A film shooting set erected adjacent to an apartment complex caught fire yesterday at about 2045 hr and spread to the apartment. Five persons from the apartment complex died mainly due to suffocation and few others received burn injuries. The combustible material of the film set could have caught fire due to short circuit (most suspected reason for most of the fire incidents). It is not clear what type of electrical fittings and how safely the electrical wiring and connections were made. Fire fighters could not rescue initially due to thick smoke.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/five-persons-perish-in-blaze-at-manikonda/article4134053.ece
It is also reported that the security guard who helped more than 10 residents to escape by alerting died in the lift due to asphyxia. When a house lady told him that she did not shut off gas line, he went to her flat, and while coming back in the lift, somebody switched off the power supply to lift fearing the worst and not knowing about the security guard in the lift.
Nov 26, 2012
Nov 25, 2012
Hit by beam, person driving on the road dies
In an incident, an engineer driving a bike along Rapid Metro corridor under construction, was hit by an iron beam of 19 ft length, fell down and died of injuries before taken to hospital. It is stated that he hit a labourer carrying the beam and fell down. But, as per eye witnesses, beam fell from top and initial forensic reports based on helmet damage state that the person was hit by an object from height.
It is unknown as how a labourer can carry a 19 ft long iron pipe, where he was walking with the pipe (as it is stated that bike rider hit him) and whether the work area is marked or barricaded, or, not. Though, people can claim no negligence, then how the incident happened is to be investigated.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/Engineer-21-killed-in-freak-Metro-accident/articleshow/17354580.cms?
It is unknown as how a labourer can carry a 19 ft long iron pipe, where he was walking with the pipe (as it is stated that bike rider hit him) and whether the work area is marked or barricaded, or, not. Though, people can claim no negligence, then how the incident happened is to be investigated.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/Engineer-21-killed-in-freak-Metro-accident/articleshow/17354580.cms?
Nov 24, 2012
A day full of nearmisses
Today is not a good day for me with respect to my safety on the road. I started on bike in the morning to drop my child to school and we almost lost balance when front wheel of my bike went on a joint between two blocks of the concrete road. I regained my balance immediately due to reflex action of my left foot to take support on the road.
Later, when I started to go to my factory, en route, all of a sudden a school bus from my left side came closer to me to take right turn without any indication. The road is about 30 feet and there are no lanes to follow. I slowed down to allow the school bus to move past and avoid getting hit.
After 5-6 km bike ride, a car first and later a bus from opposite direction, one after another crossed the double mark on the road encroaching the road meant for vehicles moving in opposite direction. Again, I escaped when I swerved left and those vehicles immediately went within the otherside of the line. At that moment, if any vehicle coming behind me could have hit mine due to my movement leftside, but, as my luck was with me still, there were no vehicles behind.
In all above incidents, I was driving cautiously at about 30-35 km speed and thus could avoid my fall or hit against other vehicles. Still, I am unable to think what I should have done to avoid these near misses except in the first incident, wherein, I could have avoided entering into the road joint.
Two weeks ago, when I was travelling in a company vehicle to airport in Mumbai, the driver commented that one should avoid driving closer to the road divider particularly during night and early hours as it is likely that some drivers under the influence of alcohol or those driving at high speeds can loose control on the wheel and cross over the road divider and hit opposite coming vehicles travelling adjacent to the road divider.
Soon after, when I reached my place and was coming out of the airport, I saw a car landed in the thick bushes between the opposite roads, being towed away by traffic police. It appears that some rash driver could not take turn along the road curve due to high speed driving and ended up in the bushes on the roadside. The car exactly stopped at the other side of the edge of the road divider. If it moved a foot distance further, it could have hit easily any of the vehicles in opposite direction as it is a busy airport road.
The above is a lesson for me that we should not drive too close to the road divider.
Later, when I started to go to my factory, en route, all of a sudden a school bus from my left side came closer to me to take right turn without any indication. The road is about 30 feet and there are no lanes to follow. I slowed down to allow the school bus to move past and avoid getting hit.
After 5-6 km bike ride, a car first and later a bus from opposite direction, one after another crossed the double mark on the road encroaching the road meant for vehicles moving in opposite direction. Again, I escaped when I swerved left and those vehicles immediately went within the otherside of the line. At that moment, if any vehicle coming behind me could have hit mine due to my movement leftside, but, as my luck was with me still, there were no vehicles behind.
In all above incidents, I was driving cautiously at about 30-35 km speed and thus could avoid my fall or hit against other vehicles. Still, I am unable to think what I should have done to avoid these near misses except in the first incident, wherein, I could have avoided entering into the road joint.
Two weeks ago, when I was travelling in a company vehicle to airport in Mumbai, the driver commented that one should avoid driving closer to the road divider particularly during night and early hours as it is likely that some drivers under the influence of alcohol or those driving at high speeds can loose control on the wheel and cross over the road divider and hit opposite coming vehicles travelling adjacent to the road divider.
Soon after, when I reached my place and was coming out of the airport, I saw a car landed in the thick bushes between the opposite roads, being towed away by traffic police. It appears that some rash driver could not take turn along the road curve due to high speed driving and ended up in the bushes on the roadside. The car exactly stopped at the other side of the edge of the road divider. If it moved a foot distance further, it could have hit easily any of the vehicles in opposite direction as it is a busy airport road.
The above is a lesson for me that we should not drive too close to the road divider.
Nov 21, 2012
Fall from height - wrong use of forklift - firm penalized
In an incident, two staff of a door fitting firm strapped a wooden crate to a forklift to go up and fix a motor on the wall for a rolling shutter. The person was lifted on the attachment made to forklift and when he turned to pick tools, the crate tipped, person fell by 5 m height after losing balance and received fracture injuries. He was operated upon. HSE investigated the incident, prosecuted the employer and imposed a fine of 1000 pounds and 1870 pounds for costs because of poor planning for work at height and violation of work at height regulations.
In many work places, it is common to see abuse of forklifts. They are used for double/triple/ quadruple riding, joy riding, to go to other departments on personal work, use forks for reaching an elevation instead of using ladder, etc. Employees also do not listen to safety supervisor's objection and it is distressing to watch that even in-charges also take it as normal and no other go option.
In a regional movie which I saw several years ago, the hero who is MD of a soft drink company (brand displayed is reputed) and his friend both stand on the forks with hands resting on the body and moving around. I do not understand how the company allowed such act in their premises, while permitting the film unit for shooting.
Fatalities, injuries like amputation due to trapping between moving fork and stationary mast, hit against, loss of control due to driving at speed, toppling while driving on inclined roads or at high speed or loose ground, etc were reported and one can find such case studies in internet. Still, people take it as one-off incident or of the attitude that it will not happen to them.
Safety at work place can be improved only when fellow employees question unsafe practices and force the violators to stop such acts.Good words and rules will have impact on those who listen but not on wishful violators.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-em-173.htm?eban=rss-
In many work places, it is common to see abuse of forklifts. They are used for double/triple/ quadruple riding, joy riding, to go to other departments on personal work, use forks for reaching an elevation instead of using ladder, etc. Employees also do not listen to safety supervisor's objection and it is distressing to watch that even in-charges also take it as normal and no other go option.
In a regional movie which I saw several years ago, the hero who is MD of a soft drink company (brand displayed is reputed) and his friend both stand on the forks with hands resting on the body and moving around. I do not understand how the company allowed such act in their premises, while permitting the film unit for shooting.
Fatalities, injuries like amputation due to trapping between moving fork and stationary mast, hit against, loss of control due to driving at speed, toppling while driving on inclined roads or at high speed or loose ground, etc were reported and one can find such case studies in internet. Still, people take it as one-off incident or of the attitude that it will not happen to them.
Safety at work place can be improved only when fellow employees question unsafe practices and force the violators to stop such acts.Good words and rules will have impact on those who listen but not on wishful violators.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2012/rnn-em-173.htm?eban=rss-
Nov 18, 2012
Measures to be taken before a plant shutdown
The following link provides good information on the above topic.
It suggests that one should engage experience technical persons for shutting down a plant and equipment conditioning, which may not be required to operate in the near future, but may be required at a later date. All process holdups should be drained, cleaned, protective coats applied, instruments/sensors kept in dry condition and kept in good condition so that when plant is to be restarted, it can be done with minimal costs, head aches and damage. One should also record all measures taken during shut down and to be taken while restarting as it is likely that same technical persons may not be available in the future. Cannibalizing also should be avoided so that plant can be restarted at short notice without searching for missing motors, pumps, valves, vessels, etc. One should also ensure periodical maintenance of the equipment and auxiliaries of plant that was shutdown. Else, we have to be satisfied in getting scrap value by sale instead of its full value.
It suggests that one should engage experience technical persons for shutting down a plant and equipment conditioning, which may not be required to operate in the near future, but may be required at a later date. All process holdups should be drained, cleaned, protective coats applied, instruments/sensors kept in dry condition and kept in good condition so that when plant is to be restarted, it can be done with minimal costs, head aches and damage. One should also record all measures taken during shut down and to be taken while restarting as it is likely that same technical persons may not be available in the future. Cannibalizing also should be avoided so that plant can be restarted at short notice without searching for missing motors, pumps, valves, vessels, etc. One should also ensure periodical maintenance of the equipment and auxiliaries of plant that was shutdown. Else, we have to be satisfied in getting scrap value by sale instead of its full value.
Nov 13, 2012
Can we have better surveillance cameras to monitor secured areas?
It is common to see CCTV cameras at important places to monitor the movements of suspicious persons. These are located in super markets, restricted areas, traffic zones, bus stations, railway stations, airports, etc. On many occasions, after the occurrence of an incident, the footage from these helped to nab the culprits. But, the videos that we see in TVs are of poor resolution and less speed. It is beyond my knowledge why it is so and why high resolution cameras can't be installed for surveillance. Normally, the domestic cameras which we use provide good pictures of objects that are at distance, when we zoom. No doubt, the memory occupied by these high resolution pictures will be more and thus require large storage space, but it is affordable and cost should not be an issue when it is with regards to security and safety.
During accidents / incidents, cameras installed at important and critical operation areas also show how they occurred, even if the employees lie about them fearing punishment. This will help in accident investigation and help the organization to take preventive measures.
During accidents / incidents, cameras installed at important and critical operation areas also show how they occurred, even if the employees lie about them fearing punishment. This will help in accident investigation and help the organization to take preventive measures.
Better results for voluntary compliance instead of enforcement
Many times we do things because we were told to do so. Else, there may be repercussions in the form of penalties or punishment. When we work in such an environment, at the slightest opportunity, we try to avoid, which otherwise the enforcing agency (parents/boss/regulator/police/court/etc) wants us to do. This way things will not yield good results in the long term because it is not coming from our heart. This is because either we did not understand why somebody is asking us to do in particular manner or we had wrong perceptions. If somebody asked us to do in a particular fashion, let us try to understand why? It is the experience of somebody, somewhere. We need not learn again by doing things in a wrong manner and get affected whatever the loss others suffered. This is called learning from history. Rules and regulations are nothing but experiences (bad and good) of so many over a long period.
When we make voluntary efforts without others saying so, we can see positive developments in our work atmosphere. Because we fail to do so, rules and regulations have come and this is the first stage in the line of growth. When we comply with all statutory requirements, we can set our own goals much better than statutes and improve further. This is the second stage. When we repeat this towards better workplace, we can become role model in our industry / region. This is the third stage. These three stages are discussed in detail in INSAG-15 document (International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group).
Many of us are in the first stage for so many decades. Though we obtain certifications for compliance with ISO/OHSAS/IS/BS/FDA, etc, still at heart, we like to bypass procedures and this does not augur well for us as individuals and the organization, as a whole. We think government organizations does not have any dearth of funds and thus they can implement this philosophy. Similarly, we think private organizations are profit oriented and thus do not like to spend. But both are wrong perceptions. There good and bad organizations both in government and private sectors.
It is 'I' who matters in implementation. This I is everybody from top to bottom. The top management should know about rules and regulations and a vision to ensure safety at the work place. And they should convey their intentions to down below and allocate required resources with rewards and punishments to ensure safety.
As long as I am not convinced, I try to do things other way and continue to suffer myself and as a consequence, I put the organization also in a fix not to grow. It is said that safety is not costly, but in fact it is free when implemented in full. It also fetches returns over a long period of time. Just we do not have enough patience to wait for and want to see the results immediately which is not possible. One year when we work with good production, no accidents, better profits, we claim that our work only fetched results and next year when it does not repeat, we blame all sundry instead of taking responsibility for the same. One should realize that our today's results are hard work of somebody in the past.
When we make voluntary efforts without others saying so, we can see positive developments in our work atmosphere. Because we fail to do so, rules and regulations have come and this is the first stage in the line of growth. When we comply with all statutory requirements, we can set our own goals much better than statutes and improve further. This is the second stage. When we repeat this towards better workplace, we can become role model in our industry / region. This is the third stage. These three stages are discussed in detail in INSAG-15 document (International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group).
Many of us are in the first stage for so many decades. Though we obtain certifications for compliance with ISO/OHSAS/IS/BS/FDA, etc, still at heart, we like to bypass procedures and this does not augur well for us as individuals and the organization, as a whole. We think government organizations does not have any dearth of funds and thus they can implement this philosophy. Similarly, we think private organizations are profit oriented and thus do not like to spend. But both are wrong perceptions. There good and bad organizations both in government and private sectors.
It is 'I' who matters in implementation. This I is everybody from top to bottom. The top management should know about rules and regulations and a vision to ensure safety at the work place. And they should convey their intentions to down below and allocate required resources with rewards and punishments to ensure safety.
As long as I am not convinced, I try to do things other way and continue to suffer myself and as a consequence, I put the organization also in a fix not to grow. It is said that safety is not costly, but in fact it is free when implemented in full. It also fetches returns over a long period of time. Just we do not have enough patience to wait for and want to see the results immediately which is not possible. One year when we work with good production, no accidents, better profits, we claim that our work only fetched results and next year when it does not repeat, we blame all sundry instead of taking responsibility for the same. One should realize that our today's results are hard work of somebody in the past.
Nov 10, 2012
Letter about the experiences on lab safety
The link below takes to a letter published in Chemical Engineering News about lab safety, experience about lab safety in the college. Lab safety may be followed to a great extent in developed countries, but my personal experience during my college days is that we were never told about hazards, safety procedures, precautions to be taken in the laboratory. Now, I feel how I went through those days and what could have happened if I did something wrong.
As a safety professional, now I feel that college laboratories should have documented safety programme and should be monitored for implementation. Students should know about properties, hazards, material safety data sheets, procedures for storage-handling-disposal, emergency procedures, proper use of PPE, etc.
When we take chemicals in to a bottle or container, we should ensure that the bottle was used previously for the same chemical or better use only cleaned bottles. Otherwise, it is likely that we will be adding a chemical to the bottle that contains or was used for a chemical that is not compatible and a runaway reaction may take place leading to rupture of bottle, splashing of chemicals, hit with glass splinters, etc.
We should use proper bottle holder to move the bottles instead of holding the bottle at its lid or neck which may lead to fall of the bottles.
When chemical splashes, we should remove the contaminated cloth and wash thoroughly for atleast 15 minutes immediately and consult doctor for further treatment. There were reports in which a student received HF splash on her lab coat. Instead of removing the coat, she washed the splashed portion of the coat with some water and continued her work. She was found dead in her apartment later. The reason listed was that though the contaminated coat was washed, the vapors continued to emanate from her coat which she did not notice but inhaled and this caused edema. Chemicals like HF, phosgene, etc exhibit delayed effects causing respiratory problems and eventually lead to death.
Studies show that even after 15 minutes of thorough wash, only about 95% of the splashed chemical can be washed. Hence, prominent display of 'wash for atleast 15 minutes' should be displayed in the lab and near the emergency shower/eye wash fountain or the rack containing eye wash bottles.
http://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i44/Lab-Safety-UCLA-Accident.html
As a safety professional, now I feel that college laboratories should have documented safety programme and should be monitored for implementation. Students should know about properties, hazards, material safety data sheets, procedures for storage-handling-disposal, emergency procedures, proper use of PPE, etc.
When we take chemicals in to a bottle or container, we should ensure that the bottle was used previously for the same chemical or better use only cleaned bottles. Otherwise, it is likely that we will be adding a chemical to the bottle that contains or was used for a chemical that is not compatible and a runaway reaction may take place leading to rupture of bottle, splashing of chemicals, hit with glass splinters, etc.
We should use proper bottle holder to move the bottles instead of holding the bottle at its lid or neck which may lead to fall of the bottles.
When chemical splashes, we should remove the contaminated cloth and wash thoroughly for atleast 15 minutes immediately and consult doctor for further treatment. There were reports in which a student received HF splash on her lab coat. Instead of removing the coat, she washed the splashed portion of the coat with some water and continued her work. She was found dead in her apartment later. The reason listed was that though the contaminated coat was washed, the vapors continued to emanate from her coat which she did not notice but inhaled and this caused edema. Chemicals like HF, phosgene, etc exhibit delayed effects causing respiratory problems and eventually lead to death.
Studies show that even after 15 minutes of thorough wash, only about 95% of the splashed chemical can be washed. Hence, prominent display of 'wash for atleast 15 minutes' should be displayed in the lab and near the emergency shower/eye wash fountain or the rack containing eye wash bottles.
http://cen.acs.org/articles/90/i44/Lab-Safety-UCLA-Accident.html
Nov 9, 2012
About HF spill in Gumi City - updates in Chemical World
The report in the following link gives some important information about leakage of eight tonnes of HF. The police stated that workers did not follow safety procedures for unloading to save some time. The company or local government does not have slaked lime for neutralization of HF and they could get the same only after one day of the incident. The fire fighters are not aware of the chemical spilled or the hazards of HF as they came with normal fire fighting and personal protective equipment.
It is stated that as per CCTV footage seen, workers tried to transfer the HF from tanker by connecting an air hose to a valve in the tank and the white vapors at high pressure from the tank engulfed the workers. And, when firefighters sprayed the water, the spilled acid spread further.
Pressure transfer system is fraught with dangers and many incidents were reported in such transfers across the world.
The above incident is a lesson for us that
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/76-143f.pdf
It is stated that as per CCTV footage seen, workers tried to transfer the HF from tanker by connecting an air hose to a valve in the tank and the white vapors at high pressure from the tank engulfed the workers. And, when firefighters sprayed the water, the spilled acid spread further.
Pressure transfer system is fraught with dangers and many incidents were reported in such transfers across the world.
The above incident is a lesson for us that
- we should review chemical transfer methods
- carry HAZOP study to know the hazards, consequences and measures to be taken
- train the workers and supervisors about the hazards and procedures to be followed
- ensure display of procedure, material safety data sheets for the chemicals used
- provide sufficient capacity of secured collection pit for collecting neutralized acid or for collecting acid and they to do neutralization
- ensure availability of scrubbing/neutralization system for maximum credible scenario
- ensure supervision during the work, etc
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/76-143f.pdf
Nov 6, 2012
Picture This! Three Little Words Versus One Big Risk-Taker » SafetySmart
Picture This! Three Little Words Versus One Big Risk-Taker » SafetySmart
What we say is not always followed.
What we say is not always followed.
Nov 5, 2012
Two employees receive chemical burns - firm is fined
It is reported that a cleaning firm was fined after two of its employees received chemical burns in two separate incidents. The firm was fined for lack of enforcing supervision. Though there are no details about the extent of injuries or procedure followed, it appears that the accidents could have been due to (i) lack of procedure or violation of procedure, or (ii) hiring of persons without knowledge about the work, or (iii) lack of training, apart from the lack of supervision.
Training and supervision are generally the two most commonly found recommendations made by the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) of US in their investigation of several accidents. And, these are also statutory requirements.
We have to ensure proper selection of persons, training, job hazard analysis, safe operating procedure, do's and dont's material safety data sheets and supervision to carryout given task safely.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10845300
Training and supervision are generally the two most commonly found recommendations made by the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) of US in their investigation of several accidents. And, these are also statutory requirements.
We have to ensure proper selection of persons, training, job hazard analysis, safe operating procedure, do's and dont's material safety data sheets and supervision to carryout given task safely.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10845300
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