Workplace injuries are primarily responsible for a large number of workers being absent at work and disability. The occurrence of workplace injury varies from the occupation and the industry of the worker. There are many risk factors that are associated with workplace injuries such as age, experience, shift work, consumption of alcohol, fatigue etc. (Swaen et al. 2002). 1. Fatigue: Fatigue is classified as a task related factor (Hsiao & Simenov 2001). This suggests that given tasks that are being done at different duration and intensities can result to fatigue. Consequently workers ability in processing perceptive and visual information that is related to incident avoidance during work is decreased due to fatigue. Furthermore, fatigue can have different factors of origin that is influenced by non work related situations and the individuals characteristics which then affects the workers ability and performance during work (Swaen et al. 2002). 2. Shift Work: The introduction of shift work mainly depends on safety and productivity of the workers being maintained. However, evidence suggests that safety and productivity of workers may decline at night shifts with more hours on duty between breaks. The shift work system can be improved by introducing more rest breaks (Folkard & Tucker 2003). 3. Noise (Noise induced hearing loss NIHL): Another occupational hazard that contributes to workplace injury is excessive noise. Excessive noise may have adverse effects, which include, high blood pressure, stress, reduced performance and noise induced hearing loss. While there are other factors contributing to NIHL, the shortage of prevention is a high contributor. Engineering controls is one way of reducing noise at its source (Nelson et al. 20... ... middle of paper ... ... al. 1999) the estimated cost to society is 2-14% in various countries. In developing countries, the mortality rate caused by workplace injuries is higher due to the fact that the workers are faced with a higher number and numerous hazards. In addition, in developing countries there are less resources for the prevention, rehabilitation and treatment of workplace injuries (Concha-Barrientos et al. 2005). In rare occurrences workplace injury leads to death while the majority of injuries are minor. The national OHS strategy 2002-2012 by the Australian government has set a target to reduce fatality rate by 20% over the decade. The data from Safe Work Australia statistical report 2009-2010, shows a 10% decrease over 5 years to 2008, an increase in 2009 and a decrease in 2010 (Graph 1). The increase in 2008-2009 was among 15-24 years age group with 95% being male workers.
When it comes to safety most people think they are safe, and they have a true understanding on how to work safe. Human nature prevents us from harming ourselves. Our instincts help protect us from harm. Yet everyday there are injuries and deaths across the world due to being unsafe. What causes people to work unsafe is one of the main challenges that face all Safety Managers across the world.
Western Australian Department of Education. (2010). Occupational Safety and Health. WA: Department of Education. Retrieved from http://www.det.wa.edu.au/policies/detcms/policy-planning-and-accountability/policies-framework/policies/occupational-safety-and-health.en?bbp.s=9&bbp.e=select&bbp.v=4&bbp.i=d0.1&bbp.8.policyID=10918572&g11n.enc=UTF-8&bbp.9.pane=0
According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA, 2009) fatigue is a subjective feeling of tiredness which in respect distorts one’s ability to concentrate on a particular task and the task often seems difficult even though the one performing the task may be an expert in the same field. Jackson (2006) adds on to say that fatigue itself is a condition that reflects inadequate rest combined with a myriad of symptoms that are closely associated with displaced, interrupted or and disturbed biologic...
Harrington, J. M. (2001). Health Effects of Shift Work and Extended Hours of Work. OEM Education. Retrieved on December 3, 2013, from http://oem.bmj.com/content/58/1/68.full. doi: 10.1136.oem.58.1.68
2011 Weigel and Armijos 2011). “Little empirical data are available examining the injury experience of hired crop workers in the United States (US).”(Wang, Myers et al. 2011) Work-related injury data from a national survey collected through the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) in the years 1999, 2002, 2003, and 2004 on 13,604 crop farm workers revealed that the bulk of injuries occurred to male (84%) and Mexican born (72%) workers. “The use of hand tools, falls, and lifting overexertion injuries were identified as significant causes of injury among hired crop workers. Increased injury risk was also seen for crop workers with existing health or musculoskeletal complaints....
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, “National Consensus of Fatal Occupational Injuries in 2011 (Preliminary Results),” News Release, January 12, 2012, 2, accessed October 12, 2012, http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf.
...ted altogether, but by applying ergonomic concepts by administratively or engineering out the hazards, the risks involved can be drastically reduced. Additionally, reduced costs to employers through workers compensation claims and less time away from work occurs when redesigning the workplace or task itself thus increasing worker satisfaction and decreasing employee injuries. But regardless without a proactive approach from management and employees looking for ways to reduce ergonomic stressors in the work place either by following guidance through administrative controls or failing to use the materials handling equipment provided by the employer, the ergonomics program will fail. And to reduce those pricy back injuries, a comprehensive look at the work practices and employees is required to incorporate the ever changing technology to create safer work environments.
An AMT is said to be in fatigue state, whenever he or she sense a reduction in “cognitive ability, coordination, decision-making, reaction time, speed, strength and balance” (FAA, pg. 14-17). As stated earlier, it can be physiological or psychological in nature (FAA). Fatigue reduces an AMT’s alertness, and ability to focus and paying attention to a task that he or she was assigned to perform. Short-term memory problems and direct concentration on insignificant issues while ignoring the important ones are also symptoms of fatigue. An AMT who suffers from fatigue may be distracted very easily or nearly impossible to be distracted. Maintenance personnel may also experience abnormal mood swings and poor judgment or possibly no decision at all (FAA).
Rockett I., Regier, M., Kapusta, N., Coben J., Miller, T., Hanzlick, R., Todd, K., Sattin, R., Kennedy, L., Kleinig, J., & Smith, G. (2012). Leading Causes of Unintentional and Intentional Injury Mortality: United States, 2000–2009. American Journal of Public Health, 102(11), 84-92. Retrieved from http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.2012.300960
An input from the United States Bureau of Labor Statics, shows that traumatic falls in occupational death is accounting for 8 percent of all occupational fatalities in the year 1986. The bureau census on occupational injuries and fatalities and numbe...
Components that are affecting injured works from returning to work looks at numerous articles that talk about trade occupation and restorative rehabilitation (Gross, Hoss and Niemelainen, 2012). The articles offers insight into different reasons affecting the return of injured workers in the workplace. Applying good work intervention measures can help the workers and the employers while promoting accountability, responsibility through their community. The purpose of implementing a good Return RTW policy is to encourage injured workers to go back to work. Implementing compensation policy will help ensure injured workers have a bright future in returning back to the workplace.
Canadian health and safety legislation require companies and organizations to make a commitment towards occupational health and safety. Maintaining a safe workplace environment has numerous benefits. A safe work environment can boost employee morale, increase productivity and improve job satisfaction. For companies and organizations these benefits can lead to less turnover and increased employee retention. They can also reduce absenteeism while improving the culture and image of a company or organization. Most importantly, increased safety in the workplace can lead to fewer workplace injuries and causalities. Workplace health and safety issues are different today than there were at various points of time in Canadian history.
Reduce the incidence of occupational death, trauma and disease with it’s unnecessary burden on community members (family and friends) and national economy
Fatigue has been named as a major factor for accidents in a wide range of transportation settings such as Aviation, rail and maritime setting. Fatigue has several forms, these forms, including mental and physical fatigue depending on the nature of its causes. Different signs of fatigue, such slow response and lack of attention have been identified in many accidents (Mitler et al., 1988). Fatigue is considered as a risk factor in the air transportation system because it impairs memory, concentration, decision making, reaction time, and eye fixation (Jackson & Earl, 2006). aviation is one of the safest and fastest transportation systems.
Accidents occur in the workplace but in secret. These most of the time lead to physical and mental injuries that might affect the worker way of living for the rest of their lives. It is estimated that more than 337 million workers get injured in their place of work or in the course of work every year leading to work-related diseases causing about 2.3 million deaths per year (United States Department of Labor, n.d.).