PHYSICAL INJURY PREVENTION AT WORKPLACE

Instructor: Dr. Patrick TschidaPUBH-6165-5 Environmental Health

Presented ByArunachalam Subramanian

Walden UniversityJuly 30, 2011

Contents

Environmental Hazards in the Workplace Common Occupational Diseases in

Ontario Workplace Injuries in Ontario Prevention of Injuries at Workplace Employee’s Responsibility in Injury

Prevention Useful Links References

Environmental Hazards in the Workplace

Classification of Hazards

Physical Hazards Ergonomic Hazards Chemical Hazards Biological Hazards

Moeller, D.W. (2005). Environmental Health. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Physical Hazards

Electrical hazards Unguarded machinery Mobile equipments Heights/Scaffolding Spills/Tripping hazards Extremes of Temperature/Pressure Vibration Constant loud noise Sunlight and other radiation hazards

Moeller, D.W. (2005). Environmental Health. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Ergonomic Hazards

Poor lighting Poor posture Improperly designed

workstations and chairs Frequent lifting of heavy objects Awkward/Repetitive/Forceful movements

Moeller, D.W. (2005). Environmental Health. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Common Occupational Diseases in Ontario

Psychological disorders (almost half of all claims) Musculoskeletal injuries and diseases Lung disease Cancer Traumatic injuries Occupational cardiovascular disease Reproductive disorders Neurological disorders Noise induced hearing loss Skin diseases

Office of the Worker Adviser. (2011). Occupational Diseases. Retreived from http://www.owa.gov.on.ca/fact_sheets/occupational_disease.html

Musculoskeletal Injuries and diseases

Slips and falls   Fractures Dislocations Injuries to nerves and spinal cord Repetitive strain injuries

MSD account for 40 % of all claimsBack pain constitute 7% of all MSDs

Health Canada. (2011). Environmental and Workplace Health. Retreived from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/hazards-risques/index-eng.php

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss Sensorineural hearing loss

Health Canada. (2011). Environmental and Workplace Health. Retreived from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/hazards-risques/index-eng.php

Occupational Diseases of the Skin

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (White finger)

Friction blisters Frost-bite Burns Silica in abrasions (Sarcoidal granulomas)

Health Canada. (2011). Environmental and Workplace Health. Retreived from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/hazards-risques/index-eng.php

Work Related Injuries, by Industry

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. (2011). Work – Work-related Injuries. Retreived from http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?iid=20

Work Related Injuries, by Province

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. (2011). Work – Work-related Injuries. Retreived from http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?iid=20

Workplace Injuries in Ontario

 

Years

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Total Injuries/Illnesses 224,955 217,020

206,531 165,495 154,862

Derived Number of Full-Time Equivalent Workers Covered by WSIB (rounded to the nearest million) 4.2 4.2 4.1 3.9 4.0

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. (2011). Health and Safety Statistics. Retreived from http://www.wsib.on.ca/en/community/WSIB/230/ArticleDetail/24338?vgnextoid=2609e35c819d7210VgnVCM100000449c710aRCRD

Workplace Injuries in Ontario

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Ministry of Labour (MOL) 62 50 46 47 57

WSIB Traumatic Fatalities By Year of Death 76 87 63 64 67

Total Traumatic Fatalities MOL & WSIB 101 99 78 73 84

WSIB Occupational Disease Fatalities By Year Allowed 221 263 246 251 293

Total Fatalities 322 362 324 324 377

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. (2011). Health and Safety Statistics. Retreived from http://www.wsib.on.ca/en/community/WSIB/230/ArticleDetail/24338?vgnextoi d=2609e35c819d7210VgnVCM100000449c710aRCRD

Workplace Injuries in Ontario

 

Years

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Self Employed or Owner Operator 16 4 11 1 11

Youth: Under the age of 25 at the time of injury 10 8 6 4 6

Women 6 8 4 4 3

Motor Vehicle Incidents on Public Roads 24 34 19 17 19

Federal Jurisdiction 4 6 5 3 4

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. (2011). Health and Safety Statistics. Retreived from http://www.wsib.on.ca/en/community/WSIB/230/ArticleDetail/24338?vgnextoid=2609e35c819d7210VgnVCM100000449c710aRCRD

Prevention of Injuries at Workplace

Common Factors Increasing the Risk

Awkward Posture and Positioning Excessive Force High Repetition Poor physical condition Direct Pressure / Contact Stress Vibration Cold and extreme temperatures (environmental

factors) Fatigue

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services. (2011). Workers. Retreived from http://www.healthandsafetyontario.ca/Resources/Topics/Workers.aspx

Controls Implemented by Health and Safety Committee

Engineering Controls Work Practice Controls Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) Administrative Controls

Take One Step. (2011). Workplace Hazards. Retreived from http://www.takeonestep.org/Pages/yoursafety/safenotsorry/workplacehazards.aspx

Engineering Controls

Workstation Design and Set up Design of Work Methods Tools and Handle Design

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (2011). Education and Training. Retreived from http://www.ccohs.ca/education/

Work Practice Controls

Proper training of employees Proper techniques to improve posture Correct lifting techniques Proper maintenance of equipments and

tools Correct use of workstations and fixtures Conditioning period for new employees Monitoring and Feedback Adjustments and Modifications

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (2011). Education and Training. Retreived from http://www.ccohs.ca/education/

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Proper fit Proper protection Should not increase ergonomic stressors

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (2011). Education and Training. Retreived from http://www.ccohs.ca/education/

Administrative Controls

Providing sufficient rest pauses Considering overtime work related stress Increasing the number of employees for tough

task Using job rotation Providing sufficient numbers of relief personnel Maintenance program for industrial

equipments Effective housekeeping

Ontario Ministry of Labour. (2010). Engaging Workplaces. Retreived from http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/about.php#engaging

Employee’s Responsibility in Injury Prevention

What can be done to prevent injuries?

Identify situations that can result in injuriesReport any injuries or hazards immediatelyRefuse to work in unsafe situationsKnow about potential hazards in your workplaceParticipate in workplace health and safety issues

Ontario Ministry of Labour. (2011). If I am Injured at Work. Retreived from http://www.worksmartontario.gov.on.ca/scripts/default.asp?contentID=2-5-0

Reasons for not reporting injuries

Employer may be a family member or friend Do not want to upset by reporting injury Afraid of the boss thinking you inability to

perform the job properly Thinking that the injury is not very serious Afraid of co-workers thinking less of you

Ontario Ministry of Labour. (2010). Safe At Work Ontario Basics. Retreived from http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/about.php

Useful Links

Many organizations are involved in occupational health and safety in Canada and Ontario

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) of OntarioThe Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (

CCOHS)Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW)Canada ’s National Occupational Health and Safety (CANOSH)Labour Canada - The Human Resources and Skills

Development department has some information on workplace safety 

References

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. (2011). Education and Training. Retreived from http://www.ccohs.ca/education/

Health Canada. (2011). Environmental and Workplace Health. Retreived from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/hazards-risques/index-eng.php

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. (2011). Work – Work-related Injuries. Retreived from http://www4.hrsdc.gc.ca/.3ndic.1t.4r@-eng.jsp?iid=20

Moeller, D.W. (2005). Environmental Health. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Office of the Worker Adviser. (2011). Occupational Diseases. Retreived from http://www.owa.gov.on.ca/fact_sheets/occupational_disease.html

Ontario Ministry of Labour. (2010). Engaging Workplaces. Retreived from http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/about.php#engaging

References

Ontario Ministry of Labour. (2010). Safe At Work Ontario Basics. Retreived from http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/about.php

Ontario Ministry of Labour. (2011). If I am Injured at Work. Retreived from http://www.worksmartontario.gov.on.ca/scripts/default.asp?contentID=2-5-0

Take One Step. (2011). Workplace Hazards. Retreived from http://www.takeonestep.org/Pages/yoursafety/safenotsorry/workplacehazards.aspx

Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. (2011). Health and Safety Statistics. Retreived from http://www.wsib.on.ca/en/community/WSIB/230/ArticleDetail/24338?vgnextoid=2609e35c819d7210VgnVCM100000449c710aRCRD

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services. (2011). Workers. Retreived from http://www.healthandsafetyontario.ca/Resources/Topics/Workers.aspx