Announcements

Academy Documents

Kindly access the Students' Policies & Forms by clicking on the button below. The following documents, among others, can be found there: Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct, Students' Privacy Notice, Deferral, Suspension, and Cancellation Policy, Assignment Extension Policy, Re-Sit Policy, Complaints Procedure Policy, Equality Policy, and Student Disciplinary Policy.

Students' Policies & Forms

Online Sessions' Link

To join the online sessions for this module, please click on the button below. If you are not already signed in to your Zoom account, you will be prompted to register your attendance. You will also need to enter the password provided below.

Join Session

Meeting ID: 986 1482 4423
Passcode: 007715

Please ensure that your name and surname appear as registered for the study programme, as this is essential for recording your attendance.

Lecture Schedule & Notes

Lecture notes will be available during the week following the respective lecture. Schedule dates are indicative and may change. All changes, if any, may be communicated via email, SMS or telephone calls.

Lecturer

Mr Chris Camilleri

Lecture Summaries & Suggested Reading

Lecture 1 -Introduction to Physical Hazards & Regulatory Frameworks

This lecture introduces the concept of physical hazards and differentiates them from chemical,
biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards. Students explore

• The most common physical
  hazards encountered in workplaces—noise, vibration, radiation, thermal stress, and
  mechanical hazards.
• The session also maps out the legal and regulatory framework governing
  physical hazards, including responsibilities of employers and employees, and the application of
  ALARP principles.
• EU directives, Maltese OHSA provisions, and international standards from ILO
  and ISO provide the legislative backbone. The lecture sets the foundation for hazard
  recognition, exposure pathways, and the role of risk assessments.

Core Reading List

• St. John Holt A (2009) Principles of Health and Safety at Work. IOSH.
  Spurlock B (2023) Physical Hazards of The Workplace. Routledge.
  Macdonald D (2004) Practical Machinery Safety. Newnes.
• EU‑OSHA — E-fact 04: Physical Hazards
  ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health & Safety — “Physical Agents”
  OHSA Malta — Guidance Documents on Physical Agents
  ISO 45001:2018 — Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (overview sections)
  Malta OHSA legislation

Supplementary Reading List

• Brauer RL (2022) Safety and Health for Engineers. Wiley.
  Scientific journals and publications related to specific physical hazards and their management.

Lecture 2 -Measurement & Monitoring Techniques for Physical Hazards

Students learn the essential measurement and monitoring techniques used for physical
hazards.

• The lecture covers instruments such as sound-level meters, noise dosimeters,
  vibration meters, WBGT devices, light meters, and radiation detectors.
• Concepts includemeasurement strategies, sampling periods, calibration, common errors, and interpreting
  exposure metrics. This foundational technical session prepares students for the hazard-specific
  lectures that follow.

Core Reading List

• St. John Holt A (2009) Principles of Health and Safety at Work. IOSH.
  Spurlock B (2023) Physical Hazards of The Workplace. Routledge.
  Macdonald D (2004) Practical Machinery Safety. Newnes
• NIOSH — Manual of Analytical Methods: Physical Agents
  UK HSE — Monitoring and measurement technical guidance
  EU‑OSHA — Monitoring Occupational Physical Agents
  Malta OHSA legislation

Supplementary Reading List

• Brauer RL (2022) Safety and Health for Engineers. Wiley.
  Scientific journals and publications related to specific physical hazards and their management.

Lecture 3 -Noise & Vibration Hazards: Exposure, Measurement & Control

A combined deep-dive into noise and vibration as key occupational hazards.

• Covers sound physics, vibration transmission, exposure metrics (LEX,8h & A(8)), health effects (NIHL &
  HAVS/WBV), EU directives 2003/10/EC and 2002/44/EC, measurement techniques,
  audiometry, and engineering/administrative control strategies for both hazards.

Core Reading List

• St. John Holt A (2009) Principles of Health and Safety at Work. IOSH.
  Spurlock B (2023) Physical Hazards of The Workplace. Routledge.
  Macdonald D (2004) Practical Machinery Safety. Newnes.
• EU Directive 2003/10/EC — Noise
  EU Directive 2002/44/EC — Vibration
  NIOSH — Noise and Vibration Criteria Documents
  UK HSE — Noise and HAV/WBV Guidance
  Malta OHSA legislation

Supplementary Reading List

• Brauer RL (2022) Safety and Health for Engineers. Wiley.
  Scientific journals and publications related to specific physical hazards and their management.

Lecture 4 -Thermal Hazards: Heat Stress, Cold Stress, and Thermal Comfort

Focuses on practical ways to control physical hazards using the hierarchy of controls.
Engineering controls include isolation, enclosure, damping, shielding, ventilation, noise
barriers, vibration mounts, and machine safeguarding elements. Administrative controls (work
rotation, exposure scheduling, maintenance regimes) are discussed along with PPE selection
and limitations.

Core Reading List

• St. John Holt A (2009) Principles of Health and Safety at Work. IOSH.
  Spurlock B (2023) Physical Hazards of The Workplace. Routledge.
  Macdonald D (2004) Practical Machinery Safety. Newnes.
• UK HSE — Controlling Physical Agents
  NIOSH — Engineering Controls Database
  EU‑OSHA — Control Measures for Physical Agents
  Malta OHSA legislation

Supplementary Reading List

• Brauer RL (2022) Safety and Health for Engineers. Wiley.
  Scientific journals and publications related to specific physical hazards and their management.

Lecture 5-Thermal Hazards: Heat Stress, Cold Stress, and Thermal Comfort

This lecture explores heat illness, cold-related injuries, and environmental monitoring
techniques including WBGT and metabolic load assessment. Students learn preventive
strategies (hydration, acclimatisation, work-rest cycles), thermal comfort parameters, and
control measures in indoor and outdoor environments.

Core Reading List

• St. John Holt A (2009) Principles of Health and Safety at Work. IOSH.
  Spurlock B (2023) Physical Hazards of The Workplace. Routledge.
  Macdonald D (2004) Practical Machinery Safety. Newnes.
• NIOSH — Criteria for Hot Environments
  ISO 7243 — WBGT standard
  UK HSE — Thermal Comfort
  Malta OHSA legislation

Supplementary Reading List

• Brauer RL (2022) Safety and Health for Engineers. Wiley.
  Scientific journals and publications related to specific physical hazards and their management.

Lecture 6 - Lighting, Visibility, and Workplace Ergonomics

The session covers ionising (X-rays, gamma, particle radiation) and non-ionising radiation (UV,
IR, EMF, lasers). Students learn exposure effects, ALARA principles, shielding techniques,
monitoring devices, PPE, and regulatory obligations. Applications in medicine, manufacturing,
welding, and communications are reviewed.

Core Reading List

• St. John Holt A (2009) Principles of Health and Safety at Work. IOSH.
  Spurlock B (2023) Physical Hazards of The Workplace. Routledge.
  Macdonald D (2004) Practical Machinery Safety. Newnes.
• IAEA — Radiation Protection and Safety Standards
  WHO — EMF & Public Health
  EU‑OSHA — Radiation workplace guidance
  Malta OHSA legislation

Supplementary Reading List

• Brauer RL (2022) Safety and Health for Engineers. Wiley.
  Scientific journals and publications related to specific physical hazards and their management.

Lecture 7 -Machinery, Mechanical Hazards & Machine Safeguarding

Students examine mechanical hazards including entanglement, crushing, cutting, impact,
shearing, and drawing-in. Safeguarding methods—guards, interlocks, presence-sensing
devices—are introduced. Lockout/tagout (LOTO) principles and safe isolation procedures are
reviewed. Real case studies highlight common incident mechanisms.

Core Reading List

• St. John Holt A (2009) Principles of Health and Safety at Work. IOSH.
  Spurlock B (2023) Physical Hazards of The Workplace. Routledge.
  Macdonald D (2004) Practical Machinery Safety. Newnes.
• UK HSE — Lighting at Work
  CIBSE — Lighting Guides
  EU‑OSHA — Good practices for workplace lighting
  Malta OHSA legislation

Supplementary Reading List

• Brauer RL (2022) Safety and Health for Engineers. Wiley.
  Scientific journals and publications related to specific physical hazards and their management.

Lecture 8 -Workplace Environment Hazards: Slips, Trips, Falls, and Confined Spaces

This session covers physical hazards linked to workplace conditions—flooring, surfaces,
obstacles, contamination, footwear, and poor housekeeping. Students explore friction
requirements, environmental influences, and design factors. Confined space physical hazards
(oxygen deficiency, mechanical energy, engulfment) and permit-to-work requirements are also
reviewed.

Core Reading List

• St. John Holt A (2009) Principles of Health and Safety at Work. IOSH.
  Spurlock B (2023) Physical Hazards of The Workplace. Routledge.
  Macdonald D (2004) Practical Machinery Safety. Newnes.
• EU Directive 2006/42/EC — Machinery Directive
  OSHA — Machine Guarding eTool
  UK HSE — Safe Use of Machinery
  Malta OHSA legislation

Supplementary Reading List

• Brauer RL (2022) Safety and Health for Engineers. Wiley.
  Scientific journals and publications related to specific physical hazards and their management.

Lecture 9 -Integrated Physical Hazard Management & Continuous Improvement

This session covers physical hazards linked to workplace conditions—flooring, surfaces,
obstacles, contamination, footwear, and poor housekeeping. Students explore friction
requirements, environmental influences, and design factors. Confined space physical hazards
(oxygen deficiency, mechanical energy, engulfment) and permit-to-work requirements are also
reviewed.

Core Reading List

• St. John Holt A (2009) Principles of Health and Safety at Work. IOSH.
  Spurlock B (2023) Physical Hazards of The Workplace. Routledge.
  Macdonald D (2004) Practical Machinery Safety. Newnes.
• UK HSE — Preventing Slips and Trips
  NIOSH — Confined Spaces Guidance
  EU‑OSHA — Confined space safety resources
  Malta OHSA legislation

Supplementary Reading List

• Brauer RL (2022) Safety and Health for Engineers. Wiley.
  Scientific journals and publications related to specific physical hazards and their management.

Lecture 10 -Physical Hazard Control Strategies: Engineering, Administrative & PPE

Focuses on practical ways to control physical hazards using the hierarchy of controls.
Engineering controls include isolation, enclosure, damping, shielding, ventilation, noise
barriers, vibration mounts, and machine safeguarding elements. Administrative controls (work
rotation, exposure scheduling, maintenance regimes) are discussed along with PPE selection
and limitations.

Core Reading List

• St. John Holt A (2009) Principles of Health and Safety at Work. IOSH.
  Spurlock B (2023) Physical Hazards of The Workplace. Routledge.
  Macdonald D (2004) Practical Machinery Safety. Newnes.
• ISO 45001 — Performance Evaluation
  UK HSE — Measuring Health & Safety Performance
  EU‑OSHA — Risk monitoring guidance
  Malta OHSA legislation

Supplementary Reading List

• Brauer RL (2022) Safety and Health for Engineers. Wiley.
  Scientific journals and publications related to specific physical hazards and their management.

Methods of Assessment

Quiz (20% of final grade)

Assignment (80% of final grade)

Quiz

There will be one online Quiz after the last lecture on Monday, 25th May, 2026, at 5.30 p.m. Information on how this will be carried out may be obtained by clicking on the button below. The Quiz will carry 20% of the final score.

Quiz Notes

Assignment

You are required to choose one of the three questions available in the Assignment Submission Form made available by clicking the button below. The assignment must be submitted no later than Thursday, 2 July 2026, along with the Assignment Submission Form. Please ensure that you indicate the question you have addressed on the Assignment Submission Form.

Assignment Submission Form

For guidance on how to plan, draft, and submit your assignment, please refer to the 21 Academy presentation on Writing and Submitting Your Assignment by clicking the button below.

Writing and Submitting Your Assignment

We are also providing the 21 Academy's Assignments Rubric for your reference. This rubric is a performance-based assessment tool that tutors will use for grading, and it will help you understand the requirements of the assignment and how it will be assessed.

Assignments Rubric

Referencing Style

Your assignment should be referenced using the Harvard Referencing style. Please follow a short video, by clicking on the button below, to understand this referencing style.

Harvard Referencing Style

Submitting Assignments - Turnitin

The Academy will notify you via email when the assignment questions become available. Shortly after, you will receive another email from Turnitin, likely on the same day, confirming your enrolment in a "class" where you can upload your assignment(s).

Please ensure that your assignments are submitted no later than 23:59 on the assignment submission deadline, as indicated on the Assignment Submission form or in the Turnitin "class."

At 21 Academy, you have the option to submit multiple drafts before the final submission deadline. The version uploaded at the deadline will be treated as your final submission for assessment. Please note that Turnitin evaluates the same assignment twice within a 24-hour period, so any additional submissions during this time will not be reviewed until the 24-hour period has passed. Ensure that your final submission does not exceed 20% similarity, particularly when using direct quotations.

Follow this very short video to understand how to submit your assignment through Turnitin

Submitting a Paper

To understand the similarity report generated by Turnitin follow this 1 minute video

Understanding the Similarity Report