Working equipment environment

Decontamination/cleanup workers working in environments known to be contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores may be at risk for inhalational anthrax. These workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow appropriate procedures, as outlined in other CDC Guidance documents. 

Those professionals involved in establishing effective loss control programs must understand the interrelationships in the worker-equipment-environment system. A system approach to hazard control recognizes the interaction between the worker, equipment, materials, and the environment in the performance of work [p. 104]. 

In [5] hazards from using work equipment, their assessment and possible countermeasures are described. Furthermore features of the work environment are treated which may have an influence on accidents. Many of the statements do not only apply to the process industry alone, but are independent of the industrial branch considered. In particular the following topics are dealt with ... 

Safety and personal safety must be considered from the very beginning of the planning of a plant. They concern the design of the plant, the layout of the workplaces as well as their environment and the working conditions of the personnel. After initiation of production the plant and the work equipment must be maintained in order to ensure permanent safety. 

Work equipment needs to be properly maintained so that it continues to operate safely and in the way it was designed to perform. The amount of maintenance will be stipulated in the manufacturers instructions and will depend on the amount of use, the working environment and the type of equipment. High speed, high hazard machines, which are heavily used in an adverse environment like salt water, may require very frequent maintenance, whereas a simple hand tool, like a shovel, may require very little. 

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 require that work equipment used in hostile environments is inspected at suitable intervals. 

Hazardous areas can be found in workplaces, that is in the environment of work equipment, and also inside of plants, equipment and devices. 

Employers need to consider the ergonomic design of the whole workplace, working environment and the work equipment within it to ensure the impact on the workers is reduced as much as possible. 

Accident figures are the core data for most safety approaches. Accidents are screened to compare and evaluate safety standards and practices of different nations, industries, companies, and work places. They serve as figures for insurance companies to predict the expected risk of work activities. They lead to better safety standards by localizing hazards at work places, and are employed to initiate safe working procedures, working equipment and environment, and safe working behavior. 

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) ... 

Coverahs or other full-body clothing should be worn when working with lead ahoys and properly laundered after use. Hard hats, safety glasses, safety boots, and other safety equipment should be worn as appropriate for the industrial environment where the lead ahoys are used. Hands, face, neck, and arms should be washed before eating or smoking. 

Health and Safety. Petroleum and oxygenate formulas are either flammable or combustible. Flammables must be used in facUities that meet requirements for ha2ardous locations. Soak tanks and other equipment used in the removing process must meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for use with flammable Hquids. Adequate ventilation that meets the exposure level for the major ingredient must be attained. The work environment can be monitored by active air sampling and analysis of charcoal tubes. 

In general, the risk of human error ean he redueed hy properly designing the equipment, proeedures, and the work environment and hy proper staffing, training, and implementation of management eontrols. 

Proper design of equipment, procedures and the work environment can greatly reduce the probability of human error. Designing and maintaining operating procedures is a challenge for batch systems because of the multiplicity of procedures for each piece of equipment, and the variety of operations within... 

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