Hazards arising from Telecommunication Engineering Activities - 1650 Words

Hazards arising from Telecommunication Engineering Activities (Term Paper Sample) Content: PRINCIPLES OF SAFETY AND HEALTHTerm paper(Date)(Words)(Student name)(Institution 1 Hazards arising from Telecommunication Engineering ActivitiesTelecommunication engineering plays an important role in electrical and computer engineering whereby it enhances communication from one point to another. However, the activities undertaken pose serious hazard to employees. Some of the activities involved in telecommunication engineering includes; carrying out work on all parts of the network in order to provide network connections to customers, installing and repairing equipments, climbing overheard distribution poles, dealing with customers directly in their homes, and dealing with cabinets located on the sides of pavements in order to provide connections and repair. During these tasks, a worker might be exposed to hazards. The following are hazards associated with each activity undertaken during telecommunication process by a worker.[KANOKNART LEELARDCHAROEN, Interdependent response of telecommunication and electric power systems to seismic hazard (Georgia Institute of Technology, 2011) 35.] [BV Elsevier, Systematic occupational health and safety management: perspective on an international development,Chemical Health and Safety, Vol.8, no.6, (2001) 150.] Activity Hazard Carrying out work on all parts of the network An injury such as fractures or sprainsUpper body disorder and back painsElectrical shock or burnsWork stress Installing and Repairing equipment Electrical shockAwkward body postureFalling of objects and employee Working in all weathers Hyperthermia and Hypothermia conditions. Climbing overhead distribution poles. Falling hazardsElectrical shock Dealing with customers in their homes Electrical shocksHypothermia and hyperthermia conditionsStruck by moving vehicleWork stress Working on cabinets located on sides of pavements. Electrical shockAwkward body postureWork stressStruck by moving vehicle 2 Potential control measures of each hazard in o rder to reduce its risk to an employee.[TIM BENSON,Principles of health interoperability (New York 2014) 25.] Hazard Control measure(s) Falling Hazards Provision of PPE e.g. pole climbers, helmetsUsing well-positioned ladders when working on overheadCleaning any spillages on the floorWorking areas kept clear of obstructionAvoiding storage of heavy items overhead Electrical shock Equipment must be tested and labeled with specific voltagesRepair damaged socket and insulating life wiresOperate electrical appliances in accordance with manufacturers instructions.Wear protective equipment e.g. safety gloves Work stress Work for a shorter period of time and in turns Hyperthermia and Hypothermia conditions Put on appropriate clothing and reduce the time of exposure Struck by moving vehicle Provision of warning signsWearing highly visible clothingInstalling speed cameras and bumps Poor lighting Provide adequate lighting in the area 3 Most appropriate control measuresAccording to Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, section 2, Part (1) under General duties states, it shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare at work of all his employees. The following are the most recommended control measures for each hazard identified kin order to comply with the Act.[Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, c.37, s.2 (1)] Hazard[JANIS, RICHARD R and TAO, WILLIAM K. Y, Mechanical and electrical systems in buildings (2015) 37.] Recommended Control measure(s)[ISO, Risk Management- Guidelines , 31000:2018, (accessed 08 April 2018).] Falling Hazards Provision of PPE e.g. pole climbers, helmetsUsing well-positioned ladders when working on overheadWorking areas kept clear of obstructionAvoiding storage of heavy items overhead Electrical shock Equipment must be tested and labeled with specific voltagesOperate electrical appliances in accordance with manufacturers instructions.Wear protective equipment e.g. safety gloves Wo rk stress Work for a shorter period of time and in turns Hyperthermia and Hypothermia conditions Put on appropriate clothing and reduce the time of exposure Struck by moving vehicle Provision of warning signsWearing highly visible clothingInstalling speed cameras and bumps Poor lighting Provide adequate lighting in the area 4 Justification of control measures and recommendations[ISO, Quality Management Systems- Fundamentals and Vocabulary , 90000:2015, (accessed 08 April 2018).] Hazard Category Control Measure Justification and Recommendation Falling Hazards Provision of PPECleaning spillagesWork area kept clear from obstruction.Storing heavy items at acceptable height Reduces impact to an employee, thus recommendedReduces the risk, hence recommended where necessaryMinimizes the chances of a hazard to occur. Does not eliminate the hazard, applicable in some areasEliminates risks of falling objects hence recommended Electrical Hazards Operating equipments with manufacturers instruct ionsTesting electrical appliances for voltages and labelled.Repair of damaged sockets and insulating life wiresWearing proper PPE Reduces chances for shock. RecommendedMinimizes chances of shock hence recommended.Lower the chances of electrical shock, it is necessary where applicable.Reduces the impact of the body and exposed wires. Does not eliminate the hazard. Used as last resort where necessary. Work stress Reduced working hours Reduces stress to employee who might be tired. Recommended where applicable and due to company policy. Hyperthermia and Hypothermia conditions Provision of appropriate clothingReduce time of exposure Reduces chances to suffer from cold/heat diseases when exposed for longer periods. Recommended and used depending on the condition.Minimizes the duration of a worker being exposed to heat/cold conditions. It is recommended where necessary Back pain and work-related upper body disorders Use of trolley to transport heavy cabinet boxes and cablesAvoid manual ha ndling of bulky items Reduces chances of exposure to back pains hence recommended.Minimizes upper body disorder and back pains. Recommended for particular tasks (heavy tasks). Struck by moving vehicle Provision of warning signsWearing high visibility clothesInstallation of speed cameras and bumps Provide warnings showing work in progress thus reducing risks of hit by vehicle. Recommended when working on pavementsEnhances visibility by vehicle drivers thus reducing the risks of being struck, however, it depends on the context on the clothe. It is recommended while undertaking tasks in pavementsReduces vehicle speed but not physically prevent the speed. This measure is appropriate in limited areas thus recommended where necessary 5 Final Risk Assessment ReportRISK MATRIX[ISO/IEC Guide, Safety Aspects Guidelines for Their Inclusion In Standards , 51:2014, (accessed 08 April 2018).] Probability Severity Insignificant 1 Minor2 Moderate3 Major4 Critical5 Rare 1 Low 1 Low 2 Low 3 Low 4 Medium 5 Unlikely 2 Low 2 Low 4 Medium 6 Medium 8 High 10 Possible 3 Low 3 Medium 6 High 9 High 12 High 15 Likely 4 Low 4 Medium 8 High 12 High 16 Extreme 20 Almost Certain 5 Medium 5 Medium 10 High 15 Extreme 20 Extreme 25 Explanation of Risk Ranking[ISO, Risk Management- Guidelines , 31000:2018, (accessed 08 April 2018).] Risk level Risk Description Actions to be taken Low If an accident/incident would occur, there is low likelihood that an injury will occur. Carry on the task with existing controls Medium If an accident/incident was to occur, there is the likelihood of an injury to occur. An injury that seeks first aid. Additional control measures might be put in place High If an accident/incident was to occur, there are chances of an injury that might require medicina l treatment There must be control measure before the task is performed Extreme If an accident was to occur, the injury might lead to permanent disability or death Consider alternative measures in undertaking the tasks. The most appropriate measures have to be in place Table of Risk Assessment[Govt. U.S. Human health risk assessment, Accountability Office (Washington, D.C.), 2016.] Work Activities Related Risk(s) Severity...