explain the concept of safety management.

Take the case of an organization of your choice and explain the concept of safety management with respect to that organization.

Industry contributes not only to physical hazards to workers like unguarded machines, poor housekeeping, falling of objects, flying particles which may cause injury. But certain processes, environment or conditions may affect the workers health as well. Let us have a look at what these hazards could be in relation to public health in general. Public Health (General) Some hazards encountered are discusses below:
1. Tobacco: It is widely used by workers. The forms include smoking, chewing, snuffing. This may cause lung and oral cancer, lung ailments etc.
2. Drinking water: The main source of water for industry is from river or from the ground. Leather industries and chemical industries let their effluent flow into a river or be absorbed in the ground thus polluting the soil and water (causing water pollution and soil pollution.) The polluted water may cause lot of health problems like jaundice, liver and kidney failure, gastro-enteritis.
3. Cancer: Workers is chemical industries are exposed to chemicals like benzene, asbestos, nitrogen oxides, polyvinyl chlorides etc. These chemicals classified as carcinogens may cause cancer to the workers.
4. Radiation: Workers engaged in x-ray units and mines which contain radioactive materials may be affected due to radiation. This may cause cancer to the public.
5. Drug abuse and alcoholism: Drugs and alcoholism are very common public health hazards. They impair the sensory organs and due to inadequate judgement of the workers may cause accident.
6. Unhygienic food: Inadvertently supplied through canteen in the industry may cause
diarrhea, typhoid food poisoning, hepatitis etc to the workers. Cause of Health Hazards (particulars to industry) The general occupation health hazards may be due to;
i) Heat ii) Cold iii) Light iv) Noise v) Radiation vi) Chemical
vii) Occupational Diseases.
i) Heat: Most of India is in the equator region and it is hot in summer months.
Unlike western countries the employees get exhausted due to heat. Heat stroke is
a common feature due to exhaustion during summer. ii) Cold: Due to cold during winter the fingers may lose their sensation which may
cause finger injuries. Loose items like mufflers/scarves may get entangled into
running machines and cause injuries. iii) Light: Adequate light is to be arranged in the work place. Vision is disturbed due
to inadequate lighting, leading to the possibility of an accident. iv) Noise: This creates a stressful situation, causing irritation, loss of hearing, rise in
the blood pressure and increase in the heart beat. v) Radiation: Workers engaged in NOT operation, X-ray laboratories and in atomic
power industries are vulnerable to radiation which may cause cancer in the long
run. vi) Chemicals: Silica dust can enter the lungs and may cause silicosis. Asbestos may
cause Asbestosis. These are all lung ailments. Dye stuffs are used in dye industries mixed with water, any person drinking such water may suffer from
liver/kidney disorders in course of time. Chemicals such as acids and corrosive
alkalis may cause burns if they fall on the skin.
In the construction industry, metal surface finishing work is done by and
blasting. This in due course of time causes silicosis. Chemicals such as paints,
thinners, binders fasteners may cause many health hazards to workers. Controls of Health Risk
Health risk may be controlled through the following measures : i) Engineering measures: By devising good and safe engineering processes the risk
to the health of workers can be reduced. ii) Legal Measures: Government by notification asks the employers / industries to
modify the process or control the hazard. iii) Medical Measures: Medical measures include
a) Medical Examinations: All workers in the industry to be screened for occupational diseases.
b) Periodical Examination: All workers working in highly hazardous chemicals must be periodically examined.
c) Health Care: Health care to all employees be provided in chemical industry.
d) Health Education: Workers should be educated for good and hygienic way of living.
e) Records: Records of all medical examination to be kept and maintained for
review and prevention. Maintaining a Healthy Environment
i) Managing a healthy environment involves the following activities: ii) Pre-employment medical examination iii) Continuous education on health & hygiene iv) Periodical inspection of the site
v) Provision of proper personal protection equipment provided to employees. vi) A good medical / clinic facility.
Substance Abuse Prevention (Screening for Alcohol and Drugs) Alcohol and drug use by workers may i) Increase the accident rate ii) Increase the medical expenses iii) Increase absenteeism iv) Cause absenteeism and reduce the income to the family.
As per the Factories Act possession and use of alcohol and narcotics is not
permitted inside the work premises.
Alcoholism and drugs abuse by workers can be dealt with by: i) Counselling to workers ii) Strict vigil at workplace iii) Surprise inspection at work place iv) Medical test
v) Termination from service (disciplinary action)
Personal Protection

Elimination of unsafe conditions should be the first priority. For additional protection to
individuals, personal Protection Equipment (PPE) should be provided. Depending on the
nature of the job the PPE has to selected and given.
Why is the PPE needed?
Statistics on accident investigation reveal that 60% of workers at the site sustaining head injuries do not wear helmets, and nearly 99% of workers suffering face injuries do not wear face protection. 77% of workers suffering from foot injuries do not wear safety shoes, and 60% of workers.