Master of Science in OccupationalSafety and Health Management

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.248.9.226/handle/123/12695

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

item: Thesis-Abstract
Analysis of safety issues in road construction in Sri Lanka
(2024) Tharaka, JC; Thayaparan, M
The construction industry plays a pivotal role in the economic development of any country, with road construction being a key component in enhancing infrastructure. However, the safety concerns associated with road construction projects pose significant challenges that warrant comprehensive investigation. This research report delves into the safety issues prevalent in road construction activities within the context of Sri Lanka. The study employs a multi-faceted approach, combining literature review, on-site observations, and questionnaire survey with industry executives to identify and analyze the key safety issues in road construction projects across Sri Lanka. 45 construction executives who were involved in road construction projects in Sri Lanka were responded for the questionnaire survey. The study identified several key factors contributing safety of Sri Lankan road construction. These factors are attitudes towards safety, insufficient training, ineffective site management, lack of knowledge among site engineers and technical staff, inadequate provision of personal protective equipment, insufficient attention from top management, and a failure to enforce safety regulations. Based on the findings, allocating funds for safety measures and equipment emerges as the most crucial potential remedy for addressing safety concerns in the Sri Lankan road construction sector. Enforcing penalties for non-compliance with safety measures, offering rewards to companies that prioritize safety in road construction projects, and conducting more safety inspections at road construction sites by authorities all contribute to improving road construction safety in Sri Lanka. The findings of this research provide valuable insights for policymakers, construction companies, and relevant stakeholders to develop targeted interventions aimed at fostering a safer working environment in the road construction sector in Sri Lanka. Ultimately, the objective is to contribute to the reduction of accidents and fatalities, ensuring the sustainable growth of the construction industry while prioritizing the well-being of its workforce. Keywords - Road construction, Safety issues, Sri Lanka
item: Thesis-Abstract
Identification of VOCs distribution in a petroleum terminal and minimization of hazardous levels on health
(2023) Gamage, NS; De Silva, L
Volatile Organic compounds (VOCs) can be found both naturally and manmade environments. Petroleum Industry is a major contributor to the atmospheric VOCs. In this study, a detailed field survey is carried out to investigate the distribution status of VOCs within a petroleum terminal in Sri Lanka. The entire terminal area was identified as operational and non-operational areas according to the zonal categorization of British Standards. The VOC levels of technically selected 99 nos. of locations were measured using a factory-calibrated portable VOC meter. All measurements were obtained when wind speed was less than 1 ms-1 to enhance the reliability of measurements. The entire data was analyzed using the Microsoft Excel data analysis tool. The mean value of the non-operational area was 3 ppm which was below the Central Environmental Authority accepted level of 5 ppm for any operations within Sri Lanka. The operational area was further divided into two different series of data because it was observed as distinct two histograms during the analysis. Those were for the exact source of VOCs and the rear vicinity of VOCs (beyond 2 m from the exact source). The average value of VOC in the rear vicinity was 6.9 ppm and it was 43.2 ppm for the exact locations of the VOC sources. Control perspectives were discussed for operational and non-operational areas separately following the available literature. The control perspectives were adsorption, biofiltration for the non-operational area, and catalyst oxidizer and membrane separation for the operational area
item: Thesis-Abstract
The Impact of emotional intelligence on job stress of executive level employees in banking sector in Sri Lanka
(2024) Sandaruwan, VWDL; Kulatunga, U
In general, as humans, we have all experienced stress of some kind. Either positively or negatively is possible. However, prolonged unpleasant mental doubt may have negative effects on our lives. Job stress is the most prevalent type of stress. Job stress impairs employees' performance, which creates a survival problem for the business because people do not work productively and efficiently. Consequently, job stress hinders the performance of the organization paving the way to a natural death. Job stress is inheriting many negative consequences to the organization where job stress exits. This study investigates the relationship between emotional intelligence and job stress level in executives working for reputable regional commercial and public banks in western province. In the current study, questionnaires were the major data collection tool and the main data source. IBM SPSS statistics 21 was used to analyze data to come to conclusions with regard to the developed hypotheses based on existing literature. Except for the emotional intelligence component of relationship management, the researcher finds that the majority of emotional intelligence dimensions (self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness) had a significant negative impact on the job stress of executive-level employees at the different banks. KEYWORDS: Self-awareness, Self-management, Social awareness, Relationship management, Emotional intelligence, Job stress
item: Thesis-Abstract
Investigation of health and safety training requirements for large scale construction projects in Sri Lanka
(2023) Kumara, KRP; Disaratna, V
Construction industry is one of the most significant industries which makes a considerable contribution to the GDP. Currently a large number of employees are working in this industry and a number of fatal accidents taken place every year. Therefore construction is one of most hazardous industries in the country and more attention needs to be given to improve health and safety in this industry. Also, a lot of accidents taken place in construction projects are not reported. In the construction projects, enough competent safety professionals are not available to ensure the safe working environment. In Sri Lankan context people’s attitudes on health and safety is not in the satisfactory level and, to change the attitudes of the people a lot of improvements need to be made providing necessary training emphasizing the importance of the health and safety. This research focuses on the adequacy of health and safety training in large scale construction projects in Sri Lanka. The research followed a mixed method approach. A questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were used to gather the data. The questionnaire data was analyzed using statistical tools and manual content analysis was used to analyze interview data. The research revealed that training on health and safety conducted in large scale construction projects is not enough to meet the required level to maintain an accident free working environment. The different types of trainings such as first aid, work at height, fire, etc. are needed to be conducted to minimize the accidents generating in these projects. The research further revealed that to minimize this adverse environment, more attention needs to be paid and to do it successfully, enough budgets should be allocated.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Investigation on occupational safety and health practices in university colleges of Sri Lanka
(2023) Dissanayake, WARK; Thayaparan, M
The International Labor Organization (ILO) predicted that 2.3 million (World Statistics, 2011) deaths per year would be reported due to workplace accidents or diseases globally while having an approximation of 340 million workplace-related accidents. Most workers have undergone proper education while concentrating on the global annual death and accident rate. A significant relationship between work-related incidents and the education sector's health & safety (H&S) culture should exist. Identifying the significance of the H&S culture of the University Colleges (UC) in Sri Lanka will assist the further development of H&S culture of the vocational education sector in Sri Lanka. This research aimed to improve Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices and recommend a framework for enhancing OHS practices in University Colleges in Sri Lanka. A quantitative research approach was adopted, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 249 participants studying in all six University Colleges in Sri Lanka. Reliability and validity tests were undertaken, and data were evaluated using correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The findings demonstrated that workplace dangers, policies, and awareness were substantially connected with occupational health and safety practices. Multiple regression analysis revealed that workplace hazards, policies, and awareness significantly predicted OHS practices in Sri Lanka's University Colleges. These results suggest that a higher level of OHS practices can be achieved in the vocational education sector by implementing effective policies and procedures and raising awareness among management, staff, and students. These findings imply that vocational education institutions must prioritize implementing comprehensive policies and procedures related to OHS. It is also necessary to promote awareness among all stakeholders to enhance the overall level of OHS procedures in the vocational education sector in Sri Lanka. More study is required to examine the variables that impact the implementation of sound policies and procedures and discover successful techniques to enhance awareness and promote OHS practices in the vocational education sector. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the relationship between workplace hazards, policies, awareness, and OHS practices in the vocational education sector in Sri Lanka. The results of this study may be utilized to influence policy choices and guide future research on the subject of OHS in the vocational education sector. ii Keywords - Occupational Health and Safety, Workplace Hazards, Policies and Procedures, Vocational Education, Sri Lanka
item: Thesis-Abstract
A Study on fire readiness of shopping complexes in Sri Lanka
(2023) Kumara, MMSR; Thayaparan, M
Fire protection is a study and practice of mitigating the unwanted effects of potentially destructive fires; the study and practice of fire protection aim to reduce the negative impacts of potentially destructive fires. Especially, fire incidents are the most hazardous situation of shopping complexes and evacuation strategies are complicated. The poor conduct of people in shopping complexes during the evacuation process is still a significant issue. However, very limited reported studies have been listed to evaluate the fire readiness of occupants in shopping complexes in Sri Lanka. So, the purpose of this study was to assess fire readiness and make recommendations to improve the fire readiness of shopping complexes in Sri Lanka. The goal of this study was to evaluate Sri Lankan shopping complexes' fire readiness and provide recommendations for improvement. As an initial step, a comprehensive literature survey was carried out to review the fire readiness of shopping complexes in Sri Lanka. As a next step, the data collection process of the research was carried out fewer than two main steps. The convenient sampling method was used. The active and passive safety systems installed in two significant shopping complexes around Colombo city are selected. The results confirmed that physical structure of the building and the behaviors of the occupant’s management process influenced by the function of the building. Furthermore, fire protection systems were identified as sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, fire extinguisher systems, hydraulic hose reel systems, total flooding systems, fire doors and walls, fire dampers, penetration seals, and emergency staircases. The factors related to the fire readiness were explored related to the fire readiness of both the building and the occupants. The findings of this study can be used to create future fire safety rules, programs, and health initiatives for commercial buildings, particularly for shopping complexes. Keywords: Fire readiness, Evacuation, Shopping Complex, Fire Prevention
item: Thesis-Full-text
Study the challenges on outsourcing health and safety responsibility in logistics industry
(2021) Fernando MAGP; De Silva L
This study mainly based on the Occupational Health and Safety related issues that are faced by the contractor workers. Based on the several business factors, most of the companies are now moving towards deploying workers from Manpower providing companies to carry out tasks on behalf of the company. Therefore, Contractor companies are recruiting wider range of people for different roles under contractor company carder. Since most of the contractor companies are not properly established with considering all minimum qualities of be an employer, they are striving for making maximum profit out of each contract they get. Therefore, contractor workers and their rights are the most neglected element in this business model. Due to the nature of the employment, they do not have right access for close supervision and guidance by the competent personnel when they are conducting the high-risk activities. Hence contractor workers are the most prominent group of workers who get exposed to severe injuries at work. The study was conducted to identify the root causes and contributory factors that can lead to accidents in the logistics sector. Since Logistics sector have many verticals, this study was mainly focused on the logistics fulfillment centers, distribution center and logistics hubs. The information in this report are taken from the 3 main logistics companies, under 15 different sites in with the range of about 50 contractor companies and with the participation of 2435 employees. This study reveals that, there are several behavioral and organizational factors that contributes to various number of occupational accidents. Lack of competency, poor supervision, unclear work instructions, lack of worker motivations, less empowerment, poor risk perception capabilities and ignoring the contract worker rights were among the visible gaps throughout the study. Since contractor workers are deployed in many high-risk activities, fall prevention, high probability of people and moving machinery entanglement and ergonomics issues related to manual lifting are the most common issue in logistics industry.

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Browsing Master of Science in OccupationalSafety and Health Management by Subject "BUILDING ECONOMICS- Dissertation"