Please see the news here.
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-03-09/osha-shaming-tactic-improved-workplace-safety-before-trump
Mar 11, 2020
Naming the safety violators had positive impact
As per a study, violations have come down when OSHA named safety violators.
Mar 7, 2020
Use of masks for protection
With the ongoing talk about spread of viruses, the discussions are taking place in all forms of social media, print, electronic, etc. It is advised by these media for use of masks. As per supply and demand, the rates of masks have skyrocketed. A simple rectangular filter paper like mask with elastic bands on either side and nose strip, which normally used to cost at about Rs 1.50-2.00 is sold at Rs 7 to 20. The cup type mask normally priced at about Rs 30-35 is being sold 2-6 times the price. This is nothing but exploitation. Being in the field of industrial safety, aware of costs of these protective gear, I felt that public are taken for a raid.
A field day for shops. Make hay while the sun shines.
I read in messages that these are to be used carefully, not to touch, and then dispose safely. How many will throw in dust bin after use, once or more times in a day after buying at prices like above. Further, safe disposal of these masks itself may present a headache to municipal authorities. May be now, these authorities have to set up bins in public places for collection of these masks and then incinerate at high temperature like biohazard waste.
At other times, many persons used to cover their nose / face with hand kerchief or some other cloth, can also be used safely. I feel this is better than so called masks as above. Because, we can wash these cloth covers and are good for health.
In addition, it is better to follow other good hygiene practices, like washing of hands, face and feet soon after coming to house from outside, before and after eating, changing the outside dress before eating, etc as our elders did.
Whatever we use, let us also ensure to clean it regularly for our own health. We should not get panicked with messages / rumors and use our common sense to help ourselves.
A field day for shops. Make hay while the sun shines.
I read in messages that these are to be used carefully, not to touch, and then dispose safely. How many will throw in dust bin after use, once or more times in a day after buying at prices like above. Further, safe disposal of these masks itself may present a headache to municipal authorities. May be now, these authorities have to set up bins in public places for collection of these masks and then incinerate at high temperature like biohazard waste.
At other times, many persons used to cover their nose / face with hand kerchief or some other cloth, can also be used safely. I feel this is better than so called masks as above. Because, we can wash these cloth covers and are good for health.
In addition, it is better to follow other good hygiene practices, like washing of hands, face and feet soon after coming to house from outside, before and after eating, changing the outside dress before eating, etc as our elders did.
Whatever we use, let us also ensure to clean it regularly for our own health. We should not get panicked with messages / rumors and use our common sense to help ourselves.
Feb 8, 2020
Following regulations and guidelines will not reduce productivity
There is always a tussle between the production manager and that of safety / regulator. It may not appear openly, but in private discussions, this is the reality. Each will have choicest words or opinions about the other.
When role reversal happens, they will assume new position and behave accordingly. This is because of short term / immediate gains one may achieve by overlooking SOPs or due to the infrequent losses suffered from incidents/accidents by not following safety which they feel that it can be absorbed.
Production managers realize only when the losses are huge and may lead to framing of charges or closure of the factory. But, it will be late.
It is proven that following safety always makes sense and leads to increase in productivity.
And this can be made realized by charging penalties on every violation from the salary of the individuals and as a percentage of turnover of the factory.
This will help in creating work atmosphere safe as well as for public also and at the same time will make others to learn from the sufferers.
When role reversal happens, they will assume new position and behave accordingly. This is because of short term / immediate gains one may achieve by overlooking SOPs or due to the infrequent losses suffered from incidents/accidents by not following safety which they feel that it can be absorbed.
Production managers realize only when the losses are huge and may lead to framing of charges or closure of the factory. But, it will be late.
It is proven that following safety always makes sense and leads to increase in productivity.
And this can be made realized by charging penalties on every violation from the salary of the individuals and as a percentage of turnover of the factory.
This will help in creating work atmosphere safe as well as for public also and at the same time will make others to learn from the sufferers.
Jan 20, 2020
Doctor's health
A news item today in Deccan Chronicle about doctors to take care of themselves in light of stressful conditions faced by them.
Jan 12, 2020
Suspected death from gas geyser use
https://in.news.yahoo.com/mumbai-girl-dies-gas-geyser-194157257.html
Jan 5, 2020
Responsibility for ensuring safety at work place
The general perception of any management is that safety officer is responsible for ensuring safety. In case of occurrence of any incident or appearance of anything unpleasant, generally the finger pointing will be on safety officer.
It is true that safety officer has to ensure safety.
But, safe work conditions can be ensured in the work place only when there is cooperation from shopfloor manager and employees in the shopfloor. It is a collective effort. As long as this is not realized, the workplace can never be safer. There may not be accidents, but, this does not mean that workplace is safe for persons. It is totally by luck and till Murphy's law comes into picture, shopfloor persons have their head.
It is said that if workplace is to be safe, it can be done only by line function, but NOT by staff function. That is to say that safety can be ensured truly by workmen, supervisors and managers who are managing the shopfloor activity every moment. Any deviation can be observed immediately and can be rectified before accident takes place. Instead, if left to safety officer's observation, then plants have to depend upon their luck, as safety officer can't be present everywhere at the same time and all times.
Factories Act requires one safety officer for every 1000 employees, and with the increase in site workforce, the number of safety officers requirement is not in proportion. If these many employees can't see what is wrong in their own workplace, it is unrealistic to expect the safety officer to monitor entire area all the time. And, why safety officer alone should tell that some thing is wrong. Every person is responsible and I am responsible for my work. If a person can't or don't want to work responsibly for his own safety and that of others, then safe workplace can NEVER be ensured.
As long as fingers are pointed at safety officer alone, it will lead to the impression among plant personnel that they need to bother only production and are not responsible for safe work conditions in the shopfloor and think that safety officer has to see that aspect. They think that safety officer has to check and ensure even the basic requirements of machine guards, functioning interlocks, lighting, ventilation, obstruction-free access, wearing of safety shoe/helmet/safety belt, etc. Thus, ensuring safety lies mainly with the shopfloor personnel and its managers. Shopfloor managers have to be visible in the work area which can lead to better safety culture.
And it can be strengthened by advice and monitoring of safety officers.
It is true that safety officer has to ensure safety.
But, safe work conditions can be ensured in the work place only when there is cooperation from shopfloor manager and employees in the shopfloor. It is a collective effort. As long as this is not realized, the workplace can never be safer. There may not be accidents, but, this does not mean that workplace is safe for persons. It is totally by luck and till Murphy's law comes into picture, shopfloor persons have their head.
It is said that if workplace is to be safe, it can be done only by line function, but NOT by staff function. That is to say that safety can be ensured truly by workmen, supervisors and managers who are managing the shopfloor activity every moment. Any deviation can be observed immediately and can be rectified before accident takes place. Instead, if left to safety officer's observation, then plants have to depend upon their luck, as safety officer can't be present everywhere at the same time and all times.
Factories Act requires one safety officer for every 1000 employees, and with the increase in site workforce, the number of safety officers requirement is not in proportion. If these many employees can't see what is wrong in their own workplace, it is unrealistic to expect the safety officer to monitor entire area all the time. And, why safety officer alone should tell that some thing is wrong. Every person is responsible and I am responsible for my work. If a person can't or don't want to work responsibly for his own safety and that of others, then safe workplace can NEVER be ensured.
As long as fingers are pointed at safety officer alone, it will lead to the impression among plant personnel that they need to bother only production and are not responsible for safe work conditions in the shopfloor and think that safety officer has to see that aspect. They think that safety officer has to check and ensure even the basic requirements of machine guards, functioning interlocks, lighting, ventilation, obstruction-free access, wearing of safety shoe/helmet/safety belt, etc. Thus, ensuring safety lies mainly with the shopfloor personnel and its managers. Shopfloor managers have to be visible in the work area which can lead to better safety culture.
And it can be strengthened by advice and monitoring of safety officers.
Dec 27, 2019
Plane crash during takeoff - 14 deaths, 22 injured
Plane crash during takeoff
The aircraft during takeoff before dawn, lost altitude, broke through concrete wall, hit a two storey building, broke into two parts.
Out of 95 passengers and 5 crew, 14 persons died and another 22 persons were admitted with injuries.
Out of 95 passengers and 5 crew, 14 persons died and another 22 persons were admitted with injuries.
The crash site is at the end of the runway.
It is unfortunate that persons lost lives, while others received injuries.
The aviation committee suspended operations of all planes of type same as that crashed.
It is stated that in general, aircraft crashes occur during takeoff or landing.
It is stated that in general, aircraft crashes occur during takeoff or landing.
Dec 19, 2019
Wrong message to public / industries with passive / lethargic attitude of regulators
It is difficult for a traffic police person to control all violators due to his/her limitations in managing them. A person can't stop all violators passingby. Similarly a regulatory authority person can't inspect all factories all the time or keep watch on activities and take action. It is humanly impossible.
But, whatever is observed and is within the approach, regulatory personnel should take to task. For whatever reasons, let it be frustration or personal, if even these observed violations are not tasked, then the violators will of the impression that they can get away and the chance of penalty or regulatory action is minimal.
As regulators are paid for ensuring prevention of violations, whatever comes to notice has to be regulated. Atleast this type of actions will send message that one can't go scotfree.
Dec 8, 2019
Poor concepts on safety
Many managerial position officials think that safety means using personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety shoe, helmet, safety belt, etc.
But, it is a fact that PPE is a last line of defense to the persons.
This is what told repeatedly by safety professionals and once people understand, they will agree.
The basis issues to be looked into start from plan, design and implementation of work area, equipment, etc where by incorporating safety as an inherent part, hazards can be taken care so that they do not lead to any unsafe conditions.
If the above fails, then PPE will help the person to minimize the consequence, if not protecting in total.
It is sad that even those persons who work in shopfloor and are likely to come in contact with hazards too do not care about their own personal safety.
People do not try to identify the hazards existing or arising in work place or even if they are known, not taken to the notice of line managers effectively either because of not giving importance or because of fear of facing rebuke. But, who will suffer.
If the line managers do not act or do not take the information on hazards properly, then they should be made to understand by complaining to next level or taking to the notice of safety department.
The problems lies with line managers too. If they go to shopfloor everyday and see the areas with proper perspective, they too can understand as they are accountable for shopfloor safety as per Factories Act or other such legislations. If nothing else is applicable, we have IPC sections under which one can be charged under 302, 304, 304-A etc.
Once persons understand and initiative is taken, they also see to it that it is implemented at the earliest and one should not take umbrella under the pretext of delays from other agencies. It all depends on how much convinced the line manager is and his willingness to act further.
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