MECHANICAL WORKSHOP SAFETY ISSUES

MEU 07603
ENVIRONMENT AND
SAFETY ENGINEERING

SAFETY ISSUES
Occupational safety and health
Workplace accidents and accident
investigationRisk managementPrinciples of accident preventionPersonal protective equipment-PPE
Safe use and handling of chemicalsDangerous goods
Workshop safety inspections

SAFETY ISSUES
Welding safety
Eye injuries and conditions at the
work place
Common fire hazards
First aid in workshops
Industrial ergonomics
Industrial waste disposal
Ecology

AVERAGE CAUSES OF
ACCIDENTS

OSHA-Occupational Safety and

Health Administration
Introduction
Workers get injured, suffer diseases or
die in the work every day.
It is because of unsafe environment
which include:
Inadequate safety measures
Poor design of machines and work systems
Poor house-keeping/lightning
Lack of training, awareness and information

OSHA
Poor supervisions
The Occupational accidents and diseases are
economic burden.
Hence there is a need to promote and
maintain OHS
to create a working environment free from
accidents and occupational illness
OSH has not been a priority for many workers.
Wage issues are one of their immediate
concerns.

OSHA

A healthy and safe working

environment will help improve working
relations, reduce costs and boost morale
of workers.
It is important that stakeholders pursue
safe and healthy work environments for
the workers.

What is OHS?

Discipline with a broad scope involving

many specialized fields aiming at securing
the well being of workers
Functions
Deals with the promotion and maintenance
of safe and health working conditions
Promoting and maintaining the highest
degree of physical, mental and psychosocial
well being of workers in all occupations.

Functions
Prevent adverse effects of working conditions
on the safety and health of workers.
Place and maintain workers in working
environment that is adapted to their physical
and mental requirements.
Adapt work to the worker (not the worker to
work)
The focus is elimination of risk factors rather
than using PPEs

Why is Occupational Health Important?

Due to Increasing accidents and

occupational diseases rates
Most people spend at least 8 hrs in the
workplaces
Medical and compensation payments
Repair or replacement of damaged
machine
Interruption in production
Increased training expenses

Why is Occupational Health Important?

Reduction in the quality of work

Negative effects on others
Workers are faced with multitude of hazards
Need for improving productivity
Factors Influencing OH &S
Profit and productivity
Demands for improving working conditions
Health status of workers

Why is Occupational Health Important?

Industrial/labour process
Availability of OH &S policy
Legislation
Education and training programmes for workers
Costs of occupational injuries/ disease
(workers)
Pain and suffering
Loss of income
Loss of job
Health care costs

Why is Occupational Health Important?

Burden to family members

Payment for work not performed
Medical and compensation payments
Repair or replacement of damaged
machine
Interruption in production
Increased training expenses
Reduction in the quality of work
Negative effects on others

Magnitude of OHS Problem

Over 1M work related deaths occur

annually worldwide
250M accidents occur every year (685,000
accidents daily, 475 every minute, 8 every
second)
Working children suffer 12 million
occupational accidents and an estimated
12,000 of them are fatal.
3,000 people are killed by work every day,
2 every minute.

Magnitude of OHS Problem

Identifying the cause of occupational

disease is very often difficult to determine.
The latency period (the fact that it may
take years before the disease produces an
obvious effect on the worker's health).
may be too late to do anything about it.
What hazards the worker was exposed to
in the past. changing jobs, or personal
behaviours (such as smoking tobacco or
drinking alcohol

Some Occupational Diseases

crocidolite (blue asbestos),

amosite (brown asbestos)
Chrysotile (white asbestos).

lead poisoning (caused by lead,

which is common in battery
plants, paint factories, etc.);

Health Problems Associated With Poor Working Conditions

Heart disease;
Musculoskeletal disorders such as
permanent back injuries or muscle
disorders;
Allergies;
Reproductive problems;
Stress-related disorders.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

What is Personal Protection?

Personal Protection can be used to

protect people from dirty (harmful
/hazardous) condition or to protect the
product from contamination by people.
The aim of Personal Protection
Is keeping the worker healthy and safe
by protecting him against exposure to
occupational at the workplace.

PPE

Methods of personal protection:

There are two methods of personal

protection:
By providing personal protective
equipment and protective clothing
Encouraging personal hygiene

Rationale for use of PPE

The real value of PPE is that a

properly protected worker will have a
much reduced risk from either an
accident or intended exposure to
workplace hazards. As a result the
severity of any accident or
occupational disease will be either
diminished or eliminated.

 Now days a range of PPE is extensive

and be provided to protect most parts
of the body from hazards at the
workplace.
It should be noted that the use of PPE
does not remove the hazard from the
workplace. It is for this reason that
PPE is favored only as a last resort in
control of workplace hazards.

 for example the use of eye protector

prevent foreign bodies from entering
into the eyes or use of hearing
protection diminishes or removes the
chances of developing noise induced
hearing loss.

Different types of PPE

Protection against physical and

chemical hazards in the workplace
is most commonly employed for the
following PPE
5.1. Head Protection

Helmets, Hard Hats, Head Caps, and

Head Covers.
Ear and Hearing Protection

Ear muffs, earplugs, enclosing helmets

Eye and Face Protection

Should be protected against foreign
bodies, flying particles, chemical
splashes, Radiation, irritant or
corrosive gases or vapors by using
goggles or spectacles, Full face
protection and shields e.g. welding
shields

Hand and Arms Protection

Protection from direct skin contact,
penetrating sharp materials,
chemicals, Heat, ionizing radiation
etc .
Use of gloves should not impair the
free movement of hands and fingers
gloves can be made of leather,
fabric, rubber, leaded rubber, or
plastic depending on type of hazard

Foot and Leg Protection

Protection against accidents to legs
and feet is necessary in many
different occupations where there is
a risk of injury by heavy or sharp
falling objects, burns, sparks,
splashing of molten metal or
corrosive chemicals, or nail
penetrating the footwear

Foot and Leg Protection

Ordinary footwear like slippers gives
virtually no protection against falling
heavy or sharp objects. Even solid
leather shoes give only limited
protection. Steel toe-caps, and
sometimes instep guards made of
metal or reinforced plastic, in leather
shoes or boots are required on
construction sites puncture-proof
soles are necessary to protect

Foot and Leg Protection

Shoes and boots made of rubber or
plastic are good protectors,
especially against corrosive
chemicals. Workers should be
advised, however, not to tuck their
trousers inside the boots, but over
them, to prevent spillage inside the
boot

Heat and cold protection

Protective clothing for very hot
environment (fire fighting), ice vests
for continuous work in hot
environment, radiant reflective
coatings for heat and protective
insulating clothing for cold
environments etc.

Respiratory Protection
These may include dust masks to
protect against dusts, chemical
respirators to protect against
chemicals - they have a cartridge
which contains activated charcoal.
This cartridge can be replaced when
it has expired

Respiratory Protection

Air or oxygen supplied respirators are

used to give maximum protection
against inhalation of particles and
where toxic chemical vapors can be
expected e.g. in cleaning of tanks.

Selection of PPE

Personal protective equipment must

be selected to provide adequate
protection to combat the particular
danger against which it is being used.
It should be done by a person who is
suitably trained to select suitable PPE

CLASSIFICATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS

Class 1and Class 2:

Class 1: Explosives
Explosive Dangerous Goods have
compatibility group letters assigned to
facilitate segregation during transport
Class 2: Gases
Flammable Gas: acetylene and hydrogen.
Non-Flammable Gases: nitrogen and neon.
Poisonous Gases: fluorine, chlorine, and
hydro cyanide

Class 3:
Class 3: Flammable Liquids
Packing Group I, boiling point of
35C or less diethyl ether or carbon
disulfide;
Packing Group II, boiling point
greater than 35C such as gasoline
(petrol) and acetone;
Packing Group III, if the criteria
for inclusion in Packing Group I or II
are not met, such as kerosene and

Class 4:
Class 4: Flammable Solids
4..1 Flammable Solids: easily ignited
and readily combustible (nitrocellulose,
magnesium,
4..2 Spontaneousll Combustiiblle:
(aluminum alkyls, white phosphorus).
4..3 Dangerous when Wet: (sodium,,
calcium,, potassium,, calcium carbide

Class 5:
Class 5: Oxidizing Agents and
Organic Peroxides
5.1 Oxidizing agents other than organic
peroxides (calcium hypochlorite,
ammonium nitrate, hydrogen peroxide,
potassium permanganate).
5.2 Organic peroxides, either in liquid
or solid form (benzoyl peroxides,
cumene hydro peroxide).

Class 6:
Class 6: Toxic and Infectious Substances
6.1a Toxic substances which are liable to
cause death or serious injury to human health
if inhaled, swallowed or by skin absorption
(potassium cyanide, mercuric chloride).
6.1b (Now PGIII) Toxic substances which are
harmful to human health (N.B this symbol is
no longer authorized by the United Nations)
(pesticides, methylene chloride).

Class 6:
6.2 Bio hazardous substances;
(WHO) divides this class into two
categories: Category A: Infectious;
and Category B: Samples (virus
cultures, pathology specimens, used
intravenous needles

Class 7:
Class 7: Radioactive Substances
Radioactive substances comprise substances
emitting ionizing
radiation (uranium, plutonium).

Class 8:and Class 9

Class 8: Corrosive
8.1 Acids: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid
8.2 Alkalis: potassium hydroxide, sodium
hydroxide
Class 9: Miscellaneous
Hazardous substances that do not fall into
the other categories
(asbestos, air-bag inflators, self-inflating
life rafts, dry ice).

 We may break now

and thank you

ARC AND GAS WELDING SAFETY

Risk to welder and co-workers

Welding jobs are carried out in many

workplaces.
The risks involve not only the welder doing the
job but also those who are working nearby.
The risks include:
Eye damage
Skin injuries
Burns
Inhalation of toxic gases
Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)

On all welding jobs the welder should wear

suitable protective goggles or face masks to
protect his eyes against the welding arc,
protective gloves, cover coats etc
The work area should be partitioned off so
that the people nearby are not exposed to
the arc.
Types of welding (electric arc welding)
In electric arc welding the light- arc radiates
invisible ultraviolet and infra-red rays.

 These can damage the eyes and the skin

therefore in such cases the eyes should be
protected with a special type of filter glasses
Some types of welding require effective air
extraction from the work area. This is
important when the welding is carried out on
metals covered with an alloy of lead,
mercury zinc etc.
Welding on such alloys leads to build up of
dangerous fumes and gases.

Gas welding.

Gas welding in a confined space, especially

when heating or straightening, can cause an
accumulation of nitric gases, containing
dangerous nitric oxides.
In cases where effective local ventilation cannot
be arranged, the welder should be provided
with respiratory protection and a supply of fresh
air
Welding and the risk of fire
Welding in or near a room where flammable
material is stored should never be allowed.

 Welding should not take place in a

tank, container, or similar apparatus
which is used for storing flammable
liquids.
The tank must be thoroughly
cleaned, preferable using pressurized
steam

WELDING FLAME

WELDING FUMES
Welding fumes are the most serious problem in
all types of electric welding.
The fumes contain a number of hazardous
substances.
Use local suction exhaust when working in doors,
particularly in enclosed areas. The exhaust
should be placed as close to the point of the
weld as possible
Screen off the work area to protect other people
from welding glare.

COMMON FIRE HAZARDS

Before a fire can occur, these three

components must be present.
Fuel (a combustible material such as
wood, gasoline, paper or cloth).
Heat (sufficient to raise the fuel to its
ignition temperature).
Oxygen, usually in the form of air (to
sustain combustion).

The fire triangle


Without one of these three
elements, there is nothing to burn.
Much can and should be done to
prevent disasters of this kind by those
responsible for the building of
factories; but the workers, too have a
very responsibility for ensuring the
effectiveness of fire prevention.

Common fire hazards

Include
smoking,
flammable liquids,
poor housekeeping,
electric wiring,
Welding and soldering equipment etc

Firefighting/control

Water. If supplied in sufficient

quantity, has a great cooling effect.
Portable fire extinguishers. These are
suitable for putting out fire involving
live electrical equipment or flammable
liquids.
The proper kind of potable
extinguisher should be provided to
deal with the risk concerned.

Structural features and exits

The first line of defense against fire is

the construction of the building itself.
Industrial building should be sufficiently
fire resistant.
Exits are most important, and should
conform to the following general rules:
Each floor should have at least two exits
Exits should be signposted and well lit
etc.

Fire extinguishing equipment

Buckets of water/sand
Sprinkler systems
Fire alarms
Portable fire extinguishers
Buckets of water/sand
Sprinkler systems
Fire alarms
Portable fire extinguishers

Fire prevention organization

Organization and training of fire

brigades
Precaution against explosions
- Organic dust such as those of flour,
sugar, starch and some metallic
dusts such as those of Al, Mg may be
explosive when mixed with air.

FIRE FIGHTING CONT... LEGAL

REQUIREMENT
Recharge after use
Inspect at least yearly
One very common fire precaution is the no
smoking rule.
Provision of special rooms for an occasional
smoke
Flammable liquids can be safely stored in
underground tanks. to avoid from extremely
heat/cold

WORKSHOP SAFETY INSPECTIONS

Safety Inspections/Audits
A common form of analysis to prevent accidents.
Inspections are part of a preventive or proactive
approach to accident prevention.
They are performed to detect actual faults and
failures.
They are conducted to evaluate work environment
regarding occupational safety and health.
The companies which perform safety audits have
fewer accidents than those that do not perform
audits.
The use of safety inspections/audits has been shown
to contribute positively to loss prevention initiatives.

Types of Inspection

General inspection wide range of

deficiencies are looked for.
Specialized inspection very
specific conditions are searched for.
Inspections may be scheduled
(e.g. statutory) or unscheduled (e.g.
random visits).

Purposes of Safety Inspections

To identify hazardous and defective

conditions.
To check compliance with company rules
and regulations (industry best practice).
To check compliance with OSHA rules
To determine the health and safety
conditions of workplace.
To determine the safety condition of
equipment and machinery.

Purposes of Safety Inspections

Evaluate supervisors safety and

health performances
Evaluate workers safety and health
performances.
Evaluate progress regarding safety
and health issues and problems.
Determine the effectiveness of new
processes.

Who Should Do the Inspection?

In some cases, detailed training, knowledge and
experience are necessary to be able to recognize
the problem.
In other cases, nearly any one can be taught to
identify unsafe conditions and activities.
Some inspections may require the use of special
instruments and tools, and therefore someone
who knows how to use such instruments.
Some inspections need to be done by someone
who is not directly involved in performing work
on the item or area being inspected .

 The use of an external inspector may be necessary if

an independent look is desirable.
External inspector removes bias, can easily see
mistakes by other people.
In some cases two inspectors are necessary.
A person who performed the work must be the first
inspector, and a co-worker, supervisor or specialist
should be the second inspector.
The second inspector may be more knowledgeable
and experienced.
Inspectors can be workers, co-workers, supervisors,
safety specialists or specials team.

 In some cases inspectors need to be certified.

Re-certification is also important to make sure
that inspection skills are kept high and Daily
prior to the start of each shift
The supervisor in conjunction with SHE [safety
and health exucutive] officer should determine
the required frequency of the inspections.
The frequency need to be based on the level and
complexity of anticipated work activities and on
the hazards associated with such activities.
Knowledge is up to date.

What Needs to Be Inspected?

The complexity of the worksite, areas,
equipment, tasks, materials, and
requirements can make the contents of
most inspections overwhelming!
You might want to inspect specific
occupations, tasks, team, operator,
part of worksite, compliance with an
OSHA regulation, or complete worksite.

What Needs to Be Inspected?

You may want to perform an audit if

any of the previous lists have unique
identifiable hazards, new tasks
involved, increased risk potential,
changes in job procedures, areas
with unique operations, etc.

Inspections Discoveries

May verify job procedures are being

followed.
May identify work practices that are
both positive or negative.
May detect exposure factors

When to Inspect?
Daily prior to the start of each shift
The supervisor in conjunction with SHE
officer should determine the required
frequency of the inspections.
The frequency need to be based on the
level and complexity of anticipated work
activities and on the hazards associated
with such activities.

Inspection Tools
The most common tool for inspection is a
Checklist.
Humans are not good at remembering, so
the checklist helps remove memory errors!
A checklist helps the inspector to keep
track.
Note: when the visual inspection is not
sufficient, special tools and instruments
are needed.

Checklist Contents
List of items to be checked.
Means for marking which items have
been inspected and what was found.
Place for inspectors signature

Place for remarks

What is covered in the Checklist?
People responsible for safety inspection
should have a basic understanding of the
occupational hazards associated with their
industry and a working knowledge of
acceptable levels of hazards control as
prescribed by industry or Government
standards.
A checklist should cover all hazards
anticipated in the workplace.

What is covered in the Checklist?

Control Subjects
Improvement requirement (Measure
Needed/Measure Not needed)
Level of priority (High/Medium/Low)
Remarks (positive/negative
comments)

How to Use the Checklist

If the measure is Not needed meaning
improvement need not be considered.
If the measure is Needed meaning
improvement is necessary. If the measure
has been taken but needs further
improvement, the box Needed should
also be checked.
If the measure is needed and is urgent,
check the space under High Priority

Control Subjects
These may vary from one worksite to
another!
Emergency exists
Passageways and barriers
Housekeeping and storage
Waste Disposal
Material handling
Hazardous objects
7. Machine guards

Control Subjects

8. Electrical safety
9. Ventilation
10. Lighting
11. Noise
12. Hazardous substances
13.

Control Subjects

PPE
Lifting and postures
Working surface
Chairs
Tools
Reach
Stress

Control Subjects

Communications
Skills and training
Working time and rest
Sanitary Facilities
Welfare facilities
Health Programme

Another Way of Looking at Control Subjects

1. Policies and procedures

2. Premises
3. Material storage, handling and disposal
4. Workstations
5. Machine safety
6. Work organization
7. Facilities
8. PPE

Yet another Way of Looking at

Control Subjects

Material handling
Ladders
Scaffolds
Floors
Stairways
Parking lot and outside sidewalks
Machinery
Housekeeping

Yet another Way of Looking at

Control Subjects

Elevated runways and platforms

Electrical installations
Cranes, hoists
Lighting
Ventilation
Motor vehicles

Yet another Way of Looking at

Control Subjects

PPE
Fire doors
Fire escapes
Rail road trucks
Special inspections
First Aid

Tips on How to Use the Checklist

Ask , managers, workers

Define work area to be checked
Read through the checklist spend few
minutes walk around before filling the
checklist
Read each item carefully - mark required
item
For those marked YES, choose those that
require PRIORITY action
Re-check before you sign off.

Ergonomic Checkpoints

Ergonomic Checkpoints

Material storage and handling

Hand tools
Productive machine safety
Improving workstation design
Lighting
Premises

End

Thank you for

listening