Occupational Health and Safety Analysis with HIRARC, JSA, and SWIFT Methods in Cracker Company

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Occupational Health and Safety Analysis with HIRARC, JSA, and SWIFT Methods in Cracker Company

Thіѕ rеѕеаrсh аіmѕ to іmрrоvе оссuраtіоnаl health and ѕаfеtу fоr wоrkеrѕ, ѕо that thеrе іѕ a ѕаfеtу guarantee provided bу the соmраnу tо every worker. Thе method uѕеd in thіѕ study іѕ HIRARC (hаzаrd identification rіѕk аѕѕеѕѕmеnt аnd rіѕk control), JSA (Structured What If Tесhnіԛuе) mеthоd аnd SWIFT (Structured Whаt If Tесhnіԛuе) mеthоd. Thе rеѕultѕ showed thаt іn thе HIRARC mеthоd thеrе were 5 оut оf 8 jоbѕ that had a hіgh lеvеl оf rіѕk, for thе JSA mеthоd there wеrе 3 high lеvеl rіѕkѕ and thе SWIFT mеthоd which had 3 main priorities. Bаѕеd on thе rеѕultѕ оf thе ѕtudу, the JSA method іѕ thе best mеthоd between HIRARC аnd SWIFT methods, duе tо аn assessment оf job роtеntіаl tо determine thе lеvеl оf risk іn each jоb and tо describe thе stages оf wоrk іn ѕtаgеѕ ѕо аѕ to know each rіѕk соntrоl to reduce thе level оf danger frоm wоrkеrѕ.

1. Pendahuluan

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is a critical aspect of any industrial setting, particularly in high-risk sectors like cracker production. In a cracker company, maintaining a robust safety framework not only ensures compliance with legal standards but also fosters a culture of proactive risk management. Three essential methods—HIRARC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control), JSA (Job Safety Analysis), and SWIFT (Structured What-If Technique)—are commonly used for Occupational Health and Safety analysis. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of these methods, focusing on their application in cracker production industries.

2. Understanding Occupational Health and Safety in the Cracker Industry

Cracker production involves complex mechanical processes, hazardous chemicals, and high-pressure systems, making it imperative to prioritize Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). OHS analysis is a systematic approach to ensuring that all safety hazards are identified, assessed, and controlled to mitigate workplace accidents, injuries, and occupational diseases.

A. In a cracker company, the OHS framework focuses on minimizing exposure to:

• Chemical hazards from additives and flavoring agents.
• Mechanical hazards from processing machinery.
• Thermal hazards in baking and packaging units.

B. Importance of OHS in Food Manufacturing Industries

In food manufacturing, a single safety lapse can lead to severe outcomes, including worker injury, product contamination, and legal repercussions. Adopting a rigorous OHS analysis ensures that cracker companies can mitigate these risks while maintaining compliance with safety regulations such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ISO 45001 standards.

3. What is HIRARC and Why is it Vital?

HIRARC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control) is a method used to evaluate potential workplace hazards, assess the risk levels, and implement control measures to prevent accidents and occupational illnesses.

A. Step-by-Step HIRARC Process in Cracker Production

1. Hazard Identification: In cracker companies, hazard identification includes pinpointing sources of potential harm. For example, machinery used in dough mixing, conveyors, and packaging units may pose a mechanical hazard. Exposure to high temperatures in ovens and chemicals in additives are also common risks.
2. Risk Assessment: Once the hazards are identified, each one is evaluated in terms of its severity and likelihood. Risk assessment involves assigning risk scores (probability multiplied by impact) to prioritize hazards that require immediate attention.
3. Risk Control: Engineering controls, such as installing machine guards or improving ventilation, and administrative controls, like safety training, are common measures to reduce risks. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is also a critical component.

B. HIRARC Formula for Risk Evaluation

The HIRARC process utilizes a risk matrix to evaluate hazards quantitatively:

Risk = Likelihood × Consequence

Where:

• Likelihood is the probability of a hazard occurring.
• Consequence refers to the severity of the potential impact.

For example, in a cracker production plant, the likelihood of injury from a machine might be high, but with adequate guarding and safety protocols in place, the consequence might be low.

4. Job Safety Analysis (JSA) in Cracker Production

Job Safety Analysis (JSA) focuses on breaking down each job or task into smaller steps and identifying potential hazards at each stage. This proactive approach allows for the identification and mitigation of risks before accidents occur.

A. JSA Process and Application in a Cracker Company

• Task Breakdown: Each step of cracker production—from dough mixing to baking and packaging—is broken down. For instance, the mixing process might involve handling ingredients, operating a mixer, and loading the dough onto a conveyor.
• Hazard Identification: At each step, hazards are identified. For example, handling ingredients may pose ergonomic risks, while operating a mixer introduces mechanical hazards.
• Risk Evaluation and Control: After identifying hazards, appropriate control measures are applied. This can include training employees on safe operating procedures or implementing lockout/tagout (LOTO) protocols to prevent accidental machine start-ups.

B. Engineering and Administrative Controls in JSA

In a cracker company, engineering controls can involve automated systems that reduce human interaction with dangerous equipment. Administrative controls, such as regular safety briefings and standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensure that workers are aware of the hazards and how to manage them safely.

C. JSA Formula for Risk Reduction

To calculate the level of risk reduction achieved through JSA, the following formula is used:

This formula quantifies the effectiveness of control measures. For instance, if initial risk in a dough mixing task was 10 and after implementing guards it drops to 2, the risk reduction would be:

5. SWIFT (Structured What-If Technique) in OHS Analysis

SWIFT (Structured What-If Technique) is a brainstorming approach to hazard identification, where a team explores “what-if” scenarios to foresee potential accidents or failures in the cracker production process.

A. SWIFT in Cracker Company Operations

In a cracker company, SWIFT involves gathering a team of safety professionals, operators, and engineers to ask "What if?" questions regarding the production process.

• What if the dough mixer malfunctions?
• What if there is a chemical spill in the flavoring unit?

These scenarios are explored in detail, and potential control measures are developed.

B. SWIFT Process for Risk Mitigation

• Scenario Development: The team develops hypothetical failure scenarios for each critical aspect of the production line.
• Analysis of Consequences: The consequences of each scenario are analyzed to understand the potential risks, such as worker injuries, production downtime, or contamination.
• Control Implementation: Control measures, such as machine inspections, safety interlocks, and employee training, are then implemented to mitigate the identified risks.

6. Combining HIRARC, JSA, and SWIFT for a Comprehensive OHS Strategy

Using HIRARC, JSA, and SWIFT methods in tandem provides a comprehensive approach to safety in cracker companies. While HIRARC offers a broad, structured framework for hazard identification and risk control, JSA drills down into specific tasks, and SWIFT encourages creative thinking to anticipate unexpected hazards.

7. Risk Management Matrix

An integrated risk management matrix can be employed to streamline these methods:

Method	Focus	Strengths	Applications
HIRARC	Hazard Identification & Control	Structured, data-driven approach	Overall OHS strategy
JSA	Task-Specific Safety Analysis	Detailed, step-by-step hazard breakdown	Operational safety
SWIFT	Hypothetical Scenario Analysis	Creative, anticipatory risk management	Incident prevention

 8. Conclusion: Enhancing Safety in Cracker Companies

In the high-risk environment of cracker production, applying HIRARC, JSA, and SWIFT methods is crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of employees. These methods allow companies to systematically identify, assess, and mitigate hazards, fostering a safer workplace. By implementing these OHS frameworks, cracker companies can not only comply with safety regulations but also protect their workforce, reduce operational risks, and enhance overall productivity.

In conclusion, the integration of HIRARC, JSA, and SWIFT methods forms the backbone of a robust safety strategy, ensuring that every potential hazard in cracker production is identified, assessed, and controlled. Occupational Health and Safety is not just a regulatory requirement but a proactive investment in the future success of the business.

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