Health and Safety Best Practices in Debswana Mining

This document outlines the health and safety best practices, hazard identification, risk assessment, legal requirements, prevention strategies, emergency response, incident reporting procedures, ethical considerations, and cultural responsibilities for a health and safety supervisor in Debswana mining, Botswana. It aims to provide a comprehensive guide for analyzing workplace scenarios in a case study exam, ensuring critical thinking, effective safety implementation, and maintaining a human tone.

Hazard Identification

Hazard identification is a crucial part of evaluating potential harm in any situation. It involves finding and recording possible hazards present in the workplace, and it is the first step in risk assessment. [5]

What is a Hazard?

A hazard is any source of potential damage or harm to someone or something. This includes potential for harm or adverse effects to people (health effects), organizations (property or equipment losses), or the environment. [5] [5]

Types of Hazards

Hazards can be classified into several categories:

• Biological: bacteria, viruses, fungi, insects, plants, and animals.
• Chemical: depends on the physical, chemical, and toxic properties of the product.
• Ergonomic: repetitive movements, improper setup of workstations, etc.
• Physical: radiation, magnetic fields, temperature extremes, pressure extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, vibration, etc.
• Psychosocial: stress, violence, harassment, etc.
• Safety: slipping or tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns.

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Identifying Hazards

To identify hazards, consider:

• Materials or situations you come into contact with (e.g., electricity, chemicals, temperature extremes, radiation, asphyxiants, working near water).
• Objects or equipment that could strike you (e.g., moving objects, flying objects, falling material).
• Objects or equipment your body might strike or get caught in (e.g., stationary or moving objects, protruding objects, sharp edges, pinch points).
• Potential for falls from heights (e.g., structures, ladders, roofs, trenches).
• Potential for slips or trips on the same level (e.g., obstructions, surface issues, poor footwear).
• Potential for overexertion (e.g., lifting, pulling, repetitive motions, awkward postures).
• Other situations (e.g., unauthorized people, violent situations, working alone, confined spaces, missing materials, new equipment, fire, chemical spills).

[1] [1] [1] [2] [2] [2] [2] [2]

When to Conduct Hazard Identification

Hazard identification should be performed:

• During design and implementation of new processes or machinery.
• Before tasks are performed, including equipment checks and reviewing surroundings.
• While tasks are being performed, watching for changes or abnormal conditions.
• During inspections (formal, informal, or by the health and safety committee).
• After incidents, including near misses and injuries.

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Methods for Hazard Identification

Various methods can be used to identify hazards:

• Workplace inspections.
• Job descriptions and demands analysis.
• Job safety analysis.
• Incident investigations.
• Review of documents and records.
• Hazard reporting by employees.
• Hazard mapping.

[3] [4]

Comprehensive Hazard Identification

To ensure all hazards are found:

• Look at all aspects of the work, including non-routine activities.
• Examine the physical work environment, equipment, and materials.
• Include all steps in a task or activity.
• Review injury and incident records.
• Talk to workers.
• Include all shifts and off-site workers.
• Consider how the work is organized.
• Look at foreseeable unusual conditions.
• Determine if products or equipment can be intentionally or unintentionally changed.
• Review all phases of the lifecycle of processes, products, and services.
• Examine risks to visitors or the public.
• Consider groups with different levels of risk (e.g., young workers, persons with disabilities, new mothers).
• Consider psychosocial aspects of the job.

[4] [4] [4] Risk Assessment

Risk assessment involves analyzing and evaluating the risk associated with each identified hazard. This helps in determining appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard or control the risk. [3]

Legal Requirements

Health and safety legislation mandates workplace inspections as a proactive measure to ensure workplace health and safety. [17]

Responsibilities of Management, Supervisors, and Workers

Management Responsibilities

• Providing a safe and healthful workplace.
• Establishing and maintaining a health and safety program.
• Ensuring workers are educated, trained, or certified as required.
• Reporting incidents and cases of occupational disease.
• Providing medical and first aid facilities.
• Ensuring personal protective equipment is available and maintained.
• Providing workers with health and safety information.
• Supporting supervisors in their health and safety activities.
• Evaluating health and safety performance of supervisors.
• Ensuring the health and safety program is reviewed at defined intervals.
• Implementing necessary changes from the review.

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Supervisor Responsibilities

• Instructing workers to follow safe work practices.
• Enforcing health and safety regulations.
• Correcting unsafe acts and conditions.
• Ensuring only authorized and trained workers perform tasks.
• Reporting and investigating all incidents.
• Inspecting areas under their control and taking remedial action.
• Ensuring equipment is properly maintained.
• Promoting safety awareness among workers.

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Worker Responsibilities

• Using personal protection and safety equipment as required.
• Following safe work procedures.
• Knowing and complying with all regulations.
• Reporting any injury or illness immediately.
• Reporting unsafe acts and conditions.
• Participating in health and safety committees.

[9] [6] Prevention Strategies

Hierarchy of Controls

The hierarchy of controls prioritizes hazard control methods:

• Elimination: Remove the hazard from the workplace.
• Substitution: Replace the hazard with a less hazardous one.
• Engineering Controls: Modify plants, equipment, or processes to reduce exposure.
• Administrative Controls: Implement safe work practices, training, and procedures.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Use PPE as a last resort when other controls are not sufficient.

[7] [15] [16]

Safe Work Procedures

Safe work procedures are the safest way to perform a job. They involve job instruction, performance monitoring, and incident investigation. [8]

Steps to Establish Safe Work Procedures

1. Select the job.
2. Break down the job into a sequence of steps.
3. Identify the hazards.
4. Define preventive measures.

[8] Emergency Response

Emergency Planning

Emergency plans aim to prevent or minimize fatalities, injuries, and damage during sudden and unexpected situations. [14]

Steps to Develop an Emergency Plan

1. Compile a list of possible hazards or scenarios.
2. Identify the possible major consequences of each.
3. Determine the required countermeasures.
4. Inventory the resources needed.
5. Establish the necessary emergency organization and procedures.
6. Provide communication, training, and periodic drills.

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First Aid Programs

A first aid program should include:

• Location of first aid stations and required supplies.
• Identification of first aid attendants.
• Identification of other staff trained in first aid.
• Policy on medical examinations.
• Procedures for transporting injured workers.
• Provision of first aid training.
• Procedure for recording injuries and illnesses.

[14] Incident Reporting Procedures

Reporting and Investigation

All incidents, including near misses, injuries, and unsafe conditions, must be reported and investigated to prevent recurrence.

Workplace Inspections

Workplace inspections help identify existing hazards so corrective action can be taken. Supervisors are responsible for conducting inspections and acting on reported unsafe conditions. [17]

Types of Inspections

• Ongoing inspections by supervisors and workers.
• Hazard reports submitted by workers.
• Incident and investigation reports.
• Pre-operation checks.
• Pre-start engineering health and safety reviews.
• Job hazard analysis.
• Periodic inspections.
• Monitoring devices.

[13] [13] [13] [13] [13] [13] [13] [13] Ethical Considerations and Cultural Responsibilities

A strong safety culture promotes ethical behavior and shared responsibility for health and safety. This includes respecting local customs and traditions while implementing safety measures.

Health and Safety Policy Implementation

Effective implementation of a health and safety policy requires:

• Clearly defined OHS responsibilities throughout the organization.
• Established methods of accountability.
• Implemented procedures and program activities.
• Provision of financial and other resources.
• Clear communication of policy objectives.

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Communication of the Policy

The health and safety policy and responsibilities should be communicated through:

• Orientation and ongoing training.
• Health and safety committees.
• Job descriptions.

[12] Worker Orientation and Training

Worker orientation is crucial for:

• Providing basic safety information.
• Explaining emergency procedures.
• Defining responsibilities.
• Ensuring understanding of safety-related items.

Training Program Design

Training programs should cover:

• Roles and responsibilities.
• Internal responsibility system.
• Hazard identification, control, and risk assessment.
• Emergency procedures.
• Incident investigation.
• Planned inspections.
• Communication skills.

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Instructor Qualifications

Instructors should:

• Receive training in how to instruct.
• Prepare an orderly plan for instruction.
• Explain the reasons why each step must be done in a certain way.

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General Instruction Guidelines

All instructors should:

• Plan the session beforehand.
• Explain what is to be done.
• Describe all hazards and protective measures.
• Demonstrate each step.
• Have the worker carry out each step.
• Check frequently to ensure correct performance.

[10] Good Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is essential to prevent the accumulation of hazardous materials and conditions. [15]

Personal Hygiene Practices

Personal hygiene practices reduce the amount of hazardous material absorbed by workers. Examples include: [16]

• Washing hands after handling material and before eating, drinking, or smoking.
• Avoiding touching lips, nose, and eyes with contaminated hands.
• No smoking, drinking, chewing gum, or eating in work areas.
• Not storing hazardous products in the same refrigerator as food items.

[16] Disciplinary Actions

Compliance with health and safety rules should be a condition of employment. Procedures for dealing with repeat rule violators should be established, focusing on education rather than punishment. [8] [8]

Key Considerations for Disciplinary Procedures

• Ensure workers are aware of the rule.
• Ensure workers are not coerced into disregarding the rule.
• All rules are to be followed.
• All violations will be managed.
• Action is taken promptly.
• Action is done confidentially, consistently, and recorded.

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