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BALMORAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

A WRITTEN REPORT

SUBMITTED TO THE CARIBBEAN EXAMINATION COUNCIL (CXC) IN PARTIAL COMPLETION OF COURSE:

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By: Adrian Greaves

Page Topic

3………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Introduction

4-5……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Careers

6-7…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Norms

7-9……………………………………………………………………………………………………...Regulations

9-12……………………………………………………………………………………….Safety, Health and Welfare

13-15……………………………………………………………………………………..Handling hazardous materials

16……………………………………………………………………………………….Fire protection

17-18………………………………………………………………………………………………Personal protective equipment

19…………………………………………………………………………………………………….Dust and fumes and noise

20…………………………………………………………………………………………………Legal approach to safety, health and welfare

20-22………………………………………………………………………………………………Introduction to computer/ processing

22-24…………………………………………………………………………………………………..Impact of technology on Career/Society

24-25……………………………………………………………………………………………….Summary

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This report gives detail information about N.C Palmer’s Modern Woodcraft Company

which is located at Spur Tree Mandeville, Manchester. Thorough investigations and interviews

and observations were carried out to ascertain the impact of this company and this material

world.

I will take tremendous stride to give important information about N.C Palmer’s Modern

Woodcraft Company in the following areas:

Introduction to computer

Safety, health and welfare

Career and society

N.C Palmer’s Modern Woodcraft Company offers goods locally and internationally

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During my visit to N.C Palmers Modern Woodcraft C.O I observed that there are many

variations of careers in this field these include:

Machine operators

Wood turners

Wood carvers

Wood sanders

Architects

When one has mastered fully any of these careers mentioned above, one can be clearly and

easily distinguished from an amateur or an apprentice. The trained individual should be able to

provide basic instruction for students in high schools, vocational technical school and

apprentice training program. In order to enter any technical institution that offer training to

anyone who desire to continue their career path. In this area the following subjects are

required:

٠English ٠ Mathematics ٠ Technical drawing (CSEC subjects)

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machine operator wood turner assembler wood carver0

2

4

6

8

10

12

The chart above shows the most popular career at N.C Palmers Modern woodcraft C.O

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When I visited N.C Palmers Modern Woodcraft C.O I recognized that it was the norm to

stop at the entrance to sign their name in a logbook upon arrival. Immediately after the

workers sign their name in the log book they went straight to change into their overalls and

protection gear and went straight to their working stations and began to work. At the end of

the day at N.C Palmers Modern Woodcraft C.O each worker was given 15-30 minutes to clean

up their work area. I also observed that each worker had to sign out at the security post before

they can exit the compound.

Time allotted are as follows:

7:00am – 5:30pm – days at work

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11:30am – 12:30pm – lunch break

4:30pm – 5:00pm – cleaning up

5:30pm – end of day

N.C Palmers Modern Woodcraft C.O and its employee are guided by specific regulations

set by the company’s manager. I also noticed that there were specific regulations set by the

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Bureau Of Standards of Jamaica regarding the making of items example doors, furniture etc.

regulations at this company are as follows:

1. All workers must be punctual at all times.

2. Safety procedures in and around the lab must not be ignored but followed at all times.

3. Headgears such as hardhats, goggles, earmuffs should be worn whenever time there is

danger of hazardous conditions.

4. No stolen products must be found in the possession of any employee, if so he or she

would be penalized.

5. Loitering on the premises during the work hours is prohibited.

6. Employees should promptly be in their workstation at scheduled time.

7. Leaving work before work hours is prohibited.

8. There are regular routine checks by the ministry of health department to make sure that

workers practices and follows health procedure.

These codes/regulations were expected to be followed by all members of the company.

Any violation of these principles is committed. The violator would be regarded as

unprofessional and unethical and be subject to an investigation by the company through

proper sources established in each legal document.

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Tardiness Smoking and Drinking

violate safety procedure

Fighting0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Series 3Series 2Series 1

The chart above shows the most popular violated areas and number of persons who

participated during my three weeks visit at NC Palmers Modern Woodcraft C.O

MORAL APPROACH TO SAFETY HEALTH AND WELFARE

Good workers recognize and acknowledge a need for safety while on the job they are

familiar with the fact that accidents can happen easily and that these accidents result in total or

partial disabilities.

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According to the internet safety and health and welfare deals with the prosperity of

complete satisfaction that a group of persons are following individuals.

When I entered NC Palmers Modern Woodcraft C.O it was obvious to me that safety

health and welfare rules were not followed by workers yet some did take these rules seriously.

This area of my report will include the following:

1. Clothing - I noticed that most of the workers wore appropriate clothing. Most

workers wore steel toe shoes but on several occasions workers wore sneakers. I

also noticed that workers wore hardhats because it was mandatory to wear but on a

few occasions workers sneaked and wore nothing or baseball caps.

2. Power tools - I noticed that all power tools were in good working condition. I

noticed there were mostly foreign objects. Each worker was familiarized with the

tools and they all know how to use them. After a working day I realized some

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workers place tools back in the wrong location but some workers place them in the

right area on several occasions tools were even hanging around on the ground.

3. Good housekeeping - This refers to the neatness and cleanliness of the working lab.

Whenever the work environment is clean and neat, workers show a good attitude

towards the job. At NC Palmers Modern Woodcraft C.O waste material were rarely

found on the ground this caused less accidents in the workshop. Sometimes the

litter was in the workers way and they kicked them aside. At the end of the day a

special worker was used to clean the shop but sometimes wasn’t done and if done

not properly. Building materials and supplies were stored in a large warehouse to

have aisles and walkways cleared to prevent accidents. The workers bathroom

were clean but had a lot of graffiti on the walls and sometimes smell. There was a

large lunchroom for workers to eat but some workers eat lunch in the workshop.

There was also a big canteen in the building with various types of food. Garbage

and scraps were placed in the bins until it was neatly to be disposed of.

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Column1

Tripping HazardFalling objectsPunctured woundElectric shock

The chart above shows the amount of persons who got injured because of poor housekeeping

during my 3 weeks work experience.

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Workers who have to handle pressure-treated timber and other materials which

exposed to chemical took special attention and care when handling them. I observed that

workers avoid breathing in sawdust particles resulting from pressure-treated timber by wearing

a dust mask. The sawing up of timber (pressure treated) was done outside and the waste was

buried in the ground but not all. Finishing materials example paint, sealer, varnish were stored

in special containers which were placed on a large shelf but occasionally some of them spilled.

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I noticed there was a first aid kit to treat minor injuries but important items were missing to

treat major injuries but if there was any they were carried to the nearest hospital.

During my 3 weeks work experience accidents that occurred were reported and document. On

a few occasions I recognized that any worker did not report an accident was suspended.

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I recognized that workers did not have good understanding of fire hazards but some workers

understood. Approved fire maintenance was carried out on portable and stationary machines

occasionally. There are signs posted to escape routes to remind workers were to go in case of

fire. There were no electrical hazards which will cause fire. There were fire extinguishers

located in the workshop and labeled with fire type and were clearly seen.

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I observed that many workers wore safety equipment to protect the eye and head. I

also noticed that workers never wore safety boots and hard hats even when there is a

possibility of falling objects. There was evidence of dust masks when workers do work around

lots of dust for example sanding, but some just used a handkerchief to cover their nose and

mouth during the process.

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shopcoat hardhat

dustmask

The chart above shows the most popular safety gear worn by workers during my 3 weeks work

experience.

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I realized that dust and fumes were not accumulating the factory because of proper

ventilation. When work was done around dust most workers wore dust masks.

Noise was a major problem in the workshop but some workers wore earmuffs and some was

not bothered by the noise.

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During the month of July 1998 a legal contract was signed between the manager of NC

Palmers Modern Woodcraft C.O and first life insurance company to ensure safety of all workers

equipment in case of hazards or accidents. A health card is given to each worker in case of

accidents and they didn’t have to pay doctors. Workers who refused the health card money

will be taken out of their salary. The policy also covered each worker in case of hazards.

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Jan-May 2009 Jan-Sept 2009 Oct-Dec 20090%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Series 1

Series 1

The chart above shows the amount of workers who accepted health cards in the year 2009.

Computers were introduced into the company in November 2000. The introduction of

computer had a great influence on the development of the country. Some workers were able

to do their job faster and more accurate with the computer. Computer aided designs were

used in order to automate the design process making changes easier and as a result reducing

the design time. 3 dimensional job rendering were designed to fully explain the proposed

computer design. Computer aided estimation gives them accurate information on bid pricing

and provide detail estimates, which concealed with the contract and shows plans to give a

completed cost analysis of the project. On the other hand traditional carpentry Businesses

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were not able to design carpentry programs on the designing market. Computer has now

lightened the work of the secretary. Computers are used to store important information, to

create geometric models, objects, structures and assemblies.

The company purchased relatively cheap software which is capable of multidimensional

communication include sound, prints, graphics, animation, which resulted in the company’s

development and growth. Accountants use computers to stay within the company’s budget,

cheque other stock and material to save time.

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communication accounting design estimates0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Series 1

Series 1

The chart above shows the many areas in which NC Palmers Modern Woodcraft C.O benefited

since the introduction to computer.

Companies today that have computer technology in their business have met increased

competition. NC Palmers Modern Woodcraft Company’s global and local competition is so

strong the workers started to further studies for their knowledge. These workers must be up to

date with present market demands so as to increase production so they will be able to compete

globally. The use of robotics have created greater productivity on a large number of articles in

less time.

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Unemployment

Job losses were evident because technology has reduced the need for manual labour

these workers were forced to be retrained and then re-employed. The cost of items have now

reduced and more affordable and also standardization and the quality of goods were improved.

Employment

I recognized that a number of employees at NC Palmers Modern Woodcraft C.O lost

their job and were technically incompetent to operate these machines as a result the company

employed more technical up to date persons to function and manage these machines properly.

I also recognized that individuals were employed on a contract like agreement for example 3

times per week to operate and train some individuals.

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Sales

job losses

workers retrain

new employment

increased productivity

The chart above shows the impact of technology on the company’s operation since modern

technology has been introduced.

Major Findings

- loss of jobs were evident because workers did not know about technology

- In some cases workers did further studies to keep up to date so they didn’t lose their job

- Productivity increased drastically

- Not much routine maintenance on machines were done

- Most workers were concerned about health but didn’t follow precautions during

operation

Recommendations

- Workers should follow safety precautions during operation

- To reduce job losses workers should be familiar with technology

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- Major routine maintenance should be carried out regularly

- Workers who were retrained should be re-employed by the firm