Individual training methods

The 22 papers of the symposium [1] were presented under the headings Theory, Laboratory Studies, Calorimetry (2 sessions), Applications. Several papers are devoted to individual instrumental methods of measuring and assessing potential for exothermic runaway reactions to develop. An issue of the Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries is devoted to a variety of, mostly calorimetric, studies of runaway reactions [2], The proceedings of a European Union Seminar in 1994 appear as a book, including hard data as well as debate about such matters as operator training [3],... 

There are many circumstances in which the only information we can develop on toxic hazards and dose-response relationships derives from experiments on laboratory animals. The example of the food additive, presented in the opening pages, is just one of many circumstances in which condition A involves animal toxicology data, and condition B involves a human population, almost always exposed at small fractions of the dose used in animals, and sometimes exposed for much larger fractions of their lifetime than the animals, and even by different routes. Extrapolations under these circumstances should cause individuals trained in the rigors of the scientific method to seek some form of psychological counsel, or, better yet, to return to the laboratory. 

As with any technique, RRAs are subject to limitations and cautions. Assays involving samples obtained from human tissues must be presumed to contain pathogens unless these have been specifically excluded by appropriate testing. In the absence of the latter, equipment used in the assay must be properly disinfected after each use and only individuals trained in correct safety methods should perform the tests. 

There are many training methods, all of which strive to acquaint the body s mechanisms of heat regulation via endogenous heat generation. Extreme climatic conditions may bring about a drop in performance. However, there is no unequivocal correlation between the influence of the climate and human achievement, because the duration and stress caused by the job in question as well as clothing and suitability of the individual for the type of work play important roles. In addition, the state of health, condition, and motivation exert considerable influence. 

One-on-one training is the most effective training method. The supervisor periodically spends some time watching an individual employee work. Then he/she meets with the employee to discuss safe work practices, provide positive feedback, and/or provide additional instruction to counteract any observed unsafe practices. One-on-one training is most effective when applied to all employees and not just when there appears to be a problem. This is because the positive feedback provided for safe work practices is this method s most powerful tool. It helps employees establish new safe behavior patterns. It also recognizes and thereby reinforces the desired behavior [5]. 

The mental images, no matter how well grounded scientifically, are individually and collectively biased, as they have been developed after considerable filtering. The filters result from the scientific training of individuals, available supporting information from other processes, existing theoretical methods, limitations of numerical simulation, and characteristics of experimental methods. 

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