HABIB WOODWORKS

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

RISK ASSESSMENT

BY: MUHAMMAD UMER AZIZ

10/13/2015M.sc OSHM

Registration # 1458-314107

“HABIB WOODWORKS” WAS STARTED THREE YEARS AGO, TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WORKING ON MACHINES ARE 10, WHILE THERE ARE 5 EMPLOYEES FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING OF WOOD. MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE VISIT WAS TO IDENTIFY HAZARDS AND ASSESSING RISK THAT MAY RISE FROM THOSE HAZARDS. FURTHER, TO OBSERVE WHAT ENGINEERING, ADMINISTRATIVE AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT CONTROLS ARE ALREADY IN PLACE.ADDRESS: TAILI MUHALLA ZAFAR, RAWALPINDI

INTRODUCTION

“HABIB WOODWORKS” WAS STARTED THREE YEARS AGO, TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WORKING ON MACHINES ARE 10, WHILE THERE ARE 5 EMPLOYEES FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING OF WOOD.

TYPE OF WORK: WOOD WORK

MANPOWER: 15

LOCATION: TAILI MUHALLAH ZAFAR, RAWALPINDI.

MACHINES: Main machine of 15 horsepower for cutting large and thick woods is used. Power of machine varies according to the type of work and size of wood being cut. Railing was installed under the main machine on which block of wood is placed and moved toward the sharp blade, as shown in the figure 1. The railing is moved using a gear motor of 2 horsepower.

There were vertical and circular saws for cutting wood in different sizes. Manual carving machines were also installed of different powers. Almost all machines were wheel driven.

Identified Hazards

Physical Hazards:

1) Sharp saw blade2) Rotating wheels3) Smoking 4) Electrical5) Flying Objects6) Noise 7) Vibration8) Dust9) Poor Housekeeping 10) Nip points11) Ergonomic hazards

Biological & Chemical:

1. Wood Irritants

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Figure 1

Figure 2

Risk Assessment

Risks associated with the Sharp Saw Blades:

As observed, there were no guards installed for the protection of workers from saw blades, the likely risks if a worker come into contact with blades are:

Cuts Injuries to hand & arm

In case if blade fails/break or pieces of wood strike,

Injury to eye Injury to other body parts

Risks associated with Rotating Wheels:

As observed, there were no guards installed for the protection of workers from rotating wheels, and point of operation was just a feet away from rotating wheel as shown in figure 4. Risks that may emerge are:

Entanglement Abrasion injury Hand & arm injury

In case if belt fails/break, it may lead to:

Damage to worker’s body Uncontrolled operation

Risks associated with Smoking:

Smoking is the major cause of fire at places where there are materials that can catch fire immediately, wood is one of those materials. As observed, smoking while operating machines was common among workers and cigarettes were not properly disposed.

Further, smoking adding the effect of wood dust leads to serious health problems like,

Shortness of breath Chest discomfort Chronic exposure to smoke and wood dust may lead to lung cancer. Eye irritation Throat irritation

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Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Risks associated with Electrical Hazard:

As observed, there was no safety regarding to hazards associated with electricity. Electric cables were inclined through iron poles and there was no underground wiring. All wires were exposed and attached with metal platforms. On the other hand, wires that were passed through the plastic pipes were exposed at the bending points, there were no elbows used at those points. At the bending points, where there is high probability of cracking of insulation, wires were in contact with the metal poles. Risks that may arise,

Electric shock Electrocution Short circuit Fire

Risks associated with Flying Objects:

Eye injury Flying chips can cause injury to worker’s

body

Risks associated with noise:

As observed, there were no PPEs used to avoid exposure to noise being produced by the machinery and cutting of wood.

Noise induced hearing lose High blood pressure Deafness Depression Lose of concentration Anxiety

Risks associated with Vibration:

As observed, workers working on carving & finishing machines were more exposed to vibration hazard.

Likely risks from exposure to vibration are,

Neuromuscular injury

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Figure 6

Figure 7 flying particles

Skeletal pathology risk Rheumatoid Arthritis

Risks associated with wood dust:

As observed, no PPEs were used to prevent likely damage caused by wood dust.

Likely risks owing to acute and chronic exposure to wood dust are,

Nose irritation Throat irritation Lung diseases Chest discomfort Eyes irritation Skin allergy

Risks associated with poor housekeeping:

As observed, there was no proper housekeeping of tools and raw wood.

Likely risks are,

Fire Slips from wood dust leading to injury and fall toward running

machines causing amputation. Trip from scattered tools leading to injury and fall toward or

under running machines. Burying and injuring of workers by falling of bags containing

wood pieces

Risks associated with Nip points & point of operation:

Workers were most vulnerable to be entangled at nip points. They were much exposed to these points. As observed, there was not more than 1 feet distance between point of operation and nip points. Further, workers were wearing loose clothing making more chances of entanglement, crush injuries and amputation.

Likely risks are,

Entanglement Amputation Crush injuries Other injuries

Risks Associated with Ergonomics Hazards:

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

As observed, workers were also exposed to ergonomic hazards,

As, there was no healthy way of working was observed, workers working on finishing and carving machines were not provided with suitable platform to work on. Also, there was no provision of sitting bench or chairs, workers had to work by standing and with bad posture for hours.

Likely risk is musculoskeletal disorder that includes,

Chronic back pain Carpal tunnel syndrome Tendonitis Sprains

Risks associated with wood irritants:

As observed, near point of operation and machine area employees also experienced irritation from wood dust and tiny particles when exposed to them.

Likely risks include.

Eyes irritation Nose irritation Throat irritation Cough Skin irritation

Interaction with the employees

Most of the employees were ignorant of the machine hazards. They have adopted unhealthy working practices on belief that, everything happens according to the will of God. They were of the opinion that, taking safety measures won’t matter. Further, there were no traditional safety measure was taken to avoid exposure to wood dust. On the other hand, they also disclosed two incidents, one in which a worker broke his ankle by contact with running machine, and second in which worker’s clothes entangled in circular wheel, but luckily was not hurt. These incidents strengthened their belief that everything happens according to the will of God.

Interaction with the Owner

Owner was seemed less concerned about the safety of workers. He was also ignorant of the machinery hazards and its controls. So, there were no PPEs provided from the owner for the workers safety.

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Figure 11

Figure 12

There were no administrative controls in place. But, circuit breakers were installed to avoid electric risks arising from electric hazards.

Suggestions

Installation of guards and barriers. Safe electric installation. Use equipment when only guards are in place. Use of bended pipes or elbows on bending points of electric wires. Underground wiring to avoid cutting of electric wires from tools or machines. Avoid twisting electric wires around metal poles, in case there is no other way, use plastic

pipes to pass cables through to avoid contact with metal poles. Maintain a safe distance between point of operation and moving hazard. Automatic feed and ejection system Safety accessories, e.g. push block for saws, non kick back devices etc. Replacing old saw blades to avoid failure. Proper monitoring and checking of machines and tools Proper training of workers. LockOut &TagOut (LOTO) Provision of suitable platform according to the job. Restrict access to point of operation and power of machines. Maintain proper housekeeping. Do not allow workers to wear loose clothing. Use a brush or stick to clean dangerous parts of machines. Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like, gloves, safety glasses, goggles & face

shields, ear plugs, ear muffs, safety shoes with slip resistant toes.

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