Safety
Don’t think it won’t happen…..
The below-listed links will show the devastation that preplanning could have reduced the number of injuries and fatalities.
The gas release, which happened on Oct. 10, killed two workers and injured dozens more, prompting shelter-in-place orders for the nearby cities of Deer Park and Pasadena.
If we would only take the time to listen, observe, and hold employees accountable these accidents, could have been prevented.
Emergency action plans seem to be a common thread in many of the tragic incidents. Apparently, companies only want to focus on fire and tornado drills. Then they only run those on one shift.
Under the General Industry requirements, you must follow at a minimum the below listed:
29 CFR 1910.38(c) Minimum elements of an emergency action plan. An emergency action plan must include at a minimum:
29 CFR 1910.38(c)(1)
Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency;
29 CFR 1910.38(c)(2)
Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments;
Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate;
29 CFR 1910.38(c)(4)
Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation;
29 CFR 1910.38(c)(5)
Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties; and
29 CFR 1910.38(c)(6)
The name or job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan.
29 CFR 1910.38(d) Employee alarm system. An employer must have and maintain an employee alarm system. The employee alarm system must use a distinctive signal for each purpose and comply with the requirements in § 1910.165.
29 CFR 1910.38(e) Training. An employer must designate and train employees to assist in a safe and orderly evacuation of other employees.
29 CFR 1910.38(f)
Review of the emergency action plan. An employer must review the emergency action plan with each employee covered by the plan:
29 CFR 1910.38(f)(1)
When the plan is developed or the employee is assigned initially to a job;
29 CFR 1910.38(f)(2)
When the employee’s responsibilities under the plan change; and
29 CFR 1910.38(f)(3)
When the plan is changed.
Those employees who must enter a trench must be properly trained and have the appropriate equipment. As noted in the article “There’s no reason, really, that any worker in this country should be dying in a collapsed trench,” said Jordan Barab, who was deputy assistant secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) during the Obama administration. “All trench collapse deaths are preventable if the employer complies with well-recognized OSHA standards.” So, the question remains, why are employees dying at work and who should be held accountable? Remember don’t think it won’t happen, be prepared and stop it from happening. If you need assistance or want to read my book the Faces of Safety, visit my website at davidaward.com or davidawardsr.com. #safety, #trenching, #workenvironments, #leadership, #emergency plannng
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