces such as concrete floors. This cushioning effect can reduce muscle effect and lower back pain. However, mats that becomes slippery when wet should be avoided. In areas where chemicals are used, be sure to select mats that will hold up to the degrading effects of chemicals.

Shoe Inserts

When antifatigue mats are not feasible because employees must move from area to area and correspondingly, from surface to surface, shoe inserts may be the answer. Shoe inserts can help reduce lower back, foot and leg pain. It is important to ensure proper fit. If inserts make an employee’s shoes too tight, they will do more harm than good.

Foot Rails

Foot rails added to workstations can help relieve the hazards of prolonged standing. Foot rails allow employees to elevate one foot at a time four or five inches. The elevated foot rounds out the lower back, thereby relieving some of the pressure on the spinal column. Placement of rail is important. It should not be placed in a position that inhibits movement or becomes a tripping hazard.

Workplace Design

A well-design workstation can help relieve the hazards of prolonged standing. The key is to design workstations so that employees can move about while they work and can adjust the height of the workstation to match their physical needs.

Sit/Stand Chairs

Sit/stand chairs are higher-than-normal chairs that allow employees who typically stand while working to take quick mini-breaks and return to work without the hazards associated with getting out of lower chairs. They have the advantage of giving the employee’s feet, legs and back an occasional rest without introducing the hazards associated with lower chairs.

Proper Footwear

Proper footwear is critical for employees who stand for prolonged periods. Well-fitting, comfortable shoes that grip the work surface and allow free movement of the toes are best.

 common mechanical injury hazard

       

In industrial setting, people interact with machines that are designed to drill, cut , shear, punch , chip, staple, stitch, and slit such material as metal. If  appropriate safeguard are not in place or if worker fail to follow safety precaution , these machines can apply the same procedures to humans.

Cutting and tearing

A cut occur when a body part comes in contact with sharp edge. The cutting seriousness of cutting or tearing the skin depends on how much damage is done to the skin, veins, arteries, muscles, and even bones.

Shearing

Shearing mostly used in manufacturing for cut paper, plastic, and metal. These tragedies happened  when operator reached under the shearing blade to make an adjustment or placed material there and activated the blade before fully removing their hand.

Crushing

Injuries from crushing can be particularly debilitating, painful, and  difficult to heal. They Occur when a part of the body is caught between two hand surfaces that progressively more together, nearby crushing anything between them.

Breaking

Machines used to deform engineering materials in variety of ways can also cause broken bones. A break in a bone is known as fractures. Fracture is classified as simple compound, complete, and incomplete.

Straining and spraining

There are numerous situation in and industrial setting when straining of muscles or spraining of ligament is possible. A strain result when muscles are overstretched or torn A sprain is the result of torn ligament in joint. Strains and sprains can cause swelling and intense pain.

Puncturing

Punching machines that have sharp tools can puncture a body part if safety precautions are not observed or if appropriate safeguard are not in place. Puncturing result when an object penetrates straight into the body and pulls straight out , creating a wound in shape of the penetrating object.  The greatest hazard with puncture wound is the potential for damage to internal.

Redo for November 2011

PREVENTING BACK PAIN AT WORK

A number of common factors can contribute to back pain at work. For example:

• Force. Exerting too much force on your back such as by lifting or moving heavy objects can cause injury.
• Repetition. Repeating certain movements can lead to muscle fatigue or injury, particularly if you're stretching to the limit of your range of motion or using awkward body positioning.
• Posture. Slouching exaggerates your back's natural curves, which can lead to muscle fatigue and injury.
• Stress. Pressure at work can increase your stress level and lead to muscle tension and tightness, which can contribute to or worsen back pain.

People who work in certain occupations such as nursing, construction and factory work can place significant demands on your back. Even routine office work can cause or worsen back pain. Understand what causes back pain and what you can do to prevent it. 

The following strategies can reduce your risk.

Get in shape

Being overweight and out of shape are a dangerous combination because of the stress and pressure they place on the spine. Getting in shape by doing aerobic conditioning on a treadmill, stair machine, or elliptical trainer accomplishes two things:

• It strengthens the trunk muscles so they can support the spine
• Burns calories, which increases weight loss.

Proper lifting

• Plan ahead what you want to do and do not be in a hurry.
• Position yourself close to the object you want to lift.
• Separate your feet shoulder-width apart to give yourself a solid base of support.
• Bend at the knees.
• Tighten your stomach muscles.
• Lift with your leg muscles as you stand up.
• Don't try to lift by yourself an object that is too heavy or an awkward shape.
• Get help.

Adjust your workstation

Start by adjusting your chair to support your back. First, adjust the lumbar support to fit your low   back’s inward curve. Then, adjust the height so your feet can rest flat on the floor. Place your computer monitor and keyboard directly in front of you.

Stay active

Avoid sitting in one position for hours at a time. So make it a point to take a break every hour and get out of your chair to walk. Doing so will strengthen the muscles in your back and lubricate the spine.

Posture exercise

A few simple posture exercises are often all it takes for many people to begin finding relief for back problems. Even better, posture exercises are often beneficial in relieving hip pain, leg pain, and stiff neck and shoulder pain.

SAFETY PRACTICES

The important of safety and hygiene cannot be overstressed. It is very important in preventing accidents and promoting health of the workers. Failure to follow safety rules can put other colleagues at risk aswell.

Safety practices must go hand in hand with the improvement of the workplace conditions. It is essential that each worker participate in finding essential that each worker participate in finding unsafe conditions and suggesting corrective action. Everybody should be a participant in inspecting the workplace. Underestimation of risks may lead to a false feeling of security and to indifference toward safety. All employers, managers, supervisors, workers and government official must continually stress the importance of safety as part of every task. Measures must be taken by all parties to constantly reinforce safety issues.

In order to keep safe all workers should:

· Take care of their own safety

· Take responsibility for safety of other persons who may be affected by their acts

· Comply with safety instructions

· Using PPE given correctly

· Report any accident or illness that arises in connection with work

BY

MOHAMAD AFIQ BIN MOHAMAD FUAD (B13 (A))

Redo for December 2011

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER

• Raise the alarm, summon help and have someone call the fire service. 
• Keep your escape path at your back.
• Never allow the fire to get between you and the escape path. 
• Select the correct extinguisher for the Class of fire. 
• Remember “PASS”

ü  P - Pull  the pin

ü A - Aim  the extinguisher nozzle at the base of flames

ü S - Squeeze  trigger while holding the extinguisher upright

üS - Sweep the extinguisher or nozzle from side to side covering the base of the fire.

•      Stand 6 to 8 feet away from the fire
•      Step backwards when done
•      Never turn your back towards an extinguished fire!

THE SHIFT SYSTEM AT WORK

Irregular working hours are becoming more common in many industries, which inevitably create problems such as effects on health and social life. Very few people can adapt completely to shift work and irregular working hours due to disturbance in their BIOLOGICAL CLOCK and in daily life.

They are various reasons for adopting shift work. First, shift work is needed where continuous production cannot be interrupted for technical reasons. Second, shift work is adopted in railways, BOMBA, hospitals and other public services. Third, shift work is also use of costly equipment. In any form of shift work, workers grouped in separate crews work in turn to cover the whole operation time.

The effects of shift work are primarily dependent on shift systems. The effects are more significant when the system involves night work or does not allow a weekend break.

The main types of shift systems are:

· The discontinuous shift system : undertaking operates less than 24hours a day with a daily interval and usually a weekend break (Morning and Afternoon shift)

· The semi continuous shift system: the undertaking operates 24 hours a day but with a a weekend break.

· The continuous shift system: the undertaking operates 24hours a day and seven days a week.

The crews can be assigned to shifts either:

· By fixed shifts in which each crew s permanently assigned to the same shift

· By rotating shift.

In the case of rotating shift, the frequency of rotation from one shift to another is important. Crews may change shifts every week or at shorter or longer intervals. Numerous variations are possible, especially for continuous shift systems. There are also irregular shift assignments as in the case or train drivers or broadcasting stations.

BY

MOHAMAD AFIQ BIN MOHAMAD FUAD (B13 (A))

STEP TO USE LADDER SAFELY

1

Fully open a stepladder and lock the braces.

2

Make sure that the feet of the ladder, particularly an extension ladder, are on a dry, even surface.

3

Never use an aluminum ladder near live electrical sources.

4

Climb only as high as the ladder is designed for. Never climb past the point where your hips are even with the top of the ladder.

5Hold on to the sides of the ladder as you climb. Store tools in back pockets or a tool belt.

6

Never allow more than one person on a ladder, and don't let anyone stand below you where you can drop something on him or her.

7

Heed all warnings and cautions from the manufacturer. These can be found on yellow or orange safety labels on the side of the ladder.

-epie kacak-