Tag Archives: investigations

General Safety Issues, Protective Clothing

FACTS THAT MANY DO NOT KNOW ABOUT: HOUSE FIRE INVESTIGATIONS (GUEST POST)

Fire is that element which destroys everything including the source and origin. Along with this, those who investigate the scene also work under extreme risk. It is important to ensure their safety before doing anything. The officer who receives the call and arrives at the scene before everyone, works under pressure of making sure that everyone is safe and the injured are getting proper treatment.

The investigation begins right from the call for help. The officer, who gets the call, makes sure to get the name and number of the caller. Once this is done the officer gets the address of the location where the outbreak has occurred.

Arriving at the Scene

This is a critical task. To respond successfully is being observant of everything. The officer will have to keep an wary eye everywhere. From a passing car to a harmless looking person standing at the side of the road can be important. Due to this the officers are trained to be watchful.

The first thing the investigators ensure while investigating house fire is that everyone is out of the proximity of the flame. In case of an injury or death, the investigation takes a complicated turn. However, before the process begins, it is important to determine whether the insurance agency will take the responsibility of the investigation or the crime department.

Different Evidence

The investigators look for some specific evidence. Blood stain is vital evidence. It is not easy to lift blood samples. In case of fire, these stains get erased and due to that evidence collection gets even more difficult. However, to lift the stains, the investigators need to identify the areas where the stain could be found.

The specialist working on the scene need to ensure that the contamination of the scene is prevented. However, this is not an easy task. To prevent contamination, the investigators need to employ less manpower. Crime scenes get sabotaged with people walking around and touching things. The scenes of fire suffer such a fate even before the investigators arrive at the scene. To defuse the flame, fighters contaminate the scene.

Location from where the evidence is found plays an important role. The investigators document each location while they collect the pieces. They even sketch images for later use. Photographing the scene is another way of documenting the location.

Once the pieces are collected, they place them inside different jars and bottles. These bottles are labeled with the names of the locations and other important details.

Fire Behavior

Behavior of the flame is essential and the investigator needs to read this. Flames spread at a certain pace. If this pace differs, the investigation takes another turn. The arson specialists need to read the behavior of the flame step by step. For this they receive special training.

Once everything is done, they let go of the scene and turn it over to the police officers. However, before releasing the scene, they need to recheck whether everything is properly done and all the areas are rightly covered. After this they submit everything to the lab.

 

Author Bio – George Steven is a freelance writer and his area of interests and expertise lies in forensic science and accident or crime scene investigation related matters. George has his own blogs and websites where he discusses about various aspects of the house fire.  

 

General Safety Issues

THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE MARSHALL TRAINING (GUEST POST)

Maintaining good fire safety awareness is a must for all individuals. Although everyone must stay fire aware, one of the key figures involved in fire safety is going to be the fire marshall, so learning what this role entails is important.

If you’ve ever considered fire marshall training, knowing what they are responsible for can help you make an informed decision.

The Daily Duties For Fire Safety Awareness

Don’t let yourself think that a fire representitive is only going to be involved when a fire is breaking out. That isn’t the case at all.

In fact, there are daily duties that a fire marshall must be taking part in to ensure that maximal fire safety awareness is maintaining.

First, they must make sure that all exit doors are available for use and that these doors are unlocked and not obstructed by any obstacles standing in the way. It’s vital that everyone can easily get out should a fire break loose.

Next, they also need to check that the escape routes are likewise easily accessible and there are no combustible materials present around them. Anything irresponsibly left in the line of escape should be removed and stored in a suitable place.

On a day to day basis, the fire marshall must also check that fire extinguishers are in position and that safety signs are clear and completely visible with nothing standing in the way. It’s important that fire alarm call points are not being obstructed and that fire-resisting doors are closed and are functioning as they should.

If any of these are not working properly, a report must be made so the proper authorities are aware of it.

The Duties During An Emergency

Should the worst happen and a fire breaks out, there will be additional duties that the fire marshall needs to take on.

First, he or she must instigate the evacuation of the area and make sure that everyone has left the premises. From there, he or she must proceed to the assembly area and report to the fire co-ordinator, taking role call if necessary. Take a count sheet with a list of everyone in your office/premises and double check that no one could have been left, or trapped in the building.

From there, the fire co-ordinators will typically take over many of the duties and will start to gather information on the cause of the fire and all necessary facts that will be required in order to file the police report. They will also report if or when the building is safe to re enter.

You can see there are many different roles and duties that a fire marshall must take on.  If proper fire safety awareness is maintained, everyone should know who the marshalls are, what they are responsible for and ensure that these duties are being completed. An incident command safety vests might also help to alleviate confusion as to which person is doing a particular task.

It’s when duties are let slip that serious fire hazards can occur and when the most serious of fires can break out.

A thorough fire risk assessment of your premises conducted by professional fire safety consultants should always be carried out to ensure fire safety best practice is implemented. Then with proper care and maintenance, optimal fire safety should be easily maintained and you can rest easy knowing that should a fire occur, you are well protected.

Submitted by Joanne Gardner

 

General Safety Issues

ROLE OF AIRCRAFT STORAGE CONSULTANT IN SOLVING AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS (GUEST POST)

When an aircraft accident takes place, it is usually considered as a critical automobile accident. Such accident cases are not solved the way any other automobile accident is usually done. In fact, serious investigation does take place after the accident has occurred. This investigation is usually carried out to detect the actual reason responsible for causing the accident. This reason may include technical default or pilot’s inattentiveness while flying the flight. Whatever the reason is, special investigation officers are appointed to investigate the case. As far as the compensation goes for the victims, the owner company of the aircraft will be liable to complete such formalities.

How the evidences are collected in such accident? 

The investigative officer will collect evidences from the location. They will even carry out enquiry sessions with the passengers of the flight to collect more information related to the incident. These evidences will help the court to locate the actual reason that is responsible for such major accident. However, this investigation doesn’t end in a year. Hence, for further enquiry, the damaged aircraft needs to be preserved. For doing so, special region is usually selected so that all the evidences are protected from any kind of damages. Who can provide you such region? Aircraft storage regions are there to provide security to such proof.


How do these aircraft storage regions can provide security? 

Nowadays, numerous aircraft storage centers have come that are specially designed to preserve automobiles or aircraft parts that have been damaged in an accident. These regions are usually highly secured places. All around these places, cameras are installed that are being monitored  for 24hours per day. These regions are usually owned by aircraft storage consultants in Woodland. This consultant has expertise team that carries out conference, inspection and even testing of the available proves. Apart from these, such centers also hold advanced technologies like, hydraulic lift, special lighting system, ladders and stands, laboratories and special photography facilities for carrying out the investigation process in much more detailed way.

How can you get in touch with such agencies? 

After knowing about so many facilities, if you plan to investigate an aircraft accident it is best to consult with such agencies. How will you do so? Use their website link. These companies do have email addresses. Use that detail to get in touch with them. Consult with them about the accident detail. Their expert team will reach to the location to preserve the damaged aircraft and its parts which can later be used to solve the case legally.  
 

About the Author:

George Steven is associated with auto storage in Texas. He likes to share his experiences on vehicle accidents also. If you want to know more, follow his online write ups.
 
General Safety Issues

THREE ORGANIZATIONS CITED BY INDIANA OSHA FOR INDIANA STATE FAIR ACCIDENT

Indiana OSHA has cited three organizations involved in the Indiana State Fair accident on August 13, 2011, that resulted in fatal injuries of two workers. Fifty-eight people were injured and 7 were killed when a deadly force of wind toppled stage equipment just before the band Sugarland was scheduled to perform.

IOSHA cited the Indiana State Fair Commission with one serious violation for failure to conduct a life safety evaluation and cited Local 30 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees for 3 serious violations. Violations included failure to consider soil conditions when placing cable anchor points for the grandstand stage; failure to provide fall protection for workers 4 feet or more above ground level; and, failure to conduct a personal protective equipment hazard assessment of the worksite to determine the personal protective equipment required while erecting the load bearing roof and the grandstand.

IOSHA also cited Mid-America Sound Corporation for 3 knowing violations, including failure to develop and implement an Operations Management Plan, failure to develop a risk assessment plan, failure to maintain and use current engineering calculations and documentation, and failure to provide appropriate, qualified supervision. See the news release below for more detailed information: 

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FATAL INJURIES AT 2011 INDIANA STATE FAIR RESULT IN SAFETY VIOLATIONS ASSESSED AGAINST THREE ORGANIZATIONS

INDIANAPOLIS (February 8, 2012) – The Indiana Department of Labor announced today it is citing three organizations involved in the Indiana State Fair accident on August 13, 2011 that resulted in fatal injuries of seven people including two employees. The IOSHA investigation resulted in the following: 

1. A Safety Order was issued to the Indiana State Fair Commission citing them for a “serious violation” for failure to conduct a life safety evaluation that included an assessment of all conditions and the related appropriate safety measures of the Indiana State Fairgrounds concert venues at the 2011 Indiana State Fair. A penalty of $6,300 was assessed. 

2. A Safety Order was issued to Local 30 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees including Theatrical Payroll Services, Inc. for three (3) “serious violations” and one (1) “non-serious violation.” Citations included failure to consider soil conditions when placing cable anchor points for the grandstand stage; failure to provide fall protection for employees working 4 feet or more above ground level; and, failure to conduct a personal protective equipment hazard assessment of the worksite to determine the personal protective equipment required while erecting the load bearing roof and the grandstand. The non-serious violation involved failure to maintain proper OSHA records for four years. Penalties of $3,500 were assessed for each serious violation, and a penalty of $1,000 was assessed for the non-serious violation. Total penalties assessed were $11,500. 

3. A Safety Order was issued to Mid-America Sound Corporation for three (3) “knowing violations.” These violations included failure to develop and implement an Operations Management Plan, the failure to develop a risk assessment plan, failure to maintain and use current engineering calculations and documentation, and failure to provide appropriate, qualified supervision. 

Each knowing violation was assessed a penalty of $21,000. Total penalty assessed was $63,000.

“The Indiana Department of Labor, through its Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration, undertook a 6-month investigation of whether any health or safety standards that were owed to employees on the premises were violated,” noted Commissioner Lori A. Torres.  “The investigation does not address duties to the public and it was not an investigation of causation. IOSHA does not as standard practice establish causation. When an employee is killed while working, Indiana law establishes a duty on the employer to ensure that fatality is reported. IOSHA then determines whether it falls within its jurisdiction to investigate that fatality. The investigation is conducted to determine if established safety standards were violated by any employer on site. Because two employees were killed as a result of the collapse of the load bearing roof, an IOSHA investigation was initiated.” 

“We have issued knowing citations to Mid-America Sound Corporation, which indicates the most serious safety violation,” said Commissioner Torres during a morning news briefing at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. “The evidence demonstrated that the Mid-America Sound Corporation was aware of the appropriate requirements and demonstrated a plain indifference to complying with those requirements.”

“The State Fair Commission failed to have conducted an adequate life safety evaluation and plan prior to the event,” noted Commissioner Torres. “The commission simply did not establish and maintain conditions of work for its employees that were reasonably safe and free from recognized hazards.”

She also noted that IATSE Local 30 clearly acted as an employer and failed to take proper safety precautions for employees and failed to take appropriate steps to ensure the load bearing roof was properly secured.

Maximum penalties that may be assessed under Indiana law are:

  • Non-Serious Violation: $7,000
  • Serious Violation: $7,000
  • Knowing Violation: $70,000 

Each organization was informed of the investigation findings this week prior to the 10 a.m. news briefing. Each will have 15 business days, by Indiana law, to pay the penalties or to contest them to the Indiana Board of Safety Review. All violations require abatement by March 6, 2012.  Indiana law requires that IOSHA investigations be conducted within 6 months of the date of the fatality. The investigation took 175 days and involved more than 2,000 manhours.  A copy of the safety orders are available on the Indiana Department of Labor’s website at: www.in.gov/dol/2367.htm.

About the Indiana Department of Labor:

The mission of the Indiana Department of Labor is to advance the safety, health and prosperity of Hoosiers in the workplace.  Note: The above information was taken from OSHA’s QuickTakes bi-monthly newsletter that we receive, as well as the Indiana Department of Labor.  This is an example of what happens when outdoor events are not safely set up.  We can’t control the wind; however, if the proper planning had been done, possibly lives wouldn’t have been lost, and injuries could have been avoided. Hopefully, these citations will make those who set up public concerts and other venues  be aware of OSHA rules in order to keep their citizens safer.

General Safety Issues

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS HELP SOLVE THE PUZZLE

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We recently talked about “human error” in the workplace.  Regardless of the reason behind an industrial accident, the failure of equipment, people, supplies, or surroundings to behave or react as expected is the cause of most of them.  Thousands of accidents occur throughout the United States every day.  By using information gained by an accident investigation, the why’s and how’s can be determined, and hopefully, prevent them from happening again. 

An industrial accident can cause extensive physical damage to a structure where the accident happened and injuries or death to workers involved in the accident.  This is the point where the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), steps in and conducts an investigation.  An OSHA inspection procedure is conducted, utilizing specialized investigation techniques.   The following information from OSHA explains the reasons for investigating an accident;  if any of the following four events take place:

  1. If there is an employee fatality during the accident;
  2. If there is a critical injury or sickness;
  3. If there is exposure to a serious toxic chemical or disease occurs;
  4. If there are more than three employees that undergo hospitalization from the accident. 

OSHA representatives will come to the site of the accident once receiving word of the event.  They will then do an initial report.  Accident investigations are more complex than other inspections, requiring a greater degree of technical and investigative skill than other types of programmed or non-programmed inspections.  They often require coordination between Federal, state, and local investigative entities.  Compliance personnel and employers are required to interact with the investigating authorities. 

The main goal of the inspection is to identify the causes of an industrial accident, which could lead to citations.  The inspection will not only reveal the causes, but the probability of hazards in surrounding areas, while creating an injury log and calculating the amount of time required for complete cleanup.  OSHA is also required to coordinate with the Bureau of Investigations if there is a fatality at the scene of the accident.  OSHA will contact family members of the employees involved in the accident to provide them with important information related to the accident. 

Another important technique that OSHA uses is interviewing witnesses that were present during the accident.  The representatives of OSHA do not conduct interviews until after they are familiar with the industry in which the accident occurred.  Then they will interview people who saw the event, those who have first-hand knowledge of the accident, and other witnesses who have information about the circumstances that led up to and preceded the accident.  The purpose of these interviews is not fault-finding, but rather fact-finding.  There will also be documentary evidence, photographs and videos, as well as diagrams, sketches and maps that better describe the work-site accident.   Depending on the results of the investigation, OSHA will cite the corporation or individuals involved in the accident, recommend criminal proceedings (if deemed appropriate), and create a detailed investigative report.

American workers and employers want safe and healthful places in which to work.  They want everyone on the job to go home whole and healthy each day.  Determined to make that dream possible, OSHA is committed to assuring, so far as possible, that every working man and woman in the nation has safe and healthful working conditions.  OSHA believes that providing workers with a safe workplace is central to their ability to enjoy health, security, and the opportunity to achieve the American dream.

 

Source: OSHA, Cal/OSHA