OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

CASE STUDY

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In recent weeks, Out of Africa Attorneys has decided to make renovations to the building they currently occupy in order to keep up with the fast-paced nature and growth of their business. This is also in order to update the firm's overall aesthetic, to create a greater appeal to prospective clients, and in doing so, increase the likelihood of walk-ins (as their current client base is solely as a result of referrals and word-of-mouth).

Part of this renovation process includes removing the current paving outside the firm's offices using a jackhammer and laying down new paving. As the construction team is required to work during the day, the noise from the jackhammer permeates the office building, disturbing Out of Africa Attorneys' workforce. This hammering has made concentration impossible and thus reduced productivity among the employees. A large part of this is due to employees being unable to hear one another (as well as their clients), and some employees experiencing adverse health effects such as ringing in their ears by the end of the work day. Employees have also found concentration difficult because of the temperature in the office. Due to the firm becoming increasingly technologically based, and utilising a large amount of electronic devices (such as laptops, desktop computers, switchboards, and the like), the air conditioning in the building has been set at 12C to keep all of the equipment cool and prevent it from overheating. As a result of this, the employees shiver and are cold throughout the workday, as the office dress code prohibits wearing anything other than suits and business attire.

The construction workers hired by Out of Africa Attorneys also face issues of their own. The majority of their work is to be done outside in the heat of the Durban sun. Although the workers are provided with hard hats, these do not offer much protection from the heat and effects of the sun. This is especially because most of the workers either wear vests or shirts with short sleeves because of the heat, thereby exposing even more of their skin to the sun. A majority of the workers have already suffered painful sunburn due to the long working hours spent outside. A few of the workers have also started noticing issues with their vision, which have also been a result of overexposure to the sunlight.

QUESTION 1 (50 MARKS)

After receiving numerous complaints from both the construction workers and the firm's internal employees, the upper management of Out of Africa Attorneys is required to implement measures to address these health and safety issues relating to noise, temperature and radiation.

1.1 Identify and explain two possible control measures that are needed to reduce the health effects associated with the noise of the jackhammer. Your answer should make reference to the case study. (20 MARKS)

1.2 Identify and explain one control measure needed to address the temperature situation within the firm's offices. Your answer should make reference to the case study. (10 MARKS)

1.3 What control measures should Out of Africa Attorneys put in place to account for the adverse effects of the sunlight on the construction workers? Identify and explain two control measures. (20 MARKS)

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