 Don Lorenzo, of Process Safety International, describes the "Killer Slot" analogy that he uses to stress the importance of maintaining layers of safety at a pilot hazard identification class held recently at the Laboratory. Each row of the slot machine represents a safety protection layer either with the potential of saving money or risking an injury to a worker. About 15 people participated in the pilot class on hazard identification. The session is part of a new Integrated Work Management training program. Classes continue through the end of April. |
Among those attending the hazard identification class were left to right, Rob Dye of Materials Dynamics (DX-2), Ken Uher of Operations Support (DX-4), John Ross of Dynamic Experimentation (DX) Division, Fidel Vigil of Nuclear Materials Information Management (NMT-3) and John Jacobson of Hydrodynamics (DX-3). Lorenzo, a senior risk/reliability engineer, led the day-long class on how to identify and analyze hazards in the workplace. In the afternoon session, participants learned about error-likely situations, that is, looking at situations with a fresh set of eyes, according to Lorenzo. Lorenzo talked about having layers of protection and ensuring these devices, such as pressure valves, temperature gauges or other systems, are working. "If we build systems with layers of protection, but then we don't maintain, inspect or test them, we will fail," he said. For more information, contact Craig Taylor of Applied Chemical Technology (C-ACT) at 5-3545 or write to eggus_taylor@lanl.gov by electronic mail. Photos by LeRoy N. Sanchez, Public Affairs