April 2011 - HSE INFORMATION DATABASE | HSE INFORMATION DATABASE

FIRE WATCH IN SHIPYARDS


 

The duty of a fire watch is extremely important. It is mandatory for crews when working aboard vessels. This role can be frustrating or boring if the person does nothing but stand around waiting for a fire to occur. But this doesn't have to be the case.

 

 

A vital role for a fire watch is also a safety role. The area in which the welding or cutting takes place will most likely have several safety hazards in need of control. For example:

  • No ventilation in the space where the Hot Work s being done. Hard to see a fire for all the smoke!!!!! Make sure there is good ventilation in those spaces–someone has to work there!
  • Oxygen and Acetylene cylinders may be placed below decks. This is always an invitation to disaster. Get a Competent Person to evaluate the space PRIOR to allowing anyone in.
  • Bad Lighting: If the lighting is poor, it is just a matter of time until a trip or fall occurs. And how can anyone find tools in the dark?
  • Foam Insulation: Most of the large shipboard fires involved foam/plastics. Insure that all foam is stripped back to the proper guidelines or all exposed edges painted with No-Char, or the approved equivalent, prior to performing hot work.
  • Poor Housekeeping: This is frustrating for everyone…the leads are spaghetti, debris is everywhere, and everyone is in a bad mood because it's a pig sty. Bad housekeeping leads to bad accidents.
  • But here is a fire hazard to end `em all: A welder was observed running a vertical skip weld in an enclosed space–WHILE SITTING ON A FIVE GALLON (28 litre) CAN OF GASOLINE. The gasoline was for the pressure washer on deck and someone brought it down for the welder to sit on!!! Boy was he surprised once he read the label on the can!

A good fire watch (in any type of construction activity – not just in ship yards) should catch and report these safety hazards. Injury, damage and even death can be avoided. Take the initiative to identify problems before the hotwork starts. It may only take a few minutes to do so, but the work stopage and cleanup after a small fire will take hours–or even days. Also, while on fire watch, help with the area housekeeping and assist with other tasks that enable everyone to perform their job more safely. The time will be well spent.

EYE INJURY PREVENTION


One thousand eye injuries occur in workplaces every day in every country worlwide. These injuries are responsible for over $3,000,000.00 annually in medical, lost production and workers' compensation costs!!

 

 

Why are these injuries occurring?

  • Three out of five injuries happen because the worker was not wearing any eye protection at the time of the accident.
  • About 40% of the injured workers were wearing some type of eye protection, but it was the wrong kind and failed to protect adequately. The leading cause in this category is the lack of side shields.
  • Accident studies reveal flying or falling objects and sparks as the cause in 70% of eye injuries. Nearly 60% of the objects causing eye injury are smaller than a pin head.
  • Nearly 20% of all eye injuries are caused by contact with chemicals. This includes splashing or chemicals being sprayed directly into the eye.
  • 40% of eye injuries occurred among craft workers, such as mechanics, repairers, carpenters, and plumbers. 30% of eye injuries occurred among operatives, such as assemblers, sanders, and grinding machine operators.
  • 50% of the injured workers were employed in manufacturing. 20% were employed in construction.

What can we do to prevent these injuries?

First of all make sure you select the proper eye protection for the task. 94% of the eye injuries that occurred to workers wearing eye protection resulted from objects or chemicals going around or under the protector.

Second, make sure the eye protection you have selected fits properly and is clean. One of the leading reasons for workers removing or not wearing eye protection is the lens became dirty and they could not see what they were doing.

Nearly 20% of eye injuries happened to workers wearing face shields or welding helmets while grinding. Only 6% of the workers injured while wearing eye protection were wearing goggles.

CHOOSE THE BEST PROTECTION, MAKE SURE IT FITS, KEEP IT CLEAN AND WEAR IT

 

NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMA 26

Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a duty of care on persons concerned with controlled waste

 

  (i)  Outline the meaning of “controlled waste”  (5)

(ii)  Identify the categories of persons on whom   the duty is placed, & those who are exempt  (5)

EXTENSION CORD SAFETY


We use extension cords almost every day both at work and at home. These are very useful devices, but they can present a fire or shock hazard when either worn out or used improperly.

Types of extension cords

Extension cords come in either two or three-wire types. Two-wire extension cords should only be used to operate one or two small appliances. Three-wire cords are used for outdoor appliances and electric power tools. The third wire on this cord is a ground and this type of cord should never be plugged into any ungrounded electrical outlet. Only grounded extension cords are to be used with power tools unless the tool is double insulated.

Care and inspection of extension cords

Extension cords must be treated with care and checked regularly for damage or deterioration. The cord itself should never be pulled to disconnect it from an electrical source; remove it by the plug. They should not be placed under rugs or furniture and should never be strung through doorways, windows, walls, ceilings, or floors. Damaged cords present a potential fire or shock hazard and should be destroyed and replaced immediately.

An extension cord should never be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. They should not be fastened to a building or structure, even though staples are sold for this purpose at many hardware stores. Avoid plugging two cords together to make a longer one. It's best to use one cord in a continuous length from the receptacle to the appliance or tool. Extension cords which are either connected together or are too long will reduce operating voltage and operating efficiency of tools or appliances and may cause motor damage.

Extension cords are convenient devices which we often take for granted in our everyday activities, but which need proper care and attention. Use good housekeeping practices at home and at work, to keep extension cords from being a tripping hazards or becoming damaged. Inspect them regularly for wear and replace defective units.

Prevent potential electrical hazards that may lead to someone's injury!