HSE LESSONS FROM DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Kikikikiki the engine is started and adrenaline is high. The sweaty hands had reached out with the dangling keys to start the engines, the hot stuffy air in the car did'nt matter anymore as the glasses were wound down briskly. Its close of work after a stressful day the only thing in view is a quick drive back home to wash up and hangout. In a bid to zoom out quickly the dashboard warning signs were ignored as the lights turned on. It will soon be time for the big game, any routine check will be a waste of time... (Director screams: cut! the movie would continue in your mind) Alright here's a typical work day scenario about playing out but I just want to share a few thoughts compiled from other sources for your reading pleasure on driving safely...)

The most common causes of traffic accidents are driving while distracted, fatigue, and impairment. It’s important to remember that these causes are not just a problem but, they are hazards presented by all the drivers on the road with them.

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), 

“the majority of fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of home and at speeds of less than 40 mph.” 

A frontal collision at 30 mph, where your vehicle hits an object and stops, people and objects inside the vehicle continue to move forward until they hit the windshield, steering column, or dashboard. This literally has the same effect as falling from the top of a three-story building.

An effective driving safety program will not only minimize risk and the resulting costs of crashes, it can protect what makes your organization succeed, its people.

DRIVING SAFELY AT WORK

Vehicular accidents are the most common cause of workplace injury and death. Follow the bellow safety tips when navigating vehicles on company premises to help minimize accidents.

Prior to Entry

Check tires to make sure properly inflated

Ensure any attachments of the vehicle are properly secure

Check top ensure all lights work properly

Ensure any vehicle equipment is in proper order

Operate the forklift only if you’ve been trained

After Entry

Buckle you seat belt

Adjust your mirrors

Check the fuel level

Verify all gauges are operating properly

Check to ensure breaks are functional

During Transit

Keep your eyes focused on the space around you, be mindful of other vehicles and pedestrians

Avoid sharp turns

Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle

Follow our speed limit and other regulations

Maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles – about three vehicle lengths.

Raise and lower your load only when you are stopped

Stop and sound the horn at intersections

Use signals

Note any road maintenance issues and report them

HSE INSIGHTS: Best Practices for Loading and Unloading Operations

One challenge we combat in the industry is the safe practices needed for (un)loading operations either using self loaders, whether front end or back end, forlifts, etc as well as the transportation of such loads. Several accidents have been reported or you may likely have witnessed one of such like the dropping off of load that kill other commuters or personnels attempting to tag loads, failure of machines or basically several unsafe acts that increase the data of TRR.

Transporting loads is a very dangerous operation although it might seem like a simple task in getting stuff from one place to another. Loading, unloading and transporting cargo can cause serious injury and even fatality. Workers loading and unloading cargo are exposed to serious danger in that heavy objects may hit or fall on them if they don’t follow the right loading and unloading safety procedures.

Just a few safety advice to imbibe best practises: As a rule of thumbs we must ensure that the operation the following must have been in place: Training - the task should be done by Competent Persons, Supervision, use of already Pre-mob equipment, Proper job planning and instructions made available for the job. Here's more -

QHSE: Human Engineering

I guess Human Engineering seem a little unfamiliar, so lemme quickly set the tone of this discourse by mentioning that this piece is focused at ERGONOMICS.


Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. Workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Exposure to these known risk factors for MSDs increases a worker's risk of injury.

Work-related MSDs can be prevented. Ergonomics --- fitting a job to a person --- helps lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity and reduces the number and severity of work-related MSDs.

Examples of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tendinitis
Rotator cuff injuries (affects the shoulder)
Epicondylitis (affects the elbow)
Trigger finger
Muscle strains and low back injuries
Impact of MSDs in the Workplace
Work related MSDs are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2013, MSD1 cases accounted for 33% of all worker injury and illness cases.
A Process for Protecting Workers
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers. In the workplace, the number and severity of MSDs resulting from physical overexertion, and their associated costs, can be substantially reduced by applying ergonomic principles.

Implementing an ergonomic process is effective in reducing the risk of developing MSDs in high-risk industries as diverse as construction, food processing, firefighting, office jobs, healthcare, transportation and warehousing. The following are important elements of an ergonomic process:

Provide Management Support - A strong commitment by management is critical to the overall success of an ergonomic process. Management should define clear goals and objectives for the ergonomic process, discuss them with their workers, assign responsibilities to designated staff members, and communicate clearly with the workforce.
Involve Workers - A participatory ergonomic approach, where workers are directly involved in worksite assessments, solution development and implementation is the essence of a successful ergonomic process. Workers can:
Identify and provide important information about hazards in their workplaces.
Assist in the ergonomic process by voicing their concerns and suggestions for reducing exposure to risk factors and by evaluating the changes made as a result of an ergonomic assessment.
Provide Training - Training is an important element in the ergonomic process. It ensures that workers are aware of ergonomics and its benefits, become informed about ergonomics related concerns in the workplace, and understand the importance of reporting early symptoms of MSDs.
Identify Problems - An important step in the ergonomic process is to identify and assess ergonomic problems in the workplace before they result in MSDs.
Encourage Early Reporting of MSD Symptoms - Early reporting can accelerate the job assessment and improvement process, helping to prevent or reduce the progression of symptoms, the development of serious injuries, and subsequent lost-time claims.
Implement Solutions to Control Hazards - There are many possible solutions that can be implemented to reduce, control or eliminate workplace MSDs.
Evaluate Progress - Established evaluation and corrective action procedures are required to periodically assess the effectiveness of the ergonomic process and to ensure its continuous improvement and long-term success. As an ergonomic process is first developing, assessments should include determining whether goals set for the ergonomic process have been met and determining the success of the implemented ergonomic solutions.
Note: An ergonomic process uses the principles of a safety and health program to address MSD hazards. Such a process should be viewed as an ongoing function that is incorporated into the daily operations, rather than as an individual project.

QHSE Concerns: Vehicle BanksMan

Workplaces are safer when we remember we have a moral obligation to work and keep others safely.

Hence the need for a Banksman - just in case you stumbled on the word for the first time, I still remember how come a banker is appearing here (laughs), a BanksMan is definitely not a banker.

"...Prep then Step"

As a way of seeking better ways to add value to you cos it gives me joy, here are a few thoughts, gleaned, cleaned and served you for personal productivity- lemme know if it helps when you are done *winks!

It was Plato who said and I quote:

“In order to seek one’s own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary, everyday life.” — Plato

Life may seem complicated and filled with so many material things, so much stuff, that it gets harder and harder to appreciate the essential concepts of life. It is in a true connect with our inner core, that we eventually find the pure bliss given by our Creator.

In simplifying our life we begin the journey of fulfilling our essence. Let's get back to basics. Make simplicity your number one focus. Now, here are some everyday simple facts, easy steps adapted here to help you enter, evolve and emerge, start preparing your next move!

Listen.
If you feel uninspired by your current career or life path, maybe it’s time to switch up your schedule. This week, take a new class, hit a networking event—try new things until something sparks. That's you hitting ignition point! Take note the purpose of a thing is always in the Creator and also embedded in the design of the created, I call it form and function - function by design.


Find your strengths.
Strengths are different than skills. Possibilities are endless, find your strength zone, and yeah remember to also break records, I mean good records, positive displacement, find out where you need to improve as you Identify Your Strengths. Never forget that the opinions of men are not your potential!

Dare - Risk it. 
Being daring, takes courage. Be willing to act on that one thing that keeps you up at night. Failing is better than never trying.
 

Prep then step.
Before starting your next project, draw up a concrete plan for the vision and direction. Prepare before you launch, but don’t prepare so much that you’re afraid to take the first step.

LOVE OR NOT...?

Just a few random thoughts on Learning to LOVE
You know love can seem complex at times describing, distinguishing, discerning and learning to love. Well, we always connect, learn and share at IGNITE, and I thought to bring you in to a thought shared by Phil Drysdale.

There's this story he shared of one near-death story that has always challenged me.

It was of a guy called Bob Jones, who had a famous near-death experience back in the 70s that shaped him profoundly.

He had died and was about to meet Jesus. He was in a huge queue of people and they were all only being asked one simple question.

Jesus looked them in the eyes and asked - "Did you learn how to love?"

That was it.

Jesus then sent Bob back to Earth to teach people to learn to love and he had a great ministry for several more decades.

Now - regardless of your views on Bob Jones, near-death experiences, or if Jesus will be asking that question - I do think the question is powerful.

The Bible has a clear definition of love in 1 Cor...
Patient
Kind
Without envy
Never boasting
Not arrogant
Nor rude
Self-less
Not irritable
Nor resentful
Does not rejoice in wrongdoing
Rejoices in the truth
Bears all things
Believes all things
Hopes all things
Endures all things
Wow! That's a tall order, right?

Then you look at who Jesus asks us to love!

Our enemies!

It's an even taller order, isn't it!

No doubt I am more loving than I used to be... but am I perfect in my love? Not a chance!

So that question could seem terrifying. It could fill us with fear. It could force us back into works.

But it has a rather different affect on me - it reminds me just how impossible this whole thing is. It's not something I can do in and of myself.

And that's exactly how God planned it.

I was never made to love on my own, I was meant to be possessed by Love Himself.

It's no longer I who lives but LOVE (Jesus) lives in me!

It's only as I learn to receive His love that I can love myself, others and God. (1 John 4)

So I like to ask myself that question often... "Have I learned to love?"

Because every time I do, I'm reminded that the way you learn to love is not by trying harder but instead ceasing from your efforts and resting in HIS love!

Hope this helped?

- Adapted for IGNITE Network from Phil Drysdale we connect learn and share!

QHSE Concerns: Is your Head Covered or decorated?

Many times a face cap, Women Hat, Hard Hat/Helmet is worn by different people for different reasons. You know, face caps could be a fancy touch to our dress up but in the Industrial World, a Hard Hat/Helmet is not in that category. However, you may be wearing a Hard Hat that's just a decoration rather than a protection. Since the industrial revolution, it has been agreed that Personal Protective Equipment are crucial for safety of personnel. That said, PPEs do not prevent accidents but only reduce the effect of damage or injury should it occur. PPEs are referred to as last line of defense.

Now, I want to share with you a learning point I received from others as well on the expiration of Hard Hats. You may have won a hard hat not knowing that its expired or deteriorated and should be replaced but you were ignorantly feeling protected. Remember we do not advance into a dangerous situation thinking that the PPE worn would protect you, it only ameliorates the danger.

Just before we latch on to the question for today, lemme remind you that at IGNITE Network we connect learn and share online, using social media interactive groups like WhatsApp, Telegram and Facebook groups etc to develop competence, hand out valuable notes and boost our proficiency as we grow on all areas of life.

Hard Hats do expire and need to be replaced. Hard Hats for example need to also be cared for and also inspected as a minimum good practise.

An expiration date is a safeguard for you as a worker. Ideally your hard hat will be required to be replaced before it’s worn out in order to provide you with maximum protection at all times. If you work in the sun long hours or in extremely hostile environments with chemicals or high temperature, you may need to replace your hat after two years of use. Most manufacturers recommend replacement of the suspension inside the hat every 12 months. Proper maintenance of your hat ensures a longer life. Clean it with soapy water. Cleaning products may contain ingredients that could have an unfavorable reaction with your helmet, compromising its integrity before its expected expiration date. Don’t intentionally do anything that can shorten the lifespan of your hat, such as paint it. This essential piece of safety equipment must be kept in top condition.

Here's a few tips I gleaned that may help

• Hard hats should not be in service for longer than four to five years depending on manufacturer guidelines.  Using a permanent marker to write the first date of use inside the hard hat can help you track this. ANSI statute Z89.1-2009 requires particular information to be permanently printed inside each hard hat, including the date of manufacture.

• Check the date of manufacture on the inside of your hard hat if you did not write a date on your hard hat when you started using it. Based on the manufacturer’s guidelines, you can determine whether the hat has expired.

• Proper care of your hard hat includes washing it with a mild detergent and water and inspecting it for damage on a regular basis.

• Inspect the shell for signs of damage such as dents, gouges, scrapes, holes or cracks.  Other signs of aging include a shell that is fading or chalky looking or a suspension with signs of wear such as fraying, cuts or tears and dirt.

• The suspension on the inside should be replaced every twelve months.  Replace with a product from the same manufacturer.

• You should never paint your hard hat and there are guidelines to follow if you apply any stickers.

• If you drop your hard hat or something hits it, it may no longer be safe to use.

• Storing your hard hat on a dash board or in the back window of your car causes the same sun damage as wearing your hard hat outside and decreases its useful life.

Hard hats are an essential piece of personal protective equipment.  Keep yours top condition