Welding Safety Measures - Research Paper Example

Health and Safety Name Institution PART 1 Permit to Work Systems Welding process holds the potential of causing marked damages and injuries if not properly regulated and overseen. Therefore, permit to work is instrumental in accomplishing damages prevention and employee protection. This permit is in line with Section 2 of Health and Work Safety Act of 1974 which stipulates the need for firms to guarantee the safety of their employees. This permit to work framework includes safety needs during routine maintenance processes such as cleaning, installation of welding equipment, refurbishment operation and limitation of noise-imposed damages (Murphy & King, 2014). Below are the specific areas in which this permit seeks to establish safety. Possible Hazards a. Suffocation b. Oxygen enrichment c. Combustible gas d. Electrical hazards e. Mechanical hazards f. Extreme temperatures Definitions i. Hot Work Hot work is defined as any operation with the likelihood of causing fire or ignitions thus imposing damages on the equipment or injuries to the employees ii. Machinery Permit This refers to the permit required by employees to access specific parts of the vessel, noting that moving parts of the vessel could easily prove hazardous. iii. Confined spaces permit This specific permit is required to enable employees to access specific confined sections in the vessel. In welding setup, several health hazards can result from confined spaces. Such hazards include; a. Injuries as a result of explosion b. Extreme temperatures leading to loss of employee consciousness c. Gas contamination leading to ignitions upon exposure of the confined segment to flames d. Suffocation as a result of oxygen deficiency in the confined section e. Entrapment of employee within the confined section The confined sections permit is in line with the Confined Spaces Act of 1997 which defined the need to focus on employee safety before disaster strikes. iv. The Evacuation plan This plan defines the strategic measures to be taken in case of hazard to limit the number of casualties and severity of injuries. v. Nature of surfaces This defines the flammability of the materials used to construct vessel surfaces, and the extent of heating that can induce flames in different surfaces within the vessel. vi. Risk of Fall This refers to working sites in which the employees are likely to fall more than 2m hence more likely to suffer injuries or fractures. Such sites include the roof of the vessel among others. vii. Applicability of Permits This refers to instances when the permits are applicable, and the works for which the need for permit to access specific areas in the vessel can be by-passed. The welding and repair process to be carried out on the equipment will involve different teams. Coordination and collaboration between members of the different teams is thus necessary. In this light, the permit defines the need for members of the welding team to collaborate with their peers from other departments as follows; I. Employees must abide by section specific permits defining the nature of operations in the sections where they are accomplishing their refurbishment duties II. Employees must report any observations or concerns to their team leaders or section supervisors before proceeding with their duties III. Employees must display their permits to operate in the specified sections to limit logistical challenges Preliminary Measures a) Communication processes b) Ventilation equipment c) Lighting devices d) Rescue equipment e) Barriers and shields f) Fire Extinguishers Measures to Ensure Health and Safety of Workers The firm shall take the following measures to ensure that the employees are safe during the repair and refurbishment of the equipment: a) Delegate supervisory roles to team members. Such supervisors will be appointed in consultation with the workers. The supervisors must also show competency and focus on results. b) Educate employees on the health and safety requirements to carry out welding and refurbishment operations in different parts of the vessel. c) Conduct risk-assessment on the vessel and point out sections where the employees’ health and safety is more likely to be compromised. d) Determine and avail the tools and equipment required to accomplish work in different sections in proper working conditions. e) Audit and review permit use in different sections of the vessel. f) Modify permits to alleviate failures that have been reported The Confined Spaces Policy Work in the confined sections where there are higher health and safety concerns can only commence following approval of the team leader. The procedure followed by employees in the confined sections is as follows; 1. The employee seeks permission from the team leader to refurbish the confined section 2. The team leader decides whether it is plausible to allow or deny works in the section 3. If the officer deems it fit for the employee to work in the confined section, a permit is given to the welder 4. Safety reviews including determination of gas and contamination levels must be assessed in the confined section before allowing the welders to refurbish the section. 5. Not less than two employees must be present in the confined section at any given time 6. The employees working in confined section must be supplied with means of communication to alert other team members in cases of emergency 7. The employee subsequently completes the task as detailed in the permit to work 8. Upon completion of the assigned task, the employees return the permits to work to the team leader who certifies the receipt of the same. The permit to work is subsequently filed for future reference Specifics of the Permit The person to accomplish the task and the timeline during which the task is to be accomplished No person should accomplish works not covered by the permit If a change in work is necessary, the previous permit must be amended or cancelled by the originator The permit must allow liaison between departments and sections likely to be affected by the permit system The limits of work allowed by the permit must be clearly defined Cancellation of Permit The cancellation is carried out when the work for which the permit was given has been completed satisfactorily Final inspection is conducted by the team leader to ascertain that the details in the permit are followed strictly The permit is deemed cancelled only if it is signed by the originator (team leader) Safety checks are finally carried out to ensure that the vessel is safe and ready for use before its final release PART 2 The impact of noise on humans ranges from mild to serious, with unprecedented developments such as damages to the eardrum likely to result from noise pollution. A critical analysis of the welding environment indicate the employees are subjected to varying levels of noise and fumes. As such, their health is likely to be affected. This creates the need to progressively asses the levels of noise and fumes in the working areas as a strategic measure of limiting the negative health impact on the employees. Further, the noise assessment process is a strategic move aligned to the provisions of the EPA regarding the tolerable levels of outdoor noise limits (Murphy & King, 2014). Indeed, the firm would not appreciate a scenario where its internal operations are deemed unfavorable to operations in the surrounding locality. Therefore, the noise assessment process will be conducted in three phases. Phase 1: Indoor Noise Assessment This phase seeks to establish the prevailing noise levels within the firm. It is a phase that conspires to protect employees and management from noise-related damages that may include hearing impairment. Indoor assessment also seeks to establish a favorable environment where discussions and brainstorming sessions can effectively be carried out within the premises without fear of distraction as a result of excessive noise. Phase 2: Outdoor Noise Assessment This assessment is aligned to the provisions of EPA which defines the maximum permissible noise levels. It is an assessment that is geared towards facilitation of favorable collaborative working environment between the entity and other firms. Phase 3: Derived Point Noise Assessment In some instances, conducting noise assessment in noise-sensitive areas may not be possible. Such scenarios necessitate determination of derived locations where accurate guides to noise levels within the firm may be ascertained. A derived point will be used under the following circumstances a. Simultaneous welding operations in different sections of the vessel In such cases, the complementary noise levels from the different sections may affect the overall perceptions of the noise levels in the work environment. b. Atmospheric conditions In many instances, the weather conditions may extrapolate the levels of noise originating from a working site. Therefore, a derived point where the impact of the weather conditions are limited may be chosen. The Effective Noise Level Measurement Procedure Ascertaining the effective noise levels in the work site will involve the use of the noise meter. The process will involve microphone placements in strategic points as defined in the preceding section. The microphones will subsequently record the original noise which is relayed to the noise meter for assessment (Murphy & King, 2014). Notably, several challenges may be encountered during microphone placement, a prospect that may translate into inaccuracies in the measurement of noise levels. Therefore, the microphones must not be too close to acoustically reflecting surfaces as resultant echoes from such surfaces may extrapolate the noise levels within the worksite. The procedure to be used to obtain accurate noise levels using the microphone-connected noise meters is as follows; i. Microphone placement The microphone is supported on a tripod that is resistant to vibrations. The surface on which the tripod is placed must also be subject to minimal vibrations (Munjal, 2013). The height of the microphone should be approximately 1.5 meters above the ground. This height ensures that the impact of vibratory noise does not affect the measurement of noise levels. ii. Limitation of acoustically reflecting surfaces The microphone should be placed about 3 meters from any acoustically reflecting surface. However, there are exceptional circumstances when the microphone can be placed closer to the surfaces. For instances, measurement of outdoor noise levels may necessitate strategic placement of the microphone closer to the windows or other strategic openings. The placement of the microphone closer to an acoustically reflecting surface creates the need for negative adjustment to factor out the impact of echoes on the noise levels. iii. Reflections from the Welder/ employee The body of the welder or a person taking direct measurements may act as a reflection surface. Therefore, the sound meter should be placed at arm’s length. Alternatively, the meter can be placed on a tripod with the person taking the measurement at a distance. iv. Foam pads Noise measurements in uncarpeted sections of the vessels may incorporate errors resulting from vibrations. To limit the impact of the vibrations, foam pads can be used (Munjal, 2013). Ascertaining the working conditions of the equipment The working condition of the noise meter determines the accuracy of the recorded noise levels. Therefore, the following provisions must be observed to ensure the meter is in proper working condition; a. Warm-up time Some devises may require warm-up time to work optimally. It is thus essential to adhere to manufacturer recommendations on the use of such noise meters. b. Power supply Noise meters are electrical devises that are dependent on current flow. Therefore, regular checks on the batteries of the sound level meters is critical to ensure proper working. Such battery checks should be carried out before and after each field use of the meter. c. Calibration Consistency is vital in ascertaining accurate levels of noise originating from welding operations. Such consistency relies on the proper calibration of the meter. The meter used must be able to accommodate the maximum and minimum noise levels recordable in the worksite. d. Residual equipment noise This refers to internal noise resulting from the equipment. The sound level meter used can generate electrical noise subject to many factors. The error limits resulting from the equipment noise can be determined and subtracted from the overall noise level. LOCT10 Analysis The health of the employees is a priority factor in institutional and industrial setups. Therefore, the measurement of the noise levels must involve accuracies to limit noise-related health implications. The LOCT10 Analysis is one of the measures that is used to give an accurate account of the noise levels during welding operations. In particular, this method is vital when there is doubt as to the levels of noise that can be considered excessive during welding. This measurement involves averaging of the maximal and minimal meter deflections. The obtained measurement through the tape recorder and the noise meter can be adjusted to fall within defined octave bands. Recommended Exposure Limits The following are the recommended noise exposure limits that will be observed during the refurbishment operations on the vessel. Noise Level (dBA) Maximum Exposure Time per 24 Hours 85.0 8.0 hours 88.0 4.0 hours 91.0 2.0 hours 94.0 1.0 hour Fume Contamination Management While noise is considered the most disgruntling effect of welding operations, it is equally evident that fumes and chemical by-products of the operations can be greater challenge. For instance, the welding fumes have been implicated in the deterioration of the health condition of the welder (Nederman, 2016). Further, such deterioration in the welder’s health results in diminished end-product quality and also prolongs the duration required to complete the refurbishment operations on the equipment. According to world health organization, arc welding and thermal cutting produce fumes and smokes that are disastrous to human health (Matsui, Tashiro & Tanaka, 2013). Therefore, the organization recommends adoption of strategic measures to limit exposure of the employees to high doses of the fumes. In the context of the refurbishment operations to be carried out on the cargo vessel, it is indisputable that arc welding and thermal cutting will be used as central procedures. Therefore, the firm must indicate preparedness to tackle ventilation challenges that may result from the fumes produced during the welding process. The firm must equally extract and assess the fumes to estimate the extent of contamination and level of health risks to which the employees will be subjected. This need is driven by the observation that some of the welding operations will be carried out in closed sections with limited access to oxygen, posing the likelihood of suffocation of the employees. Another critical observation is the contamination of the air in enclosed chambers with metal particulates produced during welding processes. The OSHA, PEL and ACGIH TLV frameworks propose measures to curb the exposure of the employees to such particulates that may prompt development of novel conditions (Gruiz, 2009). These policy frameworks propose masks as the preliminary protective gears to ensure that the employees are not exposed to high doses of the harmful chemical constituents. Additionally, constant review of the concentrations of the chemicals to which the employees are exposed is instrumental in efforts to better services to the workforce. The following processes and equipment will be used to assess and maintain air quality to limit susceptibility of the employees to infections. a. Portable Filters These portable devises are used to filter the air in the welding unit thus preventing the likelihood of the welders and other employees working within the enclosed unit suffering suffocation b. Fume Eliminator This is a portable equipment that is used to trap fumes produced from arc welding. The equipment is directly connected to the welding torch. Using the Fumes Hood The gases and fumes drawn during the welding process can be analyzed in the portable fumes hood to determine the constitution of the fumes ("New hoods offer improved dust and fume extraction", 2010). Due to the potential harmful nature of the constituents, the following precautionary measures must be observed during the analysis of the fumes. a. The materials being analyzed must be positioned correctly in the hood to prevent escape of gases and fumes b. The face of the analyst must be 6 or more inches from the hood c. The analyst must put on protective gears including safety coats and splash goggles d. Motion near or inside the hood must be limited to prevent to prevent possible accidents e. All electrical connections should be done outside the hood to reduce chances of explosions or ignition of flames ("New hoods offer improved dust and fume extraction", 2010). f. Adhere to emergency plans in case of accidents during the process. Implications to operators Adherence to the defined safety measures has several protective implications to the employees i. Analysis of noise levels provides an understanding of possible impact of the environment on the hearing ability of the workers. The understanding helps in availing of suitable protective gears to protect the workers from excessive noise ii. Analysis of the chemical constitution of the enclosed environment provides an understanding of the probable intoxication of the employees. This understanding facilitates establishment of the right emergency evacuation plans and first aid procedures. As such, the likelihood of fatalities as a result of chemical intoxication is limited iii. Working in pairs limits probability of fatal injuries by availing primary help from the partner in case of accidents. Conclusion In summary, the health of welders is an instrumental consideration in this task. The firm must direct primary focus on prevention of the excessive noise that is likely to impair hearing ability of the welders. Similarly, the entity must be able to ensure that advanced portable equipment are employed in cleaning the air in the enclosed section. Such cleaning process will prevent suffocation and intoxication that is likely to occur due to inhalation of toxic fumes and gases produced during the welding process. Therefore, continued monitoring of the environment can be achieved through use of portable filters and fume eliminators (Gruiz, 2009). Besides, dust extractors can prove critical in protection of the workforce. Moreover, fuming hoods can be used to assess the chemical constitution of the air in the enclosed environments, thus providing guidelines on the ideal safety measures to be observed by workers in such sections (Nederman, 2016). Further, the noise levels resulting from welding activities should be constantly assessed to ensure that the auditory capacity of the welders are not affected. In this sense, microphones, sound recorders and noise level meters can be used to ascertain the extent of noise and the level of pollution realized. Through such understanding of the environment, it is possible to mobilize resources towards the protection of the workers and other persons accessing the facility. More importantly, workers must wear protective gears at all times. They must be in possession of permits before accessing enclosed sections and should develop a culture of working in pairs. References Gruiz, K. (2009). Early warning and monitoring in efficient environmental management. Land Contamination & Reclamation, 17(3), 385-404. http://dx.doi.org/10.2462/09670513.983 Matsui, S., Tashiro, S., & Tanaka, M. (2013). Investigation of Fume Formation Mechanism in Gas Shield Arc Welding. QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE JAPAN WELDING SOCIETY, 31(4), 35s-39s. http://dx.doi.org/10.2207/qjjws.31.35s Munjal, M. (2013). Noise and Vibration Control. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing Company. Murphy, E., & King, E. (2014). Environmental noise pollution. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Nederman. (2016). Portable welding fume and dust extractors. Nederman.com. Retrieved from: http://www.nederman.com/products/portable-welding-fume-and-dust-collectors New hoods offer improved dust and fume extraction. (2010). Filtration & Separation, 47(1), 10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0015-1882(10)70025-2 Witt, P., Solnordal, C., Mittoni, L., Finn, S., & Pluta, J. (2006). Optimising the design of fume extraction hoods using a combination of engineering and CFD modelling. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 30(11), 1167-1179. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2006.02.003 Yamane, K. (2007). Low fume types of welding materials improve the welding environment. Welding International, 21(5), 337-346. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09507110701467033 Read More

In this light, the permit defines the need for members of the welding team to collaborate with their peers from other departments as follows;

1. Employees must abide by section specific permits defining the nature of operations in the sections where they are accomplishing their refurbishment duties
2. Employees must report any observations or concerns to their team leaders or section supervisors before proceeding with their duties
3. Employees must display their permits to operate in the specified sections to limit logistical challenges

Preliminary Measures

1. Communication processes
2. Ventilation equipment
3. Lighting devices
4. Rescue equipment
5. Barriers and shields
6. Fire Extinguishers

Measures to Ensure Health and Safety of Workers

The firm shall take the following measures to ensure that the employees are safe during the repair and refurbishment of the equipment:

1. Delegate supervisory roles to team members. Such supervisors will be appointed in consultation with the workers. The supervisors must also show competency and focus on results.
2. Educate employees on the health and safety requirements to carry out welding and refurbishment operations in different parts of the vessel.
3. Conduct a risk assessment on the vessel and point out sections where the employees’ health and safety are more likely to be compromised.
4. Determine and avail the tools and equipment required to accomplish work in different sections in proper working conditions.
5. Audit and review permit use in different sections of the vessel.
6. Modify permits to alleviate failures that have been reported

The Confined Spaces Policy

Work in the confined sections where there are higher health and safety concerns can only commence following the approval of the team leader. The procedure followed by employees in the confined sections is as follows;

1. The employee seeks permission from the team leader to refurbish the confined section
2. The team leader decides whether it is plausible to allow or deny works in the section
3. If the officer deems it fit for the employee to work in the confined section, a permit is given to the welder
4. Safety reviews including determination of gas and contamination levels must be assessed in the confined section before allowing the welders to refurbish the section.
5. Not less than two employees must be present in the confined section at any given time
6. The employees working in the confined section must be supplied with means of communication to alert other team members in cases of emergency
7. The employee subsequently completes the task as detailed in the permit to work
8. Upon completion of the assigned task, the employees return the permits to work to the team leader who certifies the receipt of the same. The permit to work is subsequently filed for future reference

Specifics of the Permit

• The person to accomplish the task and the timeline during which the task is to be accomplished
• No person should accomplish works not covered by the permit
• If a change in work is necessary, the previous permit must be amended or cancelled by the originator
• The permit must allow liaison between departments and sections likely to be affected by the permit system
• The limits of work allowed by the permit must be clearly defined

Cancellation of Permit

• The cancellation is carried out when the work for which the permit was given has been completed satisfactorily
• A final inspection is conducted by the team leader to ascertain that the details in the permit are followed strictly
• The permit is deemed cancelled only if it is signed by the originator (team leader)
• Safety checks are finally carried out to ensure that the vessel is safe and ready for use before its final release

The impact of noise on humans ranges from mild to serious, with unprecedented developments such as damages to the eardrum likely to result from noise pollution. A critical analysis of the welding environment indicates the employees are subjected to varying levels of noise and fumes. As such, their health is likely to be affected. 

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