Worker killed in accident at BHEL - The Hindu
Incident occurred while lifting a heavy object and failure of wire rope. An apprentice died and another worker suffered injury.
A place for my personal thoughts/views on safety, with focus on industrial safety.
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Dec 31, 2014
Dec 29, 2014
3 persons die of asphyxiation
As per reports, 3 persons died after nitrogen gas leak at a reactor construction site. Government closed two more sites under construction following this incident.
I feel that this reaction is not warranted, in this case. Persons overcome by inert gases is well known. Closure of the site where deaths took place is reasonable to isolate as well as enable investigation.
One need not be afraid that all accidents at a nuclear site involve nuclear material. If one thinks that all nuclear sites where nitrogen is used should be closed, then all industrial facilities (nuclear and others) handling nitrogen should be closed, which is not sensible.
http://rt.com/news/217967-korea-nuclear-deadly-leak/
I feel that this reaction is not warranted, in this case. Persons overcome by inert gases is well known. Closure of the site where deaths took place is reasonable to isolate as well as enable investigation.
One need not be afraid that all accidents at a nuclear site involve nuclear material. If one thinks that all nuclear sites where nitrogen is used should be closed, then all industrial facilities (nuclear and others) handling nitrogen should be closed, which is not sensible.
http://rt.com/news/217967-korea-nuclear-deadly-leak/
Dec 28, 2014
Safety - who is responsible - Failures attributed to regulators
When there is a robbery, police are blamed.
When there is violence, police are blamed.
When there is train accident, railways are blamed.
When a bank shuts the shop, government and police are blamed.
When some company that offers quick returns and later closes, again as above.
When there is an aeroplane accident, airlines and regulators are blamed.
When there is pollution, factory and pollution control board are blamed.
When there is an accident, factory and factories department are blamed.
Like this, blame game goes on.
In many of the above events, I do not understand what police or regulators can do. With such meager manpower, no regulator can stop a situation.
If we are not careful about ourselves, our property, what a police can do? He will make rounds, but he can't present everywhere, every time. Similarly, if someone starts violence, the local if do not catch him, why to blame others.
No doubt, police are there to prevent and control situations, but it is not possible for them with limited man power to ensure 100% peace without cooperation from people.
Similarly, we invest money out of greediness for unrealistic returns and later cry on others.
If there is pollution, people should complain to police and regulators about the problem. Also, they can form groups and pressurize the factory management to correct or close.
It is the responsibility of the management to ensure that safe working conditions and environment for workers and public are ensured. If something goes wrong, there should be fast track courts to settle the cases within a day for quick redressal of the issues. These courts, depending upon the nature and extent of violation, can order the company to pay or close the shop. There is no need to give time for correction as it is their basic duty for safety and environment.
Managements compromise on many issues for profit. Many promise and agree to comply with all legislations, only to violate later on several rules and regulations. Such companies need not be shown any mercy, for lack of knowledge or unintentional violations, as it is their responsibility to know everything, before starting operations.
When there is violence, police are blamed.
When there is train accident, railways are blamed.
When a bank shuts the shop, government and police are blamed.
When some company that offers quick returns and later closes, again as above.
When there is an aeroplane accident, airlines and regulators are blamed.
When there is pollution, factory and pollution control board are blamed.
When there is an accident, factory and factories department are blamed.
Like this, blame game goes on.
In many of the above events, I do not understand what police or regulators can do. With such meager manpower, no regulator can stop a situation.
If we are not careful about ourselves, our property, what a police can do? He will make rounds, but he can't present everywhere, every time. Similarly, if someone starts violence, the local if do not catch him, why to blame others.
No doubt, police are there to prevent and control situations, but it is not possible for them with limited man power to ensure 100% peace without cooperation from people.
Similarly, we invest money out of greediness for unrealistic returns and later cry on others.
If there is pollution, people should complain to police and regulators about the problem. Also, they can form groups and pressurize the factory management to correct or close.
It is the responsibility of the management to ensure that safe working conditions and environment for workers and public are ensured. If something goes wrong, there should be fast track courts to settle the cases within a day for quick redressal of the issues. These courts, depending upon the nature and extent of violation, can order the company to pay or close the shop. There is no need to give time for correction as it is their basic duty for safety and environment.
Managements compromise on many issues for profit. Many promise and agree to comply with all legislations, only to violate later on several rules and regulations. Such companies need not be shown any mercy, for lack of knowledge or unintentional violations, as it is their responsibility to know everything, before starting operations.