What is the big deal with a record?
Trends and facts beat single-point values and vague recollections. A record can influence crucial decisions and judgments. Even diagnosis may not be possible without a record of what has happened in the past.
Record-keeping was a chore in the old days without computers. It can be merged in to current transactions using technology that is common now.
Record keeping is integral to efforts for better safety standards. Problem analysis after adverse incidents is nearly impossible if there are no historical records.
You never know when an old record will be useful again all of a sudden. Destroying records is always a risk, and has no benefits when we think of electronic databases.
This is why I loudly applaud the news at the following link:
http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/4310768/
Review your record keeping and disposal systems. Keep track of all your purchases, storage, use, and disposal of hazardous substances, with real-time copies always available at an off-site location. This could save lives in the event of an accident or a natural disaster.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Most Humane Aspect of Rescue
This web log is all about safety for and in business and large organizations.
There are some aspects of risk management, like the one reported at the link below that are humane rather than business-like:
http://www.lakeelmoleader.com/articles/index.cfm?id=9071§ion=news
Pets and wild animals are everywhere. Many risk management plans ignore then by oversight or design. Cattle are the most pitiable victims of floods and other natural disasters in India. Most rescue workers have no clue about how to save animal lives after an adverse event.
Would your emergency plans work for strays that might be affected? Do you know how many nests there are in your neighborhood? Diwali and each marriage season remind me of all the birds that share my locality, because they fill the sky in fright with the crippling noise pollution.
Please spare some planning and contingency resources for animals.
There are some aspects of risk management, like the one reported at the link below that are humane rather than business-like:
http://www.lakeelmoleader.com/articles/index.cfm?id=9071§ion=news
Pets and wild animals are everywhere. Many risk management plans ignore then by oversight or design. Cattle are the most pitiable victims of floods and other natural disasters in India. Most rescue workers have no clue about how to save animal lives after an adverse event.
Would your emergency plans work for strays that might be affected? Do you know how many nests there are in your neighborhood? Diwali and each marriage season remind me of all the birds that share my locality, because they fill the sky in fright with the crippling noise pollution.
Please spare some planning and contingency resources for animals.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Solution for Pollution
You cannot see them, but they are everywhere. The world of microbes is more ignored that hated or loved, but they are not to be denied.
Infectious diseases have given bacteria and fungi bad names, but could we enjoy bread, yogurt, or beer without them?
Methane on Mars may be inorganic, but if it does lead to a form of life on the planet, then a microbe not man will be involved.
Here is a link to the thought that a microbe from another part of the Universe, riding on a meteorite, could be our common ancestor:
http://www.v-j-enterprises.com/nasanews.html#7/29/98-vital
Back to the ground realities of today, microbes have huge roles in environmental conservation. Bacteria, fungi, and even humble algae can degrade harmful off-target residues of hazardous chemicals such as pesticides. Here is an exemplary link:
http://d.wanfangdata.com.cn/NSTLQK_NSTL_QK7802954.aspx
Post below if you would like to develop colonies of microbes to re-mediate contaminated soil and water.
Infectious diseases have given bacteria and fungi bad names, but could we enjoy bread, yogurt, or beer without them?
Methane on Mars may be inorganic, but if it does lead to a form of life on the planet, then a microbe not man will be involved.
Here is a link to the thought that a microbe from another part of the Universe, riding on a meteorite, could be our common ancestor:
http://www.v-j-enterprises.com/nasanews.html#7/29/98-vital
Back to the ground realities of today, microbes have huge roles in environmental conservation. Bacteria, fungi, and even humble algae can degrade harmful off-target residues of hazardous chemicals such as pesticides. Here is an exemplary link:
http://d.wanfangdata.com.cn/NSTLQK_NSTL_QK7802954.aspx
Post below if you would like to develop colonies of microbes to re-mediate contaminated soil and water.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Lifecycle Analysis Unearths New Risks
Consumers were shocked to discover that luxury brands of footwear were made in sweatshops of the third world.
Iconic brands of sodas have depleted scarce groundwater in the rain-shadows of earth.
High technology seeds were produced by keeping village girls from school.
Post below if you would like web addresses at which you can find details of such shocking realities.
There are numerous and abominable instances of raw and packing materials destroying the environment and endangering people. The good old days of limiting concerns to finished goods are well and truly over. Brand owners are now liable for how their outsourced products and services are put together.
Life-cycle analysis works forwards as well. The pesticide industry is not the only one to ignore widespread abuses of its brands, but it is the sector of the economy that I know well. It is not enough by far to pay lip service to safety and environmental conservation. Such responsibilities cannot be limited to manufacturing sites, or to token extension efforts. Safe and judicious use, as well as waste disposal are prime and essential brand responsibilities.
Post below or write to SafetyBrigade@gmail.com if you would like a Life-Cycle Analysis of products and services from which you profit.
Iconic brands of sodas have depleted scarce groundwater in the rain-shadows of earth.
High technology seeds were produced by keeping village girls from school.
Post below if you would like web addresses at which you can find details of such shocking realities.
There are numerous and abominable instances of raw and packing materials destroying the environment and endangering people. The good old days of limiting concerns to finished goods are well and truly over. Brand owners are now liable for how their outsourced products and services are put together.
Life-cycle analysis works forwards as well. The pesticide industry is not the only one to ignore widespread abuses of its brands, but it is the sector of the economy that I know well. It is not enough by far to pay lip service to safety and environmental conservation. Such responsibilities cannot be limited to manufacturing sites, or to token extension efforts. Safe and judicious use, as well as waste disposal are prime and essential brand responsibilities.
Post below or write to SafetyBrigade@gmail.com if you would like a Life-Cycle Analysis of products and services from which you profit.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Emergencies in Remote Areas
What happened to the water used to fight the fire reported at the following web address?
http://www.freep.com/article/20090111/NEWS07/90111020
It is apparent that the house involved did not have an automatic sprinkler system, which makes it safe to assume that there was no provision for the sequestering of fire-fighting water.
The fire started in the aftermath of a storm, which implies that the entire locality must have been awash in flowing water.
Could something similar happen to you?
Fires in warehouses are amongst the worst. Hazardous materials get released in to public water bodies in huge amounts.
Fire-fighting forces should use dry powder to douse warehouse and factory fires. All production and storage sites must have facilities for automatic isolation of fire-fighting wastes.
Post below or write to SafetyBrigade@gmail.com to safeguard your storage, production, office, and home sites.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090111/NEWS07/90111020
It is apparent that the house involved did not have an automatic sprinkler system, which makes it safe to assume that there was no provision for the sequestering of fire-fighting water.
The fire started in the aftermath of a storm, which implies that the entire locality must have been awash in flowing water.
Could something similar happen to you?
Fires in warehouses are amongst the worst. Hazardous materials get released in to public water bodies in huge amounts.
Fire-fighting forces should use dry powder to douse warehouse and factory fires. All production and storage sites must have facilities for automatic isolation of fire-fighting wastes.
Post below or write to SafetyBrigade@gmail.com to safeguard your storage, production, office, and home sites.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Problem Analysis and Maintenance
Most of us will not believe that it is possible to have premonitions about disasters. However, there is a rationale way to foresee some adverse events. Clairvoyance is never about certainty. Maintenance work and incidents that remain unreported can yield invaluable tips about possible and even likely accidents. Consider the report at the following address:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/01/cause_sought_in.html
Major accidents are investigated thoroughly. What if we were to play Devil's Advocate and look for needles in haystacks of 'near-misses'?
Problem Analysis is a chore and a nuisance as well. It does pay big time though. Here is a link to the method:
http://www.kepner-tregoe.com/TheKTWay/OurProcesses-PA.cfm
Do you have another way of learning from adverse events? Can their probabilities be reduced? Post below to share your experience, and to ask for help with your operations as well.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/01/cause_sought_in.html
Major accidents are investigated thoroughly. What if we were to play Devil's Advocate and look for needles in haystacks of 'near-misses'?
Problem Analysis is a chore and a nuisance as well. It does pay big time though. Here is a link to the method:
http://www.kepner-tregoe.com/TheKTWay/OurProcesses-PA.cfm
Do you have another way of learning from adverse events? Can their probabilities be reduced? Post below to share your experience, and to ask for help with your operations as well.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Do you SPCC?
What is the big deal with a spill? It happens all the time, in homes, offices, and in the aftermaths of accidents.
A spill can spell disaster if a hazardous substance is involved. Any organic material that is normally considered to be safe, can become a source of serious risks, if spilled. Milk, blood, and human waste, are important examples of innocuous substances that become sources of contamination and pollution once they are exposed outside their containers.
Transport is a major source of spill-related risks to humans and the environment.
Drivers, helpers, and local authorities may have no clues on what has to be done to contain a spill of a hazardous or risky substance.
Here is a useful link on how to manage a spill:
http://www.epa.gov/OEM/content/spcc/index.htm
A spill can spell disaster if a hazardous substance is involved. Any organic material that is normally considered to be safe, can become a source of serious risks, if spilled. Milk, blood, and human waste, are important examples of innocuous substances that become sources of contamination and pollution once they are exposed outside their containers.
Transport is a major source of spill-related risks to humans and the environment.
Drivers, helpers, and local authorities may have no clues on what has to be done to contain a spill of a hazardous or risky substance.
Here is a useful link on how to manage a spill:
http://www.epa.gov/OEM/content/spcc/index.htm
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