Refinery explosion - sound heard 25 miles away

In an explosion in a gas refinery at Texas, the sound was heard 25 miles away. Residents within 10 miles were evacuated. Two persons were injured in the incident. A person near the explosion says that his vehicle got shaken after the explosion.

Watch the report and the video.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3348269/Hundreds-oil-workers-run-lives-massive-explosion-rocks-gas-refinery-Texas.html


As per another report, there were already two small fires with intermittent sirens causing locals to evacuate. Soon after followed an explosion with a big fireball.

http://www.firehouse.com/news/12145837/early-warning-spared-injuries-in-massive-orla-texas-gas-plant-fire

Bhopal accident gas leak - still persons suffer

http://thewire.in/2015/12/08/proof-that-bhopal-gas-is-now-claiming-its-third-generation-of-victims-16934/

Nitrogen gas leak - 3 persons die at a Korean nuclear reactor construction site

At South Korea's nuclear reactor construction site, three persons die on possible exposure to nitrogen gas leak underground cables.

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/south-korea-nuclear-plant-3-die-after-toxic-gas-leak-two-under-construction-reactors-shut-618418

3 persons got affected on exposure to chlorine at a water project

Three persons got affected on exposure to chlorine gas (leak).

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/bhopal-chlorine-gas-leak-narmada-jal-project-644695

3 persons die on exposure to toxic gas from sewer of leather factory

Three persons die and others got affected due to exposure to toxic gases from a sewer of a leather factory complex, as per reports. The leather disposed in drains got decomposed leading to emanating toxic gas.

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/kolkata-gas-leak-factory-kills-3-658321

Tank repair - toxic gas leak/exposure - 3 persons die

In an incident reported, while replacing pipes under a scrubber tank in a pharma company, five persons became unconscious due to possible exposure to sodium bromide and hydrogen chloride gas from the tank. Person on rounds found the persons on the ground. Three were dead and two others are in serious condition.

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-gas-leak-kills-3-workers-at-ankleshwar-pharmaceutical-factory-two-critical/

Queensland worker trapped in conveyor belt

While working on a machinery, person's arm got trapped in conveyor belt.



Queensland worker trapped in conveyor belt

LINK

Workplace incident causes serious injuries to woman

A woman while cleaning a machinery, got trapped in conveyor belt and received serious head injuries.

Workplace incident causes serious injuries to woman

Fire in an eatery kills 8 - Times of India's report

As per the reports in Times of India, 8 persons died due to fire from possible short circuit and subsequent fireball from leaking gas in an eatery.

During fire, the stairs leading to eatery in upper floor gave way, trapping the persons in it.

It is found that this eatery does not have any permission for that floor from municipal and also NOC is not obtained from fire authorities.

The manager is charged with culpable homicide not amounting murder. If proven, maximum punishment of life term is possible.

http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/fire-in-restraurant-7-from-kurla-college-among-8-dead/

NYDAILYNEWS.COM - Watch video - spider killing with lighter initiates fire at gas station

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/kill-spider-man-sets-fire-car-mich-gas-station-article-1.2376062

Reduced working hours in Sweden

In a news paper report, I read that in Sweden, number of working hours have been brought down to 6 hours per day, 30 hour week in many firms. The reasons quoted were expectations of higher productivity, more happiness of employees, more time availability to pursue their personal lives, etc.
It is said that, present working hours of eight per day extends to 9-10 hr per day and if you add transportation time to and from workplace adds to 10-12 hr per day away from home. This leaves little time for attending family duties and sleep. Higher work hours also lead to increase in risk to health, as per the studies.

But by reducing working hours, I could not make out, whether number of work shifts will increase where round-the-clock operations are to be carried out, i.e some more persons will be recruited to run the fourth shift (4 x 6 = 24 hr a day).


But, it appears that 6 hr a day is a good idea for all. Youngsters can spend some extra hours for higher studies or pursue their hobbies. Elders can have more relaxation time.


http://www.sciencealert.com/sweden-is-shifting-to-a-6-hour-workday
http://www.sciencealert.com/working-long-hours-is-linked-to-a-significantly-higher-risk-of-stroke?utm_source=Article&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=InArticleReadMore
http://money.cnn.com/2015/10/02/news/economy/sweden-6-hour-work-day/
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sweden-introduces-six-hour-work-day-a6674646.html

Idi Sangathi - 19th September 2015 - ఇదీ సంగతి – Full Episode

LINK

Industrial safety in Pakistan - an article from The Express Tribune

In a discussion meeting, speakers stressed the need for revision of obsolete regulations to ensure safety for workmen. It is stated that only 560 labor inspectors are available for an estimated work force of 60 million in industrial, commercial and agriculture sectors.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/949724/outdated-regulations-responsible-for-accidents/

Serving Up Safety in the Kitchen - SafetySmart Xchange

Serving Up Safety in the Kitchen - SafetySmart Xchange

LINK

Air pollution worsens heart diseases - Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/Air-pollution-worsens-heart-disease-Studies/articleshow/47547545.cms

A reason to restrict 8 hours a day of work

As per a study report, working for 55 hours a week causes the risk of stroke by 33% compared to working hours of 35-40 hours a week.

May be studies are also required patterns for continuous hours of work, number of hours of work a day, etc to have more reliable data. 

As per Factories Act and Rules, 125 hours of overtime in a quarter is permitted. But, it is quite common for many persons  to put more hours at work, particularly in unorganized sector like in construction industry. For earning more also, it is quite natural for persons to work for more hours though it leads to strain. 

It will be difficult for anybody to control working hours unless it is practiced by the individual himself. In case of forceful work, then unions have to take the responsibility to protect the persons from the risks.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Working-over-8-hrs-a-day-raises-stroke-risk-by-33/articleshow/48550484.cms

Health hazards of six pack body

As per the newspaper report, it is not good to have six pack for longer time. Lot of care is required to be out of the hazards from six pack fat.

The article can be read here.

Tianjin blasts

An article on chemical industry expansion in China in the last 15 years and safety issues.

Person close to the robot, dies from robot arm

As per the newspaper report, a person died after he went close to the robot arm of a machine. He went close to adjust a sheet that got dislodged when lifted by the robot arm.

It is normal practice to prohibit entry of personnel in robot working areas, as they do the work as per program.
It may not be practical to put proximity sensors on robot arms to stop robot movement as in that case their work output can be severely limited.
Instead, the entry to work area / reach of robots can be fenced and its entry door opening can be interlocked to stop operation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/Robot-kills-man-at-Volkswagen-plant-in-Germany/articleshow/47904748.cms

Accidents, injuries, loss of property, some causes

As per a report, many accidents are happening in China due to poor safety conditions, lack of implementation of regulations and inspections, lack of training, etc.

If enforcement is not strengthened as per the needs of growing economy, it becomes very difficult for regulators to monitor the activities of lakhs of industrial units. The situation may be such that it becomes difficult even to inspect atleast once in lifetime because of huge number of factories, and dismal number of inspectors.

http://www.scmp.com/video/asia/1849125/huge-explosions-rock-tianjin-northeast-china

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/13/tianjin-explosions-china-sends-troops-cleanup

Leader's behavior drives safety culture

At a Fleet Safety Conference, Shell Global Road Safety Manager stated in an address that leader's behavior drives safety culture in the organization. He repeated a quote from former CEO of Royal Dutch Shell that poor safety reflects lack of leadership.

It is of no use if one has a policy which is not followed. Display of policy may create good impression to visitors. But, not following it will lead to poor culture leading to unsafe behaviors, accidents and will eventually pull down the organization's image.

It is said that a good safety culture means the way we work safely even when nobody else is watching. Our conscience is our witness. If we try fool others when we behave one way in front of others and the other way in the absence of others, finally we only get into accidents. It is our life that is at risk.  One may get good pat on the back but we should pat ourselves that we are doing a good job.

Shell's 12 life saving rules can be found here. Though these are not exhaustive, but still these can save lives of workers. 

Lightning strike on beach - dissipation of electric charge through water - three injuries

This too can happen.

https://in.news.yahoo.com/three-injured-by-lightning-strike-on-americas-145112440.html

Building collapse in Delhi - narrow passage hinders rescue operations

As per Times of India report, a building collapsed in Delhi, where three women died and 10 were injured.

Fire department found it difficult to approach the area due to narrow passage.

National building code and local municipal authorities specify to provide offsets on either side of the road and also in front of the buildings. But, very few comply with the requirements. People question the authorities for such requirements. Further, encroachments, unauthorised activities in the name of temporary works, parking of vehicles on road sides instead of parking inside the buildings compound the issue making it difficult for rescue teams.

Collapse of buildings also lead to fall of walls/debris on road side and for this reason, if the offsets are adhered, atleast roads will be still available. But, many buildings are constructed upto the road particularly in inner lanes and the ramp of the house generally extends on to the road. Then, vehicles parked in front of their houses as above is another issue. 

I strongly feel that the authorities should confiscate such properties and government/courts should not entertain any appeal unless requirements for space are met.

Paramilitary troops die more in road accidents than in terrorist operations

As per Times of India report, more number of paramilitary troops died in road accidents than in terrorist operations.  They will be under more stress due to long hours of working, away from family for days and weeks, poor facilities at the place of stay, etc. They will be residing in harsh conditions during their work and are prone to attack from mosquitoes, insects, reptiles, etc. They live in such pathetic conditions and it is appropriate atleast to double their salaries like those of engineers, though money is not a true compensation.

Road accidents statistics - Times of India

As per report in Times of India, in 2014, 16 persons are dying in road accidents every year. 1,41,000 died in 2013. Over speeding is the main reason as per the data presented.

It appears more are dying from road accidents than any other factor and we worry more about dangers of setting up of industries.

More layers of dress leads to exhaustion in the mid air

In a report, a passenger collapsed of heat exhaustion in the mid air, after tried to avoid excess luggage fee to the airlines by wearing 12 layers of dress. With assistance, he recovered.

This is a lesson for us. I do not know that such a thing can happen.May be safety caution should be printed in this regard also on the ticket about not to wear more than one pair dress.

Read the report HERE.

Fall of bus silencer causes fatality

A person going on a bike comes under the bus tyre, after the silencer of the bus falls off on the bike rider. 

Difficult to predict such type of hazards.