Intro to Safety Unit #2
Making Out The Incident Recall Report
48- to 72-hour period following the recall. Follow-up and recommendations Notes Final no-loss incident description Figure 5-3, 5-4, 5-5 & 5-6.
Ear protection
85 decibel when you must have hearing protection 70 decibels hearing loss a 24 hrs period 98 decibels hand drill only two hours
Upper management actions
Assessing priorities. Sharing Accident & Incident Information. Assessing Program Inadequacies. Personal Involvement on the Scene. Formal Investigation Reviews. Data analysis.
Report reviews
By the next level supervisor. Objective pair of eyes. Prompts thoroughness & accuracy. Sharing & experience of others.
Corrosive Chemicals - Skin
Corrosives can cause visible skin burns or damage. The extent of skin damage depends on how long the corrosive is on the skin and how concentrated the corrosive is.
Gases and Vapors
Gases are chemicals that are in the gas phase at room temperature. Vapors evaporate from substances that are liquids or solids at room temperature. Gases and vapors enter the body by inhalation.
Gathering Information
Get "The Big Picture" First Decide what to concentrate on. Interviewing Witnesses
Definition of PPE
PPE standards for personal protective equipment Items such as gloves
Organizational chart
People in charge: Line supervisor- All Employees Middle Manager- All Line supervisors and Group Leaders President- All Middle Managers
Hand Protection
Possible serve cuts Punctures Chemical burns Thermal burns/harmful temps extreme Many different types of gloves
Protection from Corrosives
Protective gloves & clothing Goggles Eyewashes (not always) Water (for splashes on the skin) (not always)
Prescription lenses
Wear prescription & need eye protection Wear prescription or goggles Wear eye protection that can be worn over your glasses without disturbing them
6 Phases of investigation
1. Respond to the emergency promptly and positively. 2. Collect pertinent information about the incident. 3. Analyze all significant causes. 4. Develop and take remedial actions. 5. Review findings and recommendations. 6. Follow through on the effectiveness of the actions.
What is a "hazardous chemical"?
A hazardous chemical is any chemical that can do harm to your body. Most industrial chemicals can harm you at some level. It depends how much gets into your body.
Corrosive Chemicals
Acids and bases (caustics) are common corrosive chemicals. Corrosive chemicals are capable of damaging eyes, skin and the respiratory system.
Carcinogens
Carcinogens are cancer-causing compounds. Some chemicals are known human carcinogens, others are only suspected as carcinogens. DOSH has regulations covering the general use of carcinogens, and has specific regulations for several known human carcinogens.
Analyzing Accident/Incident Causes
Causal Factor Outline - write down causal factors that tie together. Write down the loss. (injuries, illnesses, damage, spills, etc.) Under each loss, write all the contacts with forms of energy or substances that were responsible for the loss. Then write down any inadequate post-contact controls of loss. Under each contact factor, list the substandard practices and conditions that created it. Under each substandard act/practice or condition list all the basic causes which prompted it. This can then be used to prevent future losses. PROBLEM-SOLVING MODEL - figure 4-2 or 5-2
How it works?
Chemical Manufacturers/Importers determine the hazards of each product. Manufacturers/Importers/Distributors communicate the hazard information to customers labels SDS Customers Employers
Inhalation (Breathing)
Chemicals in the air are breathed in through the mouth or nose. Gases & vapors are absorbed through the lungs directly into the bloodstream. The size of dust particles or mist droplets can affect where the chemical settles in the respiratory tract.
Ingestion (Swallowing)
Chemicals that are swallowed are absorbed in the digestive tract. Chemicals can rub off dirty hands and contaminate food, drinks or tobacco products. Chemicals in the air can settle on food or drink and be swallowed.
Writing a Good report
Complete all sections with the details. Evaluate the real potential for loss not just what happened. Description of what actually happened. List the symptoms/substandard acts or practices. Action Plan. What was done and recommendations.
Middle Managers
Contacted for major loss Crossing different departments
Objectives
Control of exposures that could result in major catastrophic loss. Gulf Oil Spill - BP Valdez Three Mile Island Amtrak derailment The premise is that these catastrophic losses often have a different sequence of causal events than do minor losses. Rare incidents with a small amount of useful preventive data. We know that there are far more no-injury incidents than there are injurious accidents.
Effective Investigations
Describe what happened Determine the real cause Decide risks Develop controls Define trends Demonstrate concern
Toxicity:how poisonous are chemicals?
Dose - The effects of any toxic chemical depends on the amount of a chemical that actually enters the body. Acute Toxicity - the measure of how toxic a chemical is in a single dose over a short period of time. Ex: ammonia Chronic Toxicity - the measure of the toxicity of exposure to a chemical over a long period of time. Ex: Asbestos Ex of both: Carbon monoxide
Written Program
Employers must develop, implement and maintain at the workplace a written, comprehensive hazard communication program that includes provisions for container labeling, collection and availability of material safety data sheets and an employee-training program.
Eye and face protection
Eye and face protection must be used when exposed to hazards
Types of goggles
Eye cups Flexible or cushioned goggles Plastic eye shield goggles Foundry men goggles
10 reasons for failure to report
Fear of Punishment. Concern about the record. Concern about reputation. Fear of medical treatment. Dislike of medical personnel. Desire to avoid work interruption. Desire to keep personal records clear. Avoidance of red tape. Concern about the attitude of others. Poor understanding of its importance.
Investigations
Findings need to be truthful & relevant to be solved You must budget time to make through investigations to get through the root causes and eliminate them Successful investigations have set procedural steps to follow
Incident Recall & Accident Imaging
Get at the much larger amount of data found in the more numerous damage accidents and no-loss incidents. We can get information easier if there is no fear of reprisal as in a reported accident. Pride in performance for quick thinking in a near-miss may lead to understanding an incident.
Informal Incident Recall Techniques
Group Meetings General Management Meetings Personal Contacts Written Reports Posters and Publications
What is Hazard Communication?
Hazard communication or "Hazcom" is a program where the employer tells the employee about the hazardous chemicals used in our workplace. The employer will also train the employee's on how to protect themself from the effects of these hazardous chemicals. Hazcom training is required
Special Applications-Proved of Special Value
High-risk area applications. Explosive plants/petrochemical Problem-solving on an area or job basis. Use in the termination interview. Plant-wide on a periodic basis.
How do hazardous chemicals affect the body?
How the chemical enters the body The physical form of the chemical The amount of chemical that actually enters the body - the dose How toxic (poisonous) the chemical is
Employers
Identify and list hazardous chemicals in their workplaces. Obtain SDSs and labels for each hazardous chemical. Develop & implement a written hazard communication program, including labels, SDSs, and employee training based on the list of chemicals, and the SDS and label information. Communication hazard information to their employees through labels, SDSs and formal training programs.
Data analysis - common categories
Incident frequency and severity rates by organization and department. Incident trends by cause factor. Incidents by experience level of people involved. Incidents by time of day or time into work shift. Injuries and damage by the agency of the incident. Incident trends by categories or inadequacies in systems.
Major Applications of Accident Imaging
Individual workers in high risk work. Brainstorming in group sessions. Accident image report - report box (figure 5-11). Termination interviews
How Chemicals Enter the Body? 3 Ways
Ingestion - swallowing the chemical Inhalation - breathing in the chemical Absorption - the chemical soaks through the skin
Corrosive Chemicals - Inhalation and Eyes
Inhalation of corrosive mists or vapors can cause severe bronchial irritation. Corrosives are especially damaging to the eyes
The interview
Interview separately. Interview in an appropriate place. Put the person at ease. Get the individual's version. Ask necessary questions at the right time. Give the witness some feedback. Record critical information quickly. Use visual aids. End on a positive note. Keep the line open.
Conducting The Planned Interview Technique
Interviewer Privacy with few interruptions Selection of People - procedures Alphabetically/numerically Or based on the job/other logical explanation Adjust and plan for interview time No-Fault Assurance is a must Company Policy & in writing
What to investigate?
Investigate accidental & incident to evaluate the loss of potential Then investigate potential incidents & accidents in depth to allow adequate control the problem
Preparation for effective investigations Summary
Investigation Policy Responsibility Resources procedure
Preparation for effective investigations
Investigation policy on what to investigate. Responsibility for the investigation. Resources Procedures How things are to be done when an incident occurs. Aids/checklists - correct order & do the right things. (these should be developed for our activity)
Accident Imaging
Is the act of visualizing in one's mind that combination of variable factors that could come together under the right circumstances to cause a major accident.
Fit
It must fit properly Size A proper for allow sufficient Clearance between shell & suspension system
Limitations of Incident Recall
It should not replace observation and inspection. 2. Most of the information is from the recaller, who may have biased/limited knowledge. 3. The recall information will not tell us the causes or possible controls. 4. Is not going to be the solution it is just another tool.
Flammable Limits Example: Methane
LFL: 5.3% UFL: 15% in between percentages makes the liquid explode
Hazardous Chemicals - Liquids
Liquid chemicals in direct contact with the skin can cause skin problems. Some liquids can be absorbed into the body through the skin. Liquids can be sprayed and form mists or evaporate and form vapors which can be inhaled.
Chemical Exposure Limits
Many chemicals have exposure limits, or allowable amounts of a chemical in the air. These limits are often called "Permissible Exposure Limits" or "Threshold Limit Values". They are based on 8-hour average exposure or ceiling or peak levels.
Hazards of Metals
Metals can be both physical hazards and health hazards. Some metals can ignite and explode - magnesium, or dusts/filings of other metals such as aluminum Some metals are almost non-toxic - iron, aluminum Others are very toxic - mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium
Liquids (Mists)
Mists can also be inhaled. Mists can settle on the skin and be absorbed into the body. Airborne mists can also settle out and contaminate food or drink.
Mutagens
Mutagens cause genetic mutations or changes. These mutations can cause birth defects or other problems in following generations or may lead to cancer in the exposed person.
SDS's - what information do they have?
Names of hazardous chemicals in a product, Physical and chemical properties of the product, Physical hazards of working with the product, Health hazards of working with the product (including signs and symptoms of overexposures), The main way the chemical enters the body, The legal limit allowed in the air If the chemical is a carcinogen Precautions for safe use of the hazardous chemical, Exposure control methods, including personal protective equipment, Emergency and first aid procedures, The date the MSDS was prepared or revised, Name, address and phone number of the person responsible for the information in the MSDS.
Personal Protective Equipment
OSHA Requirements PPE must be provided for you You must wear the appropriate PPE PPE must be stored in a sanitary & reliable condition PPE includes: Eyes, face head, extremities Protective clothing Respiratory devices Protective shield barriers
Minimum requirements
Provided adequate protection against particular hazard Be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated conditions Fit snuggly Be durable Be capable of being disinfected Be easily cleanable & kept clean & in good repair Eye & face protection Must comply with ANSI 287 specifics
Conducting the InterviewStep-by-Step procedure
Put the employee at ease. Explain the purpose and state the importance of recall. Give assurance that recall will not result in blame-fixing or fault-finding and can be strictly confidential. Point out that recall benefits everyone - the organization, department, employees, and their family, etc. Explain the use of the recall aid checklist. Apply recall, using the checklist. Ask questions to fill in the gaps. Review your understanding of the incident. Discuss causes and remedies if time permits. Express your sincere thanks for the employee's cooperation.
Standard Form
Raises all the basic questions. Provides consistency Provides follow-up actions. Accommodates investigations of all types of losses.
6 ways to prompt incidents
React in a positive way. Give more attention to loss control performance. (coaching: PPE, housekeeping, etc.) Recognize individual performance promptly. (pay attention to their actions; praise/recognition). Develop awareness of the value of incident information. (how improvements were made from the incident reports). Show personal belief by action. (follow-up). Make Mountains out of Molehills. (emphasis on near-accidents and minor accidents).
Other Methods
Reenactment When the information cannot be gained another way. When it is vital to the development of remedial actions. When it is necessary to verify critical facts. Sketches Maps Photos Equipment Examination (Parts, wear, etc). Material Failure Analysis Records Check Training Maintenance Schedules Job Procedures and practices
Preparation for Interviews
Review Personal facts & information Prepare a checklist of potential sources of accidents involving the job of the employee to be interviewed. Recall - review the job description, task analysis or procedures and safety rules for the recall aid checklist.
Electric protection boots
Rubber boots worn around water Neoprene boots for chemicals Steel toed shoes & work
What is a Safety Data Sheet?
Safety Data Sheets or "SDS's" are information sheets on products that: tells what chemicals are in the product, what the hazards of the chemicals are, how to protect yourself from the hazards.
Front-line Supervisors as Interviewers
Selected and trained is preferred. Develops other leadership skills. They have a special interest to the project. They know the most about the people and conditions. They frequently know how to get the information better than outsiders. They or their colleagues will be initiating the action. *In other cases you may have someone else do the interview - anonimity
Foot protection
Shoes with steel toes Metatarsals must be worn when a object that may fall or roll
Head Protection
Should resist penetration by objects Types of head protection Type 1: Helmets with full brim encircles the dome of the hat Type 2: Helmets with front brim of the hat Bump hat: Designed for use in areas with low head clearance They are not designed
Accessories
Slots for ear muffs Safety glasses Face shields
The Three Forms of Chemicals
Solid, Liquid, Gas
Hazardous Chemicals - Dusts/Solid
Some chemicals are solids in the form of powders or dust. Dust can be released into the air by cutting, drilling, grinding or sanding. Dust can also be stirred up by dry sweeping and inhaled.
Skin Absorption
Some chemicals can pass through the skin into the body. These chemicals can then cause various health effects.
Writing The Investigation Report
Standard Form Writing A Good Report Timely Reporting Report Reviews Measurement of Report Quality
Timely reporting
Start an investigation as soon as possible. Less likely to forget the details. Helps get the information to others.
How the Program WorksFigure 5-9
Step1. Description Step 2. Evaluation Step 3. Priorities Step 4. Causal Analysis Step 5. Action Plans Step 6. Cost-Effectiveness Step 7. Accountabilities
Helpful Hints
Supervisor/leaders Management at all levels Proper understanding of the technique No-fault assurance Advance notification Interviews Interrelated activities or work Training/role play Quality Circles
Supervisor initial actions
Take control at the scene. Ensure first aid and call for emergency services. Control potential secondary accidents. Identify sources of evidence at the scene. Preserve evidence from alteration or removal. Determine the loss potential. Notify appropriate personnel.
Taking Remedial Action
Temporary Actions May only address the symptoms or substandard acts/practices Not the basic problems i.e. - clean up the mess; why did the mess occur? Permanent Actions Necessary to solve the problem Risk Evaluation Potential Severity Probability of recurrence
Teratogens
Teratogens are compounds that can harm the developing fetus, causing birth defects or death
Hazard Communication
The Hazard Communication Standard is different from other OSHA health rules as it covers all hazardous chemicals. Carcinogen Corrosive Toxic Irritant A sensitizer or targets organ effects The rule also incorporates a "downstream flow of information".
The Planned Incident Recall Interview
The basic objective is to gain the willing cooperation of the employees being interviewed in freely relating as many high-potential incidents as they can recall.
Flammable Liquids - Flashpoint
The flash point is the lowest temperature that a flammable liquid can generate enough vapor to form a mixture with air that will ignite.
What is on the product label?
The manufacturer, The name of the product, a hazard warning, a list of hazardous ingredients
Properties of Flammable Liquids
The vapor of a flammable liquid ignites and causes fire or explosion - not the liquid itself. The flammability of a liquid depends on its physical properties: Vapor Pressure Flash Point Limits of Flammability Vapor Density
Line supervisors
They know the people the best and contacted when there was an incident
How do you get information about hazardous chemicals?
from the product label, from the product Safety Data Sheet.