Work practices

Work practices concern the ways in which a job task or activity is done. This may mean that you create a specific procedure for completing the task or job. It may also mean that you implement special training for a job or task. It also presupposes that you might require inspection of the equipment or machinery prior to beginning work or when a failure has occurred. An inspection should be done prior to restarting the process or task. It may also require that you require a lockout/tagout procedure be used to create a zero potential energy release. 

Ensure that sufficient space exists around the electrical equipment or circuit in order to maintain or operate it safely. Personnel must remove personal metal jewelry. De-energize electrical equipment before testing or repairing in accordance with the OSHA Lockout Tag-out Standard 29 CFR 1910.147. If de-energizing electrical equipment or circuits increases the potential of an electrical hazard or requires troubleshooting, use appropriate tools and PPE as mandated by the situation. 

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The UK government enquiry into the Piper Alpha disaster in the North Sea in 1988 has had a significant impact on working practices and equipment and has helped to improve offshore safety around the world. One result has been the development of a Safety Management System (SMS) which is a method of integrating work practices, and is a form of quality management system. Major oil companies have each developed their own specific SMS, to suit local environments and modes of operation, but the SMS typically addresses the following areas (recommended by the Cullen Enquiry into the Piper Alpha disaster) ... 

Although DMF has led to iacreased embryo mortaUty ia pregnant animals at doses close to the lethal level for the pregnant animal, DMF exposures below the OSHA limits should not represent a ha2ard to pregnant workers as long as pmdent work practices are followed (4). 

In all of the process operations except venting and flaring, exposure is related to worker activity, and to some extent is dependent on worker behavior and the work practices appHed. The distinction between those exposures that are impacted by worker behavior and those that, barring the use of respirators, are not is important. The types of control methods to be appHed and the methods of exposure measurement to be used are influenced by this difference. 

Options. Traditional control options for overexposure are material substitution, process change, containment, enclosure, isolation, source reduction, ventilation, provide personal protection, change work practices, and improve housekeeping. A simple way of looking at selection of control options is to find the cheapest option that results in the desired amount of exposure reduction. It is not actually that simple, however, because the various options differ in ways other than cost and degree of control. Some of the other factors to consider in selection of control options are operabiUty, rehabiUty, and acceptabihty. 

However, if air sampling estabHshes that the lead exposure concentration is excessive, engineering controls (such as improved ventilation), adrninistrative controls (such as job rotation), and work practices (such as improved personal hygiene of workers) have to be appHed to comply with the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of the OSHA standard. 

Included ia the OSHA regulations are standards for safe work practices such as lock-out/tag-out and confined space entry, personal protective equipment, storage of hazardous materials, welding process, forklift operation, and requirements for fire protection. Basically, all activities within a chemical facihty are covered by OSHA standards. 

Are R D practices linked to business practices Are work processes those needed to implement the plans Are work processes defined, disciplined, and structured Is the human side of work practices understood Are there metrics related to the goals/results of the work processes ... 

Methylene chloride, appHed to both intact and abraded skin of rabbits in doses as large as 0.5 g/kg body weight per day, five times per week, for a period of 90 days, caused no apparent adverse effects. Absorption through the skin is not usually a ha2ard when good working practices are followed. 

An essential part of the on-site visit is the physical inspection of the toller facility—the walk-through. It offers the opportunity to confirm interview responses, observe work practices, interview employees, and note general housekeeping, soil contamination and safety issues. 

As discussed in Chapter 2, The Toller Selection Process, evaluating the site s safe work practice procedures should have been a part of the review during the toller selection process. Still, new materials may indicate a need to revise or develop special procedures to address unique chemical and physical hazards. New hazards such as vacuum, ciyogenics, ultra-high pressure, or new rotating equipment could be introduced. Medical monitoring requirements or special handling and spill response procedures for the toll s raw materials and products may indicate a need to write or revise safe work practices. 

Other information may also benefit the PHA. Standard operating procedures for processing equipment, safe work practices, maintenance or job safety analyses, emergency response plans could be appropriate review items for some PHAs depending upon the toll. 

Tolling presents a special consideration that can make the training step easier. Typically a toller s technical staff, operators and mechanics are knowledgeable in the basic operations and tasks related to the toller s specialty. For example, experienced operators may know operations of the reactors, columns, exchangers, and packaging equipment quite well. The mechanical personnel may be very familiar with the required safe work practices, equipment cleaning procedures and maintenance tasks for standard vessels and piping. 

Safe Work Practices including Hot Work Permits... 

Standard operating procedures, maintenance procedures, emergency response plan procedures, administrative procedures, safe work practices... 

Process Overview The process overview includes topics related to the equipment configuration, chemical and physical changes achieved in the specific toll, and special safe work practices related to the operations, maintenance and materials. Emphasis should be given to any new equipment and chemical hazards the startup team will encounter. 

Avoid all unnecessary contact with mineral and synthetic oils, e.g. by carefully designed work practices Avoid extreme exposure to oil mist or vapours When used as a machine coolant ... 

Periodically monitor the employee throughout the work day to ensure that sample integrity is maintained and cyclical activities and work practices are identified. 

Take photographs, as appropriate, and detailed notes concerning visible airborne contaminants, work practices, potential interferences, movements, and other conditions to assist in determining appropriate engineering controls. 

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