Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Combustible dust explosions from poor housekeeping; flammable liquid release, fire, and explosion from malfunctioning valve flow indicator; ignition of flammable vapors released due to poor mechanical integrity/tank inspection program; loss of life when employee was trapped and wrapped around compressor shaft... Hazard recognition teams can make a difference!  This presentation will review case studies, causal factors, and point to relevant issues that can help sharpen your hazard recognition skills.

Before starting a task or a job, employees should be taught to use a layered approach to hazard recognition. The first layer is the initial planning. The second layer is the formal safety preparations such as the JSA, work permit, pre-job briefing, lift plan, etc. But this is not enough. Employees should also conduct Final Safety Checks. Using pictures, attendees will practice the Layered Approach.

The "focus four" hazards;

1. falls,
2. electrical hazards,
3. "struck by" hazards, and
4. "caught in between" hazards

are responsible for the majority of physical, financial, and emotional losses in construction — and they exist on nearly every jobsite. It takes a well-trained crew (the entire crew!) and lots of pre-planning to recognize and respond to those hazards. Safety is everyone's responsibility — ALL of the time.

Excavating has always been one of the most hazardous forms of construction and, as a consequence, a matter of special emphasis for OSHA.  The OSHA Standard for Excavations, which was the first construction standard to be revised in total by OSHA dramatically changed the way excavation work is done in this country.  The presentation covers the hazards of trenching, the role and options of the competent person, and protective systems.

Job hazardous identification/risk assessments all too often reside in the realm of the subjective. Moving toward the objective requires the use of appropriate risk assessment techniques that involve the right people and embed the results into safe but productive work execution. In this seminar, we will discuss and demonstrate practical examples of embedding hazardous identification/risk assessments into effective work controls.  We will discuss how these embedded processes transform and promote a safe working environment.