Blood Borne Viruses

There are many viruses that can be transfered from one person to another by transfer of blood and other body fluids. Pershaps the best known of these blood borne viruses are Hepatitis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus-HIV. The causative agents of Acquire Immune Deficiency Syndrome-AIDS. Hepatitis presents the greatest risk in the workplace.
There are several froms of hepatitis such as A, B, C Etc.Caused by different strains of the virus.
The route of the infection depends on the virus type.
Hepatitis A – is contracted orally by cross-contamination with faecal material containing the hepatitis A virus so sewage workers at risk.
Hepatitis B– is transmitted in body fluids, Such as blood, So occupations at risk would include health care workers (like doctors and nurses), fire fighters, police, and waste disposal workrs.
The virus survives for long periods of ouside of the body and can harsh treatment that kill other micro-organism such as boiling in water. Contaminated body fluids can cause infection by contact with damage skin, needle -stick injury and even splashing to the eyes and mouth.
Symptoms of these include jaundice and liver damage.Though many people are able to make a full recovery, some will become long-term sufferers and some continue to carry the virus but do not display any symptoms of infection.

Permit-to-work systems

Permit to work system is a formal documented safety procdures, forming part of a safe system of work which ensure that all necessary actions are taken before and during high risk work activity.
The risk nature of the work is the key feature that these types of work have in common which makes them subject to permit control. If the work is not carried out in precisely the right way then workers and others may killed. It is the intention of the permit systems to focus everybodys attention on the high risk nature of work which ensure that all safety precautions are in place and operating effectively and all the people who need to know about the work do actually about it.

Sources of ignition that may lead to a fire in the workplace!

The main sources of ignition which lead to fire such as incorrectly installed electrical equipment, stricking wires directly into a socket rather than using a plug, overloaded conductors and faulty wires.; Machinery and plant which was badly maintained such as friction caused by inadequate lubrication; Chemical reactions that may give off heat; Hot work such as welding and cutting; Smoking materials which are discarded in an unsafe manner; Hot surfaces such as those on cooking and heating appliances; Sparks from cold working such as grinding and static electricity arising from the incorrect transformer of flammble liquids.

Methods of reducing the risk of fire in the workplace!

The ways of reducing the risk of fire starting in a workplace include the control of smoking and smoking materials such as discarded cigerette butt and burning match; Good housekeeping to prevent the accumulation of waste paper and other combustible materials; Regular lubrication of machinery to prevent sparks; Regular inspection of electrical equipment for damage; Ensuring that electrical systems are not overloaded and isolating equipment that is not in use; Ensuring ventilation outlets on equipment are not obstructed; Controlling hot work by the permit systems or by the creation of designated areas; Providing proper storage facilities for flammable liquids away from sources of ignition; Segregating incompatible chemicals and implementing security procedures to reduce the risk of arson.

There are some points that could contribute to electrical accident when using portable electrical equipment (IGC2 Unit-5)

Causes of portable electrical equipment accident:
* Uning unsuitable equipment, e.g- the use of non-intrinsically safe equipment in a flammable atmosphere.
* Using equipment in wet, damp or humid conditions.
* Misuse, e.g- Stricking wires directly into a socket rather than using a plug.
* Physical abuse, e.g- Pulling the plug out by tugging at the flex, carrying the tool by the flex; Allowing the flex to be pinched, trapped or crushed, driving over the flex etc.
* Repairs carried out by unauthorised personnel or carried out badly, e.g- split flex taped up with insulating tape.
* Continued use of faulty, defective equipment.
* Chemical damage to the flex, e.g by corrosive wet cement.
* Lack of routine inspection, testing or maintenance.

Precautions to reduce the risk of fires being caused by electricity

Electrical equipment whatever you use in indoor workplaces or the workplaces must be carefully selected to ensure that it is suitable for the electrical systems, purpose and environment for use.

Various protective equipment can be used for electrical equipment:
* Fuses– A weak link in the circuit.
* Earthing– A low resistance path to earth for fault current.
* Isolating– Cutting the power.
* Reduced and Low Voltage– So that less current flows during an electric shock accident.
* Residual current device– Sensitive and fast acting trips.
* Double Insulation– Separating people from the conductors using two layers of insulation.

It is also important to consider that work on electrical systems should be restricted to competent persons only.

Photocopier hazards and precautions (IGC2 Unit-4)

Drawing in and entanglement from contact with moving parts; Electricity; Contact with hot parts; Health hazard from ozone(Irritant gas).

Precautions must be taken to reduce the risk to the health and safety of photocopier users:
Can be achieved by adopted certain hierarchy such as:
Covering fixed and interlocked guards enclosing all mechanical hazards; By the routine inspection and portable appliance testing and always use in a well ventilated area.

The hazards and risks to which a worker could be exposed when cutting down a tree using petrol driven chainsaw (IGC2 Unit-4)

Cutting on contact with moving blade; Entaglement with moving blade; Drawing at nip-point between blade and casing; Puncture by ejected parts especally broken blade fragments; Burns on hot exhaust system; Noise; Vibration into hands; Fire and explosion from petrol; Ergonomic from handling; Health hazards from dust, fumes and lubricating oils.

Hazards & Its Control Measures Associated with The Use of Cement Mixer (IGC2 Unit-4)

Entaglement with rotating drum or drive motor; Drawing in at nip-point between motor and drive mechanism; Crushing between drum and drum stop when tipping; Friction or abrasion on contact with moving blade; Electricity; Erogonomics and manual handling injuries during loading; Health hazard from cement dust inhalation(Irritant)and contact with wet cement(Corrosive); Hazards due to the fuel(Electricity or petrol); Being struck by vehicles operating in the area.

control measures associated with the use of cement mixer to prevent the risk of injury to operators during operation.
Location of the mixer on firm, level ground; Location away from traffic or where traffic is controlled; Fixed guards to motor and drive mechanism; Routine inspection and portable appliances testing, and use of residual current device for electrically powered equipment; Safe storage of petrol and control of ignition sources for petrol-powered equipment. Avoid use in confined spaces due to emission of exhaust gases; Reduction in manual handling or positioning of cement bags close to the equipment; Use restricted to trained operators only; Hand protection, respiratory protection, overall and eye protection (Splash resistant); Hearing protection to reduce noise exposure.

Mechanical hazards & its control measures associated with the use of a pedestral drill (IGC2 Unit-4)

Entanglement with the roating drill bit or chuck; Stabbing or puncture by the drill bit during normal use or if the bit breaks; Puncture by swarf ejected during metal cutting; Impact if struck by the workpiece if the bit jams and the workpiece rotates; Drawing in at nip-points between motor and drive belts; Electricity; Noise; Hot parts especially the drill bit; Health hazards from cutting fluid, e.g dermatitis.

Control measures to reduce the risk of injury to operators of pedestal drill
Fixed guards over motor and drive mechanisms; Adjustable(Possible interlocked)guard over chuck and drill bit; Clamp to secure workpiece to base; Eye protection and it should be impact resistant; Hearing protection may be necessary; Routine maintenance, including inspection and portable appliance testing for electrical safety; Use restricted to trained operators only.