NEBOSH International General Certificate

in Occupational Health and Safety

UNIT GC3: HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICAL

APPLICATION

Student Name: ANISH MOHAMED ANSARI

Student Number: 00280786
Date of Submission: 9 MAY 2015

APPENDIX 3

GC3 THE HEALTH AND

SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Date of practical application

28 APRIL 2015

Course provider
number

698

Student number

00280786

Assessors marking sheet

Name of assessor:

Course provider
name

NIST INSTITUTE PVT. LTD.

Student name

ANISH MOHAMED ANSARI

Maximum
marks
available

Criteria
1

Completion of observation sheets

1.
1

Range and outline of hazards and consequences

15

1.
2

Identification of suitable control measures and

timescales

15

Report - Introduction and Executive Summary

2.
1

Introduction providing an overview of the chosen

area

2.
2

Executive summary

Report - Main findings of the inspection

3.
1

Quality of interpretation of findings

15

3.
2

Identification of possible breaches of international

standards

3.
3

Persuasiveness / conciseness / technical content

10

Report - Conclusions and Recommendations

4.
1

Clear and concise conclusions which are clearly

related to report findings and are effective in
convincing management to take action

15

4.
2

Recommendations which present realistic actions to

improve health and safety in the chosen area

15

TOTAL MARKS

100

Assessors
marks awarded

NEBOSH
moderated
marks
(if different)

APPENDIX 3
Outcome: PASS

(60% or more)

REFER

(less than 60%)

Date assessed ____ / ____ / ____

Assessors signature ______________________
Date received by course provider ____ / ____ / ____
Date received by NEBOSH
(if applicable) _____ / _____ / _____

Assessors additional comments on the practical application:

ASSESSED BY (name in block letters) _________________________________________________

The mark sheet must be retained by the Course Provider and sent to NEBOSH only if requested.

NEBOSH USE ONLY

NEBOSH Moderators comments:

APPENDIX 5
UNIT GC3 THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Candidate report template

Student number 00280786

Location COASTAL REMEDIATION SITE, AL JUBAIL, KSA

Date of review 15/06/2015

INTRODUCTION
Healthy and unhealthy safety practices observed in the workplace have been reported here. This
workplace inspection was carried out in the coastal remediation site located 45 km northwest of the
City of Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, conducted on 30 April 2015. The area experiences an arid
climate with an average summer temperature range between 40C and 45C and scanty showers at
the year end. The objectives of the project are mainly three fold: a) excavate heavily oiled sediments
(HOS) and asphalt pavement (AP) and clean-up the coastal environment, b) to dig tidal channels to
improve the influx of freshwater to the affected marsh environments, and c) plant mangrove seedlings
to facilitate habitats for marine benthic organisms. About 350 workers are being engaged daily with
different tasks and small-arm and long-arm excavators, mobile cranes, dump trucks, All Terrain
Vehicles (ATVs), Multifunction Utility/Logistics Equipment Vehicles (MULEs) are deployed in the work
site for various purposes.
This report identifies the areas of concern, strength and weakness in health and safety procedures,
and compliance and non-compliance of health and safety rules and regulations in the project location.
It prioritizes safety control measures for identified problems and sets targets to eliminate or minimize
the risks associated with the project activities.

APPENDIX 5
UNIT GC3 THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Candidate report template

Student number 00280786

Location COASTAL REMEDIATION SITE, AL JUBAIL, KSA

Date of review 15/06/2015

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report invites your attention to the observations made during the workplace inspection carried out
at the coastal remediation site on 30 April 2015. In general, the health and safety practices followed in
the work site sound good but some areas are of high concern and require consideration. The noncompliance of traffic safety rules, including non-segregation of pedestrian pathways and over
speeding of Multifunction Utility/Logistics Equipment Vehicles (MULEs), in the site are the high priority
demanding concerns (Refer Appendix 5 Main Findings). Subsequently, insufficient measures for the
workers to combat heat stress, workers failure to keep up personal hygiene, workers constant
exposure to noise and vibration, and ergonomic risks to the workers are the other concerns that need
priority. As these observations indicate the breach of occupational health and safety laws set out by
the International Labor Organization (ILO), this inspection report brings up immediate and long term
actions for the areas of concern. Both immediate and long term control measures will cost 5,740
worker hours including the work-based instruction as well as off-the-job training and maintenance and
inspection of tools and equipments (Refer Appendix 5 Recommendations).
Sooner the better put in place the recommendations laid out in this report for the health and safety
arrangements, or be ready to face the workplace related ill-health, injury or accident which in turn
result in direct (like sick pay, absenteeism, lost production time, enforcement fines), indirect (such as
accident investigation time, cost of additional control measures, cost of hiring and training of new
workers), insured (like medical costs, civil claims), and uninsured costs (such as loss of workers
morale, damage to organizations reputation, damage to client relations).

APPENDIX 5
UNIT GC3 THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Candidate report template

Student number 00280786

Location COASTAL REMEDIATION SITE, AL JUBAIL, KSA

Date of review 15/06/2015

MAIN FINDINGS
The main findings of the workplace inspection are summarized below.
Observation No. 16
Different vehicles including All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Multifunction Utility/Logistics Equipment Vehicle
(MULE), trucks used for the work activities and trucks of contractors for spoil and debris disposal are
crisscrossing the worksite. However, pedestrian walkways are not demarcated from vehicle transport
with barriers and refuges. The risk to pedestrians in areas where vehicles are moving is high by hitting
vehicles causing serious injury that may lead to death of workers and others. With immediate effect,
clear markings should be made so that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate safely. The pedestrian
walkways should be segregated with iron barriers. Vehicle movements and driving behavior should
be monitored regularly. As a long term measure, traffic safety awareness programs should be
conducted and necessary information on risks to pedestrians in areas where vehicles are moving has
to be provided.
Observation No.17
The Multifunction Utility/Logistics Equipment Vehicle (MULE), being used for transporting mangroves
to planting locations, is found over speeding within the workplace. Also, workers are being transported
in MULE, which it is not meant to be. The terrain being uneven, the over speeding of MULE and
transporting of workers in it might result in overturning of the vehicle which in turn may lead to serious
injury and death. The immediate priority should be for limiting the speed of MULE to 25 km/hr within
the worksite, ensuring that vehicles are driven only by the competent person and prohibiting the
transport of workers in MULE. The poles displaying prohibition signs of MULE speed limit and
transporting of workers in MULE should be erected. Long term measures include the provision of
training to MULE drivers on safety rules that must be followed while driving in the worksite. The
drivers should also be given awareness on risks to health during vehicle maneuvering.
The control measures might cost 1,390 worker hours for the observations 16 and 17. However, the
non-segregation of pedestrian walkways from vehicle traffic and over speeding of MULE are the clear
breach of International Labor Organization Occupational Safety and Health Convention, C155 (1981).
The violation of the law might result in formal enforcement action and prosecution of organization as
well as individuals including health and safety directors, supervisors and workers. The likelihood of
accidents is high and if it happens it will result in direct (e.g. Compensation to victim), indirect (eg.
accident investigation time), insured (eg. Civil claims) and uninsured costs (e.g. damage to
organization reputation).
Observation No. 15
Being a humid region, the air temperature is high ranging from 40 to 45 degree Celsius during
summer when majority of activities are scheduled. The control measures to combat heat stress are
found inadequate for the workers engaged with different activities in this hot climate. The probability of

physical and mental fatigue is high when working at hot environments. Fatigue, weakness and
restlessness, headache, dizziness, nausea, rashes on the skin, and painful cramps affecting various
muscles are the consequences of being exposed to heat. Such heat stress will result in absenteeism
(e.g. sick pay which is a direct and uninsured cost), medical cost (direct and insured cost) and
discourage workers to follow health and safety regulations that may invite accidents.
The recommended immediate actions are encouraging workers to set their own work and rest
schedules and also to drink water every 15 to 20 minutes even if they do not feel thirsty to prevent
dehydration. Drinks for replacing body fluids and electrolytes may be given to workers at regular
intervals. The necessary arrangements should be made available for water and fluids in the vicinity of
each activity. Workers training on health risks involved in combating heat and an emergency plan for
providing affected workers with first aid and medical care are the recommended long term actions.
Both immediate and long term actions consume 900 worker hours. Disregarding the workers welfare
facilities might result in the violation of workers fundamental rights as laid out in Article 19 of
International Labor Organization Occupational Safety and Health Convention, C155 (1981).
Observation No. 25
Debris/rubbish collections are progressing in the workplace. Hand-pick method is being used to
collect the debris/rubbish and polythene bags are used to load the collected materials. The
debris/rubbish includes discarded metals, wooden pieces, plastic bottles, and the rubbish washed
ashore. Though workers wear adequate personal protective equipments (PPEs) such as hand
gloves, safety spectacles and face mask, they are found failing to follow personal hygiene by touching
their clothes and body with dirty hands, eating and drinking with soiled PPE and improper hand
washing after the work. Wastes may be contaminated with droppings of coastal animal species that
might contain biological pathogens such as parasites and bacteria. Sharp objects might cause injury
to fingers and hands. This hand picking activity involves repetitive movements, awkward posture, and
twisting. The unhygienic culture, ergonomic risks, and injury will cause ill-health resulting in sick pay
(direct and insured cost) and production delays or downtime (direct and uninsured cost).
The immediate actions are encouraging workers to uphold personal hygiene and not permitting
workers to eat or drink with dirty hands. They might be advised to refrain from dirty hands being
contact with body parts. They should be provided with washing facilities, PPE, cloth changing rooms,
and food preparation areas. Cautions to be given to the workers against stabbing of sharp objects
while hand picking of debris/rubbish. They might be given sufficient breaks during work time to
prevent from repetitive movements. The recommended long term actions are awareness campaigns
on the importance of personal hygiene and adequate training on proper hand washing techniques to
the workers. With the concurrence of workers, they might be given vaccination against hepatitis B.
Besides, the workers might be trained on ergonomic risks associated with hand picking and also on
hand washing procedures. Both immediate and long term measures will take 1,250 worker hours.
These observations indicate the non-compliance of International Labor Organization Hygiene
Convention, 1964 (No. 120).
Observation No. 20
Asphalt/High Oiled Sediments (AP/HOS) are being excavated using long-arm excavator and a total of
125,000 square meters of AP/HOS need to be removed from the designated lines perpendicular to the
coast. The excavator operator is not found using any aid to protect his ears while at work. He is also
exposed to vibration for long duration. The excavator produces loud noise during its operation.
Temporary or constant exposure to loud noise will result in reduction of hearing sensitivity. Being
exposed to vibration for long duration, the likelihood of whole body vibration effects is also high. The
short duration exposure to noise might cause temporary hear loss and ringing in ears whereas long
duration exposure causes noise induced hear loss (NHL). The health conditions that result from whole

body vibration are damage to the soft tissues of the spine and disc displacement problems. The
consequences of ill health will increase the sickness rate and absenteeism which in turn result in sick
pay (direct and insured cost) and production delays or downtime (direct and uninsured cost).
With immediate effect, the operator should be encouraged to wear ear defenders or muffs while at
work. He may also be given adequate rest in an acoustic haven. The operator should be provided with
necessary information, and instruction on health risks involved in getting exposed to loud noise.
Interview the operator and find if he always fails to use ear protection aids during excavator operation.
If he does, he might be encouraged to undergo audiometry test to find out whether his hearing is
being affected by exposure to noise. Added to this, he might be provided with adequate information,
and instruction on health effects resulting from a significant vibration dose to the body. The
recommended long term measures are the regular inspection and maintenance of the excavator.
However, the workers might be trained on health risks resulting from being exposed to loud noise and
vibration. The control measures, both immediate and long term, will cost 1,450 worker hours. Failure
to provide protection for workers from noise and vibration might result in the violation of International
Labor Organization Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Recommendation, 1976
(No. 156).
Observation No. 21
Workers are seen digging Type-B and Type-C tidal channels with spade, pickaxe, and shovel. Type-B
channels (Target length = 11,750 m) are 1 m deep with slope of 45 degree while Type-C (Target
length = 15,400 m) are dug with the same slope but 50 cm deep. Also, uncontaminated spoils are
being marsh mounded on inter-channel plains. The task involves repetitive movements, awkward
posture, and twisting. Likelihood of ergonomic risk is high for the workers engaged with tidal channel
digging tasks. The severity of actions involving repetitive movements, awkward posture, and twisting
are back injury, tendon and ligament injuries, muscle injury, hernias and work related upper limb
disorders (WRULDs). The consequences of ill health will lead to high sickness rate and absenteeism
which in turn result in sick pay (direct and insured cost) and production delays or downtime (direct and
uninsured cost).
Immediate actions recommended are encouraging workers to set their own work and rest schedules
and providing them with information, and instruction on ergonomic risks associated with their
activities. Replacing manual mounding with short-arm excavator for marsh mounding activities and
training workers on ergonomic risks involved in their activities are the recommended long term
measures. The control measures will take 750 worker hours. The observations show the
contravention of International Labor Organization Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation,
R164 (1981).

APPENDIX 5
UNIT GC3 THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Candidate report template

Student number 00280786

Location COASTAL REMEDIATION SITE, AL JUBAIL, KSA

Date of review 15/06/2015

CONCLUSION
The non-segregation of pedestrian pathways and over speeding of vehicles are identified as the prime
concerns. These practices might invite serious injury or death of workers and others and if an accident
happens it will end up in direct (e.g. Compensation to victim), indirect (e.g. accident investigation
time), insured (e.g. Civil claims) and uninsured costs (e.g. damage to organization reputation).
However, such practices are the clear breach of International Labour Organization Occupational
Safety and Health Convention, C155 (1981). The control measures to cordon the pedestrian
walkways and to limit the over speeding of MULE as well as providing awareness on traffic rules are
recommended with high priority and the control measures might cost 1,390 worker hours.
To combat heat stress in the work environment, the existing measures are found inadequate and the
likelihood of physical and mental fatigue is high when working at hot environments which will
deteriorate the health condition of the workers. The ill-health of workers will lead to absenteeism (e.g.
sick pay which is a direct and uninsured cost), medical cost (direct and insured cost) and discourage
workers to follow health and safety regulations which in turn result in accidents. The denial of safe
working environment to the workers is the violation of their fundamental rights as laid out in Article 19
of International Labor Organization Occupational Safety and Health Convention, C155 (1981).
Provision of frequent breaks during work time, water and drinks, and training on health risks involved
in combating heat and provision of an emergency plan with first aid and medical care are
recommended as control measures consuming 900 worker hours.
The workers involved in hand-picking of debris/rubbish are found failing to keep up personal hygiene.
Their activities also involve ergonomic risks as well as threat to injury by sharp objects. The
unhygienic culture, ergonomic risks, and injury will cause ill-health resulting in sick pay (direct and
insured cost) and production delays or downtime (direct and uninsured cost). These observations
indicate the non-compliance of International Labor Organization Hygiene Convention, 1964 (No. 120).
Hence, the provision of washing facilities, PPE, cloths changing rooms, food preparation areas as well
as vaccination to workers against Hepatitis B are recommended costing 1,250 worker hours.
The excavator operator is found exposing to loud noise and whole body vibration. He also fails to
wear ear defenders while operating the excavator. The likelihood of ill-health to the operator is high
and the severity might result in hear loss and damage to the soft tissues of the spine and disc
displacement problems. The consequences of ill health will increase the sickness rate and
absenteeism which in turn result in sick pay (direct and insured cost) and production delays or
downtime (direct and uninsured cost). So the provision of frequent rests during work time, necessary
information and instruction on loud noise and vibration and audiometry test to the operator are
recommended. Added to this, regular inspection and maintenance of the excavator and training on the
health risks associated with when operating the excavator are also recommended as a long term
action. Both immediate and long term measures will consume 1,450 worker hours. However, failure to
provide protection for workers from noise and vibration might result in the violation of International

Labor Organization Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Recommendation, 1976
(No. 156).
Workers engaged with tidal channel digging tasks have the high likelihood of ergonomic risks. The
severity might result in back injury, tendon and ligament injuries, muscle injury, hernias and work
related upper limb disorders (WRULDs). The consequences of ill health are high sickness rate and
absenteeism which in turn result in sick pay (direct and insured cost) and production delays or
downtime (direct and uninsured cost). Therefore, the provision of adequate rests, information, and
instruction on ergonomic risks are recommended. Also, the substitution of manual handling with shortarm excavator for marsh mounding activities and training on ergonomic risks are recommended
costing 750 worker hours. However, the observations show the contravention of International Labor
Organization Occupational Safety and Health Recommendation, R164 (1981).

APPENDIX 5

UNIT GC3 THE HEALTH AND

SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Candidate report template

Student number 00280786

Location COASTAL REMEDIATION SITE, AL JUBAIL, KSA

Date of review 15/06/2015

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation
Segregation of
pedestrian walkways
from vehicle traffic with
barriers so that
pedestrians and
vehicles can circulate
safely. Conducting
traffic safety
awareness programs.
Speed limiting of
Multifunction
Utility/Logistics
Equipment Vehicle
(MULE) to 25 km/hr
within the worksite and
erecting poles
displaying prohibition
signs of speed limit of
MULE within the
workplace and
transporting of workers
in MULE. Training to
MULE drivers on safety
rules and on risks to
health during vehicle
maneuvering.
(See Observation
Nos. 16 & 17 in
Appendix 4).
Provision of frequent
breaks during work
time, water and drinks
replacing body fluids
and electrolytes in the
vicinity of each activity
to prevent heat stress.

Likely resource implications

Cordoning of pedestrian
pathways using iron barriers will
require 1,200 worker hours while
the erection of poles displaying
prohibition signs will require 40
worker hours whereas
Conducting traffic safety
awareness programs and
providing training to MULE
drivers on safety rules is an offthe-job training taking 150 worker
hours.

Provision of frequent breaks

during work time, water and
drinks, and training on health
risks involved in combating heat
and provision of an emergency
plan with first aid and medical
care are on-the-job training and

Priority

Target date

Construction of
pedestrian
walkways
Immediate

High

Erection of poles
displaying
prohibition signs Immediate

Training on traffic
safety - 1 Month

High

Training and
provision of an
emergency plan
with first aid and
medical care - 1
Month

Training on health risks

involved in combating
heat and provision of
an emergency plan for
catering heat affected
workers with first aid
and medical care.
(See Observation No.
15 in Appendix 4).
Provision of frequent
rests during work time,
washing facilities, PPE,
cloth changing rooms,
and food preparation
areas.
Provision of awareness
programs on the
importance of personal
hygiene and adequate
training on proper hand
washing procedures
and ergonomic risks.
With the concurrence
of workers, they might
be given vaccination
against hepatitis B.
(See Observation No.
25 in Appendix 4).
Provision of frequent
rests during work time,
necessary information,
and instruction on
health risks involved in
getting exposed to loud
noise, audiometry test
and adequate
information, and
instruction on health
effects resulting from a
significant vibration
dose to the body to the
excavator operator.
Regular inspection and
maintenance of the
excavator for the noise
training to the operator
on health risks
resulting from being
exposed to loud noise
and vibration.
(See Observation No.

workplace based arrangements

and they need 900 worker hours.

Provision of washing facilities,

PPE, cloth changing rooms, and
food preparation areas will take
400 worker hours. Training
programs and provision of
vaccination are off-the-job
process will consume 850 worker
hours.

Provision of frequent rests during

work time, necessary information
and instruction on loud noise and
vibration and audiometry test
need 600 worker hours while
regular inspection and
maintenance of the excavator
and training is an off-the-job
training consuming 850 worker
hours.

High

Provision of
washing facilities,
PPE, cloth
changing rooms,
and food
preparation areas
Immediate
Training and
awareness
programs and
vaccination - 1
Month

High

Provision of
necessary
information, and
instruction on
health risks
involved in getting
exposed to loud
noise, audiometry
test - Immediate
Regular
inspection and
maintenance of
the excavator for
the noise training
to the operator
1 month

20 in Appendix 4).

Provision of adequate
rests, information, and
instruction on
ergonomic risks
associated with tidal
channel excavation
activity.
Provision of short-arm
excavator to make
marsh mounds in lieu
of manual mounding
and training on
ergonomic risks.
(See Observation No.
21 in Appendix 4).

Provision of adequate rests,

information, and instruction on
ergonomic risks will require 300
worker hours whereas provision
of short-arm excavator and
training on ergonomic risks, an
off-the-job training, costing 450
worker hours.

Provision of
adequate rests,
information, and
instruction on
ergonomic risks
Immediate
High
Provision of shortarm excavator
and training on
ergonomic risks
1 Month

APPENDIX 4
GC3 THE HEALTH AND

Candidates observation

SAFETY PRACTICAL APPLICATION

sheet
Sheet number of 1 of 9

Student Name ANISH MOHAMED ANSARI

Student number 00280786

Place inspected COASTAL REMEDIATION SITE, AL JUBAIL, KSA Date of inspection 30 APRIL 2015
Observations
Hazards and Consequences
(1) Observations: There are engineers,
Geographic Information System (GIS)
specialists, and draftsman found working
with their computers in the site office
continuously without adequate breaks.
Hazards: The above deeds have the
potential to cause ergonomic hazards.
Consequence: Awkward posture for
long duration with infrequent rest periods
might result in ill health causing work
related upper limb disorders (WRULDs),
eye strain, back pain, and fatigue and
stress.
(2) Observations: The wires connected to
the monitors, CPUs, and printers of
different computers are found lying
crisscrossed on the floor in the site office.
Hazards: Trailing wires has the risk of
trip.
Consequences: Trips might result in
injuries such as fractures and
dislocations to hands and arms and even
forehead injury that might be fatal.
(3) Observations: In the site office, two
blubs fitted in the ceiling of the work
room are found flickering.

Control Measures
Immediate and Longer term
actions
Immediate Action: Work routine
needs to be planned that facilitates
adequate breaks for the users from
computers.

Long term Action: Provision of

training programs on health risks
associated with the long-duration use
of computers and keyboards.
Immediate Action: Trailing wires
should be wound on the reel and
hung the reel on the wall reach of a
mans height.

Long term Action: Periodic check is

warranted to ensure wires are not
crossing pedestrian routes and are
kept in a safe manner.
Immediate Action: Replace bulbs
and ensure that all parts of the light
fixture are functioning properly.

Timescale

Immediate

1 Month

Immediate

Weekly

Immediate

Hazards: Due to flickering of lights, the

likelihood of damage to eyes can result.
Consequences: Flickering of lights
might cause tiredness of eyes, eye
strain, and headaches.

Long term Action: Replace the

bulbs and upgrade to fluorescent
lighting that uses electronic ballasts.

Two Weeks

(4) Observations: Workers fail to center

the cup under the coffee outflow unit of
the machine during the brew cycle and
coffee spills over.
Hazards: The risk of burn is likely.
Consequences: Spill of hot coffee over
hand or body might have the risk of
personal injury such as burn or damage
to property as a result of overflow.
(5) Observations: Water is seen floated
under the refrigerator kept in the dining
room of the site office. This might be due
to the incorrect leveling of the refrigerator
which reroutes the water that was
supposed to run from inside the
refrigerator into a drain hole and then
into a drip pan underneath where it
evaporates.
Hazards: The workers may slip on the
patch of water spilt on the floor and the
risk of slip is possible.
Consequences: Slip on the floor might
lead to injuries like broken bones of
hands and arms.
(6) Observations: The worker found
opening the main entrance door of the
site office outward. This way of opening
the door might hit the one who enters in.

Immediate Action: Necessary

information to follow while using the
coffee machine should be pasted on
the wall beside the machine and
operators manual has to be made
available for reference to the users.
Long term Action: Housekeeping of
the premises of the coffee machine
has to be monitored.

Immediate Action: Adjust the front

legs so that the refrigerator tips back
slightly and check the drain pan
under the refrigerator.

Long term Action: Regular check for

water dripping is necessary and the
cleaning of refrigerator as well as the
ground it rests on is essential.
Immediate Action: Necessary
information on etiquette of the door
opening during check-in and checkout should be displayed on the door
itself.

Immediate

Daily

Immediate

Weekly

Immediate

Hazards: The likelihood of collision

between door and people will cause
harm to people.
Consequences: People who enter the
site office get hurt due to the outward
opening of the door that leads to injury to
people including head injury.
(7) Observations: A copy of the employers
liability insurance certificate is displayed
on the notice board. This is a sign of
management commitment towards
occupational health and safety and it
also gives comfort to the workers as it
pays out compensation claims to them.
(8) Observations: Noise comes from the
generator, as it sits on a comparatively
lightweight structure, placed in a room
outside the site office and the noise
creates nuisance to the workers.

Long term Action: Replace the

existing one with a glazing tilt and
slide door where one pane of the
door is fixed and the other slides
behind it.

The attempt to display the employers

liability insurance certificate is highly
appreciated.

Immediate Action: Sound absorbing

materials can be used for lining air
ducts and covering walls and ceilings
of the generator room to build an
acoustic enclosure so as to interrupt
the pathway from the source of noise

1 Month

To be retained
as such
throughout the
project span.
1 Month

to the workers.

Hazards: Irritating nuisance and

background noise will invite stress
effects.
Consequences: Hearing deterioration is
the main consequence of exposure to
noise. The short duration exposure to
noise might result in temporary reduction
in hearing whereas constant exposure
leads to tinnitus. Besides the above, tool
box talks and site meetings are being
conducted at the conference room of the
site office, hence this background noise
might hinder the verbal communications.
(9) Observations: Spill of soap solutions is
noticed on the floor from the automatic
hand soap dispenser fixed at the hand
wash station.
Hazards: The chances of slip are high if
the workers walk through it.
Consequences: Slip might result in
workers falling on the floor leading to
back injury and broken bones to hands
and arms.
(10)Observations: Workers found using the
ladder for inspecting the air conditioning
unit of the site office fixed about 10 ft
above the ground level. But the ladder
does not bear solid support at the top
and the rungs are damaged too.
Hazards: The chances of workers falling
from height cannot be negated. Also, the
possibility of falling objects from heights
is high.
Consequences: Fall from height is
responsible for many serious and fatal
injuries. If a person falls from a height
above two meters the likelihood of
sustaining serious injury is higher.
(11) Observations: The cable of the drilling
machine being used for fixing the clamps
of the air conditioning unit at the site
office is found deteriorated due to ageing
and insulation and sheath of the cable
are seen damaged. Also, the user stands
on a wet surface outside.

Long term Action: Substitute the

diesel generator with petrol driven
one so that the noise at the source
can be reduced.

Immediate Action: Housekeeping of

the welfare facilities is required at
regular intervals.

Long term Action: Either rectify the

damage happened to the automatic
hand soap dispenser or replace the
same with a new one.
Immediate Action: Correct the
rungs of the ladder and also ensure
that the top of the ladder rests against
a solid support when at work.

Long term Action: Replace the

ladder with stepladders.

Immediate Action: The operator

should be encouraged to observe the
tools before use and check in the
inspection tag for signs of its safe
use.

2 Months

Daily

1 Week

Immediate

3 Weeks

Immediate

Hazards: Damage to the cable or other

parts is likely to expose the operator or
others to the risk of electric shock. The
risk of receiving an electric shock will be
greater when the user of portable
electrical equipment stands on a wet
surface which is a good electrical
conductor.
Consequences: The deterioration of
cable as well as the wet surface
contributes to electric shock causing
death of the workers.
(12)Observations: A mangrove (Avicennia
marina) nursery is functioning in the
workplace for catering the plants brought
from the main nursery located at Abu Ali.
Trucks with plants are coming into the
workplace nursery from the main nursery
for unloading the plants while the loading
of the plants is being carried out in wheel
barrows to carry away the mangroves to
planting locations in the worksite. About
50 workers are actively involved in this
repetitive manual handling of mangrove
sapling bags that weigh 2 kg each.
Hazards: This repetitive manual handling
requires lifting, lowering, carrying, and
pushing of mangrove plant bags and the
likelihood of ergonomic hazards is
imminent.
Consequences: The kind of manual
handling could result in back pain,
tendon and ligament pain, muscle pain,
lower abdomen pain, work related upper
limb disorders (WRULDs), cuts, and
dislocation.
(13) Observations: Workers are filling bags
with nitrogen, phosphorous and
potassium (NPK) in the workplace
nursery for both management and
restoration of mangrove planting areas.
Though workers wear hand gloves but
not respiratory masks.
Hazards: Inhalation of NPK might result
in serious ill-health effects.
Consequences: The severity of
inhalation of NPK is pulmonary irritation,
sneezing and coughing.

Long term Action: Formal visual

inspection is necessary for the tool by
a competent person as such
inspection will help revealing potential
dangerous faults and the inspection
as well as the repair record have to
be maintained.

Weekly

Immediate Action: Work schedule

should be adjusted so that frequent
breaks may be given to the workers
during the manual handling activity.

2 Days

Long term Action: More trolleys that

facilitate movement in coastal tracts
have to be brought to carry away the
mangrove saplings to the planting
locations.

1 Month

Immediate Action: Provision of

respiratory masks to the workers and
frequent breaks so as to change
environment to breathe fresh air.

1 Day

Long term Action: Adequate

instruction and training might be
provided on health hazards resulting
from the inhalation of NPK.

1 Month

(14) Observations: In the workshop located

in the worksite, usage of portable power
tools like circular saw is noticed for
cutting and shaping the wooden pallets
that facilitates foot traffic through the
marshy surface. However, the rubber
casing and the plastic guard to prevent
injuries are found old and tend to
damage. Workers wear loose clothes
while operating the tools.
Hazards: The chances of ejecting
materials such as pieces of wood and
drawing in or trapping the fingers and
hand between the circulating blades.
Consequences: The ejecting of
materials might have the chance to strike
at eyes and damage it and trapping
between the rotating blades will lead to
cuts, bruises and contusions.

(15) Observations: Being a humid region,

the air temperature is high ranging from
45 to 48 degree Celsius during summer
when majority of activities are scheduled.
The control measures to combat heat
stress are found inadequate for the
workers engaged with different activities
in this hot climate.

Immediate Action: Correct the

guards and also give necessary
instructions to the workers for not
wearing loose clothes while they
handle with such machines. The
necessary supervision might be given
to workers involved in the activity.

Long term Action: Routine

inspection of the tool is warranted
and also the tool should be
maintained by a competent person
and record the maintenance history in
the inspection tag. The operators
need to be trained on the safe use of
the tools.
Immediate Action: Workers should
be encouraged to set their own work
and rest schedules and also to drink
water every 15 to 20 minutes even if
they do not feel thirsty to prevent
dehydration. Drinks for replacing
body fluids and electrolytes may be
given to workers at regular intervals.
The necessary arrangements should
be made available for water and
fluids in the vicinity of each activity.

Immediate

Weekly
Inspection/
1 Month for
training

2 Days

Hazards: The likelihood of physical and

mental fatigue is high when working at
hot environments.
Consequences: Fatigue, weakness and
restlessness, headache, dizziness,
nausea, rashes on the skin, and painful
cramps affecting various muscles are the
consequences of being exposed to heat.
(16) Observations: Different vehicles
including All Terrain Vehicle (ATV),
Multifunction Utility/Logistics Equipment
Vehicle (MULE), trucks used for the work
activities and trucks of contractors for
spoil and debris disposal are moving
forth and back of the worksite. However,
pedestrian walkways are not demarcated
from transport with barriers and refuges.

Long term Action: Workers need to

be trained on health risks involved in
combating heat. In extreme
environments, an emergency plan is
required for providing affected
workers with first aid and medical
care.
Immediate Action: Clear markings
should be made so that pedestrians
and vehicles can circulate safely. The
pedestrian walkways should be
segregated with iron barriers. Vehicle
movements and driving behavior
should be monitored regularly.

1 Month

Immediate
Segregation/
Daily Monitoring

Hazards: The risk to pedestrians in

areas where vehicles are moving is high
by hitting vehicles.
Consequences: The workers hit by
vehicles might result in serious injury
leading to death.

(17) Observations: Multifunction

Utility/Logistics Equipment Vehicle
(MULE), being used for transporting
mangroves to planting locations, is found
over speeding within the workplace. Also,
workers are being transported in MULE,
which is not it meant to be.

Long term Action: Traffic safety

awareness programs have to be
conducted and necessary information
on risks to pedestrians in areas
where vehicles are moving has to be
provided.
Immediate Action: The speed of
MULE should be limited to 25 km/hr
within the worksite. Ensure that
vehicles are driven only by the
competent person and transporting of
workers in MULE should be
prohibited. Also, erect poles
displaying prohibition signs of speed
limit of MULE within the workplace
and transporting of workers in MULE.

1 Month

Immediate

Hazards: The terrain being uneven, the

over speed of the vehicles might result in
overturning. Transporting of workers also
result in overturning of MULE.

Consequences: The vehicle overturning

will result in serious injury and death.

(18) Observations: Safety sign boards for

prohibition, warning, mandatory action,
safe condition, and fire-fighting
equipments are erected using poles in
different locations of the site in a clear
and prominent way.
(19) Observations: Workers found using the
chainsaw for cutting large pieces of wood
that might have washed ashore during
high tide. Though the workers wear
adequate personal protective
equipments and the tool is maintained
well, they are being exposed to vibration
for long duration.
Hazards: Long time exposure to hand
vibration by using tools like chainsaw
might result in hand-arm vibration
syndrome (HAVS).
Consequences: The results of a
significant vibration dose to the hands
and arms are vibration white finger
(VWF), nerve damage, muscle
weakening, and joint damage.

Long term Action: Training should

be provided to MULE drivers on
safety rules to be followed while
driving in the worksite. The drivers
should also be aware of risks to
health during vehicle maneuvering.

1 Month

This attempt is greatly appreciated.

To be retained
as such
throughout the
project span.

Immediate Action: Workers might

be given frequent breaks during the
work time in order to reduce exposure
duration of vibration. Also, they might
be provided with necessary
information and instruction regarding
the health hazards associated with
long time exposure to vibration.

Long term Action: The substitution

of the tool with a low vibration
magnitude one.

Immediate

1 Month

(20) Observations: Asphalt/High Oiled

Sediments (AP/HOS) are being
excavated using long-arm excavator and
a total of 125,000 square meters of
AP/HOS need to be removed from the
designated lines perpendicular to the
coast. The excavator operator is not
found using any aid to protect his ears
while at work. He is also exposed to
vibration for long duration.

Hazards: The excavator produces loud

noise during its operation. Temporary or
constant exposure to loud noise will
result in reduction of hearing sensitivity.
Being exposed to vibration for long
duration, the likelihood of whole body
vibration effects is also high.
Consequences: The short duration
exposure to noise might cause
temporary hear loss and ringing in ears
whereas long duration exposure causes
noise induced hear loss (NHL). The
health conditions that result from whole
body vibration are damage to the soft
tissues of the spine and disc
displacement problems.
(21) Observations: Workers are seen
digging Type-B and Type-C tidal
channels with spade, pickaxe, and
shovel. Type-B channels (Target length =
11,750 m) are 1 m deep with slope of 45
degree while Type-C (Target length =
15,400 m) are dug with the same slope
but 50 cm deep. Also, uncontaminated
spoils are being marsh mounded on
inter-channel plains. The task involves
repetitive movements, awkward posture,
and twisting.
Hazards: Likelihood of ergonomic risk is
high for the workers engaged with tidal
channel digging tasks.

Immediate Action: The operator

should be encouraged to wear ear
defenders or muffs while at work. He
may also be given adequate rest in
an acoustic haven. The operator
should be provided with necessary
information, and instruction on health
risks involved in getting exposed to
loud noise. Interview the operator and
find if he always fails to use ear
protection aids during excavator
operation. If he does, he might be
encouraged to undergo audiometry
test to find out whether his hearing is
being affected by exposure to noise.
Added to this, he might be provided
with adequate information, and
instruction on health effects resulting
from a significant vibration dose to
the body.

Long term Action: The excavator

might be inspected regularly for the
noise and actions might be taken to
reduce noise. Maintenance records
may also be kept. However, the
workers might be trained on health
risks resulting from being exposed to
loud noise and vibration.

Immediate Action: Workers should

be encouraged to set their own work
and rest schedules. They might be
provided with information, and
instruction on ergonomic risks
associated with their activities.

Immediate

Weekly
Inspection/
1 Month for
training

Immediate

Consequences: The severity of actions

involving repetitive movements, awkward
posture, and twisting are back injury,
tendon and ligament injuries, muscle
injury, hernias and work related upper
limb disorders (WRULDs).
(22) Observations: An independent tied
scaffold erected for painting the office of
Program Management Support
Contractor (PMSC) is found well
maintained. The scaffold is built on a
leveled ground with adequate sole
boards and tied firmly to the building.
Sufficient bracings are incorporated into
scaffold and standards are in upright
position. Couplers are used correctly to
join tubes together.
(23) Observations: Mobile crane is being
used to hoist the spoil as well as
debris/rubbish bags and load onto the
disposal trucks. Besides the person who
hooks loads onto crane (slinger), workers
found moving under the load while crane
does the lifting operation.
Hazards: The workers are at high risk of
falling materials though hard hats are
being worn by them.

Consequences: The outcome of falling

materials results in serious head injury or
death.

(24) Observations: Workers are seen

transplanting mangroves (Avicennia
marina) on the tidal channel slopes
which forms one of the objectives of the
project. Workers cut polythene plant
bags using pen knives, and dig a hole of
about 30 cm on the channel slopes using
shovel and plant the mangrove seedlings
keeping 50 cm spacing between two
plants. This activity also involves
repetitive movements, awkward posture,
and twisting.
Hazards: Risk of ergonomic factors is
high for the workers involved in planting
activities. Also, the use of knives might
cause injury to fingers and hands.

Long term Action: Short-arm

excavator might be used to make
marsh mounds in lieu of manual
mounding. Added to this, the workers
might be trained on ergonomic risks
involved in their activities.

This attempt is highly appreciated.

Immediate Action: The workers

should be prohibited from moving
under the load during crane
operations.

1 Month

To be retained
throughout the
project span.

Immediate

Long term Action: The access to all

workers, except those designated to
the work, should be monitored and
controlled. The workers might be
given necessary awareness,
instruction and training on the
cautions to be taken during crane
operations.

1 Month

Immediate Action: Workers should

be encouraged to set their own work
and rest schedules. Cautions to be
given to workers while handling with
knives.

Immediate

Consequences: The repetitive

movements, awkward posture, and
twisting result in back injury, tendon and
ligament injuries, muscle injury, hernias
and work related upper limb disorders
(WRULDs). The work with knives might
cause cuts to fingers and hands.
(25) Observations: Debris/rubbish
collections are progressing in the
workplace. Hand-pick method is being
used to collect the debris/rubbish and
polythene bags are used to load the
collected materials. The debris/rubbish
includes discarded metals, wooden
pieces, plastic bottles, and the rubbish
washed ashore. Though workers wear
adequate personal protective
equipments (PPEs) such as hand gloves,
safety spectacles and face mask, they
are found failing to follow personal
hygiene by touching their clothes and
body with dirty hands, eating and
drinking with soiled PPE and improper
hand washing after the work. Wastes
may be contaminated with droppings of
coastal animal species that might contain
biological pathogens such as parasites
and bacteria. Sharp objects might cause
injury to fingers and hands. This hand
picking activity involves repetitive
movements, awkward posture, and
twisting.
Hazards: There is a high likelihood of
infectious disease to workers due to their
exposure to hazardous materials such as
fecal matter, bottles and containers with
chemical residues, and heavy metals
from batteries. Sharp objects might
cause stabbing to fingers and hands.
Risk of ergonomic factors is also high for
the workers involved in hand picking of
debris/rubbish.

Long term Action: Workers might

be provided with necessary
information, instruction, and training
on ergonomic risks associated with
their activities.

Immediate Action: Workers should

be encouraged to uphold personal
hygiene. They should not be allowed
to eat or drink with dirty hands. They
might be advised to refrain from dirty
hands being contact with body parts.
They should be provided with
washing facilities, PPE, cloth
changing rooms, and food
preparation areas. Cautions to be
given to the workers against stabbing
of sharp objects while hand picking of
debris/rubbish. They might be given
sufficient breaks during work time to
prevent from repetitive movements.

1 Month

Immediate

Consequences: Gastrointestinal
problems will develop due to the viral
attack resulting from passage of fecal
matter from hand to mouth. The
symptoms might include diarrohea,
abdominal pain, and nausea and
vomiting. Sharp objects might cause cuts
to fingers and hands which in turn may
lead to Tetanus or other infections. The
outcome of ergonomic factors is back
injury, tendon and ligament injuries,
muscle injury, hernias, and work related
upper limb disorders (WRULDs).

Long term Action: Workers might

be given awareness on the
importance of personal hygiene and
adequate training on proper hand
washing techniques. With the
concurrence of workers, they might
be given vaccination against hepatitis
B. Besides, the workers might be
trained on ergonomic risks
associated with hand picking and
also on hand washing procedures.

1 Month