Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE
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HEALTH AND SAFETY IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Engineering
Class: SHS 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 13
Grade code: 2.1.2.LI.6
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 2.1.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 2.1.2.LI.6
Theme: ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Subtheme: HEALTH AND SAFETY IN ENGINEERING PRACTICE
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In Ghana, we see engineering in practice everywhere – from the welder in our neighbourhood and the "fitter" at the mechanic shop, to the large construction sites building our roads and hospitals. While this work builds our nation, it can also be dangerous. A simple mistake can lead to serious injury or even death. This lesson is about one of the most powerful tools an engineer or technician has to prevent accidents: the Risk Assessment. It is a systematic way to think about what could go wrong and what we can do to stop it *before* it happens.
This section breaks down the core ideas you need to understand to perform a risk assessment. A. Hazard vs. Risk
These two words are often used interchangeably in everyday language, but in engineering safety, they have very specific meanings. Hazard: A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm. It is the source of danger. Think of it as the *thing* or *condition*. *Ghanaian Example:* A faulty electrical socket with exposed wires in a workshop is a hazard. The electricity itself is the source of danger. Other examples include a sharp cutting tool, a heavy load, a noisy machine, or a chemical like petrol. Risk: Risk is the chance or likelihood that someone will be harmed by the hazard, combined with the severity of that harm. Think of it as the *probability* and *consequence* of the hazard causing harm. *Ghanaian Example:* The risk associated with the faulty socket is a *high likelihood* of receiving a *severe* electric shock or starting a fire. If the socket was in a locked room that no one ever enters, the risk would be very low, even though the hazard is still there.
Analogy: A big pothole on the Accra-Tema motorway is a hazard. The risk is that a car driving at high speed might hit it, resulting in a burst tyre, loss of control, and a serious accident. B. What is a Risk Assessment?
A Risk Assessment is a careful and systematic process of: Identifying hazards in a workplace or during a task. Analysing and evaluating the associated risks. Determining appropriate ways to eliminate or control those risks.