22-01-2013, 04:49 PM
Industrial Safety
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Introduction
Measures or techniques implemented to reduce the risk of injury, loss & danger to persons, property or the environment in any facility or place involving the manufacturing, producing and processing of goods or merchandise. The issue of industrial safety evolved concurrently with industrial development in the US Shift from compensation to prevention as well as toward an increasing emphasis on addressing the long-term effects of occupational hazards. Today, industrial safety is widely regarded as one of the most important factors that any business, large or small, must consider in its operations. Employers are required to compensate employees for work-related injuries or sickness by paying medical expenses, disability benefits, and compensation for lost work time.
In general, workplace hazards can be categorized into three groups:
1. Chemical hazards - in which the body absorbs toxins.
2. Ergonomic hazards - in which the body is strained or injured, often over an extended period, because of the nature (design) of the task, its frequency, or intensity.
3. Physical hazards - in which the worker is exposed to harmful elements or physical dangers, such as heat or moving parts.
In the modern context, corporate management increasingly has viewed industrial safety measures as an investment—one that may save money in the long run by way of reducing disability pay, improving productivity, and avoiding lawsuits.
Rather than viewing an injury as a fluke or a random mistake, management today is more likely to look for systemic problems, such as: The way equipment is designed or used; The way workflow is configured; How workers are trained; Whether there is a gap between official policies and employee practices.
OSHA.
First comprehensive industrial safety legislation passed at the federal level was Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA Act) of 1970 was passed by Congress "to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions and to preserve our human resources." OSHA was established within the Department of Labor and was authorized to regulate health and safety conditions for all employers with few exceptions. Includes safety standards, designed to prevent accidents, and health standards, designed to protect against exposure to toxins and to address the more long-term effects of occupational hazards.
Purpose of OSHA.
Encourage employers and employees to reduce workplace hazards and to implement new or improve existing safety and health standards; provide for research in occupational safety and health and develop innovative ways of dealing with occupational safety and health problems; establish "separate but dependent responsibilities and rights" for employers and employees for the achievement of better safety and health conditions; maintain a reporting and recordkeeping system to monitor job-related injuries and illnesses; establish training programs to increase the number and competence of occupational safety and health personnel.
Type of Inspections.
Imminent Danger:Condition where there is reasonable certainty that a danger exists that can be expected to cause death or serious physical harm immediately or before the danger can be eliminated through normal enforcement procedures.
Catastrophic and Fatal Accidents: Investigation of fatalities and catastrophes resulting in hospitalization of three or more employees.
Employee Complaints: Each employee has the right to request an OSHA inspection when the employee feels that he or she is in imminent danger from a hazard or when he or she feels that there is a violation of an OSHA standard that threatens physical harm.
Programmed High Hazard Inspections: OSHA establishes programs of inspection aimed at specific high hazard industries, occupations, or health hazards.
Re-inspections: Establishments cited for alleged serious violations may be re-inspected to determine whether the hazards have been corrected.
Citation and Penalties.
Other than serious violation - A violation that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm. The maximum proposed penalty for this type of violation is $7000.
Serious violation - A violation where there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result, and that the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. The maximum proposed penalty for this type of violation is $7000. Imminent danger situations are also cited and penalized as serious violations.
Repeated violation - A violation of any standard, regulation, rule, or order where, upon re-inspection, another violation of the same previously cited section is found. Repeated violations can bring fines of up to $70,000.
Conclusion
Policy are in place but lacks implementation. It’s the time that principles laid down must be transformed into action, action must deliver result and progress towards result must be measurable. “Be Aware, Be Alert & Be Alive.