Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Each. accident/incident. should. be. methodically. analyzed. using. an. accident.
investigation/root. cause. analysis. approach.. Because. many. root. cause. analysis.
methods. exist,. it. will. be. the. investigator's. responsibility. to. select. the. appropriate.
analysis.approach.(e.g.,.barrier.analysis)..Use.of.proper.accident/incident.investiga-
tion.methods.and.tracking.will.lead.to.intervention,.which.will.successfully.prevent.
further.occurrence.of.these.occupational.accidents.and.incidents.
The.identiication.of.hazards.forces.you.to.analyze.your.past.history.of.accidents..
Data.to.examine.should.include.the.OSHA.300.log,.workers'.compensation.claims,.
and.records.of.noninjury.accidents..Recognition.of.hazards.requires.that.inadequate.
guards.and.protective.devices;.defective.tools,.equipment,.and.materials;.inadequate.
working,.storage,.and.traveling.space;.inadequate.warning.systems;.ire.and.explosion.
hazards;. substandard. housekeeping;. hazardous. atmospheric. conditions;. excessive.
noise;.radiation.exposure;.and.inadequate.illumination.or.ventilation.be.identiied.in.
order.to.control.hazards..If.you.cannot.recognize.these.hazards,.then.nothing.can.be.
done.to.prevent.them.from.causing.an.accident.or.incident.
The.recognition.of.hazards.is.of.primary.importance..After.workers.and.super-
visors. have. been. trained. regarding. hazard. identiication,. their. understanding. of.
Occupational.Safety.and.Health.regulations.will.help.identify.jobs,.equipment.and.
machinery,. areas,. and. industry. processes. that. have. exhibited. hazards. in. the. past..
It will.be.your.responsibility.to.identify.the.potential.for.hazards,.or.the.existence.
of.hazards.within.your.workplace..Some.tools.used.for.identiication.have.been.pre-
sented.in.the.form.of.hazard.hunts,.job.hazard.analysis,.and.job.safety.observations,.
while.other.techniques.provide.the.means.to.prevent.and.control.existing.hazards.
The.prevention.and.control.of.hazards.can.be.accomplished.in.many.ways..The.
primary. way. is. through. the. reporting. of. hazards. by. employees. and. the. correction.
of.hazards.by.supervisors.or.other.company.qualiied.personnel..Second,.employers.
can. use. preventive. maintenance. programs,. special. emphasis. programs,. training,.
workplace.audits,.engineering.controls,.administrative.controls,.and,.as.a.last.resort,.
personal.protective.equipment.
It.takes.a.concerted.effort.to.address.the.safety.and.health.issues.that.are.causing.
your.occupational.injuries.and.illnesses..This.certainly.means.that.many.of.you.will.
need.to.try.out.the.accident/incident.techniques.that.you.have.not.used.previously,.
or.at.least.try.that.with.which.you.have.had.no.familiarity..This.means.that.you.may.
have. to. develop. new. programs,. implement. new. ways. of. addressing. people. issues,.
change.your.approach.to.safety.and.health,.or.admit.that.you.need.help.with.your.
safety.and.health.initiative..Then.get.the.help.you.need.
If.you.fail.to.address.the.pillage.and.carnage.that.lurk.in.damaged.equipment.and.
occupationally. related. injuries. and. illnesses,. then. only. one. word. describes. you—
“negligent.”.This.may.seem.harsh.but.safety.and.health.issues.do.not.cure.themselves.
or.disappear..If.you.turn.a.blind.eye.to.them,.they.may.become.even.worse..They.
can.easily.exacerbate,.and.you.can.end.up.with.a.death.or.catastrophe..This.is.a.step.
beyond.negligent.and.should.be.considered.a.criminal.act..To.neglect.your.responsi-
bility.to.provide.a.safe.and.healthy.workplace.for.workers.is.inexcusable.
Remember.that.you.are.not.working.on.your.own..Topics.like.this.provide.guid-
ance.and.direction.on.how.to.address.occupational.safety.and.health.problems..This.
topic.lays.the.foundation.for.a.safer.and.healthier.workplace.for.your.workforce.
