Screenshots from the Boston Department of Fire Services. Two demonstrators produce a dangerous explosion during a police safety training.
According to a September 26 report on Boston.com, "A small explosion during a training demonstration for Massachusetts State Police personnel and hazmat crews last June resulted in several people being checked for injuries." A third-party training organization was performing a demonstration that involved mixing two chemicals found in illicit labs, and a small explosion occurred when the substances reacted in a plastic bottle. No one was hurt, but the incident illustrates the need for even safety demonstrators to give attention to, well, safety.
In the picture above, a man wearing plain clothes and no PPE is seen standing only a few feet away from two demonstrators in bomb squad armor mixing chemicals. While the safety issues seem obvious, sometimes it's easy for demonstrators to focus on the details of their presentation and forget the obvious. So here are a few simple reminders:
- Comprehensive Risk Assessments: Before conducting any training or demonstration, a thorough risk assessment should be carried out to identify potential hazards. This includes evaluating the materials, equipment, and environment involved in the demonstration to ensure all risks are considered and mitigated.
- Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Everyone participating in or observing safety demonstrations should wear the appropriate PPE. This may include gloves, goggles, lab coats, or full-body protective suits depending on the nature of the demonstration. PPE should be chosen according to the hazards presented and enforced for all participants.
- Safe Demonstration Techniques: Demonstrators should always follow established safety protocols. This includes ensuring a safe distance from hazardous activities, using proper containment systems like shields or fume hoods, and following standard operating procedures (SOPs) when handling dangerous materials or equipment.
- Training and Communication: Proper training is essential, not only for the demonstrators but also for the audience or participants. Clear communication about potential hazards and safety measures must be emphasized before any activity begins to ensure everyone is aware of the risks and their roles in maintaining a safe environment.
- Realistic Simulations with Caution: If your training uses realistic simulations of hazards, this must be done with added layers of caution. Substituting less hazardous materials or using simulations that don’t involve dangerous chemicals can achieve the same learning objectives without unnecessary risk.
- Immediate Incident Response Preparedness: In case of an accident, there should always be an emergency plan in place. Demonstrators and participants should be briefed on emergency response protocols, including first aid, spill response, and evacuation procedures. Having quick access to emergency equipment such as eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits is crucial.
Another unsafe safety training story comes from Christy White, Safety Officer at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She relates: "Our IBC required a lab to submit a general safety SOP because we had concerns about training in the lab. They wrote a very detailed SOP and included pictures. The student worker in charge of getting the pictures decided she wanted a picture of a syringe and needle being deposited into the sharps container. She didn't have one, so she reached into the container to get one and stuck herself."
Do you have a story of a dangerous situation created during a safety training? Let us know in the comments!
While safety demonstrations aim to educate employees to manage risks, the trainings themselves also carry inherent risks that must be carefully managed. Actions speak louder than words. The point of safety training will be completely lost unless the trainers lead by example.