Social issues (AQA GCSE Design and Technology): Revision Notes
Social issues in manufacturing
When companies make products, they need to think about more than just profit. A society is a large organised group of people living together, such as a town, country or continent. Manufacturing companies have important responsibilities towards society, including protecting workers, being fair to suppliers, and caring for the environment.
Safe working conditions
Companies in Britain must legally protect the health and safety of all their employees. This isn't just good practice - it's required by law.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 sets out strict rules that companies must follow. This important legislation covers many aspects of workplace safety, including health and safety facilities, proper ventilation, adequate lighting, comfortable temperatures, reasonable working hours, and appropriate shift patterns and training.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) monitors and enforces these regulations. They have the power to inspect workplaces and take action against companies that don't meet safety standards.
Since April 1999, workers have also been protected by minimum wage laws. This ensures that employees receive fair payment for their work, providing basic financial protection.
The HSE has significant enforcement powers and can issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, and even prosecute companies that fail to meet health and safety standards.
Fair trade
Workers in other countries may not have the same legal protections as workers in the UK. This creates an unfair situation where some people work in poor conditions for very low pay.
The Fairtrade organisation works to address this problem by looking after the interests of farmers and workers around the world. They ensure that people have good working conditions, are not discriminated against, and receive fair payment for their work. When you buy products with the Fairtrade logo, you're supporting better conditions for workers in developing countries.
Impact on others
Manufacturing companies have a responsibility to make sure their products have a positive impact on people and communities. There are several ways they can achieve this.
Companies that source materials locally are helping their local economy and supporting other jobs in the wider community. This creates a positive cycle where success spreads throughout the area.
Product design is also important. Companies must ensure their products don't offend people through inappropriate logos or branding. They need to consider how their products will be received by different groups in society.
Many companies also choose to give back to their communities by donating to local, national, and international charities, or by helping with local volunteer events. This demonstrates their commitment to social responsibility.
Reducing pollution
Pollution has serious harmful effects on people's lives, and manufacturing companies play a significant role in addressing this problem.
Atmospheric pollution
Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases and create chemical pollution in soil and water. This is thought to contribute to a variety of illnesses that affect communities worldwide.
Atmospheric pollution is mainly caused by substances like CO₂ emissions, toxic fumes, and particles from factories being released into the atmosphere. These CO₂ emissions contribute to global warming, which is the gradual increase of the Earth's temperature due to human activities, including manufacturing processes.
Global warming definition: Global warming occurs because carbon dioxide traps heat from the sun, causing the earth to heat up. Many countries have committed to reducing CO₂ emissions through the Paris Agreement (2014), which has been signed by 175 countries. The goal is to keep the rise in global temperatures below 2°C during this century.
Oceanic pollution
Oceanic pollution is caused by harmful substances such as household waste, chemicals, particles, and plastics being released into the ocean. Surprisingly, 80% of oceanic pollution actually comes from outside the water - it's caused by dumping waste, sewerage, or chemical spills on land that eventually reaches the ocean.
Legislation is being introduced to reduce oceanic pollution, including bans on microbeads in cosmetics, which were previously washing into water systems and harming marine life.
Practice questions and examples
Understanding these concepts is important for your exams. Here are some key questions you might encounter:
Worked Example: Global warming explanation (2 marks)
Question: Explain what is meant by global warming.
Answer: Global warming is the gradual increase of the Earth's temperature due to human activity, including manufacturing processes, which create carbon dioxide that traps heat from the sun and causes the earth to heat up.
Worked Example: Causes of oceanic pollution (3 marks)
Question: State three causes of oceanic pollution.
Answer:
- Waste being towed out and dumped at sea
- Oil leaks from tankers or oil rigs
- Untreated sewage, factory waste, pesticides and fertilisers from agriculture that drain into the oceans
Worked Example: Health and Safety Executive responsibilities (4 marks)
Question: Describe the role of the Health and Safety Executive.
Answer: The Health and Safety Executive monitors the health and welfare of all workers by:
- Ensuring companies follow safety regulations
- Conducting workplace inspections
- Enforcing health and safety laws
- Taking action against companies that don't meet required standards
Key Points to Remember:
- Companies must legally protect their workers through health and safety legislation and fair pay
- Fair trade helps ensure workers around the world receive fair treatment and wages
- Manufacturing companies should have a positive impact on their local communities through sourcing and charitable activities
- Reducing pollution is crucial - both atmospheric pollution (which causes global warming) and oceanic pollution (which harms marine life)
- Social responsibility in manufacturing means considering the impact on workers, communities, and the environment, not just profits