Presentation Flashcards
The importance of health and safety
Lower risks in the workplace
Measures like personal protective equipment (PPE), proper hygiene, and clear safety procedures lower the chances of accidents, injuries, and illnesses.
Higher productivity
Fewer incidents mean uninterrupted workflows, maintaining efficiency
Better reputation
Companies prioritizing safety attract customers, talent, and build a positive image.
Corporate social responsibility
Some organizations adopt stricter safety measures to demonstrate social accountability, boosting morale and appealing to ethical investors.
Hazardous Substances
Risk description
Exposure to hazardous substances such as acids, toxic materials, or corrosive chemicals can cause skin burns, respiratory issues, or poisoning. These substances are often used in manufacturing processes, posing risks to workers if proper precautions are not taken
Real-life Example/case study
The unit describes a scenario where workers clean metal using acid that can burn the skin and release harmful fumes (Page 51). This is a common task in metal fabrication or maintenance, where acids are used to remove rust or scale from metal surfaces.
Consequences
Without proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like gloves and masks, workers can suffer chemical burns or inhale toxic fumes, leading to respiratory problems or long-term health issues.
Mitigation
The use of PPE, such as gloves and respirators, is essential, along with ensuring proper ventilation to disperse harmful fumes (Page 51).
Confined Spaces
Risk description
Working in confined spaces, such as grain silos, poses risks of asphyxiation, exposure to harmful gases (e.g., CO₂), and limited escape routes in emergencies. Confined spaces often have poor ventilation, increasing the likelihood of suffocation
Real-life Example/case study
The unit discusses maintenance work involving welding inside grain silos (approximately 3m diameter x 15m deep) at a food processing plant (Page 51). The confined space hazards include limited air circulation, potential buildup of harmful gases from welding (e.g., carbon monoxide), and restricted access for workers and equipment.
Consequences
A specific hazard mentioned is the risk of asphyxiation due to poor ventilation, which could be exacerbated by using nitrogen to displace oxygen during welding (Page 51). Without proper monitoring, workers could suffocate or lose consciousness, leading to fatal outcomes.
Mitigation
Precautions include using CO₂ detectors to monitor air quality, ensuring proper ventilation, and limiting access to authorized personnel only. A hazard analysis and safe system of work must be established before starting operations (Page 51).
Fire/Explosion Hazards
Flammable materials, combined with sources of ignition like naked flames or sparks, can lead to fires or explosions. This risk is particularly high in activities involving welding, cutting, or handling flammable substances (Page 50).
The unit describes a scenario where workers need to cut an opening in a steel petrol storage tank and weld a new outlet pipe (Page 51). The presence of residual petrol vapors (hơi xăng còn sót makes the environment highly flammable, and sparks from cutting or welding could ignite these vapors.
An explosion could occur, leading to severe injuries, burns, or fatalities, as well as significant damage to the facility. The unit notes that “the main danger/hazard is” fire or explosion in such operations
Precautions include using spark-resistant tools, ensuring proper ventilation to prevent vapor buildup, and prohibiting ignition sources like smoking in the area
Electrical Hazards
Electrical systems, especially high-voltage ones, pose risks of electrocution, burns, and heat exposure. These risks are heightened during maintenance work on live systems
The unit provides a detailed case study of live line maintenance on a 400,000-volt power line using a helicopter (Page 53). Two linemen, suspended in a cradle below the helicopter, work on the live cable, facing risks of electrocution, heat from electrical arcing, and mechanical failure of the helicopter or equipment.
The case study describes “pocket-sized lightning bolts” arcing through the air as the linemen connect to the live cable, indicating the high risk of electrocution. A mechanical failure, such as a helicopter crash or equipment snagging, could result in a fall or collision, potentially fatal at such heights (Page 53).
Precautions include wearing stainless-steel threaded hot suits to protect against electrical shocks, maintaining an electrical connection between the cradle and helicopter to prevent arcing, and ensuring mechanical reliability to avoid collisions or equipment failure (Page 53).
Mechanical Hazards
Machinery without proper guards or safety devices can cause injuries such as cuts, amputations, or crush injuries. This risk is common in operations involving cutting, grinding, or heavy machinery (Page 50).
Using a grinder to cut steel, risking injury from blade breakage or sparks (Page 51).
Without guards, a worker could suffer severe cuts or lose a limb if the grinder blade breaks or if their hand slips. Sparks could also ignite nearby flammable materials, leading to a fire (Page 51).
Safety devices like guards on the grinder, along with PPE such as safety goggles and gloves, are necessary to protect workers. Operators must also be trained to handle the equipment safely (Page 51).
Noise Hazards
Prolonged exposure to high noise levels from machinery can lead to hearing damage or loss. This is a common risk in industrial environments with heavy equipment (Page 50).
The unit implies noise hazards from machinery like grinders, which produce significant noise during operation (Page 50). In a manufacturing plant, workers may be exposed to such noise for extended periods.
Without protection, workers can suffer permanent hearing loss, impacting their quality of life and ability to work effectively.
The use of ear protection, such as earmuffs or earplugs, is recommended to reduce noise exposure (Page 50).
Falls/Structural Hazards
Working at heights or in environments with poor structural safety (e.g., lack of guardrails) poses risks of falls, which can result in serious injuries or death (Page 50).
The unit discusses offshore oil platforms, where workers face fall hazards due to working at heights on helidecks (Page 55). The design requirements for helidecks include perimeter protection (e.g., handrails that can be lowered or horizontal nets) to prevent personnel from falling.
A fall from a helideck could be fatal, especially in the harsh offshore environment where immediate medical assistance may not be available.
Design standards mandate perimeter protection and ensure that adjacent structures are below the helideck level to avoid obstacles during takeoff and landing (Page 55).
Fuel-Related Incidents
Fuel leaks or mismanagement can lead to catastrophic failures, especially in aviation, where fuel is critical for operation (Page 46).
The unit provides a detailed case study of an Airbus A330 incident involving a fuel leak (Page 46). The sequence of events began with an abnormal increase in fuel consumption at 04:38, followed by a fuel imbalance warning at 05:33. The crew initially thought it was an instrument malfunction but later confirmed a significant fuel loss in the right tank. By 06:26, both engines failed due to fuel starvation, forcing the plane to glide and make an emergency landing at Lajes military airbase.
The aircraft lost both engines, descended at 2,000 feet per minute, and required a high-speed emergency landing (370 km/h, exceeding the standard approach speed by over 100 km/h). The landing caused several tires to blow out and catch fire, but the plane stopped safely. Without the crew’s quick response and emergency procedures, the outcome could have been a crash, potentially killing all on board.
The crew deployed a ram air turbine for backup power, performed zigzag maneuvers to slow the plane, and followed emergency landing protocols. The case underscores the importance of regular maintenance to detect fuel leaks and the need for robust emergency procedures (Page 46).
