Safety Basics And Job Hazards

Analysis

Chapter 1

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

4
 Safety Basics and Job Hazards
Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Safety is an important issue in any field. This is most significant in the field of
construction and maintenance of communication towers and industry
engineering. The most important concern in these fields is accomplishing
each job safely. Safety on the job requires making the effort necessary to
control working conditions, work practices, and human actions. Personal
injuries and equipment damage are minimized when safety legislation,
regulations and safe work practices are followed and when the hazards
associated with work done are minimized or eliminated.
The workers, technicians and supervisors best epitomize the risk involved in
the filed of working at heights. They are at the forefront and front line of
construction, installation, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of
communication towers and communication equipment.
They are at risk; both from working at height against the gravity and
mechanical hazards associated with their daily tasks.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

5
1.1 SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
1.1.1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF SAFETY
This section provides safety guidelines and requirements for carrying out
assigned job tasks. It is essential that each employee exercise sound
judgment to perform assigned tasks safely. Safety is the responsibility of
each employee.
All jobs involve the inter-relationship of four main elements; the
environment, people, procedures and hardware. Within this framework we
have certain responsibilities, with which all personnel must be familiar.
[

FIGURE 1-1
Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis
6
 Chart of working responsibilities

Occupational Health and safety is a three way of responsibility which

requires the cooperation of all parties to ensure a safe working environment.
 The Government must provide and police minimum standards for
safety.
 Companies must provide a safe working environment.
 Individuals must carry out safe working practices.

SAFETY IS EVERY ONES RESPONSIBILITY

1.1.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORS

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES ARE:
a) To establish specific objectives and standards consistent with
Corporate Safety Policy and Safety Legislation. .
b) To organize and maintain the necessary safety program including
training to meet the objectives of the Corporation.
c) To provide a safe working environment. .
d) To monitor that a safe working environment is being maintained and
initiate corrective action where necessary.
e) To monitor performance in the area of employee's safety and take
corrective action when established objectives are not being met.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

7
SUPERVISORS' RESPONSIBILITIES ARE:

Supervisors are responsible for knowing and implementing applicable safety

policies and directives and taking action as required providing for the safety
of the personnel and operations they supervise. This includes;
 Taking positive action to determine and reduce, as necessary, the
hazards associated with their operations.
 Instructing employees in safe work methods and associated safety
requirements.
 Allowing, only those employees that are qualified for the work to
perform the work.
 Ensuring that, employees perform their work safely.
 Shall be responsible for the safety of all employees under their
supervision. They shall enforce the rules that apply to the hazards
involved.
Supervisors shall make certain that each new or transferred employee is
instructed in the safe practices pertaining to his or her work.
Supervisors shall ensure that the appropriate employees receive instruction
in appropriate emergency techniques, such as CPR, first aid, pole top, and
confined space rescue, warranted by the employee's duties.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

8
Other duties of supervisors include the following:
1. Provide instructions on safe practices for the crew and see that they are
followed.
2. Periodically examine supervised employees on their knowledge of the
safety rules and approved emergency techniques.
3. Not allow a worker to perform any task that cannot be performed safely
or for which the worker is not qualified.
4. Report every injury in the established manner prescribed for the facility.
5. Be responsible for the care and proper use of all protective devices.
6. Be responsible for proper posting of hazardous work areas as a
safeguard to those supervised. Under no circumstances shall the
supervisor allow work to continue if safety precautions are ignored.
7. Designate a competent delegate to be in charge of work during his
absence and this shall be made known to the other workers.
8. Coach and direct employees who are working near exposed, energized
wires, equipment, or apparatus.
9. Prescribe, along with employees, the appropriate PPE when establishing
safety related work practices.
10. To enforce the Rules. They have the authority to suspend an
employee who willfully and knowingly disobeys the Rules.
11. To see that all safety devices and personal protective equipment
supplied by the Corporation are properly used and maintained.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

9
 12. To guard against the use of defective safety appliances. Rigging,
tools and material.
13. To see that first aid kits for use by workers are kept in the
prescribed condition with contents complete in accordance with
requirements listed in the Standard Stores Catalogue.
14. To study the safest, most effective and efficient method of doing
the work in accordance with the Rules before undertaking it and apply it
during progress of the work.
15. To assign a sufficient number of qualified workers to do each job
safely
16. To brief all workers on the plan of work. before work is started
When conducting a briefing the following details shall be fully discussed:
a) The plan of action to be followed.
b) Potential hazards and the ways to eliminate or protect against them.
c) Definite work assignments.
d) Use of special tools or equipment.
e) Check that instructions are clearly understood.
If the job is complex or if a change of plan Is to be made, conduct additional
briefing as required to ensure that the worker! Understand each progressive
step of the work.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

10
1.1.3 SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES OF WORKERS
The greatest responsibility for a worker's safety lies directly with the worker.
This means that all workers are responsible for performing their work in a
manner that does not endanger themselves, their co-workers, or others in
the area and for complying with safety rules and requirements. Workers
should not rely solely on the care exercised by another for their protection.
Workers are encouraged to contribute to the safety program and bring to
the attention of their supervisors or safety representative any condition they
believe is unsafe.

Other safety responsibilities of workers include:

1. The worker should examine the work area for existing hazards and
proceed in a safe manner.
2. When seen in a dangerous situation, fellow workers should be warned in
such a manner as to avoid confusing, startling, or suddenly alarming
them.
3. Before climbing towers, ladders, or other such structures or before
working on scaffolds, workers shall make a careful inspection to
determine whether the structures are safe and are properly supported.
4. Workers should not carry anything in their hands while ascending or
descending ladders. Small objects or tools may be carried in pockets or
pouches. Larger objects, however, should be raised or lowered by use of
hand lines or ropes and blocks. Others working nearby or below should

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

11
 remain out of line of the work area in case anything should accidentally
be dropped.
5. It is the responsibility of each worker to attend safety meetings. Workers
should also make a practice of learning safety information made
available to them that will help them perform their work more safely.
6. The worker shall report to the supervisor any personal injury as defined
by the facility as soon as possible.
7. The worker should exercise care and good judgment when lifting heavy
material, obtaining help if the object is too heavy or awkward for one
person to handle.

1.2 Hazards identification, Risk assessment and risk control,

the risk management process for the prevention of fall
1.2.1 An overview
Employers have a duty to ensure, as far as practicable, that employees are
not exposed to hazards at the workplace. They can do this by following a risk
management process to identify hazards and assess and control risks.
In addition, there is a specific requirement for employers to carry out this
risk management process for the prevention of falls. This involves a three
step process to:
 identify hazards;

 assess risks; and

 Control risks.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

12
To assist in identifying hazards where a person may fall and assessing and
controlling the risks, consideration should be given to:
 previous injuries, ‘near miss’ incidents or accidents arising from falls

which have occurred at the workplace or other similar workplaces;

 relevant codes of practice and guidance notes;

 consultation with employees, safety and health representatives (if any),

safety and health committees, self employed people and contractors to

find out what problems may be associated with performing tasks/ jobs;
 walk through inspections of the workplace (consider using checklists);

and
 Any other records or statistics which indicate potentially unsafe work

practices.

1.2.2. Identifying hazards

Identifying hazards involves recognizing things that may cause injury or harm
to the health of a person, such as where a person may fall from, through or
into a place or thing.
In practical terms, a hazard often is associated with a condition or activity
that, if left uncontrolled, can result in an injury or illness.
You must first identify all hazards in your working environment. You have to
search for the source of different type of energy. The source of energy is the
only source of hazards.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

13
Hazards could be:
 Electrical hazards.
 Mechanical hazards.
 Fall Hazards.
 Chemical hazards.
 Heat stress hazards.
A hazard identification process or procedure may range from a simple
checklist for specific equipment, such as a ladder or fall-arrest system
inspection checklist, to a more open-ended appraisal of a group of related
work processes. Generally, a combination of methods will provide the most
effective results.
A hazard identification tool commonly used is the Job Safety Analysis (JSA).

Common fall hazards checklist

Key things to check at the workplace include:
• Surfaces:
- The stability;
- The fragility or brittleness;
- The slipperiness (e.g. where surfaces are wet, polished, glazed or oily
in the case of new steelwork);
- The safe movement of employees where surfaces change;
- The strength or capability to support loads; and
- The slope of work surfaces (e.g. where they exceed 7o);

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

14
• Levels (where levels change and employees may be exposed to a fall from
one level to another);
• structures (the stability of temporary or permanent structures);
• The ground (the evenness and stability of ground for safe support of
scaffolding or working platform);
• The raised working area (whether it is crowded or cluttered);
• Scaffolding (the correct erection and dismantling);
• edges (edge protection for open edges of floors, working platforms,
walkways, walls or roofs);
• Hand grip (places where hand grip may be lost);
• Openings or holes which will require identification or protection or
unguarded shafts or excavations;
• Proximity of employees to unsafe areas:
- Where loads are placed on elevated working areas;
- When objects are below a work area, such as reo bars and star pickets;
- Where work is to be carried out above workers (e.g. potential hazards
from falling objects); and
- Power lines near working areas;
• Movement of plant or equipment (ensuring there is no sudden
acceleration or deceleration);
• Access to, egress from and movement around the working area (checking
for obstructions);

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

15
• Manual handling (checking safe work practices for carrying awkward
materials, such as plaster boards and roof sheeting, which may be
caught by the wind);
• Lighting;
• Weather conditions (when heavy rain, dew or wind are present);
• Footwear and clothing (suitability for conditions);
• Ladders (where and how they are being used); and
• Young, new or inexperienced employees (i.e. employees unfamiliar with a
task).
1.2.3 Assessing and analyzing risks
This involves looking at the chance or likelihood of a fall occurring and, if a
fall did occur, the extent of any harm or injury (i.e. the consequences). This is
a way of deciding which hazards need to be tackled first (i.e. where there is
the highest risk of falls).
This step should provide information on:
 Where, which and how many employees are likely to be at risk of

incurring injuries;
 How often this is likely to occur; and

 The potential severity of any injuries.

Risk assessment is not an absolute science – it is a ‘best estimate’ on the

basis of the information available. It is therefore important that:

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

16
  A person undertaking a risk assessment has the necessary information,

knowledge and experience of that work environment and work process;

or
 The risk assessment involves people with information, knowledge and

experience in the process.

In carrying out a risk assessment, it is necessary to break down each activity
or process into a series of parts or smaller tasks and assess each one
separately. A Job Safety Analysis can assist with this.
Information for risk assessment
Ways to determine the likelihood and potential consequences of each
hazard include:
 looking at similar workplaces or processes;

 looking at the workplace’s previous incident and injury reports and data

for falls;
 consulting with safety and health representatives (if any) and other

employees;
 looking at the way tasks/jobs are performed;

 looking at the way work is organized;

 determining the size and layout of the workplace;

 assessing the number and movement of all people at the workplace;

 determining the type of operation to be performed;

 identifying the type of machinery/plant to be used;

 assessing adequacy of inspection and maintenance processes;

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

17
  examining the way all materials and substances are stored and handled;

 assessing what knowledge and training is needed to perform tasks safely

and the adequacy of current knowledge and training (e.g. gap

analysis); and
 Examining adequacy of procedures for all potential emergency

situations (e.g. accidents and rescues).

A risk assessment is unnecessary if you already know the risk and how to
control it. When assessing the risks arising from each fall hazard, the
following matters should be considered:
 the design and layout of elevated work areas, including the distance of
a potential fall
 the number and movement of all people at the workplace
 the proximity of workers to unsafe areas where loads are placed on
elevated working areas (for example, loading docks) and where work is
to be carried out above people and there is a risk of falling objects
 the adequacy of inspection and maintenance of plant and equipment
(for example, scaffolding)
 the adequacy of lighting for clear vision
 weather conditions—the presence of rain, wind, extreme heat or cold
can cause slippery or unstable conditions
 The suitability of footwear and clothing for the conditions.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

18
1.2.4. Controlling risks
The next step is to implement control measures to eliminate or reduce the
risk of a person being injured or harmed (e.g. eliminate or reduce the
likelihood of a person falling) and to ensure those measures are monitored
and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
There is a preferred order of control measures, ranging from the most
effective to the least effective in eliminating or reducing the risk of falls. This
is outlined below in Table 1.
The preferred way of controlling risk is by design, substitution, redesign,
separation or administration. These control measures generally eliminate,
reduce or minimize risk more effectively than personal protective
equipment.
Specific regulations set out certain mandatory methods that are required to
control the risk and some of these, such as the protection of holes and
openings, are outlined later in this document.

How to control the risk

There are a number of ways to control the risks of falls. Some control
measures are more effective than others. Control measures can be ranked
from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. This ranking
is known as the hierarchy of control.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

19
Table 1: Preferred order of control measures to eliminate or
reduce the risk of falls (hierarchy of control)
1. Elimination – removing the hazard or hazardous work practice from the
workplace (e.g. eliminating the need to access the fall risk area such as
by installing air conditioning units in the centre of the roof);
2. Substitution – substituting or replacing a hazard or hazardous work
practice with a less hazardous one (e.g. providing an alternative means
of access such as a safe walkway so the risks of falls are avoided; or
installing an elevating work platform for work at heights);
3. Isolation – isolating or separating the hazard or hazardous work practice
from people involved in the work or people in the general work areas
(e.g. barricading or enclosing the fall risk area with edge protection,
installing handrails and covering floor penetrations);
4. Engineering control – if the hazard cannot be eliminated, substituted or
isolated, an engineering control is the next preferred measure. This
includes the use of a fall injury prevention system designed to restrain or
arrest a person’s fall from one level to another and minimize the risk of
injury or harm to a person if they fall (e.g. a restraint system or fall-
arrest system, catch platforms, safety nets and safety mesh). It may also
include modifications to plant or providing guarding to machinery and
equipment;

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

20
 5. Administrative control – this includes introducing work practices that
reduce the risk, such as implementing measures to ensure that
procedures, instruction, training and warning signs are in place to warn
and protect persons exposed to falls. This could also include limiting
the amount of time a person is exposed to a particular hazard. These
controls should be used in conjunction with physical controls and
appropriate supervision.
In some instances, a combination of control measures may be appropriate.
Examples of control measures include:
 designing, planning and modifying plant, buildings and structures to

prevent falls;
 looking at the way jobs can be done safely to eliminate or reduce the

likelihood of a fall (e.g. checking that ladders are safe and used
correctly);
 organizing and sequencing work so that people do not interfere with or

increase the risk of a fall for themselves or others;

 identification, collection and presentation of information and knowledge

required by employees and contractors to enable them to work safely;

 identifying the training required to work safely if there is the risk of a

fall; and
 Identifying areas requiring non-slip surfaces for stairs or ladders.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

21
Other means of reducing risk
 Other means of reducing risks may be more appropriate to a particular

case than the ones mentioned in this section, if they can eliminate or
reduce the risk of a fall.
 For example, the erection of different communication towers and masts

(many of which may require multi guy lines) and advertising and other
types of signage on towers and structures will require consideration of
other means of reducing the risks of falling.
 The risks associated with maintenance and servicing plant and buildings

must also be considered.

 In all cases, the three basic steps of hazard identification, risk

assessment and risk control must be carried out.

1.2.5 Monitoring and review control measure
Deciding on and implementing a risk control measure is not the end of the
risk management process. It is important to constantly monitor and review
control measures to ensure that they continue to prevent or control
exposure to hazards or hazardous work practices.
A risk management process should be conducted as an ongoing process
because workplaces are usually constantly changing environments with new
hazards being introduced; for example, when new equipment or plant are
introduced or the work environment or standards are changed.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

22
In determining the frequency of the monitoring and review processes,
consider such things as:
 The level of risk (high-risk hazards need more frequent assessments);

 The type of work practice or plant involved (there may be particular

stages in the life of a piece of equipment where more frequent

assessments are appropriate).
Each workplace should:
 have a planned program of inspections and maintenance;

 undertake a review each time the work environment changes; and

 Regularly review the process for hazard identification, risk assessment

and risk control to ensure it is effective.

Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requires your employees to wear PPE.
Personal Protective Equipment includes respirators, hearing protection,
protective clothing, safety glasses, hardhats, high-visibility clothing, and
safety footwear.
PPE is the least effective means of controlling hazards because of the high
potential for damage to render PPE ineffective.
Additionally, some PPE, such as respirators, increase physiological effort to
complete a task and, therefore, may require medical examinations to ensure
workers can use the PPE without risking their health.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

23
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is acceptable as a control method in
the following circumstances:

 When exposure to hazards cannot be engineered completely out of

normal operations or maintenance work,
 When engineering controls are not feasible or do not totally eliminate
the hazard;
 While engineering controls are being developed;
 When safe work practices cannot provide sufficient additional
protection; and
 During emergencies when engineering controls may not be feasible.
Note: The use of PPE to control hazards should always be the last resort.
1-3 Working Safely Attitudes
We all have a natural tendency to want to be safe. Its human being feeling
and its requirement for you and your company:
 To Prevent accidents
 Avoiding personal injury
 Avoiding personal loss
 Preventing injuries to others
 Avoiding production loss
 Avoiding property damage

So, Do It Safety or Not At All

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

24
Commitment and develop a positive attitude to safety:
1. An employee with a good safety attitude:
a) Recognizes that safety programs and their objectives are primarily established
for the employee's benefit.
b) Believes that the job must be done without taking unacceptable or
unnecessary risks.
c) Believes that a person's safety depends on mental alertness.
d) Believes that a person's safety depends on knowledge of safety rules,
procedures and practices.
e) Believes that a person's safety depends on the continual practice of safe work
habits.
f) Promotes and supports safety with enthusiasm.
2. Managers and supervisors have a significant effect on the attitude of
employees by their interest in employee safety and the example of their
own actions. It is necessary to listen to the concerns of subordinates,
investigate problems and explain reasons for subsequent actions.
3. Managers and supervisors must be seen to accept responsibility for the
safety of their subordinates. 1t is particularly important that temporary
and acting supervisors understand and accept this responsibility.
4. Work planning must include, and be seen to include, safety together with
other production objectives.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

25
Having a good safety attitude means:
 Doing the best job you can – not the fastest job you can – being careful
on the job, and not engaging in horseplay
 Staying focused on the task you’re performing
 being on the lookout for potential hazards, and reporting them to your
supervisor as soon as possible
 Taking precautions against hazards, such as using the personal
protective equipment (PPE) we provide
 Following all of our safety rules, and paying close attention to warning
signs
 Thinking about the safety of your co-workers, as well as yourself
 Taking responsibility for your own safety – including immediately
reporting any injuries
Some Common distractions
 Getting too little sleep – coming to work ill – coming to work under the
influence of alcohol or other drugs – having your mind on something
else.
 Being in too big of a hurry
 Being angry or upset
 Not paying close attention to what you’re doing
 Failing to check for nearby hazards
 Talking with a co-worker, instead of concentrating on the task at hand

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

26
Poor safety attitudes
There are a number of examples of poor safety attitudes. Here are a few to
think about. If any of these sounds like you, it’s not too late to change:
 “I’m going to do things my way. I know what I’m doing.”
 “I’ve always done it this way, and I haven’t been hurt before.”
 “I could do this job in my sleep.”
 “I don’t have time to think about safety. I need to get this job done
right now.”
 “I know a shortcut that will help me get done quicker.”
 “These safety rules aren’t important. They certainly don’t apply to
me.”
 “This job is simple.”
 “I can figure this out myself. I don’t need any help.”

1.4 JOB HAZARDS ANALYSIS.

What is a hazard?
A hazard is the potential for harm. In practical terms, a hazard often is
associated with a condition or activity that, if left uncontrolled, can result in
an injury or illness. See Appendix 2 for a list of common hazards and
descriptions.
Identifying hazards and eliminating or controlling them as early as possible
will help prevent injuries and illnesses.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

27
What is a job hazard analysis?
A job hazard analysis is a technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to
identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between
the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment. Ideally, after you
identify uncontrolled hazards, you will take steps to eliminate or reduce
them to an acceptable risk level.
Why is job hazard analysis important?
Many workers are injured and killed at the workplace every day all over the
world. Safety and health can add value to your business, your job, and your
life. You can help prevent workplace injuries and illnesses by looking at your
workplace operations, establishing proper job procedures, and ensuring that
all employees are trained properly. One of the best ways to determine and
establish proper work procedures is to conduct a job hazard analysis.
A job hazard analysis is one component of the larger commitment of a
safety and health management system. (See page 15 for more information
on safety and health management systems.)
What is the value of a job hazard analysis?
Supervisors can use the findings of a job hazard analysis to eliminate and
prevent hazards in their workplaces. This is likely to result in fewer worker
injuries and illnesses; safer, more effective work methods; reduced workers’
compensation costs; and increased worker productivity.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

28
The analysis also can be a valuable tool for training new employees in the
steps required to perform their jobs safely. For a job hazard analysis to be
effective, management must demonstrate its commitment to safety and
health and follow through to correct any uncontrolled hazards identified.
Otherwise, management will lose credibility and employees may hesitate to
go to management when dangerous conditions threaten them.
What jobs are appropriate for a job hazard analysis?
A job hazard analysis can be conducted on many jobs in your workplace.
Priority should go to the following types of jobs:
 Jobs with the highest injury or illness rates;
 Jobs with the potential to cause severe or disabling injuries or illness,
even if there is no history of previous accidents;
 Jobs in which one simple human error could lead to a severe accident
or injury;
 Jobs that are new to your operation or have undergone changes in
processes and procedures; and
 Jobs complex enough to require written instructions.

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

29
The minimum requirements for a job hazard analysis or job safety analysis.
Identification of the work site
Description of the work to be done
Specific hazards and how to minimize or eliminate them by use of safety equipment
Use of proper arc flash and shock hazard personal protective equipment (PPE)
Instructions covering special practices for grounding, unusual equipment and
tools, and first aid requirements for hazardous materials
Sequence of major steps or a detailed step-by-step work listing
A JHA or JSA, and written standard operating procedure

Safety Basics and Job Hazards Analysis

30