Three (3) types of safety explained

Health and safety is a very important part in our daily working. Of course health and safety is not only for those who work in giant companies but it is also for everyone. Even when you are doing some of your home activities if you don't consider some safety precautions you may probably end up getting into some accidents. There is a slogan that says "Safety First". In geophysical activities health and safety is also concerned, because there are conditions that may risk and danger the concerned person, for example when carrying out electrical surveys, seismic surveys just to mention a few. I have prepared this post to give you the basics on three (3) types of safety through which every person working in a geophysical project should know.

What is Health and Safety?

These are two terms which are generally used together in many situations. Let us first break it down and define these terms individually.

Health can be defined as a state of physical, mental and social well-being of a person from illness or disease.

Safety can be defined as a state of being protected from dangers of injury and illness or any harmful situation.

Health and Safety can be defined as the term that describes the state of physical, mental and social well-being of persons in their working environment. In geophysical projects the term working environment can be considered as industry, on site, in office, or any other area where geophysical activities are to be done.

The following are the three (3) types of safety, you should know.

(i) personal safety

In this safety, is to ensure you protect your body parts against any expected risk, hazard or accident. So it is important to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety boots, head helmet, hand gloves so as to ensure your feet, head and hands respectively are protected. Example in geophysical site assessment such as in road construction or any dust environment you may use a dust mask to prevent direct dust inhalation. Also in noisy areas such as drilling when using borehole geophysics or when you hammer a metal plate in seismic surveying wearing earplugs or ear defenders to avoid noise risk. Another example is when you conduct site surveys in high accessible routes such as main roads warning traffic safety signs should be used so as to raise awareness to traffic users on ongoing geophysical activity.

(ii) chemical safety

As we know chemicals have many useful applications in chemical industries. However some chemicals are toxic and if not handled properly and safely they may cause us accidents such as skin burning, eye injuries and even death. In seismic geophysics chemicals such as Nitromethane (CH3NO2), Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) are frequently used in detonation during seismic explosions. Ammonium nitrate may explode and produce Nitrogen oxides, water vapor and sometimes ammonia gas, so when you inhale these gases you may develop respiratory problems. Also Nitromethane may produce byproducts gases like Carbon monoxide (Co), hence wearing of safety respirators may filter out these toxic gases. You have to know this and take care of your health seriously, never wait until being enforced by respective government regulators or by the Safety Engineer.

(iii) fire safety

In most cases fire occurs when conditions such Oxygen, sources of heat, combustible materials are met. Also it may be a place where you conduct geophysical work that can influence and speed up the fire outbreak. For example , electrical surveys may trigger fire due to their sparks near combustible materials. So it is necessary to remove or to be aware of nearby combustible materials to avoid this risk. Also avoid some restricted personal behaviors such as cigerating when conducting geophysical work in nearby flammable materials. Also you have to be  aware of first actions that you may take when faced with this risk in order to reduce its effect, first actions such reporting immediately to your supervisor or calling fire service or fighting it by using appropriate fire extinguishers if available.

All in all  you're responsible to ensure you are safe and to those around you. Even if there are International, National regulators or your company safety Engineer because it is your health. Stay Safe. 

Thanks!

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