oshe bulletin january 2011

8/7/2019 OSHE Bulletin JANUARY 2011

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OSHE Bulletin JANUARY 2011 is a knowledge sharing initiative created by Assoc. Prof. Abdul Shukor.

He can be contacted at [email protected] and H/P: +60122731434. Your feedback is welcome.

Sharing My Thoughts (SMT) onSharing My Thoughts (SMT) onSharing My Thoughts (SMT) onSharing My Thoughts (SMT) on

Safety Culture - 9 Warning Flags - FactorsThat Defeat Controls.

The implementation of an improvedsafety culture requires an almostSherlock Holmes ability to useobservation and logic to identifywhere underlying loss potentialresides in the workplace. Just asSherlock searched a crime scene, theOHS professional must be sensitiveand aware of subtle clues that maynot be quite discernible in the workenvironment. While the Job Hazard

Analysis (JHA) provides us with thestructure and nature of individual jobhazards and risk by providing a wayto analysis the interactions of jobrequirements (steps and task,tools/equipment/materials, the workenvironment, current polices,procedures, etc., and the people exposed to the job), JHAs are not enough to assurethat the controls put into place remain effective.

Human Performance Improvement The US Department of Energy "Human

Performance Improvement" Handbook discusses that 80% of loss producing eventsare human error and 20% are due to equipment failures. However, a furtheranalysis of the 80% shows that 70% of these human errors are due toorganizational weakness and 30% due to human error! This 70% represents"undetected deficiencies in organizational processes, equipment, or values thatcreate job conditions that either provoke error or degrade the integrity of controls."These latent errors are embedded in the organization.

A study by the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) refers to nine common weaknesses thatcan serve as as "warning flags" that can lead to serious incidents and degrade a safety culture. TheINPO "concluded that these latent conditions are conducive to the degradation and accumulation of

flawed controls and human-performance-related events." These are warning flags of conditions thatcan defeat controls.

Occupational

Safety, Health

& Environment(OSHE) Bulletin.

Edition: JANUARY 2011(Created by: Associate Professor Abdul Shukor Abdullah)

Contents:● SMT on Safety Culture – 9 Warning Flags ...............p1● 5 Steps in Risk Assessment ....................................p3● ASSE Offers Heat-Illness Safety Tips ......................p4● PhotoNews1: Ergonomics Training at Volvo Plant ..p6● PhotoNews2: Knowledge Sharing at Canon Opto ....p7● OSHE News from around the world .........................p8

● How many HAZARDS are there? .............................p9

Share your views with the author of OSHE Bulletin at

http://profshukor.blogspot.com/



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Nine Warning Flags that can defeat controls within a Safety Culture While the Handbook

is written for nuclear power operations, you use the flags with just a little interpretation to evaluate

your workplace. Look for signs of the following nine warning flags that are adapted from the DOEHandbook:

1. Overconfidence - The "numbers" are good, and the staff is living off past successes.Consequently, the staff does not recognize low-level problems and remains unaware of hazards.

2. Isolationism - There are few interactions with other similar organizations, professional groups,regulatory and industry groups. Benchmarking is seldom done or is limited to "industrialtourism," without the implementation of good practices learned. As a result, the organization

lags the industry in many areas of performance and may be unaware of it.3. Defensive and Adversarial Relationships - The mind-set toward the regulatory agencies or

professional groups is defensiveness or "do the minimum." Internal to the organization,employees are not involved and are not listened to, and raising problems is not valued.

Adversarial relationships hinder open communication.4. Informal Operations and Weak Engineering - Operations standards, formality, and

discipline are lacking. Other issues, initiatives, or special projects overshadow plant operational

focus. Engineering is weak, usually through a loss of talent, or lacks alignment with operationalpriorities. Design basis is not a priority, and design margins erode over time.

5. Production Priorities - Important equipment problems linger, and repairs are postponed whilethe plant stays on line or in production. Safety is assumed and is not explicitly emphasized in

staff interactions and site communications.

6. Inadequate Change Management - Organizational changes, staff reductions, retirementprograms, and re-locations are initiated before their impacts are fully considered. Recruiting ortraining is not used to compensate for the changes. Processes and procedures do not supportstrong performance following management changes.

7. Plant Operational Events - Loss producing Event significance is unrecognized or underplayed,and reactions to events and unsafe conditions are not aggressive. Organizational causes of

events are not explored in depth.8. Ineffective Leaders - Managers are defensive, lack team skills, or are weak communicators.

Managers lack integrated plant knowledge or operational experience. Senior managers are notinvolved in operations and do not exercise accountability or do not follow up.

9. Lack of Self-Criticism - Oversight organizations lack an unbiased outside view or deliver onlygood news. Self-assessment processes, such as management observation programs, do not find

problems or do not address them; or the results are not acted on in time to make a difference."

Safety Culture andProcess Improvement inan organization are the

interaction of its beliefs,values, structure, the tools,equipment and materials in

use, people, the social,physical and socialenvironment necessary toreach its stated goals - the

reason for its existence.Having an in-depthunderstanding andknowledge of all aspects of the organization, not just thesafety rules and compliancecriteria, is essential for a

environmental, safety andhealth process to have ahigher probability of achieving a successful safety

culture over the long term.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Safety-Culture---Nine-Warning-Flags---Factors-That-Defeat-Controls&id=5539223



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Promote Safety With the Five Steps in Risk Assessment.

There is no doubt that analyzing risks is one of the toughest responsibilities of acompany. Worse than this is to be able to detect the threats and turn them toopportunities. However, if you are well prepared, you can give your company theadvantage of spotting the hazards and minimize or even eliminate the negativeeffects of such situation or condition. This is why companies need to know about

the risk management procedure, which has three processes.

These are the identification, the evaluation and the prioritization of the business risks. Beforeyou can identify the risks, you should know that they do not actually refer to those with thenegative impacts on your business. Risk, as a matter of fact, can have either positive ornegative effects in the business. This is because risks are activities, processes or situations inwhich the company undergoes but not a single person in that institution knows what theoutcome might be. Now, after you have identified the risks, it is time for you to make a riskassessment.

Risk assessment is typically performed in order for the companies to learn about the activities

or even the equipment or materials that might jeopardize the workers. This is important notonly for the employees but also for the entire company as well. Accidents and other instancesthat might affect the health and safety of your employees can deteriorate your organization'scredibility. Now, there are five main steps that you can perform for the risk assessment.

STEP 1.The first one here is to identify the threats and hazards that exist within yourcompany. Take note that risk and hazard are different terms. Hazard pertains to anythingthat has the ability to cause harm such as electricity, chemicals and equipment. On the otherhand, risk is the chance that somebody might fall into harm's way.

STEP 2.The second step is to determine the people who might be injured and how. Check thehazards and then you will be able to verify if they can increase the health and safety risks forthe young, old, expectant mothers, cleaners or visitors.

STEP 3.Third is to evaluate those risks and decide what you should do in order to preventthem from happening. Take note that there are some risks that could not be eliminated butyou can always alleviate their effects.

STEP 4.The fourth step in risk assessment is to organize what you have found out, analyzethem and then implement the right actions. Ensure that before you proceed you havemade a proper check on the area/s concerned and that you have learned who will beaffected. With regards to the precautions that you have set, you should be able to verify thatthey are reasonable and that there is low risk on the remaining chances of accidents.

STEP 5.Finally, you should update your findings. From time to time, you should be able to checkand review your risk assessment procedure and update if necessary. This is quite essential if you have new machineries installed in your warehouse or that your company is using a newtype of chemical which can be hazardous for the health and safety of your employees.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Promote-Safety-With-the-Five-Steps-in-Risk-Assessment&id=5406833



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A Special Article.

ASSE OffersASSE OffersASSE OffersASSE Offers HeatHeatHeatHeat----Illness Safety TipsIllness Safety TipsIllness Safety TipsIllness Safety Tips

The American Society of SafetyEngineers issued a timely reminder thatheat stress can cause workplace injuries

and illnesses, and in many parts of thecountry the threat is imminent. Thesociety suggests employers andemployees be aware of the factors thatcan lead to heat stress and how toprevent them, as well as the symptomsof heat exhaustion and heat stroke, andwhat can be done for these heat-relatedillnesses.

First, as OSHA notes, when one’s body is

unable to cool itself by sweating, severalheat-induced illnesses such as heat stress orexhaustion and the more severe heat strokecan occur, and can result in death. Factorsleading to these conditions include hightemperatures, being in direct sun orheat, limited air movement, physicalexertion, poor physical condition, somemedicines, and inadequate tolerance forhot workplaces.

”Heat and humidity can be a serious safety threat

to all workers during the summer -- fromlifeguards to agriculture, construction, androadway workers,” said ASSE President Darryl C.

Hill, Ph.D., CSP. “People should think twice if they

begin to feel these symptoms and act quickly.”

Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness orfainting; weakness and moist skin; mood changessuch as irritability or confusion and upset stomach

and vomiting are symptoms of heat exhaustion,the society notes.

Symptoms of heat stroke include dry, hot skinwith no sweating; mental confusion or losing

consciousness; and seizures or convulsions.

Prevention efforts include blocking out direct sunor other heat sources, using cooling fans or air

conditioning, and resting regularly. It is alsoimportant to drink lots of water -- about one cupevery 15 minutes -- and to wear lightweight, lightcolored, loose-fitting clothes. It is recommended

that if you’re going to be in the sun, avoidalcohol, caffeinated drinks, and heavy meals.According to the National Institute of

Occupational Safety and Health, heat can alsocause injury due to accidents related to sweatypalms, fogged-up glasses, and dizziness.Sunburns are also a hazard of sun and heat

exposure.

Suggested tips for employees and employersto use in order to prevent heat-relatedillnesses and injuries include:

• Use cooling pads that can be inserted intohardhats or around the neck to keep thehead and neck cool. Vented hardhats or

neckbands soaked in cold water can alsobe used to minimize prolonged heatexposure and prevent the body fromoverheating.

• Wear protective eyewear that featuressufficient ventilation or an anti-fog lenscoating to reduce lens fogging from the

heat. Sweatbands also can be used toprevent perspiration from dripping into

the eyes.• Use gloves with leather palms and cotton

or denim backs, which allow for anincreased airglow and still protect hands.Also, choose gloves with a liner to absorbsweat preventing perspiration buildup.Some gloves also feature strips of nylonmesh or are perforated at the back of thehand for more airflow.

• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting,breathable clothing such as cotton,recommends OSHA.

• Take breaks in cooler shaded areas.

• For workers exposed to extreme heat,proper hand protection from burns



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depends on the temperature and type of work to which workers are exposed.

• To prevent dehydration, NIOSHrecommends that workers drink five toseven ounces of fluids every 15 to 20minutes. Drink cool water and avoid

diuretics such as coffee, tea, alcohol, orsoda that actually deplete body fluid.Sports drinks are also good for replacing

fluid in the body, but use should bemonitored due to the high sodiumcontent.

Among the many locations when heat stress iscommonly found are as follows:

A recent article in ASSE’s journal, Professional

Safety , describes the heat hazards encounteredby one company working in the State of Qatar

and what the company did to index the severity

of the heat-related illness problem and thepreventive work practices it provided to workers

resulting in a reduction of heat-stress-relatedmedical treatments. The article, titled “HeatStress – Improving safety in the Arabian Gulf oiland gas industry,” by ASSE member Oliver F.

McDonald, CSP, CIH, et al., points out that the fullspectrum of heat stress disorders were a hazardat the location and notes that the State of Qatar

had banned midday working hours for certainemployees during the hottest times of the yeardue to the threat of the illnesses.

Campaign under way to beat heat stress in UAE.

Construction workers working underhot sun at a site in Abu Dhabiyesterday. Despite the midday break foroutdoor workers, the risk of heat stress

is very high.

Due to the high summer temperatures inthe UAE, heat stress and hyperthermia(raised body temperature) was a definiterisk for those exposed to the sun for long

periods of time.



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OSHE TRAINING ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE AUTHOR – Part 1.

Ergonomics & Manual Handling Training Session at Swedish Motor Assemblies - VOLVO's Factory, Malaysia.

A 1-day high impact training sessionwas organised for the employees of Volvo Assembling Plant by the author

on the 25th January 2011. A total of 25participants attended the 1 daysession. Among the topics coveredduring the session include OSHA 1994(The Act), issues and effects of Manual Handling activities,ergonomics and occupational stress.

A practical session was also plannedand this has enabled the participantsto relate the knowledge acquired

during the theoretical session and theexisting situations at the factory.

Participants and the author took an opportunity

for a group photo at the end of the trainingsession.

A group project activity at the assemblyline – identifying ergonomics hazardsduring an assembly process. A group presentation session.

Overall, the 1-day training sessionhas enabled the participants to learnabout ergonomics and manualhandling issues at their respectivedepartments and units.

The course also provided them withample opportunities to learn aboutergonomics risk factors and the effectof occupational stress.

A group photo taken at the assembly line.



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OSHE TRAINING ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY THE AUTHOR – Part 2.

A 2-day Knowledge Sharing Session on Ergonomics andManual Handling at CANON Opto Plant, Malaysia.

On 12th & 13th January 2011, the

author was conducting a 2-dayknowledge sharing and workanalysis activities at CANON OPTO(Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. The theme of this event is 'Ergonomics & ManualHandling'.

Major issues on the effects of manualhandling activities were discussed.These include severe back pains,shoulder pains, occupational stress

and staff well being matters.

During the information gathering session,

the factory supervisors were given tasks toidentify sources of hazards and the level of risks to the workers. These were discussedand necessary corrective actions aredeveloped and proposed to themanagement.

Overall, the session was indeed a verysuccessful one and immediate actions arebeing implemented to solve ergonomicsrelated issues at the factory.



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OSHE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

13th January 2011

Lack of riskassessment caused

hernia injury.

Injured at Work

A GMB member who neededsurgery to correct a herniawhen he was injured at workhas received compensation

after help from his tradeunion.

Andrew Kelly, 47, fromChaddesden near Derby,

needed the major surgery after

moving several objects weighingup to 40kg during an eight-hourshift.

The yard supervisor for

recycling firm Sims Group UKwas unable to access liftingequipment when instructed tomove heavy objects like lorrybatteries and fridge motors tovarious parts of the yard forcollection. Mr Kelly, who has

worked for the firm for 31 years

originally as a heavy goodsdriver was moved to the new

role just before the accident,was off work for three weeksfollowing it and still suffersdiscomfort over a year later.

He has been forced to give up

his hobby of cycling until theinjury is fully resolved.

Following his diagnosis hecontacted his trade union the

GMB as he was concerned aboutthe losses he would suffer fromtaking so much time off work.The GMB instructed its lawyers

Thompsons Solicitors to pursuea claim for compensation.

Employer should have risk

assessed the task

Mr Kelly said: “I knew that itwould take me several weeks to

recover from the operation so

contacted the union because Iwas worried about what it wouldmean for me and my family

financially. The GMB were greatand organised for ThompsonsSolicitors to handle my claim.

“The hernia was painful and itslowed me down a lot. I wasn’table to lift and found walking

difficult. Since the operation Ihave been able to return to

work but I still suffer from somediscomfort.”

Accident could easily have

been avoided

Andy Worth from the GMB said:“Long established employerslike these really have no excuse

not to think ahead when theyask employees to lift heavy

weights with no help. Mr Kelly’slosses and pain lie at their door

when a simple risk assessmentcould easily have avoided theaccident.”

Claire White from Thompsons

Solicitors Nottingham officeadded: “Employers handing outtasks to employees need tomake sure there are systems in

place so jobs can be performedsafely.”

Filipino workersfile injury

complaints vsHyatt hotels.

SAN JOSE, California –Filipinos joined around 3,500hotel workers in filing injury

complaints with the

Occupational Safety andHealth Administration

(OSHA) against 12 Hyatthotels.

The workers are set to file thesuit against Hyatt hotels in SanAntonio, Chicago, SanFrancisco, Santa Clara, LosAngeles, Long Beach, Honolulu

and Indianapolis.

“We want workplace injuries tostop and for this to stop, Hyattmanagement has to minimize

the workers’ workload andmaintain higher standards atwork. Most of the housekeepersare older immigrant women,

and with the working conditionsthey are in, they’re prone to getinjured on the job,” said Israel

Alvaran, spokesperson of UniteHere.

UniteHere is a union thatrepresents over 250,000 hotelworkers throughout the UnitedStates and Canada. The unionsaid Hyatt hotels have thehighest injury rate amongworkers compared to other

hotels. With more rooms toclean, workers end up rushing

their work, leading to moreaccidents like slipping on wetbathroom floors or tripping overfurniture.

In 2009, Nenita Ibe, 68, saidshe hurt her shoulder while

putting sheets on Hyatt hotelbeds. She works as ahousekeeper at Hyatt Hotel inSanta Clara, California. In some

Hyatt properties, housekeepersare required to clean as many

as 30 rooms a day.

According to Ibe, the

management questioned herbecause they did not believethat she got injured on the job.

Ibe said her injury becameworse. She said it’s now harderfor her to clean the rooms, and

she can barely sleep at nightbecause of the pain.

Workers recommended to OSHAa number of remedies thatcould reduce injury risks such as

supplying fitted sheets, long-handled mops and dusters andimplementing reasonable room

quotas. The union alleged thatworkers are also discouragedfrom reporting injuries for fearof punishment.Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/11/10/10/filipino-workers-

file-injury-complaints-vs-hyatt-hotels



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HOW MANY HAZARDS ARE THERE AT YOUR WORKPLACE? THISARTICLE COULD BE VERY USEFUL IN ANSWERING THEQUESTION.

Mechanical hazards due to:

• Machine parts or workpieces, e.g.:a) shape;

b) relative location;

c) mass and stability (potential energy of elements which may move under the effect of gravity);

d) mass and velocity (kinetic energy of elements in controlled or uncontrolled motion);

e) inadequacy of mechanical strength.

– accumulation of energy inside the machine , e.g.:

f) elastic elements (springs);

g) liquids and gases under pressure;

h) the effect of vacuum.

• Crushing hazard• Shearing hazard• Cutting or severing hazard

• Entanglement hazard

• Drawing-in or trapping hazard

• Impact hazard• Stabbing or puncture hazard

• Friction or abrasion hazard• High pressure fluid injection or ejection hazard

Electrical hazards due to:

• Contact of persons with live parts (direct contact)

• Contact of persons with parts which have become live under faulty conditions (indirect contact)

• Approach to live parts under high voltage

• Electrostatic phenomena• Thermal radiation or other phenomena such as the projection of molten particles and chemical

effects from short circuits, overloads, etc.

Thermal hazards, resulting in:

• Burns, scalds and other injuries by a possible contact of persons with objects or materials with anextreme

• high or low temperature, by flames or explosions and also by the radiation of heat sources

• Damage to health by hot or cold working environment

Hazards generated by noise , resulting in:

• Hearing loss (deafness), other physiological disorders (e.g. loss of balance, loss of awareness)• Interference with speech communication, acoustic signals, etc.

Hazards generated by vibration

• Use of hand-held machines resulting in a variety of neurological and vascular disorders• Whole body vibration, particularly when combines with poor postures

Hazards generated by radiation

• Low frequency, radio frequency radiation, micro waves

• Infrared, visible and ultraviolet light

• X and gamma rays

• Alpha, beta rays, electron or ion beams, neutrons• Lasers

Hazards generated by materials and substances (and their constituent elements) processed

or used by the machine or process



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• Hazards from contact with or inhalation of harmful fluids, gases, mists, fumes, and dusts

• Fire or explosion hazard

• Biological or microbiological (viral or bacterial) hazards

Hazards generated by neglecting ergonomic principles in machine and /or process

design or workstation design as, e.g. hazards from:

• Unhealthy postures or excessive effort

• Inadequate consideration of hand-arm or foot-leg anatomy• Neglected use of personal protection equipment• Inadequate local lighting• Mental overload and underload, stress

• Human error, human behavior

• Inadequate design, location or identification of manual controls

• Inadequate design or location of vi sual display units

Combination of hazards

Unexpected start-up, unexpected overrun/overspeed (or any similar malfunction) from:

• Failure/disorder of the control system

• Restoration of energy supply after an interruption• External influences on electrical equipment• Other external influences (gravity, wind, etc.)• Errors in the software

• Errors made by the operator (due to mismatch of the machine with human characteristics andabilities

• Impossibility of stopping the machine in the best possible conditions• Variations in the rotational speed of tools• Failure of the power supply

• Failure of the control circuit

• Errors of fitting

• Break-up during operation

• Falling or ejected objects or fluids

• Loss of stability / overturning of the machine

• Slip, trip and fall of persons

Hierarchy of Controls

1. Elimination/Substitution2. Engineering Controls3. Warnings

4. Administrative Controls, Procedures and Training5. Personal Protective Equipment

QUOTES ON SAFETY.

Our technological powers increase, but the side effects

and potential hazards also escalate.Alvin Toffler

When you gamble with safety, you bet your life.Author Unknown

Safety is as simple as ABC - Always Be Careful.Author Unknown

“Safety First" is "Safety Always."

Charles M. Hayes

oshe bulletin january 2011

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