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#1 Posted : 17 January 2008 10:46:00(UTC)
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Posted By Alex Brown
Hi,

This may sound like a basic question!

How do control measures prevent accidents?

Sorry, Thanks! Any replies will be much appreciated.

browna
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#2 Posted : 17 January 2008 10:49:00(UTC)
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Posted By Dave Wilson
you put a guard on a machine? this isn't the Friday conundrum is it?
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#3 Posted : 17 January 2008 10:53:00(UTC)
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Posted By Alex Brown
No! HOW are control measures used ot prevent accidents?

thanks

browna
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#4 Posted : 17 January 2008 10:58:00(UTC)
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Posted By jom
Alex,

As I understand it, the control measures control hazards that have been identified at a workplace.

A hazard is any "thing" that could cause harm (a broad definition, cos it has to be).

If the hazard is controlled, no harm will occur.

I'm not sure that means accidents won't occur (depends on the definition of accident), but if the hazard is controlled, harm will not occur.

Make sense?

John.
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#5 Posted : 17 January 2008 10:59:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Duell
They don't exaclt prevent accidents - they reduce the likelihood of an accident happening to what is considered an acceptable level.

For example - in an agricultural environment you might have:
RISK - high risk of disease caused by exposure to pesticide.

CONTROL - change pesticide to one believed to be safe for human exposure.

RESULT - less chance of disease.
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#6 Posted : 17 January 2008 11:40:00(UTC)
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Heiracy of control measures

ACTION REQUIRED in Risk Management Priority
• Eliminate - e.g. cease the activity or stop using the equipment altogether.
• Substitute by equipment or substances less hazardous.
• Prevent access to the hazard by isolation from people.
• Provide a guard around the hazard.
• Design a safe system of work.
• Identify training needs where applicable.
• Have written procedures that are known and understood by all person who could be affected.
• Ensure there is adequate Supervision and enforcement.
• Provide Personal Protective Equipment (note: only to be used as a last resort).

In many cases, a suitable combination of the above control methods may be necessary.
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#7 Posted : 17 January 2008 13:23:00(UTC)
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Posted By Alan Hoskins
Hi Alex,

Just to add to Dave's response, we say that PPE is used as a last resort, but must always remember that it can also be used in conjunction with any of the other control measures.

For example, work with chemicals might be carried out in a fume cupboard, but that doesn't necessarily preclude the use of gloves and safety glasses.

Alan
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#8 Posted : 17 January 2008 13:59:00(UTC)
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Posted By 247hero
Alex,

May I ask what promts your question?
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#9 Posted : 17 January 2008 14:19:00(UTC)
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Posted By Philip McAleenan
Alex,

control measures are much more that devices for preventing accidents, and viewed solely as accident prevention measures, are too narrow.

View them as the measures that anyone undertaking an operation needs to take to ensure that the outcome of the operation is the desirable one. They are the inputs necessary to achieve specific outputs. Some may be there to ensure that the operative is protected against any hazards that the operation presents, others are there to ensure the quality of the finished product, and some are there to improve on efficiency.

As their name suggests, they are about controlling the operation, making sure that it goes the way you want it to go. Accidents are the result of a loss of control, that is the operation resulted in an outcome other than what you intended.


Philip
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#10 Posted : 17 January 2008 14:31:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bob Shillabeer
In Safety at Work by John Ridley 'Control.' is about the action that should be taken to prevent an outcome materialising or recurring. Therefore in the terms of this posting Control measures simply means the action necesary to prevent an undesired event taking place. For example to prevent say entrapment in a machine machine guards are used to prevent anyone becoming entagled in the moving parts, also to prevent the damage caused through contact with harmful chemicals you provide PPE. Remember the higherarchy of control. This puts the prefered 'controls' into an order which is preferred.
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