In an article at http://www.safetyxchange.org/, I read that there were more than 700 violations of safety, operation and environment found by OSHA, EPA and other regulating agencies. It was questioned about the compulsions or need for allowing the unit to operate though so many violations were found before the spillage itself. Many times, regulators identify violations and give time to rectify or pay penalty later for continued violations. Only a few times, unit operations were suspended or stopped. This creates a lenient attitude by managements that outweigh profits over the loss of production suffered because of suspension of unit operations to carryout works for rectifying the violations. After some accident / incident occurs, we repent for not doing the right thing before the event. This like applying the balm after burning rather than avoiding the burns itself.
If plant operations are stopped after allowing some time to correct, then everybody will fall in line and though it looks difficult to achieve safety discipline and people are scared of immediate losses, long term benefits will outweigh these losses and every one will follow the directions of regulators. Or they will not give chance for regulators to find safety violations and a system of identification and rectification will be established by the organizations themselves.
Jun 27, 2010
Road rage – what are the reasons?
Now-a-days, TV channels are reporting road accidents every hour and a full page in news papers is about road accidents. Some of the reasons are,
High speed
Overtaking without caring for the vehicles coming in opposite direction
Drivers under the influence of alcohol
Entry of another vehicle from side lane
Parked vehicles on the road without warning / cautioning
Persons / children on the roads
Animals on the road
Lack of proper rest for drivers
Mobile use while driving the vehicles
Not concentrating on the road
Talking with others in the vehicle
Urge to display their driving skills to friends (girls and boys)
Driving before fully learning
Skidding due to sand / soil / oil / water, etc on the roads
Overcrowding leaving little room for the driver to control
Poor condition of the vehicles, etc
High speed
Overtaking without caring for the vehicles coming in opposite direction
Drivers under the influence of alcohol
Entry of another vehicle from side lane
Parked vehicles on the road without warning / cautioning
Persons / children on the roads
Animals on the road
Lack of proper rest for drivers
Mobile use while driving the vehicles
Not concentrating on the road
Talking with others in the vehicle
Urge to display their driving skills to friends (girls and boys)
Driving before fully learning
Skidding due to sand / soil / oil / water, etc on the roads
Overcrowding leaving little room for the driver to control
Poor condition of the vehicles, etc
Jun 26, 2010
Whether oxygen levels at 19.5% are safe for work in confined space?
Many people consider that the oxygen levels at or above 19.5% are safe to work in a confined space. However, I read somewhere that before assuming oxygen level of 19.5% is safe, one should find out why the levels are below that in atmosphere. If the balance 1.5% is of some toxic chemical, it might be fatal also. CO is fatal at 5000 ppm (0.5%). Similarly ammonia. However, if the chemical present has some odour, we can immediately detect and come out.
Otherwise, measuring oxygen levels alone is not sufficient and we have to analyse for presence of other chemicals and purge the confined space with fresh air till oxygen levels are near 21%, say 20.8-20.9%. And fresh air supply should not be stopped during the work. Each and every time when work is stopped for rest or tea break or lunch or end of the day, before resuming the work the levels are to be checked at the place of the work.
I came to know of an accident in which three workers were involved in cleaning the oily floor at a basement were overcome by the toxic vapours present when they resumed work after a tea break. First two persons one after another entered inside the basement and became unconscious. The third one too was overcome but before that he shouted for help and other coworkers present at 0.0 m level immediately rescued them and were alright after a day's treatment.
The unfortunate observation during the rescue opertions was workers lack of knowledge about the switch of fresh air supply blower for the basement. Even the shopfloor supervisor does not know about its location. Awareness about location of emergency systems is the most important aspect and a sketch showing the same should be displayed at important locations in the shopfloor and mock drills should be conducted before start of work in a confined space, every time.
Otherwise, measuring oxygen levels alone is not sufficient and we have to analyse for presence of other chemicals and purge the confined space with fresh air till oxygen levels are near 21%, say 20.8-20.9%. And fresh air supply should not be stopped during the work. Each and every time when work is stopped for rest or tea break or lunch or end of the day, before resuming the work the levels are to be checked at the place of the work.
I came to know of an accident in which three workers were involved in cleaning the oily floor at a basement were overcome by the toxic vapours present when they resumed work after a tea break. First two persons one after another entered inside the basement and became unconscious. The third one too was overcome but before that he shouted for help and other coworkers present at 0.0 m level immediately rescued them and were alright after a day's treatment.
The unfortunate observation during the rescue opertions was workers lack of knowledge about the switch of fresh air supply blower for the basement. Even the shopfloor supervisor does not know about its location. Awareness about location of emergency systems is the most important aspect and a sketch showing the same should be displayed at important locations in the shopfloor and mock drills should be conducted before start of work in a confined space, every time.
Poisonous fumes from incinerator near Indore - six lost vision?
Y’day a scrolling news item in TV channels and news reports today mentioned about six labourers losing part of their vision because of toxic fumes from an incineration plant in Pithampur, while cleaning solid waste. It is stated that all labourers suffered symptoms of insecticide poisoning (organo phosphorous) like blurred vision, vomiting. Before taking up any chemical handling work, engineers and supervisors should refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) of the chemicals to be handled. It will give information on nature of hazards, handling methods, personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used, etc. It is mentioned that workers did not use any PPE, though the company that engaged the persons is a reputed one.
If the companies do not follow safe procedures and do not ensure supervision, public will lose faith in the industry and whatever they do later will be of no use.
Further, such accidents will show that more inspectors are required to inspect more frequently the premises of the organizations, audit their systems and the findings have to be put in public domain. It may be remembered that though the auditors from head quarters of UCC reported serious nature of hazards in the Bhopal unit, as the report was not known to many, the inaction could not be questioned in time and only after the worst chemical disaster, all concerned started questioning.
Therefore, it should be made mandatory about making availability of audit findings (by regulators as well as certifying agencies) also public like the provisions of Factories Act 1948 under Chapter IV-A and should attract penal provisions like those for violations of Sec 41-B,C,H
If the companies do not follow safe procedures and do not ensure supervision, public will lose faith in the industry and whatever they do later will be of no use.
Further, such accidents will show that more inspectors are required to inspect more frequently the premises of the organizations, audit their systems and the findings have to be put in public domain. It may be remembered that though the auditors from head quarters of UCC reported serious nature of hazards in the Bhopal unit, as the report was not known to many, the inaction could not be questioned in time and only after the worst chemical disaster, all concerned started questioning.
Therefore, it should be made mandatory about making availability of audit findings (by regulators as well as certifying agencies) also public like the provisions of Factories Act 1948 under Chapter IV-A and should attract penal provisions like those for violations of Sec 41-B,C,H
Increase of fuel prices - what is its impact on safety?
From y'day, the increased prices of fuels came into effect. Many are opposing the increase. I thought, okay, it will make a hole in my pocket, but what is its impact in my field, i.e., safety and environment. I think that the increased prices may reduce consumption of fuel to some extent thus contribute to the reduction in environment damage. When something is available cheap, it will loose its value / importance.
Many people use vehicles, particularly 4-wheelers for joy rides. Two advertisements which I am seeing in TV channels for last few months depict the same. In one advertisement, a child is sad because he did not get good marks or so, so his father takes him on a ride and the child asks for one more ride. In another advertisement, I think a couple or would-be couple will be on a ride to come out of their moodiness. Actually, it appears many persons don't have any work and therefore wander aimlessly in bikes, cars, etc. Subsidising fuel for such people is a crime. Similarly, supplying subisidised fuel for cars and sports cars whose mileage is very less is also waste of public money which could have been sent on providing education to poor children. In fact, subsidies are becoming a headache for the governments in the long run and they are finding it difficult to come out of this expenditure.
My suggestion is to eliminate fuel subsidies totally. Government should subsidise only public transport to such an extent that people of all categories should feel it economical to travel in public transport than using their own transport. All students can be allowed to travel without paying during their college hours. A pass should be issued to each student and should be punched for one trip to college per day so that wandering by students for timepass can be avoided.
Like issuing licence for driving, governments can issue permits for private transport at a price. This will reduce traffic congestion, reduce pollution, leading to better environment and good health of people. Then, to take care of emergency requirements, government should strengthen ambulance services for medical care and run public transport throughout 24x7 so that people will not be at disadvantage.
Similarly, government should increase excise duty / sales tax on vehicles equivalent to the cost of the vehicle or more. Today, I read in the newspaper that in Nepal, 300% tax is levied on imported cars and thus the cost of Nano car at Nepal works out to INR 4.5 lac. We should tax at these hight rates for all vehicles that are made within the country also.
The decrease in vehicles on the road will also reduce road accidents also and will save many elders and dependents caused by deaths.
The money spent on fuel subsidies can be better used for providing education and public health care which are becoming costly. Though the oil companies claim huge losses on account of subsidies, I am unable to understand why their shares value somuch. The share value of any loss making company will not even quote at its face value but all oil shares trade at multiples of their face value. I have to understand why it is so. After freeing the fuel prices from control, by how much their shares will go up will tell the extent of losses suffered due to subsidies.
Nothing lasts forever. It is obvious that if not now, in another 25-50 years fossil fuels will not be available. As the reserves comedown, oil producing countries will increase their prices and atleast next generation has to pay higher prices because no government can subsidise forever. Instead of using recklessly the valuable resources, let us use them judiciously and increasing the prices is a forceful method for conserving the fuel resources.
Many people use vehicles, particularly 4-wheelers for joy rides. Two advertisements which I am seeing in TV channels for last few months depict the same. In one advertisement, a child is sad because he did not get good marks or so, so his father takes him on a ride and the child asks for one more ride. In another advertisement, I think a couple or would-be couple will be on a ride to come out of their moodiness. Actually, it appears many persons don't have any work and therefore wander aimlessly in bikes, cars, etc. Subsidising fuel for such people is a crime. Similarly, supplying subisidised fuel for cars and sports cars whose mileage is very less is also waste of public money which could have been sent on providing education to poor children. In fact, subsidies are becoming a headache for the governments in the long run and they are finding it difficult to come out of this expenditure.
My suggestion is to eliminate fuel subsidies totally. Government should subsidise only public transport to such an extent that people of all categories should feel it economical to travel in public transport than using their own transport. All students can be allowed to travel without paying during their college hours. A pass should be issued to each student and should be punched for one trip to college per day so that wandering by students for timepass can be avoided.
Like issuing licence for driving, governments can issue permits for private transport at a price. This will reduce traffic congestion, reduce pollution, leading to better environment and good health of people. Then, to take care of emergency requirements, government should strengthen ambulance services for medical care and run public transport throughout 24x7 so that people will not be at disadvantage.
Similarly, government should increase excise duty / sales tax on vehicles equivalent to the cost of the vehicle or more. Today, I read in the newspaper that in Nepal, 300% tax is levied on imported cars and thus the cost of Nano car at Nepal works out to INR 4.5 lac. We should tax at these hight rates for all vehicles that are made within the country also.
The decrease in vehicles on the road will also reduce road accidents also and will save many elders and dependents caused by deaths.
The money spent on fuel subsidies can be better used for providing education and public health care which are becoming costly. Though the oil companies claim huge losses on account of subsidies, I am unable to understand why their shares value somuch. The share value of any loss making company will not even quote at its face value but all oil shares trade at multiples of their face value. I have to understand why it is so. After freeing the fuel prices from control, by how much their shares will go up will tell the extent of losses suffered due to subsidies.
Nothing lasts forever. It is obvious that if not now, in another 25-50 years fossil fuels will not be available. As the reserves comedown, oil producing countries will increase their prices and atleast next generation has to pay higher prices because no government can subsidise forever. Instead of using recklessly the valuable resources, let us use them judiciously and increasing the prices is a forceful method for conserving the fuel resources.
Jun 24, 2010
Accident liability of independent directors
An article published in Deccan Chronicle today (24.06.2010 Thursday) states that CII asked government to insert a clause in the Companies Bill 2009 to exclude independent directors from any criminal liability for offences commited by the company, saying that they are not involved in day-to-day running.
Though they are not in operation, but any influence of these independent directors in the decision making process of business towards profits, cost cutting measures, etc will have a direct bearing on the safety measures followed by plant operators and thus they are involved indirectly in day-to-day running of the plant. Therefore, it is not correct to exclude them from liability. If they are like ordinary public shareholders and not consulted or involved in any decision making process (in finance, technical,...), then they can be excluded.
All those who are involved in decision making of financial aspects should be made liable for accidents. The deactivation of safety systems at Bhopal was done to cut business losses with the assumption that a plant not in operation does not require maintenance of safety systems. The decision was made because of lack of technical knowledge on what can go wrong.
Any financial decision on plant operations should be supported by a report from operations in-charge (who should be a technical man) that was discussed by all directors and approved.
Though they are not in operation, but any influence of these independent directors in the decision making process of business towards profits, cost cutting measures, etc will have a direct bearing on the safety measures followed by plant operators and thus they are involved indirectly in day-to-day running of the plant. Therefore, it is not correct to exclude them from liability. If they are like ordinary public shareholders and not consulted or involved in any decision making process (in finance, technical,...), then they can be excluded.
All those who are involved in decision making of financial aspects should be made liable for accidents. The deactivation of safety systems at Bhopal was done to cut business losses with the assumption that a plant not in operation does not require maintenance of safety systems. The decision was made because of lack of technical knowledge on what can go wrong.
Any financial decision on plant operations should be supported by a report from operations in-charge (who should be a technical man) that was discussed by all directors and approved.
Jun 23, 2010
Road rage
There was a news report on 20.06.2010 in which a promising actor died in a road accident. He was driving a bike. Suddenly a van entered the main road from a side road. The bike driver could not control his vehicle and in the collision, he died.
It is common for people drive vehicles at very high speed. Everyday, people die in road accidents and is common to see a full page of such accident reports in news papers.
Driving the vehicles at speeds which they can't control is wrong in the first place. Then, not following road discipline is another worst factor. People entering main roads do not slow down to see a clear road and instead enter the road at the same speed as they are driving and thus unnerve the drivers on the main road. Most of the accidents are due to entry of vehicles from side roads or vehicles slowing down suddenly in the same lane without indication or taking turns from extreme left to right without watching for vehicles coming behind.
Our roads are not racing tracks. It is proper if the bikes above 100 cc are banned. Similarly, four wheelers of high engine capacity should be banned so that vehicle speed can be limited to 50 kmph. All side roads should have speed breakers before they join the main road. The road dividers should of such height that nobody can use them to cross the road.
As someone suggested in a TV discussion programme, the licence of the vehicle drivers involved in accidents should be cancelled and drivers without licence should be imprisoned to reduce the accidents. Similarly, the pedestrians crossing the roads as they please should be fined heavily. I observed a few times that the pedestrians crossing the road wave their fingers to motorists. These people do not have sense that even if a motorist sees them, he may hit before slowing down the vehicle.
It is common for people drive vehicles at very high speed. Everyday, people die in road accidents and is common to see a full page of such accident reports in news papers.
Driving the vehicles at speeds which they can't control is wrong in the first place. Then, not following road discipline is another worst factor. People entering main roads do not slow down to see a clear road and instead enter the road at the same speed as they are driving and thus unnerve the drivers on the main road. Most of the accidents are due to entry of vehicles from side roads or vehicles slowing down suddenly in the same lane without indication or taking turns from extreme left to right without watching for vehicles coming behind.
Our roads are not racing tracks. It is proper if the bikes above 100 cc are banned. Similarly, four wheelers of high engine capacity should be banned so that vehicle speed can be limited to 50 kmph. All side roads should have speed breakers before they join the main road. The road dividers should of such height that nobody can use them to cross the road.
As someone suggested in a TV discussion programme, the licence of the vehicle drivers involved in accidents should be cancelled and drivers without licence should be imprisoned to reduce the accidents. Similarly, the pedestrians crossing the roads as they please should be fined heavily. I observed a few times that the pedestrians crossing the road wave their fingers to motorists. These people do not have sense that even if a motorist sees them, he may hit before slowing down the vehicle.
Jun 20, 2010
Compensation for victims of industrial accidents
There is discussion on deciding the quantum of compensation for victims of industrial accidents. The compensation amount should be fixed for every person injured / died in an accident instead of fixing the liability to the company for an accident.
In cases like Chernobyl, Bhopal and Seveso, the impact was immediate and is still continuing. In such cases, we can't decide compensation and cleanup costs immediately. The company has to pay for all victims. If the total compensation is limited to some amount, then in the cases like above, the amount received by the individual victims may become peanuts, whereas companies whose sole aim is to make profits will simply escape. When a company is in the business to make profits, then we can't allow them to make those profits at the cost of human lives, environment and property damages by following unsafe practices and procedures.
In fact, the certifying auditing agencies for quality, environment and safety practices of companies should be made accountable like financial auditors so that certificate can't issued / renewed without compliance with norms.
Now-a-days, the victims of road / rail accidents get Rs 2-10 lakhs from various agencies of the government. Sometimes, jobs are also offered for the next kin of the victims. Similar amount should be paid to the victims of industrial accidents apart from health treatment costs.
When the compensation will be decided for each victim instead of lumpsum per accident, then I am sure, companies will follow international safety practices everywhere and ensure safety of employees and public.
In cases like Chernobyl, Bhopal and Seveso, the impact was immediate and is still continuing. In such cases, we can't decide compensation and cleanup costs immediately. The company has to pay for all victims. If the total compensation is limited to some amount, then in the cases like above, the amount received by the individual victims may become peanuts, whereas companies whose sole aim is to make profits will simply escape. When a company is in the business to make profits, then we can't allow them to make those profits at the cost of human lives, environment and property damages by following unsafe practices and procedures.
In fact, the certifying auditing agencies for quality, environment and safety practices of companies should be made accountable like financial auditors so that certificate can't issued / renewed without compliance with norms.
Now-a-days, the victims of road / rail accidents get Rs 2-10 lakhs from various agencies of the government. Sometimes, jobs are also offered for the next kin of the victims. Similar amount should be paid to the victims of industrial accidents apart from health treatment costs.
When the compensation will be decided for each victim instead of lumpsum per accident, then I am sure, companies will follow international safety practices everywhere and ensure safety of employees and public.
Hazard Communication - One more idea to warn to about dangers
In my earlier post, I mentioned few things to communicate hazards to machine / equipment operators. In addition, it will also be effective to caution about hazards, if photos of persons injured are displayed on every equipment / machine. I feel such reminder will have the desired effect on the minds of operators and shopfloor supervisors so that they will not bypass safety procedures. It is like having photos of our loved ones in the house to remember about their affection. In the shopfloor, it is like remembering the mistakes made by the persons in the photos and the injuries suffered by them.
Jun 19, 2010
A tale of compensation payments by two companies - Union Carbide & BP
Bhopal accident that caused more than 15000 deaths and injuries to thousands of persons lead to payment of US$ 470 million (1997 ?) whereas oil spillage by BP in USA (2010) is leading to demands by President and his team to BP to keep aside of US$ 20 billion for cleanup, compensation, etc over a period of time. Had a Bhopal accident occurred in USA, it would have lead to its closure and go bankrupt. Such compensation awards show why companies earn huge profits at the cost of human beings in developing / underdeveloped countries. Many companies cry foul that countries like India cause lot of environment damage but nobody cares about ethics followed by the companies of advanced countries. It appears rules are different for different countries with least regard to deaths by organizations of advanced countries in other countries.
Jun 14, 2010
Hazard communication - Way to reduce accidents
Accidents recur regularly on same or similar process / machine. A friend of mine said once that operators and supervisors can be reminded about the hazards by displaying on every equipment/machine, the list of persons injured - causes for accidents - protective measures taken subsequently so that people will not forget, do not opt for shortcut methods, do not bypass safety systems.
Further, flowsheet / block diagram, hazards, safe operating procedures (SOPs), dos' and don't's, safety systems and controlling parameters, location of emergency switches, checklist to be used before start of every shift, etc can be displayed on the particular equipment in the languages understood by the concerned persons to ensure safety at the workplace. I am sure, this will definitely help in reducing the accidents, though the information sheets displayed are more. One has to spend time in preparation of these information sheets once and they need to be changed only when they are required and approved by higher authorities.
Concerned operators and supervisors should be involved in preparing these information sheets so that they are relevant and are understood. Further, they feel that they are part of the system and are therefore responsible for ensuring safety.
LINK
Further, flowsheet / block diagram, hazards, safe operating procedures (SOPs), dos' and don't's, safety systems and controlling parameters, location of emergency switches, checklist to be used before start of every shift, etc can be displayed on the particular equipment in the languages understood by the concerned persons to ensure safety at the workplace. I am sure, this will definitely help in reducing the accidents, though the information sheets displayed are more. One has to spend time in preparation of these information sheets once and they need to be changed only when they are required and approved by higher authorities.
Concerned operators and supervisors should be involved in preparing these information sheets so that they are relevant and are understood. Further, they feel that they are part of the system and are therefore responsible for ensuring safety.
LINK
There are NO instant solutions for achieving safety - You can't see results immediately
If there is an accident in the workplace, immediately investigation committee is constituted, some report is produced with recommendations and people will forget about implementation or followup. They tell that they investigated and found the root cause.
Similarly, people will appoint safety professionals or somebody as safety officer and expect accidentfree workplace from the next moment.
Someothers reduce their alertness on safety and say that they contributed to profits (by reducing the expenditure on safety), as there were no accidents in the last few months.
In all above situations, expectations are to see immediate results. People forget that for any good or bad to happen, it will take some time for the system to develop in the direction of increase or deterioration levels. Normally, the time will be about five years, though this time can vary depending upon the commitment levels of the management and employees.
That's why when some company gets a safety reward or recognition, the CEO at that time thinks that its all because of his efforts after assuming the charge, though this is due to the efforts by the earlier CEO(s) for last few years. One may get certicate of ISO/OHSAS or something after one year effort, but the certification for the first time is mainly because of documentation (normally by consultants and therefore employees do not know anything) and management programmes listed in the manuals and resources allocated. By the time, the certificate comes for revalidation, if the CEO puts his heart into it and looks back, the improvements achieved would have been negligible and he chides his MR or safety manager for not followingup properly with the departments.
If at all there are any instant results, they will fall under corrective actions and not preventive actions. Therefore, similar incidents / accidents occur again and again and companies will get NC from auditors for not seeing any efforts for preventing the incidents.
Therefore, there are no immediate solutions and results for achieving safety, but efforts are required for permanent solutions and to be sustained.
LINK
Similarly, people will appoint safety professionals or somebody as safety officer and expect accidentfree workplace from the next moment.
Someothers reduce their alertness on safety and say that they contributed to profits (by reducing the expenditure on safety), as there were no accidents in the last few months.
In all above situations, expectations are to see immediate results. People forget that for any good or bad to happen, it will take some time for the system to develop in the direction of increase or deterioration levels. Normally, the time will be about five years, though this time can vary depending upon the commitment levels of the management and employees.
That's why when some company gets a safety reward or recognition, the CEO at that time thinks that its all because of his efforts after assuming the charge, though this is due to the efforts by the earlier CEO(s) for last few years. One may get certicate of ISO/OHSAS or something after one year effort, but the certification for the first time is mainly because of documentation (normally by consultants and therefore employees do not know anything) and management programmes listed in the manuals and resources allocated. By the time, the certificate comes for revalidation, if the CEO puts his heart into it and looks back, the improvements achieved would have been negligible and he chides his MR or safety manager for not followingup properly with the departments.
If at all there are any instant results, they will fall under corrective actions and not preventive actions. Therefore, similar incidents / accidents occur again and again and companies will get NC from auditors for not seeing any efforts for preventing the incidents.
Therefore, there are no immediate solutions and results for achieving safety, but efforts are required for permanent solutions and to be sustained.
LINK
Jun 13, 2010
Oil spillages - What about other environment damage factors?
There is lot of concern about BP oil spillage and its effect on environment. But, very little action is seen on the use of fuel guzzlers for which BP and others produce oil. Most inefficient vehicles are produced and used everyday. People say two wheelers are worst environment polluters. I am not able to understand this. A 4-stroke two wheeler gives a mileage of 60-80 kmpl whereas a car gives mileage of 10-18 kmpl. Though, people argue that cars accommodate four persons, it is a normal practice that any vehicle is of single user only and occasionally, it is used for group travel. Thus, two wheelers are better than four wheelers from emission point of view. Further, the pressure on public roads will be less with 2-wheelers than 4-wheelers. Best is public transportation system (rail and bus).
More and more oil is drawn to meet the demands of hungry users. We are using the fossil fuels that are formed over millions of years of formation and projections show that we will consume all these fossil fuels by this century end. That means, in about 150 years (1950-2100) we consume all energy resources that are formed over millions of years with crocodile tears for future generations.
If we are reasonable, then there will not be so called false development / industrial growth with regards to these fossil fuel extraction, refining and usage. Then, there will not be any need for coming up of such greedy corporations who do not care about impact of there misdeeds. Everybody in public pronounce their commitment to save environment but how many practice this.
More and more oil is drawn to meet the demands of hungry users. We are using the fossil fuels that are formed over millions of years of formation and projections show that we will consume all these fossil fuels by this century end. That means, in about 150 years (1950-2100) we consume all energy resources that are formed over millions of years with crocodile tears for future generations.
If we are reasonable, then there will not be so called false development / industrial growth with regards to these fossil fuel extraction, refining and usage. Then, there will not be any need for coming up of such greedy corporations who do not care about impact of there misdeeds. Everybody in public pronounce their commitment to save environment but how many practice this.
Who is responsible for safety?
After the last week verdict on Bhopal tragedy for fixing the responsibility, so many people in responsible positions commented about the verdict. The Factories Act 1948 amended after this 1984 accident fixes the responsibility for ensuring safety at the work place on the occupier as well as the manager. It also says (Sec 101) that if the occupier is able to prove that he has given full responsiblity and resources to others down below and that the accident occurred because of deeds of his subordinates without his knowledge, then the said person can be held responsible.
Someone commented that a car owner can't be held responsible, if his driver makes an accident. It is forgotten that the driver was put into job by the owner of the car and nobody else (unless car was stolen and is not reported in the police station).
If managements employ less qualified or unsuitable persons for the job, then there is every possibility that accidents / incidents can take place. In risk assessment, human error is also a factor. In fact, experts say that systems should be designed and put in place such that even a fool can not meddle and lead to accidents.
In the case of Bhopal accident, it is mentioned that the some of the workers, superviors and managers were brought from Battery Division and do not have proper training / exposure to run the plant. Even the audit report of Union Carbide warned about imminent dangers, a few years before the accident. Few accidents occurred earlier also support that a major accident will not occur all of a sudden, but will be preceded by few near misses and minor accidents.
As the plant was not in operation for few months before the accident, poorly trained managers and supervisors decided to switch off the refrigeration system thinking that when plant is not running, nothing will happen (because of lack of knowledge on hazards). Persons were not informed about the hazards, neither they had interest to learn on their own, about what can happen in their day-to-day activities. All of us will be careful to caution our children about their safety when they go to school or college. But we do not follow the same at our work place.
Apart from deactivating refrigeration system, the srubbing unit and flare tower were not kept in working condition. To prove Murphy law, every safety system went wrong simulataneously (neither functional nor available at the time of accident). The water sprinkler, a last resort, had limitations of spraying water upto a height of only 15 m where as the gas eascaped from the flare tower at a height more than this.
There are provisions and punishments for causing deaths due to negligence, callous attitude and accused should be awarded compunded punishments. If the wrong doers are not punished severely, this will send a wrong message to all greedy corporates that nothing will happen to them and they can find some scapegoats at lower levels for the minor punishments. In the famous novel God Father by Mario Puzo, it is mentioned that underworld people keep some persons with opposing gangs as a surity for the persons from these gangs attending meetings so that they can participate the meetings and leave the place safely. Scapegoats will be found like in the underworld system.
The entire property of the owners of the factory causing such large scale deaths should be confiscated and it is better for governments to work toward making international laws to confiscate properties of the owners in other countries also.
LINK
Someone commented that a car owner can't be held responsible, if his driver makes an accident. It is forgotten that the driver was put into job by the owner of the car and nobody else (unless car was stolen and is not reported in the police station).
If managements employ less qualified or unsuitable persons for the job, then there is every possibility that accidents / incidents can take place. In risk assessment, human error is also a factor. In fact, experts say that systems should be designed and put in place such that even a fool can not meddle and lead to accidents.
In the case of Bhopal accident, it is mentioned that the some of the workers, superviors and managers were brought from Battery Division and do not have proper training / exposure to run the plant. Even the audit report of Union Carbide warned about imminent dangers, a few years before the accident. Few accidents occurred earlier also support that a major accident will not occur all of a sudden, but will be preceded by few near misses and minor accidents.
As the plant was not in operation for few months before the accident, poorly trained managers and supervisors decided to switch off the refrigeration system thinking that when plant is not running, nothing will happen (because of lack of knowledge on hazards). Persons were not informed about the hazards, neither they had interest to learn on their own, about what can happen in their day-to-day activities. All of us will be careful to caution our children about their safety when they go to school or college. But we do not follow the same at our work place.
Apart from deactivating refrigeration system, the srubbing unit and flare tower were not kept in working condition. To prove Murphy law, every safety system went wrong simulataneously (neither functional nor available at the time of accident). The water sprinkler, a last resort, had limitations of spraying water upto a height of only 15 m where as the gas eascaped from the flare tower at a height more than this.
There are provisions and punishments for causing deaths due to negligence, callous attitude and accused should be awarded compunded punishments. If the wrong doers are not punished severely, this will send a wrong message to all greedy corporates that nothing will happen to them and they can find some scapegoats at lower levels for the minor punishments. In the famous novel God Father by Mario Puzo, it is mentioned that underworld people keep some persons with opposing gangs as a surity for the persons from these gangs attending meetings so that they can participate the meetings and leave the place safely. Scapegoats will be found like in the underworld system.
The entire property of the owners of the factory causing such large scale deaths should be confiscated and it is better for governments to work toward making international laws to confiscate properties of the owners in other countries also.
LINK
Jun 5, 2010
Why people continue to do mistakes even after accidents take place
Many times people repeat same mistakes and similar accidents take place. Even if root cause analysis is done, still they fail to take preventive measures. This shows that they do not understand the value of life and are bothered only about their output minus safety. Driving the importance of safety into their heads is very difficult for safety officers. It is better to remove such people from the job if they do not listen.
Sometimes, the top man gives importance to safety but the leadership one step below do not have such importance and drive field engineers for output at shortest time and this leads to accidents. Instead of penalising the department, if penalties are collected from the salaries of such leaders and field engineers as well as from payments made to the contractors, then people may listen. Otherwise, they do not bother about safety measures at site and contractors will continue to do the work that maximizes their profits. Possibly the money spent on accident victims treatment / compensation must have been less over a period of time for these contractors.
LINK
Sometimes, the top man gives importance to safety but the leadership one step below do not have such importance and drive field engineers for output at shortest time and this leads to accidents. Instead of penalising the department, if penalties are collected from the salaries of such leaders and field engineers as well as from payments made to the contractors, then people may listen. Otherwise, they do not bother about safety measures at site and contractors will continue to do the work that maximizes their profits. Possibly the money spent on accident victims treatment / compensation must have been less over a period of time for these contractors.
LINK
Value of human life for risk assessment
I received a mail (risk-safety.com blog) about Treatment of Value of Life and Injuries in Preparing Economic Evaluations is mentioned in an article of DOT in link given below:
http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/policy/reports/080205.htm
According to it, best present estimate of the economic value of preventing a human fatality is $5.8 million. One can go through the above link for factual information and basis for arriving at this value.
I have put it in this blog as I am sure, this will help organizations in risk assessment and reduction measures. I thank the people who arrived at this value and those who spread the information for saving valuable human lives.
http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/policy/reports/080205.htm
According to it, best present estimate of the economic value of preventing a human fatality is $5.8 million. One can go through the above link for factual information and basis for arriving at this value.
I have put it in this blog as I am sure, this will help organizations in risk assessment and reduction measures. I thank the people who arrived at this value and those who spread the information for saving valuable human lives.
World Environment Day 2010
Today is the World Environment Day and our organization is celebrating it in a big way. Last few days saw conduct of competitions in slogan and essay writing. Organizers also invited entries for posters and all winners will be distributed prizes today by the chief guest who is an expert in the field of environment. To mark the occasion, pens were distributed to all employees. More than US $ 1,000/- is being spent for this occasion.
In our safety division, yesterday we discussed about what can be done for reducing environment pollution. We use about 40 nos. of two and four-wheelers for internal transport. A friend suggested about use of bicycles instead of auto vehicles. A good idea worth following. In my earlier organization which is a sister concern of our department, everybody including senior officials use bicycles to go around for meetings, library, seminars, etc within the compound wall of the organization. Only the head of the unit is having a car and few cars are in service for external transport (for going to airport or making enquireis and purchases). Other than the top man, every one uses mass transport system (bus) for transfer from colony to office.
Already many organizations are following this. To maintain bicycles and attend repairs, the organization should have a maintenance section.
I also heard that in a company, only bicycles are used and any body can take any bicycle available nearby and leave it wherever he goes for others also to use. They are not locked. It is like a free trolley system as it is in departmental stores, super markets, airports.
A good system indeed.
In our safety division, yesterday we discussed about what can be done for reducing environment pollution. We use about 40 nos. of two and four-wheelers for internal transport. A friend suggested about use of bicycles instead of auto vehicles. A good idea worth following. In my earlier organization which is a sister concern of our department, everybody including senior officials use bicycles to go around for meetings, library, seminars, etc within the compound wall of the organization. Only the head of the unit is having a car and few cars are in service for external transport (for going to airport or making enquireis and purchases). Other than the top man, every one uses mass transport system (bus) for transfer from colony to office.
Already many organizations are following this. To maintain bicycles and attend repairs, the organization should have a maintenance section.
I also heard that in a company, only bicycles are used and any body can take any bicycle available nearby and leave it wherever he goes for others also to use. They are not locked. It is like a free trolley system as it is in departmental stores, super markets, airports.
A good system indeed.
Safety Policy of an organization - The Best Statement
Over a period of time, I subscribed many e-news letters which spread safety awareness with their free communication. In one such news letter, I found mention of a company which worked for 33.0 million man-hours without a reportable accident. I went through its website and found a mission statement which I liked very much. The company is S & B Engineers and Constructors Ltd of USA (www.sbec.com)involved in engineering, procurement and construction with about 3500 employee. There were no reportable accidents from 1994The mission statement reads as follows:
"We make NO compromise with respect to Morality, Ethics, and Safety. If a design or work practice is perceived to be unsafe, we do not proceed until the issue is resolved."
It is the best ever statement which I read till date and I recommend to every organization to use this as their safety policy and implemnt it. Never I my heart filled with a feeling of bliss as when I read this statement.
And I am sure other organizations should learn from this organization which is best suited to be a role model.
Some of the links of the same website are,
http://www.sbec.com/safety/
http://www.sbec.com/services/safety/
I am not convassing for the company services, but I am sure one will benefit by implementing its safety systems in their organization.
"We make NO compromise with respect to Morality, Ethics, and Safety. If a design or work practice is perceived to be unsafe, we do not proceed until the issue is resolved."
It is the best ever statement which I read till date and I recommend to every organization to use this as their safety policy and implemnt it. Never I my heart filled with a feeling of bliss as when I read this statement.
And I am sure other organizations should learn from this organization which is best suited to be a role model.
Some of the links of the same website are,
http://www.sbec.com/safety/
http://www.sbec.com/services/safety/
I am not convassing for the company services, but I am sure one will benefit by implementing its safety systems in their organization.
Jun 4, 2010
Safety Rewards/Incentives - Boon or Bane?
Many organizations reward and provide incentive to their employees for working safely for certain period without accident or for reporting of near misses, incidents, etc or giving suggestion for enhancing safety at work place.
However, the question is whether such rewards or incentives are helpful on long term basis. As long as genuine reporting system exists and followed, the rewarding system may work. However, it is also likely that accidents may not be reported and hid so that targeted accident-free period can be achieved and rewarded, which will defeat the basic purpose of improving safety at work place.
Sometime back, an expert commented in a safety seminar that rewarding system will not work. The news of various accidents in different countries supports such statements because generally there will not be any accident without warning signals. If action is taken on such signals, then accidents could have been avoided. As nobody cares to report or take action, people and environment are endangered.
It is therefore advisable not to pamper employees with rewards and instead use the resources to communicate the hazards and consequences so that accidents do not occur. Again hazard communication should be specific to the job in which persons are engaged and in this regard, job supervisors play important role.
However, the question is whether such rewards or incentives are helpful on long term basis. As long as genuine reporting system exists and followed, the rewarding system may work. However, it is also likely that accidents may not be reported and hid so that targeted accident-free period can be achieved and rewarded, which will defeat the basic purpose of improving safety at work place.
Sometime back, an expert commented in a safety seminar that rewarding system will not work. The news of various accidents in different countries supports such statements because generally there will not be any accident without warning signals. If action is taken on such signals, then accidents could have been avoided. As nobody cares to report or take action, people and environment are endangered.
It is therefore advisable not to pamper employees with rewards and instead use the resources to communicate the hazards and consequences so that accidents do not occur. Again hazard communication should be specific to the job in which persons are engaged and in this regard, job supervisors play important role.
May 12, 2010
Summer temperature woes
Yesterday and today, news papers reported that temperatures in different parts of A.P set a record for the decade. Temperatures are in the range 45-48 degree Celcius in many cities. The main reason, I feel is, indiscriminate tree felling. Whenever we go under a tree shade or along the road adjacent to good greenery area, we feel a cool breeze. Trees are cut because of increased urbanization. To meet never ending traffic problems and congestion, roads are widened and for this adjacent trees on the road side are cut. Every year, we feel that summer is starting in advance, precisely because of this tree cutting and resultant temperature rise. May be, there are other factors. But, it is our duty to protect our surroundings. If trees are to be cut to meet some other needs, then we have to ensure that these cut trees are planted safely in areas adjacent to widened roads. Green coverage should not decrease because of our needs.
There is a saying that "Vriksho rakshathi, rakshithaha" meaning that" save trees, it will save us". How true it is. Proverbs are the result of experiences of our ancestors over hundreds of years and we are least bothered about them. We do not want to learn evern after experiencing directly because of our acts without foreseeing the effects.
Governments spend vast amounts of money for forestry but it is also the duty of people to put some money from their pocket to protect environment by planting and saving trees in their yard so that they will have good air and also to the public.
Though, it is difficult and also lead to corruption or misuse, it should be made mandatory to plant trees in every house / apartment complex along with soak pits for collecting the rain water to help the public and reduce stress on government resources and those who violate should be penalized heavily (GREENERY VIOLATION PENALTY). This money should be distributed to some NGOs specifically formed for ensuring and increasing greenery (not by having lawns which are costly to maintain but by planting saplings, relocating the cut trees, etc which are mostly one time affair or require attention for less time) and the accounts of these NGOs should be audited. Public can be encourage to donate to an account setup for this purpose, say "GREEN FUND" and can give tax exemption to the contributors like it is given for certain donations made for flood relief, CM/PM Relief Funds, religious donations, free food schemes of some religious institutions, etc.
There is a saying that "Vriksho rakshathi, rakshithaha" meaning that" save trees, it will save us". How true it is. Proverbs are the result of experiences of our ancestors over hundreds of years and we are least bothered about them. We do not want to learn evern after experiencing directly because of our acts without foreseeing the effects.
Governments spend vast amounts of money for forestry but it is also the duty of people to put some money from their pocket to protect environment by planting and saving trees in their yard so that they will have good air and also to the public.
Though, it is difficult and also lead to corruption or misuse, it should be made mandatory to plant trees in every house / apartment complex along with soak pits for collecting the rain water to help the public and reduce stress on government resources and those who violate should be penalized heavily (GREENERY VIOLATION PENALTY). This money should be distributed to some NGOs specifically formed for ensuring and increasing greenery (not by having lawns which are costly to maintain but by planting saplings, relocating the cut trees, etc which are mostly one time affair or require attention for less time) and the accounts of these NGOs should be audited. Public can be encourage to donate to an account setup for this purpose, say "GREEN FUND" and can give tax exemption to the contributors like it is given for certain donations made for flood relief, CM/PM Relief Funds, religious donations, free food schemes of some religious institutions, etc.
May 4, 2010
User charges for fire fighting services
A news paper report mentioned that the AP Fire Services department is proposing to charge for their services provided to commercial establishments and higher income group individuals above a set category so that they can finance their activities and maintain their facilities.
It is true that any thing comes free will not have any value in the eyes of beneficiaries, though nobody wants to loose their propery in a fire or get themselves injured. But, acts of carelessness, not providing sufficient safety measures disregarding the risk to make money, no respect for statutory provisions, etc shall be dealt severely and I feel user charges are definitely one of such methods.
First, there should be creation of awareness about hazards and measures to be taken which can be communicated while issuing permission for construction of buildings / licence to establish a business or trade / renewal / payment of property taxes , etc in the form of 1-2 page pamphlet and also printed on the backside of electricity bills or similar nature. Punishments / penalties also should be mentioned in the same leaf so that one will take serious note of the contents.
Then, user charges as and when service is provided should be at such higher rates that one should hesitate if wants to use. In case of Fire Services, there should not be any option. If there is a fire and even if someone on the road informs through emergency phone number, they should come and then charge. It should be made mandatory for emergency services to charge after attending the calls irrespective of who called or informed about emergency.
The insurance companies should give some discount in the policy premium, if there are sufficient verifiable safety measures taken by the beneficiary.
Such measures will make the citizens to be aware and be safety minded. Governments should not provide its services for free, atleast to creat awareness that NOTHING IS FREE.
It is common to criticise Service departments like Fire / municipal / traffic / police / intelligence / factories / pollution control board, etc that they are not upto mark or not doing their job. No doubt, all are not at same level and there can be inefficiency / corruption, etc and other factors / reasons like lack of man power or other resources. But, first of all, if individuals are not careful, do not want to follow atleast common sense leave apart rules and regulations, then who can help and what anybody can do to protect. Just imagine that you are a traffic police, for example, and think how you can regulate the traffic by the acts which yourself would have committed on various occasions. Definitely, it will provoke you to think and motivate you to do the right things.
There is a saying that it is easy to awake a sleeping person but not the ones who pretend to sleep. No amount of resources in the world can create a safe place, if the individual decides not to be safe. Only, they can be controlled for sometime. It is not possible for any monitoring / regulating agency to watch each and everyone. If that is the requirement, then 50% of our population will be regulators while others are subject under watch.
It is true that any thing comes free will not have any value in the eyes of beneficiaries, though nobody wants to loose their propery in a fire or get themselves injured. But, acts of carelessness, not providing sufficient safety measures disregarding the risk to make money, no respect for statutory provisions, etc shall be dealt severely and I feel user charges are definitely one of such methods.
First, there should be creation of awareness about hazards and measures to be taken which can be communicated while issuing permission for construction of buildings / licence to establish a business or trade / renewal / payment of property taxes , etc in the form of 1-2 page pamphlet and also printed on the backside of electricity bills or similar nature. Punishments / penalties also should be mentioned in the same leaf so that one will take serious note of the contents.
Then, user charges as and when service is provided should be at such higher rates that one should hesitate if wants to use. In case of Fire Services, there should not be any option. If there is a fire and even if someone on the road informs through emergency phone number, they should come and then charge. It should be made mandatory for emergency services to charge after attending the calls irrespective of who called or informed about emergency.
The insurance companies should give some discount in the policy premium, if there are sufficient verifiable safety measures taken by the beneficiary.
Such measures will make the citizens to be aware and be safety minded. Governments should not provide its services for free, atleast to creat awareness that NOTHING IS FREE.
It is common to criticise Service departments like Fire / municipal / traffic / police / intelligence / factories / pollution control board, etc that they are not upto mark or not doing their job. No doubt, all are not at same level and there can be inefficiency / corruption, etc and other factors / reasons like lack of man power or other resources. But, first of all, if individuals are not careful, do not want to follow atleast common sense leave apart rules and regulations, then who can help and what anybody can do to protect. Just imagine that you are a traffic police, for example, and think how you can regulate the traffic by the acts which yourself would have committed on various occasions. Definitely, it will provoke you to think and motivate you to do the right things.
There is a saying that it is easy to awake a sleeping person but not the ones who pretend to sleep. No amount of resources in the world can create a safe place, if the individual decides not to be safe. Only, they can be controlled for sometime. It is not possible for any monitoring / regulating agency to watch each and everyone. If that is the requirement, then 50% of our population will be regulators while others are subject under watch.
Apr 24, 2010
House Keeping in waste yards
Today I read about a fire incident in a thermal plant storage yard where wild grass caught fire. This fire spread to nearby combustibles with flames reaching very high and in the process damaged two HT cables.
Such incidents or conditions can be seen in every factory. With good intentions, areas will be cleaned. Then, someone else in the evening hours dumps scrap and other unwanted material. Over a period of time the area becomes a big dumping yard along with growth of wild vegetation and the area is prone to fire hazard. All types of wastes can be seen like domestic waste, plastic scrap, metallic scrap, civil debris, etc. Because no one attends, creepers will go up on the HT structures and become source for spreading fire in the event of any fire at ground level.
Good house keeping not only keeps hazards away but also gives ambience and affects positively the persons in the area.
Few months back, a wild grass fire in railway wagon yard lead to complete damage to the wagon. It may be noted that oil soaked cotton waste can catch fire because bacterial action. This bacterial action is exothermic and over a period of time the heat buildup causes sudden fire of the material.
Compared to earlier years, in this year 2010, many fires were reported in different cities of our country and because of courageous efforts by firemen who get peanuts for their efforts, huge properties are saved. All we do for their efforts is to observe two minutes silence on every 14th April, give speeches and forget Fire Services Day and the firemen.
There is a dialogue in Telugu movie, "tinnama, padukunnama, tellarinda". This is what we do with respect many issues including safety.
It has become a fashion to blame regulators for each and every incident. If we are not prompt in what is happending in our house or our own backyard, who can do what.
Such incidents or conditions can be seen in every factory. With good intentions, areas will be cleaned. Then, someone else in the evening hours dumps scrap and other unwanted material. Over a period of time the area becomes a big dumping yard along with growth of wild vegetation and the area is prone to fire hazard. All types of wastes can be seen like domestic waste, plastic scrap, metallic scrap, civil debris, etc. Because no one attends, creepers will go up on the HT structures and become source for spreading fire in the event of any fire at ground level.
Good house keeping not only keeps hazards away but also gives ambience and affects positively the persons in the area.
Few months back, a wild grass fire in railway wagon yard lead to complete damage to the wagon. It may be noted that oil soaked cotton waste can catch fire because bacterial action. This bacterial action is exothermic and over a period of time the heat buildup causes sudden fire of the material.
Compared to earlier years, in this year 2010, many fires were reported in different cities of our country and because of courageous efforts by firemen who get peanuts for their efforts, huge properties are saved. All we do for their efforts is to observe two minutes silence on every 14th April, give speeches and forget Fire Services Day and the firemen.
There is a dialogue in Telugu movie, "tinnama, padukunnama, tellarinda". This is what we do with respect many issues including safety.
It has become a fashion to blame regulators for each and every incident. If we are not prompt in what is happending in our house or our own backyard, who can do what.
Apr 23, 2010
My outdoor trip - skin burns
Yesterday, I went outside in a bike at about 1000 hrs to city outskirts to see someone. As it was very hot and also the distance is about 50 km and it took totally about 3 hrs to complete our trip, by the time we reached home, we were totally exhausted. I wore a half shirt and both fore arms as well as exposed portions of toes are burning / itching. At about 15 km from my house, we started taking different types of fluids, like pudina water, water melon, lemon soda, ice cream, coold drink, etc. However, by the time we reached, we were totally exhausted and there was no power at home due to scheduled power cut.
After lunch, I slept for about two hours and when I woke up and washed my face, I could see my red face, red forearms, red skin below the neck in the front side. This is like 1st degree burns. Even after 24 hours now also I am having skin burning sensation in the calf area and fore arm. Like any skin burn, it may take a week to return to normal skin.
Though, I wore a hat and covered my eyes with spectacles (photo sensitive), still I am suffereing from the travel under the hot sun. If this is the case with me who travel only very rarely, what about the workers who work for livelihood. What are the minimum measures to be provided to them to protect them hot sun and in this country, how many are really providing these facilities like sun shade, water, etc is a big question mark.
After lunch, I slept for about two hours and when I woke up and washed my face, I could see my red face, red forearms, red skin below the neck in the front side. This is like 1st degree burns. Even after 24 hours now also I am having skin burning sensation in the calf area and fore arm. Like any skin burn, it may take a week to return to normal skin.
Though, I wore a hat and covered my eyes with spectacles (photo sensitive), still I am suffereing from the travel under the hot sun. If this is the case with me who travel only very rarely, what about the workers who work for livelihood. What are the minimum measures to be provided to them to protect them hot sun and in this country, how many are really providing these facilities like sun shade, water, etc is a big question mark.
Thigh cramps - some analysis from physician
Last Saturday, at about 0230 hrs I got up from my mat and immediately I felt severe pain in both thighs at same point. The pain was so severe and for 1st time in my life my mind was totally blank and was unable to do or think any think. Just I walked here and there for 15 minutes in the house by which time it started subsiding. Next day being Sunday, I could not contact any of our official doctors. On Monday, I met my physician with the problem which was still persisting to some extent. He told me that this called cramp and not pain as there was muscle contraction like where as pain means it is present continuously. Then the reason for the cramp could be loss of salts (Na, K chlorides; hormone change, thyroid problem, sugar levels). As per his advise I underwent some tests also. It appears to be TSH which is above permissible levels. I am yet to contact the doctor with the report but a search in the internet shows that failure of thyroid can cause such levels of TSH released by pitutory gland.
In this entire episode, one thing I noticed is that for last few weeks because of higher temperatures outside, I am drinking more water 4-5 lit a day and this also brought down my food intake by more than 50%. More water means more urine and this might have caused loss of salts also as it is mentioned in some articles that excessive water drinking can lead to water addiction with the resulrt of loss of salts. I might have been subjected to such loss. But, medical tests show electrolytes in normal levels.
The doctor advised me to take glass of water with electrolytes once in two hours or tender coconut and whenever I go out he advised me to take water with atleast some sugar and salt added instead of plain water.
Summer safety tips are therefore useful and we can understand only when are subjected to the consequences.
I thought my experiences will be useful to some body and therefore this POST.
In this entire episode, one thing I noticed is that for last few weeks because of higher temperatures outside, I am drinking more water 4-5 lit a day and this also brought down my food intake by more than 50%. More water means more urine and this might have caused loss of salts also as it is mentioned in some articles that excessive water drinking can lead to water addiction with the resulrt of loss of salts. I might have been subjected to such loss. But, medical tests show electrolytes in normal levels.
The doctor advised me to take glass of water with electrolytes once in two hours or tender coconut and whenever I go out he advised me to take water with atleast some sugar and salt added instead of plain water.
Summer safety tips are therefore useful and we can understand only when are subjected to the consequences.
I thought my experiences will be useful to some body and therefore this POST.
Apr 22, 2010
LPG GAS leak, explosion and burns
Many times it is reported in news papers that there was LPG stove explosion leading to burns / deaths. Not many people are clear whether it is the explosion of stove or cylinder or gas. Normally, the leaking gas creates flammable atmospheres and when someone tries to switch on the light in the morning or uses lighter, the leaking gas in flammable range ignites and explodes. Bursting of cylinder is a rare case which can happen only when the cylinder is exposed to external fire and contents inside are pressurised and then the cylinder explodes with fragments flying all around.
Few years back, it is reported that a fragment from such explosion killed a person on the road. Otherwise, the gas explosion causes burn injuries and deaths to occupants of the building, causes collapse of the roof, shatters window panes, doors, etc.
Simple precautions like closing the regulator after use every time, keeping constant vigil / observation when milk or other items are kept on the stove, changing the hose once in two years or as recommended by the hose manufacturer will keep safe our homes and save us from consequences.
Similar to the above, auto rikshaw drivers check the level of petrol / diesel in the tank in the darkness with the help of a lighted match stick and the vapour in the tank catches fire leading severe burns. Such news reports also appear now and then in the news papers.
Such incidents as above show that people lack even common sense and it is a big question mark about how governments, regulators, society can protect them. Because such acts not only injure these silly people but also affect nearby persons and may cause destruction to persons / property located even 50-100 m away.
Few years back, it is reported that a fragment from such explosion killed a person on the road. Otherwise, the gas explosion causes burn injuries and deaths to occupants of the building, causes collapse of the roof, shatters window panes, doors, etc.
Simple precautions like closing the regulator after use every time, keeping constant vigil / observation when milk or other items are kept on the stove, changing the hose once in two years or as recommended by the hose manufacturer will keep safe our homes and save us from consequences.
Similar to the above, auto rikshaw drivers check the level of petrol / diesel in the tank in the darkness with the help of a lighted match stick and the vapour in the tank catches fire leading severe burns. Such news reports also appear now and then in the news papers.
Such incidents as above show that people lack even common sense and it is a big question mark about how governments, regulators, society can protect them. Because such acts not only injure these silly people but also affect nearby persons and may cause destruction to persons / property located even 50-100 m away.
Injury to a worker while cleaning concrete mixer - on a HOLIDAY
A new item came today in a Telugu daily that one worker died while cleaning a concrete mixer. As per the news item, Wednesday is a weekend holiday for the company. Therefore, the worker went to the machine to clean the mixer. Not knowing this, another worker switched ON the mixer leading to injuries.
Though the intentions can't be questioned about cleaning on a holiday, it is not clear why different jobs are taken up on the same machine on the same day, by different teams. If such jobs are to be done, then LOTO systems has to be followed. Atleast, one supervisor should stand near the machine so that activities can be coordianted.
Similar incidents happened a few months ago as reported in a news paper that lead to death.
Normally, when someone opens the mixer chamber, a power trip mechanism gets actuated to trip the power supply to the machine, even if he does not switch OFF initially. Just to save few minutes, safety systems are bypassed leading to loss of many days of work. The persons responsible for bypassing the systems should be held guilty and punished severely. The punishment should not be worker level people but to supervisors or higherups who fail to see functionality of safety systems.
Such safety systems should not be located outside where they are easily accessible and can be bypassed. They should be located deep inside the machine so that one has to open entire machine to bypass. May be such designs can prevent persons from bypassing the safety systems.
Again, permit system should be enforced for works on all days irrespective of whether it is holiday or not. Persons should not be allowed to work on machines even if he is over enthusiastic to do the work. They should get permission from Manager of the plant to work on holidays or at period other than normal working hours and it should be logged and intimated to concerned supervisors and safety people. The equipment should have a sort of locking system with keys deposited in Security so that when some one draws the key of the equipment for some work, it will be recorded and the next person who wants to work will be aware of existence of persons.
Such injuries and deaths are total loss and painful to the families, organization and to the society and should be dealt with all seriousness.
Though the intentions can't be questioned about cleaning on a holiday, it is not clear why different jobs are taken up on the same machine on the same day, by different teams. If such jobs are to be done, then LOTO systems has to be followed. Atleast, one supervisor should stand near the machine so that activities can be coordianted.
Similar incidents happened a few months ago as reported in a news paper that lead to death.
Normally, when someone opens the mixer chamber, a power trip mechanism gets actuated to trip the power supply to the machine, even if he does not switch OFF initially. Just to save few minutes, safety systems are bypassed leading to loss of many days of work. The persons responsible for bypassing the systems should be held guilty and punished severely. The punishment should not be worker level people but to supervisors or higherups who fail to see functionality of safety systems.
Such safety systems should not be located outside where they are easily accessible and can be bypassed. They should be located deep inside the machine so that one has to open entire machine to bypass. May be such designs can prevent persons from bypassing the safety systems.
Again, permit system should be enforced for works on all days irrespective of whether it is holiday or not. Persons should not be allowed to work on machines even if he is over enthusiastic to do the work. They should get permission from Manager of the plant to work on holidays or at period other than normal working hours and it should be logged and intimated to concerned supervisors and safety people. The equipment should have a sort of locking system with keys deposited in Security so that when some one draws the key of the equipment for some work, it will be recorded and the next person who wants to work will be aware of existence of persons.
Such injuries and deaths are total loss and painful to the families, organization and to the society and should be dealt with all seriousness.
Apr 20, 2010
Safety for whom - safety officer or plant
Some plant people think that safety officer gives advise / points out unsafe conditions only to show his existence or to protect his job. Protecting job may be correct but it applies to all. We are not here to do some social service. Obliging safety officer is again not to satisfy him or his ego but to protect the people, property and environment in the plant and surroundings and creat a safe work place. This also protects themselves from hassles of occupier and/or regulator from possible penal actions. Because of such thinking by plant people, appointment of safety officer was made mandatory and those organizations which listened to safety officer have shown improvement in working conditions and seen visible and invisible returns in financial terms. Even in these organizations, when there are no accidents for some reasonable period, the memory fades and finance people think that investment on safety is waste till some accident occurs.
It must be remembered that when accident occurs, it occurs after giving sufficient warnings in the form of nearmisses. Thus accidents, though do not assume any human form are like persons with good heart that they warn us sufficiently. And, we the real human beings do not want to see and take corrective actions leave alone preventive actions.
Finally, when accident occurs, it happens with a BANG and everbody questions everybody. Some drama also can be seen. We pretend to have woken up from slumber and soon slip into sleep again.
Though, it has become common to question regulators for their failure to inspect, it impossible task for any regulator to inspect a factory, understand the systems and find hazards or violations. If the sufferer in case of an accident do not want to learn, then nobody can can correct the system. These organizations are destined to suffer and regulators only have to listen some unpleasant things for sometime in the media, because the samething repeats.
Only self control will save the organizations and all other controls are helpful to improve the system, not to correct the system.
If strict regulation is to be done, then governments have to appoint one inspector for every industrial zone containing say 10-15 factories and any violations are to be dealt with strictly by penalties and other forms. When such appointment of regulators is done, financial outgo will be very high and therefore, government has to collect monthly fees from these factories to pay for the regulators and running the regulator's office. Then, may be, safe conditions can be created in the work place.
It must be remembered that when accident occurs, it occurs after giving sufficient warnings in the form of nearmisses. Thus accidents, though do not assume any human form are like persons with good heart that they warn us sufficiently. And, we the real human beings do not want to see and take corrective actions leave alone preventive actions.
Finally, when accident occurs, it happens with a BANG and everbody questions everybody. Some drama also can be seen. We pretend to have woken up from slumber and soon slip into sleep again.
Though, it has become common to question regulators for their failure to inspect, it impossible task for any regulator to inspect a factory, understand the systems and find hazards or violations. If the sufferer in case of an accident do not want to learn, then nobody can can correct the system. These organizations are destined to suffer and regulators only have to listen some unpleasant things for sometime in the media, because the samething repeats.
Only self control will save the organizations and all other controls are helpful to improve the system, not to correct the system.
If strict regulation is to be done, then governments have to appoint one inspector for every industrial zone containing say 10-15 factories and any violations are to be dealt with strictly by penalties and other forms. When such appointment of regulators is done, financial outgo will be very high and therefore, government has to collect monthly fees from these factories to pay for the regulators and running the regulator's office. Then, may be, safe conditions can be created in the work place.
Safety - headache now or later?
I heard someone saying that following safety principles is a headache but had to be lived with. If such a statement comes from a factory manager, it got more serious repurcussions i.e there will not be any wholehearted commitment and involvement by plant persons. Only lip service will be paid by the shopfloor supervisors and workers. Those who do not understand the evils of not following safety and only live under threat of being questioned by regulators can have such opinions and nobody can help organizations with such people. Not even GOD.
Apr 18, 2010
Learning from others-blogs or accidents whatever it is!
I used to write a lot in my earlier posts. However, it's my feeling that these are lengthy. I also saw posts of some bloggers which are brief. So I decided to write only to the point. If I want to explain, I can do it in different posts. This is what I learned from others. Similar thing we can do in learning mistakes done by others when they had accidents or near misses and avoid the same.
Apr 13, 2010
Safety legislations - management support
Sometimes, it becomes very difficult when production people question the safety officer about the basis for particular requirement mentioned in legislations or good practices. For example, 15 meter distance between hot work area and combustibles, or 1.05 m extension of ladder above landing, or 4:1 for vertical to horizontal of a ladder, etc. Though one can explain about flying of sparks / proper support for the person to walk on to the landing / prevent fall of persons as reason for these requirements, still one questions in meeting the requirements exactly. Similarly, testing of equipment in the specified period, say once in four years for pressure vessels. Questions will be like, whether pressure vessel will fail, if not tested after 4 years. Such questions look silly and safety professional will loose control of his patience. Further with his role as advisor, he can't reply authoritatively unless top management supports safety officer. If such support is extended, then whatever safety officer says will be obliged, though production people will be unhappy internally. So, legislations alone will not help in improving safety culture in an organization. Legislations or not,what is required is top management support expressed in public and supported to the core.
Apr 11, 2010
Don't Relax after peak production in March - examine all your systems for safety
Normally, the month of March is peak production period for meeting the targets of production for manufacturers, financial expenditure for those who ordered various machinery, etc so that they will not receive any flak from Board Directors or Finance Department.
The month of April will be somewhat a lean period, having met the targets and waiting for good news of bonus / pay increase, etc. However, it is good if all establishments plan their annual shutdowns for maintenance in April, test their equipment / vessels / material handling equipment / earthpits, etc as per statutory requirements in this month so that there will not be any question of non-availability of particular system for testing. Production department will be reluctant to release the system for examination in the second half of the year. Thus, April-May is the best period for statutory examinations and annual mainatenance.
The month of April will be somewhat a lean period, having met the targets and waiting for good news of bonus / pay increase, etc. However, it is good if all establishments plan their annual shutdowns for maintenance in April, test their equipment / vessels / material handling equipment / earthpits, etc as per statutory requirements in this month so that there will not be any question of non-availability of particular system for testing. Production department will be reluctant to release the system for examination in the second half of the year. Thus, April-May is the best period for statutory examinations and annual mainatenance.
Mar 28, 2010
Spark arrestors for vehicles entering flammable areas
Last week, when I was driving my motor cycle, I heard bursting soundings most possibly from my bike. Initially, I looked around other vehicles but as I did not see anything unusual, I thought that the sound is from my bike exhaust. Earlier also I saw similar bursting sounds from other vehicles exhaust pipe along with short duration flame.
Imagine if vehicles like fire tender or ambulance with such exhaust enter flammable areas. Instead of saving the property or rescuing the persons, the sparks from these vehicles can initiate fire and explosion.
Imagine if vehicles like fire tender or ambulance with such exhaust enter flammable areas. Instead of saving the property or rescuing the persons, the sparks from these vehicles can initiate fire and explosion.
Safety culture
Recently, I heard a person questioning about preaching of safety culture. He questioned about the credentials of the culture of the preacher saying that the person does not wear helmet while driving from home to office and he preaches about safety culture to others.
Yes, the person is wrong that he is not using helmet. But, by his act, he will be at risk of getting injured. But, in a plant, if the Manager can't inculcate safety culture, then entire staff of the concerned plant as well as those in the vicinity will be affected. By saying you are wrong will not make my wrong act a RIGHT. A wrong act is always a wrong act only. By telling the safety man that your acts outside are wrong and you can't tell me how I should do is not a correct statement at all. These types of arguments are like shadow boxing and will not help in improving safety at the plant.
Another example is a theft has occurred in the house when the occupant is not in the house. Suppose the neighbour informs about the same to the occupant. If occupant replies not bother about what is happening in his house and advises to look into his own house affairs, who will be the loser. Obviously, the occupant. Similarly, in a factory the plant manager will be loser and will be responsible for acts and deeds and may be charged by the regulator depending upon the seriousness of the violations. At that time, plant manager can't tell the regulator that regulator is not wearing shoe or not using the helmet. Before such a thing occurs, the internal safety officer monitors and advises the plant manager for suitable action so that plant manager can avoid embarrasing and difficult situations from his employees as well as the regulator.
Yes, the person is wrong that he is not using helmet. But, by his act, he will be at risk of getting injured. But, in a plant, if the Manager can't inculcate safety culture, then entire staff of the concerned plant as well as those in the vicinity will be affected. By saying you are wrong will not make my wrong act a RIGHT. A wrong act is always a wrong act only. By telling the safety man that your acts outside are wrong and you can't tell me how I should do is not a correct statement at all. These types of arguments are like shadow boxing and will not help in improving safety at the plant.
Another example is a theft has occurred in the house when the occupant is not in the house. Suppose the neighbour informs about the same to the occupant. If occupant replies not bother about what is happening in his house and advises to look into his own house affairs, who will be the loser. Obviously, the occupant. Similarly, in a factory the plant manager will be loser and will be responsible for acts and deeds and may be charged by the regulator depending upon the seriousness of the violations. At that time, plant manager can't tell the regulator that regulator is not wearing shoe or not using the helmet. Before such a thing occurs, the internal safety officer monitors and advises the plant manager for suitable action so that plant manager can avoid embarrasing and difficult situations from his employees as well as the regulator.
Static Electricity - my experiences
I am into the field of industrial safety for the last 10 1/2 years. Before that, I was involved in process equipment design. When, I joined safety department, I started reading about various topics in safety and one such topic is static electricity. For first few years, I had only book knowledge and no experience of what it is.
What already read in books is that static charge will be generated, when we
- comb our hair
- wear synthetic dress
- walk on wool carpets, etc
Following are my practical experiences
- when I approached TV, the hair on the forearm attracted to the picture tube
- After travelling, to get down, I tried to open the vehicle door by lifting the knob on door outside and I received shock
- my friend took out pen drive from his shirt pocket and when he inserted in the USB port, cracking sound came
- when I touched the monitor of desktop computer, I heard noise
- one night, I got up and went to bathroom for pressure relief. I saw some flash from my dhoti ( a cloth worn around instead of knickers / shorts ). I thought it is light reflection because of someone outside my apartment switched ON the light in his house or some vehicle light from ground floor. I had some fear also thinking it as some ghost, as a person died in the house above my house in the apartment block (though I don't believe, but a serious discussion on the issue before sleep with my family members and my denial of existence of ghosts made me to think that something of such sort is there). Then, next day while thinking about the flash in my dhothi, suddenly it occurred to me that my dhothi is synthetic and as it is in two layers, friction between layers might have caused charge accumulation and discharge in the form of flash. After reaching home from office, I waited for night and then closed window and door of my room, covered the window with thick curtain and blanket. Then, I took the same dhothi and rubbed fast and saw flashes generated. Then, I repeated the same and showed to my wife and children. The flashes were light green in colour. I don't know the reason for the colour of the flash, which I has to explore or search.
The last one narrated above is the one which I want to share with all and the lesson is that we should not wear synthetic dress when we work on or near flammable solvents / pyrophoric materials. The practical application of this information is that we should not wear synthetic dress when we go for petrol / gas filling. As we travel for sometime before we reach the pump, charge would have accumulated on the synthetic dress and it is likely that the discharge in the form of spark can initiate fire in the petrol pump station.
What already read in books is that static charge will be generated, when we
- comb our hair
- wear synthetic dress
- walk on wool carpets, etc
Following are my practical experiences
- when I approached TV, the hair on the forearm attracted to the picture tube
- After travelling, to get down, I tried to open the vehicle door by lifting the knob on door outside and I received shock
- my friend took out pen drive from his shirt pocket and when he inserted in the USB port, cracking sound came
- when I touched the monitor of desktop computer, I heard noise
- one night, I got up and went to bathroom for pressure relief. I saw some flash from my dhoti ( a cloth worn around instead of knickers / shorts ). I thought it is light reflection because of someone outside my apartment switched ON the light in his house or some vehicle light from ground floor. I had some fear also thinking it as some ghost, as a person died in the house above my house in the apartment block (though I don't believe, but a serious discussion on the issue before sleep with my family members and my denial of existence of ghosts made me to think that something of such sort is there). Then, next day while thinking about the flash in my dhothi, suddenly it occurred to me that my dhothi is synthetic and as it is in two layers, friction between layers might have caused charge accumulation and discharge in the form of flash. After reaching home from office, I waited for night and then closed window and door of my room, covered the window with thick curtain and blanket. Then, I took the same dhothi and rubbed fast and saw flashes generated. Then, I repeated the same and showed to my wife and children. The flashes were light green in colour. I don't know the reason for the colour of the flash, which I has to explore or search.
The last one narrated above is the one which I want to share with all and the lesson is that we should not wear synthetic dress when we work on or near flammable solvents / pyrophoric materials. The practical application of this information is that we should not wear synthetic dress when we go for petrol / gas filling. As we travel for sometime before we reach the pump, charge would have accumulated on the synthetic dress and it is likely that the discharge in the form of spark can initiate fire in the petrol pump station.
Mar 22, 2010
Feb 12, 2010
Safety Practioner: A Pessimist? or A Visionary!!
A safety officer’s main role in the organization to help in hazard identification and thus he will have a hawk’s eye for hazards. The conditions which are normal for the plant personnel will be hazards in the eyes of safety man and thus when he tells shop floor persons about hazard and need for elimination, the safety man will be seen as a negative minded person. He may be scolded, chided and will be at receiving end depending upon the safety culture of the organization. If the safety officer is having thick skin, then he will not bother and will continue his work. If not, after sometime he may stop cautioning about hazards. If some unusual incident occurs, then again same safety person will be blamed for not identifying the hazard and intimating the concerned. He will be come pessimistic and all his goals / objective in the beginning of a career in safety will lead to total frustration and he will be at cross roads to do what. He will be stressful and it is not possible for any person to be optimistic for ever. Though pessimistic attitude is good for a safety man in hazard identification, when this reach his mind and carried to home, it may spoil his home life also. Over a period of time, he will be at peace neither at work place nor at home and will be blamed all around.
Therefore, it is important for safety professional to stay positive and exercise like walking will help him to stay fit, physically and mentally. Listening to music, attending cultural programmes and book reading are some of the activities which can help the person to lead a peaceful life. Similarly, visiting new places, monumental or religious or others, will fresh up the life.
If it is not possible to continue in the safety department, he can think of change of job. However, I know some persons who left their organizations in frustration continue to be frustrated and are frequent job changers.
There are many programmes available to take care of different professionals, but professionals who help the organizations to identify hazards are helped in identifying their hazards. These safety professionals have to take care of themselves and safe guard their health and life beyond office.
Once the person overcomes his stressful life because of his profession, still keeping his pessimistic approach, he can be helpful to the organization in hazard identification. A safety officer in an organization will have the moral responsibility of ensuring a safe work place and also see that management will not take wrong decisions because of his work methods. He has to envisage what can go wrong and provide feed back to the management in the form of reports regularly. He has to convey hazards along with the statutory requirments under which these are seen as violations and for thick skinned persons, safety officer should not hesitate in telling about the penalties / punishments one deserves for the violations. Though, punishments or penalties are seen as last resort and people say they are not helpful in straightening the organization, as we see the occurrence of incidents in well advanced countries and the penalties imposed by the regulators in these countries, there is no other solution.
In fact, organizations should develop their own penalty structure in terms of cash fine or reduced pay or suspension of the employee from work and termination as last resort. Then, everybody will have the fear of following safety priniciples which the management wants to follow. Of course, nothing can be done, if the management it self pays only lip service to safety.
Therefore, it is important for safety professional to stay positive and exercise like walking will help him to stay fit, physically and mentally. Listening to music, attending cultural programmes and book reading are some of the activities which can help the person to lead a peaceful life. Similarly, visiting new places, monumental or religious or others, will fresh up the life.
If it is not possible to continue in the safety department, he can think of change of job. However, I know some persons who left their organizations in frustration continue to be frustrated and are frequent job changers.
There are many programmes available to take care of different professionals, but professionals who help the organizations to identify hazards are helped in identifying their hazards. These safety professionals have to take care of themselves and safe guard their health and life beyond office.
Once the person overcomes his stressful life because of his profession, still keeping his pessimistic approach, he can be helpful to the organization in hazard identification. A safety officer in an organization will have the moral responsibility of ensuring a safe work place and also see that management will not take wrong decisions because of his work methods. He has to envisage what can go wrong and provide feed back to the management in the form of reports regularly. He has to convey hazards along with the statutory requirments under which these are seen as violations and for thick skinned persons, safety officer should not hesitate in telling about the penalties / punishments one deserves for the violations. Though, punishments or penalties are seen as last resort and people say they are not helpful in straightening the organization, as we see the occurrence of incidents in well advanced countries and the penalties imposed by the regulators in these countries, there is no other solution.
In fact, organizations should develop their own penalty structure in terms of cash fine or reduced pay or suspension of the employee from work and termination as last resort. Then, everybody will have the fear of following safety priniciples which the management wants to follow. Of course, nothing can be done, if the management it self pays only lip service to safety.
Tale of two factories
Sometime back, I visited two factories on the same day. The visit provoked me to narrate my experience immediately. However, I thought that I can observe similar setups and write. But, I did not get opportunity.
The first factory, I visited in the morning, gave a feel of good safety culture right from the entry point of the road leading to the factory. The factory is about ½ km away from this point. Still, one sees good roads, good house keeping with no scrap / waste on either side of the road, no vehicle parking on roads. When we reached the security, I was surprised to see everybody, including the contract workers entering the factory area with shoes. Visitors arrival was informed by the security officials to the concerned in the factory about the visitor(s), were checked on receipt of directions and were guided into the factory. We, a team of about 50 persons, were received by an official and were taken to a lecture hall. The factory is in the business of making some electrical equipment and accessories. It employs about 300-400 regular employees and similar number of contractor workers. The factory layout was explained to us and briefed about the activities of the factory. Then, we were divided into two teams, guided by separate officials for a visit.
I found every where, the aisles are marked and not a single bit of scrap can be found in this area. The sections are marked, bins are available for storing raw material, product and scrap. Everybody on the job appears like a soldier concentrating on the job. Everybody donned helmet and shoe with factory uniform. Instructions are displayed near the workplace. We spent more than two hours in the shop floor before reaching the dining hall for lunch. Only, when I was about to enter the dining hall, I saw a female gardener without shoe. But, this is the only persons and other gardeners (male and female) are in their attire with shoes.
Even, the dining hall is very neat, tables are clean and the items at the counter are in clean containers. I did not go into the kitchen. However, the way factory is maintained overall in such a good condition, I am sure, kitchen also would have been in good condition.
After lunch, we thanked our hosts and proceeded to the next factory in the schedule. Here also the roads are good and I did not see any scrap or waste on the roads outside as well as inside. But, we have to wait at the security for more than 45 minutes before our host could be contacted and then head count was taken before allowed inside. Again, we have guide. Security gave us directions to go to a particular building. By enquiry enroute, we reached the building. There, one of our team member went inside to locate the person and then as in the morning visit, we were divided into teams and were taken around. The factory is involved in the manufacture of machinery and employs about 1000 regular employees and about 400 contractor workers.
Inside the factory (different sections in different buildings), the use of PPE is not witnessed much. Even the supervisors and officers who have to advise their technicians were found without shoes and were seen walking in chappals. Then, materials were dumped everywhere and house keeping is very poor. Cobwebs are found even at arm reaching heights. There is no seriousness in the employees on the shopfloor. A casual attitude is visible. Though, I did not enquire about accident statistics either in the morning visit or afternoon visit, I am sure that this second factory may not be having good record with respect to safety, though their products are of good quality.
At the end of day, when I was on my way back to residence, I thought what could have been the reason for different culture in these two factories, with regards to house keeping, use of personal protective equipment, display of safety procedures and precautions, attitude of employees (security, shopfloor and managerial) and finally canteen.
In the first factory of our visit, there is no job security, though on my enquiry, I found many are working for years in the same factory as it is the case with the second factory. Management is committed to ensuring safe working conditions both by work and action. Even while selecting the contract workers, conditions are stipulated and are enforced. I noted that even in place where lubricant and hydraulic oils are handled, there is no spillage on the shopfloor and they are contained / restricted to within the work area by providing bund / trays. In many factories, which I visited when I did my safety diploma, oil spillage could be found every where sometimes spreading few yards from the source. Without management commitment, in terms of policy, resources and review, this type of culture is not at all possible. Even persons working in the shopfloor must have realized that they can’t bypass safety procedures as they can be terminated. Subsequently, over a period of time, they must have realized the benefits of good safety culture and thus continued in the factory. It is a known fact that casual attitude develops when person is experienced an tries to bypass safety procedures to increase productivity and get some benefits. Again here, the monitoring by supervisors to ensure that this is not the case shows that productivity targets are realistic with the safe production. Though bypassing safety procedures will result in higher productivity in the short term, but in the long tern, it will lead to fall in productivity and result in accidents, compensation claims, decrease in morale, loss of ownership by employees, visits by regulatory agencies, etc.
In the second factory, once a person is appointed, his job is secure till retirement unless otherwise he commits a major blunder. Thus, employees are not bothered about instructions of their superiors. Though, there is no dearth of resources for providing PPE and safety implementation, there is lack of zeal in employees to implement and follow. May be superiors are threatened, if asked to follow safety at the shopfloor. It is totally in contrast with the first factory. It appears that management hands are tied when they can’t control their employees and have to work with so many restrictions.
The first factory, I visited in the morning, gave a feel of good safety culture right from the entry point of the road leading to the factory. The factory is about ½ km away from this point. Still, one sees good roads, good house keeping with no scrap / waste on either side of the road, no vehicle parking on roads. When we reached the security, I was surprised to see everybody, including the contract workers entering the factory area with shoes. Visitors arrival was informed by the security officials to the concerned in the factory about the visitor(s), were checked on receipt of directions and were guided into the factory. We, a team of about 50 persons, were received by an official and were taken to a lecture hall. The factory is in the business of making some electrical equipment and accessories. It employs about 300-400 regular employees and similar number of contractor workers. The factory layout was explained to us and briefed about the activities of the factory. Then, we were divided into two teams, guided by separate officials for a visit.
I found every where, the aisles are marked and not a single bit of scrap can be found in this area. The sections are marked, bins are available for storing raw material, product and scrap. Everybody on the job appears like a soldier concentrating on the job. Everybody donned helmet and shoe with factory uniform. Instructions are displayed near the workplace. We spent more than two hours in the shop floor before reaching the dining hall for lunch. Only, when I was about to enter the dining hall, I saw a female gardener without shoe. But, this is the only persons and other gardeners (male and female) are in their attire with shoes.
Even, the dining hall is very neat, tables are clean and the items at the counter are in clean containers. I did not go into the kitchen. However, the way factory is maintained overall in such a good condition, I am sure, kitchen also would have been in good condition.
After lunch, we thanked our hosts and proceeded to the next factory in the schedule. Here also the roads are good and I did not see any scrap or waste on the roads outside as well as inside. But, we have to wait at the security for more than 45 minutes before our host could be contacted and then head count was taken before allowed inside. Again, we have guide. Security gave us directions to go to a particular building. By enquiry enroute, we reached the building. There, one of our team member went inside to locate the person and then as in the morning visit, we were divided into teams and were taken around. The factory is involved in the manufacture of machinery and employs about 1000 regular employees and about 400 contractor workers.
Inside the factory (different sections in different buildings), the use of PPE is not witnessed much. Even the supervisors and officers who have to advise their technicians were found without shoes and were seen walking in chappals. Then, materials were dumped everywhere and house keeping is very poor. Cobwebs are found even at arm reaching heights. There is no seriousness in the employees on the shopfloor. A casual attitude is visible. Though, I did not enquire about accident statistics either in the morning visit or afternoon visit, I am sure that this second factory may not be having good record with respect to safety, though their products are of good quality.
At the end of day, when I was on my way back to residence, I thought what could have been the reason for different culture in these two factories, with regards to house keeping, use of personal protective equipment, display of safety procedures and precautions, attitude of employees (security, shopfloor and managerial) and finally canteen.
In the first factory of our visit, there is no job security, though on my enquiry, I found many are working for years in the same factory as it is the case with the second factory. Management is committed to ensuring safe working conditions both by work and action. Even while selecting the contract workers, conditions are stipulated and are enforced. I noted that even in place where lubricant and hydraulic oils are handled, there is no spillage on the shopfloor and they are contained / restricted to within the work area by providing bund / trays. In many factories, which I visited when I did my safety diploma, oil spillage could be found every where sometimes spreading few yards from the source. Without management commitment, in terms of policy, resources and review, this type of culture is not at all possible. Even persons working in the shopfloor must have realized that they can’t bypass safety procedures as they can be terminated. Subsequently, over a period of time, they must have realized the benefits of good safety culture and thus continued in the factory. It is a known fact that casual attitude develops when person is experienced an tries to bypass safety procedures to increase productivity and get some benefits. Again here, the monitoring by supervisors to ensure that this is not the case shows that productivity targets are realistic with the safe production. Though bypassing safety procedures will result in higher productivity in the short term, but in the long tern, it will lead to fall in productivity and result in accidents, compensation claims, decrease in morale, loss of ownership by employees, visits by regulatory agencies, etc.
In the second factory, once a person is appointed, his job is secure till retirement unless otherwise he commits a major blunder. Thus, employees are not bothered about instructions of their superiors. Though, there is no dearth of resources for providing PPE and safety implementation, there is lack of zeal in employees to implement and follow. May be superiors are threatened, if asked to follow safety at the shopfloor. It is totally in contrast with the first factory. It appears that management hands are tied when they can’t control their employees and have to work with so many restrictions.
Jan 18, 2010
Accident prevention is cheaper than the accident
Yesterday evening, a 2-year old boy fell in an unused open borewell in a village in Andhra Pradesh. Today evening he died, though efforts were made to save the child.
It is not uncommon to hear such news now and then. There are many unreported incidents as well. Some lucky ones were rescued safely and many unlucky children could not. It is outrageous that when a borewell is dug, till other piping work is completed, the well is to be capped and all it costs for a perfect capping is only about Rs 500. People spend thousands of rupees for sinking a borewell but think that it costs them to securely close. Now, see the cost of resources put into saving the child fell in the borewell.
- EMRI service 108 personnel spent more than 24 hrs in rescue efforts
- District collector and SP also spent considerable time
- Earth removers were engaged on the job (it costs about Rs 500-1000 per hour when you rent it and for 24 hrs, more than Rs 20000/- is spent and this amount alone can be used for capping 40 wells. If you add cost of personnel and medical emergency care engaged in the work, the rescue efforts amount to another Rs 20,000/-)
It is good that TV9 channel started a campaign to inform them about all open wells so that message can be driven into concerned officials for capping the wells and save other children.
In the field of industrial safety, it is known that cost of accident prevention is only 1/4 of direct cost of the accident. Infact, the savings accrued from accident prevention, over a period of time, will far exceed the money spent on accident prevention and thus experts say that SAFETY IS CHEAP AND COSTS NOTHING compared to the expenditure one has to incur once an accident occurs.
The persons responsible for leaving the borewells in open condition should be held responsible and should be made to pay for their lapse so that all others will realize and try to be vigilant in their actions.
Publicity and awareness campaigns like the one started by TV9 should be on continuous basis and voluntary and should not be like knee-jerk reaction.
It is not uncommon to hear such news now and then. There are many unreported incidents as well. Some lucky ones were rescued safely and many unlucky children could not. It is outrageous that when a borewell is dug, till other piping work is completed, the well is to be capped and all it costs for a perfect capping is only about Rs 500. People spend thousands of rupees for sinking a borewell but think that it costs them to securely close. Now, see the cost of resources put into saving the child fell in the borewell.
- EMRI service 108 personnel spent more than 24 hrs in rescue efforts
- District collector and SP also spent considerable time
- Earth removers were engaged on the job (it costs about Rs 500-1000 per hour when you rent it and for 24 hrs, more than Rs 20000/- is spent and this amount alone can be used for capping 40 wells. If you add cost of personnel and medical emergency care engaged in the work, the rescue efforts amount to another Rs 20,000/-)
It is good that TV9 channel started a campaign to inform them about all open wells so that message can be driven into concerned officials for capping the wells and save other children.
In the field of industrial safety, it is known that cost of accident prevention is only 1/4 of direct cost of the accident. Infact, the savings accrued from accident prevention, over a period of time, will far exceed the money spent on accident prevention and thus experts say that SAFETY IS CHEAP AND COSTS NOTHING compared to the expenditure one has to incur once an accident occurs.
The persons responsible for leaving the borewells in open condition should be held responsible and should be made to pay for their lapse so that all others will realize and try to be vigilant in their actions.
Publicity and awareness campaigns like the one started by TV9 should be on continuous basis and voluntary and should not be like knee-jerk reaction.
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