TECHNIQUES FOR THE PREVENTION OF PROFESSIONAL ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESSES

Schematically, we can act with techniques that either affect the risk source or the worker (leaving aside the techniques that deal with work organisation, forms of compensation, stress, etc., as this would be difficult to tackle in a book such as this one).

The general way to act against professional risks can be summarised in the following scheme:

The signs —————— and [ ] show what and how we act (—————avoid and [ ] isolate).

This same scheme is shown in the following drawings, where the shark represents the RISK and the diver represents the WORKER.

As you go down the scheme, the preventive tactics become less secure as the preventive measures taken affect the worker more than the risk source.

1. Acting on the risk source, in a way that:
   
   a) It achieves the elimination of the risk, or
   b) making it possible to substitute it for another substance, procedure or machine that is less dangerous for one's health or safety, or
   c) reducing the risk until it is below the levels considered dangerous.
   
   
   
   

   Figure 12-2.

   
   
   One example could be to install a blocking system on the sliding doors.
   


2. Acting on the worker: it consists in changing work practices, such as increasing rest periods, rotation of the worker to other areas or departments not exposed to risk, changing the worker's post, etc.
   
   
   
   

   Figure 12-3.

   
   
3. Isolation of the risk or putting a barrier between it and the worker: appropriate packaging of dangerous merchandise, incorporation of soundproofing materials, safety guards for the moving parts of a machine, etc.
   
   
   
   

   Figure 12-4.

   
   
4. Protection (Group or individual) of the worker: it is very often, due to economic reasons, the only possible alternative. It is, however, the least desirable from the human-interest point of view. Some examples that can be mentioned are: protective clothing, control cabins in the engine room, individual protection such as face masks, hard hats, gloves, ear plugs, etc. (very important: individual protective equipment should always be for personal use and officially approved).
   
   
   
   

   Figure 12-5.

To help with the adoption of all of these measures there are two scientific or specialised disciplines available: Work Medicine and Industrial Hygiene and Safety, which act mainly using the following instruments:

• Preventive Medical Check Ups (initial and periodical): they serve for early detection of health problems caused by existing risks in the workplace. This entails, for example, blood tests, spirometry, hearing check ups, detection of toxic agents in tissues, and organic liquids in the worker exposed (blood, saliva etc.).
• Health education and safety technique training, during the active life of the crewmember, and also as a compulsory subject for their professional degree. The main aim of this is to stimulate the adoption of safe working practice methods by the worker and those in charge of the vessel, as well as aid in the responsible application of the rights (Group or individual) relevant to this area.
• Inspection: A useful method is to use a list of the important things to look at or a Check- List. These lists contain the possible risks on board organised systematically (by departments, for example), and should become a part of the periodical inspection routine. In order to carry out an adequate inspection, the Industrial Safety and Health have a series of measuring instruments for checking risk exposure, such as sound meters (for noise), specialised thermometers, etc.

As an example, the Checklist for recreational trips recommended by the State Society for Maritime Safety and Security is shown below.

CHECK-LIST
It is essential to check: [X]

Correct technological measures (example: install an extractor for toxic fumes, install a protective cover around gear wheels or electric saw).

Design and Authorization of protective equipment, individual or Group (example: prescribe audio protectors for those exposed to noise, face masks, respiratory equipment for those working in confined areas, etc.), personal dosage meters (to measure individual exposure).

Suitable signalling according to the law, so there can be a warning sign of existing risks in each area. The correct labelling of dangerous substances (Labelling system and technical information- International Maritime Coding for Dangerous Merchandising or IMDG Code).

It should be pointed out that within the prevention of professional illnesses there are some totally erroneous practices, such as, for example, the consumption of milk as a "universal antidote" against toxins (on the contrary: it may even aggravate some industrial toxins that dissolve more easily in greasy substances), or taking medicines Anteriorly to anticipate the risk of infection (without, at the same time, taking measures to avoid the risk).

The improvement of work on board (especially the rationalisation of the on guard and resting systems), the system of remuneration (the system of piecework has been shown to increase tiredness and, therefore, the possibility of accidents occurring in the workplace), along with the better exploitation and enjoyment of resting periods on shore contribute to the prevention of professional risks.