Application of Tripod-Beta Approach and Map – Overlaying Technique to Analyze Occupational Fatal Accidents in a Chemical Industry in Iran

The undesirable effects and consequences of occupational fatal accidents have placed a great emphasis on applying preventive measures. This study was aimed to analyze and specify the latent causes of occupational fatal accidents in Exir Chemical Plant, Urmia - Iran in 2008-2009. The analytical Tripod-BETA method was used. A geographic Information System (GIS) was then used to determine a list of the most significant preconditions and active failures contributing to occupational fatal accidents. The total number of recognized preconditions and latent failures were 572 and 852 respectively. The most frequent preconditions and latent failures were determined by overlaying the coded sheets on each other. Results of the study showed that Promoting and enhancement of the company's safety culture, a carrot and stick motivation policy accompanied by comprehensive assessments to prioritize safety training programs, were among recommended preventive actions to control and reduce fatal accidents

Health, safety and environment risk assessment in gas pipelines

662-666In this study, health, safety and environment (HSE) risk assessment was carried out using simplified quantitative riskassessment method and Geographic Information System (GIS) on ethylene gas pipeline. Risk levels observed on pipeline lengthwere found to be medium (74.72%), high (23.89%) and very high (1.39%)

Identification and assessment of human errors in blasting operations in Iron Ore Mine using SHERA technique

Background & objective: Human errors play a significant role in accident. One of the important operations in mines which were susceptible to human error, is blasting operations. The aim of this study is identification and assessment of human errors in blasting operations in iron ore mine. Methods : Current Study is a qualitative research study in order to identify and assessment human error in a mine blasting operations. With direct observation of activities and documents, sub tasks were selected and analyzed by hierarchical analysis Job (HTA). The results were presented in the form of HTA charts. Types of possible human errors were detected and by using the SHERPA technique were surveyed. Appropriate prevention solutions were then proposed for reducing the risk of errors. Results : The results showed, from total of 42 identified errors, predicted the unacceptable risks are 0.11 , adverse risks are 0.42, acceptable risks with revision are 0.4 and accepted without revision are 0.04. Moreover, percentage types of human errors were included practical errors (0.55) and recovery errors ( 0.14), checking error (0.21), selection errors (0.6) and communication errors ( 0.016). Conclusion : The highest percentage of errors is practical and the lowest percentage of errors is of communication error. To reduce the occurrence of any identified error and limiting the consequences of their, appropriate control measures in the design of checklist , the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, the use of systems Tag Out- Lock Out, efficient education laws and guidelines are effective

Integrated health, safety, environment and ergonomics management system (HSEE-MS): An efficient substitution for conventional HSE-MS

403-411This study presents a framework for development of integrated intelligent human engineering environment in complex critical systems. Health, safety, environment and ergonomics (HSEE) is developed by integration of conventional health, safety and environment (HSE) with job systems by re-engineering organizational structures and teamwork through electronic data interchange. HSEE has been found superior over conventional HSE through identification of major problems with ergonomic factors in power plant

Risk assessment of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage tanks in the process industries using the Bowtie technique

Introduction: LPG storage tanks contain of large volumes of flammable and pressurized gases. Release of these fluids can lead to disastrous accidents such BLEVE, fiery explosion. Therefore, identifying the causes, consequences, probabilities and scenarios of accidents using Bowtie technique, that is combination of Fault Tree Analyses (FTA) and Event Tree Analyses (ETA), is imperative and the purpose of this study. Methods: The hazards of the mentioned in Tehran Refinery LPG tanks were identified by Fault Tree Analyses and the consequences of the top event were predicted by Event Tree Analyses. Then probabilities of the events were calculated and the accident route, from causes phase to consequences phase, was drawn by Bowtie diagram. Results: In total, 21 events and 11 minimal cut sets with their occurrence probabilities and importance measure were determined at the left side of the Bowtie diagram. Also 9 consequences and scenarios of the top event were determined at the right side of the diagram. The occurrence probability of the top event (LPG release of spherical tanks) was calculated 3.45×10-2. Conclusion: All factors involved in the occurrence of accidents and their consequences are showed in the Bowtie diagram. According to the obtained data, failure of cathodic protection systems and instrumentation, and overflow of tanks are included as important defects of the LPG tanks. Due to the high probability of the consequences, preventing systems such as cooling systems and Fire stop systems are required for installing in the studied unit to reduce the consequences of accidents

Evaluation of Student Satisfaction from Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Educational Process and Programs in 2011-2012

Introduction: Mission of Universities is to respond to the needs and expectations of its key stakeholders and specially their students. Quality promotion and continuous improvement of education and research processes in universities of medical sciences is important. Determining of student satisfaction level as the most important indicators to reach the desired quality should be considered. Thus this study with purpose of student satisfaction evaluation from education and research processes in Hamadan medical sciences faculties was performed.Material and Methods: This cross - sectional study was conducted in Hamadan University of Medical Sciences at 2011-2012. 385 students selected from all schools based on stratified method. To measure student satisfaction a researcher made questionnaire consisted of 71 questions related to various aspects of educational services (9 compasses) was used. Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS 16 software the chi-square test.Results: Most of the participants (72.2%) were in the age group 25 to 21 years. 50.3 percent of students were female. Most of students were at the undergraduate level (38.8%) and physician (32.9%). Level of satisfaction for all compasses was at moderate level. Based on statistic result only in internships and apprenticeships compasses satisfaction level showed a significant correlation with studying duration (P<0.05). Also in the teachers counseling, workshops and laboratory activity compasses the stratification level had a significance relation with degree (P<0.05).Conclusion: The results showed that the student’s satisfaction from educational processes is at moderate level. Satisfaction level based on degree of students is different, so managers and policy makers of educational system as well as teachers of various degrees can utilize the present study results to restructure of educational strategy in order to promotion the quality and the satisfaction level of educational services