Facets of 17 Elements of OSHA

We are now enjoying all the facilities of Automation such as Computers, Laptops, Smartphone, I Pad as well as C N C Lathes and V M C Operations etc. These facilities we are using for each and every sector such as Planning, Production, Quality, H R, Administration, Accounts, Finance, Marketing etc. With the usage of broad band facilities and satellite, we are using paper free work, Work From Home and transactions through Smart phone.

These facilities are available only after innovations through every step. The Industrial Revolutions I and II introduces machineries with limited usage. The safety activities were not inbuilt in the system. Hence there were more incidents and accidents. The accidents of small in nature were not shown and considered. Major accidents and Human Casualties were only recorded and brought to the notice of the general Public. The unexpected releases of Toxic, reactive or flammable liquids, gases and explosive including highly hazardous chemicals have been reported for many years. Incidents continue to occur in various industries that are highly dangerous in nature with combination of various properties.

Environmental Risk.

In a factory surrounding like Manali town near Chennai water and air are getting polluted. Emission of gases and other poisonous gases emanating from chimneys should be checked periodically and monitored. In Delhi environmental pollution is very toxic and people are suffering.

The release of Chemical waste and the residuals of the Foundries create problems resulting in health related diseases. Certain Chemical waste are diverted in the water bodies without proper effluent treatment in turn the water becomes useless for agriculture and domestic usage.

The hazardous and dangerous chemical releases continue to pose significant threat and to provide health related problems such as disease and human losses both nationally and internationally. The Bhopal Tragedy 1984 in and the Philips Petroleum refinery leak in 1991 are the major tragedies with heavy human loss. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) convened marathon hearings between Nov 1990 and Dec 1992, and framed Process Safety Information System contains 17 elements in Washington DC.

Process Safety Information

Employers must complete a compilation of written process, safety in formation before conducting any process by the standard Information on the hazards of the highly hazard chemical Informations on the technology of the process Information of the equipment.

Process Hazard Analysis

The process Hazard analysis is a thorough, systematic approach of identifying involving highly hazardous chemicals.

• The employer must choose the following methods.

• Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP)

• Failure mode effect Analysis

• Fault tree Analysis.

• Event Tree Analysis

Operating Procedures

• The employer must develop and important written operating procedures.

• Initial start up

• Operating operations.

• Temporary operations.

• Emergency operations

Employer Participation

Employers must develop a written plan of action to implement the Participation of employees required by PSM. They should provide employee representatives access to process based analysis.

Training

OSHA believes that the implementation of an effective training program is one of the important steps to take enhance and to involve in operating a process and in an interview of the process and in its procedures. The employer has to satisfy certify that the employees have the required knowledge to operate the in operating procedures.

Refresher Training

Refresher training has to be given to every employee at least every 3 years. In the present of the scenario due to technology development the training can be updated periodically.

Training Documentation

A record card of the employee must contain the identity of the employee ,the date of training and how the employer verifies that the employee under stood the training.

Contractors

Many contractors employee may be present at a particular site and they should know all the particular. They should undergo PSM and then only in case of emergency crisis they can be utilized

Employer Responsibilities

When selecting a contractor they should be evaluated and obtain information regarding Contract employees safety performance.

Pre Start up Review

Construction and equipment are in accordance with design specification. Safety, operating, maintenance and emergency procedures are in place. Construction and equipment are in accordance with design specification.

Mechanical Integrity

OSHA believes it is important to the mechanical integrity of the process and to maintain equipment to ensure it is and installed correctly designed and operates properly.

Hot Work Permit

A permit must be issued for hot permit operations conducted on an a covered process. The permit must dominate that fire protection represents in OSHA regulations have been implanted prior to the hot works on.

Management of Change

Impact of the change of employee safety and health. Modifications to operating procedure.

Necessary time period for the change.

Authorization requirements for the proposed change.

Incident Investigation

Date of incident

Date of investigation started

Description of the incident

Investigation should be concluded within 48 hours

Factors contributed to the incident Recommendation from the investigation.

Emergency Planning and Response

In spite the best planning an incident occurs, it is essential that emergency pre-planning and training make employees aware to proper action.

Compliance Audit

Employers must certify have evaluated with the provision of PSM at least for 3 years.

By V. Narasimhan & A.K. Srikantan, Principal Safety Consultants, Enyes Associates