Static electricity experience

Yesterday, I was talking to my colleague sitting in a plastic chair. When he got up to go out, his fingers touched my shoulder and I felt needle like pricking. He also felt sudden shock and could hear some sound. We thought this may be due to static charge on the body as he was sitting on a plastic chair and during movement, and may be because of synthetic dress, some charge accumulated on the body discharged in the form of sparkling sound.
Few times, I feel pain at the edges of the fingers when I touch clothes in the spinner of the washing machine. Reason may be same, due to charge accumulated during the spinning action.

Apple probes blast at Chinese plant linked to iPad | Deccan Chronicle

There is a blast in a plant that makes ipad2 for Apple company, during which 2 persons died and another 16 were injured. What I appreciate is the statement by the company about halting the production till the investigation is completed. How many companies stop production like this. Stopping the production because of regulator is different to stopping production voluntarily by the management. Demonstration of commitment to safety will be reflected by such acts and employees will get moral boost that company management cares for them and this lead to increased productivity. The details are available in the following link.

Apple probes blast at Chinese plant linked to iPad Deccan Chronicle
An analysis of the attitude of MNCs towards of safety of employees in their outsourced site jobs appeared in Mint magazine on 04.06.2011.

Disaster - after checks before reuse

There is a good article on what should be done before using a facility after disaster occurs.The article quotes about list of safety tips from the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) that should be considered following a disaster:
One should be more cautious and check twice all systems in place for using a facility involved in a disaster than a new facility as one does not know about the extent of damage and condition of building, services, equipment, piping, safety systems, etc. Outwardly, building may appear in good condition, but not actually. It is like entering a devil's cave. We have to do tests like hammer test, ultrasonic tests, etc to know about invisible cracks and disintegration inside the columns and beams.

Gas leak and explosion at a refinery in Iran

A gas leak and subsequent explosion and fire at a refinery in Iran killed 4 people and injured 25 persons. It is reported that the incident occurred when the facility was made ready overnight for inauguration. If the facility is to be inaugurated for some reason, may be it can done without starting the facility, if systems are not in place. It is appropriate for authorities to enquire about status of the facility, obtaining of statutory clearances, systems in place, etc., before accepting invitation for inauguration as any incident like this can damage their reputation. I saw a CEO enquiring with the safety department head before inauguration about the safety readiness of the facility and whether they issued clearance for starting operations or not. There are instances of not accepting the invitation when safety clearances were not obtained. Though it looks strange for others, but it demonstrates concern about safety of the employees and public from the facility operations.

Penalty for delayed reporting of incident

As per reports, a gas production facility will be penalized upto  $ 50,000 for alerting the authorities 2 hrs late about bursting of gas and salt water from one of its wells. This appears to be of very high standards, as generally many incidents including gas leak go without reporting.  In another facility of the same facility, spilled diesel was contained and contaminated soil was removed. Again, this is also great as nobody cares about spillages even outside facilities and replacing the soil within the facility is a good move. Australian authorities appear to be strict in respect of rules and regulations and is better for safety of the people, if it is implemented in toto everywhere.

Air receiver blast

There was a blast during the cleaning of gas turbine in a polymers factory that makes cans, jars, etc. It is reported that the the valve of the gas turbine suddenly blew up that caused ripping of roof and fragments caused injury to a woman nearby. As per the news in a local news paper, due to malfunctioning of safety valve on the air receiver, the air receiver exploded. As Monday was holiday for the factory, it is reported that no injuries took place in the factory. It is luck that the person involved in the work is safe though the roof sheets blew off but did not fall on him. It is not known what precautions were taken before taking up the cleaning job, like, i) emptying the vessel and purging with inert gas and then purging with air, ii) positive isolation of all lines leading to and from the tank, iii) checking for presence of flammable concentrations in the tank, iv) checking for oxygen level, v) job hazard analysis, vi) supervision and so on.

As the work was taken up on factory holiday and incident happened, one should be careful when planning such maintenance jobs on holidays it should be ensured that safety work permit is obtained and supervision is provided.

Sharjah blast damages over 10 shops, 15 cars

Sharjah blast damages over 10 shops, 15 cars

There is a blast in a cafeteria due to gas leak from LPG gas cylinder that caused damage to 10 shops and 15 cars. We underestimate the destructive power of domestic LPG cylinders and nothing happened till now does not mean that we are safe. We have to check the condition of the cylinder, condition of the regulator and condition of the hose. We have to turn off the regulator when not in use. It is common only to close the knob on the burner instead of closing the regulator also. There were many incidents of passersby on the road getting injured/died because of fragments generated during the blast hitting them.

Ergonomics - an article in SafetyAtWorkblog

An interesting article on ergonomics appeared today in safetyatworkblog, which may stir the minds of professionals and others in the field of ergonomics and think deeply before advising measures to address problems attributed to poor ergonomics at work place.

Dead teach the living - A study on delayed effects of MIC

A study by ICMR on effects of MIC released during 1984 Bhopal accident published in The Hindu states that MIC and its degradation products cause edema and fibrosis. We use thousands of chemicals (more than 5,00,000) and but we know the properties and effects only for few thousands. As the old adage says "reinventing the wheel", for healthy life people are propagating organic farming, avoiding meat, eating fruits, doing simple exercises which our ancestors did in the form physical work at home and fields, walking, cycling and so on.
We need not overreact on knowing about dangers, but one should be careful and be judicious while dealing with any of the chemicals so that we can atleast sustain the environment for future generations.

A video on confined space hazards

A video on confined space hazards from youtube.

A video on compressed gas hazards

There is video available in youtube on dangers of compressed gas. Though the dangers are known, but by seeing the video everybody will remember forever the extent of injuries it can cause.

Fatality due to fall of tripod at construction site

A person died when a tripod kept above at a construction site for shuttering work fell down. In another accident, a drum kept at height for use as access fell down on a person causing minor head injury. Accidents like these are common at construction sites and minimum safety guidelines recommend use of safety nets, barricading the area below, posting danger signs, securing the loose items at top, supervision, etc and failure to comply with these recommendations will result in injuries and deaths at times like the first one. It is not clear whether the person died is a construction worker or not and whether he was wearing any safety helmet.

Lathe machine accident

A news paper report about 10 days ago mentioned about death of a sweeper near lathe machine in an engineering work shop. The lady sweeper was hit by pieces of drill bit that broke while threading a job piece on the lathe. It appears that excessive force was applied to do threading by the operator. While the woman died at the spot, the operator received serious injuries. This accident reminds about the need for job hazard analysis, proper training and supervision in any work.

Iron powder catches fire

A CSB investigation finding mentions that iron powder combustion lead to a fatality and injured another. The atomized iron powder dust dislodged during inspection by maintenance workers caught fire. Though, we know dust explosions, like ammonia fires/explosions, iron powder fire also is difficult to digest. Such information should be brought to the notice of all employees so that they will not be lax on their part.

Dust explosions are said to be more dangerous than normal explosions, as initiation of dust explosion can disturb the settled powder making it airborne and lead to secondary and tertiary explosions.
CSB mentions that metal powder dust flash fires and explosions cause more serious injuries than flammable gas or vapor fires because of radiant heat. A CSB study on 281 combustible dust fires and explosions during 1980-2005 indicate 119 deaths and more than 700 injuries due to these incidents.

The best way to avoid dust explosions is to have dust collections systems, regular wet mopping, flameproof electrical fittings, maintaining atleast 50% humidity, static charge discharge mechanisms, etc and maintaining records to ensure that safety systems are maintained.
A news item on the above is also available here(1), here (2) and here(3) , here(4)..

PCB order to close public sector manufacturer

A news item mentions about order of state pollution control board asking to close a public sector pesticide manufacturing facility for violating environment protection rules. Such closures involving public sectors are rare and this implies that private sector facilities should be more careful in their operations. One should not take things for granted and keep violating norms.
It is common to read/see reports of demolishing buildings for violating rules/not taking permission. Instead of penalising, total closure/demolition exhibit the determination of concerned authorities and alert other violators to put their house in order before they become targets.
Nobody is above law, let it be anybody.

Fall of woman from balcony

A news item mentions about fall of woman from balcony and succumbing to injuries. Most of the builders construct balconies of height about (3 1/2 ft) which appear to be dangerous for tall persons. Though children and medium height persons (about 5 ft) may not be in danger, but taller persons when they lean on to the balcony of this height are likely to loose balance and fall.

Nearmiss - my experience during rain and heavy wind

Last week I was on pilgrimage tour along with friends on a rented car. When we were nearing a temple town, there was heavy rain with winds. As we approached the temple, our driver stopped the car about 15 m away from a temporary structure made for temple function. Within 2 minutes, we saw the entire structure falling down on a car near, due to heavy winds. The occupants of the car ran away. Though, there was no damage, but it is an experience and we were saved by our driver's timely action.
We always tell workers at height not to work during rains/winds, but if people see the incident, I think, then only they will understand the meaning in it.

Electrical Safety – 10 Quick Tips

An article from safetyxchange. Simple and easy to understand. In safety, there is a word KISS - keep it simple stupid.

Electrical Safety – 10 Quick Tips

12 Fire Prevention Tips for Workers

An article from safetyxchange like the previous one.
12 Fire Prevention Tips for Workers

How to Use Safety’s Magic Metre

Here is an article on protecting oneself from hazards including workplace violence. Though, all of us know to maintain distance away from hazards, rogues, etc, it is presented in a knovel way by the author.
How to Use Safety’s Magic Metre