Proforma Safety Blog

NTSB Has Issued Report on Oil Tanker Eagle Otome Collision

Posted by proforma on September 27, 2011  |  No Comments

You may recall the oil tanker Eagle Otome, which collided with barges on Jan. 23, 2010 in the canal near Port Arthur, Texas. The National Transportation Safety Board has announced that pilot fatigue, cracking jokes, reading newspapers and otherwise insufficient management of the tanker’s movements were factors causing the collision.

The fatigued pilot had operational control at the time of the collision, and as a result of initiating a turn late in a mild bend of the canal, failed to correct the sheering motions that began to occur. The board found that this pilot was distracted from conducting a radio call, which the second pilot should have conducted in accordance with guidelines. For details, click here.

Lengthy Process to Establish Drilling Safety Standards Anticipated, Says Administration

Posted by proforma on September 11, 2011  |  No Comments

Houston Chronicle reported Sept.9, 2011, that a top adminstration official said the U.S. government will initiate a long process for setting new offshore drilling safety standards after the joint federal investigation into the Deepwater Horizon is completed.

Bureau of Labor Stats for 2010 Show No Improvement over 2009

Posted by proforma on September 11, 2011  |  No Comments

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary report on fatal occupational injuries for 2010 showed unfortunately that the number of workplace fatalities showed virtually no improvement over 2009. American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) President Terrie S. Norris says this should be a call for action, especially given these economically challenging times when workers can be at greater risk. For details, click here.

Mount the Rig Winch Properly

Posted by proforma on May 1, 2011  |  No Comments

As the crew was picking up the riser through the V-door with the 4500 kg winch, the winch bolts failed and the winch broke free from its pedestal, swinging sideways and smashing into the doghouse door. It turned out the base did not have the same bolt configuration as the base holding plate and the holes were misaligned. To cap off this disaster, the bolts were undersized. Read the full account here.

Safe Loading, Unloading When Using a Forklift

Posted by proforma on April 30, 2011  |  No Comments

forklift safety advisory.

When loading and unloading using a forklift, remember they behave differently when carrying a load!
- Do not overload the forklift
- Approach the load slowly & carefully
- Keep the mast in vertical position
- Space forks to distribute weight evenly
- Approach load & drop-off area at right angles
- After properly loaded, tilt mast back to stabilize the load
- Raise the load only enough to prevent dragging
- Position the mast vertically over the unloading spot
- Lower the load and reverse slowly, watch for rear swing, don’t drag the forks
- When unloading trailers - chock the wheels, set brakes and use jacks

SaferProducts.gov Offers Immediate Access to CPSC Safety Complaint Database

Posted by proforma on March 14, 2011  |  No Comments

Want to find out if a product you’re buying has any consumer complaints? The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has launched a safety complaints database at www.saferproducts.gov. Whereas in the past, safety complaints submitted to the CPSC were only accessible by request through the Freedom of Information Act, the new database system will make the requested information available immediately — including by smart phone. Consumers can log their own complaints, and manufacturers can respond to these complaints as well.

Businesses Concerned About OSHA’s Proposal for Musculoskeletal Disorder Reporting Requirement

Posted by proforma on February 2, 2011  |  No Comments

HSE professionals are watching for further developments in possible reporting requirements on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) related to workplace injury or illness. OSHA proposes to require employers to disclose in federal surveys whether a worker’s injury is musculoskeletal in nature.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (see history on this issue) says this move indicates interest of the Obama administration to adopt sweeping regulation of ergonomic safety. According to Marc Freedman, director of labor law policy for the Chamber, their concerns center on how OSHA will define MSD and whether the injuries actually occurred in the workplace.

On January 25, OSHA announced it was temporarily withdrawing its proposal that a column be added to employer injury and illness logs to record work-related musculoskeletal disorders, citing the need for active dialogue between the agency and the small business community.”
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Be Aware of Factors that Contribute to Hearing Loss

Posted by proforma on February 1, 2011  |  No Comments

People often accept hearing loss as an unwelcome development as they age, but few are aware of the many health conditions that can contribute to hearing loss, or the ways in which they can minimize it.

For example, a recent study appears to indicate a link between heart disease and hearing loss. Interesting to note is a finding that those who exercise saw a 32% reduction in risk for suffering a hearing loss. And this study showed diabetics are twice as likely to develop hearing loss. Cholesteral, blood type, chemotherapy and even tooth decay have demonstrated links to hearing loss. On a positive note, B-vitamin has been linked to preventing it.

If you’re interested in learning more about the various contributing factors, go here. And there’s also an online hearing test offered by the Better Hearing Institute that can give you feedback on how serious your hearing condition may be.

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

Posted by proforma on February 1, 2011  |  No Comments

OSHA has slated final action for its  Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in August 2011. For details, go to  http://www.dol.gov/osha/regs/unifiedagenda/fall2010/1218-AC20.htm. OSHA intends to conform the existing HCS with the United Nations’ (UN) Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

OSHA Sees I2P2 As Top Priority for 2011

Posted by proforma on January 6, 2011  |  No Comments

OSHA is describing its Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) as a top priority for 2011. A proposed rule to modernize the agency’s reporting system is expected in a September 2011 Notice for Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The intent is for the I2P2 standard to have the “widest industry and employer coverage that the rulemaking process can tolerate,” according to this document outlining the recommendations by the American Industrial Hygiene Association I2P2 Task Force. The focus will be on proactive identification and control of workplace risks related to physical, biological and chemical and safety hazards.

The proposed I2P2 rule would cover
1) Management duties
2) Employee participation
3) Hazard identification and assessment
4) Hazard prevention and control
5) Education and training
6) Program evaluation and improvement

Separate but related, OSHA also intends to pursue an Infectious Diseases regulation that will require employers to not only protect workers from exposure to infectious diseases, but also develop control programs. Primarily focused on the healthcare industry, a request for information is anticipated to be published soon. Further information is available here.
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