Introduction
In the realm of workplace health and safety, humans are the most crucial factor, and all unsafe actions are usually caused by human error. understanding the difference between unsafe actions and unsafe conditions is crucial. These are the two factors often interact, contributing to accidents and injuries. By identifying and mitigating both, organizations can significantly enhance their safety culture and protect their workforce.
Unsafe Actions
Basically, Unsafe Action, Human error and unsafe behavior that Lead to or have potential to cause harm or could lead to workplace Incident or accident. It's vital to understand the unsafe action, however, controlling unsafe action can reduce the maximum number of workplace health and safety issues.
There are several of example of unsafe actions at the workplace.
- Failure to comply with the personal protective equipment while at work, such not wearing gloves, or safety glasses.
- Throwing tools from one location to another location, or one person to another person.
- Many times reported that workers were operating tools and equipment with any authorization and adequate training.
- Horseplay or having fun/jokes activities during at work.
- Used to bypass certain safety protocols.
- Taking regular shortcuts.
- Not following adequate manual handling techniques.
- Eating food at the non hygienic places.
- Ignoring all safety and warning signs.
- Failure to comply with permit to work protocols.
Some common Causes of Unsafe Action
- Workers are not familiar with workplace health and safety protocols and guidelines.
- Lack of supervision and monitoring management can increase the chances of Unsafe Actions.
- The possibility of projects timeline and Target or I sufficient availability of resources.
- Language barrier can enhanced the human error
- Employees are working under peer pressure, fatigue and stress which can contribute the unsafe behavior.
Unsafe Condition
Unsafe Conditions are environmental factor tha exist anywhere, whether it's workplace, school, college, office, home etc. which have great potential to harm someone or adversely affect the environment.
These are the following examples of unsafe Conditions to understand more clear.
- Damage Equipment with any inspection and maintenance.
- Bare electrical wire exposed.
- Excessive noise at the workplace
- Improperly store toxic or flammable chemicals.
- Inadequate welfare facilities for employees or occupants.
- Emergency routes and exit door obstructed.
- Excavation without any barricades or edges without any fall prevention or protection.
- Office chairs and tables are not ergonomically design.
- Slippery surfaces and floors without any signs or barricades.
General causes of Unsafe Conditiona
- Inadequate design and layout of of facilities that creates difficulties during emergency evacuation.
- There is no planning for the workplace or equipment inspection.
- The organization didn't adopted any of the planned preventive maintenance strategies.
- Inadequate ventilation system to ensure the sufficient rotation of fresh air.
- Senior manager or supervisor may have reactive approach in managing workplace issues.
There are industries best practices or safety control measures to reduce the workplace Unsafe Action and Unsafe Conditions.
- The provision of safety orientation or induction training must be delivered to all new joiners where the they will get familiar with the health, safety and environment requirements or meet the organizational goals.
- The organization should have specific written procedure or plan for the employee competency enhancement, or where it should be specify when job specific training must be delivered.
- Ensure that all employees receive the emergency response training upon the joining of the workplace to reduce the maximum adverse effects in case of any emergency.
- The reporting procedures and communication channel must be informed, so that all issues will be reported immediately without any delay.
- Senior Managers and supervisors regular interaction, consultation and feedback collection, proactively get insight of workplace issues for corrective and preventive actions.
- Rewards and recognition program is a vital For the controlling workplace Unsafe Action and Unsafe Conditions.
- Managers should evaluate the regular performance of their team to ensure compliance and their best practices.
For the controlling workplace Unsafe Conditions all organisation need to apply the heirchy of control.
Elimination
All hazards and risk must try to eliminate from the workplace. For example defective equipment must be removed from the service or replace with new equipment to prevent any Incident.
Substitution
If hazards cannot eliminate then All workplace hazards and risk should be replaced or control as far as practicable. Where organisation need to replace the process, material, equipment, and substance with the less hazardous. For example painting a furniture or small moveable object inside the room. It's better to perform the painting activities in the open environment.
Engineering Control
All hazards and Risks must be controlled by the engineering controls. For example, all rotating equipment or accessories must be guarded adequately.
Administrative Control
All process and operation must be controlled by employer without any hazards and Risks to employees. For example, implement permit to work system, provide work safety signages .
Personal protective equipment
Any how still residual risk is remaining for the employer should provide the mandatory personal protective equipment to all employees. For example, helmet, glasses, safety gloves, shoes and coverall etc.