Addressing Ergonomic Hazard at the “Language Laboratory” in Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) vis-à-vis the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994

Abstract

The Centre of Communication & Entrepreneurship Skill (Pusat Kemahiran, Komunikasi dan Keusahawanan) or a.k.a. PKKK, UniMAP offer various language subjects to students. For effective learning these students have to make use of the language laboratory. In these Language Laboratories are present an array of interactive equipment and resources to enhance language learning and teaching. There are student and lecturer workstations. Conversely, at the Language Laboratory place of work, where the activity of teaching and learning takes place, students and the laboratory staffs etcetera undertaking these work activities are exposed to unsafe act, unsafe conditions and various hazards especially Ergonomic Hazard. Ergonomic hazards refer to workplace conditions that pose the risk of injury to the musculoskeletal system of the worker. Ergonomic hazards too take account of the repetitive and forceful movements, vibration, extremes temperature plus awkward postures that arise from improperly designed workstations, tools, equipment and improper work methods. These ergonomic hazards need to be managing to avoid accidents and occupational diseases at the workplace. A survey using risk analysis matrix will be conducted to ascertain the ergonomic hazards which affect the students and staffs undertaking teaching and learning at the language laboratory. Hence this paper endeavors to propagate to the students and staffs on the importance of understanding of the ergonomic hazard which effect their safety and health and the remedial actions to be taken vis-à-vis the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) 1994.