Principles and Guidelines ofPrinciples and Guidelines of

SafetySafety

and Operational Behaviorand Operational Behavior

Pierantonios PapazoglouPierantonios Papazoglou, , Section LeaderSection Leader BSc, M.Eng, BSc, M.Eng, 66-sigma, NEBOSH, BLS-sigma, NEBOSH, BLS, ΕΤΕΚ, ΕΤΕΚ,, PhD Cand. NTUA PhD Cand. NTUA 18 October 2011

«... ΑΜ ΕΠΟΣ...

….ΑΜ ΕΡΓΟΝ…»

Spoken and done (Herodotus) Motto of the Hellenic Military Corps of Engineers

PRESENTATION OVERVIEWIntroductionA…bad…MemoryBasic Concepts and Principles of

Safety (for a Rescue Team)

Operational BehaviourTEAM SAFETY and GUIDELINESOn the…«practical» sideSuggestions for further Study

A… Bad… Memory…

A… Bad… Memory…

A… Bad… Memory…

A… Bad… Memory…

A… Bad… Memory…

«... ΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΣ…

Ο ΑΝΑΘΡΩΝ

Α

ΟΠΩΠΕ...»

(Human…the one who reflects upon and judges all he has seen…)

Plato

Basic Concepts and Principles

Safety (operational): 1.the protection of Body, Mind and

Psychology of Team Personnel from injury and/or illness and/or death, potentially caused by materials, processes or procedures and activities during Exercises or Operations.

2.The protection of the Team’sMaterials and Means

Prevention :

Prevention Principle Generating Concepts

- Caution in Advance- Caution practised in the context of Uncertainty- Informed Prudence

Basic Concepts and Principles

Prevention :

There is NO such thing as “Too Much Safety”

If necessary measures are not taken, then there will be Inadequate Safety

“No Regrets” or “Better Safe than Sorry” approach

Basic Concepts and Principles

Hazards Categories (non anthropogenic)

Physical – Mechanical BiologicalChemical Psychological Environmental (e.g.natural disasters)

Basic Concepts and Principles

ΑΣΦΑΛΕΙΑΑΣΦΑΛΕΙΑ!!!!

Unstable Structures

Dust, Smoke, Fire, Noise

Confined Spaces

Adverse Weather

Conditions

Unknown Working Area

Earthquakes and

Aftershocks

Polluted Atmosphe

re and Water

Dangerous Tools &

Equipment

Vandalisms Theft (after

disasters)

Few Examples

Floods

Wildfires

Physical – Mechanical HazardsEntry and Work in rubble, collapsed structuresStairs, scaffoldings, etcLoad Transportation, Ergonomics, etcElectrical Current and its applicationsUse of internal combustion engines, motors,

etcManaging fuelsTools, Power Tools, Pneumatics, Equipment…

Biological HazardsWork in places infested with rodents, animals, etc.Some Countries abroad/ overseas illnesses

/epidemicsHeat and Humidity / FrostWorking Area with Dead and Wounded…

Working Area where Chemical Substances have been released/ spilled

Paints, Tints, Oxidants, Dilutants, Varnishes, etc.Fuels

Chemical Dangers

Chemical Hazards (contd.)Entry and Work in places with

flammables and explosives (gas, methane, pressurized cylinders and tubes, unexploded munition)

Entry and Work in places with toxic or poisonous materials/substances (ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrazine, sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen sulfide, etc)

Deficiency or Excess of Oxygen.

Radioactive materialsand/or radiation

Psychological Hazards

Closed / Confined SpacesAltitudeWounded / Dead… Post Traumatic Rescuers Stress Disorder…

Work under conditions of PanicPublic UnrestAnimals, reptiles, insects, rodents, etc.

“Environmental” Hazards

Work in the open (Frost / Heat)Rain, Wind, Thunders, etc.Flooded AreasWork on Sea-side areas after

earthquakes (tsunami)Polluted Ground, Atmosphere

Anthropogenic Hazards…!!!Ignorance…Indifference…Noviceness / Lack of ExperienceRecklessness…(no prevention, prudence, etc.)Little or No Theoretical and Practical Training/

EducationNon-Application of Rules – Guidelines – LawsLack of Motivation – Lack of Proper CommandNo Discipline Lack of “Safety Culture”

Safety Culture

The sum and product of individual and group Values, Attitudes, Perceptions, Competencies, Dexterities and Behaviors that determine the Commitment, the Style and the Proficiency and Professionalism regarding Operational Safety.

Remember…: Volunteer = Non Professional BUT with…

Professionalism, Education & Training in all activities…!

Safety CultureWe DO NOT have a good Safety Culture when:

Fear of Responsibility (“I am not the one to take care of that...”)

Blame CultureStrong-Headiness (“I know better…”) and disrespect/

indiscipline (“Who are you to tell me…”)Overestimation of Capabilities / Knowledge (“I know this,

I’ve done it before”…)“Macho-man” attitude...: “yeah, right… I’m not

wearing this stuff… I don’t need them… How will I work comfortably?” (especially for PPE)

Bad or No Communication and Information between individuals and teams/ sections

“secrets”… “back-stubbings”…gossip…

Operational BehaviorGuidelines – Rules – Mottos:

“ΑΡΧΕΣΘΑΙ ΜΑΘΩΝ ΑΡΧΕΙΝ ΕΠΙΣΤΗΣΕΙ”… “First learn how to do it and then impose it as a Principle”Officers of all Ranks are responsible for maintaining Discipline, BUT firstly they are responsible to self-discipline and to set the Example.

Discipline within the Rescue Team is not perceived in the Military sense, HOWEVER:

Respect to SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and Officers within the Team is most important because it guarantees Safety.

Safety Rules & Guidelines

We ALL understand:that personal and team SAFETY is

guaranteed by the items of our Gear and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

there is NO such thing as “Too Much Safety” “no regrets” and “Better Safe than Sorry” approach for Ourselves and our Colleague.

SAFETY RULES & GUIDELINES1. Safety Officer: During Exercises and Operations there is always a Safety Officer present, who directly represents the Team Commander in his Safety-related decisions and orders.

has the undisputed Authority to interrupt, temporarily or permanently, part or all activities if needed due to Safety Reasons.

2. Work or Training Area: NOBODY is allowed in the Work or Training Area without the authorization of the Team Commander or Safety Officer

SAFETY RULES & GUIDELINES

3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Anyone entering the Work or Training Area MUST wear all protective attire-clothes and bear all PPE and Gear, as well as Emergency Medical Kits

SAFETY RULES & GUIDELINES

SAFETY RULES & GUIDELINES

ΚΑΝΟΝΕΣ ΑΣΦΑΛΕΙΑΣ4. Safety Whistle-Sounds/Signals:The Safety Officer WARNS all participants with the following Sounds/Signals of the Whistle:

One (1) LongStop Activities and Await Orders.

One (1) Long and One (1) Short

Continue Activities.

Three (3) Short continuous

DANGER! EVACUATE towards Emergency Evacuation Area

Helmet Safety Goggles Breathers / Facers Masks & Bandanas Dust Filters Breathing Devices Earshields / Earplugs Tooth Protection Uniforms Fire-Proof Uniforms Anti-Corrosion and Chemical-Proof

Suits Belts and Pouches Personal Emergency Medical Kit Vests Ropes and Tapes Impermeables

Gloves and Gauntlets Single-Use Surgical Gloves Knee – Pads / Elbow – Pads Boots / Safety Shoes for toe, sole

and ankle protection Knife / Multi-Tool Hammer / Fire-Man’s Axe

(e.g. American Type) Shovel Water Cans and “Camel-Backs” Water Purification Tablets Flashlights (Helmet and Portable) with

extra batteries Whistles and Laser Beamers Lighter and Matches (impermeable) PENCIL and pen Compass / GPS (and map) Walkie-Talkies, Cell-phones (chargers)

SAFETY RULES & GUIDELINES 5. PPE and GEAR

EACH RESCUER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERSONAL AS WELL AS THE TEAM SAFETY

Course Material Civil Defence Lefkosia – Keryneia Notes and Materials United Nations – INSARAG Guidelines and Methodology US Federal Emergency Management Agency - FEMA MIAMI-DADE: Collapsed Structure SAR Course Instructor’s Guide NEBOSH: Introduction to Health & Safety Field Operations Guides Hellenic Army 7-4, 7-10, 7-12, 7-53, 10-30 Websites: http://www.who.int/en http://www.fema.gov http://www.osha.gov http://www.cdc.gov/niosh http://www.hse.gov.uk http://www.nebosh.org.uk http://www.nsc.org/Pages/Home.aspx http://www.rapiduk.org.uk http://www.ekeo.gr

Suggestions for Further Study

«...aut Viam inveniam

aut faciam...»

(either we find the road… or we make it)

Hannibal the Carthagenian

because remember… the “road” always has to lead back to this…:

But MOST of ALL….

THIS…..

CIVIL DEFENCELEFKOSIA – KERYNEIA

Thank you for your attention & your patience!

ppapazog@gmail.com