keeping it safe - the safety and health newsletter of the bec

KEEPING IT SAFE The Health and Safety Newsletter of the Barbados Employers’ Confederation

Special points of interest:

HR Professionals should un-

derstand their role in Safety

and Health

While you are ensuring em-

ployee safety do not neglect

their security

Silicosis causes the swelling

of the lungs and therefore

shortness of breath

Drinks plenty of water when

jumping for Kadooment

Mental illness cannot be

treated like physical illness

Inside this issue:

Role of HR in Safety and

Health

2

Spot the Hazard 3

Silica and Silicosis - The

Truth About Them

4

The Importance of

Respirators

5

Chemical Safety Your

Responsibility

6

Getting Back on Track After

Crop Over

8

What is Mental Illness? 10

Vulnerability the Absence

of Security

12

Have a Chuckle 15

Upcoming Events 16

Volume 1, Issue 1 July 29, 2014

O ccupational Safety and health

(OSH) and human resource

management (HRM) are usually viewed as

separate and distinct from each other,

however this is far from the case. Such

thinking has caused many companies to

miss the mark in attaining a successful

safety program. Human resource officers

have a very integral role to play in the

execution of safe working practices within

the workplace. Many believe that this is

the job of the Safety Officer or for that

one HR Officer who was delegated such

responsibilities. Such retrograde attitudes

will lead our country no closer to

international recognition. While human

resources professionals are not expected

to know the technical aspects of work-

place health and safety, they should know

when and how to use existing resources to

respond to employee concerns.

In order for HR professionals to meet their

responsibilities as it relates to the safety,

health and welfare of their employees

they need to do the following:

Understand the health and safety

responsibili ties of employers,

managers, supervisors and employees

within the organization;

Implement management policies to ensure

that everyone in the workplace is aware

of his/her responsibilities;

Establish effective ways to accomplish

health and safety responsibilities, and;

Ensure that employees fulfill their health

and safety responsibilities as outlined in

the organizational policies and programs.

When HR and OSH have been effectively

integrated a positive work culture is usually

the end result. Cultivating a positive safety

culture is a top-down process and therefore

management must exemplify the policies they

have instituted.

HR’s mandate with respect to occupational

health and safety is to support line manage-

ment and the organization as a whole by

creating and overseeing policies, procedures

and programs, dealing with regulatory

compliance and reporting requirements.

Additionally, advising, coaching and training

line managers and employees fall within their

ambit. There are also many areas where

health and safety overlaps with core aspects

of human resources management. These

include workplace harassment and bullying,

attendance management, disability manage-

ment, workers’ compensation claims, return to

work programs, job design, wellness initiatives

and performance management.

An effective marriage of these two schools of

study will birth a core of management

professionals who have a greater

understanding of the employees as a whole

and not just a fragments.

Where HR and OSH Meet! By: Melony James

OSH/Research Coordinator - BEC

Keeping it Safe

Previous Page:

HR Responsibilities in Safety

and Health

This Page:


and Health

Next Page:

Vulnerability the Absence of

Security

Human Resources Roles in Health and Safety

Volume 1, Issue 1

Can You Spot the

Previous Page:


and Health

This Page:

Can you Spot the Hazards?

Next Page:

Silica and Silicosis: The Truth

About Them

Hazards?

Keeping it Safe

Silica and Silicosis:

R espirable crystalline silica (RCS) is found in stone, rocks, sands and clays. Exposure to RCS over a long period can

cause fibrosis (hardening or scarring) of the lung tissue with a consequent loss of lung function. Sufferers are

likely to have severe shortness of breath and may find it difficult or impossible to

walk even short distances or up stairs. The effect continues to develop after exposure has

stopped and is irreversible. Sufferers usually become house- or bed-bound and often die

prematurely due to heart failure.

Acute silicosis is a rare complication of short-term exposure to very large amounts of silica.

This condition is life-threatening and associated with very significant clinical consequences.

Silica may also be linked to lung cancer. Precautions taken to control the risk of fibrosis will

serve to control the risk of lung cancer. Workers with silicosis are at an increased risk of

tuberculosis, kidney disease and arthritis. Exposure to RCS may also cause chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Occupational risks

Occupations with exposure to RCS include: quarrying, slate works, foundries, potteries, stonemasonry, construction (when

cutting or breaking stone, concrete or brick), and industries using silica flour to manufacture goods.

Respirable crystalline silica particles are produced during many work tasks, including sandblasting, mining, rock drilling,

quarrying, brick cutting, glass manufacturing, tunneling, foundry work, stone working, ceramic manufacturing and

construction activities.

There are three types of silicosis:

Chronic silicosis, the most common type of silicosis, usually occurs after 10 or more years of exposure to crystalline

silica at low levels.

Accelerated silicosis occurs 5 to 10 years after exposure and is caused by exposure to higher levels of crystalline

silica.

Acute silicosis can occur after only weeks or months of exposure to very high levels of crystalline silica. Acute silicosis

progresses rapidly and can be fatal within months.

How does silicosis affect your body?

Generally, the silica dust affects the lungs ability to work correctly. Each type of silicosis affects the body somewhat

differently:

In simple chronic silicosis, the silica dust causes areas of swelling in the lungs and chest lymph nodes, which causes

breathing difficulty.

In accelerated silicosis, swelling in the lungs and symptoms occur faster than in simple silicosis.

In acute silicosis, the lungs become very inflamed and can fill with fluid, which causes severe shortness of breath and

low blood oxygen levels.

This Page:

Silica and Silicosis: The truth

about them

Next Page

The Importance of

Respirators

Previous Page:


and Health

The Truth About Them

Article Taken From: www.hse.gov.uk

Volume 1, Issue 1

The Importance of

Respirators protect the user in two basic ways. The first is by the removal of contaminants from the air. Respirators of this type include particulate respirators, which filter out airborne particles; and "gas masks” which filter out chemicals and gases. Other respirators protect by supplying clean respirable air from another source. Respirators that fall into this category include airline respirators, which use compressed air from a remote source; and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which include their own air supply.

Respirators should only be used when engineering control systems are not feasible.

Engineering control systems, such as adequate ventilation or scrubbing of contaminants

are the preferred control methods for reducing worker exposures.

Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) use a fan to draw air through the filter to the user. They are easier to breathe through; however, they need a fully charged battery to work properly. They use the same type of filters/cartridges as other air-purifying respirators. It is important to know what the hazard is, and how much of it is in the air, in order to select the proper filters/cartridges.

Dust Mask

These type of respirators

purify air by adsorbing

gases or vapours on a

sorbent (adsorbing material)

in a cartridge. Selecting the

proper filter can be a

complicated process. There

are cartridges available that

protect against more than

one hazard, but there is no

‘all in one cartridge that

protects against all

substances.

Dust masks are air purifiers

that can remove

contaminants in the air that

you breathe by filtering out

particulates. Dust masks are

a cheaper, lighter, and

possibly more comfortable

alternative to respirators,

but may not provide as

much protection, and may

be more susceptible to

misuse or poor fit .

Self-Contained Breathing

Apparatus (SCBA) means

an atmosphere-supplying

respirator for which the

breathing air source is

designed to be carried by

the user. It provides clean

air from a portable air

tank when the air around

you is simply too danger-

ous to breath.

SCBAs Chemical/Gas Mask Powered Air

Previous Page:

Silica and Silicosis: The truth

About Them

This Page

The Importance of

Respirators

Next Page

Chemical Safety: Your

Responsibility

Selecting the Right Respirator

Keeping It Safe

Chemical Safety:

A fter a long morning working the field on a St. Philip Plantation, John went to the

kitchen for a cool refreshing drink. He opens the fridge door, grabs a sprite bottle

and proceeds to drink it. Almost immediately he begins to gag. He is experiencing

a burning sensation on his lips, in his mouth and in his throat. The sprite bottle did not actually

contain sprite. Rather it contained Clorox. The Clorox bottle was damaged the day before;

someone placed the remainder in an empty sprite bottle and the bottle was placed in the

fridge accidentally.

This situation seems a bit unbelievable doesn’t it? Sadly, it is a true story; only the names have been changed to protect the

innocent. Situations like this occur in infinite variety.

Chemicals directly or indirectly affect our lives and are vital to our health, our lifestyle and the environment in which we live.

According the United Nation, the production and use of chemicals is fundamental to all economics. The global chemical

business is worth more than 1.7 trillion US dollars per year. However, as someone once fittingly said, “as easily as fire

warms, it burns; so too a chemical not properly used”. If these chemicals are not properly managed they can contaminate

our groundwater, pollute our air and even make us sick.

We need to take action to prevent situations like John’s, from becoming commonplace in our society and to protect our

natural resources. So, what can we do to manage chemicals safely?

Firstly, we can purchase less hazardous chemicals.

The first step in this process is to determine the dangers associated with the chemicals that we currently use. A useful tool for

identifying and communicating these hazards is the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of

Chemicals or GHS. The GHS uses standardized criteria to define hazards and transmit these hazards to workers and

consumers in an easy to understand format using labels and safety data sheets. Once the hazards of a chemical are known

then safer alternatives can be sourced.

In the United Stated it has been estimated that more than 190,000 illness and 50,000 deaths are caused by exposure to

hazardous chemicals. Studies carried out by the American Industrial Hygiene Association suggested that these statistics can

be vastly improved by implementing measures to reduce or eliminate worker exposure to these substances. By using less

hazardous alternatives to replace harmful chemicals, materials and products and by adopting safer processes, workplaces

may see a reduction in injuries and illness. This study also suggested that this type of approach has proven to be more ef-

fective than implementing common controls such as personal protective equipment.

Not only can the use of safer alternatives safeguard the employees but it can result in a reduction in the direct, indirect and

liability costs to businesses and to the wider society. The elimination or reduction of chemical hazards at the source and the

adoption of safer alternatives can also result in improvements to key success indicators. Many businesses may realise

enhanced performance efficiency, reduction in employee down time and improved corporate stewardship.

Your Responsibility

By: Mr. Philip Pile

Environmental Technical Officer

Environmental Protection Department

Volume 1, Issue 1

Secondly, we can use, handle and store properly.

How? By carefully reading and following the information on the chemical’s label and on its safety data sheet. These two

documents supply the most accurate and reliable information for using, handling and storing a chemical safely. The label pro-

vides the user with information about the hazard of the chemicals and basic advice on using the chemical safely. Safety data

sheets provide comprehensive information about a substance including information on the potential hazards, safe use and

handling, precautionary measures and emergency response among other things. Unfortunately, according to a survey con-

ducted by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in 2010 there are many workers and consumers who did not read

chemical labels. Instead, they preferred to rely on word of mouth or their own experience to determine how best use and

handle chemicals.

To encourage people to adopt better chemical management practices so as to not endanger themselves, others or the

environment some guidelines to follow are listed below.

Clearly label all chemicals especially when they are transferred from their original container.

Store chemicals on an impervious surface to prevent soil contamination and to help contain spills.

Use chemicals in well ventilated areas.

Avoid inhalation, ingestion or contact with the skin.

Do not store chemicals together that can react with each other. For example, do not store acids with

bases.

Do not mix chemicals together.

Thirdly, we can dispose of chemicals in an environmentally sound manner.

The appropriate disposal of hazardous chemicals is important to prevent harmful health effects and contamination of the

environment. Hazardous chemicals usually require treatment to destroy them or the hazardous components made harmless

prior to final disposal. As there are presently no facilities in Barbados to treat or dispose of hazardous chemicals, there

are only three options to deal with disposal. These options are:

Reuse and recycle - Used automotive oil can be used as fuel and automotive batteries which contain harmful lead

based substances can be collected by private companies and exported for recycling.

Contact the EPD for disposal advice - Companies can submit their request for disposal advice in writing to the

department. The request should state the name and quantity of the chemical to be disposed and be

accompanied by safety datasheet for the chemical.

Export for disposal - Chemicals which cannot be treated or disposed locally must be exported for appropriate

disposal.

Finally, we need to put the above information into practice.

According to dramatist Anton Chekhov, “knowledge is of no value unless you put into practice”. Therefore, we have to make an

effort to use safer alternatives; use, handle and store our chemicals better and disposal of chemicals properly. In doing so,

we can ensure that future generations inherit an environment that is healthy, productive and enjoyable.

Previous Page

The Importance of

Respirators

This Page


Responsibility

Next Page


Crop Over

Keeping It Safe

Getting Back on Track

M ore than a carnival, Crop Over is a Festival.

This year like many others previously,

Barbadians and others will enjoy Crop Over

2014 to the max. There were many parties, and other

events during the period which began weeks ago. The

Festival culminates with a weekend of Pic of de Crop

Finals, Fore Day Morning Jam, Cohobblopot, Bridgetown

Market and Grand Kadooment. In addition there are

many other all-inclusive and other parties. Friends from

overseas and local acquaintances encourage your

patronage at various activities at this time.

Lack of sleep, increased alcohol intake and just being on your feet for long periods are a feature of this

weekend of non-stop partying and social activities. Just watching the Grand Kadooment or Fore Day Morning

Jam, attending the various shows and parties are taxing on our bodies as these events last long and many

persons are on the go with little sleep before or after the event.

After this, it is time for a return to regular life, that is, back to productive work. Some workers take a holiday

break at this time and travel overseas with their families. Some persons take a few days off and get some

relaxation by having massages, spa treatments, or yoga, but others try to get back into the strides of every-

day life.

In order to manage your recovery, you have to prepare your bodies properly for the stress being placed on

them. Prevention is the best order of the day or days.

While jumping, be it Fore Day Morning Jam or Grand Kadooment, you will be surprised that many revellers

don’t prepare themselves properly. Wear proper footwear,

keep hydrated with water or a sports drink, take a break if

necessary and walk or chip as you go down the road. Get

some rest and rehydrate after you make it to Spring Garden,

have a good healthy meal and some sleep before you “hit the

road again.” Alcohol is a diuretic and can dehydrate you in

addition to making those muscles and nerves feel worse after.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables before, during and after the

After Crop Over

By: Dr. Adrian Lorde

President

Barbados Sports Medicine Association

Volume 1, Issue 1

activities. A day of naturally good fruits and veggies could help to regenerate you faster. You may have de-

prived yourself of these necessary minerals and vitamins before and during Crop Over. Your body would liter-

ally suck them in. Maybe a smoothie would be a good idea. A green power punch with celery, cucumber, spin-

ach and apple mixed together would make for good recovery.

Application and reapplication of sun block lotion will assist in preventing sunburn if you are sun exposed as a

reveller in a costume band or just watching from the side-lines.

After all of this, a proper rest is necessary for recovery. The sore muscles and the burnt skin will need time to

recover. Don’t overdo it then, work continues on Tuesday morning. Get to work as scheduled but get some rest,

as much as you can before and after work. Take care of your bodies now and always.

Previous Page


Responsibility

This Page


Crop Over

Next Page

What is mental illness?

Apple and Beet Smoothie

Ingredients

½ cup orange juice

1 ganny apple peeled and diced

½ cup frozen mixed berries

⅓ cup raw or roasted beets, diced

1- inch piece ginger

juice of 1 lime

1 teaspoon agave (simple syrup is a substitution for agave)

¼ cup coconut milk or soy milk

2-3 ice cubes

Instructions: Place all the ingredients in a blender and

blend until smooth.

http://citronlimette.com/recipe_archive/drinks-and-smoothies/apple-and-beet-smoothie/

Keeping It Safe

Article Taken from: http://www.acas.org.uk

M ental health is the mental and emotional

state in which we feel able to cope with the

normal stresses of everyday life.

If we are feeling good about ourselves we often work

productively, interact well with colleagues and make a

valuable contribution to our team or workplace.

Positive mental health is rarely an absolute state. One

may feel in good mental health generally but also

suffer stress or anxiety from time to time.

Mental ill health can range from feeling ‘a bit down’ to

common disorders such as anxiety and depression and,

in limited cases, to severe mental illnesses such as bipo-

lar disorder or schizophrenia.

Mental health conditions may emerge suddenly, as a

result of a specific event or incident, or gradually, over

a period of time when the condition may worsen or

improve.

Some illnesses are persistent and may be classed as a

disability, while others come and go, giving the

individual ‘good days’ and ‘bad days’.

In some contexts, we are happy to talk about the

‘mental’ as well as the ‘physical’ aspects of life. For

example, sports men and women are often said to

be good or bad at the ‘mental side of the game’ –

meaning either that they are resilient and able to

cope with the stress of competitive sport or have a

tendency to crumble under pressure.

We are often less comfortable talking about mental

health at work. Reference to an employee’s mental

health may often be seen as a form of criticism and

infer that someone is either weak or unreliable.

Illness is more easily understood if it is visible and

mental illness may be less conspicuous than some

forms of physical illness. An employee may also work

very hard to disguise their symptoms, or they may

develop other ‘secondary symptoms’ not directly

related to the original problem – for example, the

strain of coping with depression may cause someone

to become dependent on alcohol or drugs.

Many employees and line managers are uncomfort-

able talking about mental health. Misconceptions

about illnesses persist – mental health is often

viewed as something disturbing or dangerous that

lurks hidden beneath the surface of someone’s

personality.

What is Mental Health?

Volume 1, Issue 1

Previous Page

Vulnerability: The Absence

of Security

This Page

What is Mental Illness?

Next Page

Have a

Chuckle

What if we Treat Physical Illness

Like Mental Illness….

Keeping It Safe

Vulnerability:

I n our daily lives we rely heavily on objects and measures to ensure our safety. When driving we wear

seatbelts and to prevent burglary we utilize burglar bars and alarms. This same level of security is

expected by every employee who steps into every workplace, and it is the duty of the employer to ensure

these needs are met. The security of employees should be embedded in the company’s policies to ensure a

comfortable and safe environment which is conducive to maximizing productivity. To better grasp the concept

of how crucial it is to secure your staff, the analogy of your staff being your family and your offices being

your personal home, should be used. As mentioned above, we utilize measures such as alarms and burglar

bars to protect our homes and assets from risks such as theft and fire damage, your employees are your

human assets, and therefore require the same level of protection you would afford to your biological family.

One method of ensuring security and safety is the implementation of a risk assessment program which

analyzes present operational measures and thoroughly investigates the safety of the company’s facilities and

surroundings. It is important to include the employees in this assessment process because they are on the

frontline. While executing their day to day duties employees will be able to analyze weak points in their

surroundings and provide suggestions. This inclusion also helps build confidence in their roles in the company

and their trust in the company’s commitment to providing a safer environment. The analysis identifies strengths

and vulnerabilities in the organization’s safety measures and generates recommendations on the best ways to

avert and minimize any possible risks.

The Absence of Security

By: Ms. Aleika Walker

International Business Professional

Volume 1, Issue 1

Areas that should be regularly assessed are:

Security Equipment: alarms, security systems, effective lighting, metal detectors and identification

swipe cards for restricted areas.

Emergency Planning and Preparedness: fire drills, emergency alert systems, evacuation routes and

procedures.

It is fundamental that security systems and alarms are regularly checked for malfunctions and any necessary

upgrades be made to ensure equipment operates effectively. Security cameras must be strategically placed

allowing visibility of all areas inside and outside the facility. The company’s compound must also be well lit,

eliminating dark areas for thieves to hide and for suspicious activity to go unnoticed. It is especially important

for companies who have frontline workers, those who have direct contact with customers, to implement measures

to protect their staff from thieves and disgruntled customers. Security guards should be tactically placed at

entrances and exits to monitor the activity of visitors on compound. A visitors’ log book, accompanied with visitor

badges, should be situated at the entrance providing the ability to record persons and permitting the quick

identification of unauthorized individuals.

Assessments of contingency plans should be conducted to verify employees know the procedures in the event of

natural disasters. It is human nature to panic during emergencies, therefore to avert confusion and harm to staff

or property, a set procedure must be prepared and communicated, to lead employees to safety. Emergency

exits must be kept clear and evacuation routes and procedures must be known by all staff members.

The list of measures available to protect your company is endless. However you must ensure that you stay within

the boundaries, never cross the line by invading the employees’ privacy. A “too secured and monitored” envi-

ronment can quickly escalate into employees feeling uncomfortable and untrusted. Remember that the safety

and security of your employees is not only for due diligence but because they are your family.

Previous Page

What is mental illness

This Page

Vulnerability: The Absence

of Security

Next Page

Types of Security Cameras

Keeping It Safe

Previous Page

What is Mental Illness?

Next Page

Have a Chuckle

This Page

Types of Security Cameras

Types and Use of

Infrared Cameras produce high

resolution color video during the

day. In low lux (light) or no light

conditions they are the preferred

camera type. These cameras are

able to “illuminate the area” by

automatically switching from color

to black and white.

Dome cameras get their name

from the dome-shaped housing in

which they sit. These housings are

designed to make the cameras

unobtrusive… not covert or

hidden. Typical applications are

retail, where the camera is

designed to be unobtrusive, but

visible

Network/IP: These cameras, both

hardwired and wireless, transmit

images over the Internet, often

compressing the bandwidth so as

not to overwhelm the web. IP

cameras are easier to install than

analog cameras because they do

not require a separate cable run

or power boost to send images

over a longer distance

Security Cameras

Have A Chuckle

Volume 1, Issue 1

CHECK US OUT HERE:

Barbados Employers Confederation

@BecBarbados

Barbados Employers’ Confederation

Braemar Court

Deighton Road

Brittons Hill

St. Michael

BARBADOS EMPL OYERS’ CONFEDERAT ION

Newsletter Coordinator

Melony James

Research/OSH Coordinator

Phone: 246-435-4753

Fax: 246-435-2907

Email: [email protected]

Upcoming Training Courses

Aug 12 Write on Target

Aug 19 Employee/Employer Rights

Aug 21 Understanding Contractual Issues

Aug 27 Managing Different Personalities

Sep 10 Keys to Exceptional Service

September 15 – 17 Managing For Success

October 15 Conducting Employee Discipline

November 5 Managing Conflict

Upcoming Open Forums

September 24 Sexual Harassment: A Modern Workplace Dilemma

October 22 Safety and Health: Investment vs Expense

keeping it safe - the safety and health newsletter of the bec

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