We Train You

03/29/2023

As the world increasingly swaps fossil fuel power for emissions-free electrification, batteries are becoming a vital storage tool to facilitate the energy transition.

Are you equipped with the latest tools and techniques?

03/13/2023

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are being continually adopted by more markets (Almost over 140 countries) and at the same time new/revised Accounting Standards, Discussion papers (DP), exposure drafts (ED), research projects, amendments, technical clarifications and new disclosure requirements are being issued on a regular basis by the IASB causing real challenges for the organisations and individuals who use and produce financial statements under IFRS.

Are you up to date?

03/09/2023

Tip!

Cleaning of Solar PV

Most rely on rain to keep the array clean; with no cleaning regimen in place. However cleaning improves output by 6% and 7.4%

03/08/2023

We have been experiencing load shedding in South Africa for some time now, and the question is, should we go back to the use of lanterns for lighting.

Solar energy is by far the most abundant form of renewable energy in South Africa and has the potential to partially replace fossil fuels
The quest for solar power as an alternative energy source dates back to 1953. Solar Power has both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Solar Energy
Renewable and free
High energy yield
A very clean source of energy
No air/water pollution during operation
Low operating costs
Will pay for themselves over time

Disadvantages of Solar Energy
Intermittent source
Energy storage issues
Low energy density
Requires vast tracts of land

How has you business dealt with the current power outages in South Africa?

02/27/2023

What was the Root Cause

A CSB animation about the 2018 ethylene release and fire that injured 23 workers at the Kuraray America, Inc. EVAL plant in Pasadena, Texas.

02/21/2023

First Aid Consent

Before providing first aid you should first obtain permission from the mentally competent patient because each person has the right to refuse treatment. There are two types of consent:
· Informed Consent.
· Implied Consent.

Informed consent may be obtained from a mentally competent patient in the following way:
· Approach the patient calmly, and identify yourself.
· State that you have had first aid training and that you wish to help
· Have sympathy and respect for the patient.
· Call a witness to verify the events.

The patient will usually consent by saying so, or simply by not objecting. You may then proceed with treatment while informing the patient what it is you want to do.

Implied consent applies usually when faced with a patient who is unconscious, irrational or a minor whose parents or guardians are not available to grant consent.

When dealing with a non-compliant or irrational patient, attempt the following:
· Identify yourself in the appropriate manner.
· Reason with the patient and prudently make him aware of the emergency.
· Call a witness to verify the events, and witness the patient’s refusal of treatment, or get signed written refusal.
· Consider calling the EMS or police if needs be and let the professionals deal with it.

Never distance yourself from, or leave a difficult or non-compliant patient until more qualified help arrives

02/20/2023

Electricity is the prime energy source in our industry. Electrical experts, who work with it, especially High Voltage systems, should have every opportunity to avail themselves to the many and varied means provided by the industry to gain both practical and technical knowledge of the subject.

Probably the earliest form of circuit breaker was the hand-operated, quick break knife switch invented by J.H. Holmes. These “switches” were without any form of arc control. The attendant or operator was armed with an insulated hatchet, the purpose of which was to chop the arc in two. Others have claimed that instead of a hatchet the attendant used his cap to extinguish the arc. Those days are well behind us now and modern day circuit breakers have their contacts enclosed in an arc control enclosure.

Are you ready to tackle High Voltage Systems

02/17/2023

The investigation of incidents is an important task in industry. Serious incidents occur which can lead to fatalities, injuries or serious plant damage. In the first place the investigation must determine what actually went wrong, then recommend what must be done to rectify the situation and to ensure that the incident never recurs.

There are several methods which have been developed to investigate the causes of incidents.

What do you think could have prevented the incident in the video from occurring?

A CSB safety video about the June 21, 2019, fire, explosions, and toxic hydrofluoric acid (HF) release at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in Phila...

02/16/2023

Time Management

Planning your day
You need to plan your day around your productivity times: Once you know what your power times are, get into the habit of planning your day around these times. Knowing your productivity times can help you plan to do the most important tasks at the times when you are feeling focused and full of creative energy.
So this week, before you open your planner to make your schedule, ask yourself:
• What is my most productive time of day?
• What happens if we do not manage our time properly?

Do you manage you time effectively?

02/14/2023

Did you Know?

Dust as a fire and explosive hazard

Although dust is usually not regarded as a danger in fire prevention, in the right suspension and under the right conditions dust can explode and be extremely destructive.
Dust control is a statutory requirement in safety legislation. In addition, dust control is also a requirement laid down by insurance companies in cases where explosives are formed or released as a product or by-product.

Watch "Inferno: Dust Explosion at Imperial Sugar" on YouTube

On February 7, 2008, fourteen workers were fatally burned in a series of sugar dust explosions at the Imperial Sugar plant near Savannah, Georgia. This CSB ...

02/10/2023

Friday Humour

Four cannibals apply for a job in a big corporation…
„Well“, says the boss, „if I hire you guys, you have to promise to not eat any of our staff.“

The cannibals promise that they will not eat anyone and get hired.

Everything is going well for a while, and one day the boss calls them into his office.

“You’re working well and all, but we’re missing an office cleaner. Do you have something to do with that?”

The cannibals swear that they are innocent.

The boss believes them and leaves the office and they all turn to their leader.

“You idiots!”, he screams. “Who ate the cleaner?”

One of the cannibals sheepishly raises his hand.

“You fool!”, shouts the leader.
"For weeks we've been feasting on directors, team leaders, project managers and human resource staff, and then you go and eat someone they'll actually miss!"

02/09/2023

Tip of the day

Bees

Symptoms of Bee Stings

A normal response would be some redness, pain and swelling to occur at the site of the sting. This will go away in a few hours. People that are hypersensitive to bee stings would suffer from swelling, itching, fainting, headaches, stomach cramps, feeling of imminent death, tight chest, difficulty in breathing and severe anaphylaxis.
People who suffer from bee and wasp sting allergies should try their best not to getting stung and could practice the following:
• Stay away from areas where bees are found e.g. open dustbins and cold drink cans;
• When you hear a swarm of bees approach get yourself to shelter;
• Refrain from wearing fragrances that smell like flowers;
• Do not disturb beehives or wasp nests when encountered, rather call someone to professionally come and remove them.

Bee Stings

When dealing with bee and wasp stings the following steps can be taken:
• When you or somebody else is stung, immediately look for the stinger in the case of a bee sting. Carefully remove it using a sharp object like a knife blade or even a bank card and quickly scratch it out. Do not use your fingers to pull it out, the venom sac is attached to the barb and you will push all the venom into the wound.
• Stings to the head and neck are more dangerous than stings to the body as swelling could obstruct the airway and block breathing.
• Immediately apply ice or cold compress the sting site. Proper medical treatment should be sought immediately.
• Individuals who have a known hypersensitivity to bee stings should ask their Doctor to prescribe them an Epipen in order to be able to inject themselves with a dose of adrenaline in an attempt to prevent serious anaphylactic reactions.
• Patient’s with bee allergies should wear medical alert bracelets to inform others of their condition should they go unconscious