In a major fire incident on 5 Sep 2012 in a fire cracker manufacture unit at Sivakasi, more than 35 persons died and several were injured. Some of the died were those who went for rescue. In different news reports, it is stated that the rooms where crackers are made are totally congested with little free space and with Diwali festival approaching, the finished products in cartons were stored in the same rooms where crackers are being made.
In a news report, which I am unable to get link, I read that the chemical fumes / dust in the work atmosphere is recognized by factory managements and in some factories, workers are give banana allowance of Rs 35/week so that workers can eat bananas and get rid of ill effects of chemicals entering the digestive track.
This reminds me of my experience ten years ago in a chlorine manufacturing unit, where I attended a two-day training programme on safe handling of chemicals. As a part of the programme, the organizers demonstrated handling of chlorine emergencies by using emergency tool kit, transfer of chlorine from one tonner to another by opening the valve of a tonner. Before start of this demo, they gave jaggery to all participants standing in a circle around the tonner and were asked to keep it in the mouth and swallow the jaggery juices forming in the mouth. The reason told was that it will help in clearing the throat choking if and when we are exposed to chlorine accidentally. Similarly, pipper mint also will help in same manner.
So, there are some cheap and workable methods that help us from ill effects of chemicals and can be followed.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/at-least-54-killed-50-injured-in-fire-at-sivakasi-cracker-unit/998193/0
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article3862000.ece
http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/major-fire-at-sivakasi-cracker-unit-leaves-scores-dead_797872.html
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-10/news/33737341_1_sivakasi-cracker-makers-illegal-units
Sep 16, 2012
Worker dies of acid burns
In an incident, when four workers were cleaning an acid tank in a factory, acid and other chemicals fell on the persons and one died while others suffered burn injuries. It is not clear from the news report, how acid fell but clearly it is a work in confined space and one has to take all precautions for such jobs to avoid such incidents. The minimum precautions to be taken are,
- List out safe procedure, job hazard analysis and ensure safety measures for identified hazards
- Obtain safety work permit
- Empty the contents from the tank by pumping / draining
- Clean the tank by water circulation or with suitable medium and test for presence of acid by sampling the circulated water
- Isolate all inlet lines positively by inserting a blind/slip plate and not by merely closing the valves as leaking of valves is possible
- Display caution boards at the tank pump switches for not to operate and about the work in progress and if available, remove the fuses and keep in safe custody
- Ensure LOTO
- Open the vent lines and admit compressed air to ensure oxygen levels at the actual place of work same as that of atmospheric air
- Use only 24 V supply for electrical fittings inside
- Provide proper access and illumination
- Ensure work area and escape routes are free from obstructions
- Inform medical and fire teams about nature of work and location, before start of work
- Ensure proper breathing air set suitable for use in case of emergency, or ensure BA set use during entire work
- Follow buddy system by having one person outside to watch for every person inside
- Ensure to engage only medically fit personnel for the job and brief the hazards, safety measures and emergency procedures to be followed
- Carry out trial run before start of work
- Ensure continuous competent supervision during entire period of work
Tablet chokes 12 year old kid
The kid died due to suffocation after tsking the tablet. This can happen to even elders if not taken without water.
Sep 11, 2012
Lab accidents are scary-An article from Science 2.0
http://www.science20.com/chemical_education/why_scary_lab_accidents_happen-93815
The above link is about the experience of a chemist. It should be read by chemists to have a feel about the need for lab safety and what can go wrong if you dont know about all implications before taking up your experiment.
The above link is about the experience of a chemist. It should be read by chemists to have a feel about the need for lab safety and what can go wrong if you dont know about all implications before taking up your experiment.
Sep 9, 2012
Earth quake prediction - professional hazards
The above article is about why it is difficult to predict earth quakes. It is stated that in Italy, six seismologists were tried for manslaughter for failing to predict. This is outrageous. And indicates professional hazard. The person who filed case charging the scientists should be tried first about his understanding of earth quakes and how others failed.
Woman found dead, gas leak suspected - Indian Express
Woman found dead, gas leak suspected - Indian Express
In an incident reported, a woman and two stray dogs were found dead in the sleep allegedly due to toxic gas leak from a waste transfer pipe passing through the area from industry to treatment plant. From this, it appears that there is no monitoring mechanism to assess healthiness of the piping. Whether any pipe markers with identification are in place or not is to be seen. In such a state, if somebody digs for something, he can encounter the pipe and any damage can cause jetting of the effluent from the pipe endangering the surroundings. How permission was given to lay the pipe across in the public area also should be enquired.
In an incident reported, a woman and two stray dogs were found dead in the sleep allegedly due to toxic gas leak from a waste transfer pipe passing through the area from industry to treatment plant. From this, it appears that there is no monitoring mechanism to assess healthiness of the piping. Whether any pipe markers with identification are in place or not is to be seen. In such a state, if somebody digs for something, he can encounter the pipe and any damage can cause jetting of the effluent from the pipe endangering the surroundings. How permission was given to lay the pipe across in the public area also should be enquired.
Sep 6, 2012
Know about eye wash shower
An article in detail about eye wash shower location and care to be taken is available in the following link.
I learnt from this that the eye wash shower should be reachable in 10 seconds, to be located at same level of hazard area and dust covers should be provided to avoid contamination.
It is also stated that ANSI requires 30-90 psi pressure. It is my feeling that high pressure water should not be used as in the literature, hazards of high pressure water jets on eyes state damage to the eyes.
As per Indian Standard, the pressure to be maintained is 196 kpa i.e about 30 psi and 16 lpm flow rate for eye wash fountain and for emergency shower, it should be 110 lpm. As per this standard, it should be located within 15 m distance from chemical handling area.
The reason for minimum 15 minute cleaning is that even after this much cleaning, only about 95% chemical is washed off, which I read in internet written by an author from US about HF splash on the lab coat. I used to explain this to my audience in the training programmes about the necessity for washing atleast 15 minutes. Otherwise, human tendency is to wash till such irritation exists. However, the vapors from the chemical soaked cloth can continue to expose the persons and cause health effects later. And, HF will show delayed effects affecting lungs and exposed persons can die due to odema.
Sep 5, 2012
Safety during excavation
Following link from SafetySmart provides tips about safety during excavation.
There are many more precautions to be taken about safe distances to be maintained for keeping the excavated soil, provision of ladders for use in emergency, display of cautionary signs, etc.
Aug 31, 2012
Punishment for felling trees
A property owner was booked with case under AP WALTA (Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Tree Act 2002) for felling three trees (gulmohar, fountain and rubber trees) in the municipal area adjacent to his property. The officials on the way to their work found this and booked a case under WALTA. They also want to book a case for damaging government property.
As per the Act, unless it endangers life or property, one can not cut trees or its branches. For this also, permission is to be obtained from District Forest Officer.
The penalties for first offence range from 2-5 times the value of the tree and repeat offence will attract double penalty.
Though I heard about this Act long time ago through one of my colleagues, this is the first time to my knowledge that somebody is slapped with case for tree cutting.
Aug 28, 2012
SafetySmart Compliance » Blog Archive The James Beals Tragedy: The Price of Neglecting Confined Spaces Safety
SafetySmart Compliance » Blog Archive The James Beals Tragedy: The Price of Neglecting Confined Spaces Safety
The above link is about confined space tragedy in which a person died due to asphyxiation. Oxygen levels should be measured at the actual place of work before entry and every time before entry so that safe work atmosphere can be checked and ensured. Confined space hazard evaluation should be carried out however short the work is and do not believe by words but verify safe work atmosphere with measurements before entering the confined space.
The above link is about confined space tragedy in which a person died due to asphyxiation. Oxygen levels should be measured at the actual place of work before entry and every time before entry so that safe work atmosphere can be checked and ensured. Confined space hazard evaluation should be carried out however short the work is and do not believe by words but verify safe work atmosphere with measurements before entering the confined space.
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