SCENARIO Hapford Garage is a small, independent, motor vehicle
repair workshop, situated on a busy industrial estate, close to the
centre of a small town. The Garage is jointly owned by the two lead
mechanics, who recently went into partnership together to buy the
business. Two other mechanics are also employed, both have worked
at the Garage for many years; one works full-time, the other is
semi- retired, working part-time, two days a week. Recently a
17-year-old apprentice mechanic has started work; they also attend
college on a day-release basis as part of their apprenticeship. A
yardperson keeps the workshop and yard area clean and tidy, moves
vehicles when required and other general duties. There is also an
office worker based in the reception area.
The Garage building is of brick construction with a corrugated
metal roof. A central roof vent (with two fans beneath) helps
provide ventilation. The building consists of a large open space
workshop with full width metal concertina doors opening out from
one end of the building onto the concrete yard area. The yard is
open to the road with no perimeter fencing, and although compact,
has sufficient parking spaces (which are clearly marked out) for
customer cars, along with room to manoeuvre. A small extension to
the back of the building houses the reception area, toilets and
rest room. Customers are not permitted to enter the workshop; they
enter the building via an external door directly into the reception
area. Customer seating is provided in the reception area, along
with a viewing window where customers can safely watch work being
carried out on their vehicle if they wish. Double doors, between
reception and the workshop, enable easy access between areas for
the workers.
To the left hand side of the workshop is a vehicle inspection
pit, edges are clearly marked and it is covered when not in use. To
the centre and right of the workshop are two, four-post vehicle
lifts. Standing against the left-side wall of the workshop are
storage cupboards for tools, equipment, and materials, and on the
right-side wall is a large sink for hand-washing. Relevant safety
data sheets for all materials used are displayed on the back
wall.
Some organisations on the industrial estate operate on a 24-hour
basis, Hapford Garage opens from 08.30 - 17.30, six days a week.
Both lead mechanics are usually on site from 07.00 each day, to
help ensure they are prepared for the day ahead. To avoid too many
late finishes, they share the responsibility of counting the money
taken and securing the site at the end of each day. This process
takes over an hour. One of the lead mechanics may occasionally
continue to work after 17.30 before carrying out the close-of-day
activities.
The majority of the work carried out involves servicing of
vehicles, and mechanical repairs to cars and small vans. Although
some welding and bodywork repairs (including panel beating) are
done on site, all paint spraying is outsourced to a local body
repair shop.
While diagnosing engine problems, it is often necessary to have
an engine running. Many of the vehicles serviced at the Garage have
diesel engines, so diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEE) are
produced. DEEE contain a complex mixture of gases, vapours, liquid
aerosols and particulate substances. The components of DEEE include
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxides of nitrogen and sulphur and
a number of organic materials.
During opening hours, the workshop’s large concertina doors are
usually left open for ventilation, (unless the weather is
particularly bad). There is an emergency exit door to the left-hand
side of the workshop, with a window above (this window is fixed and
does not open). The workshop external walls contain six air-bricks
that provide some additional ventilation.
Noise levels in the workshop are variable throughout the day.
Certain tasks generate high levels of noise. For example, during
the use of pneumatic tools such as air saws and air compressors for
inflating tyres. Noise is also generated by the use of a bench
grinder, orbital sanders and angle grinders. These are only
operated for short periods of time. Other tools such as hammers
also generate significant levels of noise. At other times, the only
noise will be from the radio playing in the background and people
talking, both in person and on the phone.
As a single large open space, with brick walls and high ceiling,
sound reverberates around the workshop. Noise from the workshop can
also be heard, to a lesser degree, in the reception area. The
workers are provided with several forms of hearing protection; a
pair of earmuffs (which are rather grimy) are located on a hook
next to the storage cupboards in the workshop (for use by any of
the workers), and a box of single-use ear plugs are kept in a
drawer in the reception area. Hearing protection is rarely used in
practice, as the workers prefer to be able to hear conversation
going on around them. The part-time mechanic is competent, but can
be very untidy, and has to be reminded to clear away equipment and
clean up oil spills. Overalls are provided (each worker taking
their own overalls home to wash).
The part-time mechanic does not wash their overalls very often;
they regularly look dirty with oily rags seen protruding from their
pockets. All workers use disposable, single use, nitrile gloves.
Sometimes there are not enough gloves available, so workers tend to
wear them for long periods, sometimes re-using them.
Eight weeks ago the part-time mechanic began to experience
itchy, red, inflamed skin on their upper thighs. Since then, it has
gradually worsened, affecting a much larger area. They also have
dry, cracked skin on their hands. They have not mentioned this to
anyone at work as they do not consider it to be relevant. They are
convinced it will get better by itself in time, so have not seen
their doctor about the problem. Constantly feeling itchy and sore,
they are miserable at work. One of the lead mechanics has noticed
the part-time mechanic has not been their usual self and takes them
to one side to ask if they are okay. The worker reluctantly
mentions the ‘itchy rash’ but does not go into any detail. The lead
mechanic thinks that the worker may have had an allergic reaction
to something and urges them to go to see their doctor about the
problem. Later that day, the lead mechanic unpacks a case of hand
soap, and finds a poster about skin care in the box. Thinking back
to the earlier conversation, they put the poster up on the
noticeboard in the rest room for information.
A few days later, the part-time mechanic brings a doctor’s
letter into work which states the worker Is suffering from
dermatitis, most likely caused by contact with used engine oil.
Both lead mechanics are shocked, but are keen to help. They discuss
what changes they can make and decide upon the following immediate
actions:
• To use a contract laundry service to wash all workers’
overalls.
• To remind workers to read the safety data sheet for engine
oil.
The young apprentice mechanic is very keen to learn, works hard,
and gets on really well with everyone at the Garage. Outgoing (and
sometimes a little over-confident) they are happy to challenge
their more experienced colleagues if they think something is not
being done ‘like they have been taught at college’. In the college
workshop, each vehicle exhaust is directly coupled to a hose that
forms part of an extraction system, venting to open air outside. In
Hapford Garage, they are reliant on natural ventilation, assisted
by two ceiling fans. The apprentice tells the lead mechanics they
are putting everyone’s health at risk by not having an extraction
system ‘like the one we use at college’. The lead mechanics laugh,
their immediate reaction being “Stop being so dramatic! We don’t
have anywhere near the number of vehicles in here that you have in
college!” .
However, the apprentice’s comment starts the lead mechanics
thinking about their current arrangements for ventilation. They are
both aware that prolonged exposure to diesel fumes presents a risk
to health (coughing, increased sputum production and
breathlessness). Also, long term repeated exposure increases the
risk of lung cancer. They also know that exposure to DEEE in the
workplace requires assessment and control. Deciding they may have
dismissed the apprentice’s concerns too quickly, both agree it
would be a good idea to investigate installing a better ventilation
system.
question:
(a) Comment on the extent to which workers at Hapford
Garage are at risk from lone working. - ( i need 30 points for
this question)
(b) What changes could the lead mechanics make to
existing working practice to reduce the risks from lone working? -
(i need 20 points for this question)
SCENARIO Hapford Garage is a small, independent, motor vehicle repair workshop, situated on a busy industrial estate, cl
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