Hello,
The prompt for this assignment was :1) Consider your workplace or a workplace of one of your family members. Are there chemical, biological, radiological or ergonomic issues? Using the industrial hygiene hierarchy of controls, how might you address the issues? How are they being addressed in reality?2) What might be the barriers to workers exercising their rights to a healthy and safe workplace?
After watching the video, I felt more informed with workplace issues. I find that my workplace does a great job of providing training for chemical, biological, radiological, or ergonomic issues. We have mandatory trainings to help reduce the risk of health and safety issues. One issue I can identify is not having a seat. My office space is an unused lab and tall chairs are not available; this is an ergonomic issue. At times I get tired of standing all day and would like to sit but don't have a chair. I know it's typically the other way around and employees wanting to have standing desks. Using the hierarchy of controls I would begin from substitution given that there is no hazard at hand that needs to be eliminated. I would substitute non-existing seats and place chairs that could be used. As for engineering controls, I'm not sure how that would apply to this issue. Administrative controls would be ensure that there's an available seat for all employees. Lastly, for protective personal equipment I would place a cushion mat that are meant for employees who stand for long periods in one place.
As mentioned in the video, some barriers to workers may be fear. Some employees may not have a sense of job security. Addressing a health issue or safety concern may rise an unwanted issue for the employer and they may find it "easier" to let go the employee rather than fixing the issue at hand.
-Iliana
The prompt for this assignment was :1) Consider your workplace or a workplace of one of your family members. Are there chemical, biological, radiological or ergonomic issues? Using the industrial hygiene hierarchy of controls, how might you address the issues? How are they being addressed in reality?2) What might be the barriers to workers exercising their rights to a healthy and safe workplace?
After watching the video, I felt more informed with workplace issues. I find that my workplace does a great job of providing training for chemical, biological, radiological, or ergonomic issues. We have mandatory trainings to help reduce the risk of health and safety issues. One issue I can identify is not having a seat. My office space is an unused lab and tall chairs are not available; this is an ergonomic issue. At times I get tired of standing all day and would like to sit but don't have a chair. I know it's typically the other way around and employees wanting to have standing desks. Using the hierarchy of controls I would begin from substitution given that there is no hazard at hand that needs to be eliminated. I would substitute non-existing seats and place chairs that could be used. As for engineering controls, I'm not sure how that would apply to this issue. Administrative controls would be ensure that there's an available seat for all employees. Lastly, for protective personal equipment I would place a cushion mat that are meant for employees who stand for long periods in one place.
As mentioned in the video, some barriers to workers may be fear. Some employees may not have a sense of job security. Addressing a health issue or safety concern may rise an unwanted issue for the employer and they may find it "easier" to let go the employee rather than fixing the issue at hand.
-Iliana
Hi Iliana,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your laboratory workplace. I am so sorry that you have to stand so much- I know I get pretty cranky when my feet hurt, but I love your suggestion of substituting non-existing seats with place chairs if they can fit. I think every employee at your work should at least have the opportunity to sit for a few minutes every hour if that will help them feel more productive, and most importantly will keep them SAFE and not fatigued! I also think it's so sad but realistic that fear of changing (or asking for change) is something that your co-workers have to worry about, but that is often the reality of the situation. That is exactly why we need public health and policy change to protect worker's rights and safety in every work environment in the US.