Ergonomics - an article in SafetyAtWorkblog

An interesting article on ergonomics appeared today in safetyatworkblog, which may stir the minds of professionals and others in the field of ergonomics and think deeply before advising measures to address problems attributed to poor ergonomics at work place.

Dead teach the living - A study on delayed effects of MIC

A study by ICMR on effects of MIC released during 1984 Bhopal accident published in The Hindu states that MIC and its degradation products cause edema and fibrosis. We use thousands of chemicals (more than 5,00,000) and but we know the properties and effects only for few thousands. As the old adage says "reinventing the wheel", for healthy life people are propagating organic farming, avoiding meat, eating fruits, doing simple exercises which our ancestors did in the form physical work at home and fields, walking, cycling and so on.
We need not overreact on knowing about dangers, but one should be careful and be judicious while dealing with any of the chemicals so that we can atleast sustain the environment for future generations.

A video on confined space hazards

A video on confined space hazards from youtube.

A video on compressed gas hazards

There is video available in youtube on dangers of compressed gas. Though the dangers are known, but by seeing the video everybody will remember forever the extent of injuries it can cause.

Fatality due to fall of tripod at construction site

A person died when a tripod kept above at a construction site for shuttering work fell down. In another accident, a drum kept at height for use as access fell down on a person causing minor head injury. Accidents like these are common at construction sites and minimum safety guidelines recommend use of safety nets, barricading the area below, posting danger signs, securing the loose items at top, supervision, etc and failure to comply with these recommendations will result in injuries and deaths at times like the first one. It is not clear whether the person died is a construction worker or not and whether he was wearing any safety helmet.

Lathe machine accident

A news paper report about 10 days ago mentioned about death of a sweeper near lathe machine in an engineering work shop. The lady sweeper was hit by pieces of drill bit that broke while threading a job piece on the lathe. It appears that excessive force was applied to do threading by the operator. While the woman died at the spot, the operator received serious injuries. This accident reminds about the need for job hazard analysis, proper training and supervision in any work.

Iron powder catches fire

A CSB investigation finding mentions that iron powder combustion lead to a fatality and injured another. The atomized iron powder dust dislodged during inspection by maintenance workers caught fire. Though, we know dust explosions, like ammonia fires/explosions, iron powder fire also is difficult to digest. Such information should be brought to the notice of all employees so that they will not be lax on their part.

Dust explosions are said to be more dangerous than normal explosions, as initiation of dust explosion can disturb the settled powder making it airborne and lead to secondary and tertiary explosions.
CSB mentions that metal powder dust flash fires and explosions cause more serious injuries than flammable gas or vapor fires because of radiant heat. A CSB study on 281 combustible dust fires and explosions during 1980-2005 indicate 119 deaths and more than 700 injuries due to these incidents.

The best way to avoid dust explosions is to have dust collections systems, regular wet mopping, flameproof electrical fittings, maintaining atleast 50% humidity, static charge discharge mechanisms, etc and maintaining records to ensure that safety systems are maintained.
A news item on the above is also available here(1), here (2) and here(3) , here(4)..