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Key points of this article
- Causes and countermeasures for near-misses: Near-misses are caused by equipment malfunctions or human error. Countermeasures can be implemented via maintenance and 5S activities.
- Precautions during hose piping: Using hoses unsuitable for the usage conditions or application can result in serious accidents. It is necessary to select the correct hose and conduct regular inspections.
- Importance of “verbal communication” and “pointing and calling”: By using thorough verbal communication and pointing and calling practices, human error can be reduced and accidents prevented.
Causes and prevention measures for near-misses
Now, here’s a question for everyone from Hose Adviser PRO.
What is the main cause of near-misses that occur at factory worksites?
Select from among A, B, and C below.
A. Human error
B. Aging equipment and disorganized working environments
C. Workload allocation through increased personnel
The correct answers are A. Human error and B. Aging equipment and disorganized working environments.
Near-misses have two main causes. The first is faulty equipment or disorganized working environments, while the second is human error. Malfunctions due to aging equipment and lack of maintenance can lead to small problems, while a disorganized working environment can also be a cause of accidents. To address such issues, it is effective to implement regular maintenance and thorough 5S activities (Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize, Sustain). Human error can also be attributed to lapses in attention, incorrect assumptions, and insufficient information sharing during work processes. These can be prevented by using thorough verbal communication and pointing and calling practices.
Preventing near-misses related to hoses
Near-misses can also occur during hose piping. Using hoses unsuitable for the application or operating conditions can lead to leaks from connection points or damage due to hose deterioration, which ultimately increases the risk of a serious accident. In particular, using hoses incompatible with the operating pressure or temperature results in an increased risk of rupture or expansion, etc. To select the most suitable hose, it is essential to carefully check the type of fluid, pressure, and temperature conditions. Regular inspection and maintenance are also essential.
Importance of “verbal communication” and “pointing and calling”
Verbal communication during work is an effective way to alert other personnel and promote awareness when multiple people are working. For example, notifying nearby personnel before operating a machine minimizes the risk of them entering the machine’s operating range. Furthermore, “pointing and calling” involves pointing at the item to be checked while verbally confirming it, which helps prevent mistakes. By making these practices a habit, the possibility of near-misses occurring can be greatly reduced.
In order to enhance safety, it is essential not to dismiss near-miss incidents as minor incidents, but to instead take the appropriate action and implement preventive measures. In particular, proper hose selection, regular inspections, and thorough implementation of “verbal communication” and “pointing and calling” during work process can play a significant role in preventing accidents.
Toyox is happy to help customers select the best hose for their usage conditions and offers free sample products to customers considering Toyox hoses.
That wraps up our explanation on enhancing safety through hose selection and near-miss countermeasures.
For any other inquiries or consultations, please contact the TOYOX Customer Service Office.
Preventing near-misses and accidents is essential to ensure a safe working environment. A “near-miss” refers to an incident that almost resulted in an accident, but fortunately did not lead to a major incident. The key to preventing serious accidents is to carefully record these near-miss incidents and implement appropriate countermeasures. In this article, Hose Adviser PRO will explain hose selection and near-miss countermeasures to prevent problems before they occur.