Prevention measures defined

Are prevention measures being defined and used to control all identified potential health hazards adequately ... 

Modern management systems stress the need for continuous monitoring of defined systems and procedures for enforcement and improvement of quality systems. These should minimize immediately and eliminate ultimately the recurrence of simihir problems through preventive measures. 

If there is fallout from nuclear weapons tests, or from reactor accidents, milk is likely to be the predominant source of 90Sr in diet, and an important source of 137Cs. A few days will intervene between an episode of fallout and the peak concentration in milk, giving time for preventative measures. It is therefore important to know the transfer factors, so that the future levels in milk can be predicted from the amount of fallout. The transfer depends on the retention of the fallout on the foliage, the amount of herbage eaten by the cattle, and the fraction of the cow s daily intake secreted per litre of milk. The transfer factor feed/milk is defined... 

Contrast-induced nephropathy has been defined as an increase in serum creatinine of at least 25% or an absolute increase in serum creatinine of at least 0.5 mg/dL within 48 to 72 hours of iodinated contrast administration and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality (75). Important risk factors include diabetes mellitus, chronic renal insufficiency, administration of large volumes of high osmolar contrast agents, and intravascular volume depletion. Numerous pharmacologic preventive measures have been studied, but consistent benefits have not been demonstrated. In a recent large retrospective study, preprocedural statin therapy was independently associated with a lower risk of contrast nephropathy and nephropathy requiring dialysis (76). 

Positive effects seen in either humans or animals will normally justify classification. Evidence from animal studies is usually much more reliable than evidence from human exposure. However, in cases where evidence is available from both sources, and there is conflict between the results, the quality and reliability of the evidence from both sources must be assessed in order to resolve the question of classification on a case-by-case basis. Normally, human data are not generated in controlled experiments with volunteers for the purpose of hazard classification but rather as part of risk assessment to confirm lack of effects seen in animal tests. Consequently, positive human data on contact sensitization are usually derived from case-control or other, less defined studies. Evaluation of human data must therefore be carried out with caution as the frequency of cases reflect, in addition to the inherent properties of the substances, factors such as the exposure situation, bioavailability, individual predisposition and preventive measures taken. Negative human data should not normally be used to negate positive results from animal studies. 

Preventative measures may be taken in order to avoid or mitigate possible harm from uncertain risks and this will depend on the degree of importance and indeed harm of such risks. The prudent avoidance concept is defined as the full set of voluntary measures that can be taken by private individuals to minimize any unnecessary and/or easily avoidable exposure. The precautionary approach is, on the other hand, a risk management tool allowing decision makers to take action when scientific indications of possible serious and irreversible health hazards are judged to be sufficient to establish reasonable doubt . Preventative measures, however, cannot be based on a hypothetical risk. 

Application of the concept of levels of prevention is possible because, as mentioned earlier, all diseases in their natural history present more or less defined periods during each of which it is possible to apply some form of preventive measures. 

So-called MAK values (maximum workplace concentrations) have been defined for individual chemical substances as a preventive measure against health problems due to inhaling, which must not be exceeded at the workplace. After these preliminary remarks, the prohibition of eating and smoking at the workplace is a logical consequence. Furthermore, the following aspects have to be considered ... 

Our exercise in defining the hazard classification logic and appropriate loss prevention measures has raised a number of questions, disclosed some potential problems and in general given us a better understanding of the subject matter. This in itself has made the exercise worthwhile. 

If the ADT24 or a value equivalent in its meaning is lower than the temperature expected to be reached in the case of a process deviation, then this disturbance must be regarded as critical and incident preventing measures have to be defined. 

In Safety Audits, A Guide for the Chemical Industry, issued by the Chemical Industries Association Limited, it is implied that the major objective of a safety audit is to determine the effectiveness of a company s safety and loss prevention measures. It is also proposed that whatever the objectives, it is important that they be clearly defined. 

The results of the study showed that most of the environmental factors measured at the storages of semi-active record of the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Municipalities and Water Resources were not within the stipulated values defined in international standards. The indoor air quality of the two buildings was not suitable for protection and preservation of document collections. Therefore, some preventive measures must be taken to safeguard the documentary assets. The document collection of the two Ministries will be damaged if remedial measures were not taken timely. 

All four primary barriers PSB1-PSB4 are defined as two-outcome events, where in the first state the prevention measure exists and in the second it has failed. The occurrence of the initiating event combined with the failure of any of the primary barriers PSB1-PSB4 results to the center event, which is the contact with electricity or an electric arc. 

Residual risk is defined as the risk remaining after preventive measures have been taken. No matter how effective the preventive actions, there will always be residual risk if an activity continues. Attaining zero risk is not possible. If the residual risk is not acceptable, the action outline set forth in the foregoing hazard analysis and risk assessment process would be applied again. 

Once the hazard potential inherent in a technical installation exceeds specific limits—which may be defined by the use of >ecific amounts of substances—systematic planning of accident prevention measures will become mandatory. 

Does an employee s perception of an existing and/or potential hazards and consequences of exposure differ from that of the employer The employee sees a hazard and wants it fixed immediately. The employer may respond to this issue quickly and address the hazard but is often slowed down by internal structures, budget restraints, proper corrective actions, priorities, etc. Answers to critical questions must be clearly defined Is the safety issue real How big is the risk What are the options What is the best way to correct the identified risk Who is going to correct the hazard How long will it take to develop and implement preventative measures How much will it cost Is there need for additional training ... 

An organization s safety culture was formally defined by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations (ACSNI, 1993, p. 23) as the product of individual and group values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies and patterns of behavior that determine the commitment to, and the style and proficiency of, an organization s health and safety management. Organizations with a positive safety culture are characterized by communications founded on mutual trust, by shared perceptions of the importance of safety, and by confidence in the efficacy of preventive measures. ... 

---