INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.

Working conditions ,Safety , Health, and Environment.

Introduction. People in most industries are exposed to

certain health hazards. however the workers in factories are very often to exposed to additional risk of environmental pollution ,occupational diseases and injuries. these aspects of industrial life, once ignored by employers as a necessary by product of industrialization, are now being addressed seriously.

Working conditions, occupational health , and safety.

• Working conditions include;

1. Physical conditions refer to ventilation, lighting , first aid, canteens , rest rooms , washing and bathing facilities.

2. Social aspects relate to work group composition , etc.3. Economic aspect relate to wages, benefits etc.4. Technical aspects relate to the kind of technology used .5. Legal aspects relate to contractual obligations6. Human aspects relate to the quality of supervision,

communication and whether the supervisors treat the workers with dignity , decency, and equality.

Ergonomics.

• It is the scientific study of the relationship b/w man and his working environment. it takes into consideration not only the physical environment in which man works, but also his tools, materials, and the method and organization of his work.

Regulatory environment• In the early days of

industrialization ,accidents, injuries, and damages to health were ignored by employers everywhere and the responsibility to prevent them and also to bear the consequences was considered to be the employees.

• The govt of India, like many other govts ,took initiatives in setting up international standards by its staunch support of the ILO conventions and recommendations and enacted various protective provisions in the factories act and other laws.

‘Factories Act,1948’• The physical aspects of working conditions are

regulated under the factories act,1948.• Chapter III of the factories act deals with

measures devoted to the well being of the workers inside the factories.

Some important provisions are;1. Health• Cleanliness• Disposal of wastes and effluents

• Proper ventilation and temperature• Protection against dust and fumes • Precautionary steps• Avoidance of over crowding

2. Safety• Dangerous parts securely fenced.• Prohibition of employment of young persons to

operate dangerous machines.• Safeguard against transmission machinery.• Minimum distance [18 inches] to be maintained from

self –acting machines

• Safe working peripheral speed of revolving vessels• Prohibition of working of women or children near

cotton openers.• Sound construction of floors,steps,staircases,etc• Specific provision for protection of eyes against

glare, dangerous fumes, dust ,gas,etc.

The factories act makes it obligatory on the part of the manager of a factory to send a notice with details to the prescribed authority, within a prescribed time limit, about occurrences causing any bodily injury or disability or death.

The employers responsibility does not end with prompt reporting of the accidents. prompt action and post-accident care is a must. The state govt has the authority and responsibility to inspect and investigate into causes of any accidents.

Workmen's compensation Act,1923

• Employers are liable to pay compensation if a worker who, having been employed for a continuous period ,ceases to be so employed and develops symptoms of an occupational disease peculiar to the employment within two years of cessation of employment.

• Even where an employee is suffering from a disease and if the employment causes acceleration of the disease by strain incidental to employment, employer would nevertheless be liable for compensation.

• Following three factors must be established to hold the employer liable;

1. There must be an injury2. It should have been caused bcoz of an accident3. Caused in the course of business. The main theme of the workmen's compensation

act is to provide security to the workers who received partial or total incapacity resulting in a loss in earning capacity. the protection so afforded is independent of the acts of grace or mercy which the employer might show to him. compensation rates vary depending upon whether the injury is leading to

[a] Temporary Partial disability [b] Temporary Total disability [c] Permanent Partial disability [d] Permanent Total disability

THE MINES ACT,1952

Objective- The mines act ,1952 aims at providing for

safe as well as proper working conditions in mines and certain amenities to the workers employed therein.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROVISIONS.

1. Drinking water2. Latrine accommodation3. First aid4. Bathrooms5. Rest shelters[employing 50 or more]6. Canteens[employing 250 or more]7. Appointment of a welfare officer [ employing 500 or more employees]

Notice of Accident.• The Owner ,Agent or Manager of the mine shall

give notice of; ‘An accident causing loss of life or

serious bodily injury ,or etc,’ To the prescribed authority in the

prescribed manner, and he shall simultaneously post one copy of the notice on a special notice board in the prescribed manner at a place where it may be inspected by Trade Union Officials and shall ensure that the notice is kept on the board for not less than 14 days from dt. of such posting.

Official indicators and available data.

The proper indicators for monitoring occupational safety and health would include the following;

1. Workplace• Type of work ,equipment used ,etc2. hazards.• Physical hazards[dust, noise ,temperature]• Chemical hazards

3. Workload• Physical activity• Mental aspects4. Working time • Shift work 5. Organization of work• Time constraints6. Health and work capacity• Dangerous occurrences• Occupational accidents• Occupational diseases

Measures for Occupational health and safety

Occupational health measures call for protecting the workers against health hazards which may arise out of their work or the conditions in which it is carried on.

There are three aspects of protection;A] Preventive B] CurativeC] Safety Note= The first measure is indispensable.

A] Preventive measures- Periodic medical examinations ,training in

first aid, and emergency treatment for accidents.

B] Curative measures- The curative aspect begins once a worker

suffers from ill health or disease. Eg. medical check up

C] Safety measures- The measures for safety include the

following;

• Compliance of statutory measures• Appointment of safety officers• Constitution of safety committees• Engineering a safe plant and operations• Education and training in safety• Record keeping and accident analysis

Occupational disease

• An occupational disease is any chronic ailment that occurs as a result of work or occupational activity. It is an aspect of occupational safety and health. An occupational disease is typically identified when it is shown that it is more prevalent in a given body of workers than in the general population, or in other worker populations.

• Under the law of workers' compensation in many jurisdictions, there is a presumption that specific disease are caused by the worker being in the work environment and the burden is on the employer or insurer to show that the disease came about from another cause.

Examples

Some well-known occupational diseases include:1. Occupational lung disease2. Skin diseases3. Other diseases of concern4. Carpal tunnel syndrome-in the poultry

industry .5. Lead poisoning- affecting workers in many

industries that use lead.

Psychological Problems and Disorders

A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern that occurs in an individual and is thought to cause distress or disability that is not expected as part of normal development or culture.

1. Depression2. Anxiety Disorders 3. Personality Disorders4. Family Problems

Counseling