U N I T 2 SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE This Unit gives information on dangers and hazards in the workplace, the procedures, the rules to follow in order to prevent accidents, the safety equipment and the evacuation plans. A. SAFETY FIRST OF ALL Safety in the workplace is the priority of organizations and companies towards their employees. No work environment is entirely injury-proof and an effective risk management process is expected to follow the following criteria: 1. A safe and healthy environment is a condition of employment and is both employers and employees responsibility; 2. Safety must be given as much importance as productivity, quality and cost control; 3. All hazards must be identified and controlled; accidents must be immediately reported and investigated into; 4. Safety and health education need to be consistent and ongoing. Effective safety programmes must include hazard identification and control, risk analysis, safety education/training and appropriate practice policies. Hazards are usually classified into health and safety hazards. The former include any agents, situations or conditions that can cause occupational illnesses: chemical substances (battery acid, solvents), biological agents (bacteria, viruses, dusts and moulds), physical agents (heat, light, vibration, noise, radiation) or ergonomic hazards (incorrect postures and long duration/ continuous work).The latter are any agents, situations or conditions that can result in physical injuries such as cuts, fractures or burns. Moving parts of machinery, unsafe electric power points, slippery floors, ejection of material, pressure systems, falling, rolling or shifting materials, 156