Master of Science in OccupationalSafety and Health Management

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

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item: Thesis-Full-text
Analysis of accidents in shift work in container terminals in Sri Lanka
(2019) Dodangoda HP; Gunatilake S
Being one of the most competitive industries in globally, the port industry requires high efficiency rate at all levels of operation. In such circumstances, container terminals play a leading role. The competition among container terminals demands a high productivity and mainly it is achieved by increasing the efficiency of labor force. As a result, shift work has been functioning in container terminals at all levels of operation. However, it has been founded that shift work has a negative impact on health and safety of employees. It affects the accident frequency in work places. Therefore this study focuses on finding the impact of shift work on accidents in container terminals in Sri Lanka. At first, a comprehensive literature review was carried out to investigate the knowledge on the research area. Consequently, occupational health and safety management at work places, container terminal operation, prevailing hazards in terminals, shift work and effects of shift work for the accident frequency in different work places were reviewed. A mixed approach was adopted to capture quantitative and qualitative data for this study. Therefore, quantitative data was collected from AIR (Accident Investigation Report) data base of ABC container terminal for a period of five years from 2012 to 2016 and expert interview survey was carried out in order to capture the qualitative data. Finally, the quantitative data was analyzed using statistical techniques while qualitative data was analyzed via logical reasoning to identify relationships between accidents, activities relevant to accidents, impacts, severity, causes of accidents and work groups and further to investigate the relationship between shift work and accident frequency. Research findings asserted that, there is an effect of shift work on accidents in container terminals. But it was unable to quantify the effect using available data. However, there is a potential to do a further study on workers, who have been identified to be responsible for high accident frequency.
item: Thesis-Full-text
An Analysis of occupational safety and health hazards in the hot end section of container glass manufacturing industry
(2019) Kumara RDKS; Seneviratne I
The uncontrolled occupational health and safety hazards are hidden issue all over the world. Many people die and sacrifice their lives in short terms and long terms as a result of these uncontrolled and unidentified hazards existing in the working environment. The health care sector of countries have to spent billions of money for medical treatments for the occupations illnesses, in the developing countries. In addition, the contribution of victimized people to the economic development process of a country get limited in various ways and their personal lives get disturbed. Accidents caused in industries making partially disabled, fully disabled people, who are considered as dependents in the society making minimum contribution to the economy. The glass industry is known as an industry with high concerns of occupational health and safety conditions and with less studies in finding the long lasting solutions and remedies in remedying the hazardous conditions. In this study, preliminary the Sri Lankan glass manufacturing sector was considered and data collection done. Preliminary in data collection the structured questionnaire was used validated with a questionnaire pilot study with industry experts. In this study, the hot end section was selected in carrying the survey and out of 35 employees; the 32 employees were selected according to the small survey-sampling plan. The demographic data, health and safety hazards according to the criticality, company background of OSH and critical causes for the OSH hazards were collected with interview of employees by the researcher by face-to-face interview. All collected data tabulated and analysed through the excel and RII (Relative Importance Index) was calculated in facilitating the ranking the hazards and the cause. In most of the cases, the hazardous condition had been controlled with PPE applications and engineering controls where as the eliminating and substitution is a challenging initiatives in the glass manufacturing environment. Against the preventive initiatives the controlling of the hazards and exposures are quite unsatisfactory as during the case study the results showed are alarming. This study conducted by emphasizing to develop a better OSH environment in Sri Lankan glass industry.
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
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Assessment of fire risk levels of industrial buildings in Biyagama processing zone area : a case study
(2017) Liyanapeli, NPJ; De Silva, L
To meet the needs of growing population and changing consumption patterns, productions and services have to be changed and increased drastically. Due to this reason, industries change rapidly, and with these changes, massive alterations happen in industrial buildings to accommodate new production and service requirements. This research aims to explore any significant changes of fire risks levels in industrial buildings due to those changes happening with the time, as compared to initial approval stage of the building plan. A case study was performed with randomly selected five manufacturing plants in Biyagma Export Processing Zone and surroundings, based on the Questioner/Check list developed after studying local and foreign fire safety rules and regulations applicable to manufacturing plants. Structured interviews were conducted to obtain data, validated with responsible persons for fire and safety in selected factories. According to the results, it was evident that, due to alterations, significant changes of fire risks levels in industrial buildings occur with time, as compared to the initial building plan approval stage. In addition, it revealed that existing Sri Lankan fire safety rules and regulations are not sufficient to ensure fire safety at working places, and Sri Lankan industries are not complying more than 41% with existing best fire safety requirements/standards, which are practiced by the British and the Europeans. Further, Sri Lankan laws and regulations cover 5% and 40% of fire safety requirements respectively, out of the prescribed rules and regulations by British and European. The necessity of having strict monitoring mechanism was recognised to ensure the factories comply with fire safety requirements when approving building plans for new constructions and for any significant changes, and periodically, with the age of the building. This research will help the community by introducing a new user-friendly fire risk assessment tool to assess the level of fire risks and help industries to take necessary actions to fulfil the gaps, thereby ensuring life safety of employees and business continuity
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Behavior based approach for enhancing safety in printing industry : case study approach
(2019) Rathnayake RM; de Silva N
In Sri Lanka today, the requirement of printing industry grows upward in speedily since they are contributing to provide a range of products to the market both local and export such as papers, books, security printed papers, cartoons, garment tags, labels etc. However it needs to be pointed out the reporting of industrial accidents also are increasing year by year. It is same to the printing industry. As per the experts’ view 90 % of accidents occur due to human errors. Unsafe human activities are leading to cause server accidents in the printing industry and directly impact to their production. Workplace accidents are the result of employees’ negligence or employees’ lack of care. Employees together with employers have a vital responsibility to prevent industrial accidents and injuries. It should be provide significant weight to occupational safety and health, improve human behaviour in order to mitigate accidents by preventive measures, and ensure that employees have the required information, training, and supervision to carry out their jobs safely. The aiming is this study to use Behaviour Based Safety (BBS) approaches to prevent workplace accidents in the printing industry. A case study was performed with selected two large scale annual production printing plants located in the Biyagama Export processing Zone. Based on the prepared questioners semi structured interviews and expert survey were conducted with reviewing accident analysis reports to gather information and data validation. The results pointed out the factors affecting to unsafe behaviours of employees. According to the workers judgments and root cause review of accident analysing reports, factors such as lack of safety related trainings, lack of worker involvement for safety, lack of management commitment to improve safety culture, inefficient communication system are directly link to improve worker unsafe behaviours and report accidents. Experts validated that approaches of each behavioural factors to reduce accidents in printing industry. The final outcome of this study is helping to improve employee moral towards safety and reduce accidents while improving productivity.
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A Comparison study of occupational health and safety practices among permanent and outsourced contract employees in construction sites
(2019) Chandrasiri RDS; Jayawickrama T
The accidents frequency in construction field is relatively high in Sri Lankan .construction industry is one of the significant sectors that need an effective and fast site safety practices. The most suffered category is outsourced labours in labour market as the permanent workers in this field are protected by law and their employers provide reasonable protection to them. Accidents are happened mainly unsafe condition and unsafe behaviors of the workers. In most occasions accident happened not only one reason but combination of other factors too. To increase the safety of he construction field real root causes must be identified. At the beginning reviewed past literature relevant o this issue . Then reported accidents and other information from twelve construction sites around the country were collected and investigated to find causes of accidents. Questionnaire forms and interviews were carried out to collect information both outsource contractors and permanent workers. Separate questionnaire form was prepared for the supervisors working in the construction industry. The results of this study says that accidents are the causes of many hidden factors. They are unsafe method, unsafe human behaviors, unsafe or inferior quality equipment, bad site conditions, poor Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) knowledge, ineffective supervision, poor safety culture. The causes of accidents in Sri Lanka were also very similar while reviewing past literature of the world. Finally it was revealed that main causes to accidents in construction industry are the workers’ risk taking behaviors , unable to follow safe work procedures, working at elevated area without proper precautions, unsafe electricity equipment and use them unsafely etc. In addition, work without proper training not using suitable and sufficient safety gear are other causes. The purpose of this study to take immediate actions by relevant managers in such industries in Sri Lanka to get rid of those issues to make their work sites safe and increases the productivity
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Development of a model to minimize dust explosion impacts in pharmaceutical industry
(2019) Buddika PS; Sandanayake Y
DEVELOPMENT OF A MODEL TO MINIMIZE DUST EXPLOSION IMPACTS IN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY Dust explosion is a major industrial disaster which result catastrophic outcomes if not controlled with necessary enforcements. Various industries which handled powdered materials are associated with dust explosion risk. Food, Tobacco, Plastics, Wood, Paper and pulp, Rubber, Pesticides, and Pharmaceutical are some of the industries associated with dust explosion risk. All the powder types does not responsible for dust explosions though particle size, dimension of particles, moisture content, upper and lower ignition limits, powder resistivity and charge relaxation time of combustible powders has a direct correlation with dust explosions. Dust explosions, initiated with the formation of dust explosion pentagon, which comprises with Combustible dust, Oxidant, Ignition source, Dust cloud and Confinement of dust. However, the comprehensive literature review reveals that there is lack of studies on dust explosion scenarios, it’s impacts, in-depth investigations in to causes and strategies to minimize the impacts of dust explosions in pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, the aim of this research is to develop a model to minimize the dust explosions and its subsequent impacts in pharmaceutical industry. The research objectives were achieved through mixed research approach by using semi structured interviews with experts in pharmaceutical industry and through the direct observations made during the site visit of pharmaceutical plant visits. The data collected during the structured interviews and site visits were collated in to tabulated and graphical mode to create a comparative analysis of three pharmaceutical manufacturing plants belongs to same mother company in three different countries. The findings of the research revealed the risk profiles of three pharmaceutical plants were differentiated with the combustible nature of the powdered raw materials used for each products in plant, quantity of those materials stored at plant and the risk associated with each activity or unit operation. Combustible nature depends on the minimum ignition energy of the material, and quantity of materials stored at plant depends on the batch size, chemical quantity of that particular chemical used for a batch. Finally the risk related to activity depends on the frequency of operation, no of peoples involve for the activity and the nature of the activity and the powder type. Causes of dust explosions were analysed using the investigations done for dust explosion incidents happened at three pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. Causes identified were categorized in to three causes types immediate, underline and root causes. The root causes which need to be eliminated to prevent the dust explosions were identified as inadequate risk assessments, inadequate housekeeping inadequate training and deficiencies in change management. Failure to eliminate these root causes will effect health and safety, environmental and business impacts which could directly affect to the continuation of business. Impacts of dust explosions in pharmaceutical industries can be controlled through disaster cycle approach which includes prevention, preparedness, response and recovery strategies. A single model which discuss the causes and impacts of dust explosions and the strategies to minimize the impacts of dust explosion using disaster cycle was developed to be used in pharmaceutical industries.
item: Thesis-Full-text
Development of a safety framework for bulk & commercial LPG supply systems in commercial businesses
(2018) Basnayake, JK; Seneviratne, I
The purpose of this project is to analysis the commercial & bulk LPG supply systems in Sri Lanka and to develop recommendations the safe LPG supply distribution considering market demands in commercial applications. This covers all the LPG supply systems practiced in Sri Lanka by identifying customer’s current perception and level of satisfaction with the traditional Gas withdrawal commercial 37.5Kg LPG cylinders and bulk storage LPG bullet tanks. LP Gas is potentially hazardous from the point of production until it has been safely used and the combustion products have been properly disposed of. The term LP Gas describes a range of products which have much in common on safety concerns during distribution. Safety concerns are the understanding the behavior of LP Gas and keeping it under control during distribution. The research findings reveal that industry currently follows unsafe practices that limit its ability to take full advantage of market developments and opportunities, particularly compared to bulk LPG supply system. This finding alone justifies the need for the LPG industry to find ways to work with LPG suppliers, distributors and dealers to develop commercially sustainable safe business models for supplying across the country’s full consumer market. According to the study new liquid withdrawal cylinders or bulk tanks are to be introduced to the current model to minimize the risk. To enhance the knowledge of users, there is a requirement of comprehensive door to door training progress. Following up available standards, set controls on LPG installations and continuous safety audits can ensure the safety of current commercial and bulk LPG supply systems. The level of challenges that exist will however likely lead to the commercial industry experiencing growing pains as it wrestles with securing market opportunities and reacting to the increasing competitiveness showed by bulk LPG suppliers. This research has summarized the problems of existing commercial & bulk LPG supply systems and it has shown the opportunity for implementing further safe systems to cater to the demand of industrial LPG requirements like in other many developed countries.
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Effective control of hazards related to steam boilers used in manufacturing industries in Sri Lanka
(2019) Lakmali MHI; De Silva L
Effective control of hazards related to steam boilers used in manufacturing industries in Sri Lanka Steam Boiler (SB) is the major equipment use in a steam system. It is a pressurized vessel in which heating of water take places and generates steam. It is operated under high heat and high pressure. Therefore, it is considered as dangerous equipment. Many incidents have been reported around the world. This study is focused to control Steam Boiler related hazards found in manufacturing industries in Sri Lanka, by revealing measures to enhance Steam Boiler manufacturing and operation. A literature survey, a detailed questionnaire survey, and expert interviews were used to collect data. The pilot survey was conducted to make necessary adjustments and validate the questionnaires. Hundred and twenty manufacturing industries were selected as sample. This study sample was selected among the manufacturing industries registered in the Industrial Safety Division of Department of Labour. This was included sixty factories with Steam Boiler related incidents. Steam Boiler related incidents were not reported in other sixty factories. Questionnaire was given to all selected factories and results were analysed using Graphical and Relative Important Index method (RII). Graphical method was used to evaluate the available work practises and RII method was used to identify critical causes of those incidents. Expert interviews were conducted to find expert opinions regarding Steam Boiler operation procedure and manufacturing procedure. Steam Boiler related hazards are classified as Accidental, Physical, Biological, Chemical, Ergonomic and Psychosocial factors. Only accident type hazards, such as structural explosions, steam leakages fuel leakages were reported in Sri Lanka. The highest number of hazardous incidents was reported in rice mills. Both unsafe actions and unsafe conditions had caused to those incidents. Hazards incidents were not reported in factories with good work practises. Finally, expert suggestions and study results were used to propose strategies to enhance standard of Steam Boiler operation procedure and manufacturing procedure.
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Effectiveness of safety management in controlling occupational accidents in transformer manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka: management perspective
(2021) Senanayake SJ; De Silva N
Effective management of occupational health and safety (OSH) is vital in every industry. It enhances the favorable motives for the accomplishment of goals in a particular industry. The effectiveness of safety management procedures for controlling occupational accidents in manufacturing industry has been acquired increased attention over the recent times. It can be understood that it is crucial to avoid occupational accidents caused by poor management and awareness related to OSH practices in Sri Lankan context. As a result of mitigating accidents, desired productivity can be achieved. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the effectiveness of occupational safety and health management systems in accident prevention at Transformer Manufacturing Industry (TMI) in Sri Lanka. In the literature synthesis of the study, possible hazards and injuries have been discussed with their risk and security levels. Questionnaire survey was used to collect primary data and further company accident data were referred in data collection process. The most common accident identified are slips and trips, cut and laceration, being caught in or stuck by moving machinery, and overexertion injuries. Since the implementation of the occupational safety and health management system in the work environment became safer and there was a decline in the number of lost time accidents recorded each year thereafter according to TMC accident primary data. High risk accident has been identified as an eye injuries and electrocution injuries. The existing occupational health and safety management system at transformer manufacturing company met the majority of the requirements comprehensive safety management systems. Furthermore, is implementation of accident control actions and the occupational safety and health management system are align with international standards always improved the occupational safety and health performance generated positive results in health and safety sector. With the proper involvement of management practices in monitoring and controlling occupational accidents, higher productivity can be assured with lesser negative consequences in transformer manufacturing industry. Moreover it is understood that, mitigating occupational accidents assures the availability of potential skilled workers in the manufacturing industry which benefits the country’s economy as well as social wellbeing.
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The Ergonomics issues of operational level employees in zoos-a case of national zoo in Sri Lanka
(2017) Nimanthi, GWH; De Silva, ML
A zoo or zoological garden is a park where captive animals often from all over the world, live and are exhibited to visitors. Occupational ill-health problems in zoos can be caused by any or a combination of exposure to harmful substances, inhalation of harmful particles, poor working practices such as excessive or inappropriate manual handling, environmental factors, such as noise, poor light or cramped working conditions and diseases transmitted by animals. Ergonomics can be described as a system of interaction between components in the workplace, which include the worker, the work environment (both physical and organizational), the task and the workspace. In manual handling, if done incorrectly or inappropriately it can result in one of several disorders of the muscles, joints and bones. The main cause is neglect of ergonomics principles which leads to bring inefficiency and discomfort to the workers. There is often an acute lack of awareness of ergonomics issues, education and training programmes and certification within developing countries. Ergonomics is the new phenomenon to Sri Lanka and studying and analyzing ergonomics related problems is still draw low acceptance and limited application in the zoos in Sri Lanka. The literature survey was done to identify the concept of ergonomics and the elements of ergonomics. It also describes the ergonomic risk factors which are relevant to zoo workers. The case study approach was figured out as the best research approach for this research while observations, preliminary survey questionnaires and semi structured interviews were selected as the best methods to collect data. Also, the research has executed through both quantitative and qualitative research analysis techniques. Statistical analysis including descriptive statistics, likert-scale and RII (Relative Importance Index) as well as content analysis were used for data analysis of this research. As per the results of the pilot survey analysis, the indirect ergonomic risk factors are the age limit, work experience and number of working hours. Based on these findings, expose to dust, expose to odour, poor conditioned tools, poor condition of machines, poor work design, poor communication, lack of work training and lack of involvement in decision making are the major ergonomic risk factors in the zoo. In addition to that, the survey was found that the discomforts among operational level employees due to poor ergonomics in the zoo are low back pain, discomforts in thigh/ knee and discomforts in hand/wrist. The illnesses found are tiredness, eye weakness, extensive sweating, muscular pain and numbness. Based on the results of observations, preliminary questionnaire survey and interview it can be concluded that the current practice of ergonomics in the zoo exist at a low level.
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Essential training needs for injury reduction in water and wastewater projects in Sri Lanka
(2020) Amarananda AG; De Silva N
Water and wastewater projects have been recognized as one of the most vulnerable types of projects and with a reported number of annual injuries due to high involvement of underground / trenching work and crowded and congested sites. Therefore, it is required to maintain proper safety measures in those projects for the reduction of injury. This research is established to investigate the essential training needs that are required to educate on occupational safety and health to reduce injuries of the employees of water and the wastewater projects in Sri Lanka. Five projects located in Colombo North, Colombo East, Colombo West, Colombo South, and Thimbirigasyaya Divisional secretariat area were selected for the research. Random sampling technique was utilized to select 210 respondents from 401 of the total workforce, which is a 52% sample. A questionnaire survey was carried out to collect data. Printed copies of questionnaires were distributed among the respondents. This study is able to identify that first-aid type injuries occur frequently in the water and wastewater projects in Sri Lanka. Minor accidents and injuries take place occasionally. Major accidents and injuries seldom occur. Permanently disabling / fatal type accidents happen extremely rarely in the water and wastewater projects in Sri Lanka. It was identified that the risk levels of trench collapsing accidents and electrocution accidents seemed to be relatively high compared to falling from heights, being hit by falling or flying objects, slipping and tripping, traffic, chemical exposures, fire and such other accidents. Further, it was identified that, there is an extreme training demand for trench protection methods. Twelve number of training needs are proposed as essential training areas for the floor level workers in the water and wastewater projects. Accident preventive actions were categorized as management aspects and employee aspect. Limited time, cost allocations and high number of workforce are the challenging factors of training. Knowledge management strategy can be implemented by forming construction groups to able to share the experience and knowledge with the team as a part of on the job training.
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Fire readiness of high rise commercial buildings in Sri Lanka
(2022) Dasanayaka DMBNC; Seneviratne I
Contemporary cities and enormous skyscrapers have been constructed due to the increasing population in urban areas. Evacuation strategies and the time needed to evacuate from the buildings are the main concerns of governments, construction developers and occupants. As a result, fire readiness is an important factor to consider when it comes to the safety of building occupants. There are a variety of people working in high-rise commercial buildings with varying thought patterns and educational levels. Furthermore, both active and passive safety systems have been installed at all high rise commercial buildings located within the city limits of Colombo, and without a satisfactory level of fire safety systems, the fire service department did not issue the fire clearance certificate for the high rise commercial buildings to operate. Aside from fire extinguishers, hose reel systems, fire alarm master panels, fire detectors, and sprinkler systems, active fire safety systems can be found in all high rise commercial buildings, while passive fire safety systems include emergency staircases, fire doors, and walls. Furthermore, an administrative team was appointed to administer and maintain the system installed in the buildings, and it is their primary responsibility to ensure the smooth operation of the high rise commercial buildings. In order to determine the fire readiness in 10 existing high-rise commercial buildings, questionnaires were given to tenants and management teams. Moreover, suggestions to improve the fire readiness appertain to buildings were identified using the same questionnaire. Total flooding and fire suppression systems do not appear to be a common fire prevention approach in the Sri Lankan context, based on the existing status of high-rise building fire preparation. Additionally, several standards that must be met, like familiarity with the buildings fire safety systems and knowledge of fire safety among the occupants, fall short of the required standard. Additionally, several construction criteria, such the accessibility of evacuation aids for individuals with disabilities and the plans for implementing fire training and awareness campaigns, fall short of expectations.
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Fostering OSH in informal construction sector of Sri Lanka: challenges and approaches
(2020) Thalpage R; De Silva N
The informal construction sector plays a vital role in Sri Lankan economy by being the second highest informal sector after agriculture. Moreover, there are considerably higher amounts of hazards in informal construction sites when compared with other industries. Simultaneously, several challenges to eliminate those hazards were discovered under five key areas as financial, time, knowledge/skills, misconception and poor attitude, cultural, regulatory and industrial. Thus, this study was conducted with the aim of fostering Occupational Safety and Health in Sri Lankan informal construction sector by recommending the probable approaches to mitigate above identified challenges. Accordingly, a mixed research approach was adopted with questionnaire survey for 102 respondents while carrying out semi structured interviews with seven professionals. The findings were analyzed with descriptive analysis, one sample T-Test, factor analysis and code-based content analysis techniques. As the most common hazards in Sri Lankan informal construction sector, falling from height and ladder/scaffolding work with slippage and breakage were identified. Twelve critical challenges towards Occupational Safety and Health in Sri Lankan informal construction sector were extracted and they were further categorized under four specific factors as Knowledge and education, Safety attitude and culture, Government support and Nature of informal construction sector. Consequently, it was recommended to implement mandatory rules for both labours and clients, provide awareness and education, conduct site inspections and accident inquiries, empower relevant regulatory bodies to provide guidance and support, labour gatherings in community level to raise their problems, training and evaluation for individual labours and provide safety equipment for reasonable prices as few major approaches to mitigate the identified challenges and foster Occupational Safety and Health in informal construction sector of Sri Lanka.
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Health and safely related disaster resilience in apparel industry in Sri Lanaka
(2018) Priyantha, AAG; Jayawickrama, T
Apparel industry is often connected with international supply chains and their economic performance meaningfully depends on the incomes generated through international trade. Economic cycles are internationally interrelated, which means that business disruptions of apparel industry due to local disasters can have an influence on markets and initiatives in other regions. The risks for the private segment are therefore not limited to single initiatives, sectors or industries; however, this can have serious significances on complete economies. The advantage of making policy initiatives in this concern will get highlighted, and this study will subsidize to the development of apparel industry competitiveness since Sri Lankan apparel industry want empirical data of this occurrence. Also they need to recognize how to integrate these concepts into adaptive capacities in apparel industry towards disaster resilience in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the apparel sector business organizations would be able to introduce disaster management intervention in concert with the business objectives. Therefore, this study will attempt to achieve the condition of having such studies in eastern countries to a certain extent then most of the studies in this environment have been directed in western culture. Sample of 50 garment manufacturing factories were selected since a population of all medium & large size of factories in free trade zone in Sri Lanka. The researcher was practiced open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires and interviews by the primary data collection techniques. Also the researcher was used associate studied journal articles, annual reports and printed books as the secondary data collection methods. SPSS software was used to analyze the collected data through questionnaires. According to analysis, apparel manufacturing companies need to provide proper and industry standard health and safety awareness training to all managers, supervisors, employees, contractors and suppliers. Sri Lankan apparel industry need to reinforce organizational employees, managers and supervisors‟ knowledge of their job related responsibilities under the occupational health and safety act and the industrial sector employees‟ rights guaranteed by the act. They need to provide industry related practical knowledge to the HSE professionals‟ involvement procedure to the disaster resilience in apparel industry in Sri Lanka.
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Health and safety management practices of road construction projects in Sri Lanka
Angammana, DK; Karunasena, G
Road construction workers are exposed to hazards. This study attempts to identify, health and safety practices prevailing in road construction projects, issues and propose measures to mitigate.The study was confined to seven contract packages implemented under Northern Road Connectivity Project (Additional Financing) funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB). Five of them were located in the North Central Province while the other two were in Northern Province. Data was gathered through questionnaires, interviews and observations. Questionnaire comprised six major criteria, namely, training and supervision, safe work procedures, communication, reporting safety, management commitment and injury and return to work. Study revealed that workers are exposed to hazards of frequent and heavy lifting, noise and vibration, hazardous substances such as oil, gas, hydraulic fluid, welding fumes, heavy vehicle operation, working in blasting faces, clearing operations, slips, trips and falls, struck by, being struck by falling objects, hand-arm-whole body vibration, dust, sources of noise, electrical hazards etc. In asphalting areas workers are exposed to high temperatures and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydro Carbons (PAHC) which are carcinogenic. Working in excavated areas is prone to collapse of slopes. Workers are also prone to ergonomic issues caused due to manual handling and awkward postures. Main causes of accidents have been identified as fall from height, fall of objects, struck on stationary objects, struck by moving objects, struck on moving objects, caught in between, exposure to heat, exposure to electricity and exposure to harmful substances. Information gathered from 250 respondents revealed a high positive response in overall health and safety management practices. Five of the six criteria concerned showed a high positive response of greater than 78 percent. Communication recorded the lowest. Contract package wise comparison shows that P3 and P4 had a low positive response in the criteria concerned other than management commitment. Interviews conducted with Project Managers revealed a high commitment. Safety Committees were nonexistent in six of the seven packages except (P2). Observations revealed safety lapses such as working without PPE, working under unsafe conditions, non barricading hazardous zones, lack of warning sign boards and deploying non competent flagmen etc. It is recommended to conduct awareness programmes through Labour Department Officials prior to commencement of construction work, qualified Safety Officers should be employed, sites should be thoroughly inspected to eradicate hazards, work zones should be safe for workers, consultant’s field staff should check adequacy of precautionary measures, importance of PPE should be emphasized, hazard areas should be properly barricaded, trained flagman should be deployed, records of toolbox meetings should be maintained, near misses should be recorded, Safety Policy should be accessible to all workers, officials from the Labour Department should visit the sites to check compliance.
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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
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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
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Investigation of ergonomics risks related factors affected to re bar workers in construction sites
(2019) Kosgahakumbura, NM; Gunatilake, S
Effects of Ergonomics Risks Related Factors to Reinforce Workers in Construction Sites When thinking about Sri Lankan workers, professionals in OHSE, other involving parties are not interested in Ergonomics due to various reasons such as non-availability of data, ergonomics risk are not available in short term, workers do not think that they will face such illness as muscular skeletal disorders in their work life, consideration on manufacturing industries who have foreign base in Sri Lankans and apparel trade have followed ergonomics to some extent. In construction industry no strong evidence have been found and it is necessary to propose a framework to enhance health and safety conditions in construction industry in Sri Lanka. This study is aiming to identify the Ergonomics risk factors faced by reinforcement workers in construction industry. The descriptive study was carried out through a preliminary survey, questionnaire survey and case study of selected workers. Data was analyse by using Percentage on work patterns, frequencies, averages of selected criteria and risk factor assessment tools. Mean and Mode also adapted to the analysis. Almost eighteen criteria were selected for analyses the collected data along with the posture analyses modal. As per the analysis tools posture scores are under very high & high levels, As per the other criteria’s work patterns was not in satisfactory levels according social criteria. On recommendations, In general labor handing on reinforcement work has to do in more organized manner to overcome ergonomics complications at construction sites.
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.