Reaction - Ethanol based santizer use by persons taking disulfiram for alcohol addiction treatment

https://medicaldialogues.in/medicine/news/indian-doctor-reports-case-of-hand-sanitizer-induced-disulfiram-ethanol-reaction-67515

Corona - lockdown - restricted hours of movement

Governments have imposed restricted hours to conduct personal business. In the initial days, it helped to create awareness among public about the virus, its impact and measures to be taken like, use of mask, social distancing, frequent hand wash, etc. 

Continuation of restricted hours, I feel, will lead to increased traffic on roads and crowding in shops as purchases are to be done whether lockdown is there or not. Restriction of hours of business will only lead to all the public who would have done shopping/movement spread in the time period, say 0600-2300 hr to those limited hours. It may be worthwhile to permit shops to be opened 24 hr whomsoever are willing. This can reduce crowds and social distancing can be better.

Importance of communication in safety

Communication is an important aspect in every part of life.

As all of us know, even a dot or comma in written communication can change the whole meaning.

It should be in simple language, shorter, to the point.

Then, it will be easily understood.

Some accident takes place and if location is not told exactly, valuable time is lost by emergency services in reaching and rescuing.

Sometimes, persons have the habit of talking for longer time, which could have been completed in 1-2 minutes.

Saying same in different forms will only make the listener to loose interest.

Say what to convey in very few sentences and then monitor for proper implementation. 

Sending circulars, use pictures, which are easy to understand.

Review what you are sending or talking to avoid confusion.

How many lessons and how many times we should get?

It is saddening to see news item on one accident or other regularly in print/electronic media. 

The accident at LG Polymers was a jolt to all. 

But, in succession, there were accidents at different places. 

Though the reason stated is lock down, this can't be a reason for not ensuring safety. 

If not lock down, there can be other reasons like strike or operators resigning, so on.

When a factory is set up, before operation, we have to identify all possible ways by which something can go wrong and have an emergency procedure prepared and rehearsed on regular basis.

It is not that somebody has to ask.

Afterall, so much money is poured.

Why can't we check and have a list of critical areas / parameters for inspection at a frequency they deserve to ensure safety.

I remember a statement from one of US EPA's investigation report, the reason for accidents is not the lack of knowledge, but lack of application.

The great safety professional, Trevor Kletz in one of his books mentioned that accident recur at regular intervals, if not in same plant, it may occur in similar some other plant.

If somebody thinks, accidents are unavoidable, then, let us remember the quote from our former President, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, "Preventable accident, if not prevented due to our negligence, is nothing short of murder".

From my experience, and being in safety profession for last twenty years, I feel that, safety shall be part of curriculum in all courses, starting from play school, LKG, UKG, ... degree.

The extent of content can be decided upon the standard.

Initially, it can be a line or para in the chapter.

After, 12th standard, it can be a compulsory paper. 

Else, I feel, importance of safety will not be pushed into the learning minds.

When I studied my chemical engineering, it was a chapter in a paper in my final year. 

But, I might have skipped the question, if any, was there in my examination, which I do not remember.

But, I understood about safety only after posted in safety department.

Legal aspects also should be taught atleast in courses after 12th standard, where the pass outs from these courses, can be supervisors or managers and may lead the organizations in front after few years of experience.

The awareness about events and euphoria is also less or short lived. 

We soon forget about the incident and its impact.

Do we need kicks in our back regularly.

When somebody joins an organization, he should be rotated through, HRD, safety and finally in production. Maintenance experience also helps to do better in production.

Persons posted after initial training, should be authorized or certified for the job.

Retraining or recertification is also required, say, once in three years, without which, persons should not be given pay rise or promotion.

Let us be attentive to our surroundings and take care of ourselves and neighbourhood.

The Meer decision and tank farms: Part two

The Meer decision and tank farms: Part two: Which EPA Risk Management Plan tier level fits your facility?

LINK

Occupational Safety and Health Tips for Workplaces

LINK

Corona virus - lockdown - employment - financial management - some thoughts

Now, a month of lockdown period is experienced by us with not much physical activity. Don't know how many more days it will continue. Seeing what was done in its origin, may be we have to undergo another month or more like this.

One observation made is that public is not going for panic stocking of house hold items. As promised by governments, vegetables, fruits, groceries are available, though shopping time is limited. I feel that restriction of timings for purchase of these items by public should not be limited. Limited time means crowds in shops thereby defeating the norm of social distancing. To avoid public roaming around in the name of shopping, present checks by police shall be continued. Persons found at distance far off than from their residence (3 km) shall be charge sheeted unless valid reason as required by government is available. 

I also feel that keeping the vehicles caught on roads by police will be a headache for them. Instead, hefty penalties shall be collected on the spot to discourage them. The amounts can be like Rs 2000 for person plying on the road without valid need, additional amounts for having more than one on bike and more than two in four wheeler, like wise. In addition, routine penalties like not having helmet, or not wearing seat belt, over speeding, etc amounts shall be charged. 

It is observed in some places that vehicles were parked on the road. Public road can't be a parking place for private vehicles. Owners of these vehicles shall be charged for this and asked to remove them. They can't make profits at the cost of public.

Industries in which chemical storages are in place shall have proper surveillance round the clock to ensure that there will not be any untoward incident. No operation does not mean that everything will be safe. House keeping shall be ensured at all times. Protections systems like fire detection and alarm system, fire extinguishing system etc shall be checked for their functionality. Weekly checks shall be done for this. Necessary permissions shall be taken from local authorities for personnel engaged in these essential services to attend their duties.

Government suggested not to operate canteens in industrial premises. But, I feel that under proper checks, persons shall be engaged for operating canteen services. There can be several issues in bringing the food from home. They can be odd hours, stress on the person making food, etc. Canteens can serve food packets to make it easier for preparation as well as for employees. 

Regarding continuation of personnel in the jobs, tt will be stressful for both the management as well as employees under conditions when plants are not operating, but management has to pay salaries without getting any income. At the same time, if they want to remove persons, it will be painful to the employees and their families. It is also problem for the managements to hire such trained and skilled persons, once things become normal. Governments advised not to remove anybody from service and to ensure monthly payment. I read somewhere that even few decades ago during lockdown because of cholera, the then governments gave paid leaves.

As a middle level solution, I feel that industry should have two types of components in the salary package. One is minimum pay which will be paid irrespective of person is working or not. It is like the pay for qualification and experience. This can include PF, house rent allowance and medical insurance/allowance. Second payment is for the performance. That is for the output delivered when works are allotted. This can include various perks like transport allowance, performance incentives, LTC, etc. When person is not given work, but to retain talent, the assured pay can make the employee to be available and even can motivate him to acquire additional skills so that he can make himself more useful to the organization and that he will be engaged so that he can get performance pay. In order to retain the person, certain minimum number of days / weeks of work can be assured in the offer letter. This way, I feel both the organization and employees should find it reasonable and will not cause much problem financially. 

If organizations are forced to make pay irrespective of whether persons are working or not, it can lead to bankruptcy and can lead to closure and employees will become jobless.

Concern about impact of switching off lights on grid on 05.04.2020, 2100 hr for 9 minutes

To express solidarity and commitment to fight present pandemic conditions, Prime Minister asked everyone to switch off lights in their homes, and show candles, mobile flash, etc on 05.04.2020, 2100 hr for 9 minutes.

There are concerns about impact on power grid by the act of public as above.

A clarification with suggestions is released as per news item below assuring about preparedness.

https://m.timesofindia.com/india/pm-modis-blackout-appeal-no-need-to-switch-off-appliances-at-home-clarifies-centre/articleshow/74982311.cms

It is mentioned that lights in essential service buildings, street lights, power consuming appliances in houses like computers, air conditioning, refrigerators, etc can be ON and the appeal is only for lights in the houses. The appeal is also for maintaining social distance during this and other times.

An incident in my house - in geyser

Today, while our bathroom electrical geyser (G) (instant) (3 lit, 3 KW) was ON  After some time,  bubbling sound was heard from the overhead tank (T) containing cold water,  located at about 0.5 m height. The outlet from geyser was opened and initially there was no flow but within 15-20 seconds, steam started coming out from this bottom outlet as well as thro' vent. The steam along with few water droplets spew from the vent (V). After 1-2 minutes, I switched off power to the geyser sensing, it may explode. 

The piping is like this: Bottom outlet from cold water tank supplies water to the geyser and hot water can be collected in two bath rooms located side by side.A parallel connection from the outlet of the overhead tank is also connected to one tap in each of these bath rooms. A vent is let above tank height. The tank is rectangular, 300 lit.

The geyser got thermo stat to cut of power supply once water is heated up. This is functioning and was checked after the incident by trial run. And, it started heating the water normally as before the incident.

My experiences during lock down and curfew conditions for protection against COVID 19 corona spread / consequences

I read about this COVID 19, corona few weeks ago in whatsapp and news papers. Also saw the videos on isolation of families / citizens in China. I thought it strange and got a doubt about similar action in my place.

Then came the announcement from our state Chief Minister on 21.03.2020 in his televised address about Janata Curfew for 24 hr starting from 22.03.2020, 0600 hr. Chief Minister explained about possible repercussions from the pandemic conditions and requested the public to observe isolation in the houses during this period, not to come on roads, maintaining hygiene, etc 

Soon, it was followed with Prime Minister's appeal to the nation for 14 hr lock down from 22.03.2020, 0600 hr. PM requested all citizens to observe this and encourage health care workers by clapping / whistling from their houses at 1700 hr on 22.03.2020.

Essential services like shops for groceries, milk products, medical, media, etc per exempted.

This day was special for our family for a personal reasons. My wife invited few friends and relatives about a week before for a gathering. Upon learning lock down, she requested them not to come to our house. We brought some cake after the announcement and had midnight celebration arranged by our children.

So far so good. As per TV visuals, here and there, some persons were found on the roads and caught by police, giving advise. At about 1650 hr, I heard start of clapping, whistles, beating the metal plates, etc. Our floor families also came out and joined in this standing at their respective main doors.

Later, however, we saw in TV visuals, crowding of persons on the roads for clapping. Some followed social distancing during clapping. The whole purpose of maintaining social distancing was defeated in this act. These persons did not follow PM's advice of clapping from houses and instead came out. 

I went to work site on the following day. Then came the announcement of lock down for 21 days in continuation of this 14 hr / 24 hr period. I came back to house in the afternoon after we were advised to work from home and to maintain only skeletal staff for essential works.

3-4 days before, my younger son was given his computer to work from home by his company and I thought it is a different experience.  Now, I too joined this. Whereas my son's work is in IT, mine is in industrial safety. But, we picked up to manage. As per advice to maintain bare minimum staff, only 1-2 persons were put in roster for duties for monitoring in field and rest to interact with these 2 persons. 

In industrial establishments, as per history, a plant shutdown does not mean it is safe. One should be more vigilant to ensure safety of pressure systems like gas cylinders, storage bullets, piping, and chemical storages; observation of safety rules by persons when nobody is watching them, so on. It should be like factory still operating with a reduced manpower instead of full scale. Shutdown does not mean relaxation of safety rules / practices. It is also known that many accidents happened during startup and we should resume operations not based on what we thought it was, but only after thorough checking of all systems in the field.

Generally, I purchase provisions for a month in the first week of the month. After this 21 days lock down announcement, we checked stocks and replenished some items like cereals, cooking oil, detergents, and most importantly medicines as I got hypo hypothyroidism and severe joint pains, for a month.

A week went by and the situation in the factory was well managed by all departments. Work from home led to more working hours i.e. instead of 8 hr, we were in touch from morning to midnight. Generally, my mobile use is very less in normal conditions. It is only an instrument at home for some emergency. I used to charge this phone once in 2-3 days. But, now, because of usage, I am charging sometimes, once twice a day. 

Search for news on this virus has increased a lot. I am following covid19india.org and worldometer sites to understand the severity of the issue. 

Now, lock down is extended for another 3 weeks and hope everything will be alright. Our state government even imposed curfew during 1900-0600 hr as some persons are not heeding to the appeal of not coming out unless it is essential. Police check posts were put on the roads, patrolling is increased, and humanitarian help to those needy also is being done by these personnel as seen in social media.

One can help financially by contributing to India's  Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) and / or Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and tax exemption under 80 (g) is available for the contributions made. Please check for secure link of the sites before making contribution so that it will not go to fakes. One can even do it from his/her bank account and using link provided in the bank site after login to own account for secured payment. I did like that so that I don't worry about so many links appeared soon after the appeal by the Honourable Prime Minister of India.

Safety of workers in difficult times

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/health-and-safety/workers-highlight-safety-fears-as-busy-sites-stay-open-23-03-2020/

Naming the safety violators had positive impact

As per a study, violations have come down when OSHA named safety violators.

Please see the news here.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-03-09/osha-shaming-tactic-improved-workplace-safety-before-trump

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.

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.

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.

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/200120/doctor-first-heal-thyself-ek-doctor-ki-maut-physicians-must.html

Suspected death from gas geyser use

https://in.news.yahoo.com/mumbai-girl-dies-gas-geyser-194157257.html

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.

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.

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.

Informative document on cyber safety

The following link may be used to see subject information.

https://www.comprompt.co.in/cyber-safe-girl-ebook/

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chlorine release in restaurant from mixing of bleach with cleaner

In a restaurant, chlorine release from use of floor cleaner possibly mixed or contacted with window cleaner that contains ammonia.
https://local12.com/news/local/chemical-blamed-for-deadly-reaction-in-mass-restaurant-common-in-local-eateries

As per information in internet, the following link provides useful information about chemical reaction of bleach with ammonia and other chemicals, in which harmful gases are liberated.

https://www.organic-chemistry.org/chemicals/oxidations/sodiumhypochlorite.shtm

Hyderabad traffic danger spots

https://m.timesofindia.com/city/hyderabad/proceed-with-caution-secbad-houses-13-accident-black-spots/amp_articleshow/71780559.cms

Question of cost of safety!

Safety is costly, you know!

Any caution on safety is not costly. It may appear costly with respect to money, time, presumed slowness in reaching immediate targets, etc. But, if something is found to be missing w.r.t. ensuring safety and it needs resources to correct it doesn't mean it is added cost.
We have to thank our luck that nothing happened till such time and that somehow the deficiency or lapse was seen by somebody and got an opportunity to rectify it.
Nothing goes waste when we allocate resources meant for enforcing or improving workplace. Those who suffered due to incidents/accidents can tell the impact faced by them, till their memory retains.
Generally, people will forget the lessons and repeat the mistakes in same or different form.
Repetition of mistakes and resultant accidents make the interested parties sick of the way the organization is being run with shortsightedness.
Strict control only appears to work, but how long this can go on depends on mental stamina of the persons in controlling positions.
I think we are destined to suffer at different intervals due to failure to follow the procedures meant for safety of persons/property/environment/etc and when the loss is huge, then the whole organization suffers, may lead to closure.

Lightning induced blast

In a crusher quarry, two blasters placed gelatin sticks in the place. Before igniting it, there was huge rain with lightning which lead to blast. The stones fell on the persons and they died at the spot.

Fall of crane trolley - death of person under

As per news paper report, A civil engineer died due to fall of crane trolley from top. The wire rope snapped leading to fall of trolley. It appears warning sign boards were not there to prevent movement of persons.

The offence was registered by police under Indian Penal Code Section 304 (causing death due to negligence) against the project engineer and safety supervisor.
Such incidents can be prevented by barricading the area under loads being lifted, placing caution boards and ensuring supervision.

construction worker injured as Pump House Collapses

LINK

https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/under-construction-pump-house-collapsed-in-tirupati-548198

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/under-construction-bldg-collapse-kills-one-injures-5/articleshow/70311376.cms

As per news reports as above, 5 persons got injured and one person died during the slab laying work for a pump house. Total about 35 persons are at work spot with six on the roof and another five below. It appears from television report that officers are not present during the work. Questions are raised on quality, supervision, etc for the incident.

There are several such incidents reported in the media, from time to time.

The reasons  for such incidents and measures required are generally as below:

• Civil work is done in some sites based on rule of thumb or based on the knowledge / experience / perception of persons without proper design or approval from design engineer
• Successful execution of similar works without design gives confidence / presumed authority for taking up such works in larger scale
• Work is left to ground level workmen thereby not verifying the quality of work.
• The form work / staging work / scaffold made for laying the slab needs to confirm to design
• Design drawing should be complied during erection and to be verified for conformity with the drawing before going for slab concreting
• Checking the form work peripherally will not help as any deficiencies inside as well as under the proposed slab sheeting can lead to serious accidents
• Supervision from the firm issuing work order is required in addition to supervision from the executing agency, during the work as there can be compromise 
• Minimum number of persons just sufficient for the work should be at site
• No person should be present under and around the slab work
• The approaches to the construction site should be available without obstructions for use in emergency
• Offset / gap between building and road should be ensured so that in case of collapse, the fallen material will not block the access for emergency services
• Persons engaged for work should be medically fit. It is better to provide food before and during the work and refreshments to the persons engaged in the work by the executing agency itself as some of the persons can be very poor and take work to earn livelihood
• Better to use steel for form work irrespective of height of work. Some agencies use wooden poles and eccentricity can be seen by persons going nearby. Doubts will arise immediately to the viewer that when this will fall. The gap on horizontal and vertical directions also will be so high that persons going nearby will be scared about its stability.
• Work should not be taken up in heavy wind or rain as scaffold can collapse
• In many sites ladder / access to reach point of work will not be available and persons are seen climbing up or down like monkeys jump from one branch to another or by sliding or climbing. This is unsafe and can lead to fall of persons.
• Sufficient illumination is to be planned and provided so that work can be done even in darkness with clear visibility.

Developing the First Ever Facility for the Safe Disposal of Spent Fuel

Developing the First Ever Facility for the Safe Disposal of Spent Fuel

LINK

Some measures for improving environment

With time, villages are becoming towns, towns to cities, cities to metros. Increased urbanization is demanding development of infrastructure. Once barren lands or green areas are now become concrete structures. 

There is demand for land, water, electricity, roads, houses, etc. Increased population is leading to more and more vehicles on the roads and pollution levels are on the rise. There are vehicles everywhere on the road. Persons are not considering having own parking areas inside their buildings. Vehicles are parked on the public roads leading to congestion. 

Cold and fever which were once seen for short duration are now not cured even after a month of suffering. 

To improve environment, I feel that we should fix population density in terms of number of persons per unit area. Along with it, we also need to fix green density. Town planners need to consider this while issuing permission. There should not be any scope for regularization of unauthorized constructions. If anybody violates, instead of regularization, penalties need to be collected and the ownership of  illegally constructed properties should go to government. No appeal shall be entertained in this regard.

Similarly, owners of vehicles parked on the roads shall be punished.

Rainwater harvesting and soak pits shall be part of every area developed. The percentage of area for this also should be fixed and to be followed.

For existing buildings, time frame of six months or one year to be given and these requirements to be complied. There should not be any extensions. And huge penalties to be imposed on violators. 

On my commute to workplace, I see places with no water and wastage of water. People use water for washing and the washed water flows on the water. In some areas, people wait for water tankers to collect the little whatever they can get hold. Every service should be charged for its actual cost. 

Amount of Nuclear Material under IAEA Safeguards Continues to Increase: Safeguards Statement 2018

Amount of Nuclear Material under IAEA Safeguards Continues to Increase: Safeguards Statement 2018

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Faith / belief

Somewhere I read that if you believe in something, it can happen. I have mood swings on this statement. Sometimes, I experience it and other times, it all appears non-sense. 

A reading of religious teachings makes me to agree that faith will lead to the change. The holy personalities in the ancient times made persons suffering from diseases to be healthy, make dead man alive. The curse by them became a reality those times (as per books). In Hinduism, holy men sprinkled water on the persons either to bless or curse. 

Now a days, in whatsapp, everyday, several messages are received. Some of them say think, believe and do good. I feel there is nothing in wrong in praying or wishing good for all. 

Having faith alone is not enough. We have to be good mentally and physically. It will give peace of mind and possibly do good to the individual, family, friends and the society.

We do not believe such things easily because the preachers whom we see mostly do not practice what they say and this makes us to ridicule their sayings. The person may be wrong but the sayings may not be wrong.

Look at history to get the knowledge. May be over a period of thousands of years, there can be some misconceptions crept in. But, definitely there will be knowledge to see objectively and follow it. 

So, let us think good, do good and wish good for all. It will bring change within us and in the society also.

Too much illumination on streets

With the intention of good infrastructure, mobility, security, etc governments are striving hard for better facilities. One among them is street lights. But, this lighting has become so much that it has become excessive. In addition, the lighting provided by commercial establishment for bill boards, name boards, street side display boards, etc are adding to the illumination further. This looks like wastage of resources in generation, distribution and usage of power. Instead of providing street lights, local authorities may think of providing high mast lights which provide illumination to a large area and I think, it will save power also. Else, street lights at 100 m apart may be enough. Anyway, in main streets, the shops will be open till 2300-0000 hours and lighting from them will help the street users.

In inner areas, high mast lights appear to be sufficient. This will save valuable resources, power bills and maintenance charges.

Need for more safety officers, statutes are not favorable

Different state rules specify availability of safety officers at 4-6 in organizations employing as high as 10000.

But, this is grossly inadequate. A safety officer has to just walk through without stopping to cover such huge number of employees working particularly in construction/mining industries. And, then, if he observes any unsafe act or condition, he has to make a stopover and discussion will make the time available less for remaining areas. Then, to perform other duties like report making, coordination with statutory bodies, interactive meetings to brief management, etc does not make him to do his job fully.

Atleast one safety officer is required for every 250 personnel working so that he can perform his duty effectively. One may argue that nobody stops to engage more than statutory requirement. But, only few organizations have such attitude to engage more safety officers.

End of financial year - some to do listing

As the end of March month is approaching, industrial establishments will be working at frantic pace to meet their annual financial year production targets. It is likely that here and there safety requirements are skipped thereby increasing the risk.

It is better to plan testing of equipment like cranes, hoists, other material handling equipment, pressure vessels, safety relief valves, calibration of instruments,  inspection and repairs of structures and buildings, painting of equipment/piping/structures, preventive maintenance of equipment, load centres, transformers, PDBs, DG sets; cleaning of drains, etc in the beginning of the financial year at which time stress levels are supposed to be low compared to the last quarter of a financial year. Even refresher courses can be planned and conducted wherein managers will relieve their staff to attend the programmes. 

This will facilitate ensuring readiness of men and machinery and other infrastructure for safe work without accidents, incidents.

Safety monitoring should be done more stringently during peak production periods which will indicate the safety culture of the organization in times of pressures all around.

Accident reduction - meetings before start of work with executiing agencies

Use of persons on contract or by outsourcing is widely favored by organizations in manufacturing. The reasons being saving on wage bills compared to regular employees (unless persons engaged are highly skilled / specialized where they are paid higher than regular employees).

Generally, the awareness on hazards and safety measures to be followed are better with regular employees as compared to outsourced personnel who are prone to accidents due to poor awareness.

It is always better to have meetings with interested contractors, their site supervisor and site safety supervisor to discuss about the scope of work under the work order, the hazards in the work area, hazards likely to arise during execution of work and safety procedures to be followed along with company's safety policy and requirements. This will help them to understand and to follow. It is better to include penal clauses also for violations by listing so that clarity will be there on both sides. 

This practice will help to understand the issues and quote accordingly for the work. It is observed from accident reports in news papers / journals that contractors do not understand or ignore the requirements and once accident takes place, they will run away from the scene / abscond or cut sorry face facing the enquiry.

It is always a good practice to explain safety requirements to prospective agencies before issue of work order.

Intolerance to safety is not tolerable.

In any workplace, if employees are ignorant of safety procedures, they can be identified easily and can be trained. But, if persons are arrogant to comply with safety requirements even after gaining the knowledge, then they are more dangerous and can endanger the lives of others also. 

 Such persons should be summarily dismissed from the jobs and shown the door. These types of persons will even spoil the work place safety culture and can set a bad example for learners.

Intolerance to safety is not tolerable.

Why only safety department should see the deficiencies? why not the line staff?

It is a misconception in several industries that safety is the responsibility of safety department. Production staff feel that their job is only production. They do not give a thought for ensuring safety in their work, i.e. keeping the work areas free from hazards. They may be seeing these hazards, day in and day out, but little action is taken in addressing the same. The safety department when points the same, no action or little action is taken. And, when some incident happens, that time production department puts a sorry face or blame game is kicked off. They say that it is not their job or they have given request to maintenance department or why safety department did not caution in advance or even if cautioned why they did not tell about the consequences and so on.

Persons, should not concentrate only on production activities at the cost of lack of safety, for the sake of furthering their careers. They should not ignore safety and allow things to go unsafely in their domain of work. Just ordering subordinates to ensure safety is not sufficient. Doing work unsafely will not enhance productivity in the long run. May be in a project, there were no accidents inspite of unsafe work culture. But, that is because of some luck i.e. all unsafe parameters did not converge, by fluke. But, this can not be a norm. And, safe practices do not delay the work. In fact, in the long run, safety will enhance the productivity. If it is found such arrogant managers are there, management should sack them without hesitation. Because, these are the persons who do not mind in jumping the ship in case of change of situation. Visibility of the managers in shopfloor and interaction with field staff frequently is required. This will help the managers to see the things as it is and also learn what are the issues faced by field personnel so that appropriate actions and allocation of resources can be done. 

In general, safety departments anywhere do not have the authority to cut power supply or prevent persons from doing the work where hazards are present. As it is, safety department functions in advisory capacity only. Only those managements which do understand the importance of having safety in the workplace lend an ear to the safety department. And in these places, employees too will be happy and join hands for higher productivity.

How many organizations stop the work if a hazard is spotted and restart only after taking corrective and preventive actions is debatable. One may tell that safety is first. But, I am not sure in how many places really it receives top priority.

In general, production, quality and safety take slots from top to bottom in that order. Even those who got statutory powers to enforce safety also will have second thoughts before taking the violating organizations to court of law. This can be said firmly due to the accidents taking place in the production facilities and how many of these were found guilty and taken to task in inspections. Under staffing and having support facilities to regulators is also one of the reasons for this. 

What is required is self discipline and strict implementation of statutory provisions and strengthening of the hands of regulators. Any violation should lead to total stoppage of the facility. Any person in the organization should be able to tell hazards in the place and take to the notice of concerned for rectification. Persons identifying shall not be ridiculed or punished. 

Similarly, one should not think that punishing by fines or paying compensation will control the situation. Just ordering fines is not enough. It is said nobody can put a value to the life. It is not a commodity to assign a value. The compensations offered for an injury or death during accidents really do not have any meaning. It is to be seen by life value assessors in the perspective that what value they find for their own life in case of an injury or fatality. A person earning something may earn many times of it either in the same company or different company or by self employment. There are many cases where persons started career as peons, paper boys, etc have become millionaires and provided employment to many. Then what is the value for emotional attachment with family and friends. 

Forklift safety

As per a blog article, 100000 personnel are injured / killed in forklift accidents in US, siting OSHA.

The article throws light into possible reasons for accidents and what is to be done.

Leadership and safety management

A presentation on the title is available HERE.

Safety - luck(?) or duck(0)

Everyday we face many situations that are nearmisses let it be at home, on road or at work place. I think we are all lucky several times a day, most of the days. Whether it is our mistake or of others, we go to bed without pain. There are those few occasions when we get some hit or we hit somebody to call it an accident.

This luck so many times a days, for so many days makes us to think we are super heroes and nothing happens to us. GOD bless us. 

Let us use our common sense and be careful. Let us not look at the past to pat ourselves that we are right. We are wrong at most of the times.

Let us educate ourselves and others and do not depend on the luck to be safe. Else, we will be DUCK OUT one day.

Some thoughts on fall of safety standards - forgetfulness, over-confidence, complacency, arrogance

Anybody or any organization, immediately after an event not to like to happen will have several commitments to itself. I/we will do this or that, now on wards.
Even a student also makes such resolutions in or after an examination, which he did not do better.
But, in most of the cases, nothing will be done.
Some will start, but, the steam is lost.
Very few will sustain to a great extent. Even in such persons/organization will make exemptions, here and there.

This week, I attended a meet organized by a regulator. It was told in the opening remarks that regulators have to do the act of listening, observe the things and make informed decisions. This is applicable even to all those who are in the job of monitoring / advising and they need not be necessarily the designated regulators.

In case of individuals also, we are our own regulators and doers. As a proverb goes, we have one mouth, two ears and two eyes, indicating see and hear more, but talk less.

Coming back to the title, I observed that even in those entities who have developed highest standards, became role models and even are in the business of training, events have taken place for simple reasons which can be avoided / addressed totally before the occurrence of the event. Events in these places make me to think that whether they are wrong in the lessons learnt i.e. whether the lessons learnt for implementation are impracticable.

In many post accident recommendations, training and supervision aspects are listed routinely. Even if the training is good, absorption of the knowledge and its use in the day-to-day affairs is highly doubtful factor. Even those who understood the information too do not implement inspite of knowing that this may lead to incidents.

Like in financial sector, as I read somewhere, risk and returns are proportional. Low risk investments yield less returns and so high risk investments generate huge returns. I had my own experience in share market investment at two different periods and on both occasions, I had the opportunity (!) to learn the lessons to come out with some loss.

I think, it is in human behavior to take risk when it comes our activities, let it be on the roads or work place. And, it is the other way when it comes to our home.

I commute to my work place which is at 13 km from my house, by bike and these thoughts do occur generally, but I am yet to get any reason.

In nuclear field, ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) concept is preached and is genrally followed to limit radiation dose to occupational workers and public. Whereas in industrial safety, it is ALARP (as low as reasonably practicable) implying that we have to be practicable in taking measures to ensure safety and health of the persons. This also implies (to me) that certain value is attached to human lives for dispensation. If an accident takes place leading to injuries / fatalities, generally we read declaration of compensation. Though enquiry takes place, hardly there are cases where the wrong doers i.e. those responsible for the occurrence of accidents are punished. Every year, lakhs of persons are dying in accidents (on the roads / work place), equal or similar number of persons responsible for these are not punished and it shows that human life got only some number and things will proceed as usual as if nothing happened. Reasons for recurrence are generally as in title of this post. This makes the job of the safety advisers / regulators, a difficult task.

If some disturbance takes place in an inhabited place, police will be blamed for not doing the job. If some emissions take place in a factory, pollution control authorities will be blamed that they are sleeping or accepted something. If some accident takes place, safety adviser will be blamed internally and factory inspectors externally. And so on.
But, little or no action is taken to identify the wrong doers and punish them.

Authorities for control of activities have a difficult task of facing pressures from all around and at the same time, not to succumb to these pressures. They have to be like stones not having any emotions to keep their health and family not to get affected by workplace pressures. Some will resign the post to look for different type of jobs or bade good bye forever (if they are financially resourceful to lead the rest of the life).

Any management would like to have highest productivity at minimal cost. Availability of qualified human resources is an issue face by many. Most of the educational institutions have become factories to churn out the students with good grades / marks but many of them fail miserably in getting suitable employment commensurate with the certificate as they can't answer the questions of the interviewers. Hence, they settle for jobs whatever they can get. They may get satisfied or may not. This can lead to dissatisfaction and doing the job for the sake of earning money only. It requires lot of efforts from the side of managements too train such people and I am not sure how many organizations have the policy of training their manpower before engaging them and then even doubtful case of retraining at regular intervals or change of job / modifications in workplace.

With these things, may be there is some optimal safe production i.e. under present set of conditions, it can deliver X numbers of their products. If we try to stretch production on higher side without commensurate additions / improvements, accidents / failures do take place, if not immediately, but definitely at a later date. This is because, it requires some time, even for the established systems to degrade. Now, if there is a change of management, persons at top can claim for success even at higher production in the beginning (higher production is initially possible because degradation also needs some time), but the person coming later can't deliver the same, because degradation process starts accelerating.

Hence, those with safety in mind have to conclude / decide what is their optimum safe production capacity and stick to it. Else, what we are seeing or reading in papers will continue to happen.

Poor safety management - cause for blasts in chemical factory leading to 23 deaths

The chemical factory stores vinyl chloride (chloroethene, chloroethylene) in three tanks. Two tanks were full with the chemical at the time of the incident. Due to leak, pressure in the tank dropped. Instead of finding the cause for pressure drop, operators pumped more chemical into the tank. This lead to bursting of tank and release of chemical. Ignition source from outside the plant caused explosion of the leaked chemical, burning the trucks and cars outside the plant. 23 persons died and 22 were injured in the incident.

http://www.ecns.cn/news/2018-11-30/detail-ifzahqkf0371003.shtml
http://www.ecns.cn/news/2018-11-29/detail-ifzahqkf0369490.shtml) 
http://www.ecns.cn/news/society/2018-12-10/detail-ifzanuxq9377375.shtml

Boy dies in oven, after entering in it to escape cold weather

A 15 year old boy dies inside the oven, after he enters into it to escape cold weather. The oven door closes leading to the death of the boy.
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/up-gonda-teenager-boy-dies-trap-oven-biscuit-factory-1405407-2018-12-08

Similar incident occurred elsewhere. Here, four persons get trapped inside and cooked to death. From the news report, it is understood that they entered again into furnace after their cleaning work is over, did not inform anybody, did not put caution board, did not remove furnace fuse.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2113800/Metalworkers-cooked-death-inside-giant-Austrian-oven-door-closed-800C-furnace-accidentally-switched-on.html

Death from hydrogen gas cylinder blast in IISc Bengaluru

A person was thrown about 20 feet away, hit the wall and died due to suspected hydrogen cylinder blast.  3 others sustained injuries during the incident. 

The window panes and 20 m high roof sheet got damaged.

Small scale hydrogen explosions are made to create shock waves for conducting experiments.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/laboratory-accident-at-iisc-kills-one-injures-three/article25671763.ece

https://www.deccanherald.com/city/research-scholar-killed-3-706586.html

Accidents due to opening of the door of cars/trucks

I watched few videos in internet as well as learnt from experiences of friends about fall of persons on the road while walking / driving two wheelers when they were hit by sudden opening of the door of cars/trucks by its inmates.

I feel, it is better to have slide type doors for the vehicles. This type of slide doors shall be made mandatory atleast on the right side of the vehicle where 'drive left' is followed and on left side where 'drive right' is followed. This is, presuming car/truck inmates try to open the door(s), after the vehicle is parked left / right as per the local rules.

Dangerous jobs

https://www.thestreet.com/how-to/most-dangerous-jobs-in-america-14756704

Life as it comes

Last few weeks were hectic. Most part of it, I was on leave, travelling a lot, visiting and staying in the hospital to be with sick relation,  for days together. Within a span of two days, I saw two persons no more while undergoing treatment. Another affectionate old lady whom I met in the hospital earlier, also left this world. To drive final nail, a very close relation and part of my life from childhood, had his last breath who was very active just 20-30 minutes before.

During last two decades, I came across several heart twisting scenes and already made be to think about life and its purpose.

Nothing is in our control. We struggle so much for worldly pleasures, struggle to save the little amounts for facing unknown problems in the future, load the mind with all junk thoughts. But, we are nothing when that moment comes. We do not know where we will be after death. After death, even dead body is not taken inside our own home, people who came to see or our own relations take bath, as if some mud has fallen. The money, property, everything what we thought of as our assets are not ours. We leave this world, with lot of things behind. Those who get possession of these do not give a thought and importance.

In this universe, we are a dust speck and we crave for things. We will be philosophical during emotional breakdowns, only to return to normal self later.

I do not know how one can lead himself to inner peace, but believe that our experiences only will teach us a thing or two in that direction.