ACCIDENT PREVENTION

(How to Prevent Accidents)

Accident Prevention: It is possible to prevent accidents once we know the causes through foresight which combines knowledge and experience of my job with emphasis on possible of machine failures. For a successful accident prevention effort the following basic requirements are essential:- 1) Knowledge of operation in any particular materials handling jobs. 2) Technological background to improve on the Technique. 3) Knowledge about the type of persons engaged in material handling jobs. 4) Planning for the educational and training requirement of the persons connected with the jobs. 50 Implementation of programmes connected with the, improvements in technology and workers education on safety. 6) Financial and moral support from the management to carry out the above programmes. Accident prevention: A paying proposition: The industrial accidents not only cause unnecessary human misery and agony which could have been avoided, but these also affect the production, profit and industrial relation in the industry. The question therefore, is this; does a positive co-relation exist between Safety and Productivity? Is the safe factory an efficient factory and an efficient factory a safe factory?? For better productivity (so the safety) attention has to be paid to the following: Safety consideration at Project/Engineering stage. Procurement of safe machines and equipments / tools and tackles: Planning of jobs in advance: Safe Work Procedure / Job instructions: Efficient and safety minded Supervisors / managers: Safety training / inductions to all employees: Hazards identification, Risk assessment and management: Prompt investigation, recommendation and compliance in case of even a minor accident or incidence: Proper working environment: Safety motivations and morale boosting of employees: Enforcement of statutory provisions: The above are the very factors through which we can bring about safety at shop floor. It has been our experience at Tata Steel that safety does not interfere with production. With the priority given to the safety of the people by providing them a safe work area and adopting safe work methods, it has been seen that: Production increases. High workers loyalty. High morale of employees. Industrial relations are better. From a study of the record production made by various departments over a period of 10 years, we find that in the months the record production was achieved by various department, the accidents were also very low and in many cases even nil. There was time when industrial accidents and occupational hazards were regarded as part and parcel of industrial life. In the past years, there has been marked change of out-look. Objections based on high cost of safety, the incompatibility of safety measures with the requirements of production, the argument that employers responsibility goes no further than compliance with law/legislation are no longer valid. On the

contrary all are agreed that a careless approach to safety is inadmissible. The industries are agreed that accident prevention is both a moral obligation and paying proposition. Techniques of accident prevention: Remember 5-es: 1. Engineering 2. Education 3. Enforcement 4. Enthusiasm 5. Evaluation 1. 1st E for Engineering Engineering control need for building safety in every system at the initial stages itself. Planning safety at project stage details of equipment, process & technology equipment p&i diagram, electrical, relief vents, safety device, equipment, process, hazards, consequence of failure, operating procedure techniques, flow diagram, chemistry, hazards of deviation, operating procedure: proper system, layout & design guarding of machinery anti pollution measures disposal of waste & effluents. 2. 2nd E for education: proper study and propagation of ideas job safety training (pre emp. & periodical) safety in school safe working procedure training on fire safety, gas safety and first aid use of personnel protective equipment (p.p.e.) 3. 3rd E for Enforcement: action strategies to achieve goals (zero accident) safety standard, government, management, trade union, supervisor (to guide) plant safety rules & procedure, safe workprocedure, permit to work, road. safety inspection & implementation safety policy emergency plan (mock drill) 4. 4th E for Enthusiasm ways and means of making one and all interested towards safety for end result. motivating people towards safety developing safe behaviour / habit various safety campaign award / appreciation 5. 5th E for Evaluation

continuous appraisal of performance and remedial measures required for betterment. accident statistics (to known deficiencies on engg, educational & enforcement aspects) job safety analysis quality assurance (PPE, safety device, material safety data sheet) safety audit