TASK. A saf et y i nspect or s company t our. Page 133, ex 1-2-3.

A safety
inspector is touring and makes a note of recommendations (page 151). There are
3 for each aspect.

1. Look and think. Look at the aspects of a working environment below. For each
aspect, think of a potential health and safety issue.

a. display screen equipment (DSE) Reflections on a screen can cause eye
discomfort.
b. lighting The offices are too dark to work in comfortably
c. ergonomics An uncomfortable chair can cause back injuries.
d. noise The noise can cause headache and loss of hearing
e. vibration When you are using a electrical hammer, your hand can fall
asleep and white.
f. radiation The radiation can cause cancer.
g. high temperature When you're in a room with high temperature, you can
become dehydrated and dizzy.
h. low temperature You feel too cold and you can have a cold.
i. welfare and washing facilities An absence of toilets and sinks can cause
infections and health problems.
j. biological hazards You can have a cold, tetanus, viral infections, etc.

2. Read and match. A safety inspector is touring ZemTeQ J immy makes a note of
the recommendations that the makes. Read the recommendations on page 151 and
match them with the aspects (a-J ) in Task 1. There are three recommendations for
each aspect.

a. display screen equipment (DSE)
- 2. Please provide foot support and raise the desk height for the office
workers in the I T area.
- 18. You know that computer monitor work can lead to eye strain and
headache; you need better lighting to let workers read the documents.
- 21. The seating at the computer terminals needs to have adjustable
height. You need to improve the office workers area next to the room that
needs hairnet signs.
b. lighting
- 22. You need to improve natural lighting in case of a power cut. So keep
the windows and skylights clean.
- 27. You must have suitable and sufficient lighting in here as there are
forklifts about. I ts a very hazardous.
- 29. You need an emergency backup and more lamps to stop slips, trips
and falls
c. ergonomics
- 5. Look at the bigger picture. Lighting, temperature, humidity, noise and
the whole work process. I ts just not working here. I want change. I want it
by next week or I close this section, understand?
- 14. Focus on the body, abilities and competence of the worker, and how
they fit with the controls and gauges of the equipment.
- 24. I want a no-access and guard dog sign outside and more importantly
for you, to re-think the whole worker and environment situation here.
d. noise
- 8. That machine is making a racket. You need to put some damping on it.
- 20. You definitely need a sign with all the banging in here and the welding
next door.
- 30. I ts too loud mate! Youll have to reduce the volume somehow.
e. vibration
- 4. I want better seating, or theyll get back pain with the machines
shaking so much.
- 6. The damp and cold in here only make it worse for the workers with
drills and chainsaws. I ll bet theres a history of HAVS and VWF.
- 11. You need to improve work rotation, maintenance and fault reporting
to reduce WBV here. I also want a slip hazard sign because of oil on the
floor.
f. radiation
- 1. Long exposure can cause cancer, so I want a sign put there.
- 15. I want a sign for it and workers wearing a dosimeter. I f it gets too
high it will be serious
- 28. Short exposure can cause vomiting, burns and death. Protection is
vital.
g. high temperature
- 9. Need to put drinking water next to no-running area to avoid heatstroke
and overheating in this enclosed space.
- 12. The temperature is too high to keep body temperature at 37C.
- 23. Need to put in ventilation so workers can sweat and cool off.
h. low temperature
- 7. You need some additional external heating in here.
- 13. I ts too low. The workers will lose heat quickly and it may lead to
possible frostbite.
- 26. They need to wear extra thick warm clothing and have frequent rest
periods so they can use the washrooms next door.
i. welfare and washing facilities
- 17. You must put washing and sanitary facilities here and put a sign
between the cold store and biological hazard.
- 19. Not only should there be warm water and soap, but also towels or
hand driers in a well-lit and ventilated area.
- 25. The facilities need to include water closets, wash stations and urinals.
j. biological hazards
- 3. I know viruses cause colds, but they also lead to much more serious
infections, I want a sign in both A and B parts of the room
- 10. I want a clear sign because of what is kept here; you know bacteria
can cause Legionnaires disease TB and tetanus.
- 16. This area needs to be drier or therell be problems with fungi and
moulds leading to asthma, athletes foot or farmers lung.


3. Read, talk and match. Look at aspects a-j again and match each with one of the
rooms on the floor plan below. You will need to read the safety inspectors comments
more carefully.
a. display screen equipment (DSE) room 120
b. lighting room 132
c. ergonomics room 112
d. noise room 135
e. vibration room 137
f. radiation room 136
g. high temperature room 131
h. low temperature room 110
i. welfare and washing facilities room 109
j. biological hazards room 107