Rail fracture - alert villager saves 1200 lives

An alert villager sleeping in a house near the railway track heard loud sound and found 35 mm crack on the rail during the inspection. A train passed over the track few minutes earlier and found another train coming on the same from the light focus in the night. He could alert and stop the train by waving red cloth. It is reported that such cracks are possible due to temperature variations and do occur during the time of the year (winter?).

The brother of the alert villager also alerted the authorities about similar fracture just 72 m away from the place of this incident.

The news paper report can be found here.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Villager-with-a-keen-eye-prevents-train-crash/articleshow/10798150.cms

If this is the case, entire track should be checked for its integrity without waste of time. If the cracks are common as reported, then whether the cracks are appearing only in this section of rail track or all over the country should be found and quality checks of the rails and review of rail specifications should be done immediately. A decision also needs to be taken to replace the tracks at regular intervals, if the cracks do appear after certain length of service.

The alert villager needs appreciation and be recognized in public forum for his service. 

Reducing noise on the roads

I commute everyday 30 km to reach my workplace and back to residence. I am forced to use horn many times while driving because of other drivers / pedestrians / pushcarts crossing the lane / parking the vehicles encroaching the road, taking shortcuts to cross the road instead of using road islands, sudden change in the direction, slowing the vehicle suddenly, talking on the mobile while driving across the road, coming in wrong direction, and so on. This will happen in either direction of travel. This horn sound is an irritation and disturbance to me apart from increasing stress levels.
Last few weeks, I observed that by using flashlight (dipper) to caution those coming in opposite direction and crossing the road, atleast I can avoid use of horn and thus the irritation. Though, I have to use horn to caution those driving in front of me. If the driver is not alert with his erroneous way of driving, I have to change my lane after watching the vehicular movement behind through rear view mirror.
I feel from my experience that the use of flashlight helps in reducing noise on levels on the road and this this facility should be made compulsory for all vehicles by concerned authorities.

Acid leak injuries

Two persons were trying to arrest leak of acid drops from the pipe. In the process, acid drops fell in the eyes and face of one person who was seriously injured in the incident and the other person suffered minor injuries.
It is reported that the police are investigating the case under Section 338 and 285 registered against the company.

For arresting acid leak and similar jobs, one should carryout of job hazard analysis; isolate acid supply; clean the pipe with water or other suitable medium; obtain safety work permit; wear personal protective equipment like, postmortem hand gloves, chemical goggles, face shield, apron and shoes; provide proper access; do the work under supervision. It is not clear whether the above safety measures are followed or not during the work.

The concerned Section of Indian Penal Code is as below.

Indian Penal Code 1860:
338. Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others.-- Whoever causes grievous hurt to any person by doing any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or the personal safety of others, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. Of wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement

Electrocution in chicken shop

As per the news in Deccan Chronicle on 08.11.2011, a chicken shop owner died of electrocution while trying to retrieve dressed chicken from a chicken dressing machine. This may be due to poor wiring, improper or no earthing, lack of ELCB for the machine, no rubber mat in front of the machine, not using proper PPE.
The incident reminds that safety is required everywhere, not restricted to factories alone.

Dust explosions kill workers

Rules lag as factory dust explosions kill workers | ajc.com

The above link is about US Chemical Safety Board investigations on dust explosions and their recommendations. As I posted earlier on the same subject, I am surprised to know that even iron dust catches fire. Many times we concentrate on the dust that we see in the shop floor. But, airborne dust settled at roof level or on the surface above false ceiling or in the elevated surfaces adjacent to the building from which dust is generated require more attention because persons in these areas are unaware or complacent as they are not the dust generators. Any disturbance due to wind or occasional work in the elevated surfaces or sparks generated from electrical fittings at roof level can be a source of dust explosion. It is said that the dust explosions after the primary explosion are more severe. The dust explosion is identified with a roaring and thunder sound and therefore all shop floor persons should be aware of these symptoms and should run away for safety.

Dust explosions are also possible with grain powder and therefore requires communication of dust explosion hazards to these groups also. Enclosures for dust generating equipment, earthing, flameproof electrical fittings, regular cleaning of equipment and ducts that may contain dust, wet mopping, avoiding synthetic dress and static charge dissipation stations are some of the measures that help in preventing dust explosions.

Assess a person's attitude the way he uses water

In our childhood, we were told about a story which concludes that the person using more water is spend thrift and thus faces problem every time. The story is briefly as below.

There were two women in a neighbourhood. One woman borrow some money from the other but fails to return after sometime and replies that she never borrowed. The lender complains to the village head. He calls both women and asks them to stamp with their feet, the mud with some water in front of his house. After sometime, he asks both of them to wash their feet and come inside. The lender washes her feet thoroughly with little quantity of water whereas the borrower uses lot of water and walks inside with some mud left on her feet and makes the floor dirty. The village head rules that the woman actually borrowed money from the other woman, she does not have any control over her expenditure and to avoid repayment she lied to the other woman. He asks her to pay the money borrowed with penal interest.

It appears true as I observed my own water use pattern. When use water judiciously, I also spend money wisely and at times when I use water without concern, my attitude towards spending money also in those lines.
This type of understanding may be true for human behaviour in all respects including safety. However, it requires some study by framing suitable questionnaire and also talking to people who are involved in accidents, rash driving, less respect for safety, not concerned to follow safety procedures, so on.
It's only my thought and I will come out with results, if the assumption is supported with some evidence.

Style statement?

Last few months, I am observing on the road where some bike riders, mostly young age boys, drive with a brush in the mouth. I do not know where from they start and where they want to go. It takes hardly two minutes to brush and wash. Add to this some riders will be talking on the cell phone, that is held between the head and the shoulder. I do not know how such parallel processing of driving, brushing and talking is being done by them.
I feel these people want to show their machoism by such acts ( a style statement) and may be there are some who fall for display of such acts. But, these acts can lead to other road users getting involved in the accidents as these stylish bike riders may not be able to control their vehicle properly and be safe on the road. May be the road traffic police should include driving with tooth brush also as  punishable offence.