INFORMATION SHEET 4.3-1: Safety Regulations

 

INFORMATION SHEET 4.3-1 

Safety Regulations

Learning objectives: Learning objectives: After reading this information sheet, the learner should identify and differentiate the different safety regulations.

1.Clean Air Act

 The law has been in place for twelve years now, and much as we have been able to achieve a lot, especially in terms of the reduction of total suspended particulates (TSP) level, or the introduction of alternative fuels in the country, we still have a lot to do. Mobile source, in fact, remains the top most source of air pollution in the country,.

As one of the DENR’s active partners in implementing the Clean Air Act, the Partnership for Clean Air (PCA) stressed the need to strengthen partnerships and coordinated action toward cleaner air.

“Despite significant advances since the implementation of RA 8749, the challenges we face remain formidable and will test our resolve. We need to forge more alliances not just between classes and among sectors but reaching across generations, because the struggle for clean air should represent in the end the confluence of diverse efforts that many Filipinos today are involved in.

Principle of Clean Air Act:.

The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

The State shall promote and protect the global environment to attain sustainable development while recognizing the primary responsibility of local government units to deal with environmental problems.

The State recognizes that the responsibility of cleaning the habitat and environment is primarily area-based.

The State also recognizes the principle that "polluters must pay".

Finally, the State recognizes that a clean and healthy environment is for the good of all and should therefore be the concern of all.

 1.   Fire code

It is the policy of the State to ensure public safety and promote economic development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires and promote the professionalization of the fire service as a profession. Towards this end, the State shall enforce all laws, rules and regulations to ensure adherence to standard fire prevention and safety measures, and promote accountability for fire safety in the fire protection service and prevention service. 

Fire safety

     Fire safety refers to precautions that are taken to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a fire that may result in death, injury, or property damage, alert those in a structure to the presence of a fire in the event one occurs, better enable those threatened by a fire to survive, or to reduce the damage caused by a fire. Fire safety measures include those that are planned during the construction of a building or implemented in structures that are already standing, and those that are taught to occupants of the building.

Threats to fire safety are referred to as fire hazards. A fire hazard may include a situation that increases the likelihood a fire may start or may impede escape in the event a fire occurs.

Fire safety is often a component of building safety. Those who inspect buildings for violations of the Fire Code and go into schools to educate children on Fire Safety topics are fire department members known as fire prevention officers. The Chief Fire Prevention Officer or Chief of Fire Prevention will normally train newcomers to the Fire Prevention Division and may also conduct inspections or make presentations.

 

A fire safety station at a high school. Fire hoses built into a structure can sometimes be used by occupants to mitigate fires while the fire department is responding.

Key elements of a fire safety policy

·         Building a facility in accordance with the version of the local building code

·         Maintaining a facility and conducting yourself in accordance with the provisions of the fire code. This is based on the occupants and operators of the building being aware of the applicable regulations and advice.

Examples of these include:

·         Not exceeding the maximum occupancy within any part of the building.

·         Maintaining proper fire exits and proper exit signage (e.g., exit signs pointing to them that can function in a power failure)

·         Placing and maintaining fire extinguishers in easily accessible places.

·         Properly storing/using, hazardous materials that may be needed inside the building for storage or operational requirements (such as solvents in spray booths).

·         Prohibiting flammable materials in certain areas of the facility.

·         Periodically inspecting buildings for violations, issuing Orders To Comply and, potentially, prosecuting or closing buildings that are not in compliance, until the deficiencies are corrected or condemning it in extreme cases.

·         Maintaining fire alarm systems for detection and warning of fire.

·         Obtaining and maintaining a complete inventory of firestops.

·         Ensuring that spray fireproofing remains undamaged.

·         Maintaining a high level of training and awareness of occupants and users of the building to avoid obvious mistakes, such as the propping open of fire doors.

·         Conduct fire drills at regular intervals throughout the year.

Common fire hazards

 

Improper use and maintenance of gas stoves often create fire hazards.

Some common fire hazards are:

·         Electrical systems that are overloaded, resulting in hot wiring or connections, or failed components

·         Combustible storage areas with insufficient protection

·         Combustibles near equipment that generates heat, flame, or sparks

·         Candles

·         Smoking (Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, lighters, etc.)

·         Equipment that generates heat and utilizes combustible materials

·         Flammable liquids

·         Fireplace chimneys not properly or regularly cleaned

·         Cooking appliances - stoves, ovens

·         Heating appliances - wood burning stoves, furnaces, boilers, portable heaters

·         Electrical wiring in poor condition

·         Batteries

·         Personal ignition sources - matches, lighters

·         Electronic and electrical equipment

·         Exterior cooking equipment - BBQ

·         Campfires

 

List of some typical fire and explosion issues in a fire code

·         fireworks, explosives, mortars and cannons, model rockets (licenses for manufacture, storage, transportation, sale, use)

·         certification for servicing, placement, and inspecting fire extinguishing equipment

·         general storage and handling of flammable liquids, solids, gases (tanks, personnel training, markings, equipment)

·         limitations on locations and quantities of flammables (e.g., 10 liters of gasoline inside a residential dwelling)

·         specific uses and specific flammables (e.g., dry cleaning, gasoline distribution, explosive dusts, pesticides, space heaters, plastics manufacturing)

·         permits and limitations in various building occupancies (assembly hall, hospital, school, theater, elderly care, child care, prs that require a smoke detector, sprinkler system, fire extinguisher, or other specific equipment or procedures

·         removal of interior and exterior obstructions to emergency exits or firefighters and removal of hazardous materials

·         permits and limitations in special outdoor applications (tents, asphalt kettles, bonfires, etc.)

·         other hazards (flammable decorations, welding, smoking, bulk matches, tire yards)

·         Electrical safety code

·         Fuel gas code

 

Enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines

§  Processing and review of building plans

§  Fire safety inspection of buildings, establishments and other structures or facilities covered by its implementing law

 

Protecting Your Life and property: Fire-proofing yourself

1.   Eliminate fire hazards through good housekeeping. Regularly dispose of waste papers, rubbish, and other flammable materials.

2.   Keep matches out of children’s reach.

3.   Oil, gas, lamps, and candles should be placed away from curtains. Put out the flame before going to bed.

4.   Do not keep flammable materials like gasoline, alcohol, and paint inside the house.

5.   Regularly check electrical installations, and have all frayed wirings and electrical fixtures changed or repaired by a licensed electrician.

6.   Do not overload electrical circuits by plugging additional lights and electrical appliances.

7.   Blown fuses should not be replaced with wires or any metal.

8.   Never leave a lighted cigarette/ cigar/ pipe unattended that may fall on flammable materials and start a fire.

9.   Always turn off and unplug all electrical appliances.

10.   Never leave the gas stove while cooking.

11.   Always have a handy first-aid kit in the house.

2.   Waste Management

Health Care Facilities must be committed to waste management principles. Waste management is implemented by the establishment of a waste management committee and the development and implementation of a Waste Management Plan. The Generic Waste Management Plan provides supplementary detail and forms a practical tool to implement the Guidelines.

These Guidelines will assist managers and personnel of any facility to implement standards and comply with relevant legislation. Adoption and commitment by each facility through the establishment of a Waste Management Committee and adoption of a Waste Management Plan will assist the facility to manage their waste streams correctly, efficiently and effectively.

These Guidelines continue with the concepts of waste segregation into various waste streams, labeling and containment, handling, storage and transport, treatment / disposal, auditing, Occupational Health and Safety, training and legal requirements.

HEALTH-CARE WASTE:

Health-care waste includes all the waste generated by health-care establishments, research facilities and laboratories, including health-care waste produced at home (dialyses, insulin injections etc.)

CATAGORIES OF HEALTH-CARE WASTE:

Infectious waste (containing pathogens, excreta, etc.)

Pathological waste (body parts, blood, foetuses, etc.)

Sharps (needles, infusion sets, broken glass, etc.)

Pharmaceutical waste (old medicines, etc.)

Genotoxic waste (cytostatic drugs, etc.)

Chemical waste (laboratory material, film developer, etc.)

Heavy metal waste (batteries, thermometers, etc.)

Pressurised containers (gas cartridges, etc.)

Radioactive waste (waste from radiotherapy, etc.)

IMPROPER DISPOSAL:

Hospitals and public health care units are supposed to safeguard the health of the community. However, the waste produced by the medical care centers if disposed off improperly, can pose an even greater threat than the original disease themselves. In most of the cases there are no systematic approaches to medical waste disposal. Hospital wastes are simply mixed with the municipal waste in collecting bins at roadsides and disposed off similarly. Some waste is simply buried without any appropriate measure. While all the equipment necessary to ensure the proper management of hospital waste probably exists, the main issue lies in the staff who fails to prepare and implement an effective disposable policy.

In general disposable syringes and needles are also not disposed off properly. Some patients, who routinely use syringes at home, do not know how to dispose them off properly. They just throw them in a dustbin or other similar places, because they think that these practices are inexpensive, safe, and easy solution to dispose off a potentially dangerous waste item.

Purpose of the Guidelines

The purpose of the Guidelines is to provide a framework of waste management strategies to assist in the day to day and long term management of waste by implementing the following essential strategies:

Waste management committees, plans and waste audits;

Waste minimization, avoidance, segregation, recycling and re-use;

Waste labeling and containment; C proper waste handling, storage and transport;

Correct waste treatment / disposal

Uniform application of these Guidelines to all facilities will help to reduce

uncertainty when staff moves between facilities. This assists with providing a safe working environment.

Waste Segregation

Waste segregation should follow immediately after waste is generated. Effective segregation will reduce costs, promote recycling and protect the hhealth and safety of all.

What is Segregation?

Waste segregation is the practice of classifying waste and placing it into the appropriate waste container immediately after the waste is generated.

Importance of Waste Segregation

Facilities should accurately segregate waste to protect personnel from injury and infection by preventing hazardous waste entering inappropriate waste streams and divert problematic waste from incorrect waste streams. Correct segregation is necessary to ensure that materials which are reusable or recyclable are not discarded. Correct segregation and containment of all wastes are required in order to comply with the provisions of the Waste Regulation. The mixing of wastes is not permitted. If mixing occurs, wastes containing more than 200g of hazardous waste are to be classified as hazardous.

Segregation Practice Achievement

Effective segregation can be best achieved through:

Providing education and training programs to all personnel who generate waste)

Identification of material composition (Material Safety Data Sheet);

Establishing identifiable color coding, and labeling;

Provide suitable containers in appropriate and suitable locations;

Incorporating quick and efficient waste disposal methods into patient care

Procedures. This may require the redesign or reorganization of procedure trolleys and working environments; and ensuring all waste can be easily, safely and properly segregated at the point of generation.

Training

Importance of training in the processes of achieving continuous

improvement in waste management.

Education and Training

Management should provide education and training to waste generators, handlers, collectors, transporters, and key managers instrumental in the implementation of the WMP, and waste treatment facility operators. Handlers must be trained and equipped to undertake the handling, internal transport, spill management and storage requirements for the different types of wastes arising at the facility. The purpose of education and training is to minimize the risk of injury associated with waste handling and facilitate efficient waste management.

Education and training programs should include:

Approved work practices;

Regulatory requirements and methods of compliance;

The use of required personal protective equipment;

Waste minimization, segregation, labeling, containment and disposal strategies;

First aid and medical treatment for needle stick and other waste handling related injuries;

Hand washing strategies.

Education and training should be provided at the induction of new employees, on an ongoing basis, with the introduction of new equipment, and at times of technological change. Approved work practices should be documented and promoted. Multilingual translations are to be provided to personnel who may not be proficient in English.

 

Disaster preparedness and management

3.   Disaster Management Preparedness

While we don´t like to think of it, all of us live in a world where nature poses a risk for us. No matter where we live, there is some risk that just the land and atmosphere around us provides. If your family were involved in some serious event, would you be prepared?

 

Rather than sticking your head in the sand and pretending like it could never happen to you, shouldn´t you get some information about disaster management preparedness? Being prepared is not difficult. It just requires some pre planning, a little bit of storage space, and the right information. We can help you with the information and planning. At Ready2Prepare, our philosophy is that anyone can and should have a plan in place for how to deal with these events.

Natural disaster management starts with recognizing and identifying the risks that you face due to your location. People in different parts of the world face different risks from nature. Someone living in the mountains is not at a high risk for tornados or flooding, but is at risk for earthquakes and avalanches. We will help you identify these risks so that you can prepare properly for what might happen.