AZASSP November Technical Meeting – Virtual

Title: Thermal Hazard Safety: Building Organizational Resilience by Improving Human Performance

Abstract: Potentially catastrophic short-term thermal hazards, such as arc flash, flash fire, steam and molten metal may lurk in your workplace. Learn how to better prevent and protect against these thermal hazards. One of the latest schools of safety thought is centered around building resilience. Resilience is the capacity to respond, absorb, adapt and recover in a disruptive incident. Now, the main question is no longer, only, how do we prevent and avoid incidents, but rather, how well will our organization absorb and recover from the event without major injury? Organizations need to realize that most incidents are the result of human error. Everyone commits errors! The latest NFPA consensus standards, (NFPA 70E, NFPA 2112/2113) provide guidance on developing human performance, detail PPE best practices that help improve the safety culture and build organizational resilience. Building organization resilience involves educating and developing influential field safety leaders to spread the enhanced safety culture to the whole organization. To achieve the overall resilience goal of reducing the likelihood of incident occurrence (prevention) and mitigating the severity of injury (protection) of an event, follow the latest applicable NFPA standards, implement multiple risk controls, including PPE best practices and reap the benefits of improved culture and resilience!

Takeaway #1 – Utilize the latest NFPA consensus standards, (NFPA 70E) to provide guidance on developing human performance to improve the safety culture and build organizational resilience.

Takeaway #2 – Understand how various human error precursor “states” impact PPE use and how human performance tools and PPE program “best practices” help improve human performance.

Takeaway #3 – Explain the three primary roles of flame resistant/arc rated PPE that reduce burn injury risk and improve resilience.

Bio: Scott Francis, Technical Manager, Westex: A Milliken Brand

Scott graduated from Augustana College and the University of Iowa with a M.S. in Inorganic Chemistry.  Scott has been involved with the Safety Industry since 1991 and has extensive experience with protective apparel fabrics, PPE and knowledge of thermal hazard related NFPA standards and OSHA regulations. Scott frequently addresses trade associations and companies regarding electric arc, flash fire, combustible dust hazards, body burn injury, the protective performance of flame-resistant clothing, PPE best practices and related topics. On a personal note, Scott loves football and sometimes loves golf. He lives with his wife and two sons in the Chicago area.

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