Worker participation in preventing safety mishaps key: CSB

A lack of effective worker participation in process safety efforts heightens the risk of employee injuries and serious safety incidents, according to a new report by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.

Worker participation is an “essential element” to improve process safety and prevent chemical incidents and is required by several existing federal safety regulations, including the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s process safety management standard, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s risk management program rule and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s safety and environmental management systems rule for offshore oil and gas operations, according to the CSB’s report published on Wednesday. But CSB incident investigations have identified missed opportunities for workers to effectively participate in process safety activities at facilities where they work, typically in proximity to the most serious hazards, according to the report.

“A lack of effective worker participation can lead to an increase in[…]

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