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Cleaner Technology Program for Korangi Tanneries |
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Environmental pollution caused by tanneries is a well known environmental problem in Pakistan. Pakistan Tanners Association (SZ) Environmental Society realized the importance of the issue, and initiated a comprehensive Environmental Management Program (EMP) in 1994. The program is comprised of two major components i.e. implementation of Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Phase-I, and implementation of Cleaner Technologies (CT) in Phase-II. Implementation of CETP will be completed buy the end of year
2003. |
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Subsequently, PTA decided to start the implementation of Cleaner Technology component under the title of “Cleaner Technology Program for Korangi Tanneries (CTP-KT)”. The aim of this program is to enable Korangi Tanneries to implement cleaner technologies and adopt better working practices for better environmental performance.
The approach of the program is to implement proposed environmental solutions in a logical sequence under a cost effective framework with direct and indirect financial paybacks.
The main objective of CTP-KT is to enable the Korangi tanneries, for the compliance of National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) and EMS Certification. the main components of CTP-KT are:
- Awareness Campaigns
- Cleaner Technology Implementation
- Solid Waste Management Program
- EMS Implementation
- Training on Tannery Wastewater Treatment
Under the project component awareness campaigns various activities are executed which include posters, leaflets, banners, documentary video film and training workshops/seminars.
Through these activities environmental solutions are promoted among the mass of tanneries. In the continuation of this a workshop, titled “Occupational Health” was organized on June 27, 2007. Detail of this workshop is presented in following section.
Objective of the workshop
The main objective of this workshop was to highlight the leather processing’s impacts on health and their preventive measures. For this purpose, a specialist, Dr. Raheem H Dhanani, Consultant in Family Medicine & Occupational Health and Safety, Aga Khan University, Karachi, was invited to deliver a specific presentation on the subject.
Resource Person
To provide the understanding on the subject of workshop, Dr. Raheem H Dhanani, Consultant in Family Medicine & Occupational Health and Safety, Aga Khan University, Karachi delivered a presentation on the subject.
Mode of Demonstration
1. Power Point Presentation
2. Discussion
Participation
Total 47 participants attended this workshop, out of total 47, total 6% were tanners, 2% teacher, 34% were trainee tanners, 6% EMR of tanneries and 13% of total were leather technologist. The remaining 30% were manager/supervisors of their departments and 9% were laboratory technicians. Figure-1 below shows the breakup of these categories.
Description
A workshop, titled “Occupational Health” was organized on June 27, 2007 at National Institute of Leather Technology (NILT). This workshop was organized for the personnel attached with leather production process.
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The workshop was spread over the duration of 2 hours.
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Before the formal starting of workshop, participants were registered at the reception desk and presented a file having handouts of presentation, writing papers, pen and a session plan.
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The workshop was formally started with the recitation of Holy Quran at 3:00 Pm by Mr. Nasar
Usmani.
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After the recitation, introduction of workshop was given to the participants by Mr. Ayaz
Ahsan, Senior Leather Technologist of CTP-KT. While describing the introduction of workshop, Mr. Ahsan briefed the objective of workshop. He said that Occupational Health & Safety Programme for Korangi tanneries is a part of the
CTP-KT project. The aim of this project component is to provide a non hazardous working environment to tannery workers and implementation of healthy working practices
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Mr. Ahsan also shared the findings of a survey on the “occupational safety and health standards in Korangi tanneries”. This survey was conducted in 2003. He stated that lack of awareness among workers regarding existing health hazards & safety risks, their impact and inappropriate conditions of preventive measures are the major issue. He said in this regard we have invited here a specialist of health and safety issues.
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After introductory presentation Mr. Ahsan requested Dr. Dhanani to come over the stage to address the health issues attached with tannery’s work force.
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Dr. Dhanani gave a brief introduction of his presentation and built a relationship with the participants by throwing a question to the participants. This question was regarding the stage of leather processing and use of PPEs in these stages.
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Dr. Dhanani’s question was taken seriously and most of the participants took part in the discussion. All the participants were found aware regarding the importance of the use of
PPEs.
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Mr. Masood Sheikh, Director Khas Industries (Pvt.) Limited also graced this workshop by his presence and addressed the question of Dr.
Dhanani. Mr. Sheikh briefly described the steps of leather processing and chemicals usage in these stages. He emphasized the importance of PPEs usage and stated that PPEs should be used at every opportunity where it is prerequisite.
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After this discussion Dr. Dhanani formally started his presentation.
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During
the presentation Dr. Dhanani stated that “health
may be affected due ergonomic conditions,
inappropriate handling of chemicals and working
practices both”. He said “inappropriate
handling practices of chemicals are the main cause
of health hazards in tanning sector. He said if
these practices are give up health issues would
not occur. He emphasized on the use of PPEs.
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Bad ergonomics may cause of acute musculoskeletal injuries (hardness in muscles), low back pain, and depression. Therefore we should properly sit and maintain the temperature and environment of the surroundings.
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Dr. Dhanani said that the fumes which come out form the chemicals may cause lungs and kidney cancer. He further said that chemicals should be stored properly and labels should be placed on chemical drums. Beside this, MSDS should also be placed at the chemical storage room.
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While emphasizing on use of gloves Dr. Dhanani stated that manual handling of raw hides may cause of callosities on hands (hardness in hands skin).
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Regarding the importance of dust mask Dr. Dhanani shared that mast should be used while working in those areas where the chances of exposures are high to chemicals fumes. He said that exposure in fumes may cause of skin allergies, asthma and eye infections.
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Regarding the physical environment, Dr. Dhanani said that floors should not be wet. But its not possible in wet finishing areas therefore it is must for every worker to wear rubber shoes.
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To protect the self from any injury helmets were also recommended in heavy machinery area.
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In the end Dr. Dhanani thanked all the participants and advised them to use PPEs and said in case of any health problem workers should not make delays and should visit doctor immediately. He advised the managers and supervisors to properly manage the safety department and request their subordinates to follow the instructions.
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After the end of his presentation, Mr.Ahsan requested Mr. Masood Sheikh to conclude the session. Mr. Masood Sheikh came on stage for the concluding session.
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Mr. Masood thanked all the participants and appreciated the efforts of
CTP-KT team. Mr. Masood also advised all the participants to disseminate the message of this workshop among their peers. He said “A large amount of income is spent on diseases due to carelessness. If preventive measures are taken appropriately than this amount can be saved.
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Mr. Masood also launched an idea to establish volunteer committees to create awareness regarding use of PPEs while working in tanneries. He said these committees could play a vital role to enforce tannery employees for using
PPEs.
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After the concluding session certificates were presented to the participants by Mr. Sheikh.
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In the end of workshop participants were requested to give their feedback for workshop on standard feedback form.
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Out of 47 participants, feedback was received from 70% (33) participants. Feedback analysis is presented in
Table-1.
Table-1:
Analysis of Feedback
|
S# |
Question |
Frequency |
% |
|
QI |
Venue of
the workshop was suitable |
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|
|
1 |
Yes |
33 |
100 |
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2 |
No |
0 |
0 |
|
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Total
|
33 |
100 |
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Q2 |
Over all
arrangements of this workshop were |
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|
|
1 |
Comfortable |
33 |
100 |
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2 |
Uncomfortable |
0 |
0 |
|
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Total
|
33 |
100 |
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Q3 |
Duration
of this workshop was? |
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|
|
1 |
Enough |
33 |
100 |
|
2 |
Short |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Total
|
33 |
100 |
|
Q4 |
Information provided in this workshop was? |
|
|
|
1 |
Relevant
|
33 |
100 |
|
2 |
Irrelevant |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Total
|
33 |
100 |
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Q5 |
Terms used in this workshop were |
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|
|
1 |
Easy |
33 |
100 |
|
2 |
Difficult |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Total
|
33 |
100 |
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Q6 |
The most
interesting session of this workshop was
|
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|
|
1 |
Presentation |
15 |
45 |
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2 |
QA Session
|
18 |
55 |
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Total
|
33 |
100 |
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Q7 |
Have you got clear understanding regarding occupational health? |
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|
|
1 |
Yes |
27 |
82 |
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2 |
To some extent |
6 |
18 |
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3 |
No |
0 |
0 |
|
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Total
|
33 |
100 |
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Q8 |
Would you like to establish a system for occupational health and safety
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|
|
|
1 |
Yes |
33 |
100 |
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2 |
I will try
|
0 |
0 |
|
3 |
No
|
0 |
0 |
|
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Total |
33 |
100 |
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Q9 |
This type
of workshop should be organized in future
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|
|
|
1 |
Yes |
33 |
100 |
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2 |
No
|
0 |
0 |
|
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Total
|
33 |
100 |
 
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