Industrial accidents are a sad reality of any modern business. While it is impossible to never have any kind of industrial accident at all, it is still much easier to contain the scale of any accident as well as any resultant loss and damage that may occur because of any such problem. Basically depending upon the nature of the accident, it may be very easy to identify the root cause and build upon its learnings so any such problem does not come up in the future.

Something like an oil and gas pipeline leak can be easily identified and prevented from causing any damage by regular upkeep and maintenance of pipes and hoses. Similarly choosing the right safety equipment like thermal expansion relief valve vs expansion tank, can also ensure that you have the right safety equipment to prevent any big accident in the first place. Here are some tips to prevent and contain different kinds of industrial accidents. 

People Aspects of Accident Prevention

Your people who are working on the production lines are also your first and strongest defense against any kind of industrial mishappening. It is very important that all the people working in the firm, regardless of their job or role, are properly trained in industrial safety procedures. The more eyes are out there looking for any problem, the better is the chance to catch any problem very early. You should organize training and refresher courses for all employees in safety on a regular basis. 

At the same time, it is also important to foster a culture of safety and vigilance among employees. Just because you have given them training does not finish the task. Motivate them to be on lookout for potential problems like an oil and gas pipeline leak.  Applaud and appreciate employees who catch problems and prevent them from becoming a big issue for everyone. Always remind all the employees that safety is in everyone’s job description. 

Equipment Aspects of Accident Prevention

Equipment aspects of preventing industrial accidents are basically in two categories First is that all the employees working on the production line must at all times wear at least the basic personal safety equipment like  high visibility jackets, industrial gloves and hard hats. At the same time, special safety equipment should be mandatory for employees in comparatively higher risk jobs.

Next is choosing the right built in safety for your equipment, for example thermal expansion relief valve vs expansion tank, both may seem like a pressure containment and release system, but are not interchangeable. Ensure that all your machines are fitted with the appropriate safety equipment. This is not an area where you should be pinching pennies and cutting any kinds of costs. 

Maintenance and Upkeep related Aspects of Accident Prevention

It is very important that proper maintenance work be carried out as per manufacturer recommended schedule. Malfunctions or breakdowns can lead to accidents, so preventive maintenance schedules should be established and followed. Regular inspection, maintenance, and proper functioning of machinery and equipment depends upon specific machines; for example thermal expansion relief valve vs expansion tank maintenance schedules are different and need to be done as per their timelines. 

OSHA and Regulatory Compliance aspects of Accident Prevention