FACULTY OF SCIENCE &

TECHNOLOGY
MAY SEMESTER 2014
EMSH 5103

SAFETY, HEALTH AND

ENVIRONMENT
MANAGMENT
PREPARED BY : OSMAN BIN AHMAD
MATRICULATION NO: CGS00834217
IDENTIFICATION CARD NO: 571129-12-5031
TELEPHONE NO: 016-8105696
E-MAIL: osmanoum@gmail.com
LEARNING CENTRE : KUALA LUMPUR

Contents

Page
TASK I

1.1.0

2.1.0

Introduction

1.1.0

General

1.2.0

Problem Statement

Literature Review
2.1.0

General

2.2.0 Term and Definitions

3.0.0

4.0.0

2.3.0

Definition of Training

2.4.0

What is OSH Training?

2.5.0

Effectiveness of Safety and Health Training

OSH Training Contribution to the Reduction of Injury and Illness

3.1.0

General

3.2.0

Training Contribution to the Reduction of Accidents.

3.2.1

Safety and Health Knowledge (Hazard Awareness)

3.2.2

Develop a Positive Health and Safety Culture

3.2.3

Find out how to Manage Health and Safety Better.

3.2.4

The Usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

3.2.5

Emergency Response

3.2.6

Periodic Safety and Health Training and Development

Conclusion

Reference

Contents

Page
TASK II

1.0.0 Background
2.0.0 Problem Statement
3.0.0 Literature Review
3.1.0 Domino Theory
3.2.0 Human Factor Theory
3.3.0 Accident/Incident Theory
3.4.0 Epidemiological Theory
3.5.0 System Theory
3.6.0 Behaviour Theory
3.7.0 Combination Theory
4.0.0 Analysis of Case Data
4.1.0 The Cause of Accident
4.2.0 The Psychological Effect of the Accident
4.3.0 The Corrective Measures
4.3.1 Engineering
4.3.2 Education (training Program Development)
4.3.3 Enforcement
5.0.0 Conclusion
Reference

Contents

Page
TASK III

1.0.0 Introduction
1.1.0 General
1.2.0 Problem Statements
2.0.0

Identification of Work Area

3.0.0

Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control

(HIRARC) Study

4.0.0 The Overall Findings from HIRARC Study

5.0.0 The Number of Identified Hazards
6.0.0

Conclusion

HIRARC Form
Reference

TASK I

1.1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.2.0

General
Safety, health and environment are becoming more important subjects in Malaysia
industries. The movement of those subjects have developed steadily and the working
conditions for employees today have improved significantly.
Recently, the government has taken significant steps by establishing a few
government agencies to improve the safety and health at the workplaces. Those
government agencies have introduced safety programs for all industries in this
country and one of the most important elements in safety programs is safety training.

1.3.0

Problem Statement
The problem statement of this assignment is to find out whether OSH training can
contribute to the reduction of injury and illness at the workplace. The aim of this task
is to elaborate my opinion on the possibility of contribution by OSH training towards
the reduction of accident that can cause injury and illness at the workplace.

2.0.0

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1.0

General
This literature review will outline the theoretical framework to understand the
background of the OSH training and define the important elements in the process of
OSH training.

2.2.0

Term and Definitions

Safety Officer means an individual who registered under provision of regulation 6(1);
Occupational safety & health regulations (1997).
Site Safety Supervisor is a site supervisor appointed under regulation 25; Building
operations and work of work of engineering construction (safety) regulation 1986.
CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation means mouth-to-mouth respiration and
chest compression. CPR can keep a person alive until more advanced procedures are
used.
PPE or Personal Protective Equipment means specialized clothing or equipment
worn by workers for protection against health and safety hazards. Example safety
belts, gloves, helmets etc.
Safety Culture means assembly of characteristic and attitudes of commitment to
safety at all levels of workers in the organization.
Hazard means any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on
someone under certain conditions of work.
Risk in safety means chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience
on adverse health effects if exposed to a hazard.

2.3.0

Definition of Training
Training means helping somebody to learn how to do something, telling somebody
what he or she should or should not do, or simply giving him or her information.
Training is not just about formal classroom courses but also on-job-training.
Todays work environment requires people to be skilled in performing complex jobs
in an efficient, cost- effective and safe manner.

2.4.0

What is OSH Training?

OSH training is training courses or educational program to help broaden worker and
employer knowledge on the recognition, avoidance and prevention of safety and
health hazards in their workplaces and how to properly use personal protective
equipment.

2.5.0

Effectiveness of Safety and Health Training

In 1998, the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
published a literature review by Cohen and Colligan, which training was used as an
intervention to reduce the risk of work-related injury and disease. The review
concluded that the literature offering much direct and indirect evidence to show the
benefits of training in ensuring safe and healthy work conditions.

3.0.0

OSH TRAINING CONTRIBUTION TO THE REDUCTION OF

INJURY AND ILLNESS.

3.1.0

General
OSH training has been recognized as important components of organized safety and
health program for workers at the workplace. Many people, unfortunately, see safety
training is only a compliance matter; something that a person must do and not
necessarily to change the safety performance

3.2.0

Training Contribution to the Reduction of Accidents.

The proper training and education can help to reduce workplace injuries due to human
error, equipment and procedure insufficiencies. All these three major factors can be

addressed by conducting better training at the workplace. Training and education for
all level of workers are necessary to understand the hazard associated with their jobs
or processes, the prevention and control and the medical consequences.
Through proper training, we can categorize the benefits gain by the workers to protect
them against the potential hazard as follows:

3.2.1

Safety and health knowledge (hazard awareness)

Develop a positive health and safety culture

Find out how to manage health and safety better.

The usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Emergency response

Periodic safety and health training and development

Safety and Health Knowledge (Hazard Awareness)

Whenever a new person is hired or whenever an employee is given a new job
assignment, normally the safety officer or supervisor will provide safety orientation or
specific task training to emphasize safety and health. The workers need to understand
that they are not expected to start working until they have been properly trained. The
workers will get valuable knowledge and well-trained to perform their jobs safely.
They will be able to identify hazard, and to perform the prevention and control
measures.
For example, when a worker is entering a confined space such as manhole, tank etc.
The well-trained worker (has learned about safe entry procedure) will be able to use
specific tool to enter the dangerous confined space.

3.2.2

Develop a Positive Health and Safety Culture

Proper training will develop appositive health and safety culture among the workers.
Bad behaviour or irresponsible worker is generally a sign of lack of training or
experience.
Developing strong safety cultures have greatest impact on accident reduction of any
process. Proper training will create strong safety culture where everyone feels
responsible for safety and pursues it on a daily basis. For instance, in a strong safety
culture, a wilder would feel comfortable to remind other people in the confined
working area to wear safety glasses.

3.2.3

Find out how to Manage Health and Safety Better

Providing health and safety information and training helps to find out how to manage
health and safety better. The worker will be able to identify and eliminate high-risk
activities by compliance to safety and health procedure. For example, a competent
scaffolder will design and manage the erection, inspection and dismantling to prevent
accident at the workplace.

3.2.4

The Usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Proper training will help the workers to understand the type of PPE, to select
appropriate PPE and proper use and care of PPE. PEE is very important tool to protect
workers from potential hazards. For example: when a well-trained worker is working
at height, before he places any weight on a safety belt, he checks that the life line snap
hook is properly engaged, the life line is attached to a secure part of the structure and
safety line will not become caught when moving around.

10

3.2.5

Emergency Response
When an emergency occurs, the actions taken in the initial minutes of the emergency
are critical and can save lives. A worker trained to administer first aid or perform CPR
can be lifesaving.
Well-trained worker will appropriately response to any emergency to minimize
damages. For example, use of fire extinguisher by trained worker can extinguish a
small fire.

3.2.6

Periodic Safety and Health Training and Development

Continual periodic safety and health training helps us understand that accident
prevention must be a priority. Without periodic training, the work becomes routine,
alertness level dull, and a relaxed attitude replaces the caution. What is critical is the
need for a regular effort toward improving safety knowledge through continual
periodic safety knowledge through continual periodic safety training.
For example, when an employer introduces new technology in construction process,
the employees need to learn the safety procedure to perform the process.

4.0.0

CONCLUSION
In real fact that the safety education and training is most basic thing to do for
everybody at the workplace and definitely safety training and education are required
to prevent accidents. Workers who have not been trained are more likely to have
accidents at their workplace.

11

Safety training contributes toward making us competent in safety and health and
reminds us that danger always exists at workplace. Therefore, the occupational safety
and health training contributes to the reduction of injury and illness at the workplace.

REFERENCE

David Goetsch (2014), Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and

Managers (7th edition), Pearson

Occupational Safety & Health Administration, USA. Safety and Health Management
System eTool /Module 4 Creating a safety culture
http://www.osha.gov/.../safetyhealth/mod4_factsheets_culture.html

Lynda Robson (2010), A systematic review of the effectiveness of training and education
for the protection of workers, Institute for Work & Health, USA
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-127pdfs/2010-127/pdts.

(Sample) Safety and Health Training Plan,

http://www.oshatrain.org/cources/pdf/trainingplan.pdf.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Why is health and safety training important?
http://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/training-is-important.htm.

12

TASK II

13

1.1.0 BACKGROUND
The case study described an emergency services and health care worker how he was
involved in an accident. The illness has caused him to suffer psychologically and he
has to bear long-lasting pain even though he had consulted doctor and physiotherapist
for treatment. The doctor and physiotherapist were not sure when he would fully
recover. He did realize that the importance of good manual handling techniques.

2.0.0

PROBLEM STATEMENT
The problem statement of this case study is to discuss the cause of accident using the
relevant theory of accident causations, the psychological effect of the accident and the
corrective measures that need to be taken to avoid the accident from occurring in the
future.

3.0.0

LITERATURE REVIEW
There are several major widely known theories concerning accident causation. Those
major theories are as follows:

Domino Theory

Human Factors Theory

Accident/incident Theory

Epidemiological Theory

System Theory

Combination Theory

Behaviour Theory

14

3.1.0

Domino Theory
Domino theory was developed by Herbert W. Heinrich. He used a row of five stood
up dominoes as a model. Once, he tipped the first one over, each successive domino
topples the one next to it. The first three dominoes were mistakes of people, the forth
domino was accident and the last was injury or the outcome of the accident.
The five factors from the model can be summarized as follows:

The first domino; Ancestry and social environment, Inherited or acquired

behaviour such as alcoholism and environment where a person was raised and
educated.

The second domino; Fault of a person, inherited or acquired such as bad

temper and carelessness. As a result of social environment or ancestry.

The third domino; unsafe act or condition, for example performing a job
without appropriate PPE, poorly designed on improperly maintained
equipment, As a result of fault of person.

The Forth domino; Accident occurs as a result of a personal or mechanical

hazard.

3.2.0

The fifth domino; A person injury occurs as a result of an accident.

Human Factors Theory

This theory is about human errors cause accidents. The human errors can be
categorized as follows:

Overload. The job is beyond the capacity of an individual, includes physical

and psychological factors and influences by environmental, internal and
situational factors.

15

Inappropriate response. Due to workers fault to respond to hazards and safety

measures, and managements fault to incompatible work station.

3.3.0

Inappropriate activities. Due to lack of training and misjudgement of risk.

Accident / incident Theory

Accident/ Incident theory is an extension of human factor theory. The elements are as
follows:

Ergonomic traps. Management failure, example Incompatible Work Station,

tools and equipment.

3.4.0

Decision to err. Personal failure. Either conscious or unconscious

System failure. Management failure e.g. policy, inspection, training, etc.

Epidemiological Theory.
Epidemiological theory model used to study the relationship between environmental
factors and disease. There are two key components:

Predisposition characteristics where tendencies may predispose individual to

certain action.

3.5.0

Situational characteristics such as peer pressure, poor attitude and risk taking.

System Theory
The interaction of humans, machines and the environment will cause accidents. When
components of system interact with each other in a large environment, safety will
arise as an emergent property.

3.6.0

Behaviour Theory

16

Behaviour Theory is often referred to as behaviour based safety (BBS). There are
seven principles of BBS.

3.7.0

Intervention

Identification of internal factors

Motivation to behave in the desired manner

Focus on the positive consequences of behaviour

Application of the scientific method

Integration of information

Planned interventions

Combination Theory
The Combination Theory of causation;

A single theory cannot be applied to all accidents

Accident may/may not categorize under any one model.

As a result from factors in several models

4.0.0

ANALYSIS OF CASE DATA

4.1.0

The Cause of Accident

There were seven theories that most commonly used in accident causations. For this
case study, we will identify the cause of accident using the relevant theory of accident
accusations.
In this case study, the worker was a manual handling instructor; he knew the
importance of correct lifting techniques. He was working as an emergency services

17

and health care worker. In fact that worker was a well-trained and experienced in
manual handling such as lifting, pushing pulling and moving heavy items.

In the case study, the worker performed two lifts. The first lifting, he was assisted by
two of his colleagues to lift the weight. In this case, three of them shared the weight.
However, in the second lifting, he lifted and turned the weight himself. That moment
he felt a sharp pain in his neck.

If we refer to the domino theory, we categorize the mistake as fault of person. If we

review the domino theory, the model was a row of five stood up dominoes. When one
fallen, the rest of the dominoes would fall. Same thing happen to this case study, he
was a well-trained worker, and he knew that from first lifting, he did not have
capability to lift the weight himself. However, due to his fault, he lifted the weight
himself. The domino theory mentions that the mistake or fault of person will cause
accident and subsequently can cause injury.

We also can use inappropriate activities in human factors theory. The worker was an
instructor in manual handling. He must be familiar with lifting techniques and he
should have performed or followed the manual handling procedure, however, he was
still caught in an accident. In this case study, the manual handling technique or
procedure practiced by the organization was not good enough to use. This cause the
worker misjudges the degree of risk involved of risk involved in his lifting.

4.2.0

The Psychological Effect of the Accident

18

The worker in this case study has suffered pain and psychological effect on his health.
From the case study, we can clearly identify the emotional or psychological issues
cause by the accident. The psychological effects that the worker bears are as follows:

Could not turn his head to the right

His sleep was disturbing and difficult to get into a comfortable position.

Resting on the job.

Lied flat out on the ground to get relief from the pain.

Lack of mobility; difficult to get up off the ground.

Boredom

Feeling of low self-worth; the employer did not give consideration or

sympathy for extra sick leave.

No assurance he would fully recover from the illness.

Could not perform heavy carrying and limited sport activities.

The pain and emotional or psychological impact were the injuries caused by the
accident. The pain might be more damaging than the psychological issues. However,
this is no always the case, the psychology reports provide evidence that mental wellbeing is a crucial part of maintaining a balance and healthy life and the problems can
just crippling, if not more so, than any other physical ailment.

4.3.0

The Corrective Measures.

To establish corrective action for this case study, we can categorize the corrective
action into three E factors.

19

4.3.1

Engineering
The engineering of corrective action is to control hazards through product design or
process change. In this case study, the employer shall update the training subjects and
materials and to develop effective rules and procedures or guidelines for safe work
practices for the workers to learn and practice at workplace. The procedures shall also
include the necessary employee accident reporting requirement, accident investigation
by senior personnel, report assessment and safety and health audits.

4.3.2

Education (Training Program Development)

The education is to train workers regarding all facets of safety. In this case study, all
the workers need to attend regular training, as we know that the accident involved a
well-trained worker, which means the workers need to update their knowledge to
avoid similar accident from occurring In the future. In engineering corrective action,
the training subjects and materials were developed relating to identified hazards,
accident and incident data.
All managers and supervisors are also required to participate in the ongoing safety
training programs. That processes are necessary because the senior employees should
aware and capable to make safety and health report assessments and audits.

4.3.3

Enforcement
The next corrective action is to make sure that the rules, regulations, and standard
operating procedures are follows by worker as well as management. From the case
study, the worker still saw poor manual handling techniques at workplace after the
accident. As an instructor, he should enforce the rules on all the workers and punished
the workers who were violating the rules.

5.0.0

CONCLUSION

20

In conclusion, the management and employees must improve the safety and health
system in the organization. The improvement of engineering, education and
enforcement are necessary to avoid the accident from occurring in the future.

REFERENCE

David Goetsch (2014), Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers and
Managers (7th edition), Pearson

Theories of Accident Causation, Wright State University

http://www.cecs.wright.edu/~dkender/hfe307/theory.ppt

Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the workplace, Occupational Safety & Health

Administration, USA
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html

Psychological Effect of Accidents can be Long-Lasting

http://www.mikeschaferlaw.com/blog/psychological-effect-of-accident-can-be-lastlong

Sample Accident Prevention Plan, Texas Department of Insurance

http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/vedioresource/wsapp.pdf

21

TASK III

22

1.1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.2.0

General
In Malaysia, the Construction Industry Contributes significantly to the economy, and
yet construction activities are extremely dangerous, highly risky and hazardous to all
workers. To cope with those alarming issues, the Malaysian government through
DOSH has given the commitment and attention to implement the objective of
achieving zero accident at workplace. Hazard Identification, risk assessment and risk
control (HIRARC) has been established to manage safety and reducing accidents on
construction projects.

1.3.0

Problem Statements
The problem statement for this assignment is to conduct a complete HIRARC study
based on the Guidelines for Hazard, Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
(HIRARC) published by the DOSH (2008). The assignment will include.

The identification of one facility / work area / project area which is related to
my workplace / working environment.

To fill up the HIRARC forms (appendix C of the guidelines)

To discuss the overall findings from the HIRARC study conducted.

To determine the number of hazards to be identified.

23

2.0.0

IDENTIFICATION OF WORK AREA

One of the purposes of this assignment is to identify one facility/work area/project
area which is related to my workplace. For this purpose, a work area has been chosen
to elaborate the safety and health risk management plan. The work area is as follows:
The foundation work of a single storey building in Sekolah

Kebangsaan

Bukit Padang, Kota Kinabalu

The work area was chosen due to complexity of the work trades involved and various
safety techniques and procedures are used.

3.0.0

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION, RISK ASSESSMENT AND RISK

CONTROL (HIRARC) STUDY
The form in appendix c of guidelines for HIRARC published by Department of
Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has been used to study the selected work
area. The completed fill-up form is attached below:

4.0.0

THE OVERALL FINDINGS FROM HIRARC STUDY

From HIRARC study, we are able to identify hazards, analyse the risk and then to
apply appropriate control measures. This study will form a safety risk register for the
management to monitor and control the risk.
The study shows that a few hazards are at higher and medium level of risks. The
management must ensure that the workers make appropriate action to follow the
recommended control measures. For example, during excavation work, the workers
must follow the recommended measures; to make sloping or benching on the sides of

24

the excavation using plunks, and/or to support the side of the excavation and/or to use
excavator machinery for this work.
Among the hazards found in the study, the employees must take immediate action to
control the hazards of high risk level. The person-in-charge will make the inspection
and recoding for the action taken to control the risks. In this study, there are two types
of hazards with high risk level; they are cave-ins during excavation and object fall
during steel rebar reinforcement.
For hazards with medium level of risks; the employees must control the risks by
implementing the control measures recommended in the register. The person-incharge is responsible to control the risks at workplace.
For low level risks; the person-in-charge will monitor the situation at workplace, he
may require the workers to follow the recommended control measures.
The person-in-charge and the risk register or HIRARC form are important in
controlling the safety risks because the low level risk can become high level risk if
there is no appropriate action taken to control the risk.
5.0.0

THE NUMBER OF IDENTIFIED HAZARDS

There are six hazards identified in the study. They as follows:

Cave-ins hazard during excavation work

Land slide hazard during excavation work

Heavy load hazard during formwork, steel rebar reinforcement, concrete,

removing formwork and back filling works

Uneven floor hazard during pouring concrete

Sharp object hazard during steel rebar reinforcement and removing formwork

Object fall hazard during steel rebar reinforcement.

25

Those hazards can be classified into two types. Cave-ins, land slide, uneven floor,
sharp object and object fall hazards are included in work environment. Heavy load is
included in manual handling.

6.0.0

CONCLUSION
This study has elaborated the integrated safety management plan. The plan is
necessary to maintain a safe workplace through the identification of safety hazards
and the development of hazard controls. The safety matters should continually be
monitored and update as the workplace conditions change.

HIRARC FORM
Company:
Process / Location:

Tanggatuah Sdn. Bhd.

Foundation Work

Approved By:
(Name, designation)

Hj. Rosli Bin Masaliku

(Site Manager)

Date:

Review Date

1. Hazard Identification
No.

Work Activity

Conducted By:
(Name, designation)
Date: (fromto )

Hazard

2. Risk Analysis

Which can cause

26

Existing Risk

Likelihood

Severity

Risk

/ effect
1

Excavation

Cave-ins

Bury / fatal

Control (if any)

Excavation
of
trenches and open
excavation
procedure

20 (High)

Land Slide

Fall of person /fatal

27

Warning signs

12
( Medium)

1. Hazard Identification
No.

Work Activity

2. Risk Analysis

Hazard

Which can cause

/ effect

Existing Risk
Control (if any)

Likelihood

Severity

Risk

Formwork

Heavy load

Muscular strain/ Back

Pain

Manual Lifting
Procedure

4 (Low)

Pour Lean
Concrete

Heavy load

Muscular strain/ Back

Pain

Manual Lifting
Procedure

3 (Low)

Uneven
floor

Fall of person /
broken leg

Safety shoes,
Housekeeping

3 (Low)

P
p

Heavy load

Muscular strain /
Back Pain

Manual Lifting
Procedure

6 (Medium)

Sharp
object

Injury / finger cut

Safe work practice

3 (Low)

Object fall

Head injury / fatal

Safety helmet,
housekeeping

16 ( High)

Heavy Load

Muscular strain /
Back pain

Manual Lifting
procedure

3 (Low)

Uneven
floor

Fall of person / broke

leg

Safety shoes,
housekeeping

3 (Low)

Steel rebar
reinforcement

Pour concrete

1. Hazard Identification
No.
6

Work Activity
Removing

P
p

2. Risk Analysis

Hazard

Which can cause

/ effect

Existing Risk
Control (if any)

Heavy load

Muscular strain/ Back

Pain

Likelihood

Severity

Risk

Manual Lifting
Procedure

4 (Low)

Injury / foot cut

Safety shoes,
housekeeping

4 (Low)

Formwork
Sharp
object

Back filling

Heavy load

Muscular strain /
Back Pain

28

Manual Lifting
Procedure

3 (Low)

29

REFERENCE

1. Department of Occupational Safety and Health (2008), ministry of Human

Resources, Guidelines for Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk
Control. (HIRARC).

2. David Goetsch (2014), Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists,

engineers and manager, ( 7th edition), Pearson.

3. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) USA, (1985),
Occupational Safety and Health Guidance manual for Hazardous waste Site
Activities.
4. Guide to Development Your Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program with
Checklists for Self-Inspection, Department of Industrial Relation, California
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/dosh_publications/iipp.html

30