Inspection and Safety: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on Sep 2, 2024 in Other subjects

Inspection and Safety

Basic Objectives of the Inspection

  • Maintain a safe working environment and control acts endangering safety.
  • Maintain the profitability of operations.
  • Maintain security fencing to prevent accidents through the inspection process.

Auditor

Identifies weaknesses in the company.

Responsibility

Maintaining responsibility for operations rests squarely in the direction of the company, and the authority to carry it out is everyone’s responsibility.

Inspection Technique

  • The safety inspection is one of the principal means of locating the causes of accidents.
  • Helps to avoid risks and anticipate dangers.

The Words Risk and Danger

  • Risk: The probability of a specific hazard. Risk is the cause.
  • Hazard (Danger): A potential threat to humans and their welfare. Danger is the consequence.

Tolerable Risk

  • The safety inspection is one of the primary means to locate causes of accidents.
  • Inspections of the manufacturing processes are useful for monitoring safety and controlling accidents.
  • The inspection and its rapid correction are the tools that management must implement to control accidents and protect workers.
  • Worker interest in safety programs increases each time an inspector, auditor, or safety committee makes a tour, demonstrating the direction’s interest.

Benefits

  • Increased worker interest in safety programs.
  • Demonstrated interest from management when inspections are conducted.
  • Regular inspections motivate workers to inspect surrounding areas.
  • Allows direct contact between the inspector and the workers.
  • Workers are key to the inspection system.
  • Positive suggestions are encouraged.

Errors

  • Not responding to suggestions from employees.
  • Not inspecting to identify all potential hazards in the company.
  • The inspector should tactfully refer to conditions or actions that threaten safety and present danger.

Checklist

  • Housekeeping
  • Materials Handling
  • Stacking and Storage of Materials
  • Corridors and Gateways

Endpoints in the Checklists

  • 0 = Unacceptable
  • 1 = Very Poor or Poor
  • 2 = Poor
  • 3 = Fair to Medium
  • 4 = Good
  • 5 = Excellent

Criteria for Abnormalities Detected According to Their Risk

  • Danger Class A: Unsafe conditions or practices that can cause permanent disability, loss of life, or loss of a body part.
  • Danger Class B: Unsafe conditions or practices that can cause mild permanent disability.
  • Danger Class C: Unsafe conditions or practices that only cause minor injuries or injuries for a short time.

Planning Inspection

We recommend analyzing accidents from recent years.

  • Proper planning of an inspection depends on prior knowledge of where to look.
  • Define what is going to be inspected.
  • Prioritize safety.
  • Determine the frequency of inspection.
  • Determine who will conduct the inspection.
  • Establish reporting procedures.
  • Establish correction procedures.

Who Conducts Inspections?

People considered suitable for inspection are:

  • Safety Technicians
  • Industrial Hygienists
  • Company Medical Professionals
  • Industrial Psychologists

How is the Tour Conducted?

  • The highest proportion of proximate causes is due to unsafe practices.
  • Visit places where nobody typically goes.
  • Always ask if something seems odd.

Three Basic Steps

  1. At the start of the inspection, the inspector should contact the area supervisor to report the work to be performed and, if possible, accompany them.
  2. No place should hide a danger that should be ignored.
  3. Inspect from the beginning to the end of the process.

Classification of Inspections

  • Scheduled Inspections: Conducted at regular intervals (weekly, monthly, annually) for elevators, boilers, pressure vessels, water systems, and electric presses. (Inspection is announced)
  • Flash Inspections: Conducted at irregular intervals; staff and supervisors are alert to discover and correct conditions before the safety inspector detects them. (Inspection is not announced)
  • Continuous Inspections: Ongoing fault-finding.
  • Special Inspections: Conducted when installing new machines, implementing new processes, or constructing new buildings, as these introduce new dangers.

List of Unsafe Work Practices

  • Workers operating machines, tools, or equipment without proper authorization.
  • Using defective tools or equipment or using tools and equipment in an unsafe manner.
  • Using hands or body instead of proper tools.
  • Repairing or adjusting moving equipment under pressure or with live electricity.

Organization Team

  • Managing workplace risks requires expertise in safety issues and knowledge of the production process.
  • A team of at least three members should be formed to identify, monitor, and track risks.
  • Commitment and support from senior management are essential.

Classification of Business Activities

Prepare a list of activities as a way of classifying work activities:

  • Activities outside the company premises.
  • Stages in the production or service process.
  • Planned maintenance work.
  • Defined tasks.

Segmentation of Joint Sections

An organization is divided according to functions, processes, types of raw materials, etc.

Its usefulness lies in identifying the risks in magazines or physical spaces defined by a better understanding of them.

Grading Work

To identify and characterize the risks in the organization’s production chain (e.g., welders, mechanics, grinders).

Hazard Identification

Allows for the identification of naturally occurring hazards.

Measuring Risk

A good risk assessment should include a preliminary measurement of the risks identified in each job.

Analysis of Results

Risks are quantified for each section, whether chemical, biological, physical, or psychosocial.

Corrective Action

Depending on the risk levels, appropriate measures are taken according to the following terms:

  • Immediate: Urgent, without delay
  • Immediate (Greater than 200)
  • Urgent (Between 85 and 200)
  • Without Delay (Less than 85)

William Fine Method

Probability x Exposure x Consequence (P x E x C)

Final Report

The final report must contain corrective measures according to the level of risk.

Simplified Method of Risk Assessment

Basic Factors

  • The probability that a particular risk factor will result in harm.
  • The extent of damage (result).

Methodology

  • Allows for quantifying the magnitude of the risks involved and prioritizing corrective actions rationally.
  • Estimates the likelihood and consequences arising from the identified deficiencies.

Levels

  • Level of Risk
  • Probability Level
  • Consequence Level

Level of Deficiency (ND)

The magnitude of the relationship between all considered risk factors and their direct link with the possible accident.

Level of Probability (NP)

  • This level is a function of the levels of deficiencies and levels of exposure or frequency.

Risk Level (NR)

  • A function of the probability level and the consequence level, expressed as: NR = NP x NC

Detecting Deficiencies

List of Risks Involved in the Enterprise

Shocks, falls, burns, entrapment, etc. Accompanied by a checklist to study identified risks.

Exposure Level (NE)

  • NE measures the frequency of exposure to a given risk.
  • NE can be estimated based on time spent in work areas and machine operations.