Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and

Control

Temperature Lighting Welfare First Aid

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4
and Thermal Facilities Provision
Comfort

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control

Health Effects 6 Basic Measuring

What is of Working in Factors that Environment Practical
Thermal Extreme affect Parameters Control
Comfort? Thermal Thermal and Thermal Measures
Environment Comfort Comfort

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
What is thermal comfort?
• Thermal comfort is subjective, a person’s opinion
and satisfaction with their thermal environment.
• Assessed by subjective evaluation, number of
workers complaining of thermal discomfort.
• Under ILO CoP – Ambient Factors in the
Workplace, requires a 80% satisfaction rate as a
reasonable limit.
• Different from extreme thermal environment
(firefighters attending a fire incident)
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Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Health Effects of Working in Extreme Thermal
Environment

Hot
Conditions Cold
Conditions

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Exposure to Hot Conditions
Due to increase in the body’s core temperature
and dehydration from sweating, exposure to
hot conditions may lead to:
• Heat stress
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Symptoms of adverse effects to hot conditions
• Inability to concentrate
• Muscle cramps (loss of salt from sweating)
• Heat rash (aka prickly heat)
• Severe thirst (late symptom of dehydration)
• Fainting (heat syncope)
• Heat exhaustion
o Fatigue, nausea, headache, moist skin
• Heat stroke
o Hot dry skin, confusion, convulsion, fainting, coma or death
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Exposure to Cold Conditions
Due to decrease in the body’s core temperature,
exposure to cold conditions may lead to:
• Cold injuries
• Cold stress
• Hypothermia

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Symptoms of adverse effects to cold conditions
• Feeling cold, followed by pain and numbness
• Shivering
o Automatic muscle contractions to generate heat
• Mood and behaviour changes
• Confusion
• Muscular weakness
• Drowsiness
• Hypothermia
o Coma to death
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Typical Work Situations
Heat Stress Cold Stress
• Furnace work, handling • Outdoor work
molten metal • Sea fishing, shipping
• Glass-making • Oil-rigs
• Wielding, brazing • Deep freeze stores
• Boiler, furnace maintenance • Diving
• Laundries • Conducting water open
• Kitchens rescue
• Firefighting

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
6 Basic Factors that affect
Thermal Comfort
Environmental Factors Personal Factors
• Air temperature • Clothing insulation
• Radiant temperature • Metabolic heat
• Air velocity
• Humidity

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
6 Basic Factors that affect
Thermal Comfort
Air temp

Metabolic Radiant
heat temp

6 Basic
Factors
Clothing Air
insulation velocity

Humidity
Image Credits
http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/factors.htm
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
6 Basic Factors that affect
Thermal Comfort
Air temp
Air temperature
• The temperature of air
Metabolic Radiant surrounding the body in degree
heat temp
Celsius (°C)
6 Basic Radiant temperature
Factors • Heat that radiates from a warm
Clothing
insulation
Air
velocity
object
• Greater influence than air
Humidity temperature on how we
lose/gain heat to the
environment
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
6 Basic Factors that affect
Thermal Comfort
Air temp Air velocity
• Speed of air movement that
Metabolic
heat
Radiant
temp may help cool the
environment
6 Basic oStill/stagnant air may build up
Factors heat and make it stuffy
Clothing Air oMoving air in warm or humid
insulation velocity
conditions can decrease the
temperature
Humidity

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
6 Basic Factors that affect
Thermal Comfort
Humidity
Air temp
• Amount of water vapour in the
atmosphere. Dependent on two
Metabolic Radiant
heat temp factors:
o Presence of liquid water to supply the
6 Basic water vapour
Factors o Temperature of air; higher air
temperature, higher capacity to hold
Clothing Air water
insulation velocity
• High humidity prevents evaporation of
sweat which is the main mechanism
Humidity
to reduce body temperature.

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
6 Basic Factors that affect
Thermal Comfort
Air temp Clothing Insulation
• Too much clothing may cause
Metabolic
heat
Radiant
temp heat stress when the
environment is hot.
6 Basic
Factors • Too little insulation in cold
conditions may result in
Clothing Air
insulation velocity hypothermia.

Humidity

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
6 Basic Factors that affect
Thermal Comfort
Air temp
Metabolic Heat
• More heat is produced when
Metabolic
heat
Radiant
temp
we carry out more heat.
• When more heat is produced,
6 Basic
Factors more heat needs to be
released to ensure that we do
Clothing Air
insulation velocity not overheat.
• Duration of exposure also
Humidity
plays a role in heat being
produced in the body.
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Measuring Environmental Parameters

Measurement
Tools

Thermometers Anemometers Hygrometers Pyschrometers

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Measuring Environmental Parameters
There are three types of
Thermometers
thermometers, mainly:
• Liquid thermometers
Anemometers
• Thermocouples
Measurement • Resistance thermometers
Tools
Hygrometers

Pyschrometers ← Image Credits

https://www.enasco.com/prod/images/
products/5B/AC038267l.jpg

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Measuring Environmental Parameters
Anemometers
Thermometers • Device use to measure
wind speed
Anemometers
• Common weather station
Measurement instrument.
Tools
Hygrometers

Image Credits →
Pyschrometers http://media-2.web.britannica.com/
eb-media/83/49983-004-3964E222.j
pg

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Measuring Environmental Parameters
Hygrometers
Thermometers • Instrument that is used to
measure the moisture
content in the
Anemometers
Measurement atmosphere.
Tools
Hygrometers

Pyschrometers
Image Credits
http://hygrometer.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/hyg
rometer1.jpg

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Measuring Environmental Parameters
Pyschrometers
Thermometers • A hygrometer consisting of
wet-bulb and dry-bulb
thermometers.
Anemometers
Measurement • Used to determine
Tools atmospheric humidity.
Hygrometers

Pyschrometers

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Measuring Environmental Parameters
Pyschrometers
Thermometers

Anemometers
Measurement
Tools
Hygrometers

Pyschrometers
Image Credits
http://www.buzzle.com/images/diagrams/sling-psychrom
eter.jpg

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Measuring Thermal Comfort
• According to HSE UK : Thermal Comfort, a
simple way to estimate the level of thermal
comfort in the workplace is to ask your
employees or their representatives.
• They have provided a thermal comfort
checklist here.

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Assessing Heat Stress
Once a thermal comfort issue has been identifed,
there are three of methods used for assessing
heat stress;
1.Empirical Using laboratory data to predict effects of an
environment
2.Direct Using equipment to measure environmental
parameter
3.Rational Calculating heat exchanges between
employee and the work environment
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Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Elimination

Substitution

Admin Control
Control
Engineering
E
PP

Hierarchy of Risk Control

Recap UNIT IA4
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Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Practical Control Measures
Elimination Elimination:
• Control the temperature /
heat source, thus
Substitution

Admin Control eliminating the problem.

Control
Engineering

E
PP

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Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Practical Control Measures
Elimination Substitution:
• Can the process substitute
the heat source with
Substitution

Admin Control something that produces

less heat?
Control
Engineering

E
PP

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Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Practical Control Measures
Elimination
Admin Control:
• Job design to allow workers to
Substitution have sufficient breaks and
rehydration during work
hours.
Admin Control

Control
Engineering
• Providing shelter areas for hot
E
areas.
PP • Allowing workers time to
acclimatise to hot thermal
environments

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Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Practical Control Measures
Elimination
Admin Control:
• Providing workers with
Substitution information, training and
supervision so that they
understand the hazards and
Admin Control

Control risk of the job, control

measures and recognising
Engineering

adverse health effects.

E
PP
• Regular health surveillance
for the workers.

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Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Practical Control Measures
Engineering Control:
Elimination
• Providing mechanical protection
Substitution by shielding or insulating heat
sources to isolate and prevent
Admin Control the transmission of heat into the
environment.
Control
Engineering • Workplace design to reduce
E exposure to heat.
PP
• Circulation of air and ventilation
to reduce temperature.

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Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Practical Control Measures
Elimination PPE:
• Providing workers with
Substitution
personal protective
Admin Control
equipment.
• Dependent on the conditions;
Control
Engineering o Cold requires insulating
E protection
PP o Hot requires heat-resistant
protection
o Waterproof in wet condition

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Practical Control Measures
• Control the temperature
• Provide mechanical aids
• Prevent dehydration
• Allow workers to acclimatise
• Identify workers who are more susceptible
• Monitor the health of workers at risk
• Provide training
• Provide personal protective equipment
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control

Health and Measuring

Risk
Need for Safety and
Assessment
Lighting Aspects of Assessing
for Light
Lighting Light Levels

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Need for Lighting (From UK HSG38)
Why is good lighting important?
o Lighting at work is very important to the health and safety of
everyone using the workplace. The quicker and easier it is to
see a hazard, the more easily it is avoided. The type of
hazard present at work therefore determine the lighting
requirements for safe operation.
o Poor lighting can not only affect the health of people causing
symptoms like eyestrain, migraine and headaches, but it is
also linked to Sick Building Syndrome in new and refurbished
buildings. Symptoms of this include headaches, lethargy,
irritability and poor concentration
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Need for Lighting (From UK HSG38)
Cost of poor lighting to business
o Time off work as a result of accidents and injuries;
o Increased absenteeism;
o Reduced staff efficiency and productivity

For more information, refer to UK HSG38 : Lighting

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg38.pdf

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
The importance of proper lighting in the workplace
• Safe movement around the workplace; via vehicle or
by foot
• Allowing safe and efficient performance of tasks and
activities
• Allows visual inspection of a room or space, or a
process or task.
• Allow safety evacuations and emergency response
• Prevent eye fatigue and maintain alertness

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Lighting Requirements
• Currently there are no requirements on the international
level, but may be required on a national level.
• For example, UK Regulations require:
o Lighting should be sufficient to enable people to work, use facilities
and move safely without eye strain
o Stairs should be well-lit
o Where necessary, local lighting will be required at individual
workstations, or at high-risk areas like traffic routes with pedestrians
or cross junctions on vehicle routes.
o Glaring or dazzling lightings should be avoided
o Light switch should be easily identifiable.
o Emergency lighting should be provided at fire escape routes.
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Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Health and Safety Aspects of Lighting
Incorrect Stroboscopic Colour
Perception Effects Assessment

Disabling and Tissue

Effects on
Discomfort Damage from
Attitudes
Glare Light Exposure

Visual Fatigue

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Health and Safety Aspects of Lighting
Incorrect Stroboscopic Incorrect Perception
Perception Effects
• Failure to perceive may
cause workers to be unable
Colour Effects on to identify a hazard; e.g.
Assessment Attitudes
falling objects or falling
Disabling and Tissue over, into a man-hole.
Discomfort Damage from
Glare Light Exposure
• Level of lighting has to be
suitable for the risk level
Visual Fatigue
present in the working
area.
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Health and Safety Aspects of Lighting
Incorrect Stroboscopic Stroboscopic Effects
Perception Effects
• Strobe lights caused by
oscillating power levels can
Colour Effects on contribute to visual
Assessment Attitudes
discomfort and fatigue.
Disabling and Tissue • Increased risk for those
Discomfort Damage from
Glare Light Exposure with pre-existing
conditions and may trigger
Visual Fatigue
a seizure for susceptible
individuals.
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Health and Safety Aspects of Lighting
Incorrect Stroboscopic Colour Assessment
Perception Effects
• An individual may not be
able to identify the correct
Colour Effects on colour due to the lighting
Assessment Attitudes
used.
Disabling and Tissue • This may cause hazards
Discomfort Damage from
Glare Light Exposure especially for those
operating vehicles or
Visual Fatigue
machineries.

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Health and Safety Aspects of Lighting
Incorrect Stroboscopic Effects on Attitudes
Perception Effects • When the body is subjected to an
environment with low lighting,
Colour Effects on they may suffer adverse side
Assessment Attitudes effects such as Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD), which is a form of
Disabling and Tissue depression.
Discomfort Damage from
Glare Light Exposure • Darkness may also induce
sleepiness due to the increased
Visual Fatigue
amount of melatonin-levels, as
well as lethargy, oversleep and
hunger.
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Health and Safety Aspects of Lighting
Incorrect Stroboscopic Disabling and Discomfort Glare
Perception Effects • Glare can also provoke
perception failure as stated
Colour Effects on previously.
Assessment Attitudes
• This can carry a risk if an
individual fail to identify and
Disabling and Tissue
Discomfort Damage from react to hazards.
Glare Light Exposure • With proper location of light
source and engineering
Visual Fatigue controls, the effect of glare can
be eliminated.
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Health and Safety Aspects of Lighting
Incorrect Stroboscopic Tissue Damage from Light
Perception Effects Exposure
• Intense light source viewed
Colour Effects on directly by the eye can lead
Assessment Attitudes
to retinal damage through
local burning.
Disabling and Tissue Damage
Discomfort from Light • This in turn will impair the
Glare Exposure
vision of the worker,
temporary or permanent.
Visual Fatigue

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Health and Safety Aspects of Lighting
Incorrect Stroboscopic Visual Fatigue
Perception Effects • Poor lighting may cause eye
strain, making it hard for
Colour Effects on workers to concentrate and
Assessment Attitudes increased risk during task.
• Symptoms of visual fatigue
Disabling and Tissue
Discomfort Damage from
include:
Glare Light Exposure oIrritation of eyes
oBreakdown of vision
oHeadaches
Visual Fatigue
oMuscle strain, neck and back due
to excessive bending to focus.
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Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Measurements and Assessment of
Light Levels

minimum requirement
Light meter amount if it meets the
Instrumentation Lux, to measure the light
Units

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Assessment of Light Levels and Standards
• Light levels are measured using a light meter.
• It is important that lighting in the workplace:
o Allows people to notice hazards and assess risks;
o Suitable for the environment and the type of work
o Provides sufficient light
o Allows people to see properly and correctly identify colours for safety
o Does not cause glare, flicker or stroboscopic effects
o Avoids reflection
o Does not pose health and safety risks
o Suitably positioned and maintained to ensure safety

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Risk Assessment for Lighting
Decide who
Review
might be Evaluate the
Look for hazards Record findings assessment
harmed and risks
regularly
how

Look for hazards

• Important for employers to look closely at the environment
and see what may cause injury.
Decide who might be harmed and how
• Employers must consider those who are affected by the work
activities, and assess the hazards that may result from
lighting.

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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Risk Assessment for Lighting
Decide who Review
Evaluate the
Look for hazards might be harmed Record findings assessment
risks
and how regularly

Evaluate the risks

• Employers must consider if the existing precautions are
adequate. If not, they require to remove, reduce or control
the risk. Common area of problem with regards to lighting is
the work area itself. Steps are required to be taken to ensure
that lighting is sufficient and any defective lamps are
replaced and properly maintained.
• No action required if no risk present.
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Risk Assessment for Lighting
Decide who Review
Evaluate the
Look for hazards might be harmed Record findings assessment
risks
and how regularly

Record findings
• Employers who have more than five employees are required by
law to record any significant findings from the risk assessment.
Recording is important because:
• Allows the organisation to be aware of the hazards present and
take appropriate action.
• Employers can use these findings to assess risks and take
appropriate action.
• Any action may be referred to in the future
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 Unit IB10 : Work Environment Risks and
Control
Risk Assessment for Lighting
Decide who Review
Evaluate the
Look for hazards might be harmed Record findings assessment
risks
and how regularly

Review assessment regularly

• It is important to review the assessment from time to time,
especially when there is a change in working procedures. The
assessment has to account for any new lighting hazards, or
any hazards that may compromise the health and safety of
the employees as well as others by change in working
conditions.
For more information,
http://www.qub.ac.uk/safety-reps/sr_webpages/safety_downloads/HSG38Lightingatwork.pdf
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 Good Practice for Lighting

Individual
Emergency
Work Health Aspect Requirements
Lighting
Environment To find out if To find out if Maintenance
Lighting Design Type of Work Ensure that
Level of natural any employees any employees Proper care,
emergency
Interior/Exterior Lighting is light complain of who have pre- repair and
lighting are
requirements sufficient for the symptoms of existing disposal of
Interior Design sufficient and
met work done adverse health conditions and lighting
Working functional
effects from are susceptible components
Conditions during times of
poor lighting to conditions
emergency
such as seizures

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