Analyze Accident Investigations
To most effectively prevent future accidents at the wellsite while work is being performed, all incidents must be thoroughly investigated and analyzed. This includes not only accidents that result in injuries or illnesses, but also near misses, equipment damage, and property damage events. Limiting investigations to injury cases alone can allow serious hazards to go unrecognized until a more severe incident occurs.
Accident and incident investigations should identify the underlying and root causes of the event, not just the immediate or obvious factors. Understanding why an incident occurred makes it possible to implement corrective actions that address the true source of the hazard and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
Investigating non-injury incidents and near misses is especially valuable because these events often provide early warning signs of system failures, unsafe work practices, or changing site conditions. Correcting the hazard that caused a near miss today can prevent a serious injury, fatality, or major property loss in the future, saving lives as well as significant time and financial resources.
In addition to investigating current incidents, employers should analyze data and trends from previous investigations and from incidents that have occurred at other wellsites or similar operations. Reviewing this information helps identify recurring hazards, systemic issues, and opportunities for improving work practices, training, and hazard controls across multiple projects.
Control Hazardous Energy – Lockout/Tagout
The control of hazardous energy through lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures ensures that employees are protected from the unexpected startup of machinery or the sudden release of stored energy that could cause serious injury or death. Hazardous energy sources include, but are not limited to, electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, gravity, water, and steam energy.
Before any servicing, maintenance, repair, or inspection work is performed, all sources of hazardous energy must be identified, shut off, isolated,and de-energized at their source. Each energy-isolating device must then be locked out and properly tagged to prevent re-energization while work is being performed.
Effective lockout/tagout programs also require clear written procedures, employee training, and periodic inspections to ensure that energy control measures are consistently applied and understood. Proper control of hazardous energy is essential for preventing amputations, crushing injuries, electrocutions, and other serious incidents at the wellsite.
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5-7. What should the safety professional do to most effectively prevent future accidents on the wellsite?
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