Posted: November 18th, 2022

Safety Measures

Safety Measures
Exercise 1: Relating Countermeasure Strategies

Discuss the 10 generic countermeasure strategies proposed by Haddon as they relate to an incident that might have occurred on your worksite, or relate the countermeasures to something you have observed.

The 10 generic countermeasures are listed below:

(a) Prevent the initial buildup of energy.

(b) Reduce the potential energy.

(c) Prevent the release of the energy.

(d) Reduce the rate of release of energy.

(e) Separate the host from the energy source.

(f) Place a barrier between the host and energy source.

(g) Absorb the energy.

(h) Strengthen the susceptible host.

(i) Move rapidly in detect and counter the release.

(j) Take procedures to ameliorate the damage.

two hundred words in length.

Exercise 2: Applying the Safety and Health Management Systems Approach to Workplace Ergonomics

This question involves reading the following passage, choosing one side of the debate, and then defending your choice by providing your rationale. Read the following passage and then decide who is at fault: the company or the employee.

Our truck driver, Ben, injures his back while tying down the tarps on his flatbed trailer. He has to use four-inch straps to secure the load, and then has to cover the load with tarps which require the use of bungee cords (rubber straps) to secure the tarp.

Either defend the company and decide that the root cause for the back injury was due to the failure of the employee to properly follow the processes and procedures, or defend the employee and decide that the root cause of the back injury was due to the failure of the company to provide a hazard-free workplace. To successfully answer this question, you might have to do a bit of research. Consider the following sources: the OSHA standards, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, and the textbook. Use APA Style to insert appropriate citations into your response. two hundred words in length.

Exercise 1
Countermeasure Strategies
Bill Haddon proposed the countermeasures to reduce damage as a model for controlling hazards. The first strategy is to avoid the initial build-up of energy. For instance, to prevent damage to a fabric, one can use ripping seams rather than blasting. The second technique is to reduce the concentration of potential energy. For example, reducing the motor vehicle speeds, reducing firecrackers size, and controlling the number of gas cylinders distribution, among others. Third, prevention of energy release is a countermeasure that, for instance, ensures that nuclear devices, gunpowder, and any dangerous substances are deterred from unnecessary release. Fourth, industries can provide a reduction of released energy or modification of the same. For instance, the initiation of seat belts in cars, and use of ramps in slopes would reduce risks for hazard occurrence. The fifth measure occurs when one separates, regarding time and space, the host from the susceptible energy source. For example, ensuring the electricity lines are out of reach, and establishing walkways and pedestrian paths, among others. The sixth measure is to place a barrier to separate the host and energy source, for instance, the isolation fencing around the swimming pool. Seventh, absorption of energy may involve using of padded car dashboards, and round-edged furniture, soft enough to reduce injuries impact when people knock them off. The eighth strategy entails strengthening the predisposed host, for example, building a fire resistance structure. Ninth, one can be apt to immediately detect and counter the energy release by getting ready with emergency alarm systems, medical care, among others. The last approach is to ameliorate the damage through repair and long-term rehabilitative measure at the initial stages of treatment.
Exercise 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN CARGO HANDLING
When a driver handles cargo carelessly, there are higher chances that he or she will suffer from injuries, aches, and pains. John injures his back due to his carelessness to observe ergonomic related rules, clearly highlighted in the OSHA standards and FMCA regulations. Ergonomic would help John with the tips to avoid pains and injuries. Tarps lifting or lowering can be very heavy due to strong winds or other conditions; therefore, the practices herein would have helped John. First, John should have sort help from other people to Help him with the tying of tarps. Also, instead of relying on his own physical strength, he would have used the material handling machines such as forklift to move the tarps into position. To avoid injuries, John should tie the tarps into manageable sizes that he would easily handle. During the pulling of tarps, John’s awkward body positions would suffer him the back pains. Therefore, when trying to handle these loads, he should have used correct bending, twisting and reaching measures. For instance, I would recommend that John avoids overreaching tarps, uses a broad base, and equips himself with appropriate PPEs for tying tarps. When grasping or gripping the tarps, the ergonomic measures require that the operator uses both the hands to avoid overstraining of shoulders.

References
Ellis, J. N. (2008). Tarping Flatbed Trailers. Professional Safety, 53(5), 36.
Jensen, R. C. (2012). Risk Reduction Methods for Occupational Safety and Health. John Wiley & Sons.
Robotham, G. Guidance for the Beginning OHS Professional.

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