Bursting of empty plastic chemical drum while removing the lid with a hot rod

Three children aged 8, 10 and 12 years were mildly injured when they tried to remove the cover of the empty plastic drum that was used for storing chemicals. As soon as they inserted a hot rod through the top cover, the drum got burst.   The children were offered Rs. 10/- to remove the top cover by a person. The hole mark is visible near the ruptured portion. 

Safety work permit - violation of conditions

 Safety work permits are issued after ensuring that the site conditions are suitable for safe work. Check points are verified and are certified for start of work. However, still sometimes accidents take place indicating that either job hazard analysis is not done properly, conditions are altered during the course of work, workmen are not briefed about hazards and measures to be taken, many times they are not aware of what is written in the permit and simply do the work as they were told or as they can do, lack of supervision, etc.
In a huge manufacturing facility, a number of works will be going on and generally, the supervisor will be monitoring more than one work at any given time. In such a condition, at least, emphasis should be given to training to the persons engaged. All are not of superman category.
But, when earnings are motive, all other aspects take back seat. Many times, procedure for selection of the contractor or agency to do the outsourced work is the culprit. If selection is made without assessing the competency of the person/agency for safe execution of work, without checking the credentials, without giving proper description of the work, then we will get a wrong person in most of the cases.
In some cases, trainees are placed directly on to the job without proper class room training and supervision. This also leads to accidents as they are in the organization to learn, initially in the class room and then to have on the job training under supervision. Sometimes, these trainees even will be manning the shifts, particularly at night times when availability of regular work force is less and may be when nobody watches. Though, this is disastrous, shop floor managers take such decisions without taking the concurrence of higher ups. If seniors also give consent, then it is silly and such persons should be terminated or they should be asked to supervise instead of posting trainees for manning the shifts / works.

ATTENTION ONLY TO PRODUCTION CAN LEAD TO DETENTION.
ATTENTION TO SAFE PRODUCTION WILL SURELY LEAD TO CONGRATULATIONS.

Sun burns on banana - Banana burns???

I went out with my family for some work and parked the car under direct sun as it was open ground and there is no shaded parking available. I carried some banana with me and left the remaining inside the car. After coming back 4 hours later, I found banana peels got burnt as above. For comparison, two bananas which I carried with me are shown adjacent. Only peels turned black and inside, fruit is good though some softening took place. Outside temperature was 40 degree Celsius. The window panes were kept about 0.5 inch down from the top instead of fully closing while leaving the car to allow escape of hot air. Still, the above incident took place. I do not know what will happen, if we sit for four hours in the car in those conditions. Atleast second degree burns!!! We have to give a thought about safety against sun exposure and sun stroke.

Banana peel that got burnt after exposure to sun at 40 deg C for about 4 hours

Investigators: Rail car, ammonia tank did not explode at West plant - WacoTrib.com: Fire

Investigators: Rail car, ammonia tank did not explode at West plant - WacoTrib.com: Fire

LINK

At the end of the article in the above link, it is stated that there is no water in the hydrant.

Playing in the mud is good for health

An article in a vernacular daily says that allowing children to play outside is good for them in all respects. Playing with others leads to developing bond. Mud smell keeps the mind pleasant. Playing outside helps them to understand nature. The brain activity increases as they make some pictures, dolls, etc with mud. Further, the mud contains good bacteria that increases body resistance to diseases. So, says the article as per the doctors in Mumbai.
Whereas video games make the children to be aloof, to stay indoors, eating all junk food while playing leading to obesity and other health problems.

Disastrous effects of sitting for long hours

 Sitting is the new smoking - a health alert in Times of India daily reads. As per research for 15 years studying the effects of sitting for long hours, it is found that sitting for more than four hours causes obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, multiple cancers, etc. It is advised to set an alarm to go around and have some exercise. Sitting makes metabolic system to sleep whereas small movements will help to keep metabolic system recharged.
My ex-boss (20 years ago), used to take water as soon as he comes to office and relieves pressure in half-hour to one hour. Before coming to seat, he will take a glass or two of water and resumes work. This makes him to get up again after sometime. I find this is very good method to avoid sitting for long, immersed in the work.
However, with my personal experience, I used to hold the pressure for sometime (even 3 hours) because of work pressure. I do not know the health effects, but definitely not good for the body.

Let us thank those who find our mistakes

We will be hurt and get irritated too when somebody points out our mistakes. This happens in our annual performance assessment report, audits, discussions (arguments?) with colleagues / partners / spouse / children / etc.

However, there is a saying, "It is easy to find mistakes in others, Difficult to find our own mistakes".

When we take it positively, look at it with a peace of mind, we feel we should thank those who find our mistakes because they have done our job.

As per another saying, " a problem found is as good as half of the work is done, we only have to find a solution". The problem is our inability to find the problem.

Recently, I watched a movie titled, "Hot Shots! Part Deux" in TV. A dialogue in the movie is, 'we all have permission to make mistakes. It is called learning".

A long time patient sometimes, is better than a doctor.

Learning from past accidents (mistakes) is what we should do. Like we can't have life long schooling, we can't be continuous learners, making same mistakes again and again. We have to learn from our mistakes and those of others who suffered.

Safety officers/inspectors during inspection / audit find the deficiencies and communicate to plant in-charges. Plant in-charges should thank these lot for finding the deficiencies and for helping them to work for a better workplace.

Electrical Complacency Equates Near Miss Scenario » SafetySmart

Electrical Complacency Equates Near Miss Scenario » SafetySmart

LINK

Near miss management from SafetySmart

The following link takes to SafetySmart article on '8 steps for effective near miss management'.

http://compliance.safetysmart.com/search-by-topic/recordkeeping-search-by-topic/8-steps-for-effective-near-miss-management?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Bongarde

Actions speak the truth

 People, particularly those in higher positions say, 'do what you speak and speak what you do'. But, we find many times in reality that only people speak and do not demonstrate. It is hypocrisy. 
Audience, particularly those who are not from the same organization, feel and think great about the speaker by listening to the tall claims. But, insiders will have pessimism about talk by such leaders.

When some lower level employee speaks, nobody cares. But, when same of even lower level employee of some other organization speaks, people will be attentive and give respect. This leads to heart burn among the employees of the organization to which this leader belongs.

Sometimes, when talks are given by employees of same organization in which the show is conducted, higher level people go out to do their business, but this is not the case with talks from employees of other organizations. This leads to wrong impression among employees as participants that boss does not care about the speaker (and his work) and thus they too need not bother in future. This is particularly harmful to the organization when the speaker is from safety department. Similarly, questioning (or ragging) safety department employees in front of others for whatever reason it is, leads to wrong projection of importance to safety and this will only spoil safety culture.