Safe Work Procedures Research Articles

An Investigation of Health and Safety Measures in a Hydroelectric Power Plant.

BackgroundOccupational risk management is known as a catalyst in generating superior returns for all stakeholders on a sustainable basis. A number of companies in Ghana implemented health and safety measures adopted from international companies to ensure the safety of their employees. However, there exist great threats to employees' safety in these companies. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of compliance of Occupational Health and Safety management systems and standards set by international and local legislation in power producing companies in Ghana.MethodsThe methodology is conducted by administering questionnaires and in-depth interviews as measuring instruments. A random sampling technique was applied to 60 respondents; only 50 respondents returned their responses. The questionnaire was developed from a literature review and contained questions and items relevant to the initial research problem. A factor analysis was also carried out to investigate the influence of some variables on safety in general.ResultsResults showed that the significant factors that influence the safety of employees at the hydroelectric power plant stations are: lack of training and supervision, non-observance of safe work procedures, lack of management commitment, and lack of periodical check on machine operations. The study pointed out the safety loopholes and therefore helped improve the health and safety measures of employees in the selected company by providing effective recommendations.ConclusionThe implementation of the proposed recommendations in this paper, would lead to the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses of employees as well as property damage and incidents in hydroelectric power plants. The recommendations may equally be considered as benchmark for the Safety and Health Management System with international standards.

Urban green spaces activities: A preparatory groundwork for a safety management system

IntroductionUrban green spaces works and maintenance are high-risk activities and usually represent possible sources of injuries. The management issues are complex and strongly influenced by companies' policies in terms of safety management and human factor. A high number of tasks—including protecting public health and safety and safe working procedures—need to be faced by professional arborists or gardeners. MethodThe present paper provides a preparatory groundwork for modeling and describing the real risk levels during the abovementioned activities. The methodology represents a useful tool for decision making both for group leaders and safety coordinators. This goal is reached by collecting data emerging from several workplaces located in North East Italy regarding the frequency and severity of injuries. ResultsThe preliminary results point out that the most frequent injuries in green maintenance activities are represented by cuts, contusions, and ocular lesions, but none of them have lead to particularly serious consequences for the operators; indeed, the high levels of severity are related to traumas, fractures, and acute lumbar herniated discs. The riskiest activities are related to pruning, especially using mobile elevating work platforms, and grass cutting, especially when operated in escarpments and banks. Workers' behavior and companies' safety policies are key elements for a correct safety management system.

Effectiveness of Safe Working Procedure on SMF Exposure Levels and Work Performances in 3 T MRI System Operations

Occupational exposure to static magnetic fields (SMF) is a concern in relation to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system operators. Bodily movements inside the stray field around an MRI system induce an electric current inside the body, and this magnetically induced current can cause temporary sensational changes. Although self-motivated motion control near MRI equipment is recommended in order to prevent these effects, a feasible and safe working procedure is required from a health and safety management viewpoint. In this paper, a procedure involving a restricted access area set at a distance of 30 cm from the end of a 3 T MRI system is compared with a protocol in which self-motivated motion control was used (as recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Protection guidelines). The effects of this safe working procedure on occupational SMF exposure levels and worker performance were evaluated using Hall sensors and a motion capture system. Subjects performed the protocol for head MRI examination both with and without the proposed safe working procedure. The values for maximum field exposure (peak B) were reduced for all subjects using the safe working procedure. The average peak B also decreased by approximately 26%, compared with the results obtained without any restrictions (conventional protocol) ( $p , $t$ -test). Motion analysis of the subjects indicated that the minimum approach distance to the MRI equipment increased due to the adoption of the restricted access area ( $p , $t$ -test), while slight changes were also observed in sojourn time and the differences of the position along the $z$ -axis ( $\Delta z$ , $p , $t$ -test). However, there were no significant differences in the parameters more closely related to worker performance (e.g., distance moved and velocity) when using the protocols with or without the safe working procedure. These results suggest that this simple safe working procedure may be applied to MRI system operation in order to reduce occupational SMF exposure, without noticeable changes in worker performance.

물류센터 근로자의 안전인식에 대한 요인분석 및 집단간 인식 비교

This study is to examine the workers' awareness of the safety in logistic centers. For that purpose, the exploratory factor analysis of workers' safety awareness in logistic centers was performed at first, and the 6 variables extracted from the factor analysis were then used to investigate the difference in intergroup awareness of the safety environment in the logistic centers. We administered a survey to 147 workers attending the logistic centers and collected data from them. The results of the study showed that the intergroup awareness of the safety environment turned out to be statistically different from each other in terms of working environment, safe behavior, work risk, safety knowledge and effort, risk justification and compromising attitudes. Experiences in industrial accidents influenced awareness of working environment, work risk and risk justification. The group who experienced accidents is more likely to feel risky and unsatisfied with working place, and their awareness toward risk justification was high as well. It was also observed that there exists awareness difference between manager group and worker group. The group who manages the working place showed more positive awareness of working environment, safe behavior, work risk, safety knowledge and effort, risk justification and compromising attitudes than the worker group. On the contrary, the worker group showed high recognition in risk of working place, and felt that they are willing to compromise on safety for increasing production. The scale of the logistic center produced negative influence on awareness of safety. The group in small logistic center showed the highest awareness in safety, whereas the group in large logistic center with more than 100 workers showed the highest awareness in risk. They are more likely to deviate from correct and safe work procedures due to over-familiarity with the job, as well. The findings suggest that there is a need for the safety management and education to change the workers' understanding and attitudes towards safety.

Manejo seguro de residuos biopatogénicos de pacientes con ebola. Su comunicacioón al equipo de salud

In the face of the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) that took place in the African continent and the incidence of cases outside the primary focus location, it is necessary to prepare and communicate adequately the health team regarding the clinical management of the patient as well as safe working procedures and management of hazardous waste (due to its infectious characteristic) generated from patient care. Training and risk communication are key elements for the health team. The objective of this work is to review and develop a series of recommendations for the safe and comprehensive management of waste from patients with EVD, on the basis of world experiences on the topic and internal criteria for management of medical waste of health institutions. Another objective is to identify aspects regarding the communication of the risk of handling this waste, in order to reach safe standards that will reduce the impact of the disease on the health team. Results are presented in two sections; one referred to how to communicate and the other to what to communicate. Regarding how to communicate the risk of handling waste in the health team, the stages of a plan are detailed. With respect to the content, we present recommendations that can be taken as the basis for guidelines about internal management of medical waste in institutions treating cases of EVD.

Improving Human Performance

Electrical safety incidents and injuries can be the result of inappropriate work behavior or what is referred to as “unsafe acts.” These occur although training and education have been provided on electrical hazards and their possible consequences. Providing training to people is not enough to motivate them to follow the procedures. When unsupervised, those people who are aware of the hazards may still believe that they are qualified to take risks because previous “unsafe acts” have not resulted in an incident. This paper will provide information on what motivates people to intrinsically follow proper electrical safety procedures. By understanding these principles, human performance can be positively changed, and the electrical work practices of personnel can be improved to consistently follow safe work procedures.

Is Performance Variability Necessary? A Qualitative Study on Cognitive Resilience in Forestry Work

In forestry work, conditions exist and develop that are complex, unpredictable, and highly consequential and therefore cannot be handled entirely by following static work procedures. Cognitive adjustments are necessary. The objective of this research was to determine whether performance (cognitive) variability is actually necessary to safely fell trees in the coastal region of British Columbia, Canada. In this paper two perspectives were contrasted: the traditional view of safety and the resilience perspective. A collection of empirical evidence established that while safe work procedures provide a good foundation, it is individual performance variability shaped by experience and ‘‘know-how’’ that guides the application of technical skills in such a complex, dynamic, high-risk environment.

Accuracy of Reported Flash Point Values on Material Safety Data Sheets and the Impact on Product Classification

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) are the foundation of worker right-to-know legislation for chemical hazards. Suppliers can use product test data to determine a product's classification. Alternatively, they may use evaluation and professional judgment based on test results for the product or a product, material, or substance with similar properties. While the criteria for classifying products under the new Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) are different, a similar process is followed. Neither the current Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) nor GHS require suppliers to test their products to classify them. In this project 83 samples of products classified as flammable or combustible, representing a variety of industry sectors and product types, were collected. Flash points were measured and compared to the reported values on the MSDSs. The classifications of the products were then compared using the WHMIS and GHS criteria. The results of the study indicated that there were significant variations between the disclosed and measured flash point values. Overall, more than one-third of the products had flash points lower than that disclosed on the MSDS. In some cases, the measured values were more than 20°C lower than the disclosed values. This could potentially result in an underestimation regarding the flammability of the product so it is important for employers to understand the limitations in the information provided on MSDSs when developing safe work procedures and training programs in the workplace. Nearly one-fifth of the products were misclassified under the WHMIS system as combustible when the measured flash point indicated that they should be classified as flammable when laboratory measurement error was taken into account. While a similar number of products were misclassified using GHS criteria, the tendency appeared to be to “over-classify” (provide a hazard class that was more conservative). So the transition to GHS may potentially decrease the possibility of “under-classifying” flammable and combustible products where no test data on the product are available.

50 Improving safe work performance in underground coal mining operations based on workers’ opinions

ObjectiveThis study examined the opinions of coal mine workers and managers in relation to safety rules and regulations and safe work procedures in three underground coal mines located in Semnan...

Keeping track workers safe: a socio-technical analysis of emerging systems and technology

Track maintenance work is one of the most hazardous jobs in the rail industry. Track workers are in danger of being fatally injured by rail traffic either on the track they are working on or on adjacent tracks. The rail industry has developed many safe working procedures and protection systems to minimise the risk. The Australian rail industry is now trialling new technology that automatically warns the track workers of approaching trains. These technologies may be added to or ultimately replace the current safe working procedures. As there are different products and technologies available for track worker protection it is not clear which technology is best for the Australian rail environment. The CRC for Rail Innovation project ‘R3.120-Track Worker Protection Technology’ aims to identify and compare systems that improve protection for track workers. Commercially available systems use different types of technologies and have different safety integrity levels. The effectiveness of a safety system is not only dependent on the technology but also the track workers who operate and are protected by the system. Short-term trials may not highlight all issues across the systems’ life cycle so to analyse these socio-technical systems in a relatively short time period a specifically adapted hazard and operability (HAZOP) study is being undertaken. The HAZOP study evaluates both the technical and human factor aspects of the system utilising an expert team. Initially one of the commercially available track worker protection systems was selected as the base for the HAZOP and other track worker protection systems will be analysed based on the issues identified with the initial system. This paper discusses the ‘Track Worker Protection Technology’ project, the track worker protection technology that is available and the adapted HAZOP used to analyse a track worker safety system as a socio-technical system.

Prevención de los accidentes de trabajo mortales basada en la evidencia: una aproximación sistemática

To produce a systematic proposal of preventive measures directed at individual and occupational risk factors for work-related traumatic fatalities, and to assess the usefulness of such a process. The process is based on the adaptation of the Haddon matrix (dimensions of time, action level and specific groups of workers), establishing their components from the results of a previous etiological investigation on factors related to fatal occupational injuries. The content of each cell of the matrix is completed by the identification of specific preventive measures through a review of the scientific literature. The matrix is formed by the rows pre-injury, injury and post-injury (time dimension); columns are worker, agent, workplace and social environment (action level); and specific groups of workers, defined by economic activity, gender, age, type of employment contract, and non-routine tasks or workplaces. Measures proposed include training and design of safe working procedures at a worker's action level, passive protective elements at the injurious agent level, organisation and environmental conditions at the workplace level and effectiveness of prevention and emergency care systems at the social environment level. Use and adaptation of Haddon matrix based on prior results derived from etiologic investigations of fatal occupational injuries, helps to systematically identify preventive measures aimed at hazard identification. This approach can help prioritise and select the most appropriate preventive actions.

Occupational accident rate in olive oil mills

Problem This paper aims at examining the occupational accident rate in Spain in the olive oil mill industry. These mills produce olive oil by physical or mechanical, but not chemical procedures. Although Spain is the leading olive oil producer in the world with 1,200,000 tons/year and over 25% of the world olive farming area, the occupational accident rate in this sector has been little studied in the relevant scientific literature. Method Our study analyses all occupational accidents which occurred during 2004–2009, with or without sick leave, at 90 Andalusian olive oil mills covered by one of the biggest state insurance companies for accidents at work and occupational diseases (within the Spanish Social Security system). Results and discussion Slips or trips are the most frequent cause of occupational accidents in this sector, accounting for 14.86% of the cases. In second position, incorrectly coordinated bodily movements account for almost 13.51% of the accidents. Falls from height, 12.2% of the cases, are also statistically noteworthy. As for the seriousness of the injuries, entrapments are particularly important, since in 2.70% of the cases they result in the traumatic amputation of a part of the body. The analysis of accidents without sick leave reveals that a high number of incidents are caused by contact of the skin and eyes with hazardous substances (20% of the cases) and 10% of them involve superficial injuries. Impact on the industry This paper provides a clear and updated image of the accident rate in Spanish olive oil mills and can be a useful tool for the design and adequate adjustment of the management systems implemented in these plants to guarantee a satisfactory level of occupational health and safety by means of more efficient planning and monitoring of measures intended to reduce professional risks and improve working conditions. Recommendations Given not only the high incidence of falls on the same level and the potential seriousness of falls from different levels, but also the small, round fruit involved, with a high oil content and a hard round stone, it is extremely important to design and implement safe working procedures and specifically train both operatives and managers in charge of the tidiness, cleanliness and regular control of the premises and operations. The analysis of the accidents not requiring sick leave (mostly cases of contact with hazardous substances on the skin or eyes, or superficial injuries) clearly reveals that the use of suitable personal protective equipment and the relevant training are crucial issues.

Arc flash: a risk assessment and mitigation strategy

Oil and gas facility managers are well aware that attention to detail saves lives and supports business continuity and reputation. Those tasked with stewardship of electrical assets will be aware of the need to protect their employees from the hazard of electrical arc flash and that it should be at the forefront of safety thinking. Complacency and lack of duty of care with this real and possibly un-quantified hazard can lead to fatalities. The primary solution to arc flash consequences in older installations has been the implementation of safe work procedures and personal protective equipment. While still valid, these solutions are the least effective options in the hierarchy of controls. SKM have developed a practical risk mitigation strategy that considers the hazards of prospective arc flash energy together with the cumulative effect of switchboard age, design, capability and condition. The strategy also considers the range of potential mitigation controls available through the mechanism of substitution and engineering design that focuses on reducing: The likelihood of an arc flash incident occurring; The likelihood of personnel exposure; and, The energy released should an incident occur. A structured arc flash risk assessment process can provide the asset owner the opportunity to rank individual switchboards for likelihood, consequence and risk, and thus provide direction for engineered remediation and capital expenditure. SKM proposes the way in which arc flash risk can be assessed, how appropriate layered mitigation measures might be selected, and how an asset owner may approach the issue of arc flash hazard mitigation to economically and reliably protect its employees.

CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS INDICATORS IN PAINTERS,IS POWDER COATING SAFER?

Background: There are different and diverse groups of paints, the potential toxicity of which depends on the types of pigments, resins and solvents used in their manufacture. Numerous recent evidences support the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiologyof genotoxicity induced by the exposure to solvent based paints. Indeed powder coatings were considered as safer than other types of paintings. Recently however health problems when handling or using a powder coating may arise through exposure to hazardous substances, which may be contained in the coatings, or to the powdercoating itself. Objectives: to evaluate the genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to paints and the possible role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of chromosomal aberrations, and to compare these effects between workers exposed to solvent based paints and workers exposed to powder coatings (dry paints) which are considered as a safer alternative to solvent based paints. Subjects: The study population consisted of 65 males divided into 34 exposed and 31 control groups. The exposed group was comprised of all workers exposed to paint in the painting unit of a small scale factory inCairo involved in furniture production and painting. The exposed workers were further subdivided into two subgroups, group 1 (n=23) comprised workers occupationally exposed to solvent based paints, and group 2 (n=11) comprised workers exposed to dry powder coating type of painting. Methods: every individual was subjected to detailedoccupational and medical history, cytogenetic chromosomal analysis and laboratory investigations to evaluate the level of oxidative stress indicators, malondialdehyde (MDA), Peroxynitrile (PN) and Total Sulphydril Groups (SHG). Results: The chromosomal aberrations and oxidative stress (higher MDA and PN and lower SHG) were significantly higher in the painters group compared to the control. The mean level of all aberrations except separation was highest in group 1 (solvent based painters) compared to group 2 (powder dry painters) and control group, and the difference washighly significant between group 1 and group 2 for all aberrations. The mean level of aberrations was higher in group 2 compared to the control group, but the difference was not significant for all except for break/ gap type aberrations. Oxidative stress was evident in group 1compared to group2 and the control group. On the other hand, oxidative stress was more evident in group 2 compared to the control and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study confirms other studies that claim the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of genotoxicity in painters especially those exposed to solvent based paints. The higher level in the chromosonmal aberrations and oxidative stress indicators in the dry powder coating exposed workers compared to the control, indeed raises suspicion that powder coatings is a “Safer Alternative to Solvent Based Paints”. Adopting safe working procedures will definitely reduce therisks to a minimum.

Application of inherent safety principles to dust explosion prevention and mitigation

The aim of the current work is to explicitly link the inherent safety principles of minimization, substitution, moderation and simplification with strategies for dust explosion prevention and mitigation. A brief review of inherent safety and its basic principles is first given. This is followed by a discussion of various ways in which the dust explosion hazard can be minimized, substituted, moderated and simplified. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between each inherent safety principle and (i) various dust explosibility parameters, (ii) alternate methods of processing, (iii) selection of process equipment, and (iv) development and implementation of safe-work procedures. Original research results are presented, along with industrial case studies and previously published results that have been reinterpreted in terms of inherent safety and its basic principles. It is anticipated that this research will be of value to industry as a complement to the relatively well-established suite of engineered and procedural dust explosion risk reduction measures.

EXTREMITY DOSIMETRY FOR RADIATION WORKERS HANDLING UNSEALED RADIONUCLIDES IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE DEPARTMENTS IN INDIA

In India, for the past five decades, whole body radiation dose of radiation workers has been monitored by means of film and thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) badges worn on the body. However, there are no provision/regulatory requirements to monitor doses received at the extremities, i.e., to fingers. Finger dose monitoring is essential for controlling the extremity dose limits for occupational personnel handling unsealed radioactive sources. In order to estimate the doses received in various types of procedures using unsealed sources, finger dose monitoring was carried out in 54 major institutions in the country using a specially designed plastic finger ring embedded with a TLD. The maximum finger dose of occupational workers involved in handling Tc in such activities as extraction and radiopharmacy work is 0.35 mSv GBq; during injection of radiopharmaceuticals and scintigraphy, the doses were observed to be 1 and 0.95 mSv GBq, respectively. Similarly, while handling F-FDG, the maximum doses received during dispensing, injection, and scintigraphy were 0.098, 0.324, and 0.56 mSv GBq, respectively. The maximum radiation dose received during Re/Re balloon angioplasty and while handling Sm was 3.92 and 6.5 mSv GBq, respectively. All the doses recorded were well within the prescribed limit. However, monitoring of these doses periodically would help in compiling the feedback regarding the work practices followed in institutions handling radioisotopes in the country and would also help in maintaining a record of safe work procedures while handling radioisotopes.

Epoxy Resins in the Construction Industry

Epoxy resins are used as coatings, adhesives, and in wood and concrete repair. However, epoxy resins can be highly irritating to the skin and are strong sensitizers. Some hardeners are carcinogenic. Based on the results of earlier Dutch studies, an international project on "best practices,"--Epoxy Code--with epoxy products was started. Partners were from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. The "Code" deals with substitution, safe working procedures, safer tools, and skin protection. The feasibility of an internationally agreed "ranking system" for the health risks of epoxy products was studied. Such a ranking system should inform the user of the harmfulness of different epoxies and stimulate research on less harmful products by product developers.

Job Safety Analysis- A tool in Identifying Hazards in the Workplace

A Job Safety Analysis (JSA), also referred to as a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) is a highly effective management tool to analyse the hazards in the workplace. It is also a very underutilised safety tool. This paper attempts to show the steps in developing an effective JSA and the subsequent establishment of a Safe Work Procedure and an effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) programme. Keywords: Job safety analysis, hazards, safe work procedure, PPE

Safety rules and regulations on mine sites – The problem and a solution

Introduction: Many accidents and incidents on mine sites have a causal factor in the rules and regulations that supposedly are in place to prevent the incident from occurring. The causes involve a lack of awareness or understanding, ignorance, or deliberate violations. The issue of mine rules, procedures, and regulations is a central focus of this paper, highlighted by this recent comment – “very few people have accidents for which there is no procedure in place…” Method: An attitudinal survey was conducted at 33 mines throughout NSW, Queensland and international mine sites involving almost 500 mineworkers. The survey was in the form of a self-completing questionnaire, consisting of approximately 65 questions. It aimed to seek the opinions of the mining workforce on safety rules and regulations generally, as well as how they apply to their specific jobs on a mine site. The research also aimed to investigate: (a) the level of awareness and understanding of mine rules and procedures such as manager's rules and safe work procedures (SWPs); (b) the level of awareness and understanding of mine safety regulations and legislation; (c) the extent of communication of and commitment to rules and regulations; (d) the extent of compliance with rules and regulations; and (e) attitudes regarding errors, risk-taking, and accidents and their interaction with rules and regulations. The sample consisted of a random selection of underground and open pit mines, extracting coal, metals, or industrial minerals. Results: The insights provided by the mineworkers enabled a set of principles to be developed to guide mine management and regulators in the development of more effective rules and regulations. Conclusions and Impact on the Mining Industry: (a) Management and regulators should not continue to produce more and more rules and regulations to cover every aspect of mining. (b) Detailed prescriptive regulations, detailed safe work procedures, and voluminous safety management plans will not “connect” with a miner. (c) Achieving more effective rules and regulations is not the only answer to a safer workplace.

IMPROVED HAZARD IDENTIFICATION FOR CONTRACTORS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Formal identification of hazards in the workplace is a fundamental basis on which successful safety management is founded and an essential component of occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation in Australia and other countries. Similarly, successful environmental management is based on the same theory of identification and control of workplace hazards.Yet the ability of contractors to carry out this process in a formal way and document an appropriate safe work procedure is problematic. Equally the requirement for those who control a workplace to review the content of such procedures is also problematic.For some contractors hazards can be so ingrained in their work processes that they are considered the "norm". In addition, more subtle injury mechanisms such a repetitive lifting may be completely ignored due to the perceived inability of contractors to control such hazards at source. This paper identifies better methods to assist contractors in hazard identification.