Communication: An  effective tool towards controlling hazards through exposure monitoring in  the  workplace

I observed often through my professional practice the presence of general disregards by employers and employees alike on assessment of exposure of workers to hazardous substances or agents. But have noted that problems often arise when an occupational health and safety professional fails to understand the consensual role between him and his clients –(employers/employees). Let us follow this case note to support my argument.

A noise survey was carried out in a plant, with the main aim of controlling the noise level and at the same time  to work within the standards set by Federal Environmental Protection Agency Decree, 1998, No 58. The outcome of the study revealed that 80% of the workers working in the bottling line were exposed to high noise level greater than the acceptable noise level of 90dB (A) for eight hour working day as stipulated in FEPA Guidelines and Standards for Environmental Pollution Control in Nigeria.(1991). The occupational health and safety professional that carried out the study made several recommendations including engineering control of the noise at the sources, rotation of task and provision of earmuffs for every exposed worker. But he only presented the outcome of his study to the management of the plant. The management was not only happy to endorse the outcome of the study, but also decided to to implement the recommendations. But there was discontent among workers due to failure of the management to carry them along throughout the duration of the study. However this was later resolved through dialogue where it was agreed that the outcome of the study should be presented   to both parties.

It will be discovered through this case study that simple ways to foster a positive atmosphere in a workplace is ensuring that communication is good and effective. The workers should be carried along from the onset to the end of the program. The benefit to business is that employees will like to participate positively and contribute more. In other words occupational health and safety professionals should be able to explain the outcomes of his or her study to both employers and employees in simple terms devoid of technical jargons.

In summary, obtaining the understanding and cooperation of employers and workers is critical to effective control of hazards (exposure monitoring inclusive) in the work environment.  This was a significant factor in the case study cited above. It also shows that the first step to promote good relationship, that enhanced destruction of disregard of any good motive and good intention in HSE is not only monitoring of exposure to hazardous agents but pursuit of effective communication. Without cooperation and understanding the most genuine approach to issues will be ineffective. Conformity with these general expectations is an essential requirement for carrying out tasks of identification, evaluation and control of hazardous agents in a workplace