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TOPIC: Health and Safety facilities in North South UniversityPrepared By

Md. Ahsan Habib

ID: 082 714 030

Prepared For

Dr. Deena P Forkan (DF)

Instructor of

Section: 09

Summer 2011

Submission date: 18.08.2011

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Introduction

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Background:

For this report, I have selected North South University as the organization. North South

University is a renowned private university in Bangladesh. But their health and safety facility

didn’t change over time from Banani to Bashundhara. Always students are facing lots of safety

and security problem. In my research I tried to find out all dysfunctional aspects regarding health

and safety. This study is just an attempt to search out the Health Hazards and Dysfunctional

Stresses of North South University.

Objective:

To find out the current condition of health and safety facilities in North South University.

To discuss all the respondents answer done by primary research.

Justify current situation with a standard scale.

Come up with some recommendation that student actually want to change.

By doing, this report I have learned what is Health and safety, and Dysfunctional stresses, its

importance, and implementation in North South University. I focus in the Health and safety

Dysfunctional stresses of North South University. I have gathered experience by visiting all the

departments and canteen of North South University. I found that, North South University is not

that careful in case of health and safety measures. That’s why we found lots of health hazardous

factors and dysfunctional stresses, which are causing less productivity among students.

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Areas of research:

In my research I want to show people that how they are concerned about Health and Safety

facility and their felling about NSU Health and Safety facility. I divided my research

questionnaire into different sections to find out different aspects of my topic. My sections were:

a) NSU Canteen food d) NSU safety and security management

b) NSU safety equipment e) NSU security working force

c) NSU medical center

For my primary data collection I have designed close ended questionnaire and for secondary

purpose I didn’t get any data about my topic. So, I just made a standard from my secondary

analysis to justify my primary research. All of my findings and justifications are given bellow

based on my research sections.

1. Do you think NSU have enough Equipment (water filter, fire Equipment, Security

maintenance etc.)?

NSU is a huge institution with a large number of students. But NSU doesn’t provide

sufficient equipment to its students (like water filter, fire drill, fire alarm etc.). The only

source of pure drinking water provided by NSU is water-filters. However, water-filters are

not available everywhere inside NSU.

2. Do you believe that NSU canteen provide hygienic food?

From my research I found that most of the students are thinking that NSU canteen food is

not hygienic and healthy food. Although they always hike higher price compare to outside

restaurants. I also found lots of disorder in canteen when I was capturing some snaps for my

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report. Some of the pictures I included in appendix part to show you the real scenario for

students’ dissatisfaction.

3. Do you know NSU has an emergency medical center and where is its location?

It is true that NSU has huge facilities for student inside the campus but it is true that most

of the student even don’t know about many facilities, Medical center is one of them. When I

was doing primary research many student asked me is NSU has like this facility and where is

that. Actually it is the result of lack of information system.

4. Does NSU have skilled work force for cleaning and security?

From my research I found that Most of the workers in this university campus are skilled.

But there has complained that, they don’t work properly. People who are responsible to

control the electric function they don’t do it. Sometimes the cleaner boy or the security guard

does this job. Every room is fulfilling with air conditioner. Those who are responsible to

control it they don’t do this work. But there has no doubt that NSU has a skilled work force.

5. Does NSU maintain strong management system for safety and security?

Analyzing all the health hazardous factors and dysfunctional stresses I came to know that,

NSU authority has serious disloyalty towards their responsibilities. That is why employees

like cleaners, electricians, security guards do not perform their tasks properly which creates

all the acquit health hazards and intense dysfunctional stresses.

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Hypothesis:

Health and Safety facilities are primary need to secure a happy and healthier life. I

believe that, like me most of the NSU students are not satisfied with NSU’s current Health and

Safety facility and they have huge suggestions to improve it in a better way. In my research I

would try to find out is projection proved or not.

Methodology:

To complete this research on “Health and safety facilities in North South University”, I

had to look for lots of information. I go for survey through questionnaire, internet article, book,

magazine etc. In my research I useddifferent method of survey which can be divided into two

major categories: Primary and Secondary data collection.

Primary data:

I have surveyed 30 respondents with an organized questionnaire consisting of 13 close-

ended questions that are related to my hypothesis. I followed undisguised questionnaire method;

this is informing the respondents about the topic before engaging in the survey. I went to each

respondent and collect data through questionnaire. In my questionnaire I promise their identity

will not be reviled so I hope that all the information they provided are true. The questionnaire

was to test their basic understanding about health & safety and identify the current scenario of

NSU’s health & safety facility. I collected 30 filled up questionnaire. My respondents were from

both male and female. My respondents were from NSU students, facilities and staff members.

After collecting data, I used Microsoft office Excel for analyzing the data and make

Graph using them.

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Secondary data:

After collecting my Primary data I went for secondary research. As my sample size is

very small, consists of 30 people only I need secondary data as back up. Secondary data always

works well as backing up your claim and strengthen your primary data. I thought of using

authorities and experts opinion about NSU’s health and safety facility to strengthening the

survey finding and make the find the finding more reliable. I had search online journals,

Newspaper, Articles, reviews of Magazine, Different book, online books, Books, Web pages, etc.

I also took a personal interview from NSU students and staffs. These data was very helpful in

giving the current scenario of NSU’s health and safety facilities.

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Primary Data Presentation and Analysis:

My primary data collection result given bellow within a table where answers of all questions are given in percent.

Question (a) in % (b) in % (c ) in % (d) in %1.----- - - - -

2. Are you satisfied with current health and safety facilities?

6.66 53.33 26.66 13.33

3. Ever you seen any fire or earthquake workshop at NSU?

33.33 60 3.33 3.33

4. Do you think NSU has adequate no. of equipment (water filter, fire equipment etc.)?

6.66 50 40 3.33

5.----- - - - -

6. Are you concern about NSU’s fire exit door locations or do you think NSU has it?

13.33 40 23.33 23.33

7. Do you think NSU canteen provide hygienic food? 40 50 10

8. Do you know NSU has an emergency medical center and where is its location?

16.66 26.66 33.33 23.33

9. How many times you went there and do you think doctor of this medical center is adequately prepared to serve in any emergency situation?

60 10 26.66 3.33

10. Do you think NSU maintain a strong management system for safety and security facility?

10 6.66 46.66 36.66

11. Does NSU has skilled work force for security and cleaning?

50 13.33 10 26.66

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Safety Equipment:

Q. Do you think NSU has adequate no. of equipment (water filter, fire equipment

etc.)?

7%

50%

40%

3%

NSU have adequate no. of safety equipments

Yes, NSU hasyes, but only fewno, not enoughno, does't have any kind of safety equipments

This pie chart shows respondents consciousness and satisfaction level about safety

equipment inside North South University. From this question, I tried to find out are they satisfied

with current situation and their opinion about NSU’s safety equipment’s.

From my primary data collection I found that about 50% respondents think that NSU

have safety equipment’s but they don’t have as much as needed for huge number of students,

faculty members and other staffs. Another 40% think that no, NSU don’t have adequate no. of

safety equipment and as they don’t have so it’s not enough. Very few no. of respondent about

3% respondent never found any safety equipment in NSU. And other 7% think that NSU have

adequate number of safety equipment. Although NSU have little safety equipment but lots of

NSU students don’t know about that only because of improper information service.

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For this specific question my hypothesis was NSU have only few safety equipment which

is not enough and I found that most of my respondent also think NSU have only few equipment

for safety facility.

NSU medical Centre:

Q. Do you know NSU has an emergency medical center and where is its location?

17%

27%

33%

23%

NSu medical centre

no, this is first time I heard about thatwhwere is that medical centreyes, I knowI heard from my frien but don’t know the loca-tion

This pie chart shows respondents consciousness level about NSU medical center which

situated inside North South University. From this question, I tried to find out do they know about

its location and are they concern that doctor of that medical Centre is qualified or not.

From my primary data collection I found that about 33% respondents know about NSU

medical Centre and its location. But unfortunately 27% don’t know that NSU has an emergency

medical center. This is the result of poor information flow system. Another 17% respondents also

first time heard about medical Centre. On the other hand 23% respondents heard about that from

peer but they don’t know exact location of that medical Centre.

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For this specific question my hypothesis was few NSU students know about medical

Centre and I found that most of my respondent actually don’t know about that also its location.

NSU’s safety and security management:

Q. Do you think NSU maintain a strong management system for safety and security

facility?

50%

13%

10%

27%

NSU maintain strong man-agement system

yes, they doyes, they are quite good in itno, they don'tno, but they try

This pie chart shows respondents opinion about safety and security management system

of North South University. From this question, I tried to find out are they satisfied with current

management system or not.

From my primary data collection I found that most of the respondents think NSU has

strong management system for safety and security and about 50% respondent answered yes, they

have a strong safety and security management system. On the other hand 27% respondent thinks

that no, NSU are not maintaining a strong safety and security system but they try to do it.

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Another 13% answered optimistically and they think that they are quite good enough in this

sector. Other 10% showed pessimist mentality and they think NSU don’t have strong safety and

security management and they never try to maintain it perfectly.

For this specific question my hypothesis was NSU have strong management system for

health and safety and I found that most of my respondents also think NSU have strong

management system for safety facility.

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NSU canteen food:

Q. Do you think NSU canteen provide hygienic food?

40%

50%

10%

NSU canteen provide hygienic food

no, but they tryno, not at allyes,they provide

This pie chart shows respondents opinion about canteen food of North South

University. From this question, I tried to find out are they provide hygienic food or not.

From my primary data collection I found that most of the respondents think NSU canted

are not providing hygienic food at all and about 50% respondent answered no, not at all have

they provided hygienic food. On the other hand 40% respondent thinks that no, but they try to

provide. Actually here they seem they are pretty optimistic about NSU canteen. Another 10%

answered straight forward yes they provide. They have no argue over current food quality or

hygienic value.

For this specific question my hypothesis was NSU canteen are not providing hygienic

food at all and I found that most of my respondents also think NSU canteen are not providing

hygienic food at all.

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Work force:

Q. Does NSU has skilled work force for security and cleaning?

50%

13%

10%

27%

NSU has skilled work force

yes, they are skilledyes, they are okno, they are not skilledno, but not that bad

This pie chart shows respondents consciousness and satisfaction level towards cleaning

and security work force in North South University. From this question, I tried to find out are they

satisfied with current work force and their opinion about NSU hiring skilled work force.

From my primary data collection I found that about 50% respondents think that NSU

have much more skilled work force for security and cleaning. Actually NSU has a skilled

security force for campus maintenance. Another 27% thinks that no, but current work force is not

that bad. Very few no. of respondent about 10% are not satisfied with current workforce and they

argued they NSU doesn’t have skilled work force.

For this specific question my hypothesis was NSU has a skilled work force and I found

that my respondents also think NSU skilled work force for security and cleaning.

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Q. Are you satisfied with current health and safety facilities?

7%

53%

27%

13%

Are you satisfied with current health and safety facilities

yes, its ok

yes, but should be develpoped

no,its worst

no, but not that bad

This pie chart shows respondents satisfaction level with current health and safety

facilities inside North South University. From this question, I tried to find out are they satisfied

with current situation or not and their opinion about how it could be developed.

From my primary data collection I found that about 50% respondents are much more

optimist and think that currently NSU have better health and safety facilities but it should be

developed for best. On the other hand, 27% are answered pessimistically and think that no,

current health and safety facilities of NSU are worst. Very few no. of respondent about 7%

respondents are pretty happy with present situation. Another 13% are not satisfied but they think

it’s not bad at all.

For this specific question my hypothesis was NSU students are not satisfied with current

health and safety facilities and I found that most of my respondents also are not satisfied with

current health and safety facilities.

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SECONDARY DATA ANALYSIS:

For my secondary data analysis I didn’t get any data regarding NSU health and safety in

any online journal or other web pages. For this reason for my secondary data analysis I use some

website information to measure the standard of health and safety facility. And then I justified my

primary data based on that standard.

Lack of information

Information for the students

There has shortage of information available in the university campus. For the

information, students can be informed different kind of ideas. The university authority does not

attach information inside the campus as result student do not get any idea and cannot get any

help. It is difficult to find to gather the information. However, in sometimes department people

do not know what kind of information they have. As a result, student does not get their desire

result.

Information for the staff:

Although every single staff has their responsibility but Most of the university staff does

not have the idea what kind of responsibility he/she should do. Every single floor there has one

single security guard. However, the thing is when anyone wants to get some information about

any kind of subject; they cannot provide a good response. In my observation I asked some of the

security guard what kind of information do you have. However, their response they only know

their company rules.

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Shortage of Equipment:

Sanitary convenience:

NSU washroom is another reason for health hazard. There are lacks of soap for cleaning

hand, lack of toilet paper and toilets are very dirty, and people who appointed for cleaning the

washroom are not serious about their task. Sometimes toilet flash and hand drier do not work.

Sitting down on a dirty toilet seat is not without risks. Although not visible to the naked eye,

shared toilet seats become contaminated with bacteria that may cause infections, such as

Hepatitis A & B and gastro-enteritis.

Drinking Water:

NSU is a huge institution with a large number of students. But NSU doesn’t provide

sufficient pure drinking water to its students. The only source of pure drinking water provided by

NSU is water-filters. However, water-filters are not available everywhere inside NSU. Not every

floor has water-filters. Water-filters are placed in some certain places only.

Fire Equipment:

The fire equipment is not available in the campus facility. All the floors are fulfilling with

fire equipment like as water pipe. However, the main fire extinguisher which is cylinder type

“stored pressure” is not available all the floor. Most of this type of extinguisher is available in the

reception area. As a result, in case of accident it is difficult to control any kind of incident.

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Security maintenance:

Security system in this university is not enough for us. There have no close circuit

television (CCTV) in this campus. This campus is a large structure, ten storied building. Many

rooms are here. Only one security guard is not enough to give the total security. They don’t use

any communication device. For that reason, any kind of unwanted situation they can’t handle it

properly and on the right time.

Weak Management

Registrar Office:

The main problem with registrar office is that it follows bureaucracy. When we go to

registrar office for a requirement then we have to go to one desk to another desk and have to wait

for a long period. Sometimes, we have to go several days for one reason. That is why students

avoid registrar office generally. Registrar office also needs skilled manpower. At present, the

staffs are working in registrar office are in cooperative and cannot provide accurate information

at a time.

Communication/information exchange problem:

NSU has a problem of communication with its students. Any kinds of notices or

announcements don’t get maximum reach to the students. Sometimes notices are also not clearly

posted. Important notices like cancellation of classes or announcement of makeup classes are

posted lately in the website. Besides, the academic information provided in the website is

insufficient and most importantly not up to date.

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Dysfunctional Stresses

It is the relationship between stress and individual performance where stress gets so high

that individuals cannot perform their tasks properly. Dysfunctional Stresses creates a mental

pressure in the students mind.

Printing & internet lab:

NSU doesn’t have enough number of printing and internet labs. NSU has only one

printing and internet lab for each department. The number of computers provided in these labs is

insufficient. Besides, some computers are also out of order. Students have wait for long to work

on a computer. If a student has an emergency work, he/she has to wait to get a free computer to

work on it.

Copy center:

NSU has its own copy center to meet students demand as well as to solve their problems.

But the copy center is so small. It cannot solve huge demands of students. It has three photocopy

machines and one color printer only. Sometimes, it is not properly working. That time students

suffer lots and it creates more dysfunctional stresses upon students what are doing right now

because they have no enough time on hand before submitting the term papers.

Re-advising system:

Re-advising systems mainly arrange to solve the students various problems like the

students who are not able to take their desire courses, not get proper class timing. Then on the date

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of re-advising, they can try to solve their problems. But the re-advising system is not working

properly. Re-advising authority does not maintain proper timing. They do not clearly mention the

actual timing of re-advising. Students are coming at 7.00 am at NSU. They are waiting and waiting a

very big line and the line is gradually bigger but the re-advising is not started. At last, at 1.00pm the

re-advising is started. Especially BBA students are suffering lots through the re-advising systems

Study Hall and Canteen facility:

The study hall and the canteen are always busy with the students. In the canteen, foods

are not available most of the time. Sitting arrangements are not enough. Seats are always filling

up with students. Students eat their food through standing and walking one place to another.

Canteen is always noisy. It is impossible to taking lunch and breakfast properly. The study hall is

also a crowd place. Although it is known as study hall but it is a gossiping hall. Students who

come to study here, they can’t concentrate properly on their education. Students are laughing,

gossiping and playing inside the study hall.

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Limitations:

It was not easy to complete the research within due date on my own effort. Though I

managed to complete the whole research within time, some limitations really challenged me in

doing the research on time.

Time constraints: The time was too short to complete a research on such important issues. It was

difficult to gather all the information within this short time. As my work was scheduled as

systematic and deadline was divided in-group, I had to maintain the deadline.

Sample size: The populations of NSU students are quite large to fit in to representative of 30

sample respondents. As my sample size was small, it is difficult to justify the findings.

Statistical tools: To analyze the finding it is very important to show the result in mathematical

term. As time was so short, I could not show the mathematical result of the findings.

Respondents’ unwillingness: For doing any research, it is very important to get honest feedback

from the respondents. I had hard time taking the response from NSU students and getting their

honest response.

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Conclusion:

North South University is one of the best universities of this country. All of their

departments are functioning well. Unfortunately in my research I found some drawbacks of

NSU, which may not acceptable for its associates. So, I am pretty sure that authority would take

immediate steps to solve health and safety facility. Authority will find out the problems and

reasons for those problems with measureable solutions. This may help to satisfy those unsatisfied

students, faculties and associates. NSU authority should come up such a special idea which will

meet all of those problems under one cost effective elucidation. I also hope that, this research

finding will be useful in further research.

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Recommendation:

NSU do have many good policies to avoid all kinds of health hazards. However, the

students of the university cannot see any kind of implementation because of malfunction of the

university management. Therefore, to make NSU a better place authority must be responsible

and accountable towards the higher authority. They need to be more active in case of all kinds of

monitoring tasks. NSU is already very good at implementing health and safety policies but in my

analysis, I am recommending few options which will help to make it even better at implementing

health & safety policy.

Use Safety signs

Make awareness through workshop, information booth etc.

Increase equipment for safety and security

For security maintenance use CC camera

Recruit skilled staff

Reduce dysfunctional stress

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Reference:

i. Dessler, G. (2007, February 10) Employee Safety and Health. Human Resource

Management. Florida International University, Florida: Prentice Hall.

ii. Bratton, J., & Gold, J. (1999). Human resource management: Theory and practice.

London: McMillan Press Ltd.

iii. Brownfain, J.J. (1972). When is an accident not an accident? In A. L. Thygerson (Ed.)

Safety: Principles, instructions, and readings. New Jersey, Englewood Cliffs:

Prentice-Hall, 77 – 81.

iv. Horne, H.H. (1972). A philosophy of safety and of safety education. In A. L. Thygerson

(Ed.) Safety: Principles, instructions, and readings. New Jersey, Englewood

Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 112-115.

v. Kohl, W. H. (1972). Can accidents be managed? In A. L. Thygerson (Ed.) Safety:

Principles, instructions, and readings. New Jersey, Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-

Hall, 95-100.

vi. National Safety Council (1970). Accident facts. Chicago: National Safety Council.

vii. Thygerson, A.L. (1972). Safety: Principles, instructions and readings. New Jersey,

Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.