Chemical Safety Board - Incident reports - Volume 1 and PSM interactive application for training

"CSB Announces New Safety Product - General News - News | CSB" https://www.csb.gov/csb-announces-new-safety-product/

The above link takes to a file that gives condensed investigation reports with description,  root cause analysis and what went wrong. Useful for those who would like to learn and desire to make their work place safer.

The incidents are mainly from chemical industries. These inputs can be taken for guidance to analyze shop floor practices and work environment and take remedial measures for prevention of such incidents.

 

The incidents analyzed are, like, discharge of chemicals as a consequence of leakage / pressure rise / reaction between chemicals / wrong valve operation / improper communication / not doing proper isolation or de-energization / inadequate vent design / improper material of construction / hitting of gas lines, etc. 

The lessons to be learnt are, to have detailed SOP, job hazard analysis, training, execution and monitoring.

CSB document attached is to be referred for understanding in greater detail. 

"CSB Process Safety Training Application | CSB" https://www.csb.gov/news/csb-process-safety-training-application-/

Kittens on car tyre - checks to be done before start of car

Recently, I found two cute kittens (one is grey and another is white) sitting on the rear tyre of my car. They were totally hidden between the tyre and mudguard of the car. My younger son observed these two little ones looking innocently by sitting at the top of the tyre.

From then on, I made a point to look for presence of anyone before start of car.

Airport checkin delay

Recently,  it took about 30 minutes for me to do security checkin, though,  I carried single hand bag. The reason is insufficient trays to keep our belongings for scan.

So everyone was tense with the thought of missing their flights, except those who are early. I too keep atleast an hour between checkin and boarding time and thus had some spare time.

The issue is the weakest part in checkin process is insufficient number of trays.

Like in material handling with chains, we say the weakest chain link decides safe lifting. 

Rights and responsibilities

I attended a program on the occasion of 134th birth anniversary of Dr B.R.Amdekar. Dr N.Siddoji Rao, Academic Director, Government of Andhra Pradesh in his address made an important statement which is applicable even in safety field. He has come up by undergoing all sufferings in his life and his speech was very good and highly motivational.

He stated that while many ask for their rights, very few take responsibility and accountability. Applying to safety in work place, while we are right in asking for a safe work place, it is also our responsibility that we follow safe procedures, ensure safe working conditions without bypassing or defeating safety systems, check for availability of safety systems provided before starting a work, use personal protective equipment provided, undergo training in all sincerity to understand and implement instead of mere attendance or like a leisure period, report lapses or nearmisses in the work area so as to take action for safety, etc.

Who is your boss at work?

Yesterday,  I had an opportunity to listen to two great personalities during a  program on World Health Day. The first was a renowned orthopedic Dr Aditya Kapoor,  Director,  Omega Hospital,  Hyderabad. He delivered a talk on, "Healthy bones and joints in elderly". One point I noted is that direct exposure of arms and feet to sunlight for about 10-20 minutes gives more Vitamin D than other forms of intake. He also stressed upon importance of ergonomics for a healthy worker.

Another expert, I listened to is, Former Chairman and Chief Executive,  Nuclear Fuel Complex,  75 year old, looks healthy and fit than many youngsters. During his address,  he stated that he had three bosses at work. One is, superior to whom he reported.  Other two were, Safety and Quality personnel. Last two personnel are important and their decisions were taken seriously to ensure Safety for workmen and to ensure delivery of product meeting customer requirement for safe use down the line.

Such a statement from a person who served the organization in highest position is truly an encouragement for all professionals.

Nothing to add further. 

Anger control during driving

I drive vehicle every day 13 km to my workplace and same distance back to home. Not a single day goes without someone crossing the vehicle unsafe manner. I am not alert, it may lead to road accident. Naturally, driver of bigger vehicle gets the blame. Everyday, I get angry whenever such a thing happens.

Off late, I am doing prayers and also listening to the preachings by holy personalities. I observed that my irritation arising from unsafe driving of others crossing my path, is less. I hope it will come down further.

Hence, taking my experience, those who believe in prayers or listening heartwarming preachings or music may do so and it can help to be calm and also help in our good health.

Protection from physical abuse at home

It is seen in the media about physical abuse or intimidation of parents or grand parents by children. Hard earned money or assets   are taken (grabbed) with or without taking care of elders at later years.

Cases are filed by a few of such elderly persons and courts have given judgement to restore back the property to elders when children failed to respect and take care.

Awareness about laws in simple language can be brought to common people through advertising,  displays, announcements, caller tunes, etc as was being done on digital arrest in present times. Same was done about safety during covid time.

Police patrolling of all areas will help people to approach and complain in case of difficulty. 

Fish bite - clostridium bacterial infection - amputation

Fish-bite-man-loses-palm-rare-infection-Thalassery-Kerala

It seems that such infection can happen 2 in a lakh affected. 

Elevator mishaps

Elevator-mishaps-in-hyderabad-a-growing-concern

Why others should tell me

In a factory, the safety personnel monitor safety aspects by  inspection,  survey, audit. But, these personnel are in shop floor for a limited time, while plant personnel will be for entire working hours and can identify the safety issues better than safety department. 

In a self driven approach, plant can do better than safety department and make work area better. 

If plant personnel take it as an insult about hazard identification by others,  then only improvements can happen. Hazards shall be identified by shop floor personnel themselves as they are present always. If not identified means that they are not bothered about safety.

A plant performance assessment shall include not only production,  but also the hazards identified and corrected, training, House keeping,  etc.