Risk–Reduction Methods for Occupational Safety and Health

This book covers system safety methods related to occupational health and safety. It argues for anticipating hazards, risk reduction strategies for hazards processes, and making sure workers' tasks correspond to human capabilities. To this end, the text provides pro-active methods for identifying hazards, assessing risk, analyzing hazards, using tools from system safety, conducting post-incident investigations, considering human errors, applying risk reduction strategies, and managing process safety. While emphasizing methods suitable for all countries, it includes references to U.S. military and Department of Energy documents, as well as a discussion of fault-tree construction.

Table of Contents:
Preface xiii Acknowledgments xv Part I: Background 1 1. Multidisciplinary Perspective 3 1.1 System Safety Contributions 3 1.2 Public Health Contributions 6 1.3 Educational Theory Contributions 7 Learning Exercises 9 Technical Terms 10 References 10 2. Key Terms and Concepts 13 2.1 Hazard 13 2.2 Risk 17 2.3 Risk Reduction 19 Learning Exercises 20 Technical Terms 22 References 22 3. Tools for Analysis and Synthesis 25 3.1 Using Models for Safety Analyses 25 3.2 Using Charting Methods 28 3.3 Summary of Part I 33 Learning Exercises 34 Technical Terms 35 References 36 Part II: Analysis Methods 37 4. Analyzing Jobs and Tasks 39 4.1 Basics of Job Hazard Analysis 39 4.2 Implementation 43 4.3 Example JHA 44 4.4 Hazard Analyses Similar to JHA 45 Learning Exercises 47 Technical Terms 48 References 48 5. Using Risk-Assessment Methods 49 5.1 Risk-Assessment Processes 49 5.2 Example Risk Assessment 58 Learning Exercises 62 Technical Terms 63 References 64 6. Analyzing Failure Modes 65 6.1 Rationale for FMEA 65 6.2 Basic FMEA Methodology 65 6.3 Beyond the Basics 68 Learning Exercises 68 Technical Terms 69 References 69 7. Constructing Fault Trees 71 7.1 Introduction to Fault Trees 71 7.2 Additional Fault Tree Tools 80 Learning Exercises 82 Technical Terms 83 References 84 8. Analyzing Fault Trees 85 8.1 Quantitative Analysis Based on Fault Trees 85 8.2 Identifying Cut Sets 91 8.3 Finding Common-Cause Failures 95 8.4 Summary of Part II 97 Learning Exercises 98 Technical Terms 99 References 99 Part III: Programmatic Methods for Managing Risk 101 9. Incident Investigation Programs 103 9.1 Closed-Loop Process 104 9.2 Policy Considerations 105 9.3 Investigative Processes 107 9.4 Practical Tools for Incident Investigators 110 9.5 Method for Modeling Harmful Incidents 118 Learning Exercises 120 Technical Terms 121 References 122 10. Human Error Reduction 125 10.1 Concepts of Errors 125 10.2 Comprehensive Classification System 128 10.3 Methods for Finding Countermeasures 130 Learning Exercises 131 Technical Terms 133 References 133 11. Risk-Reduction Strategies 135 11.1 Conceptualizing "Strategies" 135 11.2 The Nine Strategies 138 11.3 Priority for Applying Strategies 142 Learning Exercises 143 Technical Terms 148 References 148 12. Common Components of OSH Programs 149 12.1 OSH Program Aspirations 149 12.2 Training 150 12.3 Warnings 154 12.4 Safety Devices 157 12.5 Emergency Preparedness 159 12.6 Sanitation and Housekeeping 162 Learning Exercises 163 Technical Terms 165 References 166 13. Tools for Managing OSH Programs 169 13.1 Safety Culture 169 13.2 OSH Management System Approach 173 13.3 Ethical Policies for OSH 175 13.4 Summary of Part III 177 Learning Exercises 178 Technical Terms 179 Appendix: Example Code of Professional Conduct 179 References 180 Part IV: Risk Reduction for Energy Sources 183 14. Kinetic Energy Hazards 185 14.1 Energy in General 185 14.2 Background on Kinetic Energy 187 14.3 Mechanisms of Harming 190 14.4 Strategies and Tactics for Kinetic Energy 193 Learning Exercises 198 Technical Terms 199 References 199 15. Electric Energy Hazards 201 15.1 Electrical Energy as a Source of Hazard 201 15.2 Mechanisms of Harming 205 15.3 Strategies and Tactics for Electrical Energy 208 Learning Exercises 211 Technical Terms 212 References 213 16. Acoustic Energy and Vibration Hazards 215 16.1 Background on Noise and Vibration 215 16.2 Mechanisms of Harming 218 16.3 Strategies and Tactics for Noise and Vibration 221 Learning Exercises 225 Technical Terms 228 References 229 17. Thermal Hazards: Heat and Cold 231 17.1 Background on Thermal Hazards 231 17.2 Mechanisms of Harming 237 17.3 Strategies and Tactics for Thermal Hazards 238 Learning Exercises 243 Technical Terms 245 References 245 18. Fire Hazards 247 18.1 Fundamentals of Fire 247 18.2 Mechanisms of Harming 253 18.3 Strategies and Tactics for Fires 254 Learning Exercises 259 Technical Terms 260 References 261 19. Explosion Hazards 263 19.1 Background on Explosions 263 19.2 Mechanisms of Harming 264 19.3 Strategies and Tactics for Explosions 265 Learning Exercises 270 Technical Terms 271 References 271 20. Pressure Hazards 273 20.1 Overview of Pressure Hazards 273 20.2 Mechanisms of Harming 275 20.3 Strategies and Tactics for Pressure-Related Hazards 277 Learning Exercises 282 Technical Terms 284 References 284 21. Hazards of Electromagnetic Energies 285 21.1 Fundamentals of Electromagnetic Energy 285 21.2 Mechanisms of Harming 288 21.3 Strategies and Tactics for Electromagnetic Hazards 290 Learning Exercises 294 Technical Terms 295 References 295 22. Hazards of Severe Weather and Geological Events 297 22.1 Background 297 22.2 Mechanisms of Harming 299 22.3 Strategies and Tactics for Weather and Geological Events 299 22.4 Summary of Part IV 302 Learning Exercises 303 Technical Terms 303 Reference 303 Part V: Risk Reduction for Other Than Energy Sources 305 23. Workplace Conditions 307 23.1 Background 307 23.2 Floors 308 23.3 Stairways and Steps 315 23.4 Ramps 318 23.5 Confined Spaces 319 23.6 Dusty Air 321 Learning Exercises 322 Technical Terms 323 References 324 24. Chemical Substances 327 24.1 Major Categories of Chemicals Encountered at Work 327 24.2 Mechanisms of Harming 329 24.3 Strategies and Tactics for Workplace Chemicals 330 Learning Exercises 333 Technical Terms 333 References 334 25. Biological Agents 335 25.1 Plants 335 25.2 Pets 336 25.3 Livestock 336 25.4 Wild Animals 337 25.5 Mold 338 25.6 Pathogens 338 Learning Exercises 341 Technical Terms 342 References 342 26. Musculoskeletal Stressors 343 26.1 Background 343 26.2 Means by which Musculoskeletal Stressors can Harm 344 26.3 Strategies and Tactics for Musculoskeletal Stressors 347 Learning Exercises 351 Technical Terms 351 References 352 27. Violent Actions of People 353 27.1 Workplace Violence 353 27.2 Terrorist Attacks 357 27.3 Summary of Part V 358 Learning Exercises 359 Technical Terms 359 References 360 Index 361

About the Author :
ROGER C. JENSEN, JD, PhD, is Professor in the Safety, Health, and Industrial Hygiene Department of Montana Tech of The University of Montana. He is a Registered Professional Engineer, Certified Professional Ergonomist, Certified Safety Professional, and Registered Attorney. Dr. Jensen was honored with a Best Paper Award from Professional Safety: the Journal of the American Society of Safety Engineers.

Review :
"In this incredibly well-constructed and ambitious book, Professor Jensen says his initial motive for writing it was to provide a textbook for the next generation of occupational safety and health professionals to learn systematic methods that will help them throughout their careers." ( RoSPA Occupational Safety & Health Journal , 1 September 2012)