Handling Hazardous Materials, Article Review Example

The Level Production Strategy

A level production strategy relies on a constant output rate and capacity while varying inventory and backlog levels to handle the fluctuating demand pattern. Describe why or why not a pure service industry (e.g. accounting or law firms) may or may not be able to implement this type of technique.

A pure service industry may not adapt to the system that production strategy exists alongside with. This is mainly because of the fact that there is not so much of a fluctuating system that occurs in relation with the line of clients they serve nor do they actually encounter direct fluctuation on the demands that their clients may expect from them. Being purely based on service operations, these organizations are expected to perform a specific line of tasks, which gives their clients a concrete form of understanding on what they can and cannot do as a firm that provides a specific service only and nothing more than the said operation.

Production and Quality Tools

Review the various Lean production and Six Sigma quality tools outlined in Chapter 8. Select a tool or process that could be implemented in your current or past organization and describe how this tool could be used in improving supply chain management.

The DMAIC method involving the business process mapping could be included into the system of the organization as it provides a clear blueprint of protocols that the organization would best be able to consider in line with the desire of remaining in the course of development that the entire company wants to take. This tool would allow the administrators see what they are currently doing, how these options of operation are affecting their reputation and what else could they do in the future to be able to affect the growth that the organization desires.

The Environment

Why is it deemed necessary to protect the environment? What does it mean to society? To business? To the individual? To future populations?

The environment defines the overall condition of the society that humans are living in. The resources that are found in the environment are all necessary for sufficing the need of the people, the need of the organizations and the need of the different entities that exist in different communities around the globe. In a way, this indicates that taking care of the environment does not only provide a better source of foundation of growth and sufficient life-support for the current generation but also towards the survival of the generations that are still to come.

Risk Control 

What are the primary elements of each of the three types of risk control? Assume you are in a hazard hunt; list a few factors in your job that may contribute to a hazard and how likely is it that a hazardous situation will occur?

The primary elements of risk control involve the capability of an individual to seek to control the situation through forecasting the future. Although this process of forecasting does not involve any specific guesses, the individuals are expected to mandate the possibilities through experience and knowledge. Through this approach, easier form of risk management and more effective condition of handling the balance of distinction when it comes to seeing both the success factors of the organization in correlation to that of the possible sources of failure that it may have especially involving the care for the work environment. Some of the hazards that need to be constantly given attention to is the handling of particular chemicals when working in a factory and/or the manipulation of machines when handling tasks involving manufacturing procedures.

Hazard Classes

List the nine major hazard classes as outlined by the U.S Department of Transportation (D.O.T.). Research a news article that covers one of the nine major hazard classes. Identify the hazard and explain how the hazard created the dangerous situation. http://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3088.html

Class 1: Explosives.

These hazards are noted as class 1 as they are able to harm a considerable number of victims in case handling them properly is not given proper attention to.

Class 2: Gases.

Relatively easier to prevent from occurring, this hazard is expected to harm a few depending on the situation and is considered dangerous not only during the time of the emergency incident but for a long time of losing the effect of the said hazard on the body.

Class 3: Flammable and Combustible Liquids.

Easier to identify but are still dangerous; this form of hazard is considered controllable yet could damage so much once they are not handled properly.

Class 4: Flammable Solids.

Although easy to handle, not being able to attend immediately to the emergency situation that this matter imposes on the victim would cause further damages to the person involved.

Class 5: Oxidizing Substances, Organic Peroxides.

This hazard could take the form of individually acquired situation or it can also be air borne which would affect a far greater number of victims.

Class 6: Toxic Substances and Infectious Substances.

Noted to be dangerous and at times have long-time effects to the victims, toxic substances and infectious substances are regarded to be the most common forms of hazards occurring both in work areas and other public locations.

Class 7: Radioactive Materials

Although not much likely to affect so many at the moment, people who are exposed to radioactive materials are noted to develop particular ailments that are usually appearing to be incurable given that they have been implicated through radiation.

Class 8: Corrosives.

Substances that are corrosive to the human skin or other parts of the body should actually be avoided. If this is not possible, then handling them properly with all the gears necessary to be utilized is strongly suggested.

Class 9: Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials.

Pointed and sharp-edged materials that are expected to be in the workplace; handling them properly with care is suggested and is considered necessary.

Scenario

Isopropyl alcohol (I.P.A.) has a flash point of 53 degrees Fahrenheit. The outside temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. While this product is being unloaded from a truck, several cases fall to the floor and the product spills. Several large pieces of machinery and a welding operation are running nearby. Is there a potential danger from fire in this scenario? Justify your response.

The contact between the IPA and the fire from the nearby welding and machinery shop may not create big fire, nevertheless, the fire that it would create would be dangerous enough to damage the skin and penetrate the inner sores causing deeper damage; even as deep as second to third degree burn depending on an individual’s exposure to the fire fueled by IPA

References:

Managing Hazardous Waste: EPA. The Hazards Magazine. http://www.hazards.org/. (October 25, 2012).