Safety Tidbit 6.13 – Introduction to Risk Analysis

 Safety Tidbit 6.13 – Introduction to Risk Analysis

 

References:     ISO 31010, ANSI/ASSP Z10.0 standard

Military Standard 882D

 

This Safety Tidbit was written by my student, Mr. Josh Fulton, a Senior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at Indiana University of PA graduating in Summer of 2021.

 

Risk Analysis consists of determining the resulting consequences and their probability for identified risk events, considering the presence and the effectiveness of any existing controls. Risk evaluation involves establishing the context then comparing estimated levels of risk with the defined risk criteria to determine the significance of both the level and type of risk.

 

Goals of risk evaluation decisions should include whether a risk needs treatment, priorities for treatment, whether to do an activity if there is an alternative solution. The military standard 882D is a widely used risk matrix and can be employed when making safety decisions. The matrix splits risk into four classifications:

• Catastrophic- could result in death, permanent disability, property loss exceeding one million dollars, or severe environmental damage that violates regulations or laws.
• Critical- Could result in partial disability, injuries, or occupational illness that may result in hospitalization, property loss exceeding two hundred thousand dollars, or environmental violations that are fixable.
• Marginal- Could result in injury or illness resulting in one or more lost workdays, property loss exceeding ten thousand but less than two hundred thousand dollars. Actionable restoration of environmental violations.
• Negligible- Could result in injury not resulting in a lost workday, property loss less than ten thousand dollars. Only minimal environmental damage not violating any regulations.

 

After the classification of risk, next comes implementing a probability factor. Categories for probability under the Military Standard 882D consist of Frequent, Probable, Occasional, Remote, and Improbable. Now with both the probability factor and risk classification, we can complete a quantitative risk matrix.  

 

The Hierarchy of Controls consists of elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment. Determine which best method of controlling the hazard. After implementing a control, the company must reassess the hazard or job activity to mitigate the risk. 

 

Using control methods that limit a hazard to remote or improbable helps to improve productivity and eliminate risks that can endanger people, property, and the environment. Reevaluate when new processes, new machinery, or new chemicals are implemented or used.

 

I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know.

 

Safety Tidbit 6.12 – Personal Fall Arrest Systems

Safety Tidbit 6.12 – Personal Fall Arrest Systems

 

References:     OSHA - 1926 Subpart M - Fall Protection

 

This Safety Tidbit was written by my student, Mr. Cody Tumpak  – a junior in the Safety, Health, and Environmental Applied Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA graduating Spring 2022.

 

The number one cause for construction worker fatalities in the United States is falling. OSHA requires worker protection from falling above 6 feet in 29 CFR 1926 the Construction Industry safety standards. This standard does have variations depending on the work. Examples are workers on scaffolds do not require fall protection until 10 feet, and steel erectors do not require protection until 15 ft. The three primary protections on construction sites are personal fall arrest systems (PFASs), guardrail systems, and safety net systems. Today I will be discussing the personal fall arrest system and its components.

 

PFASs have three main components: a full-body harness worn by the worker, a connecting device, and an anchorage to hook on too. The full-body harness has a maximum arresting force of 1800 pounds. OSHA requires workers to wear a full-body harness for fall protection, so a body belt is not an acceptable option.  After any fall while using a harness, immediate removal from service is mandatory. The connecting device is a nylon rope, wire rope, or retractable lanyard, or rope grab. The one recommended for use is an energy-absorbing connecting device because they reduce the forces on a body generated from a fall significantly. The anchorage, which the connecting device hooks on to, is also known as a tie-off point. Anchorages come in two different types: permanent or temporary. In construction, the temporary type is used most and is capable of supporting 5,000 lbs.

 

Furthermore, inspecting each component before each use is a vital step to ensure worker safety. Lastly, training workers on how to properly use the PFAS is essential. Without practical training, workers could improperly wear and hook up the harness wrong, causing a hazard.

 

I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know.

 

Safety Tidbit 6.11 – The Need for Respirator Training

 

Safety Tidbit 6.11 – The Need for Respirator Training

 

References:     OSHA - 1910.134 - Respiratory Protection

 

This Safety Tidbit was written by my student, Mr. Da’Von Bradley – a junior in the Public Health Program at the Indiana University of PA graduating Spring 2022.

 

Respirators are a form of personal protective equipment (PPE) to help reduce the risk of exposure to airborne chemical hazards. Respirators should only be provided to an employee when necessary. For effective use of a respirator, the active safety manager is responsible for selecting the proper respirator for the worker depending on the hazard. These hazards can be in the form of vapors, gases, dust, or mists. The safety manager implements Respiratory protection programs to improve the workplace. After medical clearance and selecting the proper respirator, the worker must complete the proper training before using the respirator. The training must be understanding for the worker to complete to the best of their ability. Training includes:

• Why it is essential to use a respirator correctly 
• When to use a respirator 
• How to use the respirator in emergencies, including situations where the respirator malfunctions
• Explanation on respirator's capabilities and limitations
• How to thoroughly inspect, put on, use, and remove.
• How to Properly clean and store after use 
• How to recognize medical conditions can impact the wearer 

 

OSHA states, "An employer who can demonstrate that a new employee has received training within the last 12 months that addresses the elements specified in paragraph (k)(1)(i) through (vii) is not required to repeat such training provided that, as required by paragraph (k)(1), the employee can demonstrate knowledge of those element(s). Previous training not repeated initially by the employer must be provided no later than 12 months from the date of the previous training." [1910.134(k)(4)]

 

The safety manager must provide respirator training annually, when workplace conditions change, or when the worker must use a different type of respirator. More frequent retraining may be necessary more when the worker demonstrates inadequacies in their use and knowledge.

 

I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know.

 

Safety Tidbit 6.10 – Breathing Zone Sampling

 

Safety Tidbit 6.10 – Breathing Zone Sampling

 

Reference:       https://www.ehstoday.com/industrial-hygiene/article/21911490/yes-even-you-can-do-industrial-hygiene-air-sampling

 

This Safety Tidbit was written by my student, Mr. Matt Heinichen – a junior in the Safety Sciences Program at the Indiana University of PA graduating Spring 2022.

Today I’d like to discuss the use of personal breathing zone samples of gases. The type of sampling required by OSHA’s substance-specific standards is called personal breathing zone sampling.  Personal breathing zone air sampling tends to use two instruments: passive monitors or personal sampling pumps. These samplers measure air with 6-9 inches of their head.

During personal breathing zone sampling, the worker wears the sampling equipment throughout the workday. The IH attaches the pump to the worker’s belt and then clips the collection media to the employee’s shirt collar in his breathing zone.

Sampling for different chemicals requires different types of sampling equipment, such as cassettes or media samples. When sampling for gases, a sampling media is required based on the substance. Sampling for gases can differ from sampling for substances such as silica dust, as other sampling equipment is required.

In conclusion, personal breathing zone sampling is an effective method of determining the exposure concentration of gases to a worker. Some people assume that only Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) must conduct personal breathing zone sampling. However, as long as you have adequate equipment and knowledge, you don’t need to be a CIH to perform personal breathing zone air sampling.

 

I hope this was helpful and thank you for reading my Safety Tidbits! Comments and questions are always welcome. ~ Bryan

 

P.S. If you have a new safety or health question, please let me know