Leader's behavior drives safety culture

At a Fleet Safety Conference, Shell Global Road Safety Manager stated in an address that leader's behavior drives safety culture in the organization. He repeated a quote from former CEO of Royal Dutch Shell that poor safety reflects lack of leadership.

It is of no use if one has a policy which is not followed. Display of policy may create good impression to visitors. But, not following it will lead to poor culture leading to unsafe behaviors, accidents and will eventually pull down the organization's image.

It is said that a good safety culture means the way we work safely even when nobody else is watching. Our conscience is our witness. If we try fool others when we behave one way in front of others and the other way in the absence of others, finally we only get into accidents. It is our life that is at risk.  One may get good pat on the back but we should pat ourselves that we are doing a good job.

Shell's 12 life saving rules can be found here. Though these are not exhaustive, but still these can save lives of workers. 

Lightning strike on beach - dissipation of electric charge through water - three injuries

This too can happen.

https://in.news.yahoo.com/three-injured-by-lightning-strike-on-americas-145112440.html

Building collapse in Delhi - narrow passage hinders rescue operations

As per Times of India report, a building collapsed in Delhi, where three women died and 10 were injured.

Fire department found it difficult to approach the area due to narrow passage.

National building code and local municipal authorities specify to provide offsets on either side of the road and also in front of the buildings. But, very few comply with the requirements. People question the authorities for such requirements. Further, encroachments, unauthorised activities in the name of temporary works, parking of vehicles on road sides instead of parking inside the buildings compound the issue making it difficult for rescue teams.

Collapse of buildings also lead to fall of walls/debris on road side and for this reason, if the offsets are adhered, atleast roads will be still available. But, many buildings are constructed upto the road particularly in inner lanes and the ramp of the house generally extends on to the road. Then, vehicles parked in front of their houses as above is another issue. 

I strongly feel that the authorities should confiscate such properties and government/courts should not entertain any appeal unless requirements for space are met.

Paramilitary troops die more in road accidents than in terrorist operations

As per Times of India report, more number of paramilitary troops died in road accidents than in terrorist operations.  They will be under more stress due to long hours of working, away from family for days and weeks, poor facilities at the place of stay, etc. They will be residing in harsh conditions during their work and are prone to attack from mosquitoes, insects, reptiles, etc. They live in such pathetic conditions and it is appropriate atleast to double their salaries like those of engineers, though money is not a true compensation.

Road accidents statistics - Times of India

As per report in Times of India, in 2014, 16 persons are dying in road accidents every year. 1,41,000 died in 2013. Over speeding is the main reason as per the data presented.

It appears more are dying from road accidents than any other factor and we worry more about dangers of setting up of industries.

More layers of dress leads to exhaustion in the mid air

In a report, a passenger collapsed of heat exhaustion in the mid air, after tried to avoid excess luggage fee to the airlines by wearing 12 layers of dress. With assistance, he recovered.

This is a lesson for us. I do not know that such a thing can happen.May be safety caution should be printed in this regard also on the ticket about not to wear more than one pair dress.

Read the report HERE.

Fall of bus silencer causes fatality

A person going on a bike comes under the bus tyre, after the silencer of the bus falls off on the bike rider. 

Difficult to predict such type of hazards.

Worker killed by robot...

As per a report,  worker was killed during installation of a robot in a car manufacturing firm. Though the title leads to wrong conclusion, robots are lifeless and brainless and any action is due to wrong programming/setting by the concerned programmers/assemblers.

The robot must have been in commissioning stage or under trial runs. One has to do thorough event tree and fault tree analyses before putting the logic into field use.

Nobody should be allowed to be within the reach of the machine and suitable physical barriers and sensors/interlocks should be incorporated.

Oil Tank Explosion

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As per the commentary, once the temperature reaches 400 degree Celcius, the tanker blasts. Persons at 200 m distance suffered third degree burns.

BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) Demonstration - How it ...

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Gas Safety Blanket Response to end of Pipe ammonia leak

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03s0bXNUgOU

Something new and easy to use to control anhydrous ammonia leaks. Though the picture of the person is not shown fully in this video, the warning message at the end about not to enter without proper PPE should be followed.