Work Area Safety In Industrial Plants

!±8± Work Area Safety In Industrial Plants

To make your work area safe you must know what hazards you can expect to encounter and what to do to control and eliminate them. The information contained here explains the importance of working safely and methods for controlling safety in your work area.

Here we briefly describe many of the hazards frequently encountered in plants like Built-in hazards, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical and Environmental hazards.

BUILT- IN HAZARDS: Certain features of plant layout and design like location of equipments, stairs, entrance and exits, the layout of floors, platforms, lighting arrangements, heating and ventilation systems are already exist i.e. built-in that you cannot change. These can cause accidents and the best you can do is to recognize and avoid them.

MECHANICAL HAZARDS: In various cases of accidents chances of moving parts of machinery or tools are involved. A worker has to take special care to keep his clothes, body and tools away from moving machinery. When a machine has to be shut down for repairs the machine electrical controls must be locked and warning signs must be posted on the panel like "Danger. Do not start, personnel working".

Working on pipe lines, tubing system will produce exposures to heat and pressure, avoid accident by isolate the system and cool down and de-pressurize it.

Many plants have hand trucks, forklifts etc for moving material within the designated aisles, if a work is to be done near or traffic paths protect yourself and others by placing signs and barricades to warn traffic or else the result could be serious injury if your ladder is struck by passing vehicle. Do not place the tools and material in such a way that they are not a hazard to traffic by falling in the aisle.

Temporary scaffoldings, platforms are erected while working at heights, on buildings walls, roof and ceilings. These items should have railing and guards to keep workers, tools and materials from sliding and falling off the edge. Place signs below the scaffold to warn the passerby of the falling objects. Make sure a worker is attentive and cautious while working at height, as a slip could have been fatal. Ladders in use for working at height must be secured from both top and bottom and should be at safe angle, steps of ladders should be clear of tools, grease etc. Hanging scaffolding are secured by rope rigging from top and the platform should be level because if the rope at one end breaks or loose the platform can swing down to vertical position rapidly dumping off workers and material. Safety belts and harness should be use to secure yourself while working on heights and roofs.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: occasionally worker is required to work in hot conditions near boiler or heaters though such are normally insulated but generally there is some heat in the area. Place an air blower to supply cool air & expel the hot air. Prolong exposure in high temperature work areas can cause heat cramp and heat exhaustion. Severe and rapid stomach or muscle cramps are due to excessive loss of body moisture and salt. Dizziness, weak pulse, lower than normal body temperature, heavy sweating are the signs of Heat exhaustion. Taking Salt tablets and Drink water in moderate amounts are routine preventive measures for both heat cramps and exhaustion.

When working in enclosed areas, follow recommended safety measures. A person should be kept standby at the entrance, wear a safety harness and a lifeline so if you are overcome you can be pulled out. Enclosed space should be vented by air blower of toxic or inflammable fumes. Oxygen content in that space to be checked before entering. Do not wear nylon clothing and use non-sparking tool in an enclosed space to prevent sparking which can cause explosion in case working in a fuel tank. An explosion proof hand lamp should be used in such spaces.

Radiation from X-rays and radioactive material can cause severe damage to the human body. Wear special protective clothing to reduce exposure to the radiation. Radiation area should be clearly marked with radiation signs.

CHEMICAL HAZARDS: This is one of the most treacherous hazard, where chemicals are concerned one should know the properties and hazard of particular chemical involved. Read material safety data provided with it before handling. Wear protective clothes, gloves, fresh air mask and goggles or face shield. Make sure the chemical not to be splashed or spilled.

ELECTRICAL HAZARDS: Almost every job you perform will include exposure to electricity and its dangers. Avoid touching energized or hot wire. Always use equipment & tools, which are grounded and insulated. Do not use frayed, damaged or spliced chords. Avoid moist clothes, shoes, tools and hands. Metal objects and water is good conductor of electricity. Insulate nearby metal objects. Avoid wet surfaces and place insulating mats while working on panel.