Industrial Safety

INDUSTRIAL SAFETY

1 Causes of accidents

2 Prevention

3 Safety provisions

4 Industrial health

4.1 Hygenie &importance,problems

5 Occupational Hazards

6 Diseases

7 Psychological problems

8 Counselling

9 Statutory provisions

1 Causes of Accidents

Accident:

According to Worker‘s Compensation Act, 1923, ―An occurrence mishap or untoward event which is not expected or designed for and arising out of and in the course of employment of an industrial worker.‖

Industrial Injury:

According to Factories Act, 1948, ―A Personal Injury to an employee which has been caused by an accident or an occupational disease and which arises out of or in the course of employment and which could entitle such employee to compensation under Workers Compensation Act, 1923.‖

7 Most Common Causes of Workplace Accidents

Shortcuts

Humans are notoriously lazy, so taking shortcuts is a rather common practice in all walks of life, not necessarily work alone. However, when workers take shortcuts at work, especially when they are working around dangerous machinery or lethal chemicals, they are only exposing themselves to a potential catastrophe. Simply put, shortcuts that are taken on the job are not actually shortcuts. They are simply increasing your risk of injury, or worse, death.

Overconfidence

Confidence is always a great thing to have, but there is also such a thing as too much confidence. When workers walk into work everyday with the attitude that, ―It will never happen to me‖, they are setting an attitude that leads to incorrect procedures, methods, and tools while working. Be confident, but remember that you are not invincible.

Poor, or Lack Of Housekeeping

Whenever someone walks through your workplace, they can get a pretty good idea of your attitude towards workplace safety by just looking at how well you‘ve kept up your area. Housekeeping is one of the most accurate indicators of the company‘s attitude towards production, quality, and worker safety. A poorly kept up area leads to hazards and threats everywhere. Not only does good housekeeping lead to heightened safety, but it also sets a good standard for everyone else in the workplace to follow.

Starting a Task Before Getting All Necessary Information

The quickest way to get a job done is to do it right the first time. To do it right the first time, you need to make sure that you have any and all pertinent information relating to the task you will be performing. Workers who begin a job with just half the information, or half the instructions, are essentially doing the job while blind.

Remember this; it‘s not stupid to ask questions, it is stupid not to.

Neglecting Safety Procedures

This is probably the worst thing that any employee at any level in the organization can do. Deliberately neglecting set safety procedures in the workplace doesn‘t just endanger yourself, but it endangers the workers around you as well as the company as a whole.

Casually following safety procedures doesn‘t work either. You are paid to follow workplace safety procedures, not your own.

Mental Distractions

Everyone has a life outside of the workplace, and sometimes life can take dips and turns that affect your emotions and your mood negatively. However, as harsh as it sounds, workers cannot let mental distractions from their personal lives affect their performance at work. Not only will they become less aware of their surroundings and less safe, but they will also become less productive, costing the company time and money.

Types of Industrial Accidents

Industrial accidents can occur in many different industries. From mining to construction, each industry has its unique challenges and hazards.

Even with strict state and federal regulations, workplace safety can often depend on individual employers and how seriously they take safety in the workplace.

Construction Accidents

Construction sites are one of the most dangerous places to work. Despite strict regulations, workers are often seriously injured.

Chemical Plant Accidents

Industrial plants often house combustible chemicals that are either the byproducts of manufacturing, or the basis for creating new chemicals. Regardless, exposure to chemicals is a real and everyday danger that plant workers face. Click here to read more about plant accidents.

Industrial Plant Accidents

Industrial plants such as fertilizer plants have been in the news of late for huge explosions that have resulted in numerous fatalities. Safeguarding every aspect of these plants is an expensive proposition, and oftentimes employers cut corners at the expense of employee safety.

Mining Accidents

Mines are notoriously dangerous places to work. Not only are miners more to collapses and the injuries that can result, but they are also subjected to dust, chemicals, and other hazardous materials.

2 Preventing Industrial Accidents

The organization should have strong voluntary machinery for the prevention of accidents and should follow strictly the guidelines issued by the Government. The machinery for prevention of accident and can be studied under heads (a) voluntary machinery and (b) regulatory machinery.

New techniques in accident prevention

Ergonomics

Functional anatomy

Physiology

Engineering

Psychology

Damage control

Industrial hygiene Department

Industrial health programme

General safety Rules

5 Best Practices to Prevent Workplace Accidents

Shortcuts & Shortcomings

It's natural to want to get the job finished on schedule -- or even ahead of time -- but with a "get it done quick" attitude, accidents happen. Don't take shortcuts -- stick to the instructions and work with diligence and awareness of your surroundings. Also, if there are shortcomings in the instructions, don't begin the work until they are clarified and all your questions are answered! You must always be comfortable and familiar with the procedure before commencing any work.

Safety in Transit

According to OSHA, workplace-driving accidents cost employers an average of $60 billion a year. Make sure that all company vehicles are inspected each month and necessary repairs are made as soon as possible. Before driving a company vehicle, check break lights, turn signals, tire pressure and amount of gas in the tank.

For The Employer

OSHA's "Work-Related Roadway Crashes: Prevention Strategies for Employers" is an excellent resource, filled with driving strategies, policies and programs to implement in your workplace.

1.Weather the Weather

Both inside and outdoor work may expose you to extreme conditions. Whether very hot or very cold, both ends of the temperature spectrum can impact your health.

a. Cold: Dress in layers and make sure you properly cover your head, feet, hands and face -- these parts of your body are most prone to frostbite. Always keep a change of clothes at work in case your clothes get wet.

For The Employer

If your workers are exposed to cold conditions, install on-site heating devices.

b.Heat: Wear loose-fitting clothes, take frequent breaks in a cool rest area and get plenty of fluids. If you have preexisting medical conditions,consult your doctor before working in extreme

c. heat.

For The Employer

If your workers are exposed to extreme heat, make sure there is adequate ventilation and airflow -- open windows and utilize fans.

Make PPE a VIP

Personal Protective Equipment is crucial to prevent injury, so make sure you wear it… and wear it properly! This includes:

. Goggles and face protection to protect from flying particles, chemicals or caustic liquids.

a. Gloves to prevent cuts, scrapes, punctures, burns, chemical absorption or temperature extremes.

b.Hard hats to safeguard against falling objects.

c. Safety shoes for work areas where heavy objects could be dropped and injure the feet.

d.Ear muffs or ear plugs to protect against hearing damage in noisy workplaces. e.

For The Employer

Providing the safety equipment isn't enough -- you must make sure that your workers know how to use it properly. Provide adequate PPE training.

Shipshape Safety: -- Many workers don't realize the negative consequences of poor housekeeping. If an unkempt workplace becomes the norm -- paper, debris, clutter and spills are accepted as "familiar" -- then more serious health and safety hazards are overlooked and injuries become more probable. Housekeeping goes beyond personal cleanliness -- it also includes keeping work areas orderly, taking care of any slip-and-trip hazards as soon as they arise and removing waste and fire hazards regularly. Assess your work environment with a critical eye and pay attention to the layout of the workplace, aisle marking, adequacy of storage and maintenance. Report dangers or deficiencies right away!

For The Employer

OSHA's Good Housekeeping in Industry not only explains the significance and benefits of good housekeeping, but also provides a good housekeeping checklist and elements of a good housekeeping campaign.

3 Safety provisions

The statutory safety provisions as applicable to factories in India are found in sections 21 through 40 of the Factories Act, 1948. A detailed version of each of these sections are listed below. The number mentioned in the right hand extreme refers to the actual number of section as found in the Act.

Section 21. Fencing of machinery

Section 22. Work on or near machinery in motion

Section 23. Employment of young persons on dangerous machines Section 25. Casing of new machinery

Section 27. Hoists and lifts

Section 28. Lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles Section 29. Revolving machinery

Section 30. Pressure plant

Section 31. Floors, stairs and means of access Section 32. Pits, sumps, openings in floors, etc. Section 33. Excessive weights

Section 34. Protection of eyes

Section 35. Precautions against dangerous fumes, gases, etc. Section 36 a. Precautions regarding the use of portable electric light Section 37. Explosive or inflammable dust, gas, etc

Section 38. Precautions in case of fire

Section 39. Power to require specifications of defective parts or tests of stability Section 40. Safety of buildings and machinery

Section 40 a. Maintenance of buildings Section 40 b. Safety officers

Section 41. Powers to make rule to supplement

PROVISIONS REGARDING THE SAFETY OF WORKERS

Sections 21 to 40A, 40B and 41 of the Act lay down rules for the purpose of securing the safety of workers. Summary of the provisions of the Factories Act regarding the safety of the workers are stated below: (Sections 2l to 41) .

1. Fencing ot machinery. All dangerous machinery must be securely fenced e.g., moving .parts- of prime movers and flywheels connected to every prime mover. electric generators. etc.-Sec. 2l.

2. Work on or near machinery in motion. Work on or near machinery in motion must be carried out only by specially trained adult male workers wearing tightly fitting c1othes.-Sec. 22.

3. Employment of young persons on dangerous machines. No young person shall work at any danger()us machine' unless he has been specially instructed as to the dangers and the precautions to be observed. has received sufficient training about th~ work. and is under the supervision of some person having thorough knowledge and experience of the machine.-Sec. 23.

4.  Striking gear and devices for cutting off power. In every factory suitable devices for cutting off power in emergencies from running machinery shall be provided and maintained in every workroom.~. 24.

5.  Self-acting machines. Moving parts of a self-acting machine must not be allowed to come within 45 cms. of any fixed structure which is not part of the machine.-Sec. 25.

6. Casing of new machinery. In all machinery installed after the commencement of the Act. certain parts must be sunk, encased or otherwise effectively guarded e.g.. set screw. bolt. toothed gearing etc. -sec. 26.

7. Women and children near cotton Openers. Women and children must not be allowed to work near cot/On openers, except In certain cases.-Sec. 27

8.     Hoists, lifts, chains etc, Every hoist and lift must be so constructed as to be safe. There are detailed rules as to how such safety is to be secured. There are similar provisions regarding lifting machines. chains, ropes and lifting tackle .Sec. 28. 29.

9. .Revolving machinery. Where grinding is . carried on the maximum safe working speed of every revolving machinery connected therewith must be notified. Steps must be taken to see that the safe speed is not exceeded.-Sec. 30.

10. Pressure plant. Where any operation is carried on at a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, steps must be taken to ensure that the safe working pressure is not exceed~cL-.sec. 31.

. 11. Floors, stairs and means of access. All floors, steps, stairs, passage and gangways shall be of sound construction and properly maintained. Handrails shall be provided where necessary. Safe means of access shall be provided to the place where the worker will carry on any work.-Sec. 32.

12. Pits, sumps. openings in floors etc. Pits. sumps. openings in floors etc. must be securely covered or fenced.-Sec. 33.

13. Excessive weights. No worker shall be made to carry a load so heavy as to cause him injury.-8ec. 34.

14. Protection of eyes. Effective screen or suitable goggles shall be provided to protect the eyes of the worker from fragments thrown off in course of any manufacturing process and from excessive light if any.-Sec. 35.

15. Precautions against dangerous fumes. No person shall be allowed to enter any chamber. tank etc. where dangerous fumes are likely to ,be present. unless it is equipped with a manhole or other means of going out. In such space no portable electric light of more than 24 ,volts shall be used. Only a lamp or light of flame proof construction can be used in such space. For people entering such space suitable breathing apparatus, reviving apparatus etc. shall be provided. Such places shall be cooled by ventilation before any person is allowed to enter.-8ecs. 36 and 36A.

16.  Explosive or inflammable gas etc. where a manufacturing process produces inflammable gas. dust. fume. etc. steps must be taken to enclose the machine concerned, prevent the accumulation of substances and exclude all possible sources of ignition. Extra precautionary measures are to be taken where such substances are worked at greater than the atmospheric. pressure.-Sec. 37.

17. Precaution in case of fire. Fire escapes shall be provided. Windows and doors shall be constructed to open outwards. The means of exit in case of the fire shall be clearly marked in red letters. Arrangements must be made to give warning in case or fire -sec. 38

18. Specifications of defectives etc. and safety of buildings and machinery. If any building or machine is in a defective or dangerous condition, the inspector of factories can ask fer the holding of tests to determine how they can be made safe. He can also direct the adoption of the measure necessary to make them safe. In case of immediate danger, the use of the building or machine can be prohibited.-Secs. 39. 40.

19. Maintenance of Buildings. If the Inspector of Factories thinks that any building in a factory, or any. part of it. is in such a state of disrepair that it is likely to affect the health and welfare of the workers. he may serve on the occupier or manager or both in writing specifying the measures to be done before the specified date. Sec. 4OA.

Safety Officers. The State Government may notify to the occupier to employ a number of Safety Officers in a factory (i) wherein one thousand or more workers are ordinarily employed. or (ii) wherein any manufacturing process or operation which involves the risk of bodily injury, poisoning. disease or any other hazard to health of the persons employed in the factory .-Sec. 40B.

Rules. The State Government may make rules providing for the use of such further devices for safety as may be necessary. Sec. 41.

4 Industrial health and hygiene Meaning

The Joint I.L.O AND W.H.O committee on organizational health held in 1950 defined organizational health as

^Ø   The promotion and maintenance of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations.

^Ø   Preventing among workers of ill health caused by the working conditions.

^Ø   Protection of workers in their employment from risk factors adverse to health.

^Ø   Placing and maintenance of worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physical and psychological equipment.

Importance of Industrial Health

^Ø   As the large member of workers spend a great deal of their time in an organization, their environment is not usually conducive to a health life.

^Ø   Malnutrition, insanity and psychological conditions and the stress and strain under which they work is very injurious to their health.

^Ø   The symptoms of bad health are a high rate of absenteeism and turnover and indiscipline, poor performance and low productivity.

^Ø   Industrial health programmes are very useful for reduction in the rate of labour turnover, absenteeism, accidents, lower performance and occupational diseases.

PROVISIONS REGARDING THE HEALTH OF WORKERS

Sections 11 to 20 of the Act contain certain provisions intended to ensure that the conditions under .which work is carried on in factories do not affect the health of the workers injuriously. The summary of the provisions are explained below :

Summary of the provisions of the Factories Act. relating -to the health of workers are stated below.

1. Cleanliness. Every factory shall be kept clean and free from dirt, and the outflow of drains etc. The floors must be cleaned. Drainage shall be provided. Inside walls, partitions and ceilings must be repainted at least once in five years. When washable water paint is used they must be painted once every three years and washed at least every period of six months.-Sec. 11,' as amended in 1976.

2.    Disposal of wastes and effluents. The waste materials produced from the manufacturing process must be effectively disposed off-Sec. 12.

3.  Ventilation 'and Temperature. There must be provision for adequate ventilation by the circulation of fresh air: The temperaturemust be kept at a comfortable level. Hot parts of machines must be'separated and insulated.-Sec. 13.

4. Dust and Fume. If the .manufacturing process used. gives off injurious or offensive dust and fume steps must be taken so that they are not inhaled or accumulated. The exhaust fumes of internal combustion engines must be conducted outside the factory.--Sec. 14.

5. Artificial humidification. The water used for this purpose must be pure. It must be. taken from some source of drinking water supply. The State Government can frame rules .regarding the process of humidification etc.-8ec. 15.

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6. OverCrowding. There must be no overcrowding in a factory. In factories existing before the commencement of the Act there must be at least 350 c.ft. (~r 55 cubic metres) of space per worker. For factories built afterwards, there must be at least 500 c.ft. (or 75 cubic metres) of space. In calculating the space, an account is to be taken of space above 14 ft. (or 5 metres) from the floor.-Sec. 16.

7. Lighting. Factories must be well lighted. Effective measures must be adopted to prevent glare or formation of shadows which might cause eyestrain.-sec. 17.

8.   Drinking water. Arrangements must be made to provide a sufficient supply of wholesome drinking water. All supply' points of such water must be marked "drinking water". No such points shall be within 20 ft. (or 7.5 metres) of any latrine, washing place etc. Factories employing more than 250 workers must cool the water during the hot weather.-Sec. 18.

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Latrines and Urinals. Every factory must provide' sufficient number of latrines and urinals. There must be separate provision for male and female workers. Latrine and urinals must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. In factories. employing more than 250 workers, they shall be of prescribed sanitary types.--sec. 19.

4.1 Industrial Hygiene:

Protecting the labour working in all the occupations from diseases

1.Maintaining the highest standard of their physical, mental and social welfare

2.Protecting the workers from diseases and accidents caused by their working conditions and its ill effects on their health

3.Making adjustments between the work and the nature of individual

Principles of Industrial Hygiene:

^Ø   Environmental health hazards in the work place can be measured quantitatively

^Ø   Continuous surveillance

^Ø   Occupational exposure limits be adhered to

^Ø   The health effects of hazards in the workplace usually show a dose-response relationship

5 Occupational hazards

An industrial worker can be exposed in the following types of hazards, depending upon his occupation

Chemical Hazards:

The common chemical substances, such as carbon monoxide, carbon diox-ide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons, sulphuric acid, tannic acid acetic acid, fumeric acid, ozone, limes and alkalies cause injury to the employee when they are absorbed through skin and inhaling or ingesting. Workers may suffer from respiratory diseases, skin diseases, allergy, heart disease, cancer and neurological disorders.These diseases may be temporary or chronic in nature. Often a disease may be difficult to diagnose because either its symptoms may appear after a long dormant period or may not be apparent at all. These diseases often shorten employee s life expectancy.

Biological Hazards

These hazards are manifested by diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, vi-ruses, insects, dietary deficiencies, excessive drinking, allergies, brain fever, imbalances, tetanus, stresses and strains. All these tell upon employee‘s health.

Environmental Hazards

Environmental hazards may include noise pollution, vibration and shocks, illumination, radiation, heat, ventilation, air and water pollution. These hazards cause redness of eyes, genetic disorders, cancer, sterility, hearing loss, nerve injury etc., to workers.

Psychological Hazards

Industrial/job stress caused by various stressors such as task and role demands, ganisational leadership, lack of group cohesion, intergroup and interpersonal conflicts, life and career changes, etc., lead to emotional disturbances.

6 Occupational Diseases

Occupational Diseases are the results of physical conditions and the presence of industrial poisonous and non-poisonous dust in the atmosphere. Raw material, products, by products, and waste products may enter the body to endanger the health of the workers.

^Ø  Silicosis

^Ø  Bagassosis

^Ø  Byssionosis

^Ø  Manganese poisoning

^Ø  Mercury poisoning

^Ø  Lead poisoning

^Ø  Phosphorous poisoning

^Ø  Anthrax

^Ø  Caisson disease

Protection against health hazards

^Ø  By substituting less toxic substances for the hazardous chemical by providing protecting clothing &safety education.

^Ø  In radiation industries insists their employees wear badges.

^Ø  By controlling noise in factories by segregating noisy equipment.

^Ø  To take necessary actions for optimum temperature,controlling dust,clothing and shields

Recommendations of the national commission on labour

^Ø  Protecting the workers againt any health hazards which may arise out of their work .

^Ø  Contributing towards the workers,physical and mental adjustment in particular by the adoption of workers to the job for which they are suited.

^Ø Establishment and maintenance of the highest possible degree of physical and mental well being of the workers.

7 Psychological problems.

Ø     Depression - This section describes the various types of depression, including major depresion, dysthymic disorder, non-specific depression, adjustment disorder with depression and bi-polar depression.

Ø     Anxiety Disorders -Different anxiety problems are reviewed including panic disorder, post traumatic stress, social anxiety, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and specific phobias.

Ø     Schizophrenia - Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disease. Here, you will find information about the causes and treatment of schizophrenia, including information about new medications being developed to combat this illness.

Ø     Childhood Disorders - Childhood psychological problems related to behavioral control problems, including ADHD, conduct disturbance, and oppositional behavior are discussed. Separation anxiety, a common problem in young children, is also reviewed in this section.

Ø     Impulse Control Disorders - Psychological problems involving loss of control are described in this section. Anger control problems are usually diagnosed as intermittent explosive disorder by psychologists, and there is a separate discussion of Domestic Violence problems. These problems are described in this section: Pathological gambling, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Domestic Violence, Kleptomania, Pyromania, Pathological Gambling, and Trichotillomania.

Ø     Personality Disorders - General characteristics of allpersonality disorders will be summarized, with more detailed information about obsessive compulsive, narcissistic and borderline personality disorders.

Ø     Adjustment Disorders - The general characteristics of adjustment disorders are explained, as well as presenting information about life stressors that lead to adjustment problems, such as marital conflict and job stress.

Ø     Family Problems - Sometimes family conflicts occur because one or more family members has a psychological disorder, such as those described above. However, family conflicts also arise because of communication problems, parenting issues, school problems and sibling conflict. These issues are described in this section.

8 Counseling.

Objectives of Counselling:

^Ø Provide empathic atmosphere of genuine concern about his difficulties, tensions, worries, problems, etc., so that he can freely discuss and share his views with counselling.

^Ø  Increase his personal & interpersonal effectiveness by assisting him in analyzing has interpersonal competence.

^Ø  Gain an insight into the dynamics of his behavior by providing necessary feedback.

^Ø  There should not be any display of difference in status between the two.

^Ø  Prepare alternate action plans for improving his performance and behavior.

Advantages of Counselling (or) Importance of Counselling:

^Ø      Counselling is an effective way to help someone with their personal problems.

^Ø      It enables people to think for themselves and take right decisions.

^Ø      It is in tune with the changing attitudes towards authority.

^Ø      Counselling reduces absenteeism and labour turnover.

^Ø      Ability to learn from mistakes and experience.

^Ø      He should be a good listener and show genuine interest in solving the problem of the worker.

9 Statutory Provisions

The statutory safety provisions as applicable to factories in India are found in sections 21 through 40 of the Factories Act, 1948. A detailed version of each of these sections are listed below. The number mentioned in the right hand extreme refers to the actual number of section as found in the Act.

Section 21. Fencing of machinery

Section 22. Work on or near machinery in motion

Section 23. Employment of young persons on dangerous machines Section 25. Casing of new machinery

Section 27. Hoists and lifts

Section 28. Lifting machines, chains, ropes and lifting tackles Section 29. Revolving machinery

Section 30. Pressure plant

Section 31. Floors, stairs and means of access Section 32. Pits, sumps, openings in floors, etc. Section 33. Excessive weights

Section 34. Protection of eyes

Section 35. Precautions against dangerous fumes, gases, etc. Section 36 a. Precautions regarding the use of portable electric light Section 37. Explosive or inflammable dust, gas, etc

Section 38. Precautions in case of fire

Section 39. Power to require specifications of defective parts or tests of stability Section 40. Safety of buildings and machinery

Section 40 a. Maintenance of buildings Section 40 b. Safety officers

Section 41. Powers to make rule to supplement