如何提升安全意識 -「未遂事故」和「潛在事件」報告

在一個有系統的安全制度裡，在意外發生前便降低它發生的機會率是關鍵的一步。而當中如何去減低意外的發生，便要在日常的工序中留心，細心留意有機會會導致意外發生的源頭，即時及在日後的工序中加以改善，再將資料紀錄在案，便可將發生意外的機會減至最低。

 



而除了常見的工作安全分析報告以及工作危險分析報告，紀錄「未遂事故」和「潛在事件」便是另外一種可以同時提升安全意識及預防意外發生的有效程序。「未遂事故」即一件已經發生但沒有造成意外傷亡的事件；而「潛在事件」則是一個有機會引發意外的潛在危險。正確地探討和確認事故發生的原因﹑經過和後果，除了可提高施工人員的安全意識，亦可有效地減低在未來再次發生同類型意外的機會。

在油店旁邊的大廈剛巧擋住
將要轉入油站車輛的視線

「潛在事件」

在最近一次的塘尾道油站清洗隔油池服務檢查，我們便發現了一件「潛在事件」。雖然工人在展開工序已經劃定了工作區域，但由於位置不足及過窄，使工作範圍太過接近行人路，在油店旁邊的大廈亦剛巧擋住將要轉入油站車輛的視線。

即時行動

立即知會工作人員，將缸車向內駛及將雪糕筒向外拉出至行人路旁，擴大工作區域，讓將會左轉的車輛能清晰地看到劃分出來的工作區域，避免因視線受阻、開車太快等原因造成的交通事故或意外。另外，亦向站負責人交代情況及取得共識，在未來同樣情況下將會採取相同的應對措施。
 

將雪糕筒向外拉出至行人路旁，
讓將會左轉的車輛能清晰地看到
劃分出來的工作區域

提升安全意識

即時修正行為上或外在環境引起的錯誤，不止可預防危險及意外事故的發生，更可提高工作人員的安全意識，有助減低日後同類型事件發生的機率。我們亦會將這些「未遂事故」或「潛在事件」紀錄在案，進一步提升將來有機會涉及有關工序工作人員的安全意識，防止同類錯誤和事故再次發生。

「由始至終」的化學廢物「運載紀錄」

在香港，處理化學廢物的所有過程皆由環境保護署監管。而一件化學廢物的整個生命週期，亦即從產生、收集、以至運送至收集點，都是根據香港法例第三五四章廢物處置條例所公布的廢物處置(化學廢物)(一般)規例所監管。

而廢物產生者、廢物收集者和終點處置設施都必須經由環保署發牌，而全個運送過程亦由環保署監管，須符合「由始至終」的化學廢物管理方式。


 「由始至終」的化學廢物管理方式

為了進一步減少非法傾銷和不恰當的棄置化學廢物，環保署更特別採用一套特別的「運載紀錄」系統。在產生和處置化學廢物前，化學廢物產生者需向環保署登記，登記以後，廢物產生者需要填寫一組稱為「運載紀錄」、一式三分的表格，才可委託合資格的化學廢物收集者，將化學廢物移離該處。根據這一制度，一式三分的「運載紀錄」，第一分副本將由廢物產生者保管、第二分副本將由廢物收集者在廢物運送至接收點後保管，而原本的存根則將由廢物接收點（處置設施）保存。



所有有關清理、處置以及運送化學廢物的活動，只可委託由環保署批准的合資格的持牌化學廢物收集者。而在收集廢物後，收集者必須在48小時內將廢物轉移到廢物接收點（處置設施）。

正昌是唯一通過ISO14001認證、而又可同時為廢物生產者提供一個一站式和最終解決方案的化學廢物收集者及接收設施。我們的業務範圍包括收集廢潤滑油、廢非鹵化溶劑、含油廢水、布碎、油隔、吉罐、廢油漆罐、光管及電池等固態化學廢物。正昌提供一站式的化學廢物處置服務，除了收集，我們更領有環保署簽發的化學廢物處置設置牌照，整個業務操作完全符合環保署的要求。

為使客戶安心，我們對「運載紀錄」系統極為重視，所有化學廢物的清理、處置以及運送活動都紀錄在案，亦保證所有的化學廢物將得到妥善處理，在我們位於元朗工業邨的化學廢物處理及回收中心，有用和可回收物料將經提取、分類後將再運送至各物料的回收中心。為增加透明度，我們亦會因應個別客戶的要求，供他們查閱「運載紀錄」。

 一式三分的「運載紀錄」︰白色為原本存根，由廢物處置設施保存；黃色為廢物收集者存根；粉紅色則為廢物產生者存根。

Proper storage of chemical waste

Under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Cap.354) - Waste Disposal Regulations, Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department has defined chemical waste as any substance or thing being scrap material, effluent, or an unwanted substance or by-product arising from the application of or in the course of any process or trade activity, and which is or contains any substance or chemical specified in the prescribed schedule if such substance or chemical occurs in such form (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/files/guide_e.pdf), quantity or concentration so as to cause pollution, constitute a danger to health or risk of pollution to the environment.

Chemical waste should be properly and temporarily stored by the waste producer before the waste is transferred by the waste collector to a licensed treatment provider. There are certain criteria should be applied to the containers for temporary chemical waste storage, including its material, condition, etc. Such containers should be placed in a suitable area located close to the waste generation source for temporary storage and the containers should be either drums or jerricans type. The size of the containers should be determined according to the quantity and frequency of chemical waste to be stored. Common types of materials to be used for the containers include plastics and steel.

The storage area should be enclosed on at least three sides by partition, wall or fence with a height of not less than two metres or the total height of containers in stack, whichever is less. Such enclosures should be built with concrete, brick of steel with fixed erection to the areas. In addition, appropriate labeling should also be applied for accurate indication to ensure proper and safe handling, storage and transport of the waste.

Source: Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department















For specific details regarding Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department's guideline of chemical waste storage, please visit: http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html

Impacts of oil to us

Lubricants are used in many types of machinery during the day-to-day operation in various industrial and commercial activities. Used oil is, simply put, any oil that has been refined from crude oil and such use leads physical and/ or chemical contamination. During normal use, Impurities including dirt, metal particles, water, as well as other chemicals may be blended in with the oil, causing diminishing performance. These lubricating oils are classified as a type of chemical waste because it has been proven to have severe adverse impacts on the environment if dispose of improperly.

Chemistry of oil

Petroleum and its related products are made up with hydrocarbons, which are by its name, compounds containing both carbon and hydrogen. The simplest molecule of hydrocarbon is methane, the main component of natural gas. With the extension of additional carbon and hydrogen atoms, longer chains will be formed. In the case of lubricating oils, each molecule contains from 20 to 70 carbon atoms. These molecules are found to be particularly stable and will never be diminished. That is to say, replacing depleted additives within the oil is the key and crucial step to refine the used oil.

Impacts to environment and human health

Numerous toxic substances are found in spent oil, these toxins are uneasy to be degraded once enter the environment. For instance, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in used motor oil have been proven to be a carcinogen. Tiny metal scrapings from the engine compartment such as lead, arsenic, and zinc will also blended into the oils during operations. In addition, exposure to heat during engine combustion will also alter the chemical structures of the oil. Leakages, spillages, or improper handling of lubricating oils will enter the local water bodies unavoidably, through manmade drains or channels to streams, rivers, lakes, underground water tables and even reaching the ocean. At the end of the day, poisoning our drinking water sources and marine animals that we may consume ourselves.

石油對我們的影響

在日常的各種工商業活動中，許多機器在操作過程中都要使用潤滑油。廢油，簡單地說，便是經過從原油提煉的油，而導致物理性和/或化學性的污染。在一般情況下，污染雜質包括污垢、金屬粒子、水以及其他可與油混合的化學品，導致油的性能逐漸減退。若不妥善處理，廢潤滑油將會嚴重破壞環境及生態，亦因此，廢潤滑油一般被列為化學廢物，需要特別處理。 

石油的化學

石油和其相關的產品都是由碳氫化合物所組成，即同時含有碳和氫的化合物。碳氫化合物的基本分子組合為甲烷，即天然氣的主要成分。越多碳原子和氫原子會形成越長的鏈狀。以潤滑油為例，每個分子都含有的二十至七十個碳原子。這些分子都特別穩定，並不會被縮減。亦即是說，只要添加或更換油內用盡的物質，便可把珍貴的石油回用。

對環境和人類健康的影響

廢油內含有大量的有毒物質，一旦進入環境，將不易被降解。比如，車用機油中含有一種碳氫化合物 - 多環芳烴 (PAH)，已被證實是一種致癌物質。在機器的發動過程中，引擎的細小金屬碎屑如鉛、砷、鋅等也會混入油中。而因發動所引起的熱力也會改變油的化學結構。若滲漏、溢出、或處理不當，廢油及其內的有毒物質將會進入水體，經雨水渠、溪流、河流、湖泊、或地下水源，最後流入海洋，污染我們的飲用水源和毒害海洋生物，到最後，受害的可能都會是我們自己。

緊急化學品泄漏、防油污及清理服務

風險管理已經成為時下許多企業不同管理單位中不可或缺之一環，近年來，正昌為多個機關如政府部門、公營企業、與運輸相關的行業提供一站式的化學廢物管理服務。另外，我們也為有需要的客戶度身訂造一套緊急化學品泄漏、防油污及清理服務。

我們為有需要的客戶提供全天候的服務，以解決任何時候的不時之需。在突發化學品或油污洩漏發生後，我們的團隊將提供進行即時修復，快速清除油污及其他污染物，將被影響的範圍恢復原狀。我們的專業團隊訓練有素，具有專業知識，在處理化學廢物和漏油事件，我們的服務能解決任何時的不時之需，讓客戶可以更專注於自身業務，在有需要時由正昌專業團隊進行防油污及一站式清理善後，減低了各樣天災及人為錯誤所造成的損失及保障不可取代的商譽，也可為企業建立一個更高的社會責任標準。

Hong Kong says YES to waste charging scheme

Establishing a proper waste management system has always been a challenging task for the Hong Kong government to implement. Back in 1995, the government has proposed to introduce a waste charging scheme to provide a financial incentive for the public to reduce waste generation. However, this proposal has been staying in the research and discussion stage until Jan 2012, when the Environment Bureau has launched the public consultation on the introduction of waste charging to reduce the generation of municipal solid waste.

Four suggested approaches have been included In the consultation document, including quantity-based system, proxy system, fixed charge system, and partial charging system. The result of the consultation revealed that over 60% of written comments received support waste charging scheme and over 50% is in favour of the quantity-based system. In Dec 2012, the government has outlined the initial framework of the waste charging scheme. The preliminary proposal goes in line with what the majority in favour of: quantity-based system to be established in 2016.

Yet, details including charging standards and methods have not yet been confirmed. Using the case of Taipei as a reference, it is predicted approximately HK$40 will be charged monthly for a family of three. However, with the effort of source reduction and recycling, the cost can be reduced to $30/month.

MSW collection services in Hong Kong are delivered with an emphasis on efficiency and high hygiene standards. Our waste collection system and network have not been operated in a way that can facilitate the collection of a quantity-based waste charge; neither does it facilitate waste tracing. In the event that the implementation of charging is unsatisfactory, illegal dumping might arise and could have an impact on environmental hygiene.

When Taipei first launched the waste charging scheme, its adherence rate was over 99.5% and illegal dumping still existed. Once establishing the waste charging scheme, fewer garbage bills will be placed on the public areas and increasing illegal dumping is expected. The second phase of consultation will be launched in the near future to address the consequences of waste charging scheme and to identify possible solutions to avoid illegal dumping.

In fact, there has been voices pointing out there are excessive quantity of garbage bins in Hong Kong. In one way, it provides a convenient way for our citizens but also spoiling them. In some urban districts, the ratio of garbage bin to recycling bin is 1:20. To tackle the root factor, it is suggested that more recycling bins and fewer garbage bins should be placed along the public areas to help the Hong Kong citizens to develop a good recycling habit.

Safety regulations updated

Safety has been one of Dunwell’s major focus areas through out the years; we regularly provide safety training to our employees and sub-contractors to develop and increase their awareness of occupational health and safety. At the same time, we also subsequently conduct review and modification to our existing policies and work-related procedures for safety enhancement.

Each interceptor usually contains more than one manhole

Since 2011, we have reviewed and modified our existing working procedure in the procedures of cleaning petrol interceptor for advancement and a step forwards to facilitate a better safety standard and to better protect our workmen from any forms of injury.

Working steps and procedures of cleaning a petrol interceptor include the opening of the manhole (interceptor cover). Usually, each petrol interceptor contains more than one manhole. In the past, it has been generally accepted that the workmen can first lift up all three manholes at the same time before they start to insert the hoses into the interceptor for cleaning. Due to the fact that no past incidence and/ or injury has been taken place, this routine step was generally adopted for time saving and as a more convenient task.

Before the amendment of the safety regulation,
all manholes were opened at once

However, the opening of more than one manhole at the same time will pose the risk of dropping of equipment as well as stumbling of workmen into the hole. Therefore, we have modified our work procedures to strictly prohibit the opening of more than one manhole prior to the cleaning task. In such, workmen have to follow the orders of opening the first manhole and closing it after completing the cleaning work, then to open the second manhole and repeat the job again.

Through this upgrade of the safety regulation, the injury rate and near-miss incidents that were to happen in the past can be effectively reduced. The safety awareness of the workmen can also be raised.

安全條例升級

 

每個隔油池都有多於一個渠蓋

多年來，安全一直是正昌集團其中一個非常重視的範圍，並定期為培養員工及外判承包商提供訓練，致力培養及提升他們對職業安全及健康的意識。同時，我們也定期進行審查和修改現有的政策和與工作有關的程序，增強工作的安全性。

 

自2011年，我們審閱和修改我們清洗隔油池的工作程序，採用更高的安全標準，更全面地保護工作人員免受任何形式的傷害。

清洗隔油池的工作步驟首先包括打開沙井的渠蓋，一般而言，每個隔油池都擁有多於一個渠蓋。過去，工作人員大多先一次打開所有渠蓋，然後才開始插入水喉進行清潔。由於過去並沒有損傷事故，所以該步驟一般被普遍接受，而工作人員都為節省時間及更方便快捷完成工作去採用此捷徑。



在安全條例修改之前，工人大多一次過打開所有渠蓋

然而，在同一時間打開一個以上沙井的渠蓋卻會有機會令工具什至工作人員自身掉進隔油池。因此，我們修改了清洗隔油池的工作程序，嚴格禁止同時打開一個以上的渠蓋。亦即是說，工人必須遵循步驟，先打開第一個渠蓋，完成清潔工作後，把它關上後才可打開第二個渠蓋及重複的之前的工序。通過這次安全監管的升級，損傷率和未遂事故將可被有效地減低，而工作人員的安全意識也可被進一步提升。

Reason of treating and recycling waste batteries

Waste battery has been one of the major waste problems encountered by many cities around the world; Hong Kong is of no exception. The chemicals found within the battery will not only harm the environment but is also affecting our health. With our increasing materialized desires and the increasing usage and demand of electronic appliances, more waste batteries have been generated. Improper and irresponsible discarding of waste battery together with household waste will cause adverse impacts to the ecosystem since batteries contain hazardous chemical substances such as cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, which are all heavy metals.

In the case of Hong Kong, if these waste batteries are disposed along with our municipal waste, these wastes will be disposed in the three strategic landfills, and increasing the toxicity levels of the landfills due to the release of heavy metals. These heavy metals will pollute the underground soil and water table and once entered the food chain, bioaccumulation and biomagnifications will occur, which will directly affect out health.

Providing treatment to used batteries can minimize and eliminate the pollution generated by the leakage of heavy metals. In addition, metals contained in the waste batteries are recyclable resources that can be extracted again and reuse in other areas. Recycling the usable materials to the best possible extent can also reduce the burden to the landfill. Any electrolyte generated from the process should be treated as chemical wastes and proper neutralization, treatment before further discharge according to Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department’s requirement should be ensured.

Normal waste battery treatment in Dunwell includes steps of prescreening, refurbishment, dismantling, recycling and disposal. Handling these waste batteries requires special attention to prevent these hazardous chemicals from both leakages to the environment and health risk to our staffs. Such procedures include inspection of residual charges to prevent electric shocks, spill control of electrolytes and electrodes during transportation and dismantling.

The used batteries will be dissembled and separated into metal, plastic, and electrolyte and then sent to recycling points respectively. All handling processes are conducted in an environmental sound and safe manner, in lines with the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department’s Waste Disposal Ordinance and the requirements under the international Basel Convention.