OSHA's Flame-Resistant Clothing Policy - ASSE Members

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Table 3Incidents Highlightingthe Need for Considerationof Ergonomics•improved morale;•reduced musculoskeletal disorder rates.BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTATIONIf the implementation of ergonomics can be so beneficialand mission-critical, why is it not yet whollyembraced in the oil and gas industry? There are ten barriersto the complete and consistent application ofergonomics.1) Lack of knowledge about ergonomics and itsbenefits. The science of ergonomics is really just beingunderstood and applied across the oil and gas industry,and some regions, clients and projects have yet to developthe technical skills needed.2) “We already do that” syndrome. Ergonomics issuch a part of every engineering discipline on a projectthat it is easy to say that it already is included. However,while piping designers may well design ladders andstairs, they might not be using the latest understanding ofbody size, human simulations and how people use stairsand ladders.3) “It is just common sense” syndrome. The solutionsengendered by ergonomists are often simple to seein hindsight, but the science behind ergonomics issophisticated, and understanding the system-wideimpacts and causes often involves very specialized skills.4) Perceived lack of time on projects. Often, projectsbuild in manhours for ergonomics work, like theydo with other engineering disciplines. Also, they tend tothink that the additional reviews and efforts will add tothe design time, when it often reduces it due to increasedquality and reduced rework.5) Apply it only as an audit check (“Just come doan audit or P&ID review”). Ergonomics must beapplied and treated as any other engineering discipline.It cannot be applied effectively in a spot fashion or byreview/audit due to its system-wide impact.6) Lack of readily available trained resources(“Can’t our other engineers do this?”). The best analogywould be to ask if civil engineers can do the work ofmechanical engineers. After all, they both learnedstrength of materials and statics. Ergonomists must workwith other disciplines to be effective, but they represent asignificant, separate skill set.7) Cultural (“It is simply not the way these thingsare designed”). This is similar to the statement, “Wehave never had an accident here, so why do I need towear my safety glasses?” We know the benefits; they areboth tangible and demonstrable. To overlook ergonomicsis to agree to develop a plant that does not optimize thesafety and efficiency of its operations.8) No readily known or recognized references(“Aviation, nuclear and military standards cannotapply here”). International (ISO) and regional standardsdealing specifically with ergonomics exist in the U.K.,U.S., Canada, Australia, Brazil, Argentina and severalother countries. Most of these refer to earlier work donein defense and aerospace industries, but they arenonetheless applicable.Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) hasestablished a code of practice known as OccupationalHealth and Risk Management—Ergonomic Factorswhich is testament to the fact that ADNOC has recognizedthe importance of ergonomics as an integral componentof SH&E policies and practices.ADNOC shareholders demand that guidelines areestablished to implement ergonomics in the workplaceso as to be on-par with the top 5% of the world’s leadingoil and gas industries and to be recognized as a worldclassorganization.9) Suppliers are not on board with this concept.Often this is true, but would oil and gas clients acceptsupplied package units that did not meet specified reliability,availability and maintainability requirements?Certainly not and therefore, suppliers have designed theirequipment to meet these client demands. The same willhappen regarding ergonomics in time if it is demandedof the suppliers.10) The cost to implement is too high. This one is12Well Informed www.asse.org 2011
the most difficult to address. The cost of not having anergonomics process in place is the most expensive wayto do business. Depending on the complexity of projectscope, the ergonomics effort amounts to 0.004% to0.09% of overall engineering manhour costs.While the benefits of ergonomics are tangible anddemonstrable, they are not commonly known. Also, theowner of the facility is generally not the constructor ordesigner. The constructor and designer are often judgedon whether they are the lowest-cost bidder and will dotheir best to keep the cost of design and construction aslow as possible to improve their profit margins.Yet, the owner must be concerned with the lifecyclecost of the plant, not just the cost of design and construction.Mistakes and redo work are costly. The greatesteconomic benefits of ergonomics is during operationsand maintenance of a facility versus design and therefore,the return on investment is skewed to the owner andaway from the designer who bears the initial cost of theergonomics implementation. A change needs to bewrought in how bids are evaluated as they apply to safetyand ergonomics.After the facility is designed and operating, operatorsand maintainers are often subcontractors and do not ownthe facility. Therefore, operators and maintainers havelimited control over the issues directly impacting thedevelopment of musculoskeletal disorders. Owners arestarting to demand an injury- and incident-free culture oftheir subcontractors, which will require teaming to applyergonomics and develop solutions.MAJOR OIL &GAS OWNER ERGONOMICS STANCESMany of the oil and gas companies have begun tostrongly embrace ergonomics both inside their plants andwithin their administrative areas. Royal Dutch Shell hasdeveloped several design engineering procedures coveringmany aspects of ergonomics that are required for use ontheir projects. Shell has adopted ergonomics as part of itscorporate health management guidelines. ChevronTexacois upgrading its Safety in Design manual to incorporateergonomics and now evaluates subcontractors on their abilityto perform in this area. It is a critical part of their incident-and injury-free corporate culture as well.BPAmoco currently does not have specific engineeringguidelines but has a highly developed understanding ofergonomics and demands its implementation on their projectsby their subcontractors. ExxonMobil has specificdemands regarding ergonomics and a sophisticatedunderstanding of the topic. Subcontractors are expectedto have expertise in this area. Certain regulators are lookingfor the implementation of ergonomics as they performas-built reviews.CONCLUSIONErgonomics is a valuable tool for the oil and gasindustry. It can well be the missing piece in a plant’ssafety program that can provide significant return oninvestment. It is far more effective to implement ergonomicsearly during the design or revamp of a facility,although it can be applied to a facility during any stageof its lifecycle.If a plant wants to achieve incident- and injury-freeperformance, ergonomics must be a large part of thateffort. Cynthia L. Roth is CEO of Ergonomics Technologies Corp.Henry Romero, Ph.D., CPE, CSP, is a senior consultant withPHS Concepts Inc.Oil & Gas PracticeSpecialty Resources*Mentoring Services•Members Only (click Mentor Contacts)•ASSE staffJob Search Assistance•Nexsteps•ASSE’s Career Resources LinkedIn site•Local ASSE chapterCareer Resources•Career Resource CenterNetworking•LinkedIn•Facebook•ASSE’s social media sitesTechnical Questions/Advice•24/7 online question submission form•OGPS Volunteer Advisory CommitteePublication Opportunities•Article submissions (earn COCs and win a cashprize if you are the top article)•Topic suggestions and interview requestsEducational Resources•OGPS website•SH&E Standards Digest•Special Issues & Best of the Best Publication•Key Issues publication•Interviews•Business of Safety Committee•Nanotechnology Support Site•WebinarsStandards•ANSI/ASSE SH&E Standards InformationCenter•New standards•ASSE’s Standards Development Committee*Click any of the bulleted items to accesslinked content.13Well Informed www.asse.org 2011
Page 1: A TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONOF ASSE’S
Page 4 and 5: ANNOUNCEMENTSWelcome New Members!We
Page 6 and 7: •Bryan Krugma, Aera Energy•Drew
Page 8 and 9: INTERVIEWInside Look at STEPS Netwo
Page 10 and 11: ERGONOMICSBY CYNTHIA L. ROTH &HENRY
Page 14 and 15: STANDARDSBY ADELE BASSETTMopping Up
Page 16 and 17: ASTM F276, Test Method for Sorbent
Page 18: Heat Illness Can Be Prevented!Heat
Page 21 and 22: Directorate of Enforcement Programs
Page 23 and 24: the interpretations take on a more
Page 25 and 26: VSAFETY VIDEODeadlyPracticesNew Saf
Page 28: SAFETY TRAININGIsn’t Just Somethi

OSHA's Flame-Resistant Clothing Policy - ASSE Members

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