By Lt Cdr; Ruwan Mapa Sea Rescue – Sri Lanka
Accident ? An Unexpected event in which some damages can cause to people and their properties
Two Major reasons Unsafe Acts Unsafe Conditions purely due to human errors - Most due to human errors - Some due to natural causes
Human errors Lack of knowledge & Training Carelessness of the people involved Stress Fatigue Influence of alcohols & Drugs Hunger & Thirst
Basic Principles in Accident prevention Identify & assess the risks Remove / Reduce the risks Protect those who would be exposed to the risks Make sure that no one will do any unsafe act
Risk assessment Nature and the level of the risk What precautions to be taken Type and the extent of the resources to be used If a proper risk assessment is done prior to the commencement of any work, one can take adequate precautions to prevent an accident. The assessment report will give a clear idea about:
Where? Risk is present in a place where there is a Hazard
Hazard The source of the potential harm or the damage (Any thing that can damage us or harm us)
Hazards Mechanical Electrical Physical Radiation Substance Natural (creations of the nature)
Risk Likelihood of occurring a hazardous event (accident) Consequences of that hazardous event (Severity of the harm)
Establishing Likelihood Number of personnel exposing to the hazard and their knowledge & skills Frequency and duration of the exposure to the hazard Condition of the resources available Nature of the hazard Presence of other contributing factors
Establishing Severity Size and the nature of the hazard Part/Parts of the body likely to be affected Physical condition of the person exposing to the hazard Availability of back-up when in trouble
L: Hood Sever: Highly unlikely UnlikelyLikely Slightly harmful Harmful Extremely harmful Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 1 Level 5 V: Low V: High
Risk Control Action Plan Having determine the significant risks, the next step is to decide what action should be taken to improve safety, taking account of precautions and controls already in place
Remember Prevention Is Always Better Than Cure