Journal of the Association of Engineers, India

S. K. Alley

Abstract

The last couple of decades have brought about significant developments in new technologies, e.g. communications, transportation, construction and manufacturing (especially in metallurgy and chemicals). These have brought with them their own special hazards particularly in terms of stress on time-management, lack of personal touch, exposure to arduous/hazardous operations, damage from explosion & fire etc. Technological changes have also forced alteration in the way jobs are performed by an individual. Organisation of work, including use of skills, control over work and communications has been affected to a high degree. Until recently, job characteristics were predetermined by technical and economic considerations. Managers were supposed to find the "one best way" to define jobs. The idea was to break the work up into tasks and assign each worker the simplest possible combination of tasks. It was made sure that every worker would do his task that called for minimum skills. Managers also took due care that tasks provide the workers the opportunities for 'developing useful skills', earn 'self-respect' and the sense of 'selfesteem'. Such tasks were self-motivating, safe and productive.

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S. K. Alley

Abstract

The need for maintenance in a plant implies that there is some abnormality. If the plant runs or is allowed to run in an abnormal condition it may reach to a stage when dangers will lurk to either cause machine failure or injury to workmen. The value of good maintenance practice is therefore obvious. It obviates accidents. But actually doing maintenance of plant and equipment is likely to introduce its own typical hazards with level of risk sometimes high enough for special dangers to human life, because the jobs are performed at various elevations, many times in dangerous situations, and conditions e.g. extreme temperature conditions & in high concentration of noxious gas and dusty work environment. That is why commitment to safety rules is a must for maintenance personnel.

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S. K. Alley

Abstract

Safety education and trining signifies a systematic process of imparting knowledge, skill, aptitude and insight to perform a specific job. They are essential means of communicating the basic requirements of safety and health protection to all workers. It helps to effect changes in the behavior of employees as well as motivate them to do a job efficiently and correctly.

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S. K. Alley

Abstract

While performing his daily works a normal person places more reliance on his sight than any other senses. He obtains most of his information about the outside world by means of his sight. The eye can portray to the brain such impression as are carried to it by light waves and if these light waves are not rational then its effect on a normal person is similar to that of partial blindness. The best of visual information in an industry can be obtained by adequate and uniform illumination of the workplace. The number of accidents in industries attributable to inadequate or insufficient illumination is fairly high. A good illumination, that provides a surface luminance (brightness) that is both adequate and uniform, has therefore been recognized as a very important factor of preventing industrial accidents. The importance of good illumination has, so far, not been recognized by the plant's top management to its fullest extent in our Industries and the violations endanger the workers regardless of the physiological condition of their vision. A good number of industrial workers are often found to be the victims of "double handicap of poor lighting and defective eyesight".

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S. K. Alley

Abstract

The spectrum of safety is quite large. Firstly, the human element makes decisions based on which they take certain risks in an effort to reach his objective. Bad decisions, bad risks and failures are responsible for accidents. Secondly, the equipment in the system should function effectively without failure. Poorly designed equipments or tools, or those poorly maintained and kept, may trigger an accident. Thirdly, the work environment plays a significant role in the system. An unpalatable environment e.g. toxic & noisy atmosphere, glare, dusty & crowded condition affect either the man, his machine or both and set up accident situation. Safety therefore needs active and genuine supports from all employees who are the prime element in operating a plant or in performing a work.

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S. K. Alley

Abstract

The possible causes and type of accidents in industries, construction or manufacturing, are many and various. They may arise from unsafe mechanical equipment, arduous environmental condition, and hazardous arrangements in and around the workplace and unsafe acts committed by individuals. The occupational accidents, defined as undesirable event that results in injury to certain length of disability causing stoppage of work and time loss affecting the progress of work or production in quantity and quality. The injury can be mechanical (bruise, cuts, tissue ruptures, breakage etc), thermal (shock, bum, frost bite) or chemical (bum, intoxication, poisoning). The result of injury may extend from serious to no injury or from permanent to temporary disablement. In industries a large number of such accidents are caused from use of hand tools viz hammers/sledge hammers, chisels, cutters, punches, spanners, wrenches, knives etc. The ischolar_main and obvious causes of accidents are use of unsuitable hand tools, misuse of tools, and their poor maintenance and improper storage. The general recommendation for prevention of such accidents and for the quality of materials for tools, laid down in the appropriate standards.can be summarized as under:

"Hand tools for factory use should be made of materials of good quality and be appropriate for the work for which they are used".

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S. K. Alley

Abstract

"Electricity is a useful servant, but when they are not controlled effectively, they can become terrible tyrants."

Obtaining the maximum utility and providing the necessary protection from electrical energy sources are primarily the duties of electrical engineers but certain elements of information are essential to all users of electricity as well as to safety professionals in order that the basics of control are provided and maintained.

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