Week 4 & 5 Lecture

CONCEPT OF HAZARD AVOIDANCE

Abdul Qadir
NEDUET
Online session 2020
 Safe System Of Work

• Assessment of what safe system of work are required

Requirement
It is the responsibility of the management in each organization to ensure that
its operations are assessed to determine where safe safe systems of work need
to be developed.
This assessment must, at the same time, decide the most appropriate form for
the safe system; that is;
Is a written procedure required?
Should the operation only be carried out under permit to work?
Is an informal system sufficient?
 Safe System Of Work

• Introducing Controls
There are a variety of controls that can be adopted in safe systems of work.
They can be split into the following three basic categories:

(i) Technical - these are engineering or process type controls which engineer
out or contain the hazard so that the risks are acceptable. For example
exhaust ventilation, a machine guard, dust respirator.
(ii) Procedural - these are ways of doing things to ensure that the work is done
according to the procedure, legislation or cultural requirements of the
organization. For example a supervisor must be involved, the induction course
must be taken before the work commences, a particular type of form
or a person's signature must be obtained before proceeding, the names of the
workforce must be recorded.
(iii) Behavioral - these are controls which require a certain standard of
behavior from individuals or groups of individuals. For example no smoking is
permitted during the task hard hats must be worn
 Safe System Of Work

• Definition Of and specific examples of safe systems of work

• Confined Space
A confined space is defined as: 'any place, including any chamber, tank, vat
silo, pit trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by
virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified
risk'.

These specified risks mean a risk to a worker of:

serious injury arising from a fire or explosion;
loss of consciousness arising from an increase in body temperature;
loss of consciousness or asphyxiation arising from gas, fume, vapor or the
lack of oxygen;
Drowning arising from an increase in the level of liquid;
asphyxiation arising from a free-flowing solid or because of entrapment by
it.
 Safe System Of Work

• Confined Space
A confined space is defined as: 'any place, including any chamber, tank, vat
silo, pit trench, pipe, sewer, flue, well or other similar space in which, by
virtue of its enclosed nature, there arises a reasonably foreseeable specified
risk'.
Therefore, confined spaces include chambers, tanks (sealed and open-top),
vessels, furnaces, ducts, sewers, manholes, pits, flues, excavations, boilers,
reactors and ovens.

Typical Control procedures may include:

Documented Records of the location or itineraries of the lone workers;
Periodic visits from the supervisor to observe what is happening;
Regular voice contact between the lone worker and the supervisor;
 Safe System Of Work

• Lone workers
People who work by themselves without close or direct supervision are found
in many work situations. In some cases they are the sole occupant of small
workshops or warehouses; they may work in remote sections of a large site;
they may work out of normal hours, like cleaners or security personnel; they
may be working away from their main base as installers,
or maintenance people;
There is no general legal reason why people should not work alone, but there
may be special risks which' require two or more people to be present; for
example during entry into a confined space in order to effect a rescue.
It is important to ensure that a lone worker is not put at
any higher risk than other workers. This is achieved by carrying out a specific
risk assessment and introducing special protection arrangements for their
safety.
 Safe System Of Work

Typical control procedures may include:

Documented records of the location or itineraries of the lone workers;

Periodic visits from the supervisor to observe what is happening;
Regular voice contact between the lone worker an the supervisor;
Automatic warning devices to alert others if a specific signal is not received
from the lone worker;
Other devices to raise the alarm, which are activated by the absence of
some specific action;
checks that the lone worker has returned safely home or to their base;
Special arrangements for first aid to deal with minor injuries- this may
include mobile first-aid kits;
arrangements for emergencies – these should be established and employees
trained.
 Safe System Of Work

Role and function of a permit-to-work system

Introduction
Safe systems of work are crucial in work such as the maintenance of chemical
plant where the potential risks are high and the careful coordination of
activities and precautions is essential to safe working. In this situation and
others of similar risk potential, the safe system of work is likely to take the form
of a permit-to-work procedure.

The permit-to-work procedure is a specialized type of safe system of work for

ensuring that potentially very dangerous work (e.g. entry into process plant
and other confined spaces) is done safely.
 Safe System Of Work
Work requiring a permit
The nature of permit-to-work procedures will vary in their scope depending
on the job and the risks involved. However, a permit-to-work system is
unlikely to be needed where, for example:

(a) the assessed risks are low and can be controlled easily;
(b) the system of work is very simple;
(c) other work being done nearby cannot affect the work concerned in say a
confined space entry, or a welding operation.

However, where there are high risks and the system of work is complex and
other operations may interfere, a formal permit to work should be used.
The main types of permit and the work covered by each are identified
below.
 Safe System Of Work
Work requiring a permit
The nature of permit-to-work procedures will vary in their scope depending
on the job and the risks involved. However, a permit-to-work system is
unlikely to be needed where, for example:

(a) the assessed risks are low and can be controlled easily;
(b) the system of work is very simple;
(c) other work being done nearby cannot affect the work concerned in say a
confined space entry, or a welding operation.

However, where there are high risks and the system of work is complex and
other operations may interfere, a formal permit to work should be used.
The main types of permit and the work covered by each are identified
below.
 Safe System Of Work
General permit
The general permit should be used for work such as:
Alterations to or overhaul of plant or machinery where mechanical, toxic or
electrical hazards may arise. This is particularly important for:
large machines where visual contact between workers is difficult;
where work has to be done near dangerous parts of the machine;
where there are multiple isolations for energy sources and/or
dangerous substances;
where dangerous substances are being used in confined areas with poor
ventilation;
work on or near overhead crane tracks;
work on pipelines with hazardous contents;
repairs to railway tracks, tippers, conveyors;
work with asbestos-based materials;
work involving ionizing radiation;
roof work and other hazardous work at height. This is particularly important
where there are:
no permanent work platforms with fixed handrails on flat roofs.
on sloping or fragile roofs
where specialist access equipment, like rope hung cradles
 Safe System Of Work
Hot work

Hot work is potentially hazardous because :

lt may act as a source of ignition in any plant in which flammable materials
are handled;
It may act as a cause of fires in all processes, regardless of whether
flammable materials are present.
Hot work includes cutting, welding, brazing, soldering and any process
involving the application of a naked flame. Drilling and grinding should also be
included where a flammable atmosphere is potentially present.
 Safe System Of Work
Work On high Voltage apparatus (including Testing)

Work on high-voltage apparatus (over about 600V) is potentially high risk.

Hazards include:
fatal electric shock/burns to the people doing the work;
Electrical fires/explosions;
Consequential danger from disruption of power supply to safety critical plant
and equipment.

Confined spaces
Precaution
PPE
Atmosphere Tests
Ventilation equipment
Rescue Equipment
 Safe System Of Work
A triple fatal accident occurred in an African factory when a man went
inside a tank to clean up sludge. He was not wearing breathing apparatus
and soon got into difficulties with breathing due to the movement of the
sludge. The worker collapsed and the outside rescue man also went inside to
save him, again without breathing apparatus.
Two other men hearing the shouts went to help.
They saw two men collapsed and one went in to help. He immediately got
into difficulties but managed to get out and the fourth man went inside the
tank.
By this time the site fire team arrived at the tank. They put on their rescue
suits but their breathing apparatus would not fit inside the suits and the
instructions were all in German which they did no understand. A rescue team
member eventually Went inside the tank with his suit half open to allow the
use of his breathing apparatus. By this time all three men inside the tank
were dead.

The rescue team although classed as the site fire brigade, had never been
trained in the use of the rescue equipment. This is a classical tragedy but all
too typical of a confined space accident.
 Safe System Of Work
Work at Height
A permit to work may be required for some hazardous work at height such as
roof work to ensure that a fall arrest strategy is in place. This is particularly
important where there are:

no permanent work platforms with fixed handrails on flat roofs;

on sloping or fragile roofs;
where specialist access equipment, like rope hung cradles, is required; and
where access is difficult
 Types of checking or monitoring
There are two basic types of checking or monitoring

Active monitoring, by taking the initiative before things go wrong, involves

routine inspections and checks to make sure that standards and policies are
being implemented and that controls are working.

Reactive monitoring, after things go wrong, involves looking at historical

events to learn from mistakes and see what can be put right to prevent a
recurrence.
 Safety Inspection Programme
Within any active monitoring programme there should be a system for
workplace safety inspections . It often forms part of the preventative
maintenance scheme for plant and equipment. However, they may also be
covered by legal examination and inspection requirements. Equipment in this
category includes steam boilers, other pressure vessels, hoists, lifts,
cranes, chains, ropes, lifting tackle, power presses, scaffolds, trench supports
and local exhaust ventilation.
Workplace inspections should include other precautions, such as those
covering the use of premises, welfare facilities, behavior of people and
systems of work.
Inspections should be done by people who are competent to identify the
relevant hazards and risks and who can assess the conditions found.
Preferably they should mainly be local staff who understand the problems and
can immediately present solutions. It is essential that they do not In any way
put themselves or anyone else at risk during the inspection.
 Safety Inspection Programmed
A properly thought-out approach to inspection will include:

well-designed inspection forms to help plan and initiate remedial action by

requiring those doing the inspection to rank any deficiencies in order of
importance;
summary lists of remedial action with names and dead line s to track
progress on implementing improvements;
periodic analysis of inspection forms to identify common features or trends
which might reveal underlying weaknesses in the system;
information to aid judgments about any changes. required in the frequency
or nature of the inspection Program.
 Safety Inspection Programme
Premises, including: Procedures, including:
work at height risk assessments
access safe systems of work
working environment permits to work
welfare services personal protective equipment
fire precautions contractors
notices, signs and posters
Plant and substances, including:
work equipment People, including:
manual and mechanical handling health surveillance
vehicles people' s behavior
dangerous/flammable substance training and supervision
hazardous substance appropriate authorized persons
violence
those especially at risk.
 Safety Inspection Programme
Key Points in becoming a good observer

Be Selective
Know what to look for
practice
Keep an open mind
guard against habit and familiarity
do not be satisfied with general impressions
record observations systematically
 Safety Inspection Programme
Essential elements of a report are:
identification of the organization, workplace,
inspector and date of inspection;
list of observations;
priority or risk level;
actions to be taken;
timescale for completion of the actions.
ACT
 Workplace hazards and risk control

Welfare

Sanitary conveniences and washing facilities

Drinking water
Accommodation for clothing and facilities for
changing clothing
Facilities for rest and eating meals
 Workplace hazards and risk control

Workplace Environment

The issues governing the workplace environment

are;
ventilation
heating and temperature
lighting
workstations and seating.
 Workplace hazards and risk control

Ventilation
The ventilation of the workplace should be effective and sufficient
and free of any impurity, and air inlets should be sited clear of any
potential contaminant
(e.g. a chimney flue). Care needs to be taken to ensure that
workers are not subject to uncomfortable draughts.
The ventilation plant should have an effective visual or audible
warning device fitted to indicate any failure of the plant. The plant
should be properly maintained and records kept.
The supply of fresh air should not normally fall below 5-8 liters
per second per occupant.
 Workplace hazards and risk control

Heating & Temperature

During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside
buildings shall be reasonable (not uncomfortably high or low).
'Reasonable' is usually defined as at least 16°C, unless much of the
work involves severe physical effort in which case the
temperature should be at least 13°C.
These temperatures refer to readings taken close to the
workstation at working height and away from windows. These
minimum temperatures cannot be maintained where rooms open
to the outside or where food or other products have to be kept
cold. A heating or cooling method must not be used in the
workplace which produces fumes, or is injurious or offensive to
any person. Such equipment needs to be regularly maintained to
prevent this problem.
 Workplace hazards and risk control

Extremes of temperature

The human body is very sensitive to relatively small changes in external

temperatures. Food not only provides energy and the build-up of fat reserves,
but also generates heat, which needs to be dissipated to the surrounding
environment.
The body also receives heat from its surroundings. The temperature of the
body is normally around 37°C, and it will attempt to maintain this temperature
irrespective of the temperature of the surroundings.
Therefore, if the surroundings are hot, sweating will allow heat loss to take
place by evaporation caused by air movement over the skin. On the other
hand, if the surroundings are cold, shivering causes internal muscular activity,
which generates body heat.
 Workplace hazards and risk control

Extremes of temperature

At high temperatures. the body has more and more difficulty in maintaining its
natural temperature unless sweating can take place and therefore water must
be the surrounding air has high humidity, evaporation of the sweat cannot take
place and the body begins to overheat. This leads to heart strain and, in
extreme cases, heat stroke. It follows that when working is required at high
temperatures, a good supply of drinking water should be available and, further,
replaced by drinking. If the humidity is high, a good supply of ventilation air
is also needed. Heat exhaustion is a particular hazard in confined spaces so
more breaks and air-moving plant are needed.
 Workplace hazards and risk control

Extremes of temperature

At low temperatures, the body will lose heat too rapidly and the extremities of
the body will become very cold leading to frostbite and possibly the loss of
limbs. Under these conditions, thick, warm (thermal) clothing, the provision of
hot drinks and external heating will be required. For those who work in sub-
zero temperatures, such as cold store workers, additional precautions will be
needed. The store doors must be capable of being unlocked from the inside
and an emergency alarm system should be installed. Appropriate equipment
selection and a good preventative maintenance system is very important as
well as a regular health surveillance programme for the workers, who should
be provided with information and training on the hazards associated
with working in very low temperatures.

In summary, extremes of temperature require special measures, particularly if

accompanied by extremes of humidity. Frequent rest periods will be necessary
to allow the body to acclimatize to the conditions.
 Workplace hazards and risk control

Lighting
Every workplace shall have suitable and sufficient lighting and this shall be
natural lighting so far as is reasonably practicable. Suitable and sufficient
emergency lighting must also be provided and maintained in any room where
workers are particularly exposed to danger in the event of a failure of artificial .
lighting normally due to a power cut and or a fire.
Windows and skylights should be kept clean and free from obstruction so far as
is reasonably practicable unless it would prevent the shading of windows or
skylights or prevent excessive heat or glare.
 Workplace hazards and risk control

Lighting
Light levels are measured in luminance, having units of lux (Ix), using a light
meter. A general guide to lighting levels in different workplaces is given in
Table.
 Workplace hazards and risk control

workstations and seating

workstations should be arranged so that work may be done safely and
comfortably. The worker should be at a suitable height relative to the work
surface and there should be no need for undue bending and stretching.
workers must not be expected to stand for long periods of time, particularly on
solid floors.
A suitable seat should be provided when a substantial part of the task can or
must be done sitting. The seat should, where possible, provide adequate
support for the lower back and a footrest be provided for any worker whose
feet cannot be placed flat on the floor. It should be made of materials suitable
for the environment, be stable and, possibly, have arm rests.
It is also worth noting that sitting for prolonged periods can present health
risks, such as blood circulation and pressure problems, and vertebral and
muscular damage.