Archive for the ‘ Hazard Recognition ’ Category

12 Confined Spaces Hazards

confined-spaces1Confined space is one of the most deadly spaces in the workplaces. It is because of confined spaces contain many potential hazards and have restricted exits way.

Related to confined spaces, OSHA requires that:
a. All confined spaces in the workplaces shall be identified.
b. Confined spaces shall be treated as hazardous until proven.
c. All confined space hazards shall be identified.
d. Appropriate response should be given to these hazards before entry.

Confined space hazards can be classified into hazardous atmosphere, physical hazard, chemical contact hazard and biological hazard. The hazard list below is hazards that are commonly identified in a confined space.

  1. Oxygen rich (greater than 23.5%). This condition will introduce fire or explosion, especially when flammable vapor exists. So never use pure oxygen for ventilating a confined space. Use normal air supply only.
  2. Oxygen deficient (less than 19.5%). Oxygen deficient or lack of oxygen can cause unconsciousness to death. Oxygen concentration in a confined space can be declined due to nitrogen intrusion, welding, grinding, oxidation, sandblasting or coating.
  3. Oxygen and the existence of flammable vapors or gases can create flammable atmosphere. Chemical reaction and concentration of combustible dust may also create flammable atmosphere.
  4. Toxic atmosphere. It is introduced when a toxic chemical or gas is stored in a tank/holder, when carbon monoxide or hydrogen sulphide is produced through decomposition or work being done in the confined space.
  5. Corrosive atmosphere. Hydrochloric acid and ammonia are examples of chemicals that can build up a corrosive atmosphere.
  6. Physical configuration hazards. The use of ladder and scaffolding, wet surface, uneven bottom, bends in tunnels, narrow area or poor lighting can cause physical hazards to the workers inside confined spaces.
  7. Mechanical hazards. Mixing vessel, which is equipped with blades, can introduce mechanical hazard when workers come into the confined space (mixing vessel). Including in mechanical hazard is falling object.
  8. Surface hazard, for instance slips and falls.
  9. Noise hazards. Grinding work inside a confined space can result high level noise.
  10. Vibration hazards.
  11. Engulfment hazards. Engulfment hazard may happen when worker is entrapped by content of the confined space.
  12. Temperature hazards. Cold temperature and heat create temperature hazard inside a confined space.

Always bear in mind that hazards identification shall be finished before entering a confined space. Then, provide appropriate hazard controls to these potential hazards afterward.

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Chemical Hazard List for the Chemical Industry

chemical-hazards-listWhen we are dealing with chemicals in the workplaces, we will be exposed to the chemicals-associated potential hazards that would harm our health and safety, environment and plant facilities. Adequate information about chemical hazards will greatly help us during hazard identification study and ensure no hazards left to be identified. The list below shows hazards those are associated with chemicals preservation, loading and unloading operation, transportation, usage or maintenance work.

  • Fire. This may be caused by flammable, combustible or reactive chemicals.
  • Explosion. It comes with flammable, combustible or reactive chemicals.
  • Heat. As the result of reaction of the chemicals with another one.
  • Toxic gas. Such gas is also possible to be introduced when two or more chemicals reacting or through decomposition reaction.
  • Corrosive vapors.
  • Harmful to human health: eye irritation, corneal damage, eye burn, skin irritation, skin burn, headache, dizziness, nervous system depression, liver damage, kidney damage, heart damage, tract irritation, death, etc. Each chemical may have different health effects and this information can be extracted from the MSDS.
  • Environment contamination. Chemical spill and waste are common environment contamination factors.

The first step that has to be followed is to make a list containing hazardous chemicals used in the plant site. After that, refer to each MSDS for identifying the hazards. From MSDS, we can recognize different hazard control for each chemical. Some chemicals that are commonly found in chemical plant operation are hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, phosphoric acid, formaldehyde, methanol, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen and etc. Don’t forget to update the chemical hazards list regularly or when change exists. This is so important and will directly affect the hazard identification list.

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Top 13 Reasons Why We Need to Update Hazard Identification

hazard-identification-updateThere are many reasons why hazard identification has to be updated. Ideally, hazard identification or hazard recognition is done before unwanted events such as injury and illness health occurs, because there is still enough time to improve the hazard control.

Here are some reasons why we need to update hazard identification list.

  1. Because we have mentioned updating period in the hazard identification procedure. This is a regular updates. It is the time to evaluate if we had missed a hazard to be identified during the previous hazard identification period.
  2. A new job, task or activity is introduced.
  3. The existing process conditions will be changed.
  4. Current standard operating procedures need to be altered.
  5. We plan to modify plant facility or plant layout.
  6. A new equipment or machine will be installed in the plant site.
  7. When new safety equipment is introduced.
  8. Chemical, catalyst or fuel replacement.
  9. When a new product will be produced.
  10. Plant expansion project is scheduled.
  11. After an incident or accident occurrence.
  12. When a neighbor plant will be built near our chemical plant. It is especially associated with emergency condition, such fire accident or explosion.
  13. As a result of safety audit, safety inspection, safety patrol or self-inspection system.

To make an update, follow my previous post about hazard identification/recognition method. Hazard identification update has to be implemented in the whole workplace area in the plant site. Don’t forget to include contractors and visitor activities in the plant site, non-routine jobs and hazards caused by human factors when we are going to do hazard identification.

Always bear in mind that we have to be a step ahead from the potential hazard and immediately set up appropriate hazard control to manage the risks. Hazard identification is an ongoing process.

Note: get free printable safety signs and free safety slogans for the workplace.
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Hazard and Hazard Recognition Methods

hazard-recognitionBy definition, a hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm to people, damage to property or environment, or loss to process. OSHA defines hazard as the potential for harm that is associated with a condition or activity that if left uncontrolled can result in injury or illness. Meanwhile, according to OHSAS 18001:1999, hazard is source or situation with a potential for harm in terms of human injury or illness health, damage to property, damage to the workplace environment, or a combination of these.

Hazard recognition or hazard identification is vitally important in accident prevention. By recognizing hazards’ characteristics and properties, we can clearly determine proper controls. Unfortunately, the majority of us sometimes overlook to recognize hazards.

Hazard Recognition Methods

There are many hazard recognition methods. The more hazard recognition methods we know, the bigger our chances to recognize all hazards that exist in workplaces. A hazard might not be identified by a certain method, but it can be detected by another method. Principally, we need to assure that hazard recognition is completely done.

The following are the most useful hazard recognition methods:
1. Pre-Use Analysis
2. Multi-Step Planning Process
3. Work Permitting
4. Equipment Inspections
5. Suggestion Method
6. Walk through Safety and Health Audits
7. Safety Patrol

Now, lets talks about these methods one by one.

Pre-Use Analysis can be applied before any new equipment, device, instrumentation, personal protective equipment, machine, tool, plant facility, etc are used. This method is applied before exposure to hazards.

Multi-Step Planning Process is applied before hazard exposure and applied to every task, job and activity. To apply this method simply asks a series of questions before doing the task, job or activity. The question should be similar to:
a. What am I going to do?
b. What is the purpose to do this job, task or activity?
c. How will I do that job, task or activity?
d. How could I get hurt doing this job, task or activity?
e. What will I do to prevent accident (injury, illness health)?

Work Permitting is issued before the job, task or activity done. Some questions asked and a checklist shall be completed to assured that hazards are not overlooked. Commonly, including in the checklist are analysis of toxic gas (such as carbon monoxide), oxygen sufficiency, flammable gas concentration, etc.

Equipment Inspection is implemented to any equipment before it is used or put into operation. Equipment inspection is planned and organized to check overall equipment conditions, safety protective equipment, guarding, emergency stop, etc.

In Suggestion Method, every worker is encouraged to propose or suggest potential hazard (and control) that are contained in a job, task or activity. Workers consider their past time experiences on the shop floor and field to give suggestion and this is very good safety habit. This method can be used for improving current hazard identification list.

Safety Patrol can be carried out by every worker in the plant site, not only by persons who are in charge of health and safety matters. Safety patrol may be done during an equipment running, plant operation, plant shut down or whenever it is intended to identify potential hazards.

The best way to use these hazard recognition methods is by combining these methods one with the others.

The next question is when is the right time to apply these hazard recognition methods? Of course before exposure to the hazards is the best time, because at that time no one was injured, ill or death, and no property damage. However, during a job, task or activity is being done hazard recognition is still important especially in accident prevention, and we can stop or cancel the job, task or activity at any time whenever we see a potential hazard to cause injury, illness health or plant facility damage.

Hazards may also be recognized after a job, task or activity has been completely performed and we can plan hazard control improvement to that job.

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