Page 15 - OHS, September 2024

may utilize contractors for various durations. Work conducted by the host can impact the contractor and vice versa. Some things re- quire extra coordination, like for hazardous energy control (lock- out/tagout). Also, contractors performing routine facility services might be asked by the facility staff to perform tasks outside their area of authorization or skills, and conversely, contract employees may take risks to “prove” themselves for employment.
Combustible dust considerations. Some processes create com- bustible dusts that pose risks in the air or after settling on surfaces. These are not always on a facility’s radar. OSHA has a National Em- phasis Program (NEP), revised in 2023, and the NFPA has several standards about this. Some describe fundamentals including con- ducting Dust Hazard Analysis (DHAs).
Warehouse and logistics center considerations. OSHA has a current NEP on this topic as well (see CPL 03-00-026). The focus is on hazards common to those operations. Forklift issues, as well as rack damage and integrity, are cited frequently.
Workplace violence prevention. This is a leading cause of death on the job in the U.S. Facility design, physical tools, proactive as- sessments and emergency procedures can influence this. Organi- zations should be sure they are addressing this adequately.
Spread of infectious diseases. The country is likely to face infec- tious disease pandemics again. There are standards that facilities staff should be aware of and use appropriately. These include ISO 45006:2023, a management guideline about preventing and man- aging infectious diseases at work, and ASHRAE 241, a standard about Control of Infectious Aerosols describing airflow require- ments in various building types.
Is Someone Handling This?
Sometimes it can be easy to presume that certain hazards are being handled by others. Verifying those assumptions can be important. For example, one organization had processes with the significant potential to generate high levels of carbon monoxide. Area sensors were present. However, checking found that sensors had not been
calibrated in many years and that output was not monitored.
Summary
Facility safety considerations can be nuanced and are important. Organizations should use intentional approaches to identify, stay on top of, and control related hazards and risk. Many options are available. Certainly, organizations need to identify applicable regu- lations and ensure compliance, but they should also think about how they choose to manage safety beyond that. The method is im- portant. The integration of facility safety considerations with other management processes can help ensure compliance as well as cre- ate other improvement opportunities.
Greg Zigulis, CIH, CSP, is President of Sixth Sense Safety Solutions and has more than 39 years of professional occupational health and safety experience. He is an active member of the ANSI/ASSP Z10 Committee on Occupational Health and Safety Management Sys- tems, the ANSI/ASSP Z590.3 committee on Prevention through De- sign (Guidelines for Addressing Occupational Hazards and Risks in Design and Redesign Processes), and others. Greg’s company provides comprehensive occupational health and safety assistance, including plant safety and industrial hygiene. He can be reached at gz@sixth- sensesafetysolutions.com.
www.ohsonline.com
SEPTEMBER 2024 | Occupational Health & Safety 13
See Us at nsc Booth 469
•LONE WORKER PROTECTION
•FALL PROTECTION
•SUSPENSION TRAUMA PREVENTION
SECURE 1⁄2 MILE LINE-OF-SIGHT
NEW - iOS and Android Phone APP Assign Your Own Monitoring Attendants Receive GPS Pendant Map Links Create Check-In Schedules Receive Alert Notifications
GRACE GATEWAYS
• Iridium Satellite / Cellular
• Mobile / Portable / Fixed Models • SALTITM System Loop Test Indicator • Supports up to 40 Grace Pendants
WORKFORCE® LONE
WORKER PENDANT
Fall Detection Manual Panic Button Motion Detection GPS Location
LEARN MORE
GRACECONNECTEDSAFETY.COM