September 2011 issue SAFETY NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 September 2011 issue SAFETY NEWSLETTER

2 MESSAGE DESK Thought for the month Instruction, Training, Information & Training (ITIS) is vital for ensuring safety CONTENTS 1 Explanation of Tata Power Safety Principles 2 Safety Flash- Dropped Objects 3 Managing safety of young workers 4 5. Managing safety violations Introduction to new joinee in corporate safety

3 1. EXPLANATION OF TATA POWER SAFETY PRINCIPLES Tata Power believes that good safety is good business which helps sustain world-class business performance. Safety principles provide direction and focus to our Occupational Health and Safety program for achieving and sustaining safety excellence. Our values and beliefs lead us to conduct regular workplace safety appraisals, identify and report hazards, investigate all incidents, conduct safety observations, follow rules and procedures and take all necessary action to manage risks. 1. All injuries and occupational illnesses are preventable This basic belief drives all our safety improvement programs. People who work for us are our greatest assets and should never be injured on the job. Studies have shown that almost all work related injuries are caused by unsafe acts or unsafe conditions resulting from unsafe acts. Developing a culture of safety will help eliminate such acts and consequent injuries. 2. All operating exposures can be safeguarded Hazard elimination has always been the preferred option for managing risks. However, as elimination is not always feasible, it is our firm belief that sufficient measures such as substitution, design & engineering, safe operating systems and methods of work can always be adopted for safe guarding of personnel. 3. Management is accountable for providing a safe working environment and preventing injuries Tata Power believes that management has a key role in preventing injuries and is accountable for providing a safe and healthy workplace to our people. They are responsible for conducting workplace safety appraisals, developing our people to work in a safe manner, providing adequate resources to mitigate risks and to enhance workplace conditions. 4. Working safely is everybody s responsibility and a condition of employment The Company has a set of comprehensive safety standards and procedures that are constantly being upgraded through consultation and collaboration to best practice levels. It is everybody s responsibility to observe these standards and follow the procedures laid down. There are no occasions when it is acceptable to work unsafely. 5. Workforce commitment to Safety is essential The safety culture of an organization depends on the commitment of its people to follow safe work practices and ensure the sustainability of a safe working environment. We

4 believe that this can only be achieved by the collective efforts of our people in identifying and reporting hazards and help in maintaining a clean, safe and healthy workplace. 6. We will get the level of safety we demonstrate we want At Tata Power we believe that every individual is responsible for their own safety and of those around them. By role modeling safe behavior we encourage others to do so. We do not walk past unsafe conditions or ignore unsafe acts but do something about it to get the level of safety we desire. 7. We will promote off-the-job safety for our employees Tata Power believes that off-the-job safety of our employees and their families is as important as on-the-job safety. In fact one cannot exist without the other if safety culture is to truly improve. 8. Safety is a core value The safety of our employees at work is a core value over which no business objective can have a higher priority. Operational requirements or urgency of service, can never justify endangering the life of anyone. 9. A job is successful only if it is done safely Safety is just as much a required outcome as a technical or commercial result. No matter what the task or outcome, if an injury occurs, then the job will not be considered as completed successfully. 10. Everybody is empowered to stop unsafe work All employees including contractor workmen are empowered to stop any unsafe work and notify the concerned supervisor or manager.

5 2. Safety Flash- Dropped Objects

6 3. Managing safety of young workers by Shriram B Mestry, Trombay We've all been new or young workers at some point: Do you remember your first day on the job? How much did you know about safety then? Did your supervisor help you to be more comfortable in this new situation? Young workers need your special attention because they are at more risk of injury than their older or more experienced counterparts. The injury rate for young workers is significantly higher than the injury rate for workers of all ages. Especially alarming is the fact that over half of workplace accidents involving young workers occur during the first six months on the job. Why are young workers at higher risk of being injured? Young workers are usually still developing physically and mentally: there can be tasks that will be beyond their current capabilities Young workers may lack the experience, knowledge or skills to: understand the risks involved in the tasks they are doing take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their workmates from injury Young workers may do work they are not able to do because they: have not been properly trained or are not being properly supervised have been working with dangerous equipment or substances where safe work practices have not been adopted Young workers may not be aware of their rights and responsibilities in terms of workplace health and safety: they may not ask questions or speak out if there is a problem for fear of looking incapable or losing their job. What the Law Requires: The Factories Act, 1948 Like all other workers, young people at work are protected by The Factories Act, Chapter VII section 67 to 77 of the Factories Act spells the requirements on Employment of Young Persons. It states "Prohibition on employment of child below age of 14 years. No permission for work if child or an adolescent unless certificate of fitness is granted. Grant of fitness certificate by certifying surgeon, adolescent worker or female worker to carry token of certificate of fitness, child shall not be employed for more than 4½ hours a day, during nights. Shifts shall not overlap or spread over more than5 hours each. No second employment on the same day, notice of periods of work for children shall be in form 18 as specified in Rule 103, Register giving name, nature, etc of child workers shall be maintained in form 19 as specified in Rule 104 by manager of every factory for inspection of Inspector. Hours of work to correspond with notice under section 72 and register under section 73, Inspector may ask for medical examination if young person is without fitness certificate or is not fit to work" Controlling Risk

7 Essentially the law requires you to control risk to safety and health of employees including young persons. Provide a safe and healthy workplace. Because young workers are at higher risk of being injured, you need to consider their age as a specific risk factor when identifying hazards and controlling risks in the workplace. You have to have a system (e.g. have a policy, designate people and have clear procedures) in place to manage health and safety (and, if you employ more than five people, set this out in a written health and safety policy statement). And you need to appoint a competent person(s) to help you comply with your legal obligations. You have to identify your main hazards (things that could cause harm), assess your risks and choose appropriate risk control measures. You have to put in place any back up measures that may be needed like health surveillance or emergency procedures and you must inform, train and supervise your employees, especially young workers and new starters You also have to do certain things like: reporting and recording accidents; providing certain basic workplace, first aid and welfare facilities; having employers' liability insurance; and notifying the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Local Authority of your existence; consulting your workforce and their representatives; and so on. Training and Supervision Provide training and supervision. Ensure as an employer that all employees, including young workers, have appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure their work is done safely and their health is not put at risk. All employees, including young workers, must be made aware of the hazards involved in each new task and the appropriate control measures for safe work It is vital that, before young people start work, they receive effective health and safety induction training. Key things to cover include: The company's policy; their personal responsibilities; Common hazards on site; what they need to know to protect yourself on day one; Who to go for advice; and what to do if things seem unsafe. Incorporate basic health and safety into job training, explain health and safety policies and procedures Show employees how to carry out their job safely and how to recognize and report hazards on the job Ensure employees can demonstrate competence before starting work and starting each new task Provide and show employees how to use the necessary equipment and how to safely wear/use any protective gear, such as gloves, safety footwear and goggles Help employees get to know the layout of the workplace

8 Introduce them to their immediate supervisor, health and safety representative and workmates. Ensure that young workers know how to report unsafe conditions or hazards in the workplace, and that they feel comfortable doing so. Encourage young workers to share workplace health and safety information, and discuss issues by participating in team or toolbox meetings, and talking with their immediate supervisor. Discuss risks to young workers and their specific needs in the workplace with the health and safety committee, and other employees Remember: What you teach this person now is their foundation for their future working life. Teach them the right way If you take short cuts, you may have the knowledge and skills to deal with problems. The young person won't be able to do that. Teach them the right way. A young person starting work will be eager to please. Encourage them to ask questions about the risks and precautions of the job. Encourage them to discuss and report any hazards they see Tell them it is OK to say 'no' if they are unsure of what to do. Reinforce the need to wear the correct equipment and to use the correct precautions. After the training, Observe worker performing job at normal speed, Correct improper behaviour, and positively reinforce success. Maintain records of training Supervision at all times Supervisors should ensure that young workers are closely and competently supervised. Responsible and mature supervision needs to be provided on an ongoing basis by being aware of work requirements, including health and safety requirements, and appreciating the risks involved in the tasks young workers are doing. It is important for supervisors to: Understand the risks and control measures connected with the tasks young workers are doing Ensure that young workers are closely and competently supervised until they can demonstrate that they can work safely Establish and maintain open lines of communication Emphasize the importance of prompt reporting of unsafe conditions and health and safety concerns so that immediate action can be taken to resolve the issue Explain health and safety policies and procedures and ensure that all employees, including young workers, follow them. If they are not followed, find out why and take swift action to correct this Lead by example always reinforce health and safety on the job and wear/use required personal protective equipment

9 Restrictions on the work of young people The extent of the risks you identify in the risk assessment will determine whether you should restrict the work of the young people you employ. Except in special circumstances, you should not employ young people to do work which: Is beyond their physical or psychological capacity; Exposes them to substances chronically harmful to human health, e.g. toxic or carcinogenic substances, or effects likely to be passed on genetically or likely to harm the unborn child; Exposes them to radiation; Involves a risk of accidents which they are unlikely to recognise because of e.g. their lack of experience, training or attention to safety; Involves a risk to their health from extreme heat, noise or vibration. RESPONSIBILITIES as a young worker You should know and follow your workplace's health and safety requirements, and encourage co-workers to do the same. If you don't know how to do something safely, ask for training before you begin work. Be alert to hazards, and immediately report hazards or problems to the supervisor. Immediately report an unsafe situation to your supervisor or employer. Use the protective clothing, devices, and equipment provided and find out what protective clothing you need to get for yourself. The key to ensuring the safety and health of young people in the workplace is having a good health and safety management system which protects everyone. Adequate induction, training and supervision are essential to minimizing the risks to young workers. 3. Rules and procedures progress report

10 4. Managing Safety Violations by Rajesh Sharma, Jojobera Violations are any unintentional (human error) or deliberate deviations from the rules, procedures, instructions and regulations. Safety Violations are the most significant cause of many industrial accidents. Furthermore, violations are a frequent cause of production losses, poor quality and unreliable maintenance - with subsequent costs from poor reliability. We have gained a good control over the physical risks, but attention to control the risks associated with human errors is still a challenge. Now the objective of our safety program must be focused achieve the same success in controlling the human error or violation to improve the overall safety. Classification of Violations: Violations can be classified as 1. Routine violations, 2. Situational violations, 3. Exceptional violations and 4. Optimizing violations Routine Violations and ways to control A routine violation is a behavior in opposition to the rule, procedure or instruction that has become the normal way of behaving within the person's peer/work group. The violating behavior is normally automatic and unconscious. The violation is recognized as such by the individual, if questioned These types of violations are commonly associated with a lack of enforcement of the rule and can be reduced by Assessing the risk and reducing it by elimination, substitution or engineering control Discouraging the risk taking behavior. Increasing the frequency of inspection / detection Rationalizing the work systems by reducing unnecessary rules. Situational violations and ways to control Situational violations occur because of factors dictated by the employees' immediate work space or environment. These include the design and condition of the work area, time pressure, number of staff, supervision, equipment availability and design, and factors outside the organization s control, such as weather and time of day. Exceptional violations and ways to control

11 These violations are rare and happen only in particular circumstances, often when something goes wrong. They occur to a large extent when an individual is attempting to solve problems in unusual situations. The individual, in attempting to solve new problems, violates a rule to achieve the desired goal. These violations are commonly associated with high risk, often because the consequences of the action are not fully understood or because the violation is known to be dangerous but seem inescapable. Typical solutions for addressing exceptional violations would be to Increase training for unusual situations; Reduce pressure on individuals to react quickly and Provide support so they employees can cope with such situations; Ensure 'defaces' are in place to prevent such violations resulting in accidents. Optimizing violations and ways to control A final class of violations is created by a motive to optimize a work situation. These violations are usually caused for excitement in jobs which are considered repetitive, unchallenging or boring; or to explore the boundaries of a system which are thought to be too restrictive; or due to purely inquisitiveness. Optimizing violations can be reduced through a process of job redesign and an examination of rules which are considered restrictive. Conclusion There is a general tendency for violations to become routine because most violations involve less time and effort. Research has indicated that time pressure, high work load and the need to do the job more quickly increase the likelihood of all types of violation occurring. These factors are also particularly significant in producing other forms of error. Another type of risk-taking is where individuals become complacent or over-familiar with the process or operations they are performing and take short cuts to either create additional interest or excitement in their work, or to gain some level of perceived kudos from their peers. This type of violation is probably rare. Culture is an important factor, although difficult to research objectively and for which the introduction of changes is a lengthy process. In our organizations safety is treated as first goal, even though sometimes employees get confused and take shortcuts. The work to rule, which is used as a form of industrial action, demonstrates that the colloquial 'rules are there to be broken' is not a myth formulated by lazy employees. Enforcement is most important factor in our scenario. When seniors ignore some violations, the employees may feel their actions are condoned. 5. Introduction to new joinee in corporate safety

12 Hearty Welcome to TATA POWER!!! Onkar Kawatkar has joined TATA POWER safety team on 20 th September Prior to joining us Onkar was working for Kalpataru Power as a Sr. Health Safety Environment (HSE) officer in South Africa for a period of two years. Onkar holds Diploma in Fire Engineering from National Institute of Fire, Disaster and Environment management and Advanced Diploma in Industrial Safety (Mumbai) from Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (M.S.B.T.E). Onkar is attached to Corporate Safety, and is entrusted with Contract Safety Management (CSM) and Facilities Safety Management portfolio. We invite your feedback on this newsletter. Write to us at safety@tatapower.com