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.
Nov 27, 2019
Health problems with long driving in auto gear cars
It is reported that persons driving auto gear cars for long distances need to take certain precautions to protect their health. It is advised to take break after 1-2 hours of drive to do some exercise.
It is reported that person driving automatic car will not use left leg and there is a valve in leg to control blood flow to the heart. Other information is available in the news paper report.
The news paper report in this aspect is given below.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/why-long-drives-in-automatic-cars-may-be-dangerous-for-you/articleshow/72182040.cms
I got certain doubts about this, but may be it depends on person to person. The person referred in the news report is driver. However, the other occupants in the vehicle will be sitting throughout the journey whereas the driver will be moving atleast one leg.
Another question that arises is what about persons with amputated legs.
It is reported that person driving automatic car will not use left leg and there is a valve in leg to control blood flow to the heart. Other information is available in the news paper report.
The news paper report in this aspect is given below.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/why-long-drives-in-automatic-cars-may-be-dangerous-for-you/articleshow/72182040.cms
I got certain doubts about this, but may be it depends on person to person. The person referred in the news report is driver. However, the other occupants in the vehicle will be sitting throughout the journey whereas the driver will be moving atleast one leg.
Another question that arises is what about persons with amputated legs.
Nov 26, 2019
Accidents from opening of doors of vehicles
Persons on the road driving two wheelers or walking get injured or die when they were hit by the opening of doors of other vehicle users. This is because the person opening the door will not observe the traffic coming from behind or the persons walking. When the door hits, these persons may fall under other vehicles.
It is suggested to have sliding doors instead of outward opening doors for all vehicles so that the impact from such incidents can be reduced. Best is, to have doors on one side like in buses. But, this may not be practicable. Further, it depends on the road sense of other persons driving vehicles.
Nov 11, 2019
Air filling pressure tank burst
In an incident, the pressurized air filling tank bursts, a peace flies for about 100 m and falls on a boy readying for school. It causes wrist injury.
The pressure will be about 10 kg/sq.cm in normal conditions. The incident happened makes us to ensure that the equipment is checked for its integrity, connections and utility on regular basis.
The pressure will be about 10 kg/sq.cm in normal conditions. The incident happened makes us to ensure that the equipment is checked for its integrity, connections and utility on regular basis.
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