Hazards avoidance

Mock OSHA Inspection. Maintenance can learn a lot about how the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) trains thein inspectors and what is emphasized in an OSHA inspection. Some of the training of OSHA inspectors follows a program involving the recognition of potential hazards, avoidance of these hazards, and prevention of accidents (RAP). 

Hazards avoided Hazards controlled by added equipment... 

Include specific equipment identification, because omission can cause problems for readers in other process units or facilities who may have the same equipment and remain imaware of its hazards. Avoid downplaying human performance factors when drafting the report. There is a natural hesitancy to criticize or address normally encountered performance limitations or errors. Effects of fatigue from working excessive overtime are not always addressed in the written report. If these human performance factors are neglected, the error may be repeated. All facts of the incident must be considered relevant. 

Fire and Explosion Prevention. Prevention of fire and explosion takes place in the design of chemical plants. Such prevention involves the study of material characteristics, such as those in Table 1, and processing conditions to determine appropriate hazard avoidance methods. Engineering techniques are available for preventing fires and explosions. Containment of flammable and combustible materials and control of processes which could develop high pressures are also important aspects of fire and explosion prevention. 

Caution. Phthalonitrile, quinoline, U02C12, and dibutyl phthaiate are considered hazardous. Avoid skin contact and inhalation. 

Caution. Hydrazine hydrate and hexachbrocyclopentadiene are hazardous avoid inhalation or skin contact. 

It is rarely possible to completely mitigate a risk other than by somehow taking action to avoid the associated hazard in the first place. Instead, risks need to be reduced so that they become As Low As Reasonably Practical (ALARP). Remedial project actions should be specifically documented — this is sometimes referred to as the Safety Case. Remedial actions may employ hazard avoidance strategies, introduce hazard tolerant design feamres, or apply specihc project management controls, or a combination. Further information on risk management for medical devices can be found in ISO 14971. ... 

Hazard Avoid inhalation of vapors and prolonged skin contact. 

Hazard Avoid inhalation of fine particles. TLV (for respirable dust) 0.1 mg/m3. 

Hazard Avoid inhalation of fumes, strong irritant to... 

The effectiveness of any hazard avoidance program is, of course, directly dependent upon the training and safety consciousness of the operators implementing the process. We have addressed this question for years with an involved training program which covers in detail the entire spectrum of different procedures the operator will be expected to carry out. 

In closing, I would like to emphasize that hazard avoidance at Rensselaer is considered a serious and ongoing effort. If at any time a question arises concerning the safety of a process during piloting, we reconvene the Hazard Review Team and further identify problems and solutions. In retrospect, we have found that most of our problems arise from trying to work too fast (e.g., without a Batch Record). The hazard review process has done much to make our operation a safer one. 

ASBESTOS DUST HAZARD Avoid Breathing Dust Wear Assigned Protective Equipment Do Not Remain in Area Unless Your Work Requires It... 

The most critical set of work practices deeds with carrying out work tasks safely through correct skill use and hazard-avoidance behaviors. This is where the action is between the employee and the environment, and it must receive emphasis in instilling proper work practices. Situations occur that are extremely hazardous and require the employee to get out of the work area or stay clear of the work area. These work practices are often life-saving procedures that need special consideration because they are used only under highly stressful conditions, such as emeigencies. 

Martinello, Felice and Ronald Meng. 1992. Workplace Risks and the Value of Hazard Avoidance. Canadian Journal of Economics. May, 25(2) 333-45. 

Precaution Highly flamm. dangerous fire and explosion hazard avoid heat, flame incompat. with oxidizers violent reaction with AIH, and LiAIHj explosions possible with nitric acid, oxygen, ozone may form explosive peroxides may generate electrostatic charge containers may rupture or explode if exposed to heat Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Heated to decomp., emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes... 

Precaution Strong explosion hazard avoid oxidizing agents Hazardous Decomp. Prods. Thermal decomp, prods. NO,... 

Toxicology No significant hazards by ing., inh., skin contact TSCA listed Precaution Airborne dust may be an explosion hazard avoid dust formation take precautions against discharges Storage Store in dry, cool place with adequate ventilation keep tightly closed... 

For the practice of safety to be recognized as a profession, it must have a sound theoretical and practical base. Application of that knowledge base will be effective in attaining hazard avoidance, elimination, or control and, thereby, achieving a state in which the risks deriving from those hazards are at an acceptable level. My belief is that there is a generic base for the work of safety professionals that must be understood and applied if we are to be effective. 

Additional training to be given concerning hazard avoidance on this job. 

As has been noted here, some safety standards and guidelines issued in recent years include provisions for hazard analysis and risk assessment. That progression will continue, and its impact will be extensively felt. Those standards and guidelines reeognize that, even though hazard avoidance, elimination, and control measures are taken, there will always be residual risk, and that such risk should be acceptable—or tolerable, if you prefer. 

To achieve the greatest effectiveness in hazard avoidance, elimination, or control, the following order of precedence is to be applicable in all design and redesign processes. 

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