ASSIGNMENT 1 Questions and Answers

1. What is the Human Factors Theory? What are the human factors that lead to workplace accidents? The Human Factors Theory is part of the Theory of Accident Causation, along with six (6) other theories, which are: Domino, Human Factors, Accident/Incident, Epidemology, Systems, Birds Triangle and Behavioral Theory. These are theories for analyzing the human behavior and working environment that cause accidents In short, the Human Factors Theory attributes accidents to a chain of events that were ultimately the result of human error. Three broad factors leading to human error: 1. Overload - imbalance between a persons capacity at any given time and the load being carried by a person 2. Inappropriate Responses - how a person responds in a given situation can cause or prevent an accident. 3. Inappropriate Activities - undertaking of a task that a person does not know or not familiar, or when the person misjudges the degree of risk involved in a given task

2. Give three examples of occupations that may cause overload to workers. Usually occupations that involves high levels of stress leads to overload. Best examples would be i)construction workers (environmentally not conducive as an ideal job), ii)factory machine operators (who works long hours) and iii)urban postmen (have to meet strict delivery time). Overload here includes on and off work pressure, fatigue, motivation issues, influence of drugs and alcohol and so on.

3. By referring to the Epidemiological Theory, explain how the work stress factor can increase the risk of workplace accidents. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and patterns of health-events, healthcharacteristics and their causes or influences in well-defined populations. In simpler terms, epidemiology is the study of causal relationships between environmental factors and disease. There are two characteristics in this theory which are predisposition and situational. Consider the following scenario: Zulaikha Harun was the newest member of the loading unit for Jaya Juga Sdn Bhd. She had 2 days of training on proper lifting techniques before beginning the work and mandatory use of back-support belts. Her supervisor and colleagues pressured to disregard the proper lifting methods she learned in training. She followed her supervisor and after 2 months had to undergo major surgery to repair two ruptured disks. Predisposition factor: Her susceptibility to pressure from her coworkers and supervisor Situational factors: Peer pressure and priorities of supervisor From the above it is clear and evident that work stress factor can increase the risk of workplace accidents, in this case, an underlying injury after lengthy exposure rather than a direct hit at work Hence, the factors for each category: Predisposition factor includes; Susceptibility of people Perceptions Environmental factors

Situational factors Risk assessment by individuals Peer pressure Priorities of the supervisor Attitude

4. Based on the Accident/Incident Theory, systems failure is one of the causes of workplace accidents. Explain this in brief. In this theory, four (4) factors had been identified as the leading cause to human error, which precedes accident and consequently injury / damage. System failure is also one of the major cause, apart from overload, ergonomic trap as well as decision to err. System failure involves policy within the workplace, assigned responsibilities for each unit (workers, supervisors, employer), adequate training and prior knowledge regarding hazard and dealing it, correctional duties on improving system weaknesses and the setting up of standards within the organization. With the absence of the above mentioned, or any lack of supervision to any one of this aspects may lead to risk. An organized system of an organization is the heart and core of accident prevention. With proper policy, workers can maintain a much more secure and wary working environment. It is up to the employers to provide and manage the system in order for the occupational zone to be conducive and safe. A great practice would be exposing workers to safe job practices, supplying protective equipment at work, fire drills and whatever possible to ensure the system is able to sustain itself in case the unexpected occurs. Apart from preventive measures, post-accidents efforts must not be taken for granted as well. With the presence of the Occupational Safety & Health Department within the organization, safety weaknesses must be scrutinized and examined so that the same accident does not occur again and further preventive action must be set to motion.