CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Information
Hazard is negative to positive health and attainment of fulfilled potentials. It is injurious and hindrance in nature. Mltchell, (2006), sees it as the potential of a substance, activity or process to cause harm. According to Mitchell (1990), industrial hazards is seen as threat to people and life-support systems which arises from mass production of goods and services. When these threats (posed by hazards) exceeds human coping capabilities or the abortive capacities of environmental systems, they give rise to industrial disasters hence need for the implementation of the hierarchy of hazards/risks control in an industrial layout (Mitchell, 1990).
The hierarchy of hazards/risks controls provides a systematic way of analysing hazards and risk thereby choosing the most effective means to eliminate or reduce hazards and their associated risks (hierarchy of hazard controls, 2012). It is a system used in industry to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards (Hierarchy of controls, 2012). It is a widely accepted system promoted by numerous safety organizations. This concept is taught to managers in industry, to be promoted as standard practice in the workplace. Various illustrations are used to depict this system, most commonly a triangle.
It can be used when a hazard cannot be eliminated altogether, there are several other ways to limit worker exposure to the hazard. Some of these ways are more effective than others. When all of these different hazard control methods, are put in a chart, going form the most effective to the least effective way to control the hazard, the chart portrays the “HIERARCHY OF HAZARD/RISKS CONTROL”.
This is considered a good occupational safety and security, health and environmental practice to follow.
The hazards/risk controls in the hierarchy are in order of decrease effectiveness.
Elimination
Substitution
Engineering controls
Administrative control
Personal protective equipment
Nevertheless, the HSE Act sets out the steps employers must take where practicable, the hazard must be eliminated. If elimination is not practicable, the hazard must be isolated. If it is impracticable to eliminate or isolate completely, then employers must minimise the likelihood that employees will be harmed by the hazard. (HSE-Health and safety executive). Where the hazard has not been eliminated or isolated, employers must where appropriate ensure that protective clothing and equipment is provided, assessable and used, trainings must be given, monitor employee’s exposure to the hazard, seek the consent of employees to monitor with informed consent within an industry.
1.2 Definition of Terms
Hazards, Risks and Hazardous Substances
Hazard: Is the potential of a substance, activity or process to cause harm (Mitchell, 2006). While Achalu, (2006), described hazard as anything that causes accident, injury or ill-health.
A hazard is an agent which has the potential to cause harm to a vulnerable target. It is any agent that can cause harm or damage to humans, property or the environment (Sperber, 2001). In defining hazard Smith, (1992) argues that what may be defined as hazard is only a hazard if there is the presence of humans to make it a hazard is otherwise merely and event of interest. Hazards can be dormant or potential with only a theoretical probability of harm.
An event that is caused by interaction with a hazard is called INCIDENT. The likely severity of the undesirable consequences of an incident associated with a hazard, combined with the probability of this occurring, constitute the associated risk. The terms “hazards” and “risks” are often used interchangeably. If there is no possibility of a hazard contributing towards an incident, there is no risk.
Risk: This can be defined as the likelihood or probability of a given hazard of a given level causing a particular level of loss of damage. The elements of risk are populations, communities, the built environment, the naturally environment, economic activities and services which are under threat of disaster in a given area (Alexander, 1960).
The total risk according to UNDRO 1982 is the sum of predictable deaths, injuries, destruction, damage, disruption, and costs of repair and mitigation caused by a disaster of a particular level in a given area or areas.
Industrial Hazards
Industrial hazards are occupationally induced injuries which occur as a result of human interaction with the industrial environment and in the handling of equipment and machineries at various stages of production, extraction, processing, manufacturing, heulaging, storage, distribution and the disposal of the unneeded parts. It is any condition/substance produced by industries that may cause injury or death to personnel or loss of product or property (Subramanyam et al, 2003).
Mitchell (1990), explained industrial hazards as threat to people and life-support systems which arises from mass production of goods and services. He stressed further that when the threat (posed by hazards) exceeds human coping capabilities or the abortive capacities of environmental systems, they give rise to industrial disasters hence need for the implementation of the hierarchy of hazards risks control. Industrial hazards may be sudden and intensive such as explosion which may further lead to five outbreak. It may be gradual and extensive as in the case of toxic release from leakage and spills or built-up ozone layers and so on. In most cases, some hazards are avoidable and traceable to faulty machineries and equipment, poor technical-know-how of personnel and general carelessness.
Industrial hazards are:
Chemical hazards occurring in form of gases, vapours, dust, liquid or solid. Examples include drugs, detergents, paints, disinfectants and insecticides; (Okpako et al; 2014).
Biological hazards originate from plants and animals or specifically associated with certain professions or jobs.
Mitchell (2006) gave some examples of biological disease as HIV, Hepatitis B, Salmonella, E.Coli, Legionella, Weils disease, malaria, and yellow fever.
Psychological hazards pertains to psycho-social factors which affect health as being experienced in the leadership styles in various industries, sense of security, communication, stress, boredom, mental and emotional tension, frustration from low job satisfaction (Achalu, 2006).
Ergonomic hazards arise from environment factors such as extreme hear, intense light, ultraviolet rays, contaminate atmosphere, sound. These may be due to natural weather condition of the environment (example, Northern part of Nigeria) or as generated by industrial machines and equipment. (Okpako et al., 2014).
Electrical hazard is a dangerous condition where a worker can or does make electrical contact with energised equipment or a conductor. From that contact, the person may sustain injury from shock, and potential for the worker to receive electrical explosion such as burn, thermal burn or blast injury (Ontario Electrical Safety Report, 2010).
Fire hazard involves the presence of flame or the risk of an uncontrolled fire. Fire hazard includes lives flames, sparks, hot objects, flammable chemicals, chemicals that can aggravate a fire, and events that impede fire profection and prevention methods such as impediments to fire fighting, compromised built – in fire safety systems, and situations that restrict the escape of people from an affected building or area in the event of a fire. OSHA requires workers to train all employees to recognise fire hazards, use fire extinguishing equipment and systems in a safe and effective manner, and how to evacuate safely in the event that a fire cannot be controlled. Every work place must be equipped with a sufficient number of conveniently located and easily accessible fire exits.
The following fire hazards are found in various workplaces:
Open flames used in various applications (such as welding)
Electric wires, higher loads, loose connections, and old electrical equipment
All cooking and heating generating appliances,
Smoking and the use of personal lighters or matches
Improper and unauthorised storage of flammable and hazardous materials and chemicals
Insufficient capacity and numbers of emergency exists and stairs.
Hindrance to sight or reachfire fighting equipment, markings and alarm systems.
Insufficient numbers and types of fire extinguishers
Absence of fire detection, alarm system and violation of building and fire codes (Safeopedia – The Educational Resource for Safety Professionals).
