A fire erupted when persons were working in a hole (pit) on gas line. A person with minor burns on face and hands went to hospital. The flames caused damaged to electric lines above.
It is reported that the crew searched for nearby shutoff valve to stop the fire. It appears that the crew did not do their job hazard analysis properly. Whether any safety permit is taken also is not clear.
This work, ie. working on a gas line that too in a pit is nothing but a confined space work and also working on line filled with gas.
One should have stopped gas flow and evacuated the line with inert gas before start of work. For safety, slip plate also should be inserted on either ends of the gas line to avoid passing or accidental flow. Emergency plan also should be in place which prepares the persons involved what to do in real emergency situation.
Searching for shutoff valve only indicates poor planning.
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/north/10011420876346/gas-main-break-leads-to-manhole-fire-in-bedford/
Aug 17, 2013
Aug 14, 2013
Hazards in the job of trainers?
Recently, I delivered a talk in a safety training programme. After the lecture, I went out of the training hall, and tried to talk to my office for vehicle pickup to my workplace. One of the participants came to me and advised me to remove portable microphone, which was given to me before the talk. My phone conversation was audible in the training hall.
This is a lesson for me. I should have switched off the mic and handed over to the program coordinator. I forgot this. The other side is whatever I utter also will be audible and any loose talk (which may happen) would have put me in shame, if not in trouble.
This is a lesson for me. I should have switched off the mic and handed over to the program coordinator. I forgot this. The other side is whatever I utter also will be audible and any loose talk (which may happen) would have put me in shame, if not in trouble.
Aug 12, 2013
Picture This! Shocking Video Debunks Workplace 'Accidents' » SafetySmart
Picture This! Shocking Video Debunks Workplace 'Accidents' » SafetySmart
In the video, a woman carrying hot water slips on a smooth surface having some spillage and the hot water splash on her body causes scalds.
The video in the above link is old and seen earlier also. However, it is important to note that many do not care about smooth slippery surfaces that are because of surface finish, spillage of liquids, etc. Use of improper shoe, or presence of congested areas, etc add to the hazard. Many even question about considering such surfaces as hazard.
Pray God that nobody should undergo such punishment.
In the video, a woman carrying hot water slips on a smooth surface having some spillage and the hot water splash on her body causes scalds.
The video in the above link is old and seen earlier also. However, it is important to note that many do not care about smooth slippery surfaces that are because of surface finish, spillage of liquids, etc. Use of improper shoe, or presence of congested areas, etc add to the hazard. Many even question about considering such surfaces as hazard.
Pray God that nobody should undergo such punishment.
Aug 11, 2013
Dangers of hydro fluoric acid HF
Recently, I had an interaction with some persons in a training programme. During the discussion, a person narrated his experience with HF handling three decades ago.
The person was asked to take a plastic bottle from one place to another. He held the bottle at the top and it crumbled and in the process, he had splashing of some contents on his thumb. Not knowing what it is, he washed and continued his work. Later, in the evening he had swelling and pain for which he consulted the doctor.
On enquiry, it came out that the bottle contained some HF.
After a week of exposure to HF, the injured could see the bone of the thumb and it took a long time for recovery.
Though, I could not make out the injury from the normal appearing thumb, but the pain underwent is visible, when he narrated the incident to the audience.
Search from internet shows incidents, wherein, innocent persons just washed off the spillage with some water and continued their work, but were found dead in the sleep.
As per standard practice, in case of any chemical splash, remove the clothing and wash the affected organs for atleast 15 minutes and consult the doctor. Even after 15 minutes wash, only about 95% of the chemical is removed and thus care is very much required. One should not ignore the advice by experts.
The person was asked to take a plastic bottle from one place to another. He held the bottle at the top and it crumbled and in the process, he had splashing of some contents on his thumb. Not knowing what it is, he washed and continued his work. Later, in the evening he had swelling and pain for which he consulted the doctor.
On enquiry, it came out that the bottle contained some HF.
After a week of exposure to HF, the injured could see the bone of the thumb and it took a long time for recovery.
Though, I could not make out the injury from the normal appearing thumb, but the pain underwent is visible, when he narrated the incident to the audience.
Search from internet shows incidents, wherein, innocent persons just washed off the spillage with some water and continued their work, but were found dead in the sleep.
As per standard practice, in case of any chemical splash, remove the clothing and wash the affected organs for atleast 15 minutes and consult the doctor. Even after 15 minutes wash, only about 95% of the chemical is removed and thus care is very much required. One should not ignore the advice by experts.
Jul 31, 2013
From Safety Smart - Machine Guard quiz
http://compliance.safetysmart.com/articles-insight/latest-headlines/name-that-machine-guard?utm_source=pardot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Bongarde
The above link takes to the quiz from Safety Smart. I scored 8 out of 10. Good programme by Safety Smart.
Jul 28, 2013
Industrial accidents - No value for human meat?
Today, I attended a one-day medical education programme. In one of the sessions, a speaker, while speaking about industrial injuries and care to be taken, lamented that we value animal meat whereas no importance/value is given to human meat.
This statement is very much appropriate considering the fact that little care is taken to protect workers and this is the reason for occurrence of so many injuries every year in industrial establishments. Lucky are those who retire, without disfiguring their organs.
Jul 26, 2013
Toilet break time is also official during work hours - tribunal judgement
Those who get involved in accidents even while attending nature calls are eligible for compensation. The following news report link may be read.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Soldier-taking-toilet-break-during-working-hours-should-be-considered-on-duty-Tribunal/articleshow/21350476.cms
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Soldier-taking-toilet-break-during-working-hours-should-be-considered-on-duty-Tribunal/articleshow/21350476.cms
Jul 25, 2013
Road safety - impatience of heavy vehicle drivers
Today, I went out to take admission for my son. My wife was on the wheel. While returning, on a busy road, a state government bus driver kept honking and we could not give way, as the road ahead is not free. After a while, that driver overtook us from left side and drove to right past of our vehicle, threatening to crush our car. While overtaking, he waved his right hand furiously.
I could not understand, how one will get moving space when the road is full of traffic. All vehicle drivers need psychology classes, road accident data, reasons for road accidents and stress levels to all on the road. As per data, most of the road victims are due to hit by state buses.
Recently, a college girl died (see my previous post) when hit from behind by a state run bus.
Jul 24, 2013
Road safety: Heavy rains - pot holes - accidents
A school girl died when she fell from pillion seat due to pot holes and was hit by the bus behind. The roads were damaged due to rains and municipal authorities say that they have to wait for dry weather for road repairs.
The quality of the road is very important and it should not be some temporary patch work. Otherwise, this will repeat with every rain.
Though some quality professionals do not agree that quality and safety are interlinked, the above incident shows that both are linked. No quality means no safety.
The contractors should be penalized for bad work and bank guarantees should be obtained for specific period.
The quality of the road is very important and it should not be some temporary patch work. Otherwise, this will repeat with every rain.
Though some quality professionals do not agree that quality and safety are interlinked, the above incident shows that both are linked. No quality means no safety.
The contractors should be penalized for bad work and bank guarantees should be obtained for specific period.
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