Everyone wants to work and live in a safe environment. Therefore, workplace safety assessments are important to ensure that the workplace is safe both physically and mentally. Although everyone has the chance of illness or injury from work, if we are aware of and understand these dangers, everything… can be prevented.
Objectives of Workplace Safety Assessment
Health problems from work are increasing among workers/employees in industrial factories or other workplaces that involve exposure to toxic chemicals, dust, noisy environments, or working in the same posture for a long time. These factors cause occupational diseases according to the risk of the type of work performed. The main goal of workplace safety assessment is to create maximum safety for workers/employees, which requires cooperation between the organization owners and employees.
Steps for Workplace Safety Assessment
- Visit the workplace to survey the management of potential hazards during work.
- Classify workers/employees into groups to analyze risks and safety at work.
- Assess the frequency at which each group of workers/employees may be exposed to work hazards and check what risk prevention measures the organization has.
- Analyze whether the risk reduction measures established by the organization are sufficient; if not, determine how to address these issues.
Principles of Assessment in Various Aspects
Basic Assessment
- Basic information about the workplace, type of business or production, general information about workers/employees, and job classification.
- Employee welfare and incentives such as bonuses, attendance rewards, and pre-work orientation.
Safety Assessment
- Nurse room or ambulance at the workplace, annual health check-ups, and surveys of worker/employee illnesses to analyze whether they are work-related.
- Physical hazards such as noise levels during work (if exceeding 85 decibels, continuous work for 8 hours is not possible), heat levels, light, dust, uneven surfaces, etc.
- Chemical hazards including chemicals that may cause illnesses such as irritation to eyes, skin, lungs, or potentially lead to cancer.
- Biological hazards or various pathogens in the workplace.
- Ergonomics or working postures that are incorrect or involve maintaining the same posture for a long time.
- Psycho-social factors; if working under stress, activities to relieve stress are necessary.
Environmental Assessment
- Assess lighting levels, noise levels, ventilation, construction or arrangement of equipment within the workplace, work attire, workplace rules and regulations, including measuring substances that may harm the environment.
- Periodic health checks for workers/employees before, during, and after work.
- Training workers/employees to understand work processes and be able to protect themselves from potential work hazards.
“Every workplace should be assessed, whether it is an office, residence, workplace, factory, or a place that produces for society. We must take good care of the people who come to work.”
Phyathai 2 Hospital Conducts Comprehensive Safety Assessments
If a workplace safety assessment reveals high risks that may cause harm during work, protective equipment may need to be provided, engineering designs revised, or if the issues cannot be resolved, they must be eliminated to minimize workers’/employees’ exposure to hazards. The more severe the health risk, the less we can tolerate it. Let’s work together to enhance safety for everyone with public awareness and hazard awareness.
Dr. Phakdee Muangpoon
Specialist in Family Medicine and Occupational Medicine
Health Promotion Center (Premium Health Check-up), Phyathai 2 Hospital
