1 Market Research and Consumer Behavior

VALENTINO, EZRALIN F.
BS ENTREP 2-3

Q1:How much electricity is enough to cause death?

The severity of injury from electrical shock depends on the amount of electrical current and the
length of time the current passes through the body. For example, 1/10 of an ampere (amp) of electricity
going through the body for just 2 seconds is enough to cause death. The amount of internal current a
person can withstand and still be able to control the muscles of the arm and hand can be less than 10
milliamperes (milliamps or mA). Currents above 10 mA can paralyze or “freeze” muscles. When this
“freezing” happens, a person is no longer able to release a tool, wire, or other object. In fact, the
electrified object may be held even more tightly, resulting in longer exposure to the shocking current.
For this reason, handheld tools that give a shock can be very dangerous.

Q2:Why do birds standing on high-tension wires do not get electrocuted?

Birds can sit on power lines and not get electric shocks because the electricity is always looking
for a way to get to the ground. The birds are not touching the ground or anything in contact with the
ground, so the electricity will stay in the power line. But if a bird with large wings touches a power line
and a tree or power pole at the same time, it gives electricity a path to the ground, and could be
shocked. And if a bird touches two wires at once, it will create a circuit — electricity will flow through
the bird and likely electrocute it.

Q3:What can you say about the practice of replacing a busted fuse with any type of conductive material
to continue the electrical supply?

Although we often think of fuses as a nuisance, they play an important safety role in preventing
damage to equipment due to electrical overloading, thereby reducing the risk of electrical shock to
patients and staff. You should not dismiss a blown fuse as an inconvenience. It may be a sign that a real
fault has developed, giving you the chance to find and fix the problem before any serious damage occurs.

Q4:What is the purpose of the third conductor of common plugs/third hole in other outlets?How come
come it is okay to only use the two holes or remove the third wire?

All three-prong plugs must be connected to electrical receptacles that can receive a three-
pronged plug. Also, the electrical receptacle itself must have a ground circuit connected internally that
goes back to the main service panel. When you plug in a three-pronged plug, that third prong is
providing an alternate pathway for electricity in the event of a fault. If you cut the third prong off of a
plug, you defeat the safety feature. Also, adapters were designed to use the cover screw to complete a
ground circuit on some older plug designs. However, some older plugs do not have an internally
connected ground, and many people never actually connect the screw properly to a three-to-two prong
adapter.

Market Research and Consumer Behavior

VALENTINO, EZRALIN F.
BS ENTREP 2-3

Q5:When I must provide PPE?

The fundamental principle is that personal protective equipment (PPE) should only be used as a
last resort. The safety and health of employees must be first safeguarded by measures to eliminate
workplace risks at source, through technical or organisational means (e.g by substituting hazardous
chemical ) or by providing protection on a collective basis (e.g providing scaffolding instead of
harnesses). Collective protective measures covering numbers of employees in a workplace must have
priority over protective measures applying to individual employees. If these measures are not sufficient,
only then should PPE be used to protect against the hazards that are unavoidable.

Q6:If employees wearing hard hats and working at elevations create a potential hazard for the
employees working below?

To protect employees working below, you must provide chin straps for the protective helmets
worn by employees working at higher elevations, whether in an aerial lift or at the edge of a pit. The
chin straps should be designed to prevent the hard hats from being bumped off the employees' heads.

Q7:Could employees wearing hard hats and working at elevations create a potential hazard for te
employees working below?

The BLS survey noted that more than half of the workers were struck on the head while they
were looking down and almost three-tenths were looking straight ahead. While a third of the
unprotected workers were injured when bumping into stationary objects, such actions injured only one-
eighth of hard hat wearers.

Elimination, or control of a hazard leading to an accident should, of course, be given first consideration,
but many accident-causing head injuries are of a type difficult to anticipate and control. Where these
conditions exist, head protection must be worn to eliminate injury.

Q8:Is there one kind of glove that will protect against workplace hazard?

There are many types of gloves available today to protect against a wide variety of hazards. The
nature of the hazard and the operation involved will affect the selection of gloves. The variety of
potential occupational hand injuries makes selecting the right pair of gloves challenging. Leather, Canvas
or Metal Mesh Gloves: These types of gloves protect against cuts, burns and punctures. Insulating
rubber gloves: These gloves are used for protection against electrical hazards. For more information on
insulating rubber gloves for electrical work.

Q9:Why should workers be outfitted with more expensive industrial respirators when look alike
“nuisance masks” are available?

Market Research and Consumer Behavior

VALENTINO, EZRALIN F.
BS ENTREP 2-3

Paper or “Nuisance” masks are designed to trap large particles not the tiny particles found in
smoke. These masks generally will protect your lungs from wildfire smoke.

Q10:Is cotton sufficient as earplugs?

Ordinary cotton balls stuffed into the ears reduce noise by only about seven decibels. Kansas
State University speech and hearing specialist, Dr. Harry Rainbolt, recommends cotton never be used to
reduce noise exposure. "Cotton cannot block out high frequency sound and will provide no protection
from high sound levels."

Ear muffs are somewhat more effective than ear plugs. However, even a slight opening between the
muff and the head may reduce the effectiveness of the ear muffs. Special foam pads are available to slip
on the temple pieces of eyeglasses and keep the muffs fitting tightly. Some of the plastic pieces next to
the head may lose their elasticity if they're repeatedly drenched with perspiration.

Q11:Once I have selected the specific PPE for my workers,how do I make sure they use it properly?

Often, workers aren’t committed to using PPE because they don’t understand why it’s necessary.
Talk to them about the dangers of the equipment or location they’re in. Explain what could happen if
they’re not using PPE (in detail) and how the PPE protects them. When workers are able to envision the
results of an accident, they’re more likely to want protection. Have workers create their own “Why I
Work Safe” boards, where they post pictures of loved ones or even a favorite hobby they couldn’t do if
they were injured. Place the boards where the employees will see them daily, and have workers update
them quarterly or yearly so they stay motivational.

Q12:How do we evaluate noise levels in the workplace?

The integrating sound level meter (ISLM) can be used to measure equivalent noise level
averaged over the measurement period which could be several minutes, a few hours or an entire work
shift. In this respect it is similar to a dosimeter used as area monitor. An ISLM does not provide personal
exposure level because it is not worn on person. It gives equivalent sound levels at a particular location.
The ISLM uses a pre-programmed exchange rate, with a time constant that is equivalent to the SLOW
setting on the SLM.

Q13:Do we have local distributor of IH equipment?

Yes. There are suppliers of IH instruments locally. The Environment Control Division (ECD) of
the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC) work primarily towards eliminating work
environment hazards and their effects.

Market Research and Consumer Behavior

VALENTINO, EZRALIN F.
BS ENTREP 2-3

Q14:Do we have private companies that conduct WEM?

Yes, there are private service providers that conduct WEM, but the OSH Standards and DO 160-
16 requires a WEM provider to be accredited.

Q15:How often should we conduct WEM?What are the conditions or parameters to be measured?

As stated in Rule 1077 of the OSHS, the employer shall carry out the working environment
measurement in indoor or other workplaces where hazardous work is performed. WEM shall be
conducted periodically as may be necessary but not longer than annually. As required by the OSHS,
WEM shall include temperature, humidity, pressure, illumination, noise, ventilation and concentration
of substances and chemicals. It is important to recognize environmental hazards or stresses in the
workplace. The magnitude or level of hazards can be accurately determined by using industrial hygiene
equipment. Prevention is better than cure so it is necessary to assess and evaluate these hazards.

Q16:Is there a standard used for general ventilation?

General ventilation refers to a ventilation system that encompasses an entire work space or
area. General ventilation systems circulate fresh air through a work space through exterior air intakes.
Air from outside the workplace is mixed with the indoor air. General ventilation of a workplace is only
appropriate if the space does not generate high concentrations of fumes, dust, or other airborne
contaminants. This is because a general ventilation system does not remove contaminants from the air,
but merely dilutes them by mixing the work space's air with a fresh supply from outdoors.

A general ventilation system may also be used to control temperate and humidity within the workplace.
General ventilation is sometimes called dilution ventilation or fresh air ventilation.

Q17:What is the appropriate respiratory protective equipment?

Both respirators and BA are available in a range of different styles, which can be put into two
main groups:

Tight-fitting facepieces (often referred to as masks) - rely on having a good seal with the wearer's face.
These are available as both non-powered and powered respirators and BA. Examples are filtering
facepieces, half and full-face masks.

Loose-fitting facepieces – rely on enough clean air being provided to the wearer to prevent contaminant
leaking in (only available as powered respirators or BA). Examples are hoods helmets, visors, blouses
and suits.

Only BA is suitable for use in oxygen deficient atmospheres

Market Research and Consumer Behavior

VALENTINO, EZRALIN F.
BS ENTREP 2-3

Q18:How would you control hazardous containants?

The most preferred method of controlling risk is to eliminate the hazard altogether. In most
cases, elimination is not feasible and when possible, substitution is the best approach to hazard
mitigation. When possible, substitute less hazardous agents in place of their more hazardous
counterparts. This also applies to conditions and activities. Examples include substituting toluene for
benzene, non-lead-based paints for lead-based ones, or SawStop table saws for existing traditional table
saws.

Q19:How can they avail WEM?

Gone are the days where scratches, bruises and occupational illness are taken for granted. As
countries around the world enact legislation requiring stricter regulations on occupational health and
safety, companies that can prove compliance are at a competitive advantage. In fact, a failure to comply
not only means legal penalties, but also risks putting employees and assets in danger You are dedicated
to your employees’ health and safety, and our Work Environment Measurement is one way to
demonstrate this dedication. It allows you to reduce accidents, illness and employee fatigue, which in
turn boosts morale and improves company culture. The resulting report also helps you earn customers’
trust and protects your company’s reputation.

Q20:Is hazard present at home,like cooking?

Carrying, lifting, pushing, and other manual handling manoeuvres can, if not done safely,
seriously harm the body’s musculoskeletal system. Kitchens often have numerous slip, trip, and fall risks
created by human error, meaning you and others need to focus closely on proper safety practices and
housekeeping. If not properly stored in shelves and fridges, objects could fall from height onto people,
while food could become unsafe to use over time. You regularly use electrical equipment and naked
flames in a kitchen. Fire and electricity are serious dangers; they can cause burns and shocks or even
ignite a fire.

Market Research and Consumer Behavior