Physics Division Safety:The Need for Renewed Diligence

Jim Siegrist23 January, 2006

A Strong ES&H Performance is of Paramount Importance to LBNL

Several recent events at LBNL have called into question with DOE how well our Integrated Safety Management program is working:

• Superglue in the eye accident• Three radiation shielding incidents in a row at the

ALS• Radiation Work Authorization violation at the 88”

ES&H Performance is Paramount

• Physics Division has a strong science mission. We pursue our science mission in a safe and respectful workplace.

• ISM integrates safety into all work that we do and holds the management line accountable for ES&H performance.

The most important reason we strive for excellence in ES&H performance is that we want to protect the people that work here – the most valuable asset in the Division.

High Priority Areas for Attention

• Two groups of hazardous situations require special attention:— One group consists of routine relatively low-

hazard tasks that we perform many times a day/week

— The other group is contains high hazard activities that are performed less often but can result in serious injury if they go wrong

• Almost all injuries at LBNL are slips, trips, falls, sprains, cuts which often occur a familiar task that suddenly goes wrong

Hierarchy of Injuries – Courtesy Dorfan

1 SeriousInjury

1 SeriousInjury

29 Minor Injuries 29 Minor Injuries

300 Near miss or property damage

??? Near miss or property damage (we don’t track these

accurately)

H.W. Heinrich’s Model For expected injuries classified

according to severity

SLAC & Contractors F& 05 to DateActual injuries classified according to

severity

Pay Attention

• We come to take for granted the safety of our routine activities even though this is where most injuries originate.

• The only way to avoid these sorts of accidents or injuries is to have our attention focused on performing work safely.

• We are the only ones who can ensure our own safety and the safety of our coworkers – only if we are all paying attention.

• Integrated safety means that acting safely in work performance has to become second nature.

We can only get to this level of performance by training and paying attention

Why Is ES&H Important?

Prevents injury, loss of limb or life

Shows caring and respect

Prevents interruption of work

Protects and sustains the environment

Enables us to be good neighbors

Safeguards taxpayers’ investments

Ensures sponsorship and funding from DOE

Enhances our reputation as a safe place to work

Improves operations and saves money

Accidents Cost Money

LBNL FY’04 Total Worker Compensation Dollars• $643K – Total Medical Expenses• $207K - Temporary Disability (wage replacement)• $455K - Permanent Disability Compensation

(for those with permanent partial or total disability)• $75K - Retraining• $83K - Claims Management Administration

Total cost approx. $1.5 million

An Ergonomic Claim (including medical, physical therapy, lost time)• FY’03 – Approximately $24K/claim• FY’04 - $35K/claim

Your research dollars pays these cost through overhead!

The Commitment to Safety Starts at the Top

We have a collective responsibility to work safely.  If we work together and help each other we can…continue on our path of great science performed safely every day.

--Steven Chu