Incident Action Plan - Research Paper Example

? Incident Action Plan Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflictof interest and how to contact                       Research Paper, Environmental studies                                                      Incident Action Plan Introduction Hazard is an inherent characteristic of a chemical, a physical condition, or an activity that has the potential for causing harm to people, property, or the environment (Center for Chemical Process Safety of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers 2012, p.118). The hazard or risk may be generated by using a particular type of product containing toxic chemicals or other ingredients such as spray applied bubbles sealants, coatings and adhesive or incidental exposure to any equipment or machinery in factories, schools as well as at home. A job hazard analysis is a process that involves identifying and recognizing hazards before they happen. It focuses on the relations among the task, the worker, the tools and the environment of the work. Job hazard analysis (JHA) is considered to be an “essential safety management tool that if used correctly and consistently will increase organization’s ability to build an inventory or portfolio of hazards and risks associated with various jobs, job steps and the detailed tasks performed by its employees (Roughton & Crutchfield 2008). Evidence also suggests that conducting a job hazard analysis is “one of the best ways to determine and establish proper work procedures” (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2002, p.2). According to Roughton & Crutchfield (2008, p. 283), the main objective of the JAH process is to ensure that a self-sustaining process is implemented and remains effective. Swartz (2002, p. 27) explains in more details that JHA can serve many objectives – from the need to develop safe working procedures or create uniform safety standards, to a desire to participate in OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs or the need to reduce costs associated with product and property damage”. Whatever the objective is pursued by an organization, JHA can be used to develop detailed written procedure for Job Incident Analysis. Job Incident Analysis mainly is comprised of jobs that involve new machines, processes or are new to the facility, jobs that have the potential to cause a high number of injuries or illnesses as well as ergonomic claims, and jobs that have produced incidents of property and product damage as well as near-hits among workers (Swartz 2002, p.28). Ideally, after identifying hazards, one has to initiate steps to eradicate or minimize them to a lesser risk level. There are a lot of injuries that can happen to people if they do not take appropriate care during a job or while performing any chore at home. However, one can reduce or prevent these injuries if he or she takes proper care and acts according to definite plans. In order to identify the potential risk present in a job, it is necessary to carry out relevant steps to eradicate the hazards. The methods safety analyst examines each step of the job or process from its very beginning with respect to the method, machine or material involved to see if any or all of these three can be responsible for the occurrence of accidents. If he finds a step that is potentially hazardous he notates the type of accident apt to be caused. He has a record, therefore, of 1) the steps of the job, 2) those steps which might be hazardous and 3) a means of reference for additional study of these steps, if necessary (Glenn 2011). Afterwards, for a job hazard analysis to be useful, the management must show its commitment to health and safety by prescribing and communicating necessary precautions. An Incident Action Plan (IAP) is fundamentally an overall incident strategy plan with particular tactical actions that must be accomplished with the aim of meeting the goal of the emergency response. “The IAP is a directive, “downward-looking” tool that is operational at its core; it is not primarily an assessment tool, feedback mechanism, or report” (US Department of Homeland Security, 2012, p.7). A well prepared Incident Action Plan provides the incident or site commander with an important tool that can be used to harmonize operations as well as ensure that incident objectives are met. The three methods used to respond to the particular incidents are: task description of the incident, types of hazards in the situation, causes and prevention method of incident. For better understanding of the significance of the JHA process three job hazards were thoroughly selected and illustrated below followed by an incident action plan for each hazard discussed respectively. High Pressure Sprayer High pressure sprayer is intended and designed for use by correctly trained and practiced operators. If an individual is not familiar with the correct operation of a pressure cleaner or sprayer, he or she should not use it until appropriate training and knowledge have been acquired. With the use of high pressure sprayer, washing processes involve the risk of exposing people to various hazards that could sometimes even result in death. High pressure sprayer washing apparatus and processes present various risks to employees. Understanding the hazards is the first way in reducing or eliminating workers’ exposure to them. The Necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for using this equipment includes: full length trousers, safety glasses, safety gloves (when necessary), hearing protection (suggested), and safety shoes. Various hazards caused by high pressure sprayer are musculoskeletal injury, chemical exposure, hazards associated with equipment and machinery etc. (1) Task description of the Incident: High pressure sprayer or washing processes and equipment can cause several risks to employees. Identifying the hazards or injury due to high pressure sprayer is the one of the first ways to eliminate them. “Exposure to the high pressure water- jet has the greatest potential for causing serious injury or death. The high pressure water-jet can travel at speeds exceeding 3,300 kilometers per hour. Water jets like this have the potential to “slice through solid materials or to damage any part of the human body” (High Pressure washing Safe work Practices, 2008, p. 3). The use of this equipment by people who are not sufficiently trained, or people who are not provided with the appropriate tools, equipment, and protected work procedures, considerably increases the risk of injury to them. (2) Types of hazards and size up situations: The following must be checked: The information about how the injury happened? The water hose check connection in the sprayer and identify it is tight and no leakage? The amount of water and safety measures of the sprayer? Is there a risk of a High pressure sprayer? Is there anybody injured due to the High pressure sprayer? Where is the nearest fire extinguisher? Hazards: Grave physical injury Particles in eye Struck by debris Inhaling fumes, burns, electrocution, wound Grievance to bystanders, damage to vehicles Burns, eye/face wound, physical injury, slips & trips Asphyxiation Slips, trips and falls Causes and prevention method of incident: One of the main reasons behind the consequences of High Pressure sprayer is the lack of training at the time of using equipment. For this reason High Pressure Washing Safe Work Practices (2008, p.6) highly recommends to “maintain the land and premises used as a workplace in a manner that ensures the health and safety of persons at or near the workplace, to make sure that proper skilled persons have been allowed to use a high pressure cleaner, and to guarantee that everybody is wearing safety glasses while using this equipment. It is also important to check every connection on hosepipes and machine for cracks, etc., to connect water hosepipe to high pressure sprayer with care, and be careful not to over tauten that connection for pressure hose pipe. While doing this, use of spanners is not allowed, only by hands (High Pressure Washing Safe Work Practices (2008, p.6) Gas and Electric Chain Saw JHA A chain saw is a helpful, powerful tool (Job Safety Analysis, 2010, p.1). Understanding of the correct process for operating a chain saw doesn't just assist work more efficiently, it assists work more securely. The operator requires being concerned with wood chips and splinters blowing up in the air along with dust particulates in the air, and there are which noise of the high pitched and motor running noise is another issue. “Consumer chainsaws are designed for folks who use their saws intermittently, to clean up after storms or to remove lone trees” (Flanc, 2013, p.1). The following steps in this process were identified. (1) Task description of the Incident: Task description of this incident is cutting into logs. The steps in this procedure have been recognized as pull card to create the saw and create sawing into a log. (2) Types of hazards and size up situations: The information about how the hazard was overcome? What cleaning agents, chemicals were used chainsaws? Is there a risk of a Gas and Electric Chain Saw JHA? Hazards: Eye damage Fire damage Body damage (3) Causes and prevention method of incident The main consequences of this hazard include Eye damage, Fire and Body damage. Every hazard consequence creates utilities more flexible for the reason that it assists to recognize specific actions that will mitigate or eliminate the consequences connected with particular problems, regardless of the cause. Following the prevention of Gas and Electric Chain Saw JHA: To keep eyes and body from dust or wood wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as: safety glasses, and gloves. Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is designed to protect workers from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2006, p.1). Permit cools before refueling if probable and be filled in an airy area. Pull cord away from body as starting does not put fit our hands near the chain. Bob Cat Job Hazard A machine like a small bulldozer, Bob Cat is often used to load debris. It gives an extremely effective method to quickly clean the area. Following the steps in this process has been known; Step 1 Task description of the Incident Task description of this incident is Remove and clean debris with Bob Cat. The steps in this procedure have been recognized as Check engine for fuel, Evaluate Materiel Safety Data Sheet of Bob cat and Start machine and start scraping the ground. Step 2: Types of hazards and size up situations The main types of hazards are Face or eye damage, Flammable or combustion and skin contact and eye contact. How can encounter limbs from trees and debris from dust using the bobcat? The amount of safety measures of the bobcat? Is there a risk of a Bob Cat Job Hazard? Is there anyone injured due to Bob Cat Job Hazard? Step 3: Causes and prevention method of incident. Following the prevention of Bob Cat Job Hazard is; Operators must wear properly fitting safety glasses. It keeps the eyes from dust, impacts and splashes. Ensure the safety glasses fit correctly. Safety glasses must be individually fitted. Wear safety glasses with the intention that the temples fit contentedly over the ears. The frame must be as close to the face as probable and sufficiently supported by the nose. Safety glasses must not be worn where chemical splashes are a hazard. Try to contain big spills and remove any clothing with gas or fluids on creating. Make sure the machine is totally cooled before refueling with any fluids. The safe cleaning of a chemical spill needs some knowledge of the hazards posed by the chemical, and any additional hazards posed by the place of the spill. Prevent the spread of contagion by covering the spill with absorbent paper, other than do not effort to clean it up. Always wear safety glasses, gloves and hearing protectors. Every circumstance needs safety gear for example reflective clothing or hard hats. Wear correct safety glasses as refueling protective sleeves while filling engine remove every clothes with liquid spilled on them if fluid enters the eye flush and contact medical help. All of the above mention job and house incident have demonstrated the significance of both Job Hazard Analysis and the Incident Action Plan as it has been stated in the introduction section. These are important safety tools and should not be neglected either by organizations or individuals. References Flanc, N. 2013. Gas Chainsaw Buyer's Guide, Power Equipment Direct, Inc. Retrieved September 25, 2013, from < HYPERLINK "http://www.chainsawsdirect.com/stories/312-How-to-Pick-the-Perfect-Gas-Powered-Chainsaw.html" http://www.chainsawsdirect.com/stories/312-How-to-Pick-the-Perfect-Gas-Powered-Chainsaw.html> Glenn, D. D. (2011). Job Safety Analysis Its Role Today. Professional Safety, 56(3), 48-57. High Pressure washing Safe work Practices, 2008. Canada: Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia, pp-3-6. Retrieved September 25, 2013, from Job Safety Analysis, 2010. High Pressure Cleaner. Environmental Health & Safety Office at UNC Charlotte, p.1. Retrieved September 25, 2013, from Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2006, U S Department of Labor. Retrieved September 25, 2013, from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2002). Job Hazard Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3071.pdf Recognizing catastrophic incident warning signs in the process industries [electronic resource] / Center for Chemical Process Safety of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. (2012). Hoboken, N.J.: John Wiley & Sons, c2012. Roughton, J. E., & Crutchfield, N. (2008). Job hazard analysis [electronic resource] : a guide for voluntary compliance and beyond : from hazard to risk : transforming the JHA from a tool to a process / James E. Roughton, Nathan Crutchfield. Amsterdam ; Boston : Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann, c2008 Swartz, G. (2002). Job Hazard Analysis. Professional Safety, 47(11), 27-28. US Department of Homeland Security (2012). FEMA Incident Action Planning Guide. Retrieved from http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg534/nsarc/FEMA%20Incident%20Action%20Planning%20Guide%20(IAP).pdf . Read More