Scaffolding

Yesterday,  I was on personal trip to the coastal temple town Murdeshwar in Karnataka. 

I was attracted by the scaffolding erected around the huge gopuram structure as above. The cost of the structure would have made the concerned to avoid it, but was made implies importance to safety of workers. H frames were used for the work.  

Similar scaffolding was seen around a over head tank in Mangalore City. I didn't take photo,  but this too was like a perfect design and erection job.

Great job.

Testing of overhead cranes

As a part of periodical testing,  we do load test of cranes. But, we have to test the slings, ropes, D shackles, etc also which are used for material handling. It is better to replace these items every year if operations are done in corrosive atmosphere and do examination separately for service life.

We have to check these accessories before use everyday with a checklist.  Even we have to do functional checks for upper and lower limit switches, gravity limit switch, overload current trip, anticollision sensors, etc.

We have to check the condition of shaft between motor and rope drum for any signs of degradation. 

If the surrounding environment is  corrosive, we can see pits. 

Operators need to be trained on use of daily checklist before use of the crane.

Any abnormal sound during long travel and cross travel is an indication of wheel damage/misalignment of rail tracks.

We should check condition of busbars. Loose connection of current collectors may lead to operational problems. It is better to have shrouded busbars for operational safety. Having current indicators will help to identify power supply, immediately to the user.

Visible display of safe work load helps to avoid overloading. 

In case of cranes operation with remote, we shall ensure that the frequency set for remote is unique and doesn't cause operation of other cranes in its range. 

Vehicle parking on public roads - associated hazards

It's a common scene anywhere in most of the places to find vehicles parked in public roads. 

Establishments and residential properties do not provide sufficient parking areas for occupants and visitors. Coupled to this is the space occupied by hawkers and street vendors.

Outside parking hinders movement of vehicles. This impact will be visible in emergencies. Access by emergency services will be limited preventing them from their duties. 

Sometimes,  I feel that all those encroachments shall be handled by destructive methods to prevent others in following such practices.

How do I behave after an accident

Every scary moment makes the person wiser and will be so for sometime. Once the memory becomes sluggish,  again the person will be in previous ways, till encounters or ends with another bad moment. 

So what to do?

Our behavior in every moment shall be cautious and alert as though we had a bad experience just a moment before. We need not be stressful and spoil health.  Just be aware of what can happen with a wrong action. 

Are you doing justice to your job

We joined in our job knowing well about the location,  responsibilities,  hours of work and salary. 

But, many complain about location, inadequate pay. They don't work fully in the working hours. Though, some may be present physically, but don't discharge their duties. Others, even do not be available. 

Coming to HSE field,  it is a noble profession. Not doing our job means, we are responsible for the accidents and incidents that affect the employees and public,  damage to the environment and may have potential to affect the public, and property loss leading to wastage of natural resources. 

Karma in Hindu mythology says, "what you give is what you get".

If I take salary and don't discharge my responsibilities effectively,  the salary taken will not help me or my family.  It will ruin the family, which we may not realize.  Or, by the time,  we realize,  already it would have impacted us.

But, many selfish fellows don't understand and feel victimized.  They don't have ethics, though they preach.

Such fellows are burden to the organization and society and shall be thrown out.

Else, organization will suffer. 

Walking 5000 steps in 1 hour than in 30 minutes burns more calories

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Walking 5000 steps in one hour with intermittent breaks requires more energy for every resumption of walking thus burning extra calories to complete same 5000 steps in one hour than continuous walking. Looks convincing. 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/how-walking-5000-steps-in-1-hour-burns-more-calories-than-walking-same-steps-in-30-mins/articleshow/114622577.cms

Ratan Tata - A great personality - humble, simple, humane - no more

This post is nothing todo with safety related information. Ratan Tata is a great personality, a good hearted person, donated large amounts for the welfare.

May the departed soul attain Sadgati. 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ratan-tata-passes-away-live-updates-chairman-emeritus-of-tata-group-passes-away-mumbai-hospital-news/liveblog/114095917.cms

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ratan-tata-death-live-updates-on-october-10/article68738101.ece

Explosion in the compressor of glass factory

In an explosion in a compressor in factory, 5 persons died. 

For preventing excessive pressure, atleast a safety relief valve will be used, set to release at a pressure above maximum allowable working pressure. In pressure vessels coming under SMPV rules, generally, two relief valves are used. These valves need to be tested every twelve months by competent person.

Also, the material of construction for valves shall be suitable for the service. 

Regarding air compressors, we find tyre repair many shops having along the road. Poor maintenance of such equipment are a hazard to passersby.

Explosion in glass factory

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/5-killed-in-compressor-blast-at-shadnagar-glass-factory/amp_articleshow/111352891.cms?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=AmpArticleshowicon

Selfie madness

Time to time, it is reported that people particularly youth have fallen from terraces, bridges, hit by moving vehicles, etc while taking selfies or videos. 

Craze for recognition in social media is rising which is worthless anyway.

Fatality -Consumption of dry ice mistakenly for normal icecream

A boy took dry ice thinking it normal icecream and died.

Dry ice can cause cold burns, asphyxia.

Source for the information is from Inshorts news received through WhatsApp group. Not able to upload the image. 

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