Product Design (Health & Safety)

- Job satisfaction is an important aspect good working relationships

- Good working relationships means a happier more efficient work force

- Companies that provide job satisfaction & caring relationships have increased productivity, loyalty, better time keeping, reduced absenteeism & sickness

- Employers would like their employees to feel part of a team working towards a common goal.

- Part of this mutual caring attitude is Health & Safety

Workers expect to work in a safe environment

There is Acts of Parliament governing safety at work:

- The Factories Act 1961

- The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

- The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations

- Regulations & Codes of Practice like COSHH

- Conditions in establishments is monitored by The Health & Safety Executive

- COSHH - Control of substances hazardous to health

 - Accidents result in misery, increased beaurocracy, lost productivity, loss of earnings and lack of trust & confidence. Most can be avoided.

- Accidents are caused by operating machines without proper training, disregarding safety rules like using guards or wearing protective clothing, taking short cuts

- Sometimes it could be the working conditions like poor lighting, slippery floors, overcrowding, and bad ventilation

Manufacturers use these main methods:

- Training in safe operation of equipment

- Machine guarding to prevent accidents

- Personal protective clothing

- Extraction of fumes & dust

- COSHH controlling hazardous substances

- Risk assessment calculating the risks of hazards causing an accident