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At a construction site in a residential area, two workers were renovating the basement of a two-story home. The renovation exercise involved the cutting of a concrete wall with a portable gasoline-powered wet saw, capable of producing CO gas during operation. All windows and newly-cut window holes were sealed to prevent fresh air from entering the basement. After three hours of operating the saw, both operators suddenly collapsed and eventually died of CO poisoning. How could the incident have been prevented?. Discuss a lesson you have learned.
Replace the gasoline-powered saw with a hydraulic saw, or a device for which the gasoline engine can be located outside away from air intakes. Hydraulic saws do not emit CO during their operation. It is important that workers follow OSHA requirements to ensure workplace safety. Workers should never used gasoline-powered tools in buildings or confined spaces (unless the gasoline engines can be placed outside away from air intakes), since these tools liberate CO—a colorless, odorless, potent gas—during operation. Moreover, workers should be aware of the warning signs and symptoms of CO poisoning, and how to address a situation involving a worker experiencing these symptoms. See this resource.
A successful undergraduate chemical engineering student, you have been hired as a Summer Intern at an ExxonMobil plastics plant. Outline at least two process safety measures you should take to prepare yourself for this opportunity:
a. prior to your first day
b. once you have arrived and been introduced to the facility
Prior to the first day at the plant, the student should research the employer’s corporate values and health, safety, and environmental procedures to understand the safety company of ExxonMobil; and understand the expectations and duties of the job by requesting and fulfilling the associated training requirements. Watch safety videos and read safety reports and training materials on the OSHA, SAChE, and CSB websites. Upon arrival at the plant and/or during the introductory stages of the job, the student should familiarize himself/herself with PPE usage procedures. The student should also find helpful a mentor: anyone who works at the facility and can help the student understand the operations and hazards of the job, so that the student may operate safely and effectively.