Peter Bittner, Tech IOSH’s Post

IRATA safety bulletins for dummies….. I make no apologies for such a blunt post, but with 4 fatalities, 13 Major Injuries and 32 Serious Injuries in the years 2018 to 2022, it is clear that many of the lessons from Safety Bulletins are not being learned. I continue to train and assess revalidating candidates that have very little knowledge of the IRATA Safety Bulletins, Work and Safety Analysis, Serious Incident Briefings and other safety related publications from IRATA. Now I know that most training companies would blame the candidates, but in my experience, the learning materials provided by the training companies often do not focus candidate learning in an effective way. I find this frustrating, as from my time involved with IRATA I know of the many hundreds of hours of volunteer time spent trying to get valuable safety information out to frontline workers, and the evidence on the ground is that this information isn’t getting to those who need it. Not only are there IRATA volunteers, but in Dr Chris Robbins and David Thomas, IRATA have for many years had the service of two titans of the HSE world.  At High Q we designed our own in-house online theory exam, and the main purpose of the exam is to familiarise candidates with these resources. The exam is open book and asks questions such as ‘name 3 recommendations from a WASA report’, or ‘provide 2 recommendations from Safety Bulletin 22. We’re not interested in testing whether a candidate can see a diagram of a compound 2:1 and 3:1 system to calculate the resulting mechanical advantage – subjects like this might be interesting for rope access nerds, but they are not the root cause of accidents and incidents.   As you can see from the graphic, the majority of serious incidents result from five main categories: –  6 bulletins relate to rope damage –  5 bulletins relate to energised equipment –  4 relate to slack rope in the system –  4 relate to dropped objects –  3 relate to fragile surfaces/unprotected edges So come on IRATA Technicians, don’t be a dummy – log onto the IRATA website and take advantage of the resource there … and to my fellow IRATA training providers, I ask ‘are you confident you are adequately preparing your candidates?’

Safety Guidelines 1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear the required PPE, including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, steel-toed boots, and high-visibility vests. Ensure PPE fits properly and is in good condition. 2. Site Access and Security: Only authorized personnel should be allowed on the construction site. Use designated entry and exit points. Keep the site well-lit and secure at all times. 3. Equipment Safety: Operate machinery and tools only if trained and authorized. Perform regular maintenance and inspections of all equipment. Always use machinery according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. 4. Hazard Communication: Clearly mark hazardous areas and materials with appropriate signs and labels. Maintain and follow the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals and hazardous materials. 5. Emergency Procedures: Familiarize yourself with the emergency exits, evacuation routes, and assembly points. Know the locations of first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and other emergency equipment. Report any accidents, injuries, or unsafe conditions immediately. 6. Work Environment: Keep the work area clean and free of debris to prevent trips and falls. Properly store tools and materials when not in use. Use appropriate fall protection when working at heights. Training Sessions 1. Induction Training: All new employees and contractors must undergo an induction training session before starting work on-site. The session should cover site-specific safety rules, emergency procedures, and the use of PPE. 2. Regular Safety Training: Conduct regular safety training sessions to reinforce safety guidelines and update workers on new procedures or hazards. Include practical demonstrations and hands-on practice. 3. Toolbox Talks: Hold short, focused safety meetings (toolbox talks) at the beginning of each shift to discuss specific hazards and tasks for the day. Encourage worker participation and feedback during these talks. 4. Specialized Training: Provide additional training for workers who operate heavy machinery, handle hazardous materials, or perform high-risk tasks. Ensure certification and refresher courses are up-to-date. 5. Emergency Response Drills: Conduct regular emergency response drills to ensure all workers know how to react in case of an emergency. Evaluate the effectiveness of the drills and make improvements as needed. 6. Record Keeping: Maintain detailed records of all safety training sessions #HSE #Constuction #Contractor #Client

M A safety officer responsible for ensuring the health and safety of workers and compliance with safety regulations. Here are their key roles and responsibilities: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: Inspect construction sites to identify potential hazards and assess risks, ensuring they are addressed before work begins. Safety Training: Conduct safety training sessions and toolbox talks for workers to promote safe practices and proper use of equipment and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Compliance Monitoring: Ensure that the construction site complies with local safety regulations, codes, and company policies. This includes monitoring activities and inspecting equipment. Incident Investigation: Investigate any accidents, incidents, or near-misses, documenting the causes and recommending corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Emergency Preparedness: Develop and implement emergency response plans, including first aid procedures and evacuation plans. Documentation and Reporting: Maintain records of safety inspections, incidents, and safety training, ensuring all documentation is up-to-date and available for review. Promote Safety Culture: Foster a safety-first culture by continuously engaging with workers and management to emphasize the importance of safety on the job site. #safetyculture #safetytraining

Overreliance on Toolbox Talks and Training: A Strategic Approach to Site Safety Toolbox talks (TBT) and safety training sessions are essential for educating workers about safety protocols and potential hazards on construction sites. However, an overreliance on these methods without addressing the underlying root causes can limit their effectiveness. To tackle safety issues at their root, it’s crucial to understand the factors contributing to unsafe practices. Conducting focus inspections, regular safety audits, and involving workers in the process can reveal insights into these root causes. Example: Improving Fall Protection on Construction Sites Consider a scenario where multiple fall incidents have occurred on a construction site despite regular TBTs and training on fall protection. Instead of only repeating the importance of using fall protection equipment during TBTs, a more strategic approach would involve: 1. Assessing Work Practices: Supervisors can observe and analyze daily tasks to identify why workers might be skipping fall protection measures. This might reveal issues like discomfort with the equipment or time-consuming procedures that workers find impractical. 2. Involving Workers in Solution Development: Engaging workers in discussions to find practical solutions can improve compliance and address any concerns or difficulties they face. 3. Enhancing Supervision: Supervisors can increase their presence on-site to ensure compliance and provide immediate feedback and support. 4. Implementing Engineering Controls: Installing guardrails or safety nets can offer passive protection that doesn’t rely solely on worker behavior. By addressing the root causes of safety issues and fostering a culture that prioritizes safety at all levels, we can create a safer and more productive work environment. Overreliance on TBTs and training alone will not work without thinking strategically and addressing safety from multiple angles. #HSE #JLL

I am a HSE Professional, not just as a job that I get paid for (that's part of it though😀), but more as a passion, I love what I do sincerely. Seeing people come to work each day and going back home safely each day through out the period of the project is fulfilling. One way to ensure that is engaging workers in tool box talks, teaching them but most importantly getting to hear from them and ensuring lose gaps are covered during these sessions. And in construction safety, you just have to be passionate about it and have the required knowledge to keep people safe. Rosetta Ibegbu Pix: Cleaners arriving site for cleaning before handover #construction #safety #hse #constructionsafety #passion #tbt #toolboxtalks #trainings #knowledge

Don't know the HSE officer (at work safety officer Another newbie Is it like me? When starting a new job Has checked the contractor's job Don't know what to check That says it's safe or not So would like to share techniques Inspection In order to be helpful to the vocational school students, some of the techniques that I use to inspect the site, I use the 4M1E technique. By dividing the problem groups into 5 groups to consider, namely #Man = People #Machine = Machinery, Tools equipment #Material = Raw material #Method = Workflow #Environment = Surrounding environment #I would like to explain each character what must be watched. Beginning with M number 1, people will watch the following story. #Dressing, wearing, PPE, complete with job characteristics? (May look at the PPE wear matrix and job characteristics but do not forget to consider The surrounding environment as well. What else is needed to add PPE?) #Physical health, ready to work? Do not be forbidden to work in some kind, such as work at high altitude and confined spaces. No people with heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy, obesity, working. #Do you have any knowledge or experience in the work you do? - Have passed training as required by law, such as confined work Crane work Must train as required by the law first To work #People who have completed their assigned positions or not, such as confined work. In addition to having an operator, but also requiring a helper as well. #M The first one looks like this. Let's start with the second M. The second M will look at the following tools and equipment: L#General condition of machinery, woodwork, tools, safe? (Will request to expand in the next article that machinery Woodwork tools, such as welding machines, cut with gas or electricity. General safety conditions, must see what safety?) #No modification from the set Until unsafe in use #There is an inspection round according to the standard or legal manual. - #There is storage - Safe placement M number 3, see raw materials Subject checked as follows -What are the raw materials, each type is dangerous? - Storage - Is it safe to place it? - If it is a chemical, see more SDS M4, see the work process, it will look as follows - Is the operation in accordance with the safety procedures set out? - # Use the JSA principles to analyze each step to see what dangers are there and whether the prevention and amendment measures are comprehensive When it comes to the last one, then the E looks at the environment, then see the working conditions The surrounding conditions are not an obstacle to work. May be looking at light, noise, heat, dust, other pollutants etc. #Finished # Site inspection techniques using 4M1E. Hope that will be useful to those interested. Prince Singh safety Head

Very Important For HSE Professionals

What do we do to keep our team safe? As part of No Falls Week, I thought I'd share a little more about how we keep our rope access team safe. One of our abseilers has said "I always feel safe and I know I can rely on my team if I need support while on the ropes". Safety is top of the list in everything we do, here are 3 examples of procedures we have in place to keep our team, and anyone else on site safe. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 (𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗦) Before we begin anything on site, our operations manager always pulls together a detailed RAMS tailored to the specific project requirements. The document outlines any hazards and the corresponding control measures and safety procedures we take to mitigate risks effectively. Thoroughly assessing the work site and identifying potential hazards means we can implement preventive measures and ensure that all team members know the necessary safety protocols. Clear communication of RAMS across the work site ensures that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, creating a safer working environment for all. 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Safety equipment is the lifeline for workers performing tasks at height, and ensuring its reliability is essential. Spectrum conducts regular testing and inspections of all our safety equipment, including carabiners, harnesses, ropes, and hard hats [Any technical names for the equipment we can use here? Like the style of harness maybe?]. This proactive approach helps to identify any defects or weaknesses in the equipment promptly, allowing for repairs or replacements to be made before they compromise worker safety. We also offer eyebolt and safety system testing for properties that have them installed. This working knowledge of the equipment we use regularly means if our team is on a site we don't do the eyebolt testing for we can spot possible defects and report them to the client, after marking them as unsafe for use. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 I think it's important to prioritise ongoing training and development for all team members involved in working at height. This includes initial training for new hires and regular refresher courses to reinforce safety protocols and best practices. For example, at the start of this year, we advanced two of our Level 1 IRATA technicians to Level 2. By investing in our team, we ensure that our team members are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their tasks safely and efficiently. Continuous training helps to keep our team aware of advancements or changes in safety regulations, enhancing their competency and readiness to handle potential hazards.

Be always safe. safety in first. let's spread this video to save the world, we must be careful with our works actually we face many risks when we're working, but there's many ways to to avoid this risks. as HSE technician, I will make some posts regarding this subject.. Be careful, Have a good work ahead and never forget to be safe when you're at your workplace.

A site safety induction is a process of introducing new employees or contractors to the safety policies, procedures, and hazards associated with a specific work site. It's an essential step in ensuring a safe working environment and complying with regulatory requirements. A typical site safety induction includes: 1. Welcome and introduction : Overview of the company, site, and project. 2. Safety policy and procedures : Review of the company's safety policy, procedures, and expectations. 3. Site-specific hazards : Identification of potential hazards on the site, such as chemical use, heavy machinery, or confined spaces. 4. Personal protective equipment (PPE). : Explanation of required PPE, such as hard hats, safety glasses, or respirators. 5. Emergency procedures : Review of emergency response plans, including evacuation routes, first aid, and fire extinguisher locations. 6. Site rules and regulations : Overview of site-specific rules, such as speed limits, smoking policies, or access restrictions. 7. Reporting incidents and injuries : Explanation of procedures for reporting accidents, near misses, or injuries. 8. Toolbox talks : Brief discussions on specific safety topics, such as ladder safety or electrical safety. 9. Site tour : Guided tour of the site to familiarize workers with the layout, hazards, and emergency equipment. 10. Q&A and feedback : Opportunity for workers to ask questions and provide feedback on the induction process. #safety #hse