TRP Chapter 5.3 1

Chapter 5.3Safe operations and safety

management

TRP Chapter 5.3 2

Risks of hazardous waste management

TRP Chapter 5.3 3

Site safety recommendations

• Plant layout• Operating procedures and systems of work• Plant safety and training officer • Training of operators• Housekeeping and maintenance• Operator hygiene• Emergency procedures• Safety analysis • Worker protection

TRP Chapter 5.3 4

Plant layout

• Need careful design of:

• Process flow lines• Storage areas• Work spaces

• Create restricted areas

Source: Safe hazardous waste management systems ISWA 2002

TRP Chapter 5.3 5

Operating procedures and systems of work

Standardisation of operating procedures:

•Working procedures for every function

•Tested and regularly reviewed/revised

•Set out in manual

•Employees informed

•Use of procedures required and monitored

TRP Chapter 5.3 6

Plant safety and training officer

Medium and large companies should appoint an officer responsible for:

• conducting regular safety audits• identifying deficiencies in operating

procedures • ensuring that operators are properly trained

and equipped

Small businesses may not be able to justify the appointment of a full time officer, but could designate someone on a part time basis

TRP Chapter 5.3 7

Training of operators

Experienced personnel should undertake training

Training should cover:•Working procedures•Safety precautions•Emergency procedures•Any changes in waste or procedures

Training should be: •Supported by written material for later reference

•Regularly updated •An ongoing process, not a single event

TRP Chapter 5.3 8

Housekeeping and maintenance

Need schedules for regular:•cleaning •maintenance

Good housekeeping involves simple but important procedures to keep areas clean and tidy

Maintenance programme helps prevent

unexpected failures

TRP Chapter 5.3 9

Operator hygiene

Operators must observe basic rules of hygiene:

•remove dirty overalls/work clothes before leaving site

•use washing/shower facilities before leaving the site

•avoid eating in work areas•keep hands away from the face at all times, minimising risk of eye contact or ingestion of chemicals

TRP Chapter 5.3 10

Emergency procedures

To ensure prompt and appropriate response, site-specific emergency procedures should:

•be in place•be regularly practised•be displayed at relevant points•include plans for site evacuation

Emergency equipment should:•include fire fighting & first aid materials•be in good condition •be frequently checked

TRP Chapter 5.3 11

Safety analysis

To identify possible malfunctions and their consequences

• Problem characterisation• Identification of potential hazards and failure modes• Quantification of probability of occurrences• Quantification of possible consequences• Assessment of the range of risks• Recommendations for hazard mitigation, improved

safety and emergency response

TRP Chapter 5.3 12

Safety goals

• Individual risk for nearest neighbours

• Collective risk for community

• Occupational risk for employees

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Identification of failure cases

• The check list method

• The hazard and operability study

• The fault-tree analysis

TRP Chapter 5.3 14

Safety procedures for personnel

Individuals at most risk: hazardous waste handlers

•Risks greater if workers are careless or untrained, or working conditions poor

Safety procedures needed for all aspects

Information needed for all personnel on:

• risks involved with different types of waste

• routes of exposure

• methods of avoidance

• emergency measures

•consequences of not following safety procedures

•their own responsibilities

TRP Chapter 5.3 15

Training

Experienced personnel should give training

Training should cover:• Working procedures• Safety precautions• Emergency procedures• Any changes in waste or procedures

Training should be: • Supported by written material for later reference• Regularly updated • An ongoing process, not a single event

TRP Chapter 5.3 16

Worker accidents

Nature of injury caused by accidents in hazardous waste collection and transport (n=38)Source:PÄIVI RAHKONEN, Work safety in waste collection and transport of hazardous wastes, 1992

TRP Chapter 5.3 17

Accident prevention - general guidelines

• Smoking should be prohibited • Hazardous waste should be identified as soon as

possible so that it can be classified correctly• An emergency shower and telephone should be

provided• Containers should be kept tightly closed • Packaging material should have low moisture

absorption• Heavy articles should be stored on a firm base• Employees should not work alone• Different kinds of hazardous wastes should be stored

in different containers• A refrigerator or cold room should be provided in

summer to prevent wastes overheating

TRP Chapter 5.3 18

Transport accident prevention - guidelines

•Brake must be set and the engine turned off

•Appropriate hazard and warning labels should be used

•No smoking, drugs or alcohol

•All tailgates, closures and the cargo must be secured

•Provide telephone at the collection & delivery points, in truck

•Drivers should not exceed a set number of hours per day

•Protective clothing & equipment should be used if necessary

•Trucks should be provided with first-aid equipment and an

appropriate fire extinguisher for the load, and training should be

provided for its use

•Earthing of equipment helps avoid explosions resulting from

static electricity

TRP Chapter 5.3 19

Medical surveillance

• Personnel working with hazardous waste should be given regular medical examinations to check:– Overall fitness and strength– Heart condition– Pulmonary function

They should be provided with:• Immunisation programme• Good nutrition• First aid equipment & antidotes to toxic substances

TRP Chapter 5.3 20

Environmental monitoring

• Air monitoring

• Surface and groundwater quality (WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water – 1993)

• Soil sampling

Plus: • good housekeeping• prompt clean up of spills

TRP Chapter 5.3 21

Worker protection

Basic requirement:

•gloves

•overalls

•hard hats

•safe footwear

Additional equipment:

•safety glasses

•long sleeves

•long trousers

•chemical gloves

•chemical resistant overalls

•face protection

TRP Chapter 5.3 22

Respiratory protection

A primary health and safety consideration

Two hazard groups:• Oxygen deficiency• Air contamination (by particulates, vapours, gases or

a combination)

Two basic types of respirators:• Air purifying (APR)• Atmosphere supplying (ASR)

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Chapter 5.3 Summary

Hazardous waste management has inherent risks

Safe operations and safety management require systems to address:

•Plant layout•Operating procedures and systems of work, including housekeeping and maintenance

•Training of operators eg in operator hygiene, use of protective clothing

•Emergency procedures•Accident prevention •Environmental monitoring