Module II (Personal protection in the work environment- 7hrs)

Employers have duties concerning the provision and use

of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work - Article
16 - Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981
(No. 155)
Personal Protection in the work environment
• Personal safety in the workplace depends on your own awareness of potential threats and risks as well as
your employer's safety policies and procedures.
• Employers may have different priorities to consider besides your personal safety.
• By giving some thought to managing the risks, you can make yourself safer on the job.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is protective clothing, helmets, goggles, or other garments or
equipment designed to protect the wearer's body from injury or infection.
• PPE is needed when there are hazards present.
• PPE has the serious limitation that it does not eliminate the hazard at the source and may result in employees
being exposed to the hazard if the equipment fails.
• Any item of PPE imposes a barrier between the wearer/user and the
working environment.
• This can create additional strains on the wearer, impair their ability to carry
out their work and create significant levels of discomfort.
• Any of these can discourage wearers from using PPE correctly, therefore
placing them at risk of injury, ill-health or, under extreme circumstances,
death.
• Good ergonomic design can help to minimize these barriers and can
therefore help to ensure safe and healthy working conditions through the
correct use of PPE.

• PPE is equipment that will protect the user against the risk of accidents or
of adverse effects on health.

• It can include items such as; Safety helmets , Gloves, Eye protection
goggles, High-visibility clothing, Safety footwear, Safety harnesses ,
Respiratory protective equipment (RPE).
Why is PPE important?

• Even where engineering controls and safe systems of work have been applied, some hazards might
remain.
• These include injuries to:
• The lungs, e.g. From breathing in contaminated air;
• The head and feet, e.g. From falling materials;
• The eyes, e.g. From flying particles or splashes of corrosive liquids;
• The skin, e.g. From contact with corrosive materials;
• The body, e.g. From extremes of heat or cold.
• PPE is needed in these cases to reduce the risk.
 When selecting and using PPE

1. Choose products which are suitable to the residual risk and are the required standard, suppliers can
advise you.

2. Choose equipment that suits the user – consider the size, fit and weight of the PPE. If the users help
choose it, they will be more likely to use it.

3. If more than one item of PPE is worn at the same time, make sure they can be used together, e.g.
wearing safety glasses may disturb the seal of a respirator, causing air leaks.

4. Instruct and train people how to use it, e.g. train people to remove gloves without contaminating their
skin.

5. PPE must be properly looked after and stored when not in use, e.g. in a dry, clean cupboard. If it is
reusable it must be cleaned and kept in good condition.
Types of PPE
There are two types of PPE
1. Simple personal protective equipment – this refers to equipment that has a basic design model, it
protects against lower risk hazards.
2. Complex personal protective equipment – this refers to equipment that it more of a technical design
and provides protection against fatal or serious risk.

Respiratory Protective Equipment Non Respiratory Protective

Equipment

1. Air Purifying respirator 1. Face & Eye protection

2. Supplied Air respirator 2. Head Protection
3. Self contained breathing apparatus 3. Foot & leg protection
4. Hand & Arm protection
5. Hearing protection
6. Body Protection
7. Safety belts & harness
Respiratory Protective Equipment
 A respirator is a protective device that covers the nose and mouth or the entire face or head to
guard the wearer against hazardous atmosphere.
 The Situations requiring the use of respirators are:
 Emergency repair, attending leaks or bursts involving release of high concentration of gases,
liquids, vapours, fumes and mists
 For carrying out inspections or cleaning inside the closed vessels containing toxic vapours/gases
 Certain normal operation ie spray painting, shot blasting that occurs so in frequently
 For emergency use and other unplanned event where possibility of over exposure to worker
exists.
 Air-purifying respirators
 These respirators remove air contaminants by filtering, absorbing, adsorbing or chemical reaction
with the contaminants as they pass through the respirator canister or cartridge
 This respirator is to be used only where adequate oxygen (19.5 to 23.5 percent by volume) is
available.
 Supplied air respirators / air-line respirators.
 These respirators provide breathing air independent of the environment
 Such respirators are to be used when the contaminant has insufficient odour, taste or irritating
warning properties or
 Contaminant is of such high concentration or toxicity that an air purifying respirator is inadequate
.
 These respirators supplies air to the user on demand (inhalation), which creates a negative
pressure within the facepiece.
 Leakage into the face piece may occur if there is a poor seal between the respirator and the user’s
face.
 It maintains a continuous positive pressure within facepiece, thus preventing leakage into the face
piece
 It maintains a continuous flow of air through the face piece and prevents leakage into the face
piece
 Self contained breathing apparatus(SCBA)
 This type of respirator allows the user complete independence from a fixed source of air and
offers the greatest degree of protection
 It is most complex
 Training and practice in its use and maintenance is essential
 This type of device will be used in emergency situations only
 Limitations of Respiratory Protective equipment
 Fitting problem
 Communication difficulties
 Vision problem
 Fatigue and reduced efficiencies
.
 Rules for proper use of respirators
 User shall familiar with capabilities, limitations& care of respirator.
 Only approved & prescribed respirator for specific purpose shall be used
 Air-purifying type respirator shall not be used in oxygen deficient atmosphere
 Persons shall familiar with proper method of fitting, testing & maintaining PPE.
 Person shall make certain their equipment is fitted & working properly before entering the
hazardous areas.
 Respirator shall not be removed while the user is in hazardous area
 User shall leave the hazard area as soon as a warning device indicated that the equipment is near
exhaustion.
 Person wearing respirator in contaminated atmosphere should immediately if he feels sleepy,
detects any unusual odour r irritation of nose or throat.
 No attempt should be made to use equipment for a purpose for which it was not designed or
unsuitable
 PPE which serious reduce vision, unduly reduce mobility or create other difficulty should be
reported to the supervisor/safety engineer.
ARJUN P K
ARJUN P K
Non- Respiratory Protective Equipment's
 Used for protection of various parts of the body
 Shall be used when employees are exposed to hazard from flying particles, molten metal, acids or
caustic liquids, chemical liquids, gases or vapors or potentially injurious light radiation.
Eyes
• Hazards
• Chemical or metal splash, dust, projectiles, gas, welding light,
vapour, radiation, sparks
• Options
• Safety spectacles, goggles, face screens, face shields, and visors
• Make sure the eye protection chosen has the right combination of
impact/dust/ splash/molten metal eye protection for the task and
fits the user properly.
Head and neck
• Hazards
• Impact from falling or flying objects, risk of head bumping, hair getting tangled in
machinery, chemical drips or splash, climate or temperature
• Options
• Industrial safety helmets, bump caps, hairnets and firefighters’ helmets
• Some safety helmets incorporate or can be fitted with specially-designed eye or
hearing protection.
• Don’t forget neck protection, e.g. scarves for use during welding.
Ears
• Hazards
• Noise – a combination of sound level and duration of exposure, very high-level sounds are a
hazard even with short duration
• Options
• Earplugs, earmuffs, semi-insert/canal caps
• Provide the right hearing protectors for the type of work, and make sure workers know how to
fit them.
• Choose protectors that reduce noise to an acceptable level, while allowing for safety and
communication.
Hands and Arms
• Hazards
• Abrasion, temperature extremes, cuts and punctures, impact, chemicals, electric shock, radiation,
biological agents and prolonged immersion in water
• Options
• Gloves, gloves with a cuff, gauntlets and sleeving that covers part or all of the arm
• Some materials are quickly penetrated by chemicals – take care in selection
• Wearing gloves for long periods can make the skin hot and sweaty, leading to skin problems. Using
separate cotton inner gloves can help prevent this
Feet and Legs
• Hazards
• Wet, hot and cold conditions, electrostatic build-up, slipping, cuts and
punctures, falling objects, heavy loads, metal and chemical splash, vehicles
• Options
• Safety boots and shoes with protective toecaps and penetration-resistant, mid-
sole wellington boots and specific footwear, e.g. foundry boots and chainsaw
boots
• Footwear can have a variety of sole patterns and materials to help prevent slips
in different conditions, including oil- or chemical-resistant soles.
• It can also be anti-static, electrically or thermally non-conductive.
Whole body
• Hazards
• Heat, chemical or metal splash, spray from pressure leaks or spray
guns, contaminated dust, impact or penetration, excessive wear or
entanglement of own clothing
• Options
• Conventional or disposable overalls, boiler suits, aprons, chemical
suits
• The choice of materials includes flame-retardant, anti-static, chain
mail, chemically impermeable, and high-visibility.
• Don’t forget other protection, like safety harnesses or life jackets.
 Standards Related to PPE
1. 29 CFR 1910.133 Eye and Face Protection:
• “The employer shall ensure that each employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to
eye or face hazards from flying particles, molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical
gases or vapors, or potentially injurious light radiation.”
2. 29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory protection:
• “The employer shall provide a respirator to each employee when such equipment is necessary to protect the
health of such employee.
• The employer shall provide the respirators which are applicable and suitable for the purpose intended.
• The employer shall be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a respiratory protection
program
3. 29 CFR 1910.135 Head protection
• “The employer shall ensure that each affected employee wears a protective helmet when working in areas
where there is a potential for injury to the head from falling objects.
• The employer shall ensure that a protective helmet designed to reduce electrical shock hazard is worn by
each such affected employee when near exposed electrical conductors which could contact the head.
4. 29 CFR 1910.136 Occupational foot protection:
• “The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses protective footwear when working in
areas where there is a danger of foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or objects piercing the
sole, and where such employee's feet are exposed to electrical hazards.”
5. 29 CFR 1910.137 Electrical protective equipment:
• details the design requirements for specific types of electrical protective equipment—rubber insulating
blankets, rubber insulating matting, rubber insulating covers, rubber insulating line hose, rubber
insulating gloves, and rubber insulating sleeves used for the primary insulation of employees from
energized circuit parts.
6. 29 CFR 1910.140 Hand protection:
• “Employers shall select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when employees'
hands are exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances; severe cuts or
lacerations; severe abrasions; punctures; chemical burns; thermal burns; and harmful temperature
extremes.”
7. 29 CFR 1910.140 Personal Fall Protection Systems:
• “Employers shall ensure that each personal fall protection system used to comply with this part must meet
all applicable requirements of this section.
• This section establishes performance, care, and use criteria for all personal fall protection systems such as
personal fall arrest systems and positioning systems.”
29 CFR 1910.132 General requirements:
• says that all PPE has to meet these minimum requirements:
1. Provide adequate protection against the particular hazards for which they are designed
2. Be of safe design and construction for the work to be performed
3. Be reasonably comfortable when worn under the designated conditions
4. Fit snugly and not unduly interfere with the movements of the wearer
5. Be durable
6. Be capable of being disinfected
7. Be easily cleanable
8. Be distinctly marked to facilitate identification only of the manufacturer
 Monitoring Safety Performance:

• The primary goal of a safety system is to reduce operational risks and improve the overall process safety

• In the event of a deviation or failure of the safety system, Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) are there to

ensure that a plant is taken into a safe state, limiting the negative consequences to people, equipment and

the environment.

• It is important that organizations in the process industry are able to react quickly under variable conditions

and have the capabilities to continuously monitor and evaluate safety system performance.

• Lets discuss about a few factors which are useful for the statistical analysis of safety.
1. Frequency rate

• The frequency rate is the number of disabling/lost time injuries per one million man-hours worked.
• The frequency rate shall be calculated both for lost time injury and reportable lost time injury.

𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒚 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎

𝑭𝑨 =
𝑴𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒅
𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒚 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑭𝑩 =
𝑴𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒅

Disabling Injury ( Lost Time Injury ) - An injury causing disablement extending beyond the day of
shift on which the accident occurred.

Reportable Disabling Injury ( Reportable Lost Time Injury ) - An injury causing death or
disablement to an extent as prescribed by the relevant statute.
What does 1000000 mean ?
• No of workers in a year = 500
• Daily Hour Worked = 8 hrs
• No. of days worked in a week = 5 days
• Total hours worked in a week = 8 x 5 = 40 hrs
• Total week in a year = 50 week
• So, In a year = 50 week x 40 hrs/week x 500 workers = 10 00 000 man hours
• Man-Hours Worked
• The total number of employee-hours worked by all employees in the industrial premises,
• It includes managerial, supervisory, professional, technical, clerical and other workers including
contractors, labors etc.
• It shall be calculated from the pay roll or time clock recorded including overtime.
• When this is not feasible, the same shall be estimated by multiplying the total man-days worked for
the period covered by the number of hours worked per day
• Total number of man-days is the sum of the number of men at work on each day of the period
Example 1

• Using the following data calculate the frequency rate of accident in an industrial plant.
Number of workers= 500
Number of disabling injuries per year= 5.
Average number of hours worked by worker per year= 2000.

Sol. Frequency rate=numbers of disabling injuries/number of man-hours worked x 1000,000

= 5/500×2000 x 1000000=5.
 2. Severity Rate
• The severity rate is the total number of days lost or changed due to accidents per one million man
hours worked
• The severity rate shall be calculated from man-days lost both of loss time injury and reportablr lost
time injury.
𝑴𝒂𝒏 − 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒚 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑺𝑨 =
𝑴𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒅
𝑴𝒂𝒏 − 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒚 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝑺𝑩 =
𝑴𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒅
Disabling Injury ( Lost Time Injury ) - An injury causing disablement extending beyond the day of shift on
which the accident occurred.
Reportable Disabling Injury ( Reportable Lost Time Injury ) - An injury causing death or disablement to an
extent as prescribed by the relevant statute.

• Here days lost = actual days lost due to accident + standard number of days considered to be lost depending
on nature of disabling injury.
• Standard number of days lost is correlated to the nature of injury, as for example, standard number of days
lost in 35days, the nature of injury being cutting of the tip of a finger, whereas standard number of days lost
in 6000 days for a total disability case.
Example 1. Using the following data calculate the severity rate of accident in an industrial plant where only
one accident occurred during the year, the type of injury being cutting of the tip of a figure.
[Link] of workers=2000.
[Link] of days lost in a year due to accidents=100
[Link] number of hours worked by worker per year=2000.
Sol. Severity rate=days lost in year due to accidents/number of man-hours worked x 1000,000
Number of man-hours worked in this case=2000 X 2000.
Days lost in year due to accidents=100+35=135.
Severity rate =(135/(2000x2000))x1000000= 135/4=33.75

Example 2 Using the following data calculate the severity rate of accident in an industrial plant where only one accident
occurred during the year involving total disability of a worker.
[Link] of workers=2000.
[Link] of days lost in a year due to accident=100.
[Link] number of hours worked by worker per year=2000.

Sol. Severity rate= days lost in year due to accidents/number of man hours worked x 1000000.
Number of hours worked in this case=2000×2000.
Total disability; days lost=100+6000=6100 days.
Severity rate =6100/2000x2000x1000000= 6100/4=1525.
3. Incidence Rates

• Ratio of the number of injuries to the number of persons during the period under review. It is expressed as
the number of injuries per 1 000 persons employed.

𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒚 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎

𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 − 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 =
𝑨𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅
𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 − 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆

𝑵𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒚 × 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎

=
𝑨𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒅
4. Activity Rates

• The safety activity rate is the overall safety promotional & awareness activity which including safety
training & safety inspection conducted in a year with respect to total employees present & man hours
worked in a year.
• This emphasizes the cost of accident prevention activities against the cost of accident occurrences
incidents.
𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝟓×𝟏𝟎^𝟔
• 𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒆 =
𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒙 𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓
Housekeeping
 Refers to the management of duties and chores involved in the running of a household, such as
cleaning, cooking, home maintenance, shopping, and bill payment.
 These tasks may be performed by members of the household, or by other persons hired for the
purpose.
 This is a more broad role than a cleaner, who is focused only on the cleaning aspect. The term is also
used to refer to the money allocated for such use.
 By extension, it may also refer to an office or organization, as well as the maintenance of computer
storage systems.
 A housekeeper is a person employed to manage a household and the domestic staff.
 Effective housekeeping can help control or eliminate workplace hazards.
 Poor housekeeping practices frequently contribute to incidents.
 If the sight of paper, debris, clutter and spills is accepted as normal, then other more serious hazards
may be taken for granted.
 Housekeeping is not just cleanliness. It includes keeping work areas neat and orderly, maintaining
halls and floors free of slip and trip hazards, and removing of waste materials (e.g., paper, cardboard)
and other fire hazards from work areas.
 It also requires paying attention to important details such as the layout of the whole workplace, aisle
marking, the adequacy of storage facilities, and maintenance.
 Good housekeeping is also a basic part of incident and fire prevention.
 Effective housekeeping is an ongoing operation: it is not a one-time or hit-and-miss cleanup done
occasionally.
 Periodic "panic" cleanups are costly and ineffective in reducing incidents.
 Although this effort requires a great deal of management and planning, the benefits are many
 Responsibility of management and employees.
 Managers must train employees to recognize potentially hazardous conditions and take corrective
actions before they cause injuries like sprains, strains, falls; -(Wet floors and slippery walkways -
Messy floors - Equipment left out in the way - Improper lifting techniques)
 Best practices for handling chemicals, proper personal protective equipment selection, material
handling, and slip, trip, and fall prevention are discussed.
 Housekeepers are exposed to a variety of hazards while on the job and perform a variety of tasks
throughout their work shift.
 Proper training to identify hazards and risks associated with these tasks will help prevent employee
injury .
 Prepare a safety manual that is read and understood at the time of induction of new employees.
 Paste safety rules on walls at strategic points in the work area.
 Reinforce safety rules in daily briefings.
 Organize continuous safety training. Involve experts like the equipment manufacturers, Engineering to
take classes on fire safety etc.
 Have a Preventive maintenance programmed for all equipment.
 Include safety inspection in the supervisor’s checklist.
 Ensure that toxic chemicals are stored in closed cupboards and properly labeled.
 Ensure that all waste disposal containers are leak proof and maintained in sanitary conditions. Waste
disposal external to the building must be in designated municipal area and with concern for public health.
The recycled items are put in their appropriate containers.
 Make sure that locker rooms have proper washing and shower facilities. Locker rooms must be kept clean
and dry at all times. Water closets must be sanitized frequently.
 Ensure that housekeeping employees consume food and beverage in the staff canteens and not in public
areas.
 Ensure rest breaks for employees during their shift vigil.
 Keep appropriate signs like “Wet Floor”; “Engineering at Work”, labels for detergents and toxic material,
safety instructions on equipment, “
 Not to stack anything in the corridors.
 Fire exit staircase should always be clear, not to stack items which will obstruct the movement.
 Ensure hot and cold indicators on the tap faucets.
 In the rooms and corridor’s few lights should be connected to UPS.
 Swimming pool pH and chlorine levels to be maintained.
 Pool area no diving signage to be painted.
 Bed corner to be covered.
 Non - smoking zone signage.
 Safety shoes for Engineering and Kitchen and Gum boots for Kitchen Stewarding.
 Smoke detectors indicator light to blink at all the times.
 Advantages of good housekeeping.

Effective housekeeping results in:

 reduced handling to ease the flow of materials
 fewer tripping and slipping incidents in clutter-free and spill-free work areas
 decreased fire hazards
 lower worker exposures to hazardous products (e.g. dusts, vapours)
 better control of tools and materials, including inventory and supplies
 more efficient equipment cleanup and maintenance
 better hygienic conditions leading to improved health
 more effective use of space
 reduced property damage by improving preventive maintenance
 less janitorial work
 improved morale
 improved productivity (tools and materials will be easy to find)
Good housekeeping and cleanliness normally results into

1. a workplace which is cleaner, safer, well organized and more pleasant for work,
2. improved utilization of floor space,
3. smoother and systematic workflow with substantial reduction in non-value added activities,
4. better inventory control of tools and materials,
5. reduced handling to ease the flow of materials,
6. reduction in wastages of materials,
7. more efficient equipment clean-up and maintenance leading to lower break-downs,
8. minimization of errors leading to better products,
9. safe environment for work and lower exposures of employees to hazardous substances (such as
dusts, and vapours etc.
10. more hygienic workplace conditions which lead to improved health of the employees,
11. improved overall look and feel of the work environment,
12. improved morale of the employees.
 Poor housekeeping can be a cause of incidents, such as:
 tripping over loose objects on floors, stairs and platforms
 being hit by falling objects
 slipping on greasy, wet or dirty surfaces
 striking against projecting, poorly stacked items or misplaced material
 cutting, puncturing, or tearing the skin of hands or other parts of the body on projecting nails, wire or
steel strapping

 Poor housekeeping and cleanliness, on the contrary, creates workplace hazards which lead to various
accident such as
1. slips, trips and falls
2. caught in-between objects
3. struck by falling objects
4. struck by moving objects
5. cut/stabbed by objects,
6. struck against objects.
7. Furthermore, poor housekeeping and cleanliness also create fire hazards which inevitably lead to
increased fire risk.

 To avoid these hazards, a workplace must "maintain" order throughout a workday.

 5S OF HOUSEKEEPING

(Sort) Separate unnecessary items

(Set in order) Place necessary elements
(Shine and clean) Remove Dirt
Standardisation
(Sustain) Keep Improving
Work permit system
 The work permit specifies the conditions and procedures for safe execution of the work and allows the
work to be carried out under controlled risk conditions.
Aim: The purpose of the work permit system is to ensure that:
1. Only authorized persons are allowed to work in hazardous area which is clearly notified.
2. The person permitted for work are being aware of the various safety issues involved and knows that
necessary safety precautions have been taken.
3. Work permit is legal documents between issuer and executor for commencement of job inside refinery.
4. Client has implemented the work permit system to distribute the equal responsibilities of job being
performed. So don’t do anything without proper work permit.
Purpose & Objective : The purpose of this standard “Work Permit System” is to describe procedures and
guidelines on work permit system to carry out jobs of inspection, testing, maintenance, alternation, repair,
upkeepment and construction in safest possible manner.
 The implementation of this system will help in bring down the risks at work sites to acceptable level,
thereby reducing possibility of any accident, fire, explosion, property damage and adverse effect on
environment.
 The objectives of the Work Permit System are to exercise control over the maintenance, repair and
construction activities by assigning responsibilities, ensuring clear cut communication between interested
functions & safety considerations to the job, its hazards & the precautions required.
 It ensures that the work is properly defined, authorized, operating personnel are aware what is going on,
precautions to be taken are specified and the persons executing the job understand the nature and extent
of hazards involved.
 Work Permit System is an important element of safety management system and implementation of this
in true spirit shall help in ensuring a safe working environment, thereby reducing possibility of injury to
personnel, protect property, avoid fire, explosion & adverse affect on environment.
A hot work and cold work permits.
 Hot work and cold work permits are work permits that authorize controlled work in nonstandard,
potentially hazardous conditions.
 They consist of specific instructions regarding the nature of the job, time and place, and communicate
information regarding safety procedures
Cold work permit (Green color)
 It is required for any job which does not involve or use of any source of ignitions, spark, and fire.
 Cold work permits are green colored permids issued for hazardous maintenance work that does not
involve the ignition hazards found in hot work.
 Cold work situations are determined by conducint a risk assessment for the task and the working
environment. If no flammable or explosive risks are identified, a cold work permit is sufficient for
carrying out the the work.
Hot work permit (Red color)
 It is required for any job which involves or use of source of ignition, spark, and fire.
 Hot work permits are red-colored permits used to authorize work that will generate heat or
sparks, such as:
 Welding
 Drilling
 Grinding
 Riveting
 Cutting
 Use of internal combustion engines
 Hot work involves working with a source of ignition in an environment with a potentially
flammable or explosive atmosphere.
 Hot works takes into account the presence of flammable and combustible materials as well as
combustible gas in the vicinity of the work.
Entry into confined spaces.
 Generally speaking, a confined space is a fully or partially enclosed space that:
 It is not primarily designed or intended for continuous human occupancy
 has limited or restricted entrance or exit, or a configuration that can complicate first aid, rescue,
evacuation, or other emergency response activities
 Can represent a risk for the for the health and safety of anyone who enters, due to one or more of the
following factors:
 its design, construction, location or atmosphere o the materials or substances in it o
work activities being carried out in it, or the
 mechanical, process and safety hazards present
 Confined spaces can be below or above ground.
 Confined spaces can be found in almost any workplace.
 A confined space, despite its name, is not necessarily small.
 Examples of confined spaces include silos, vats, hoppers, utility vaults, tanks, water supply towers,
sewers, pipes, access shafts, truck or rail tank cars, aircraft wings, boilers, manholes, pump stations,
digesters, manure pits and storage bins.
 Ditches, wells, and trenches may also be a confined space when access or egress is limited (but they
still have “blue sky” above).
 Barges, shipping containers and fish holds are also considered as possible confined spaces
What are the hazards in a confined space?
 All hazards found in a regular workspace can also be found in a confined space.
 However, they can be even more hazardous in a confined space than in a regular worksite. Hazards in
confined spaces can include:
 Poor air quality
 insufficient amount of oxygen for the worker to breathe.
 toxic gases that could make the worker ill or cause the worker to lose consciousness.
 asphyxiants – simple asphyxiants are gases which can displace oxygen in the air (normally
about 21 percent).
 Low oxygen levels (19.5 percent or less) can cause symptoms such as rapid breathing, rapid
heart rate, clumsiness, emotional upset, and fatigue.
 As less oxygen becomes available, nausea and vomiting, collapse, convulsions, coma and
death can occur.
 Unconsciousness or death could result within minutes following exposure to a simple
asphyxiant.
 Asphyxiants include argon, nitrogen, or carbon monoxide.
 Chemical exposures due to skin contact or ingestion (as well as inhalation of toxic gases).
 Fire hazard - An explosive or flammable atmosphere due to flammable liquids and gases and
combustible dusts which, if ignited, would lead to fire or explosion.
 Process-related hazards - such as residual chemicals, or release of contents of a supply line.
 Physical hazards – noise, heat/cold, radiation, vibration, electrical, and inadequate lighting.
 Safety hazards - such as moving parts of equipment, structural hazards, engulfment, entanglement,
slips, or falls.
 Vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
 Shifting or collapse of bulk material (engulfment).
 Barrier failure that results in a flood or release of free-flowing solid or liquid.
 Visibility - such as smoke particles in air.
 Biological hazards – viruses, bacteria from fecal matter and sludge, fungi, or moulds.

What should be done when preparing to enter the confined space?

 The important thing to remember is that each time a worker plans to enter any work space, the worker
should determine if that work space is considered a confined space.
 Be sure the confined space hazard assessment and control program has been followed.
 Before entering any confined space, a trained and experienced person should identify and evaluate all
the existing and potential hazards within the confined space.
 Evaluate activities both inside and outside the confined space.
 Air quality testing: The air within the confined space should be tested from outside of the confined space
before entry into the confined space.
 Care should be taken to ensure that air is tested throughout the confined space - side-to-side and top to
bottom.
 Continuous monitoring should be considered in situations where a worker is in a space where
atmospheric conditions have the potential to change (e.g., broken or leaking pipes or vessels, work
activities create a hazardous environment, isolation of a substance is not possible).
 A trained worker using detection equipment which has remote probes and sampling lines should do the
air quality testing.
 Always ensure the testing equipment is properly calibrated and maintained.
 The sampling should show that:
 The oxygen content is within safe limits - not too little and not too much.
 A hazardous atmosphere (toxic gases, flammable atmosphere) is not present.
 Ventilation equipment is operating properly.
 The results of the tests for these hazards are to be recorded on the Entry Permit along with the
equipment or method(s) that were used in performing the tests.
 Air testing is often ongoing, depending on the nature of the potential hazards and the nature of the work.
 Conditions can change while workers are inside the confined space and sometimes a hazardous
atmosphere is created by the work activities in the confined space.
How are hazards controlled in confined spaces?
 The traditional hazard control methods found in regular worksites can be effective in a
confined space.
 These include engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective
equipment.
 Engineering controls are designed to remove the hazard while administrative controls and
personal protective equipment try to minimize the contact with the hazard.
 However, often because of the nature of the confined space and depending on the hazard,
special precautions not normally required in a regular worksite may also need to be taken.
 The engineering control commonly used in confined spaces is mechanical ventilation.
 The entry permit system is an example of an administrative control used in confined spaces.
 Personal protective equipment (such as respirators, gloves, hearing protection, etc.) is
commonly used in confined spaces as well.
 However, wearing of PPE sometimes may increase heat and loss of mobility.
 Those situations should be carefully evaluated.
 When using PPE, always use as part of a PPE program and be sure to evaluate all possible
hazards and risks associated with PPE use.
How is air quality maintained?
 Natural ventilation (natural air currents) is usually not reliable and not sufficient to maintain the air
quality.
 Mechanical ventilation (e.g., blowers, fans) is usually necessary to maintain air quality.
 If mechanical ventilation is provided, there should be a warning system in place to immediately notify
the worker in the event of a hazard or a failure in the ventilation equipment.
 Care should be taken to make sure the air being provided by the ventilation system to the confined
space is 'clean' throughout the entire space.
 Ease of air movement throughout the confined space should be considered because of the danger of
pockets of toxic gases still remaining even with the use of mechanical ventilation.
 Do not substitute oxygen for fresh air. Increasing the oxygen content will significantly increase the risk
of fire and explosion.
 The use of mechanical ventilation should be noted on the entry permit.
 Ensure air being removed from the confined space is exhausted away from workers on the outside.
How are fire and explosion prevented?
 Work where a flame is used or a source of ignition may be produced (hot work) should not normally be
performed in a confined space unless:
 All flammable gases, liquids and vapors are removed before the start of any hot work.
 Mechanical ventilation is usually used to 1.
 Keep the concentration of any explosive or flammable hazardous substance less than 10% of its Lower
Explosive Limit AND 2.
 Make sure that the oxygen content in the confined space is not enriched.
 Oxygen content should be less than 23% but maintained at levels greater than 19.5%. (These numbers
can vary slightly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.)
 Surfaces coated with combustible material should be cleaned or shielded to prevent ignition.
 Do not bring fuel or fuel containers into the confined space (e.g., gasoline, propane), if possible.
Ensure welding equipment is in good condition.
 Where appropriate, use spark-resistant tools, and make sure all equipment is bonded or grounded
properly.
 While doing the hot work, the concentrations of oxygen and combustible materials must be monitored
to make sure certain that the oxygen levels remain in the proper range and the levels of the flammable
products combustible materials do not get higher than 10% of the Lower Explosive Limit.
 In special cases it may not be possible, and additional precautions must be taken to ensure the safety
of the worker prior to entering the confined space.
 If potential flammable atmosphere hazards are identified during the initial testing, the air in the
confined space should be cleaned or purged, ventilated and then tested again before entry to the
confined space is allowed.
 Only after the air testing is within allowable limits should entry occur as the gases used for purging
can also be extremely hazardous.

How are energy sources controlled?

 All potentially hazardous energy sources such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic,
chemical, or thermal must be de-energized (or isolated) and locked out prior to entry to the confined
space so that equipment cannot be turned on unintentionally accidentally.
 If lock out or tag out is not possible, the hazardous energy must be controlled in a way that eliminates
or minimizes worker exposure to the hazards before workers are allowed to enter the confined space.
 It is important that any method of control other than isolation and lockout must be evaluated and the
effectiveness for controlling the hazardous energy must be demonstrated.
What are other safety precautions?
 Many other situations or hazards may be present in a confined space.
 Be sure that all hazards are controlled, for example:
Any liquids or free-flowing solids should be removed from the confined space to
eliminate the risk of drowning or suffocation.
 All pipes should be physically disconnected or isolation blanks bolted in place. Closing
valves is not sufficient.
 Use two blocking valves, with an open vent or bleed valve between the blocking valves
when isolating pipelines or similar conveyances to prevent entry of materials and hazardous
contaminants.
 A barrier is present to prevent any liquids or free-flowing solids from entering the
confined space.