How to increase safety awareness through ‘near miss’ and ‘potential incident’ reporting

In a well-developed safety system, it is critical to reduce the accident occurrence rate before an accident actually happens. In order to minimize accident occurrance, we first have to pay attention to every step of the routine operation within the entire working procedure. When an incident has occurred, we then have to identify the root causes and apply immediate correction, and lastly, incorporate a proper filing system of these incidents.

In addition to job safety analysis, ‘near miss’ and ‘potential incident’ are the two other preventive measures that can help to increase safety awareness and to prevent accident. 'Near miss' is an incident that has happened but without injury or damage; 'potential incident' is a hazard that has been identified but no incident has happened. Properly investigate the root cause, process and result of the incident can help to increase the safety awareness of workers and can reduce the chance of future recurrence of similar type of accidents.



Building adjacent to the service
station has blocked the sight view
of the car drivers who will turn
into the station

'Near miss' incident

In a recent inspection during our petrol interceptor cleaning service in Tong Mei Road service station, we have identified a potential incident. Before performing the service, the working area has already been identified and confined. However, due to limited space available, the working area and pedestrian road are very close. Building adjacent to the service station has blocked the sight view of the car drivers who will turn into the station, although traffic cones have been placed.

Immediate action

Informed tanker driver to inwardly park the tanker closer to the manhole of the API, and moved the traffic cones outwardly to the edge of service station to enhance the working area and have better indication of a confined working area to show car drivers outside who were going to turn into the service station. In addition, we also reported the case to the station manager, consensus was collected that during future service delivery, the tanker should park as close and as inward as possible and the traffic cones should place out to the edge of the station and the pedestrian road.

 

Traffic cones were moved outwardly
to the pedestrian areato have better
indication for drivers outside who
were going to turn into the service
station

Increasing safety awareness
 

Immediate actions taken to correct errors caused by behavioural and/or external environment can prevent the occurance of hazards and accidents, enhance workers' safety awareness, and help minimize future accident recurrance. On top of that, these 'near miss' or 'potential incident' reports will be filed to refresh and enhance the safety awareness of any workers who might be involved in similar work tasks, so as to prevent similar mistakes and accidents from happening again.

 

"Cradle to Grave" - "Trip Ticket" chemical waste control scheme

In Hong Kong, the process of treating chemical waste has been regulated by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). That is to say, the entire cycle, from when it is generated, whom to collect, and where to dispose, has been monitored and regulated by the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste)(General) Regulation under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (Laws of Hong Kong Chapter 354).

Waste producer, waste collector and end-point disposal facility are all being regulated EPD. All chemical waste movements are monitored by EPD, and have to comply with the "Cradle to Grave" chemical waste control scheme.


"Cradle to Grave" chemical waste control scheme

A unique trip ticket system has been adopted to further reduce the chance of illegal dumping and inappropriate treatment. After generating and before disposing the chemical waste, the waste producer will have to apply and obtain a chemical waste producer license from EPD. The waste producer will then need to complete a set of three forms, also known as the ‘trip ticket’, before the chemical waste is being collected and removed from the premises. Under this system, one copy of the trip ticket has to be kept by the waste producer, the second copy of the trip ticket will be retained by the waste collector upon delivery of the waste to a reception point, and the original copy of the trip ticket will be retained by the reception point (disposal facility).

All chemical waste removal activity and/or movement should only be appointed to licensed collectors, which are approved and licensed by EPD. After waste collection, the waste collector must transfer the waste to the reception point 48 hours after collection.

Dunwell is the only ISO14001 certified chemical waste collector operating a licensed reception facility to provide a one-stop and ultimate solution to the waste producers. Our business scope includes collecting spent lubricant, spent non-halogenated solvent, spent wastewater contaminated by lubricant, spent solid waste such as rags, filters, bottles, paint cans, fluorescent lamp tubes, and spent batteries. By providing one-stop chemical waste disposal service, once appointed, Dunwell will be committed to the task of collection and disposal of the chemical waste for the waste producer. The entire business operation can fully comply with the requirement of EPD.

We rank the "trip-ticket" system amongst our highest priority. All movements of chemical waste, including cleanup, transport, and disposal activities have been put into record. We guarantee that all chemical waste will be properly treated in our chemical waste treatment and recycling centre, located in Yuen Long Industrial Estate. Useful and recyclable materials will be extracted and transferred to corresponding recycling centres. In order to increase transparency, inspection of "trip ticket" might also be arranged for particular clients upon request.

 

"Trip ticket" - a set of three forms: original copy, in white, to be retained by the reception point; waste collector's copy in yellow; and waste producer's copy in pink

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

妥善儲存化學廢物

根據“廢物處置條例”（第354章） - “廢物處置條例”，香港環境保護署界定化學廢物為應用於或進行任何工序或活動期間所產生的廢料、廢水或無用的殘餘物質或副產品，而此等物品中，含有規例附表內開列的物質或化學物品 (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/tc_chi/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc_sub1.html)，而其形態、份量及濃度又足以危害人體健康或污染自然環境。

在化學廢物轉移交至合資格的廢物處理處之前，廢物產生者必須暫時及妥善存放廢物。而暫時存放化學廢物的容器，則有一定的規格標準，包括物料、尺寸等。化學廢物容器應置於一個合適的地方，用於臨時儲放，容器大多是鼓或罐型。容器的大小應根據廢物的數量和頻率而定。常見的容器材質類型包括塑膠和鋼。

容器的存儲地方應至少有三面圍以牆壁、間隔或圍欄，其高度不低於兩米或相等於堆叠起的容器總高度，以較低者為準。圍壁可以混凝土、磚、鋼等物料建造。另外，適當的標籤也可以確保廢物能被妥善安全地處理、貯存和運送。

資料來源：香港環境保護署

有關存放化學廢物的具體細節，請參閱香港環境保護署的指引：
http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/tc_chi/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。

Emergency chemical and oil spill cleanup service

Risk management has now becoming an important component for many corporations nowadays, in different operation units. In recent years, Dunwell has been providing one–stop chemical waste management to government departments, public enterprises, and transportation-related industry. In particular, we offer emergency spill clean up standby service which is tailor-made for our clients who require specialized emergency response and spill clean up service.

 

On request, our team will be at standby status; upon occurrence of contingencies such as chemical spillage and/ or oil leakage, our team will then provide immediate and fast response to perform remediate services that can remove the pollutants and restore the original conditions. Our professional teams are well trained and have the expertise in treating chemical waste and oil spill, we provide our customers with round-the-clock and one-stop service to solve contingent spillage at any time, allowing clients to focus on their own business and operations. Our solution can greatly reduce the financial or reputational loss caused by both man-made and natural chemical spillage, which helps clients to achieve a better corporate social responsible standard.

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.