Team,
I have a same problem in all our Sub-Contractor site’s including ours (self performance). Let’s go the issue.
In construction always we facing different kind of issues last couple of months were are specially monitoring Respirator / Dust mask issues in our work areas they are using RESPIRATOR / DUST MASK for all purposes sorry to say specially our EHS guys (Including me) always forget to read instruction ‘’ How many of our guys reading instruction or asking manuals when your inspection something in work areas any one???’’.
In my workplace they are using some chemicals for fixing tiles, silicon sealant for finishing etc,..,, But all of the employees who assigned for the job using a same Respirator / Mask for all tasks when I go through the MSDS manufacturer clearly recommend what type of MASK we need to use including model’s just couple of weeks ago we had meeting with our supervisor regarding this issue how they can choose right PPE’s for job after the meeting I visited one site its shocked me they using the different mask it’s not meet manufacturer requirement again I called the supervisor he brawl with me.
1. For example: In one area it’s like a hall more than more than 20 employees working in different activities Tiles, finishing, Plumbing. They are using different types of chemicals its needs different types Respirator / masks for each activities but they are using the same Respirator / mask while cleaning the area but they suppose to use different mask.
I know strongly its leads to occupational disease in future even if my employee suffered after 5 years I am the soul responsibly for them even though they aren’t in my company. They are not understood lot of times we explained but it’s happened again and again.
We cannot monitor 1000+ employees one by one at all times it’s not possible too.
I discussed this issue with my colleagues most of them advised me you make a small issue like disaster guys please advise me If I am wrong in this case??????
Note: We are providing Mask for all activities in our workplace our employee’s failure to use.
Your suggestions are most welcome thanks in advance . . .
From United States, Fpo
497I have a same problem in all our Sub-Contractor site’s including ours (self performance). Let’s go the issue.
In construction always we facing different kind of issues last couple of months were are specially monitoring Respirator / Dust mask issues in our work areas they are using RESPIRATOR / DUST MASK for all purposes sorry to say specially our EHS guys (Including me) always forget to read instruction ‘’ How many of our guys reading instruction or asking manuals when your inspection something in work areas any one???’’.
In my workplace they are using some chemicals for fixing tiles, silicon sealant for finishing etc,..,, But all of the employees who assigned for the job using a same Respirator / Mask for all tasks when I go through the MSDS manufacturer clearly recommend what type of MASK we need to use including model’s just couple of weeks ago we had meeting with our supervisor regarding this issue how they can choose right PPE’s for job after the meeting I visited one site its shocked me they using the different mask it’s not meet manufacturer requirement again I called the supervisor he brawl with me.
1. For example: In one area it’s like a hall more than more than 20 employees working in different activities Tiles, finishing, Plumbing. They are using different types of chemicals its needs different types Respirator / masks for each activities but they are using the same Respirator / mask while cleaning the area but they suppose to use different mask.
I know strongly its leads to occupational disease in future even if my employee suffered after 5 years I am the soul responsibly for them even though they aren’t in my company. They are not understood lot of times we explained but it’s happened again and again.
We cannot monitor 1000+ employees one by one at all times it’s not possible too.
I discussed this issue with my colleagues most of them advised me you make a small issue like disaster guys please advise me If I am wrong in this case??????
Note: We are providing Mask for all activities in our workplace our employee’s failure to use.
Your suggestions are most welcome thanks in advance . . .
From United States, Fpo
Dear Raghu
I will suggest the following:
1. You can't always expect the job supervisor to refer the MSDS or Manufactures instruction before selecting suitable respiratory protection. For this you have to do a detailed study (HIRA) of all your activities and have to come up with a list. Which respiratory protection needs for which job and how long it should be used, etc. For this you many use the attached format.
2. Once the list is ready hand over to your supervisors. Advice/train them very clearly that what PPE is for particular job. You can get results from this.
3. Conduct training program for workers covering specific job and hazards and need of using right type of respiratory protection. The training level / learning level should be in such a manner that the worker should demand from their supervisors that I need right type of respiratory protection for this job. If not getting they can complain to the superiors.
These are my suggestions... Please let me know whether it will work for you or not...
From India
I will suggest the following:
1. You can't always expect the job supervisor to refer the MSDS or Manufactures instruction before selecting suitable respiratory protection. For this you have to do a detailed study (HIRA) of all your activities and have to come up with a list. Which respiratory protection needs for which job and how long it should be used, etc. For this you many use the attached format.
2. Once the list is ready hand over to your supervisors. Advice/train them very clearly that what PPE is for particular job. You can get results from this.
3. Conduct training program for workers covering specific job and hazards and need of using right type of respiratory protection. The training level / learning level should be in such a manner that the worker should demand from their supervisors that I need right type of respiratory protection for this job. If not getting they can complain to the superiors.
These are my suggestions... Please let me know whether it will work for you or not...
From India
Dear Raghu,
I am sorry for the delay in reply as well as not so participative in forum as I was busy in EHS and OHSAS audit last week.
As regards to your problem I have some thing to comment. I would also like to share some of my experience with you. Hope you may take some clue which should be useful to you.
1. Use of PPE: There is a lot of resistance in use of PPE.
Personal life examples,
Helmets while two wheeler driving.
Most of the people use it as a threat of Police and fines being imposed. Very little percentage who voluntary use the helmet.
Talking on mobile while driving 2 and 4 wheelers.
Every body knows the hazardous of this unsafe act. How many of us follow.?
Fastening the seat belt while 4 wheelers driving.
again followed in the cities where it is made compulsory by RTO.
Professional Life examples:
In industry to promote workmen to use PPEs become a problem of Management.
If some near happened of falling objects, the managements immediately jump on conclusion of use of Helmets.
According to me the companies should do Hazard Identification of falling hazards, as well as problems encountered with use of helmet.
The following are few concerns of helmets.
In Indian subcontinent there are roughly two seasons one is hot and other is hotter. (Some exceptions when the temperature is less than 6 Deg C approx 6/7 days in a year). The rains happen from July to Sept however the temperature in most part of the country is hot.
If helmets are used there is a lot of sweating, and itching on head.
Till the time people are used there is a problem of Hearing, many people feel this as a hazard.
If helmets are not issued to every employee, if these are exchanged there is possibility of problems like dandruff, and dermatitis.
Instead if falling hazards are prevented at source, it is quite beneficial.
Most workshops have EOT Cranes (particularly engineering Industry), if crane platforms are protected with some anti fall arrangements, nothing will fall down.
In such case helmets can be avoided.
As it is we say PPE's are to be considered as last Defense, we have to rely on elimination, substitution, Engineering controls first. Modification of crane platform can be considered as Engineering control. Therefore I suggest to make detailed HIRA and adopt HAZCOM. If hazards are properly communicated the acceptability increases.
In my previous assignment we were using some VOC's, the major hazard there was impotency to the workmen after 5 years exposure.
After reading MSDS, I conducted the training of workmen communicated them the hazard, the situation was different then.
Workmen started using masks, asking of new masks after the defined frequency.
In many cases specific training helps.
These are my views, some one may differ with them, but I have got results with this approach.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Nasik
I am sorry for the delay in reply as well as not so participative in forum as I was busy in EHS and OHSAS audit last week.
As regards to your problem I have some thing to comment. I would also like to share some of my experience with you. Hope you may take some clue which should be useful to you.
1. Use of PPE: There is a lot of resistance in use of PPE.
Personal life examples,
Helmets while two wheeler driving.
Most of the people use it as a threat of Police and fines being imposed. Very little percentage who voluntary use the helmet.
Talking on mobile while driving 2 and 4 wheelers.
Every body knows the hazardous of this unsafe act. How many of us follow.?
Fastening the seat belt while 4 wheelers driving.
again followed in the cities where it is made compulsory by RTO.
Professional Life examples:
In industry to promote workmen to use PPEs become a problem of Management.
If some near happened of falling objects, the managements immediately jump on conclusion of use of Helmets.
According to me the companies should do Hazard Identification of falling hazards, as well as problems encountered with use of helmet.
The following are few concerns of helmets.
In Indian subcontinent there are roughly two seasons one is hot and other is hotter. (Some exceptions when the temperature is less than 6 Deg C approx 6/7 days in a year). The rains happen from July to Sept however the temperature in most part of the country is hot.
If helmets are used there is a lot of sweating, and itching on head.
Till the time people are used there is a problem of Hearing, many people feel this as a hazard.
If helmets are not issued to every employee, if these are exchanged there is possibility of problems like dandruff, and dermatitis.
Instead if falling hazards are prevented at source, it is quite beneficial.
Most workshops have EOT Cranes (particularly engineering Industry), if crane platforms are protected with some anti fall arrangements, nothing will fall down.
In such case helmets can be avoided.
As it is we say PPE's are to be considered as last Defense, we have to rely on elimination, substitution, Engineering controls first. Modification of crane platform can be considered as Engineering control. Therefore I suggest to make detailed HIRA and adopt HAZCOM. If hazards are properly communicated the acceptability increases.
In my previous assignment we were using some VOC's, the major hazard there was impotency to the workmen after 5 years exposure.
After reading MSDS, I conducted the training of workmen communicated them the hazard, the situation was different then.
Workmen started using masks, asking of new masks after the defined frequency.
In many cases specific training helps.
These are my views, some one may differ with them, but I have got results with this approach.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Nasik
Dear Raghu, Dipil,
While I was writing reply on this thread, which took some time, in between Mr. Dipil Replied, and he also commented on HIRA.
I am sure Hazard Identification and Communication will giive positive results.
Thanks Mr. Dipil for your reply.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Nasik
While I was writing reply on this thread, which took some time, in between Mr. Dipil Replied, and he also commented on HIRA.
I am sure Hazard Identification and Communication will giive positive results.
Thanks Mr. Dipil for your reply.
Thanks & Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Nasik
Dear Sir
Thanks for sharing a detailed write up with us... Mainly what I feel very good is that you have a wast experience in different field... You sharing the the real life experiences with us... Nice to got a senior member like you in the forum...
Keep on sharing and thanks...
From India
Thanks for sharing a detailed write up with us... Mainly what I feel very good is that you have a wast experience in different field... You sharing the the real life experiences with us... Nice to got a senior member like you in the forum...
Keep on sharing and thanks...
From India
Dear Mr. Raghu, Mr. Dipil,
I forgot to mention about the quality of Mask.
This is competency issue.
For selecting a correct type of Mask, Read MSDS, contact good companies and select the proper mask.
Following incidence happened when I was working in Production.
We had subcontracted Painting activity.
The masks were issued to painting contractor's employee.
He regularly used the mask, but under the mask he used to cover his nose with handkerchief.
When we implemented OHSAS we did HIRA, and suitability of this mask was checked, then we revealed that the particular mask was not good for the painting application.
I studied the particle size of the fumes at Painting and procured suitable mask.
The same painter was given the new mask and feed back was taken. His feed back was in Hindi "sir abhi paint ka smell nahi aata, pahle wale mask me se paint ka smell aata tha isiliye mai rumal bandhata tha."
Selection of Proper PPE also changes the attitude of the workmen.
Thanks and Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Nasik
I forgot to mention about the quality of Mask.
This is competency issue.
For selecting a correct type of Mask, Read MSDS, contact good companies and select the proper mask.
Following incidence happened when I was working in Production.
We had subcontracted Painting activity.
The masks were issued to painting contractor's employee.
He regularly used the mask, but under the mask he used to cover his nose with handkerchief.
When we implemented OHSAS we did HIRA, and suitability of this mask was checked, then we revealed that the particular mask was not good for the painting application.
I studied the particle size of the fumes at Painting and procured suitable mask.
The same painter was given the new mask and feed back was taken. His feed back was in Hindi "sir abhi paint ka smell nahi aata, pahle wale mask me se paint ka smell aata tha isiliye mai rumal bandhata tha."
Selection of Proper PPE also changes the attitude of the workmen.
Thanks and Regards,
Sudhir
From India, Nasik
Dear Raghu
Look comfortability of the employee while he was using mask. If employee face any inconvenience then sure he will not use. So that you have to go through HIRA. If your selection is perfect then you have to go through training. In training don't tell only about how to use mask and why. Also tell or show what are the consequences if they failed to use mask. Fine on the employee should be last option.
Regards
Vijay
From India, Bangalore
Look comfortability of the employee while he was using mask. If employee face any inconvenience then sure he will not use. So that you have to go through HIRA. If your selection is perfect then you have to go through training. In training don't tell only about how to use mask and why. Also tell or show what are the consequences if they failed to use mask. Fine on the employee should be last option.
Regards
Vijay
From India, Bangalore
Dear Dipil, First of all thanks for your quick response and sorry for delaying in reply i was obstructed in some of our sub-contract issues . . . I will reply you in couple of hours. . .
From United States, Fpo
From United States, Fpo
Dear Sudhir, Nice to see your professional example thanks for your participation in between your busy schedule. Again thanks i will revert back to you in couple of hours. . . Keep on touch. . .
From United States, Fpo
From United States, Fpo
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