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Understanding Hazards: Fire, Flammability, Explosives, and Welding Introduction Understanding occupational hazards is the issue of primary importance. Both employees and employers acknowledge the responsibility to work safely with no endangering themselves at work. Welding, cutting, brazing, and working in electrical, technical and special industries expose the workers to various occupational hazards. The paper identifies the severity of problems dealing with fire, flammability, explosives, and welding through available statistical data, dwelling on apparent trends, differences by industry groups, and geographical differences.
The effect of the OSHA targeted enforcement approach on the reduction of these specific hazards is discussed. The history of penalties in these specific hazards is mentioned. Specific protective devices, which have had the most effect in reducing hazards in fire, flammability, explosives, and welding, are discussed along with the new devices which have become available in the last year or two, which offer new approaches to protection. High-Risk Occupations and Industries According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), high-risk industrial sectors include mining, agriculture, and construction, as historically, the workers employed in the indicated industries have suffered the highest fatal injury risks. As provided by Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and by the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), these industries report fatal injury rates ranging from 3. 0 to 5. 6 times, compared to the private industry rate of 4. 2 per 100, 000 workers. The rate from a total 4. 2 million nonfatal injuries remained relatively unchanged compared to 2004.
The rates among service-providing industry sectors made up 7. 0 cases per 100 workers in warehousing and transportation. The finance and insurance sectors reported the lowest rate at 1. 0 case. The companies employing 1 to 10 workers had the lowest rate for injuries (2. 0 cases per 100 workers), while the mid-size establishments had the highest rate of 5. 8 cases correspondingly. The rate for large establishments declined to 5. 2 cases from 5. 4 in 2004 (Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2005, 2006). 94. 2 percent of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses account for injuries (about 4. 0 million cases). Of these 4. 0 million injuries, 68 percent (2. 7 million) occurred in service-providing industries, employing about 79 percent of the private sector workforce. 32 percent injuries (1. 3 million) occurred in goods-producing industries.
The industries with the largest shares of injuries include manufacturing sector (20 percent), health care and social assistance sector (16 percent), and the retail trade sector (15 percent correspondingly) (Workplace Injuries and Illnesses in 2005, 2006). Fourteen industries made up about 46 percent of injuries (1. 9 million cases) and illnesses associated with occupational hazards. Each of these industries reported at least 100, 000 injuries and illnesses each. Understanding Hazards Hazard is generally defined as some substance or event that has the potential to cause injury or damage to health (Safety Hazards 2007). As far as hazards are closely associated with the occupational injuries and fatal occupational injuries, the importance of occupational hazards cannot be underestimated.
The effects that hazards have on the human body can be described as acute (the effect that occurs quickly (i. e. burn) ), and chronic (the effect that requires time to develop (i. e. loss of hearing, impairment, etc). The most important potential occupational hazards include flammable hazards (chemicals that have an extremely low boiling point and flash point, and gases or chemicals that may catch fire when subjected to the air, etc), explosives (according to OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR), explosive is any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion (1910. 109 (a) (3) ) (i.
e. with substantially instantaneous release of gas and heat). It is classified as Class A, B, or C explosives by the U. S. Department of Transportation. Explosives may cause sudden release of gas, pressure, and heat under sudden adverse conditions.
The explosive reaction can be initiated by light, heat, mechanical shock, certain catalysts, or detonation. The compounds that may cause explosion contain the functional groups acetylide, azide, nitroso, diazo, peroxide, halo amine, and ozone), fire, electricity, radiation, welding fumes, inert gases, fuel gases, gas mixtures, and solvents, to mention a few. The hazards indirectly related to welding and other professions, to which the workers may be exposed, involve working in confined space, working at height, in humid, hot, or wet situations, working with moving machinery, equipment, vehicles, etc. It is very important to assess and identify risks in order to work safely. Fire Hazards There are specific regulations aimed to protect the workers from fire hazards. As it is provided by OSHA, employers should provide the workers with information about fire hazards in their workplaces, and the consequences of actions the employees should do in a fire emergency (i.
e. evacuation, using appropriate equipment). All these recommendations and regulations are provided in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 1910 Subparts E and L; and Part 1926 Subparts C and F). Osha's requirements for emergency fire exits includes enough exist suitably located, taking into consideration the number of persons exposed to potential fire hazard, the type of structure, the type of industry, fire protection in use, etc (29 CFR Part 1910. 36). The employers could be required to have an emergency action plan, if it is stipulated under the Osha's standards, such as Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, 1910. 119, Fixed Extinguishing Systems, General, 1910. 160, Fire Detection Systems, 1910. 164, Grain Handling, 1910. 272, Ethylene Oxide, 1910. 1047, Methylenedianiline, 1910. 1050, or 1, 3 Butadiene, 1910. 1051 (Fire Safety Factsheet 2007).
The employees covered by the following OSHA standards (Ethylene Oxide, 1910. 1047, Methylenedianiline, 1910. 1050, and 1, 3 Butadiene, 1910. 1051) should also have a fire prevention plan to provide the employees with maximum safety in their workplaces (Fire Safety Factsheet 2007). Welding: Potential Hazards Welders may be exposed to various hazards related to welding and cutting processes, such as physical hazards (radiation, electricity, flames, explosion, noise, fire, etc), chemical hazards (fuel gases, gas mixtures and solvents, welding fuels, inert gases, etc), and general safety hazards (hazards, which cannot be directly associated with cutting or welding), such as falling objects, moving machinery, mobile cranes, potential hazards that may occur during manual handling of equipment, gas cylinders, materials, tools, etc. The Approaches to Reduction of Occupational Hazards There are various approaches aimed to reduce occupational hazards. Government legislation provides employees with the minimum standards of safety and health in the workplace. Trade unions develop safety policies and pressure governments to enact safety legislation providing the legal backbone to protect the employees in their workplaces. OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is one of the most authoritative institutions aimed to ensure workers health and safety in the United States.
Since 1971, OSHA has assisted to reduce workplace fatalities by more than 60 %, and occupational illness and injury rates by about 40 percent (OSHA Facts -- August 2007). Osha's activity includes a web site at web that offers sections devoted to employees and employers, and various interactive e Tools to assist in addressing specific hazards. OSHA offers a wide range of publications both in print and online. OSHA also offers workplace health and safety information and assistance for workers through its 24 / 7 call center. In addition, OSHA offers cooperative programs. Alliance Program offers labor unions, employees, government agencies, professional groups, and educational institutions to work in alliance with OSHA and promote the dialogue on workplace health and safety practices.
Osha's Strategic Partnership Program offers long-term strategic partnership with various groups of employees and employers, focusing on health and safety programs. The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program provides support and incentives to the employees to improve effective safety and health programs. Finally, its Voluntary Protection Programs continues to pay big dividends by recognizing safety and health excellence (OSHA Facts -- August 2007). Osha's practice on protecting employees rights and promoting health and safety practices in the workplaces is positive. For example, due to Osha's inspection, exposing the workers to fire hazards related to leaving machines unguarded, improper electrical wiring have resulted in $ 313, 500 in proposed fines against Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America.
in Bachelor, La (2002 - 09 / 17 / 2002 - Exposing Employees). In August, 2007, OSHA has proposed $ 253, 500 in penalties against Koch Foods of Cumming, Ga. due to 34 safety and health violations (OSHA News Release 2007. The organization also fined San Antonio Lath & Plaster $ 141, 600 for violations found at Sugar Land, Texas, construction site, Gulf Breeze, Fla. -based general contractor with $ 146, 000 for nine fire hazards; about 16 companies working at Sever Corr construction site were fined with $ 73, 000 for occupational hazards, to mention a few (OSHA News Release 2007). Reducing hazards in fire, flammability, explosives, and welding: protecting devices According to the COMM/OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Standard, the employer should perform a hazard assessment of the workplace. In order to reduce hazards in fire, flammability, explosives, and welding, the employers may use various protective devices, such as welding or wire mesh gloves, respirators, specialty glasses and goggles (i.
e. for ultraviolet radiation protection), hard hats, specialty foot protection (i. e. lineman's shoes with built-in gaffs, metatarsal shoes, etc), rubber gloves, cover-ups and blankets, face shields, live-line tools and hot sticks, etc. The eye and face personal protection equipment must comply with ANSI Z 87. 1 - 1989 or be equally effective. Protective helmets must comply with ANSI Z 89. 1 - 1986, or be equally effective; and protective footwear must comply with ANSI Z 41 - 1991 or be equally effective (OSHA 2007).
As acetylene and electric art welding involves potential eye / face hazards such as optical radiation, sparks, and flying particles, the worker requires welding helmet worn over safety glasses with side shields, or wedding goggles. In addition, there are new protective devices which have become available in the last year or two, which offer new approaches to protection, such as disposable FR (flame resistant) garments. As it is claimed by OSHA (2007), they make many low-level chemical exposures less hazardous for workers at a very reasonable cost (OSHA 2007). These new garments are made of Pyrolon CRFR, coated cellulosic FR material that reduces hazards to minimum, as it passes heat resistance, vertical flammability, and has some protective value from a full-scale test (ASTM F 1930 or ASTM F 1959) (OSHA 2007). Bibliography 2002 - 09 / 17 / 2002 - Exposing Employees to Safety Hazards Brings Penalties of $ 313, 500 in Fines to Plastics Firm. (n. d. ).
Retrieved August 31, 2007, from web According to OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR), . (n. d. ). Retrieved August 31, 2007, from web Fire Safety Factsheet. (n. d. ). Retrieved August 31, 2007, from web OSHA Facts -- August 2007. (n.
d. ). Retrieved August 31, 2007, from web Worker Health Chart book 2004. (2004). NIOSH Publication No. 2004 - 146. Workplace Injuries and Il nesses in 2005. (2006). Washington, D. C. 20212: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Research essay sample on Understanding Hazards Fire Flammability Explosives And Welding
