When we think about workplace safety, images of construction workers
hanging off skyscrapers or power line technicians in cherry pickers
often pop into our heads, but there are hazards in any
1. Workplace
2. Office environments.
The top three causes of workplace injuries were:
Slips, trips and falls
Overexertion in lifting (such as a strain or sprain caused by lifting something too heavy)
Contact with an object or equipment (being hit by something)
While some injuries might be unlikely in an office or other
relatively low-risk environment, certainly a slip-and-fall or lifting
injury is possible anywhere.
Reducing hazards as much as possible and training employees about the
risks can go a long way toward prevention.
Workplace Safe Rules
Follow instructions and if you do not know, ASK.
Correct or Report unsafe conditions.
Help keep the job site clean and orderly.
Use the right tools and equipment for the job.
Report all injuries immediately to your supervisor no matter how minor. Get first aid treatment, if necessary.
Use, adjust and repair equipment only when authorized.
Use personal protective equipment. Wear safe clothing. Keep items in good condition.
No horseplay. Avoid distracting others.
When lifting, bend your knees. Get help for heavy loads.
Comply with all safety rules and signs.
Common Safety Issues : -
Non compliance Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Electrical Hazards: insulation, incomplete circuit devices, mislabeled circuit’s components etc.
Removing Machine Guarding
Hazard Communication: Mislabeling and the absence of safety data sheet
Not using Fall Protection while work at height
Not providing Lockout and Tagout on energized equipment while carrying out maintenance work.
A blocked or obstructed in place Portable Fire Extinguisher/ Fire hydrant line
Welding and compressed gasses: Not using Welding shield and mask while carrying out the work
Training Records:Failure to document training records
Emergency exit violations: usually include fire exits that have been blocked and can not be accessed.
Storage violations:Improper storage in Warehouse.
Manual Lifting:Incorrect method of lifting (Loading / Unloading) materials.
Forklift Violation:Non skilled drivers, Driver not paying attention and hit something.
Ladder: Due to misuse or faulty maintenance, using damage ladder and inappropriate ladder to carry out the work.
Have you ever done anything that wasn’t really smart? Something that you know put you at increased risk of injury? When you realized what you did, whether you were hurt or not, did you ask yourself, “Why did I ever do that?” For your own self-preservation, this should be a very important question for you to answer yourself.
Consider the fact that 80% injuries are due to unsafe Act and 20% are due to unsafe condition. If you realize that most unsafe conditions are brought about by human failure, then virtually all accidents/mishaps are brought about by unsafe acts. Why did you do something in an unsafe manner? To answer this question, you will need to put personal defenses aside and know that blame may lie within yourself. Also realize that there may be more than one reason for your actions and others may be involved.
If you knew the proper, safe way to the do the job, then you cannot claim ignorance. What is left, whether you like it or not, is carelessness. So what can cause you to temporarily disregard your own safety?
External Pressure :- “Let’s get this job done!” Usually this pressure comes from your direct supervisor. Disregarding safe practices is not going to save enough time to make a significant difference, however, any accident or injury is guaranteed to have an effect. As a matter of fact, when the pressure is applied, it is worthwhile to pay more attention to safety because we know from experience such situations frequently lead to more accidents.
Bad Habits :- You fail to follow the established procedure and you don’t get hurt (or you were not caught) this time. Psychologically, this is a reward and so you do it again and again and again. But it is also Russian roulette. You know, sooner or later, something is going to happen. There is only one way to stop it - stop taking risks! Do yourself a favor and follow the established procedures.
Internal Pressure :- “There is just so much to do and not enough time!” Are you self-motivated and self-directed? Most employers love this type of individual, but your single-minded determination to get the job done may cause you to lose sight of the dangers around you. Think of it this way: you will not finish the job if you get hurt, but you may finish the job if you don’t get hurt. Therefore, first: prevent injury; second: work to complete the job. Does that make sense?
Attitude :- “This safety stuff doesn’t apply to me!” Why doesn’t it? Safety applies to every employee all the time. It doesn’t matter if you’re a new employee or have been with the organization for many years, there is nothing in your status that will protect you from injury, except following the safe procedure.
Remember, safety is no more than doing the job the right way and following the established safe procedures every day, day in and day out
Workers safety at oil and gas extraction industry continue to be one of the highest at risk of injuries and fatalities on the job compared to all other industries.
The most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a large number of workplace deaths in the mining, oil and gas extraction
industry, were most of them occurred at oil and gas operations sites.
The constant pressure of efficient productivity due to the high cost of drilling projects, time away from home, long work days, and high physical demands takes a
hefty toll on workers. These factors can ultimately affect worker safety by causing an increase in human error including misuse of equipment and inconsistent
procedures that can lead to higher chance of accidents.
This reinforces the importance of the re-evaluation of safety programs and behavior to more effectively address worker safety issues and reduce the rate of
injuries and accidents in the industry.
Focus point to improve worker safety on your next project:
Collaborate With The Local Emergency Response Community: Develop a relationship with local emergency response organizations and establish a consistent flow of communication to provide a higher level of overall safety.
Emergency responders, rig hands, and exploration company safety and health professionals must work together to utilize their resources to be ready to handle
emergencies swiftly and successfully. Discuss specific health and safety hazards that exist at the drilling location and determine how to best assist each other in
these emergencies. If possible, take emergency responders on a tour of the drilling site or rig to give them a clearer idea of how to approach potential
emergencies.
Invest In A Safety Program: That Unites Workers
Encourage an environment of open communication and respect. Embrace a personal approach to safety training and dedicate time to allow workers to get to
know each other. Building more substantial personal connections with fellow workers will inherently build trust and comradely when out in the field to improve
overall safety.
Actively Monitor Mental Health Of Workers:
A large factor that negatively affects safety in the industry is worker culture. Eliminate the age-old “tough guy” exterior and stereotype that is typically associated
with workers in the industry by promoting a transparent and open environment through various training techniques and team exercises. Building a sense of
community and trust with workers will make it easier for them to be more willing to ask for help, obey rules, admit mistakes, and seek advice making for a more
positive and safe environment.
Research conducted on mobile workers revealed masculine work cultures, or what it means to be a “man” in these
environments, caused men to internalize their feeling of exhaustion, stress, and more, leaving their physical and mental health hanging on by a thread until it’s
too late.
Ensure Familiarity With Worksites:
Before work begins, ensure everyone who will be conducting work understands their role, hazards that exist, and all safety precautions. Require procedures and
hazards to be fully communicated to new workers in the event of shift handovers and work site changes.
Consistent Housekeeping:
Reduce the chances of fatal accidents by keeping floors, pathways, and all work areas clear of unnecessary items to prevent trips and falls and struck-by
hazards. Implement clear signage that directs workers to emergency and safety equipment to quickly combat hazards. E.g.: equip all problem areas with spill
kits in the event a chemical or oil spill occurs.
Implement A 5S System:
Improve the workflow and reduce waste with a 5S system. Apply strategic labeling techniques to direct, warn, and communicate a variety of different information
to workers. Color-code materials in the workplace to make them easier and quicker to find including specific tools, equipment, and more.
Install An In-Vehicle Monitoring System (IVMS):
Accidents from driving or riding in a motor vehicle account for the highest number of total fatalities in the oil and gas industry. Monitor driver behavior to analyze
issues and poor habits to determine how to improve your vehicle safety programs and worker training.
Provide Clear Visual Communication:
Strive to eliminate miscommunication and confusion with legible and reliable signs and labels to convey dangers and safety instructions. Create custom signs to
communicate procedures specific to certain work crews and work sites. Replace worn out, illegible, and outdated signage as soon as possible. Check for faded
floor marking that is in need of re-application.
Reassess Safety Signage When Projects Shift
When worksites, projects, and crews change, take the time to assess that signs and labels are in the correct areas and communicate present hazards and
procedures before the next project begins; this will ensure dangers and details about specific locations will be known when new workers come in.
Stay On Top Of Machine Maintenance
When working on offshore rigs, the machines are your lifeline when you’re hundreds of miles from shore. Prevent premature machine failure and keep your
workers safe by conducting regular maintenance checks of machinery. Communicate the importance of regular maintenance checks to your workers using
OS&H maintenance activities in their Oil and Gas Well Drilling and Servicing manuals & E Tool
Let's hope you never need one, but if you do let's hope it's clean and accessible. If you get foreign particles in your eyes or a chemical spill on your body, an emergency eyewash station or deluge shower is the most important initial step in first-aid treatment. Chemical burns to the eye are among the most urgent of emergencies.
For your safety, be sure you know where the emergency eye wash stations are located and how to use them. If you get foreign particles or chemicals in your eyes, use an eyewash station immediately.
An eyewash/shower is required if:
The Material Safety Data Sheet indicates a chemical in use is caustic, toxic, or corrosive.
The MSDS informs that serious eye damage may result.
Warnings such as "causes chemical burns" or "causes permanent eye damage" are posted on container labels.
Eyewash/showers in addition must have the following:
Pure clean water
Hands free operation
Constant water flow rate for a full 15 minutes
Highly visible markings and signs
Unobstructed access
Accessibility: The single most important treatment for chemically-burned eyes is copious irrigation within seconds of injury. This means that victims should not have to climb over or around obstacles to find the eyewash station. Make sure there are no barriers to the unit.
Make sure eyewash station is accessible.
Make sure you have easy access to it. You should not have to climb over or around obstacles to find it. Seconds do matter.
Clean, Functional Equipment: Deluge showers should be inspected often to insure they function properly with adequate water flow, and are clean and sanitary. Portable eyewash units are an option in areas where plumbed in water is not accessible or of high enough quality. Portable units also need an anti-bacterial additive to ensure proper water sanitation. Flushing with any water is better than none, but purified water reduces potential for secondary eye infections.
Help clean and care for equipment.
Plumbed eyewash stations should be inspected weekly and flushed to insure they have adequate water flow, are clean, accessible and in good working order.
Buffered solutions in self contained eyewash stations need to be changed in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions - usually every 3-6 months
Training in Proper Use: Employees who are exposed to possible chemical splashes must know in advance how to use an eyewash/deluge station properly:
Immediately after the accident, flood the eye with water or eyewash solution, using fingers to keep the eye open as wide as possible. Water may be colder than body temperature, which can be uncomfortable, but it is imperative to irrigate for the recommended period of time.
Roll the eyeball as much as possible, to remove any loose particles retained under the eyelids.
The eyes should be irrigated for at least 15 minutes, and the victim transported to a medical facility immediately. Continue irrigation of eyes during transport. The best way to accomplish this may be to have a portable eye-wash system ready, that can be carried along.
It's easy to forget about eye-wash stations or showers until they are needed in an emergency.
Know how to use the eyewash station.
Immediately following a chemical exposure to the eyes, go to the eyewash station, activate flow and begin to flood the eyes with water. Use your fingers to keep your eyes open as wide as possible. If your hands are contaminated, ask a co-worker to hold them open for you!
The water may feel uncomfortable. But you must flush your eyes for the recommended amount of time. This will generally be 15 to 30 minutes.
Roll your eyeballs as much as possible to remove loose particles or to flush chemicals from under the eyelids. Rinse off your face too.
Notify your supervisor immediately after flushing and seek prompt medical attention.
Help a co-worker if necessary.
Be prepared to assist a co-worker to the eyewash station. Stay calm and don’t delay. Also, allow yourself to be helped if you’re injured.
Be aware of the risk when working with hazardous chemicals:
Things to look for:
The Material Safety Data Sheet tells you that exposure may cause irritation, burns, corneal damage or blindness.
Container labels have warnings such as “causes chemical burns” or “causes permanent eye damage.”
Tags or labels say the material is corrosive, caustic or toxic. Check the pH.
Don’t take eyewash stations for granted. One could save your sight someday!
Don't let yours become buried or covered with dust. It could save your sight!Do not put anything except water into the eyes to remove particles.
Every year many workplace fatalities are getting reported and many are unknown, Most of reported workplace fatalities were within the construction industry. Improving safety measures and eliminating workplace injuries and illnesses is a responsibility.
Safety and prevention needs to become a priority and fundamental aspect of the way we work each and every day. Regardless of what career you have chosen, workplace law is evident in every sector of employment. When it comes to workplace health and safety, we all have to comply with legislation.
The Occupational Health and Safety acts and regulations governed by countries apply to employers, supervisors, workers, self-employed persons, contractors, suppliers and owners. Countries Labour Standards Division aims to enforce labour legislation to ensure that employers and employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities regarding the law.
OH&S legislation gives three common important rights to all workers to ensure they have the knowledge they need to be safe on the job and the freedom to participate in health and safety activities in their workplace: The right to know, The right to participate and The right to refuse dangerous work. Employers, supervisors and employees also have legal responsibilities & requirements as outlined in the diagram to the right.
It is a very important, legislated requirement in the province for each workplace to appoint an Occupational Health and Safety Representative or establish an Occupational Health Committee. A company that employs nine or less employees in any high-hazard workplace is required to have an OH&S Representative, whereas a company with ten or more employees is required to have an Occupational Health Committee in place. Committees must have between 2 and 12 members depending on the size of the workplace, and employer members must not out number worker members. (May differ from country to country)
Training is crucial to workplace law and to protect the health and safety of the worker within the workplace. An employer shall ensure that a worker is trained in all matters that are necessary to protect the health and safety of a worker. Employers must ensure that no worker is permitted to preform work unless the worker has been trained, and has sufficient experience to perform the work safely and in compliance with the Act and Regulations, or is under close and competent supervision.
Employers Responsibilities :-
Employers have the most control over the conditions of work and how its done. Therefore, employers have the greatest degree of responsibility for the health and safety of workers.They must:
Provide a safe and healthy workplace
When required, establish Occupational Health Committees or Representative and consult and cooperate with them in resolving health and safety concerns
Ensure workers are not exposed to harassment
Comply with The Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations
Provide required safe work procedures
Ensure equipment is provided and maintained
Ensure workers are trained
Ensure supervisors are competent
Ensure workers are sufficiently supervised
Employers are also required to have a copy of the Act and the applicable sections of the Regulations readily available to workers and management.
Supervisor's Responsibilities :-
Supervisors are critical to safe workplaces as they are closest to the actual work being done and can address and resolve worker concerns. They must:
Know and comply with the Act and Regulations
Know their company's safety program
Know emergency procedures required under the legislation
Ensure workers they supervise understand and comply with the Act and Regulations
Support and cooperate with the Occupational Health Committee or Representative
Worker's Responsibilities :-
Take reasonable care to protect their health and safety and the health and safety of other workers
Not harass other workers
Comply with the Act and Regulations
Use the orientation and training provided to them
Follow safe work practices
Use protective equipment provided to them
Support and cooperate with the Occupational Health Committee or Representative
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