Industrial Safety, Health and Environmental Management System

Source: R.K Jain., & Sunil S. Rao (2010).

INTRODUCTON

Security is associated with provisions against thefts of item/material/tools/ consumables during construction or during regular operation/maintenance. Security is also concerned with machines/equipment switchgear/control and supply system either deliberately or casually. Security is essential to prevent ‘sabotage’. 

Security management is a part of overall safety management 

 

Security Management of Industrial Plants

NEED OF SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS IN INDUSTRIAL PLANTS

A very small industrial plant may be protected against interference and theft by a fence, locked gate and proper illumination at night. Thieves and unauthorized persons may not be tempted to enter through the tall fence/gate. A large industrial plant remote from cities and not connected to rail/road network except by a dedicated road/rail track also has low risks of theft and interference during regular operation.

But theft and interference by unauthorized persons/gangs is not uncommon during construction phase of every electrical plant. Valuable items copper items, fuels, tools, instruments, accessories, consumables, etc. The risk of theft during construction period is much more than during the regular operation and maintenance period.

Construction period, is characterized  by movement of vehicles and materials, employees, contractors, workers, etc. Hence need of security is predominant during erection phase. During regular operation, maintenance period the risk of theft is reduced.

Thefts have two harmful effects:

-          Stolen items result in financial loss.

-          Stolen items result in deficiency in industrial plant.

-          Stolen spares/tools/fuel/instruments etc. result in hindrance in the related site workload.

Thefts result in delaying the project execution or delays in operation/maintenance activities. Security functions of industrial plants and equipment may be subdivided into following distinct phases:

-          Security during construction phase of the plant.

-          Security during regular operation and maintenance modes of the plant.

Security Activities are concerned with security against

-          External personnel (Visitors, Contractors, Thieves).

-          Internal personnel (employees).

TIPS TO IMPROVE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

-          Understand the nature of activities.

-          Identify the hazardous operations and the nature of hazards.

-          Discuss the problems of workers and listen to their complaints.

-          Ensure that regular medical examination of the worker is done.

-          What kinds of accidents occur in the workplace? Are these accidents avoidable?

-          What safety measures are provided?

-          What is the appropriate first aid for the accidents; is it readily available?

-          What can be done to train workers, change equipment/machines or methods?

-          Does the factory keep adequate health records? Are reports sent to factory inspectors?

-          In case of disabilities and diseases related to the workplace, has the factory management given adequate compensation and job change if necessary?

-          Convince the workers that it is the duty of the factory to treat, compensate and offer a suitable job if the problem is because of workplace hazards as per ‘Workmen’s Compensation Act’.

-          Educate workers about Employees State Insurance Scheme, contributed to by the factory, the government and the workers. It ensures various benefits like health checkups, treatment, cost of medical care, paid leave, compensation costs, ambulance charges and even funeral charges in some cases. If the factory is not covered ESIS, it usually has its own medical department or recognized panel of doctors.

-          Reference manuals for specific health hazards in different industries are available and should be provided to all employees.

-          Maintaining productivity and economic viability is the main goal in industries, and workers’ health being an essential part of it, saves cost, maintains productivity, ensures welfare of the worker and gives a human face to the enterprise.

ERGONOMICS

Ergonomics is the scientific study of the relationship between man and his working environment. It takes into consideration not only the physical environment in which man works, but also his tools, materials, and the method and organization of his work. It is concerned with the whole man, physical and mental, biological and behavioral aspects.

In early 1960s ergonomic studies focused on the design of machine controls, levers, knobs, buttons, on the visual display carried by instruments, on work place, plant layout, on chairs and tables, on the design of hand tools, on manual handling of heavy workloads. Aspects like noise, vibration, ventilation, temperature, etc. began to be encompassed in ergonomics research so that job design and organization stores, monotony and fatigue too could be taken into account.

The rapid industrialization in developing countries led to a massive transfer of technology and import of plant and machinery that had high safety standards in western industrialized countries.

Application of ergonomic principles pointed to the need to use different design for factory layout depending upon whether they are built in tropical zones or cooler climates.

Additional hazards in the use of movable machinery in activities like construction and mining could also be tackled by the application of scientific principles. Over the years, ergonomic studies have contributed immensely to make the work places not only safer but also convenient and productive. Ergonomic studies teach us how to take full advantage of human being’s finite capacities with the potential of modern technologies. They also seek to put restraints on people working beyond their optimal range of abilities which may lead to errors that could cause accidents and injuries.

It is futile, however, to expect ergonomics to solve all problems of health and safety. Occupational health and safety problems are often compounded by lack of safety equipment, awareness and expertise coupled with poor maintenance. Also usually there is a lag in understanding and coping with poor maintenance. Also usually there is a lag in understanding and coping with the ramifications of modern technologies and materials on occupational health safety.