Controlling Hazards with Safe Work Practices

LIMITATIONS TO CONTROLLING HAZARDS WITH SAFE WORK PRACTICES 

In many cases, safe work practices are a necessity to protect employees and can work, but are only as good as the management system that supports the established practices. This is because they are susceptible to human error. As we discussed, controls must be designed into the equipment before it is placed into operation. Employee training and reinforcement (consistent and reasonable) must accompany the equipment installation. Safe work practices must be used in conjunction with, and not as a substitute for, more effective or reliable engineering controls [2]. 

When developing a hazard control program, you should anticipate resistance when teaching new job practices and procedures to employees. 

If your employees have done a job long enough without special precautions, they are likely to feel unconcerned about hazards. It is essential that they understand why special work practices are needed. Therefore, training begins with a discussion of hazards. Your employees must understand that, for an incident to occur, two things must be present a hazard and an employee [2]. 

In theory, remove the hazard, and there will be no injury. Train the employee to follow proper work practices, and they can help the employee to avoid harm. 

---

When the potential hazard cannot be removed, replaced, or enclosed, the next best approach is a barrier to exposure or, in the case of air contaminants, local exhaust ventilation to remove the contaminant from the workplace. This engineered control involves potential exposure to the worker even in normal operations. Consequently, it should be used only in conjunction with other types of controls, such as safe work practices designed specifically for the site condition and/or PPE. Examples include ... 

Many ways to control hazards have been used over the years but usually these can be broken down into five primary approaches. The preferred ways to do this are through engineering controls, awareness devices, predetermined safe work practices, and administrative controls. When these controls are not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, an alternative or supplementary method of protection is to provide workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) and the know-how to use it properly. 

While safe work practices can be considered forms of administrative controls, OSHA uses the term administrative controls to mean other measures aimed at reducing employee exposure to hazards. These measmes include additional relief employees, exercise breaks, and rotation of employees. These types of controls are normally used in conjunction with other controls that more directly prevent or control exposure to the hazard. 

In this Final Rule, U.S. HUD sets forth seven strategies for lead paint or paint hazard evaluation and hazard reduction, varying in relative stringency from least to most (1) safe work practices during rehabilitation (2) ongoing lead paint maintenance practices to assure continued intact surfaces (3) visual assessment and paint stabihzation (4) risk assessment and interim controls (as defined above) (5) combined risk assessment and lead paint inspection with interim controls (6) risk assessment and abatement of lead paint hazards and (7) lead-based paint inspection and abatement via removal of aU lead paint. 

Multiplying by zero forces a product of zero, and this equation therefore means that an extremely hazardous substance may present little risk of adverse effect when it is handled under safe and prudent conditions, i.e., when the exposure component of risk is driven toward zero. In occupational settings, exposure, and therefore risk, is controlled or minimized with pmdent work practices, engineering controls (e g., laboratory design, exhaust ventilation), and, if necessary, personal protective equipment. These measures, listed here in preferred order of implementation, are t5q)ically the bailiwick of industrial hygienists. 

Instead of beginning with the chemical hazard, BBS programs begin with the identification of critical worker behaviors (wearing PPE and following safe work practices when working with or around chemicals). Remember that these methods of control are at the bottom of the hierarchy. This points to the obvious BBS programs turn the hierarchy upside down. 

There are many ways to work with chemicals that can both reduce the probability of an accident to a negligible level and reduce the consequences to minimum levels should an accident occur. At XYZ, risk minimization depends on elimination of hazardous substances, engineering controls for chemical containment, safe work practices, the use of the least quantity of material necessary, the substitution of a less hazardous chemical for the more hazardous one, and, as a last resort, the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). 

SNL personnel who direct day-to-day work activities are responsible for knowing the hazards associated with the work and the controls needed to perform the work safely. They are also expected to integrate ES H requirements fi om sitewide institutional sources, facility-specific sources, and project-specific sources and ensure that all required controls are properly in place before work begins. SNL personnel also have the responsibility for reporting to management any work situations or practices they observe that do not comply with safety responsibilities. 

A safety management risk assessment techniqne that is used to define and control the hazards associated with a process, job, or procedure. The Job Safety Analysis ensures that the hazards involved in each step of a task are reduced to as low as reasonably practical (ALARP). The assessment starts with a summary of the entire job process. The job is broken into smaller steps and listed in a tabular form. The hazards for each step are then identified and listed. This is repeated for each step in the process and a method of safe work is identified. It may be also called a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). See also As Low As Reasonabfy Practical (ALARP). 

Controls (4) Hazard controls concentrate on engineering fixes with reinforced/enforced safe work procedures. (3) Controls based on priaity of engineering controls, work practices, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (in that order). (2) Hazard controls fuHy in place, but the order of priorities varies with situation. (1) Hazard controls generally in place, but priaities and completeness vary. (0) Hazard controls not incomplete, ineffective, or inappropriate in this workplace. 

Do not rely on face protection alone to keep you safe from hazards. Eye protection in addition to face protection is often required. Also, use your protectors in conjunction with guards, engineering controls, and sound work practices. 

Management needs to provide resources to furnish a safe working environment, to allow systems of control to be identified and review, and equipment installed and maintained. Prevention of incidents requires company employees to know the nature and hazardous properties of the materials so that suitable precautionary arrangements can be made for their safe storage, handling and use. Employees need to comply with company policy, procedures and help identify areas of concern and unsafe practices. 

---