Lesson 4

Practice Occupational Safety and Health

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this lesson, you are expected to do the following:
1. Identify hazards and risk;
2. Evaluate hazards and risk; and
3. Control hazards and risk.

Definition of Terms:
Chemical Hazard Any hazard that results from the accidental exposure to toxic chemical.
Desktop computer Is a personal computer (PC) in a form intended for stationary use.
Electric shock Characterized by pain and muscular spasm caused by an electric current.
Elimination The process of removing the hazard from the workplace.
Ergonomics The science of designing the workplace environment to fit the user.
Hazard A situation that has the potential to harm the health and safety of people.
Hazard Control The development of systems to prevent accidents or injuries
Health The general condition of a person in all aspects.
Housekeeping Is the systematic process of making a home neat and clean.
Risk A potential hazardous condition that a chosen action or activity causes.
Risk management The process of analyzing exposure to risk and managing it.
Safety The safety the state of being “safe”.
Standards Something accepted as a basis for comparison.
Tree structure An algorithm for placing and locating files in an organized database.

Acronyms:
OSH Occupational Health and Safety
PPE Personal Protective Equipment

Learning Outcome 1:
Identify hazards and risk

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

1. Workplace hazards and risks are identified and clearly explained.

2. Hazards/risks and their corresponding indicators are identified in accordance with the company procedures.
3. Contingency measures are recognized and established in accordance with organizational procedures.

Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and risk Control

Occupational safety and health (OSH) is a planned system of working to prevent illness and injury where you work by
recognizing and identifying hazards and risks. Health and safety procedure is the responsibility of all people and the
computer and technology industries. You must identify the hazards where you are working and decide how dangerous they
are. Eliminate the hazard modify the risks that it presents. This module is intended to give you some guidelines and advice
of common areas of health and safety problems in the computer industry and to help you gain a general awareness of your
responsibilities as user and technician in a safe environment.

There are three steps used to manage health and safety at work:
1. Spot the Hazard (Hazard Identification)
2. Assess the Risk (Risk Assessment)
3. Make the Changes (Risk Control)

At work you can use three Think Safe steps to help prevent accidents.

Using the Think Safe Steps

1. Spot the Hazard

Key Point
A hazard is anything that could hurt you or someone else.

Examples of workplace hazards include:

 rayed electrical cords (could result in electrical shock)
 Boxes stacked precariously (could result in damage to your hearing)
 Noisy machinery (cloud result in damage to your hearing)
During work experience, you must remain alert to anything that may be dangerous. If you see, hear r smell anything odd,
take note. If you think it could be a hazard, tell someone.

2. Assess the Risk

Key Point
Assessing the risk means working out how likely it is that a hazard will harm someone and how serious the harm could be.

Whenever you spot a hazard, assess the risk by asking yourself two questions:
 How likely is it that the hazard could harm me or someone else?
 How badly cold I or someone else be harmed?

Always tell someone (your employer, you supervisor or your health and safety representative) about hazards you can’t fix
yourself, especially if the hazard could cause serious harm to anyone.

For Example:
 Ask your supervisor for instructions and training before using equipment
 Ask for help moving or lifting heavy objects.
 Tell your supervisor if you think a work practice could be dangerous.

If you are not sure of the safest way to do something during work experience, always ask your work experience supervisor.

3. Make the Changes

Key Point
It is your employer’s responsibility to fix hazards. Sometimes you may be able to fix simple hazards yourself or
others at risk. For example, you can pick up things from the floor and put them away to eliminate a tri hazard.

Common hazards encountered by computer technicians and users

A hazard is a situation in the workplace that has the potential to harm the health and safety of people or to damage plant
and equipment. The situation could involve a task, chemical or equipment used. Hazard management is a continuous
process that can be used to improve the health and safety of all workplaces.

Physical Hazards
One of the most common physical hazards involving computer technicians is cables running across the floor. If someone
trips, falls, and hurts himself because of a cable you ran across the floor, someone (you, your employer, or your costumer)
has a serious legal negligence problem. If you need to temporarily run a cable across the floor, place a Danger sign similar
to those “wet floor” signs use by cleaning services.

For cables that are temporary but will need to run across the floor for a longer period of time, use “gaffers tape”. Gaffers
tape is a heavy tape with strong adhesive to stick to the floor. It comes in a wide range of colors, from unintrusive matte
black to hazard warning red. Although it has strong adhesive, it can be removed easily and cleanly.

For long term cable routing there is a wide variety of cable organizing devices like cable ties, cable wraps, and cable
raceways which can be used to run cable safely along the wall or ceiling.
Other common physical hazards include leaving tools on top of ladders and placing electronic equipment in precarious
positions or on support that is not sturdy enough or not designed for holding electronic equipment.

Mechanical Hazard
When working on electronics equipment, ask yourself “is there any way this electronic could hurt me?”. You might stick
your hand in a printer and suddenly the paper feed arm moves, feeding not only paper through the printer, but a piece of
your finger too.

You might move your hand past a computer chassis and lose a chunk of flesh because it I razor sharp. When working on
electronic equipment always be alert to any possibility if being hurt by moving parts, hot components, or sharp edges.

Chemical Hazards
There is a wide array of chemicals used with electronic equipment. There are display cleaning chemicals, keyboard
cleaning chemical, compressed gas dust removers, and many cleaning solvents. Some of these chemicals can be harmful
if accidentally swallowed, get on bare skin, or get in eyes. Before using any chemicals for electronic equipment always
read the warnings and instructions on the label.

Also be very careful when dealing printer toner cartridges. Ink and toner can stain skin, clothing, and carpet.

Electric Shock Hazard

Inside computers and electronic equipment, there is a range of voltages from 3.3 volts to 25 volts, most of these are
harmless. But at the power supply, you’ll find line voltage, which is a lethal 220 volts.
Most of the time while working inside computers and electronic equipment, you’ll want them unplugged from the wall
socket. If you need to work on equipment while it is still plugged in or powered up, remove all jewelry and wrist watches.

If you must work inside a line power distribution box, wear an electrician’s rubber insulated gloves and safety glasses. You
might think you don’t need these safety devices because you are going to be extra careful, but one little slip could cause a
flaming explosion that could take off your hand, embed shrapnel in your eyes, or conduct electricity through your heart,
where it takes only 10 milliamps (0.01) to kill a human.

 CRT Monitor High-Voltage Hazard

CRT monitors are becoming less common nowadays, but should you run int one, it is best NOT to open it up. Instead,
outsource any CRT repair job to a qualified CRT repair service. A CRT Monitor has a high-voltage anode inside it, which
can carry a charge of up to 25,000 volts, it can still be holding a high charge days after the power is removed.

If you must open a CRT monitor case for some reason, be sure to study the proper way to discharge a CRT before you
proceed. It involves using a jumper wire and a flat blade screwdriver to shorten the anode to ground. After being
discharged, eve with no power connection, the anode voltage will actually build up again. So you have to repeatedly
discharge it.
 Name: Mobile Number:
Grade and Strand: Score:

A. Direction: Read carefully each statement below. Place T on the line if the statement is True and F if the statement
is False.

1. Health and safety procedure is the responsibility of all persons in the computer and technology
industries.
2. Spotting the hazards means working out how likely it is that a hazard will harm someone and how
serious the harm could be.
3. If you need to temporarily run a cable across the floor, place a Danger sing similar to those “wet
floor” sings used by cleaning services.
4. An LCD monitor has a high-voltage anode inside it, which can carry a charge of up to 25,000 volts,
it can still be holding a high charge days after the power is removed.
5. Inkjet printer cartridges, or laser printer toner cartridges are hazardous to users.

B. Direction: Identify what hazard is being illustrated in the situation below.

1. Slippery computer laboratory floor

2. Hot components, or sharp edges of computer devices
3. Laser printer toner
4. Obstructed electrical cables
5. Open CRT monitor

How Do You Apply What You Have Learned?

Show that you learned something by doing this activity

Operation Sheet 1.1

A. Direction: Analyze the given task below and answer that worksheet that follows.

Task:

1. Choose an industry or type of workplace e.g computer laboratory, computer manufacturing, or a computer shop.
2. Make a list of hazards that may be present in that workplace e.g slippery floors from spilt water, oil etc; uneven
floors from changing floor level. Use the table below.
3. Describe the risks.
4. Write down ways to control the risks.

Spot the Hazard Assess the Risks

A hazard is anything that could hurt you or someone else Workout how likely it is that the hazard will hurt someone and how
badly he/she could be hurt
List the hazards Describe the risks
 

 

 

 

 
 B. Direction: Observe the set-up of your school’s Computer Laboratory. Observe the procedures and arrangement
being practiced and used in the workplace. Identify hazards and assess the risk based on your observations.

I Care for Safe Short Answer

Spot the hazard

If you spot something hazardous, what should you do?

 Simple hazard (e.g boxes on the floor in the way)

 More complex hazard (e.g frayed cords, damaged equipment)

Asses the risk

What two main things should the person in charge or responsible for safety consider when assessing the risk?

How Well Did You Perform?

Find out by accomplishing the Scoring Rubric honestly and sincerely. Remember it is your learning at stake!

Scoring Rubrics:
Criteria 4 3 2 1
1. Number of hazards 4 hazards or more 3 hazards 2 hazards 1 hazard
2. Description of Risk Hazards completely and All hazards completely All hazards completely Hazard not completely,
accurately assessed and accurately but not described but not accurately and clearly
clearly accurately and clearly described
3. Suggested ways of Complete and doable Complete, correct but Complete, not very Not so complete, not
controlling hazards (practical) and correct not very practical correct, not very correct, not practical
practical

How Do You Extend Your Learning?

Make a list of hazards that may be present in your own home when operating a personal computer. Give the possible risk
of the said hazards.

Hazards at home when operating a computer Risk

1

5
What Do You Need to Know?

Read the information sheet 1.2 very well then find out how much you can remember and how much you learned by doing
Self-check 1.2.

Information sheet 1.2

Applying 5s on your computer

You work with documents, presentations, graphics and other files all day— and chances are, you have a lot of them. An
that means it takes time to find the documents you need. Even if it is just a couple of minutes here, and a couple of
minutes there, it all adds up.

But there is a better way to stop the file clutter__ by managing your files more effectively. Digital files are no different than
paper files, and if you don’t have a good method of organization, things get lost.
Whether you save your files in your computer’s hard drive or a shared network location, this course will help you save time
and headache of searching for files.

The purpose of this instruction is to help you apply 5w concepts to the hard drive of your computer resulting in an increase
to your daily productivity, better organization of your computer, and further compliance with the office 5s initiative. We will
cover the following topics as they relate your hard drive:

5s provides the foundation for all quality improvement programs. Thus, it is often said that the road to productivity starts
with 5s and through 5s you can create a highly productive company with highly productive people. 5s is not only a matter
of housekeeping. It is a process to create more productive people and more productive companies through motivation,
education, and the practice of 5s. it involves the creation of a strong corporate culture filled with the spirit of high
productivity.

1. Seiton - Sorting/Putting things in order (Remove/discard what is not needed so that there are fewer hazards and
les clutter to interfere with work. Only keep what is needed.
2. Seiri- Orderliness/Proper Arrangement (Place thing sin such a way that they can be easily reached whenever
they are needed. “There must be a place for everything, and everything must be in its place.”)
3. Seiso- Clean/cleanliness. (Keep workplace and things clean and polished; no trash or dirt in the workplace)
4. Seikitsu- Standardize/Purity (maintain cleanliness after cleaning, consistently perpetual cleaning. Such cleaning I
spart of everyone’s work.)
5. Shitsuke- Sustaining/discipline/commitment 8maintain standards and keep the facility in safe and efficient order
day after day, year after year.)

Keeping your desktop so cluttered create many problems such as:

 It is difficult to find what you are looking for.

 Files, folders, and application shortcuts are grouped together without any logical separation.
 You don’t know immediately where to place knew files (download files, attachments, temporary working
documents, etc)
 When the desktop gets too full, you waste time cleaning temporary/downloaded files.
 If you are only backing up My Documents, items on the desktop may be skipped.
 If you are migrating to a different computer or keeping multiple computers synchronized, the desktop folder is
often missed.

What can you say about the desktop illustrated?

How can you make sure that the above problems will not be encountered?

Consider setting up your files in the tree structure format.

A tree structure is an algorithm for placing and locating files in an organized database. The algorithm finds data by
repeatedly making choices at decisions points called nodes. A node can have as few as two branches (also called
children), or as many as several dozen.

The folder names do not necessarily tell the user what is inside them, making it difficult for yourself and others to find. Also,
the folders that are inside don’t necessarily belong there of fit with the other files.

Sort- it’s the best thing that you can do

Tired of icon clutter on your desktop? Sure, you can organize your desktop shortcuts, programs, folders, and the like by
dragging and dropping, but eventually some game or other screen resolution-changing app will undo all your hard work.

Make Yourself a Desktop Cleaner

Your desktop is the first thing you see when you start your computer. This should be the most organized of your electronic
workspace. But what if your desktop looks like this?
What will be the impression on your classmates?

The desktop offers many features that make using your computer easier. You can easily start programs or applications,
copy and move files from one place to another and drag and drop files and program where you want them on the computer
or even on to a program’s icon to open a file.

Manage Your Own Desktop

Numerous studies have shown that your environment affects your productivity, and that even something as simple as color
can influence your memory or creativity. Since most of our work now is done in the digital realm, it stands to reason that
your desktop environment can play an important role in your productivity.
Your computer’s desktop is a starting point of your entire computing experience, but-like anything else if you let it get ugly
and messy your productivity will take a dive. Here’s how to design and create an attractive desktop with built-in
organization to keep your workplace nice, clean, and productive with minimal effort.

How to manage your desktop:

1. Create d5 folders in My Documents called:

 Inbox- Put unprocessed items that don’t have a place yet in here. This may be items like software
installers you’ve downloaded, file sent to you from colleagues, and random text clippings.
 Action Items- Put items requiring an action that takes more that 2 minutes in here. Theses may be items
such as forms to fill out, large applications to install and setup, and files to upload.
 On Hold- Put items you aren’t yet ready to do or complete in here. These may be articles you’re thinking
of reading, sketches for potential projects, and information about classes you’re thinking about taking.
 Current Project- Put files related to active projects in here. Tis folder contains files you’re currently
working on as well as references files for a project. Each project gets its own unique folder.
 Archive- Put completed projects, genera reference items, and anything else you might want to look at
again in here.

Tip: By placing the underscore in front of the name of the file folder, it will force the folder to display at the top of the list in
My Documents.

2. Now move all relevant files from your desktop into these folders. If you have a large number of files, you can
move everything into the “Inbox” folder and organize it later.
3. All that should be left on the desktop is program icons.

How Do You Apply What You Have Learned?

Show that you have learned something by doing this activity.

Operation sheet 1.1

Directions: Organize your desktop. Name the folders below and organize your own desktop by sorting the given files
accordingly.

Files File folder name

1. YouTube downloader 1.
2. House.jpeg 2.
3. Firezilla 3.
4. DepEd memorandum.pdf 4.
5. Letter to the principal.doc 5.
6. Group project proposal 6.
7. Proposed program of activities 7.
8. School.jpeg 8.
9. Video of the school activities 9.
10. My resume.doc 10
11. Harry Potter movie 11.
12. School Hymn 12.
13. Teach me how to doggy.mp3 13.
 14. List of activities.doc 14.
15. Importance of Facebook usage.ppt 15.
How Well Did You Perform?

Find out by accomplishing the scoring rubric honestly and sincerely. Remember it is your learning at stake!

Soring Rubrics

Criteria Points My Score

1. Accuracy 50
2. Speed 25
3. w/o Assistance 25
Total 100

LEARNING OUTCOME 2

Evaluate hazards and risk

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

1. Effects of hazards are determined.

2. OSH issues and concerns are identified in accordance with requirements and
3. Relevant workplace OSH legislation.

Materials:

1. Workplace
2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
3. Learning guides
4. Hand-outs
- Organizational safety and health protocol
- 5S
- Hazard/risk identification and control

What Do You Already Know?

Let us determine how much you already know about the evaluation of hazards and risk. Take this test.

Pretest LO 2

Direction: Read each statement below carefully. Place T on the line, if you think the statement is TRUE. Place F, if you
think the statement is FALSE.

1. Your knees should be bent at a comfortable angle and greater than 90 degrees flexion when sitting in front a
computer.
2. A well design mouse should not cause undue pressure on the wrist and forehead muscles.
3. Set the eye to screen distance that permits you to most easily focus on the screen.
4. Changing posture at frequent intervals maximizes fatigue when using a computer.
5. Place the keyboard in a position that allows the forearms to be close to the horizontal and the wrists to be
straight.
6. It is recommended that operators avoid spending more than five hours a day on keyboard duties and no
longer than minutes per hour without a postural/stretching break.
7. To detect whether there are reflections from the desk surface, the worker should hold the book below the
surface and assess the change in reflected glare from the screen.
8. 10,000 – 12,000 keystrokes per hour is considered an acceptable standard in typing.
9. Good posture is essential for all users of computers.
10. the solution is t increase the refresh rate of the monitor to at least 75hz.
What Do You Need to Know?

Read information Sheet 2.1 very well then find out how much you can remember and how much you learned by doing Self-
Check 2.1

Information Sheet 2.1

Computer Workstation Ergonomics

There are various health problems associated with the regular use of computers, such as stress, eyestrain, and injuries to
the wrists, neck, and back.

Employers must take steps to protect employees whose work involves the regular use of computers.
Computer ergonomics is the discipline of matching the task to the worker using the most appropriate equipment to
optimize human well-being and overall performance. This can be simplified to “Modify the workplace, not the individual”.

Eyes level with text on the monitor Feet and low back supported

Hands and wrists straight Elbows level with keyboard

Neck slightly bent and head almost Shoulders down, and arms relaxed at
straight sides

Consideration should be given to:

 The accessories required to operate properly

 The layout of equipment on the desk
 The location of furniture in the room

Work surface height

Adjust the height of the work surface and/or the height of the chair so that the work surface slows your elbows to be bent at
90 degrees, forearms parallel with the floor, wrists straight, shoulders relaxed.

Chair

Adjust the sit tilt so that you`re comfortable when you are working on the keyboard. Usually, this will be close to horizontal
but some people prefer the seat tilted slightly forwards. Your knees should be bent at a comfortable angle and greater than
90 degrees flexion. If this places an uncomfortable strain on the leg muscles or if the feet do not reach the floor, then a
footrest should be used. The footrest height must allow your knees to be bent at 90 degrees. Therefore, the height of the
footrest may need to be adjustable. Adjust the backrest so that it supports the lower back when you are sitting upright.

Keyboard placement

Place the keyboard in apposition that allows the forearms to be close to the horizontal and the wrists to be straight. That is,
with the hand in line with the forearm. If this causes the elbows to be held far out from the side of the body then reccheck
the surface height. Some people prefer to have their wrists desk or desk. Be careful not to have the wrists extended or
bent in an up position.

Screen placement

Set the eye to screen at the distance that permits you easily focus on the screen. Usually, this will be within arm’s length.
Set the height of the monitor so that the top of the screen is below eye level and the bottom of the screen can be read
without a marked inclination of the head. Eyes must be level with the tool bar. People who wear bifocal or multi-focal
lenses will need to get a balance where they see out of their lenses and avoid to much neck flexion.

Desk-top layout

Place all controls and task material within a comfortable reach of both hands so that there is no unnecessary twisting of
any part of the body. Most people prefer the document holder to eb between the keyboard and the monitor. There are
many different types of document holders available.
Document holder

Place this close to the monitor screen in the position that causes the least twisting or inclination of the head.

Posture and environment

Change posture at frequent intervals to minimize fatigue. Avoid awkward postures at the extremes of the joint range,
especially the twists. Take frequent short rest breaks rather than infrequent longer ones. Avoid sharp increases in work
rate. Changes should be gradual enough to ensure that the workload does not result in excessive fatigue. After prolonged
absences from work the overall duration of periods or keyboard work should be increased gradually if conditions permit.

Lighting

Place the monitor to the side of the light source/s, not directly underneath. Try to site desks between rows of lights, if the
lighting is fluorescent strip lighting, the sides of the desks should be parallel with the lights. Try not to put the screen near a
window. The solution id to increase the refresh rate of the monitor to at least 75hz.
If the monitor is well away from windows, there are no other sources of bright light and prolonged desk-work is the norm,
use a low level of service light of 300 lux. If there are strongly constructing light levels, then a moderate level of lighting of
400-500 lux may be desirable.

Glare and reflection

It is important to detect the presence of glare and reflection. To determine whether there is glare from overhead lights
whilst seated should hold an object such as a book above the eyes at elbow level and establish whether the screen image
becomes in the absence of overhead glare. To detect whether there are reflections from the desk surface, the worker
should hold the book above the surface and assess the change in reflected glare from screen.

Using a mouse

A well-designed mouse should not cause undue pressure on the wrist and forearm muscles. A large bulky mouse may
keep the wrist continuously bent at an uncomfortable angle. Pressure can be reduced by releasing the mouse at frequent
intervals, by selecting a slim-line, low-profile mouse. Keep the mouse as close as possible to the keyboard, elbow bent and
close to the body.

Posture during keying

Good posture is essential for all users of computers. It comprises of a natural and relaxed position, providing opportunity
for movement, and from which the operator can assume a number of alternative positions. It is not a single, rigidly defined
position.

Typing techniques

Typing is a physical activity, and using a keyboard requires skill, hence the need to learn correct typing technique.
Unskilled (‘hunt and peck’) typists are particularly at risk of Occupational Overuse Injury because they:

 Often use only one or two fingers which may overload the finger tendons;
 Are constantly looking from the keyboard so screen to keyboard, which may strain neck muscles;
 Often adopt a tense posture (twists bent back and fingers ‘poised to strike’).

Speed of keying

The efficiency and speed of modern computers makes it possible for a skilled operator to type extremely quickly. This
capability reinforced by workload pressures means the potential exists for operators to key at speeds which may cause or
contribute to Occupational Overuse Syndrome.

The role of the repetitive movement in injury is not fully understood, but is believed to interfere with the lubrication capacity
of tendons, and the ability of muscles to receive sufficient oxygen supplies. 10,000-12,000 keystrokes per hour is
considered an acceptable standard.

Length of time on the keyboard

The maintenance of a fixed-posture for long period is tiring and increases the likelihood of muscular aches and pains. In
addition, long periods of repetitive movement and sustained visual attention can also give rise to fatigue-related
complaints.
It is recommended that operator avoid spending more than five hours a day on keyboard duties and no longer than 50
minutes per hour without a postural/stretching break.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Computers-Ergonomics Guidelines
Viewing distance: The monitor should be 2-2 ½ feet from the child’s eyes.
Time at computer: Encourage children to use their physical energy.
Seat and height posture: The child should sit high enough to have his arms bent at 90 degrees.
Footrest: Use it to prevent dangling feet.
Mouse: Find one that fits small hands.
Keyboard: Child-sized keyboards with light pressure keying are recommended.

How Much You Have Learned?

Self-Check 2.1

Direction: Read each statement below carefully. Place T on the line, if you think a statement is TRUE. Place F, if you think
the statement is FALSE.

1. Your knees should be bent at a comfortable angle and greater than 9 degrees when sitting in front of a
computer.
2. A well-designed mouse should not cause undue pressure on the waist and forehead muscles.
3. Set the eye to screen at a distance that permits you to most easily focus on the screen.
4. Changing posture at frequent intervals maximizes fatigue when using a computer.
5. Place the keyboard I apposition that allows the forearms to be close to the horizontal and the wrists to be
straight.
6. It is recommended that operators avoid spending more than five hours a day on keyboard duties and no
longer than 50 minutes per hour without a postural/stretching break.
7. To detect whether there are reflections from the desk surface, the worker should hold the book the surface
and assess the change in reflected glare from the screen.
8. 10,000-12,000 keystrokes per hour is considered an acceptable standard in typing.
9. Good posture is essential for all users of computers.
10. The solution is to increase the refresh rate of the monitor to at least 75hz.

Operation Sheet 2.1

Directions: Review the Hazard Evaluation sample exercise with the class. Explain that there is personal judgement in
evaluating hazards. For example, a large bully mouse may keep the wrist continuously bent at an uncomfortable angle.

Answer handout 1 for an individual learning activity Ask students to choose one job (either technician or computer
programmer) or activity at work or at home. Lust potential A, B and C type hazards on computer ergonomics for the job or
activity on the worksheet and give reasons for the type of hazard.

Name: HAZARD EVALUATION Date:

(Computer Ergonomics
Setting: Computer Laboratory Hazard A: Can cause serious injury.
Must be corrected immediately.
Activity/Job: Computer Technician Hazard B: Must be corrected soon to
avoid injury.
Location: Philippines Hazard C: Not an immediate concern.
Plan to correct in future.
Hazard A Hazard B Hazard C
 (Example) (Example) (Example)
1.Overloaded Electrical sockets 1.Computer screen near a window 1.Large bully mouse may keep the wrist
continuously bent at an uncomfortable angle
Reasons why: Reasons why;
Reasons why:

Find out by accomplishing the Scoring Rubric honestly and sincerely. Remember it is your learning at stake!
Activity 4 3 2 1
Identifying Students Identify Students Identify at Students Identify at Students Identify less
hazards and more than 4 hazards least 4 reasonable least 3 reasonable than 4 reasonable
RIsk and risks. hazards and risks. hazards and risks. hazards and risks.
Controlling Students Identify Students Identify at Students Identify at Students Identify fewer
hazards and more than 4 least 4 reasonable, least 3 reasonable, than 3 reasonable,
Risk reasonable, insightful, insightful, possible insightful, possible insightful, possible
possible solutions/strategies to solutions/strategies to solutions/strategies to
solutions/strategies to control hazards and control hazards and control hazards and risk.
control hazards and risk. risk.
risk.

LEARNING OUTCOME 3

Control hazards and risk

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

1. OHS procedures for controlling hazards and risk are strictly followed.
2. Procedure in dealing with workplace accidents, fire and emergencies are followed in accordance with the
organization’s OSH policies.

Materials:

1.Workplace
2.Personal protective equipment (PPE)
3.Learning guides
4.Hand-outs
- Organizational Safety and Health protocol
- 5S
- Hazards/risk identification and control

What Do You Already Know?

Let us determine how much you already know about the control of hazards and risks. Take this test.

Pretest LO 3
A. Directions: List down at least five ways to control hazards in the computer work place.
1.
2
3.
4.
5.

B. Directions: Read each statement below carefully. Place T on the line, if you think the statement is TRUE. Place F if you
think the statement is FALSE.
_________1. The right lighting can reduce eyestrain, neck strain, and headaches.
_________2. When you type, hold your fingers, wrists, and lower arms in a straight line from your keyboard.
_________3. The computer desk should be deep enough to support your arms when you work at the computer.
_________4. When using a computer, keep your feet flat on the floor and your knees slightly lower than your thighs.
_________5. Substitution if a specific hazard or hazardous work process, or preventing it from entering the workplace is
the most effective method of control.

What Do You Need to Know?

Read the Information Sheet 3.1 very well then find out how much you can remember and how much you learned by doing
Self-check 3.1.

Information Sheet 3.1

Controlling hazards and Risk

All workplace hazard (chemical, physical, etc.) can be controlled by a variety of methods. The goal of controlling hazards is
to prevent workers from being exposed to occupational hazards. Some methods of hazard control are more efficient than
others, but a combination of methods usually provides a safer workplace than relying on only one method. Some methods
of control are cheaper than others but may not provide the most effective way to reduce exposures.

The most effective method of controlling hazards is to control at the source by eliminating the hazard or by substituting a
hazardous agent or work process with a less dangerous one.
Before thinking about what control measures are needed, first you need to know whether there are health and safety
problems in your workplace, and if so, what they are.

How can you identify health and safety problems?

Here are some of the ways you can identify health and safety problems:
 Observe your workplace;
 Investigate complaints from workers;
 Examine accident and near-miss records;
 Examine sickness figures;
 Use simple surveys to ask your co-workers about their health and safety concerns;
 Use checklists to help you inspect your workplace;
 Learn the results of inspections that are done by the employer, the union or anyone else;
 Read reports or other information about your workplace.

Once you recognize a hazard, then you can determine which measure will correct the problem most effectively. Generally,
there are five major categories of control measures: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls,
and personal protective equipment. Eliminating a hazard means removing it completely, substitution is replacing one
hazardous agent or work process with a less dangerous one. An engineering control may mean changing a place of
machinery for example, using proper machine guards) or a work process to reduce exposure to a hazard, working a limited
number of hours in a hazardous area is an example of an administrative control (for example, job rotation); and personal
protective equipment (PPE) includes ear and eye protection, respirators, and protective clothing.
Remember: It is always better to control the hazard as close to the source as possible. Using personal protection is the
least acceptable and least effective of all control measures.

Methods of Control

Elimination- Elimination of a specific hazard or hazardous work process or preventing it from entering the workplace, is the
most effective method of control.
Eliminate hazards at the “development stage”. It is important to consider the worker’s health and safety when work
processes are still in the planning stage. For example, when purchasing machines, safety should be the first concern, not
cost. Machines should conform to national safety standards/ They should be designed with the correct guard on them to
eliminate the danger of a worker getting caught in the machine while using it. Machines that are not produced with the
proper guards on them may cost less to purchase, but cost more in terms of accidents, loss of production, compensation,
etc. Unfortunately, many used machines that do not meet safety standards are exported to the developing countries,
causing workers to pay the price with accidents, hearing loss from noise, etc.

Where are controls used?

Controls are usually placed:

  1.At the source (where the hazard “comes from”)
 2.Along the path (where the hazard “travels”)
 3.At the worker

What is meant by elimination?

Elimination- is the process of removing the hazard from the workplace. It is the most effective way to control a risk because
the hazard is no longer present. It is the preferred way to control a hazard and should be used whenever possible.

What is Substitution?
Substitution- occurs when a new chemical or substance is used instead of another chemical. It is sometimes grouped with
elimination because in effect, you are removing the first substance or hazard from the workplace. The goal obviously, is to
choose a new chemical that is less hazardous than the original.

Education and Training

Employee education and training on how to conduct their work safely helps to minimize the risk of exposure and is a
critical element of any complete workplace health and safety program. Training must cover not only how to do the job
safely, but it must also ensure that workers understand the hazards of their job. It must also provide them with information
on how to protect themselves and co-workers.

Good Housekeeping
Good housekeeping is essential to prevent the accumulation of hazardous or toxic materials (e.g., build-up of dust or
contaminant on ledges, or beams) or hazardous conditions (e.g., poor stockpiling).

Emergency Preparedness
Being prepared for emergencies means making sure that the necessary equipment and supplies are readily available and
that employees knew what to do when something unplanned happens such as a release, spill, fire, or injury. These
procedures should be written and employees should have the opportunity to practice their emergency response skills
regularly.

What should I know about personal protective equipment (PPE) as a hazard control method?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes items such as respirators, protective clothing such as gloves, face shields,
eye protection, and footwear that serve to provide a barrier between the wearer and the chemical or material.
It is the final item on the list for a very good reason. Personal protective equipment should ever be the only method used to
reduce exposure except under very specific circumstances because PPE may “fail” (stop protecting the worker) WITH
LITTLE OR NO WARNING. For example “breakthrough” can occur with gloves, clothing, and respirator cartridges.

Why is it important to monitor and review your hazard control program and methods?
It is important to monitor both the hazard and the control methods to make sure that the control is working effectively and
that exposure to the hazard is reduced or eliminated.
Some tools include physical inspection, testing, exposure assessment, observation, injury and illness tracking, employee
feedback/input, occupational health assessment and other methods.

Be sure to answer the following questions:

1. Have the controls solved the problem?
2. Is the risk posed by the original hazard contained?
3. Have any new hazards been created?
4. Are new hazards appropriately controlled?
5. Are monitoring processes adequate?
6. Have workers been adequately informed about the situation?
7. Have orientation and training programs been modified to deal with the new situation>
8. Are any other measures required?
9. Has the effectiveness of hazard controls been documented in your committee minutes?
10. What else can be done?

A review will identify areas that may need more improvement or refinement. It is important to know if all workplace hazards
are identified, assessed, and appropriately controlled.

The workplace can be a dangerous place if various safety procedures are not properly considered. Some precautions can
be taken to reduce the risk of accidents are:

 Ensure there are no trailing wires across or around the room which people could trip on.
  Power cables should be safely secured.
 Electrical equipment should be safely tested at least once a year.
 Electrical sockets should not be overloaded.
 There should be adequate space around desks for people to move.
 Bags and obstacles should be stored out of the way so that people can’t trip over them.
 Food and drink should not be placed near a machine.
 Heating and ventilation should be suitable for the working environment.
 Work desks should be strong enough to support computers and equipment.
 Staff should follow the safety regulations.
 This is the science concerned with designing safe and comfortable machines for use by people.
 This includes furniture design and the design of peripherals that you need to use, such as mouse and keyboard.

Have a look at these top tips to ensure that you work safely and comfortably:

The right lighting can reduce eyestrain, neck strain, and headaches. Sunlight is the best light, but make sure it doesn’t
create glare on your computer screen.
1. The proper desk will let you find the perfect working position. It should be deep enough to support your arms
when you work at the computer.
2. Place your computer screen at eye-level or just below. For optimal comfort, set it about 45 cm from your face.
3. Sit up straight in your chair. Keep your feet flat on the floor and your knees slightly lower than your thighs.

4. Choose an office task chair that lets you tilt forward to reach objects in front of you and backward to stretch your
arms when you’re tired.
5. When you type, hold your fingers, wrists, and lower arms in a straight line from your keyboard.
6. Keep equipment that you use a lot, like your telephone and computer keyboard, within a distance of about 75 cm
when you’re sitting at your desk. Keep other storage and equipment farther away. This encourages you to
change working positions during the day.

Points to remember:
1. Occupational hazards can be controlled by a variety of methods.
2. The goal of controlling hazards is to prevent workers from being exposed to occupational hazards.
3. The most effective control measure is to control hazards at the source by eliminating the hazard or by substituting
a hazardous chemical, machine, work process, etc., with a less dangerous one.
4. It is important to recognize hazards and health and safety problems in the workplace.
5. There are five general categories of control measures: elimination, substitution, engineering controls,
administrative controls and personal protective equipment controls. A combination of methods usually provides a
safer and healthier workplace than relying on only one method.
6. Personal protective equipment should be the last choice in control measures.

Remember the 3 steps to controlling a hazard.

1. See it –Identify the hazards. What is unsafe?
2. Think it –Evaluate the hazards. What could happen?
3. Do it –Provide solutions to control or eliminate the hazards.

How Much Have You Learned?

Self-Check 3.1
Directions: Search for the ten (10) different methods used to control hazards and risks. Encircle the word/words vertically,
horizontally, backward, upward or downward.
E L I M I N T I O N T E A A G
A A D E D F G H Y I G D M S O
T R T Y U I O P A Y B C E D O
S E A S F G H K T Y V G T F D
S D A S E D O E A A C N H G H
T R A I N I N G R F O O O H O
T A I X E T G G F I Y I D J U
T A A F F F F B S E H T S K S
A O E E D U I I T H N A F L E
N I O P S A T D B F H C G X K
A N A T I S A S G R T U S C E
 U R E Y B O C O E L E D A V E
A E O U R O N A L D A E C B P
N A S I A G H K L I O L O N I
C N E N A W H A Z A R D S M N
I A W E I N M L W E Y U I F G
T R I S K W Q A N A W I N N E
Y W E O A C R A M I L O A H A

Refer to the Answer Key. What is your score?

How Do You Apply What You Have Learned?
Show that you learned something by doing this activity.

Operation Sheet 1.1

Handout 3.1 COMPUTER LABORATORY/CLASSROM HAZARDS CONDITION
Indicators Observation
Computer Lab/Classroom

1. Is the housekeeping satisfactory?

2. Is the lighting adequate?
3. Is the floor in good condition?
4. Are the aisle widths and other paths of travel
adequate?
5. Are the entrances and exits adequate?
6. Are emergency procedures (with guidelines for
disabled persons) clearly posted?
7. Is the classroom furniture in good repair and
positioned safely?
Power Cords and Cables
1. Are the proper cords and plugs used?
2. Are all cords in good condition (no fraying or
exposed wires)?

3. Are all plugs in good condition (no cracks or

broken pieces) and firmly attached to cords?

4. Are cords secured to avoid a tripping hazard?

Chairs
1. Are the chairs adjustable?
2. Does the backrest adequately support the lumber
area?
3.Do chairs have rounded seat edges to help blood
circulation in the legs?
4. Does the seat allow for comfortable and
supportive positioning of the legs, torso and arms?
 Mice and Keyboards
1. Are wrist or palm rests available?
2. Is a variety of mice available to fit the different
sized hands of students?
3. Can the height of the mouse be adjusted so it is
located beside the body just above the keyboard
tray?
4. Is the height of keyboards adjustable?
5. Is keystroke pressure adjustable?
6. Is the angle of the keyboard adjustable (to
maintain the hands in a neutral hand position)?
7. Are portable keyboards (which tend to be smaller
than regular keyboards) or reduced size keyboards
available for students with smaller hands?

Monitors (video display terminals)

1. Can workstations (chair, monitor, etc.,) be
arranged so:
-the top of the screen is at eye level (or level that
doesn’t stress the neck or eyes)?
-their eyes are a comfortable distance from the
screen (usually about one arm length)?
-the keyboard is just below elbow height
2. Are monitors placed perpendicular to windows to
reduce glare?
3. Are anti-glare screens available?
4. Does the work surface have an anti-glare surface
to reduce light reflection?

How Well Did You Perform?

Find out by accomplishing the Scoring Rubric honestly and sincerely. Remember it is your learning at stake!
Activity 4 3 2 1
Identifying Students identify more Students identify at Students identify at Students identify fewer
hazards than 4 reasonable, least 4 reasonable, least 3 reasonable, than 3 reasonable,
and Risk insightful insightful insightful insightful
barriers/problems that barriers/problems that barriers/problems that barriers/problems that
need to control hazard need to control hazard need to control hazard need to control hazard
and risks. and risks. and risks. and risks.

Controllin Students identify more Students identify at Students identify at Students identify fewer
g hazards than 4 reasonable, least 4 reasonable, least 3 reasonable, than 3 reasonable,
and Risk insightful possible insightful possible insightful possible insightful possible
solutions/strategies to solutions/strategies to solutions/strategies to solutions/strategies to
control hazards and control hazards and control hazards and control hazards and
risks. risks. risks. risks.

How Do You Extend Your Learning?

Directions: Complete the Table below by analysing the task given.
Your Task:
Think about what your first (next) job might be in the future. In your mind make a picture of how your workplace looks like.
Think about how you could answer the following questions.

MY TRIAL RUN FOR MY FUTURE: See it! Think it! Do It!

Questions Situations
1.Describe one unsafe situation you might find at
work.
2.Why is this a hazardous situation?
3.What injury or health problem could result?
4.How can you prevent an accident from
happening?
Congratulations! You did a great job! Rest and relax.