exclusion zone presentation

Exploring Exclusion Zones: Understanding Their Importance and Implementation

Verge Safety Barriers

Exclusion zones, often referred to as restricted areas, play a crucial role in ensuring safety and security in various environments. These designated areas are implemented to safeguard individuals from potential hazards or dangers, effectively controlling access and minimising risks. According to Vergesafetybarriers.com.au, exclusion zones are instrumental in maintaining safety standards across diverse industries and settings.

Defining Exclusion Zones

Exclusion zones are demarcated spaces established to limit access or prevent entry into hazardous or restricted areas. These zones are typically identified through the use of physical barriers, signage, or other visual indicators. They serve to protect both workers and the general public from potential harm or injury.

Key Components of Exclusion Zones

Exclusion zones consist of several essential components designed to ensure their effectiveness:

• Identification of Hazards: Exclusion zones are established based on the identification of potential hazards within a given area. These hazards could include machinery, chemicals, electrical equipment, or other dangers.
• Clear Communication: Communication is paramount in ensuring that individuals are aware of the existence and boundaries of exclusion zones. This is achieved through the use of clear signage, markings, and verbal warnings.
• Physical Barriers: Physical barriers such as safety barriers, fencing, or tape are utilized to physically restrict access to exclusion zones. These barriers serve as a visible deterrent and prevent unauthorised entry.
• Training and Education: Proper training and education are essential for individuals who may encounter exclusion zones as part of their work responsibilities. This includes understanding the purpose of the zones, recognising associated hazards, and adhering to established protocols.

Applications of Exclusion Zones

Exclusion zones find application across a wide range of industries and environments, including:

• Construction Sites: Construction sites often feature numerous hazards, including heavy machinery, falling objects, and uneven terrain. Exclusion zones help prevent accidents and ensure the safety of workers and visitors.
• Manufacturing Facilities: In manufacturing settings, exclusion zones may be established around equipment or machinery with moving parts to prevent accidental contact or injury.
• Healthcare Facilities: In hospitals and healthcare facilities, exclusion zones may be designated around areas undergoing maintenance or containing hazardous materials to protect patients, staff, and visitors.

Benefits of Exclusion Zones

Implementing exclusion zones offers several benefits, including:

• Enhanced Safety: By restricting access to hazardous areas, exclusion zones help reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
• Legal Compliance: Adhering to safety regulations and standards by implementing exclusion zones ensures legal compliance and mitigates the risk of fines or penalties.
• Improved Efficiency: By minimizing the likelihood of accidents or incidents, exclusion zones contribute to improved workflow efficiency and productivity.

As we conclude our exploration of exclusion zones and their significance in ensuring safety and security, we invite you to delve deeper into topics related to workplace safety, industry regulations, and risk management by subscribing to our Medium page . Stay informed, engaged, and empowered as we continue to provide valuable insights and resources to help you navigate the complexities of safety management. Join our community on Medium today and become part of the conversation surrounding safety excellence and innovation.

Written by Verge Safety Barriers

Verge Safety Barriers provides an extensive range of safety barriers products to keep your warehouse and employees safe.

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Managing Workplace Exclusion Zones for Safety

Learn effective strategies for managing workplace exclusion zones to enhance safety and ensure compliance.

Ensuring safety in the workplace is a critical responsibility for employers, particularly in environments where risks are inherent. One effective strategy to mitigate these dangers involves establishing exclusion zones—specific areas designated to keep unauthorized personnel out and protect workers from potential hazards.

These zones play a vital role in maintaining operational safety across various industries. Understanding their importance can help organizations implement more robust safety protocols and reduce accident rates significantly.

Purpose and Types of Exclusion Zones

Exclusion zones serve to delineate areas where access is restricted due to potential hazards. These zones are tailored to specific environments and risks, ensuring that safety measures are appropriately targeted. Below, we explore the different types of exclusion zones commonly found in various industries.

Construction Sites

In construction environments, exclusion zones are essential for safeguarding workers and the public from potential dangers. These areas often encompass zones where heavy machinery operates, materials are hoisted, or structural work is underway. For instance, crane operation zones are marked to prevent unauthorized access, reducing the risk of accidents from falling objects or equipment malfunctions. Additionally, areas where scaffolding is erected are cordoned off to protect against falls and debris. Proper signage and barriers are crucial in these settings to clearly communicate the boundaries and nature of the hazards present.

Hazardous Material Areas

Exclusion zones around hazardous material storage and handling areas are critical for preventing exposure to toxic substances. These zones are typically found in chemical plants, laboratories, and manufacturing facilities where dangerous chemicals are used or stored. Access is restricted to trained personnel equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Clear labeling and containment measures are implemented to minimize the risk of spills, leaks, or accidental exposure. Emergency protocols are also established to address potential incidents swiftly, ensuring the safety of both workers and the surrounding community.

Demolition Zones

Demolition sites present unique risks that necessitate stringent exclusion zones. These areas are marked to protect individuals from falling debris, structural collapses, and dust inhalation. Before demolition begins, a thorough assessment is conducted to identify potential hazards and determine the appropriate size and scope of the exclusion zone. Barriers and warning signs are erected to keep unauthorized personnel at a safe distance. Additionally, monitoring systems may be employed to detect structural weaknesses or airborne contaminants, further enhancing safety measures during demolition activities.

High-Risk Machinery Areas

In industrial settings, high-risk machinery areas require well-defined exclusion zones to prevent accidents. These zones are typically established around equipment such as presses, conveyors, and automated systems that pose significant injury risks. Only trained operators and maintenance personnel are permitted within these zones, and strict protocols are followed to ensure machinery is properly shut down and locked out during maintenance. Visual indicators, such as floor markings and warning lights, are used to delineate these areas clearly. Regular safety audits and equipment inspections are conducted to maintain a safe working environment.

Designating and Marking Zones

Establishing exclusion zones begins with a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential hazards and determine the areas that require restricted access. This assessment involves evaluating the types of activities conducted, the equipment used, and the materials handled within the workplace. By understanding these factors, safety managers can accurately define the boundaries of each exclusion zone, ensuring that they encompass all potential danger points.

Once the boundaries are determined, the next step is to implement clear and effective marking strategies. Visual indicators play a crucial role in communicating the presence and extent of exclusion zones. These can include brightly colored floor markings, warning signs, and physical barriers such as fences or barricades. The choice of marking tools depends on the specific environment and the nature of the hazards present. For example, in areas with high foot traffic, floor tape or paint may be used to delineate boundaries, while more permanent barriers might be necessary in construction or demolition sites.

In addition to physical markers, technological solutions can enhance the visibility and enforcement of exclusion zones. Digital tools such as geofencing and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) systems can be employed to monitor and control access to restricted areas. Geofencing uses GPS technology to create virtual boundaries, alerting supervisors when unauthorized personnel enter an exclusion zone. RFID systems, on the other hand, can track the movement of workers and equipment, ensuring that only those with the necessary clearance can access high-risk areas. These technologies not only improve safety but also provide valuable data for ongoing risk management and compliance efforts.

Effective communication is another critical component in the designation and marking of exclusion zones. Workers must be informed about the locations and purposes of these zones through regular training sessions and clear signage. Safety briefings and visual aids, such as maps and diagrams, can help reinforce this information, ensuring that all personnel understand the importance of adhering to exclusion zone protocols. Additionally, involving workers in the risk assessment and zone designation process can foster a culture of safety and encourage compliance.

Training and Compliance for Workers

Ensuring that workers are adequately trained and compliant with safety protocols is paramount in maintaining effective exclusion zones. Training programs should be comprehensive, covering not only the specific hazards associated with each exclusion zone but also the broader principles of workplace safety. This holistic approach helps workers understand the rationale behind safety measures, fostering a culture of vigilance and responsibility.

Interactive training methods, such as simulations and hands-on exercises, can significantly enhance learning outcomes. For instance, virtual reality (VR) training modules allow workers to experience and navigate exclusion zones in a controlled, risk-free environment. These immersive experiences can help workers better understand the spatial dynamics and potential dangers of exclusion zones, making them more adept at recognizing and avoiding hazards in real-world scenarios. Additionally, role-playing exercises can simulate emergency situations, preparing workers to respond effectively to incidents that may occur within exclusion zones.

Regular refresher courses are essential to keep safety knowledge up-to-date and reinforce the importance of compliance. These sessions can be tailored to address new risks, changes in regulations, or updates to exclusion zone protocols. Incorporating feedback from workers can also make training more relevant and effective. For example, if workers identify specific challenges or uncertainties related to exclusion zones, these issues can be addressed in subsequent training sessions, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Monitoring compliance is another crucial aspect of maintaining safe exclusion zones. This can be achieved through a combination of routine inspections, audits, and the use of technology. Wearable devices, such as smart helmets or vests equipped with sensors, can provide real-time data on workers’ locations and movements, ensuring that they remain within designated safe areas. Additionally, safety management software can track compliance metrics, identify trends, and generate reports, enabling organizations to proactively address any lapses in adherence to safety protocols.

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OSHA HAZWOPER Work Zones

The 3 osha hazwoper work zones.

There are three distinct work zones as defined by OSHA.

Exclusion Zone

Contamination reduction zone.

• Support Zone 

OSHA HAZWOPER Work Zone Classification

The Exclusion Zone is where the actual contamination occurs or could occur. The boundary of the Exclusion Zone is called the “Hotline,” and should be clearly marked with lines, placards, hazard tape, or signs. Sometimes even physical barriers like fences or ropes are used around the Hotline to block off the Exclusion Zone.

Access Control Points are usually established to regulate the personnel and equipment entering and exiting the Exclusion Zone.

Exclusion Zones may also be subdivided into different areas of contamination based on the type or level of waste. Workers within the Exclusion Zone must be equipped with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary for their role or degree of hazard or exposure. 

The primary activities performed inside the Exclusion Zone include:

•       Mapping, photographing, and sampling
•       Installation of wells
•       Cleanup work

The Contamination Reduction Zone lies outside the Hotline and serves as the transition area between the contaminated area (the Exclusion Zone) and the clean area (the Support Zone).

 The Contamination Reduction Zone acts as a buffer area to reduce the probability of the Support Zone being contaminated by the Exclusion Zone. While the area of the Contamination Reduction Zone that is nearest the Hotline remains contaminated, the level of contamination decreases the further away you move from the Hotline in the direction of the Support Zone.

Within the Contamination Reduction Zone is an area called the “Contamination Reduction Corridor.” This area begins at the Hotline and extends outward in the direction of the Support Zone and is the area used for performing decontamination procedures. 

The activities that take place inside the Contamination Reduction Zone include:

•       Evaluating results of soil and water samples taken from the Exclusion Zone
•       Marking and securing the Hotline
•       Monitoring meteorological conditions and the potential for contaminants to be blown out of the area
•       Determining locations and levels of contamination

Support Zone

The Support Zone is the outermost zone that borders the Contamination Reduction Zone. This is where administrative and other support personnel remain in order to regulate the activities happening in the other work zones and to oversee the operation at large.

The Support Zone is often positioned upwind from the Exclusion Zone in an area that has clear visibility of all activities. The Support Zone is also generally located near resources such as power lines, roads, shelters, and water. 

The Support Zone remains free of any contaminated clothing, equipment or samples, all of which must remain in the Contamination Reduction Zone until properly decontaminated.

Within the Support Zone is the Command Post, which serves as the headquarters for the entire operation, along with a medical station. The Support Zone is also where recordkeeping, data storage, inventories, maps, and other useful information is produced and stored in order to support the ongoing activity in the other two work zones.

Learn More About HAZWOPER Work Zones

HAZWOPER workers, particularly those working in the Exclusion and Contamination Reduction Zones, must first complete required training by OSHA and then continue with regular refresher training in order to remain certified.

 Not sure which course to take? Use our guide to determine the level of HAZWOPER, OSHA or RCRA/DOT training needed for yourself or your employees working in a HAZWOPER work zone.

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Home | Keeping Workers Safe Using Exclusion Zones on Worksites

Keeping Workers Safe Using Exclusion Zones on Worksites

Exclusion zones are designated areas on a worksite that are off-limits to certain individuals or groups of workers. These areas protect workers from hazards or dangers within the zone. In the construction sector, where there are often many different trades working on a site at any given time, exclusion zones can effectively keep workers safe.

Different Types of Exclusion Zones

Several types of exclusion zones may be used on a construction site. One common type is a “hot work” exclusion zone, an area where welding , cutting, or other types of hot work is performed. These activities can create sparks or other hazards that could ignite flammable materials, so keeping other workers out of the area until the work is completed is important.

Another type of exclusion zone is a “fall protection” zone, an area where workers may be at risk of falling from a height. This could include areas around open pits, holes, or other openings in the ground or areas where workers are working on elevated platforms or scaffolding. In these situations, it is important to establish an exclusion zone to keep workers out of harm’s way.

Exclusion zones can also protect workers from hazardous materials or substances. For example, suppose a site contains asbestos or other toxic materials. In that case, an exclusion zone can be established to keep workers away from the area until properly cleaned and decontaminated. Similarly, if a site contains hazardous chemicals or gases, an exclusion zone may be necessary to keep workers out of the area until the hazards have been removed or properly contained.

Clear Communication and Signage

In order to effectively implement exclusion zones on a construction site, it is important to have clear communication and signage. This includes posting signs or barriers around the exclusion zone to mark the boundaries and warn workers to stay out clearly. Training workers on using exclusion zones and identifying them is also important. This can be done through safety meetings, training sessions, or other methods.

The Thumbs Up procedure is a simple yet effective tool used on construction sites to improve worker safety and communication. The procedure involves each worker giving a visual signal (a thumbs up) to indicate they are ready to begin a task and understand any relevant safety procedures.

Using the Thumbs Up Procedure

Here are some steps for using the Thumbs Up procedure on construction sites:

• Communicate the Thumbs Up procedure to all workers on the site. This could be done through a safety briefing or training session.
• Before beginning any task, each worker should give a thumbs up to indicate that they understand the task and any related safety procedures.
• If a worker is unsure about any aspect of the task or the safety procedures, they should not give a thumbs up. Instead, they should raise their hand and ask for clarification before proceeding.
• If a worker observes another worker not following the Thumbs Up procedure, they should intervene and remind the worker to follow it.
• Supervisors should regularly check in with workers to ensure the Thumbs Up procedure is followed.

Using the Thumbs Up procedure on construction sites can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries by ensuring that all workers are fully aware of their tasks and any related safety procedures. It can also promote open communication and encourage workers to speak up about any concerns.

Monitoring Exclusion Zones

In addition to providing clear communication and signage, it is important to have a system in place for monitoring and enforcing the exclusion zones. This may include assigning specific individuals to monitor the zones and ensuring that only authorized personnel can enter. It may also involve using security cameras or tracking devices to monitor the zones and ensure they are properly followed.

Exclusion zones are an important tool for keeping workers safe on construction sites. By designating areas where certain hazards or dangers may exist and communicating and enforcing the boundaries of these zones, construction companies can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By implementing effective exclusion zone policies and procedures, construction companies can help create a safer work environment for all their employees.

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By: History.com Editors

Updated: April 23, 2021 | Original: April 24, 2018

Chernobyl is a nuclear power plant in Ukraine that was the site of a disastrous nuclear accident on April 26, 1986. A routine test at the power plant went horribly wrong, and two massive explosions blew the 1,000-ton roof off one of the plant’s reactors, releasing 400 times more radiation than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The worst nuclear disaster in history killed two workers in the explosions and, within months, at least 28 more would be dead by acute radiation exposure. Eventually, thousands of people would show signs of health effects—including cancer—from the fallout.

The Chernobyl disaster not only stoked fears over the dangers of nuclear power, it also exposed the Soviet government’s lack of openness to the Soviet people and the international community. The meltdown and its aftermath drained the Soviet Union of billions in clean-up costs, led to the loss of a primary energy source and dealt a serious blow to national pride.

Then-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev would later say that he thought the Chernobyl meltdown, “even more than my launch of  perestroika , was perhaps the real cause of the collapse of the Soviet Union five years later.”

Where Is Chernobyl?

Chernobyl is located in northern Ukraine, about 80 miles north of Kiev. A small town, Pripyat, was constructed a few miles from the site of the nuclear plant to accommodate workers and their families.

Construction of the Chernobyl power plant began in 1977, when the country was still part of the Soviet Union. By 1983, four reactors had been completed, and the addition of two more reactors was planned in subsequent years.

What Happened at Chernobyl?

A routine exercise to test whether an emergency water cooling system would work during a power loss started at 1:23 a.m. on April 26.

Within seconds, an uncontrolled reaction caused pressure to build up in Reactor No. 4 in the form of steam. The steam blasted the roof off the reactor, releasing plumes of radiation and chunks of burning, radioactive debris.

About two to three seconds later, a second explosion hurled out additional fuel. A fire started at the roof of Reactor No. 3, risking a breach at that facility. Automatic safety systems that would normally have kicked into action did not because they had been shut down prior to the test.

READ MORE:  Chernobyl Disaster: The Meltdown by the Minute

Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes and began to fight the blaze without gear to protect them from radiation. Many of them would soon number among the 28 killed by acute radiation exposure.

Eyewitness accounts of the firefighters who had helped battle the fires described the radiation as “tasting like metal,” and feeling pain like pins and needles on their faces, according to the CBC documentary series, Witness . Days later, many of those firefighters would be dead.

It wasn’t until 5 a.m. the following day that Reactor No. 3 was shut down. Some 24 hours later, Reactors No. 1 and 2 were also shut down.

By the afternoon of April 26, the Soviet government had mobilized troops to help fight the blaze. Some were dropped at the rooftop of the reactor to furiously shovel debris off the facility and spray water on the exposed reactor to keep it cool.

The workers were picked up within seconds to minimize their radiation exposure. It would take nearly two weeks to extinguish all the fires using sand, lead and nitrogen.

Pripyat Evacuated

Meanwhile, life went on as usual for almost a day in the neighboring town of Pripyat. Aside from the sight of trucks cleaning the streets with foam, there were initially few signs of the disaster unfolding just miles away.

It wasn’t until the next day, April 27, when the government began evacuations of Pripyat’s 50,000 residents. Residents were told they would be away for just a few days, so they took very little with them. Most would never return to their homes.

Soviet Secrecy

It took days for Soviet leadership to inform the international community that the disaster had occurred. The Soviet government made no official statement about the global-scale accident until Swedish leaders demanded an explanation when operators of a nuclear power plant in Stockholm registered unusually high radiation levels near their plant.

Finally, on April 28, the Kremlin reported that there had been an accident at Chernobyl and that authorities were handling it. The statement was followed by a state broadcast detailing the U.S. nuclear accident at Three Mile Island and other nuclear incidents in western countries.

Three days later, Soviet May Day parades to celebrate workers went ahead as usual in Moscow, Kiev and Belarus’ capital Minsk—even as hazardous amounts of radiation were still streaming from the wrecked power plant.

Most people, even within the Ukraine, were still unaware of the accident, the deaths, and the hasty evacuations of Pripyat.

READ MORE: The Chernobyl Cover-Up: How Officials Botched Evacuating an Irradiated City

Chernobyl Disaster Spewed Radiation

The damaged plant released a large quantity of radioactive substances, including iodine-131, cesium-137, plutonium and strontium-90, into the air for over a period of 10 days.

The radioactive cloud was deposited nearby as dust and debris, but was also carried by wind over the Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Scandinavia and other parts of Europe.

In an attempt to contain the fallout, on May 14, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev ordered the dispatch of hundreds of thousands of people, including firefighters, military reservists and miners, to the site to aid in clean-up. The corps worked steadily, often with inadequate protective gear, through 1989 to clear debris and contain the disaster.

Chernobyl Sarcophagus

Over a hurried construction period of 206 days, crews erected a steel and cement sarcophagus to entomb the damaged reactor and contain any further release of radiation.

As former liquidator, Yaroslav Melnik, told the BBC in January 2017, “We worked in three shifts, but only for five to seven minutes at a time because of the danger. After finishing, we’d throw our clothes in the garbage.”

Starting in 2010, an international consortium organized the building of a bigger, more secure sarcophagus for the site. The 35,000-ton New Safe Confinement was built on tracks and then slid over the damaged reactor and existing sarcophagus in November 2016.

After the installation of the new structure, radiation near the plant dropped to just one-tenth of previous levels, according to official figures. The structure was designed to contain the radioactive debris for 100 years.

Chernobyl Elephant’s Foot

Deep within the basement of Reactor 4 lies the Chernobyl Elephant’s Foot, a huge mass of melted concrete, sand and highly radioactive nuclear fuel.

The mass was named for its wrinkled appearance, which reminded some observers of the wrinkled skin of an elephant’s leg and foot.

In the 1980s, the Elephant’s Foot gave off an estimated 10,000 roentgens of radiation each hour, enough to kill a person three feet away in less than two minutes. By 2001, that rate had dropped to roughly 800 roentgens per hour.

How Many People Died in Chernobyl?

Ukraine’s government declared in 1995 that 125,000 people had died from the effects of Chernobyl radiation. A 2005 report from the United Nations Chernobyl Forum estimated that while fewer than 50 people were killed in the months following the accident, up to 9,000 people could eventually die from excess cancer deaths linked to radiation exposure from Chernobyl.

As of 2005, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists , some 6,000 thyroid cancers and 15 thyroid cancer deaths had been attributed to Chernobyl.

Health effects from the Chernobyl disaster remain unclear, apart from the initial 30 people the Soviet government confirmed killed from the explosions and acute radiation exposure. No official government studies were conducted following the explosion to assess its effects on workers, the liquidators and nearby populations.

A 2011 study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health concluded that exposure to radioactive iodine-131 from Chernobyl fallout was likely responsible for thyroid cancers that were still being reported among people who were children or adolescents at the time of the accident.

Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Apart from the ever-unfolding human toll from the disaster, the Chernobyl accident also left behind a huge area of radiation-tainted land.

A 770-mile-wide Chernobyl Exclusion Zone around the site isn’t considered safe for human habitation and can’t be used for logging or agriculture due to contaminated plants and soil. By 2017, however, entrepreneurs found a new use for the territory.

In December 2017, a Ukrainian-German company, Solar Chernobyl, announced construction of a massive solar power plant in the abandoned territory. The one-megawatt power plant, built just a few hundred feet from the damaged Reactor 4, was fitted with 3,800 photovoltaic panels. The Ukrainian government said that a collection of companies planned to eventually develop up to 99 more megawatts of solar power at the site.

That’s a lot of power, but still not close to the former output of the ruined nuclear power plant. At the time of the accident Chernobyl’s four reactors could generate 1,000 megawatts each .

Chernobyl Animals Thrive

Meanwhile, wildlife, including boars, wolves, beavers and bison, showed signs of flourishing at the Chernobyl site, according to an April 2016 study .

The researchers pointed out that while radiation exposure couldn’t be good for the animals, the benefits of the absence of humans outweighed radiation risk.

Chernobyl Today

Humans, on the other hand, aren’t expected to repopulate the area any time soon. Ukrainian authorities have said it will not be safe for people to live in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone for more than 24,000 years.

Today tourists can visit the site, which appears frozen in time, apart from signs of looting, natural weathering and the encroachment of nature.

“Chernobyl: The True Scale of the Accident,” September 5, 2005, World Health Organization . Chernobyl Accident 1986, updated November 2016, World Nuclear Association “Health Effects of the Chernobyl Accident: An Overview,” April 2006, World Health Organization . “Chernobyl’s Legacy 30 Years On,” by Tom Burridge, April 26, 2016, BBC News “Higher Cancer Risk Continues After Chernobyl,” March 17, 2011, National Institutes of Health . “How Many Cancer Deaths Did Chernobyl Really Cause?” by Lisbeth Gronlund, Union of Concerned Scientists . “Animals Rule Chernobyl Three Decades After Nuclear Disaster,” by John Wendle, April 18, 2016, National Geographic . “A Nuclear Disaster That Brought Down an Empire,” April 26, 2016, The Economist . “World’s Largest Moveable Steel Structure Shelters Sarcophagus at Chernobyl,” April 27, 2017, PhysOrg/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory . “Pictures: ‘Liquidators’ Endured Chernobyl 25 Years Ago,” by Marianne Lavelle, April 27, 2011, National Geographic . “Chernobyl: Timeline of a Nuclear Nightmare,” by Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today . “A Vast New Tomb for the Most Dangerous Disaster Site in the World,” by Christian Borys, January 3, 2017, BBC Future Now . “The Lessons of Chernobyl May Be Different Than We Thought,” by Ryan Faith, April 26, 2016, Vice News . “25 Years After Chernobyl, We Don’t Know How Many Died,” by Roger Highfield, April 21, 2011, New Scientist . “Chernobyl’s Transformation Into a Massive Solar Plant Is Almost Complete,” by David Nield, January 13, 2018, Science Alert . “The Famous Photo of Chernobyl’s Most Dangerous Radioactive Material Was a Selfie.” January 24, 2016, Atlas Obscura .

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Watch CBS News

Horrifying photos of Chernobyl and its aftermath

By Jessica Learish

Updated on: March 11, 2022 / 1:05 PM EST / CBS News

Anyone who lived through 1986 likely remembers the Chernobyl incident: A devastating nuclear  explosion and meltdown  that traumatized the world.

Now Chernobyl is back in the news, for another troubling reason. On March 11, Ukraine claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had "ordered the preparation of a terrorist attack" on the  Chernobyl nuclear power plant . The main electric supply to the plant was cut off earlier that week, with Ukrainian authorities blaming  Russia's invading forces  for the blackout and warning that it could lead to "nuclear discharge." 

Here's what we know about the Chernobyl site today ... as well as chilling archival photos showing what it was really like to live through the disaster in 1986.

Worst nuclear disaster of the 20th century

Since 1986, the radioactive site has remained frozen in time, and off limits to the public, after a reactor at the plant exploded. The resulting fallout spurred a crisis for the people of the nearby city of Pripyat, Ukraine — and for those living miles and miles away. 

Today, a protective shelter covers the fallen reactor to prevent radiation from leaking. But that hasn't soothed any nerves among nuclear analysts and officials.

Worries over Chernobyl

Here's a 2021 view of the shelter construction covering the exploded reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine.

More than three decades earlier, it was the site of history's worst nuclear disaster.

Disturbing view from the sky

A satellite image with overlaid graphics shows military vehicles alongside the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

The picture was taken February 25, 2022 — just over a day after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

Before the accident

Here's how the real control desk of the Chernobyl plant looked on April 18, 1986, just days before the disaster. 

A 2019 HBO drama reproduced the uniforms and machinery in detail.

After the explosion

Here's an aerial shot taken after the explosion, while the facility was still burning. 

It burned for roughly 10 days.

First pictures

Here are two brave photographers who took the first pictures of the Chernobyl disaster from a helicopter in April 1986. 

A few days later

Here's another helicopter shot, this one taken a few days after the catastrophe. 

The site has since been domed by a protective cover.

Media coverage

Soviet television showed, on April 30, 1986, this picture of the Chernobyl plant on which a half-destroyed building could be seen. 

However, the media insisted there had been "no destruction, nor gigantic fires nor thousands of casualties."

Terrible casualties

This undated picture, sent by Soviet television, show a man injured in the blast of No. 4 reactor of Ukrainian Chernobyl nuclear plant.

Young victim

Yura Kudriakse, 12, a victim of the nuclear disaster, waits for his turn to receive psychiatric treatment at the Tarara Children Hospital in Havana, Cuba, in December 1986. 

He was one of several hundred contaminated Russian and Ukrainian children who got free physical and psychiatric treatment in Cuba as part of a humanitarian effort. 

Post-entombment

By Octobor 1986, the No. 4 reactor, the crux of the disaster, was emtombed as a part of an ongoing cleanup and security effort. 

The dome can be seen in earlier photos in this gallery.

Far-reaching consequences

In October 1989, a local woman holds up a disabled newborn pig, victim of the radioactive fallout.

Contamination-free produce

A sign advertises vegetables as free of contamination in a market in May 1986. 

"Oh God, it rains," reads the graffiti above the symbol for radioactivity on the wall of a house near Frankfurt, Germany, in May 1986. Ground-level radioactivity from nuclear fallout after the Soviet nuclear disaster in rose significantly after weekend rains.

Iodine treatments

A nurse at a children's health clinic in Warsaw administers an iodine solution to a 3-year-old girl held in her mother's arms in Poland in May 1986. Protective measures were taken for possible radiation poisoning from the Soviet nuclear accident.

Refugee caution

Soviet refugees are checked for radioactivity at a Vienna airport on April 30, 1986.

European media

These are the front pages of four British morning newspapers reflecting the nuclear accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

All the way to Sweden

A Swedish farmer wearing anti-atomic gear shifts fodder contaminated by the radioactive cloud of Chernobyl in June 1986. 

Evacuations

The evacuation of 47,000 inhabitants of Pripyat, in 1,200 buses and 200 trucks, only took a few hours. Locals believed they would be returning several days later. Instead, it became a ghost town.

Vegetable disposal

A worker wearing a protective overalls and mask works with boxes of contaminated vegetables on the landfill in Berlin in May 1986. These vegetables were banned by local authorities.

Contaminated cars

Firefighters in protective suits clean cars at the German border in May 1986. The cars were coming from Poland and were largely contaminated.  

Teenage victims

Oxana Gaibon (right), 17, and Alla Kozimierka, 15, both victims of the disaster, receive infrared radiation treatment in Cuba in December 1986. 

U.S. tourists tested

Kathleen McIntyre of the Brookhaven National Laboratory Radiology assistance program demonstrates the use of a thyroid gland tester for radiation on a tourist who returned from the Soviet Union in New York in May 1986. Thirty-one New Yorkers who came within 80 miles of the Soviet nuclear accident returned home three days early.

Roswitha Frieser, who had a stall in the Frankfurt market for 25 years before the disaster, holds up a poster that reads "The atoms have destroyed us," in May 1986. 

Marina Pappas, left, and Chrisa Livanos, both mothers of students who returned from Kiev, hold up T-shirts reading "Kiev Was A Blast 1986" at Kennedy International Airport in New York in May 1986. Twenty high school students and 11 adults from Long Island, who came within 80 miles of the Soviet nuclear accident, returned home three days early.

Pripyat in 2017

The residents of Pripyat never returned to their homes, businesses, pets.

Here are some abandoned hotel rooms in the now-ghost town in 2017. Today tourists often visit the town on specially-organized tours from Kiev.

30 years on

Rusting equipment lies among peeling walls in a room at the abandoned city hospital on September 30, 2015 in Pripyat, Ukraine. 

Pripyat lies only a few kilometers from the site of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and was built in the 1970s to house the plant's workers and their families. 

Uninhabitable

Today Pripyat is a ghost-town, its apartment buildings, shops, restaurants, hospital, schools, cultural center and sports facilities derelict and its streets overgrown with trees. 

The city lies in the inner exclusion zone around Chernobyl. 

Frozen in time

A rusting crib containing a baby doll and blanket sits in the Pripyat hospital maternity ward, decades after the disaster.

Hot spots of persistently high levels of radiation make this area uninhabitable for thousands of years to come.

Abandoned toys

A doll and shoes lay on a bench in a nursery school in Pripyat in April 2016, 30 years after the disaster.

Chernobyl, Nearly 30 Years Since Catastrophe

A schoolbook lies on a pupil's desk next to a Cold War-era gas mask in a classroom of abandoned School Number 3.

A Ferris wheel is still there

An abandoned Ferris wheel stands on a public space overgrown with trees in the former city center.

Abandoned books

Schoolbooks lie on shelves in a classroom next to the door to a hallway of abandoned School Number 3.

Tourists. Yep, really.

Tourists photograph one another on the remains of a merry-go-round in the ghost town of Pripyat. Today tourists often visit the town on specially-organized tours from Kiev.

Abandoned tower

Today, a partially constructed and abandoned cooling tower stands at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Creepy dolls

A doll, likely arranged by a tourist, dressed with a gas mask, sits on a chair among and old television and hundreds of gas masks lying on the floor of abandoned School Number 3.

Mourning relatives

Relatives of Konstantin Perchuk, a fireman who died as a result of the explosion, cry over his grave in 1993 at Mitino Cemetery in Moscow.

Still contaminated

This shot was taken in Pripyat in 2017. It shows a Geiger counter reading 679,000 counts per minute near a metal claw contaminated with radioactivity.

Containment dome

The New Safe Confinement sarcophagus covers the destroyed reactor on November 29, 2016.

Tourist activity

A woman drinks coffee while standing by a gift shop at the checkpoint of the Chernobyl exclusion zone during tourist tour on April 23, 2018. 

The fate of the animals

A volunteer of Clean Futures Fund feeds a stray dog outside an improvised animal hospital near the Chernobyl power plant on June 8, 2018. 

People picnic near a cemetery in the village of Orevichi, inside the exclusion zone around the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, on April 17, 2018.

Suited up for safety

Visitors walk next to the new dome over the fourth block of the Chernobyl nuclear plant in Chernobyl on October 5, 2018. 

The photo was taken ahead of the official opening ceremony of a new one-megawatt power plant.

A sad alley

In April 2018, tourists walk in a symbolic alley with signs bearing names of villages and cities evacuated following the Chernobyl disaster.

Grim anniversary

A woman in a Ukrainian folk costume lays flowers to the Chernobyl victims monument in the capital city of Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 26, 2021. 

That date marked the 35th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. 

(02) 4648 5970

Exclusion zones & why they are critical to workplace safety

Sep 5, 2022 News

Working near moving plant and machinery can be a high-risk activity. Care should always be taken to ensure the safety of persons working at or near locations where the plant is used. Systems of work and effective controls must ensure that no persons are at risk when working near or with moving plant. Exclusion zones can assist in ensuring the safety of workers where moving plant is in use.

What is an exclusion zone?

An exclusion zone is an area in the workplace where pedestrians, mobile plant and/or vehicles are not permitted. Establishing an exclusion zone eliminates the interaction between vehicles and pedestrians by designating exclusion zones.

Exclusion zones are commonly used in the construction industry. They are defined locations to prohibit the entry of personnel into danger areas, established through the risk assessment process for a construction activity.

Who do exclusion zones protect?

Exclusion zones and restricted zones are commonly used in the construction industry to keep people away from high risk activities including falling objects or moving plant and machinery. Typically, these zones are denoted by pedestrian barriers with statutory signage fixed on the barriers

What is a mobile plant exclusion zone?

An area that has been set up to identify the no go operating zone of mobile plant (minimum 5 metres). Exclusion zones should be identified by visible bollards or signage.

Methods for establishing exclusion zones must be identified as part of the Work Method Statement and Pre-work brief.

What does ‘authorised to enter an exclusion zone’ mean?

Authorising to enter an exclusion zone is case subjective, generally only the plant operator is to enter the exclusion zone unless:

• Visual and positive contact is maintained with the operator while the worker is in the zone.

• The mobile plant is stopped and implements are on the ground.

• The supervisor gives clear permission for the worker to enter the exclusion zone as per the WMS and Pre-work brief controls.

Controls that complement Exclusion zones:

Many accidents on construction sites have involved people sustaining serious injuries as a result of the lack of adequate control measures in place to prevent uncontrolled entry to the site or work area. 

Injuries have resulted from plant not being rendered inoperable, people falling into open excavations and people being struck by falling objects. Construction sites also have many slip, trip and fall hazards.

The risk assessment should determine which control measures need to be implemented to ensure the security of the site. The control measures will further eliminate or control reasonably foreseeable risks during work and when the site or plant is left unattended.

The control measures implemented must be appropriate and effective. When determining which control measures to use, consider factors such as the nature of a particular hazard and ease of access by all persons.

The following control measures should be considered:

•  exclusion zones that assist in iisolating the hazardous area by fencing, barricades or barriers, handrails and covers, or a combination of these

•   backfilling as work progresses

•   hazard warning lights, signs, markers or flags

•   observers/spotters 

•   site security measures, including the use of safety observers or security personnel as well as perimeter  fencing

•   night lighting.

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Ukraine Symposium – Maritime Exclusion Zones in Armed Conflicts

Since the early 1900s, belligerents have established maritime zones during armed conflict to control access to broad ocean areas and to shape battlespace management. Regardless of their label—exclusion zone, restricted area, operational zone, war zone—all zones have a common purpose—to control or prohibit access of foreign ships and aircraft into the zone.

As part of its war effort in Ukraine, Russia has established restricted areas that affect freedom of navigation of foreign-flag shipping in both the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The legality of such zones depends largely on the function of the zone and the enforcement measures applied by the belligerents to vessels and aircraft that enter the zone.

Russian Exclusion Zones

On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport (Rosmorrechflot) announced that “due to a warning received from the Russian Defense Ministry’s Black Sea Fleet amid the beginning of antiterrorist operations … on February 24, navigation in the Sea of Azov was suspended until further notice.” The following day, Russia declared a maritime zone to prohibit navigation in the northwest portion of the Black Sea north of 45° 21′ “due to counterterrorist operations carried out by the Russian Navy” and that any ship or vessel “in this area will be regarded as terrorist threats.”

Russia’s decision to establish maritime exclusion/war zones (MEZs) in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea is not a novel method of warfare. MEZs have been routinely employed during armed conflicts since the beginning of the 20 th century, most recently by the United Kingdom (UK) and Argentina during the Falklands/Malvinas War, by Iran and Iraq during the Tanker War, and by the United States during the First and Second Gulf Wars ( MOZ, Appendix C ). Whether and to what extent these zones are consistent with the law of naval warfare depends on their function and the measures used by the belligerents to enforce them (U.S. DoD Law of War Manual (LOWM) , § 13.9 ).

The Function of Maritime Zones

MEZs have been used in the past to warn vessels and aircraft to avoid an area of naval operations, which reduces the possibility that neutral vessels will be mistakenly identified as a military objective and attacked (U.S. Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations (NWP) , Appendix A ). To the extent MEZs serve to warn neutral vessels and aircraft away from belligerent activities, thereby reducing their exposure to collateral damage and incidental injury, and to the extent they do not unreasonably interfere with legitimate neutral commerce or create a “free fire zone,” the United States believes they are lawful ( NWP , § 7.9 ).

In other words, a merchant ship, neutral or enemy, does not become a lawful target simply because it has entered the MEZ. Before attacking ships in the MEZ, belligerents must still ensure that they are legitimate military objectives ( LOWM , § 13.9.2 ). Thus, while a MEZ may help to sort neutral and enemy ships, the same rules of the law of armed conflict apply inside and outside the zone.

Moreover, the extent, location, and duration of an MEZ and the measures used to enforce the zone should not exceed what is required for military necessity ( LOWM , § 13.9.4 ). Neutral vessels and aircraft must also be guaranteed safe passage through the MEZ if the zone significantly impedes free and safe access to neutral ports, although they are subject to the belligerent’s right of visit and search ( NWP , 7.9 ) as explained below.

War zones declared by Iran and Iraq during the Tanker War were, in effect, “free fire zones” where no distinction was made between military objectives and protected vessels, thereby violating the principle of distinction. Iraq indicated it would “attack all vessels” appearing in the zone and that all tankers, regardless of flag, docking at Kharg Island would be considered legitimate targets ( MOZ, Appendix C ). Likewise, Iran declared that all its waters were a war zone and that it would “bear no responsibility for merchant ships” entering the Persian Gulf and failing to comply with the routing instructions. The declaration of these zones was impermissible given that it authorized attacks on neutral merchant ships that simply ventured into the zone ( MOZ, Appendix C ).

Similarly, during the Falklands/Malvinas War, both Argentina and the U.K. declared legally questionable exclusion zones. Argentina threatened to attack any British vessel in its declared war zone, which extended to the entire South Atlantic ( MOZ, Appendix C ). The U.K. Total Exclusion Zone (TEZ) was equally problematic. The U.K. declared any military or civilian ship or aircraft, regardless of flag found within the TEZ without the permission of the U.K. Ministry of Defense would “be regarded as operating in support of the illegal occupation” of the Falklands and would “be regarded as hostile” and liable to attack by British Forces ( MOZ, Appendix C ).

Despite its apparent overreach, however, the TEZ was located away from the main shipping lanes in the South Atlantic and was of relatively short duration. Arguably, the TEZ was designed to support British military operations in the Falklands by facilitating the identification of legitimate military targets rather than target all contacts in the zone. In this regard, the British declaration indicated that ships or aircraft within the zone were warned of possible attacks and there is no evidence that foreign-flag vessels within the TEZ were actually attacked by British forces.

Compare these zones with the Maritime Safety Zone (MSZ) established by U.S. forces in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in March 2003 (HYDROLANT 597/03). The MSZ warned all ships that U.S. forces were “conducting combat operations in international waters that pose a hazard to navigation” and advised all ships to “remain clear” of the designated operation area. The United States declaration further advised all vessels to “maintain a safe distance from U.S. forces,” noting that any vessel entering the MSZ and approaching U.S. forces or whose intentions were unclear were subject to visit and search, and that vessels approaching U.S. forces should maintain radio contact via Channel 16. Non-compliance with these instructions would authorize “appropriate measures in self-defense if warranted by the circumstances” ( MOZ, Appendix C ).

The MSZ served as a warning to commercial shipping to stand clear of the immediate area of operations to reduce the risk of exposure to an inadvertent attack but made clear it was not a free fire zone and that self-defense measures would only be employed by U.S. forces “if warranted by the circumstances.” Experience shows that most legitimate merchant ships will avoid a declared exclusion zone and comply with any established restrictions. Furthermore, merchant shipping typically observes warning areas, which are widely disseminated by industry groups and insurance entities, known as P&I clubs (protection and indemnity). Therefore, the presence of an unknown contact may be probative in assessing its status and hostile intentions.

Maritime Enforcement Measures

Belligerents enforcing these maritime zones must comply with the law of naval warfare. This body of law restricts enforcement measures differently with respect to enemy merchant vessels and neutral merchant vessels.

Enemy Merchant Vessels

Belligerents may capture enemy merchant ships anywhere outside neutral waters for adjudication as prize. Enemy merchant ships operating within or outside the MEZ may not, however, be attacked or destroyed unless the vessel:

(1) persistently refuses to heave to after being ordered to do so;

(2) actively resists visit and search or capture;

(3) sails under convoy of enemy warships;

(4) is armed with weapons systems beyond that required for self-defense against criminal threats;

(5) is incorporated into, or assists in any way, the enemy’s military intelligence system;

(6) acts in the any capacity as an enemy naval or military auxiliary; or

(7) is integrated into the enemy’s war-fighting/war-supporting/war-sustaining effort ( NWP , § 8.6.2.2 ).

In destroying enemy merchant vessels, belligerents must first place passengers, crew, and the ship’s papers in a place of safety , unless an enemy merchant ship persistently refuses to stop when ordered to do so or actively resists visit and search or capture. This requirement does not apply, however, if under the circumstances at the time of the attack, the warship would be subject to imminent danger or would otherwise be precluded from accomplishing its mission ( NWP , § 8.6.2.2 ).

There have been no reports of Ukrainian merchant vessels being attacked at sea. However, Russia claims that two Russian-flagged merchant ships—the ore/oil carrier SGV Flot (IMO 8033089) and the general cargo ship Seraphim Sarovskiy (IMO 8867222)—were hit by Ukrainian missiles in the Sea of Azov on February 24, 2022. Although the attack has not been verified by independent sources, the Russian Federal Security Services alleged the missiles were fired from Mariupol in response to the Russian invasion. A fire broke out on board the SGV Flot and a member of the crew was injured. Both ships returned to ports in the Sea of Azov. Absent evidence that these merchant ships were engaged in intelligence collection, were employed as a naval auxiliary, or were integrated into Russia’s war-fighting, war-supporting, or war-sustaining effort, the missile attack would be inconsistent with the law of naval warfare.

Neutral Merchant Vessels

A neutral merchant ship that enters the MEZ is subject to the belligerent right of visit and search by Russian and Ukrainian warships to determine the enemy character of the ship or its cargo, but it may not be captured or attacked unless it engages in certain prohibited conduct. A neutral merchant ship may be captured if it:

(1) avoids an attempt to establish identity;

(2) resists visit and search;

(3) is carrying contraband;

(4) breaches or attempts to breach blockade;

(5) presents irregular or fraudulent papers; lacks necessary papers; or destroys, defaces, or conceals papers during a visit and search;

(6) violates regulations established by a belligerent within the immediate area of naval operations;

(7) carries personnel in the military or public service of one of the belligerents;

(8) communicates information in the interest of one of the belligerents ( NWP , § 7.10 ).

If a neutral merchant ship resists capture, belligerent warships may use force to compel compliance. Neutral merchant ships may also be attacked or captured if they take a direct part in the hostilities on the side of the enemy or if they act in any capacity as an enemy naval or military auxiliary ( NWP , § 7.5.1 ). Similarly, neutral merchant ships can be captured or attacked if they operate directly under the control, orders, charter, employment, or direction of the enemy or resist an attempt to establish their identity, including resisting visit and search ( NWP , § 7.5.2 ).

There have been numerous independent reports of neutral merchant ships being attacked in the Black Sea without warning. It is unlikely that these attacks originated from the Ukraine, but rather were most likely conducted by Russian warships of the Black Sea Fleet. The first reported attack occurred on February 24, 2022. The Turkish-owned, Marshall Islands (RMI)-flagged bulk carrier M/V Yasa Jupiter suffered significant damage to the bridge and deck area after it was hit by a missile 50 nautical miles south of Odessa while en route to Romanian waters. The incident prompted the RMI Maritime Administrator to issue a Ship Security Advisory warning vessels, inter alia :

• To avoid any transit or operation within the exclusive economic zone of Ukraine or Russia within the Black Sea.
• That access to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait is blocked by Russian forces.
• That all Ukrainian ports are closed and that ships may not enter or leave port.
• That access to northwest Black Sea, north of 45° 21’ has been restricted by the Russian Navy and that transit in this area should be avoided.
• To ensure their automatic identification system (AIS) is always transmitting.
• To comply fully with instructions if hailed by military vessels.
• To not embark armed security personnel while operating in the Black Sea.

The following day, on February 25, the Japanese-owned, Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier M/V Namura Queen , which was en route to the port of South to load grain, was seriously damaged when it was struck by a missile at the port of Pivdennyi (Yuzhniy) outer anchorage. A fire broke out on the ship and at least two crew members were injured. A second Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, the M/V Lord Nelson , suffered minor damages after being hit by a missile while at anchor. That same day, the Moldovan-flagged bunker tanker M/V Millenium Spirit was also hit by a missile while it was in international waters in the Black Sea, forcing the crew to abandon ship after the vessel caught fire. Two crew members, including the master, were in critical condition.

Two additional attacks were reported on March 2, 2022. The Estonian-owned, Panamanian-flagged general cargo ship M/V Helt was hit by a missile 16 nautical miles southeast of Odessa. Six crew members were rescued but the ship sank. Earlier that day, the Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier M/V Banglar Samriddhi was hit by a missile in the port of Olvia south of Mykolaiv, killing one of its 29 crew members.

There is no indication that any of these vessels were engaged in activities that would render them subject to capture or attack by either of the belligerents. Therefore, these indiscriminate attacks (purportedly by Russia) on neutral shipping do not comport with the law of naval warfare, in particular the principle of distinction.

Control of the Immediate Area of Naval Operations

MEZs should not be confused with a belligerent’s right to control the immediate area of naval operations, which is defined as the “area within which hostilities are taking place or belligerent forces are actually operating” ( NWP-1-14M , § 7.8 ). To ensure proper battlespace management and force protection objectives, a commander may restrict the activities of neutral vessels and aircraft within the immediate vicinity of naval units and, if required by military necessity, may prohibit their entry into the area altogether.

This includes control over the communications (except legitimate distress communications) of neutral merchant ships and civil aircraft if those communications might endanger or jeopardize the success of the operation. Merchant ships and civil aircraft that fail to conform to a commander’s restrictions may be considered to have acquired enemy character and may be liable to attack or capture ( LOWM , § 13.8.2 ). A commander may not, however, exercise this right to close off access to a neutral State or to close an international strait to neutral shipping, unless a route of similar convenience is available to neutral commerce.

It appears that the Russian Navy may have employed this authority in the northwestern Black Sea. On February 26, it was reported that Russian Naval vessels had used VHF channel 16 to notify all merchant vessels that it was conducting a “counterterrorist operation” and demanded all ships located in the Odesa and Danube areas to proceed immediately to the Bosporus. It appears from the interactive map on the Marine Traffic website that neutral shipping has complied with the demand and cleared the area.

The use of MEZs is not prohibited by the law of naval warfare. To the extent MEZs are used to warn neutral vessels and aircraft to reduce their exposure to collateral damage and incidental injury and are enforced consistent with the relevant principles of the law of armed conflict, they are a lawful method of naval warfare. Russia must, therefore, ensure that the extent, location, and duration, as well as the measures employed to enforce the zones, do not exceed what is required by military necessity. In any event, Russia may not treat an MEZ as a free fire zone and must apply the principle of distinction to ensure that any ship or aircraft engaged in the zone, regardless of flag, is a legitimate military objective. The declared MEZs may also not intentionally and unreasonably interfere with legitimate neutral commerce in the Black Sea.

On March 11, 2022, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) proposed that the parties to the conflict establish a “blue safe maritime corridor” to allow for the safe evacuation of neutral ships and their crews from the high-risk areas in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. Russia has agreed with the proposal and has informed the IMO that it will establish a humanitarian corridor on March 27 to ensure safe passage for merchant vessels from the Ukrainian ports of Chernomorsk, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Ochakov, Odesa and Yuzhne. The maritime traffic lane is 80 miles long and 3 miles wide, beginning at an assembly area just outside the Ukrainian territorial sea southeast of Odesa and continuing to the south to an exit area in international waters. Moscow has indicated that the corridor will remain open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and has requested Ukrainian authorities “to provide for the safety and security of the merchant vessels and their crews transiting to the assembly area.”

The proposal appears to be consistent with Russia’s obligation to ensure neutral vessels are guaranteed safe passage through the established MEZ in the northwest Black Sea. However, there has been no response from the Ukrainian side on whether ships will be allowed to leave Ukrainian ports.

Raul (Pete) Pedrozo  is the Howard S. Levie Professor on the Law of Armed Conflict, U.S. Naval War College, Stockton Center for International Law.

Photo credit: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (mil.ru)

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East-West Exclusion Zones: Why Do We Have Them and How Can We Eliminate Them?

Why Exclusion Zones?

Problem With Drilling East/West

• Axial Magnetic Interference (AMI) is dominant error source (Az)
• 50% more error than Declination

Problems With the Corrections

• Multiple solutions
• Degraded accuracy

Available Corrections

• Single Station Correction (SSC)
• Multi-Station Analysis (MSA)

Exclusion Zones for Horizontal Wells

Existing Standards (SPE 125677):

• sin(Inc)*sin(Az) < 0.82
• ±35° from East/West
• sin(Inc)*sin(Az) < 0.91
• ±25° from East/West

Multiple Solutions

SSC Single Station Correction

• Bx and By are measured

View the entire Presentation:

Chad Hanak, Ph.D.

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We can’t just accept that drops are an inherent hazard at work. Instead, we’ll proactively look at how  tool lanyards  are a practical way to manage these risks.

Sound good? Let’s dive right in…

FREE BONUS: Download your own Dropped Object Handbook

• Dropped object definition
• International dropped object statistics
• Reveal the real cost of drops
• Case study: A dropped object fatality
• Understand what causes drops
• Learn about the physics of falling objects
• Discover the methods of containment
• How to train your team
• Get your own dropped object prevention plan

It’s easy for Health and Safety professionals to think dropped objects and falling tools are a problem too difficult to tackle head-on.

Often they’ll just put a sign up like this:

But we know that’s not good enough for you. That’s why you’re here.

So, how should you prevent dropped objects?

By the end of this guide, you’ll have the know-how to get to grips with these hazards at height and introduce your own drop prevention program.

What is a dropped object?

There are the two types of falling objects: Static Dropped Object Any object that falls from its previous position under its own weight (gravity) without any applied force. For example, failure caused by corrosion or vibration. Dynamic Dropped Object Any object that falls from its previous position due to an applied force. For example, collisions involving moving equipment or loads, snagging on machinery or stacked items, dislodged tools or equipment.

"On average, nearly 140 people are ‘Struck By A Falling Object’ every day in the US."

Dropped object statistics

Now it’s time to uncover the staggering dropped object incident statistics from around the world.

United States In the U.S. in 2016, there were 255 fatalities caused by a falling object. Source:  U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016

On construction sites alone, there are an estimated 50,000 ‘struck by a falling object’ incidents every year. Source:  OSHA

United Kingdom The latest statistics from HSE’s Riddor Report 2017/18 show that dropped objects still rank in the top 3 of the UK’s workplace killers.

Falling objects also accounted for over 7,000 reported non-fatal injuries, with 75% of them resulting in over 7 days of lost work time each (2016/17).

Source:  HSE’s Riddor Report

Australia Between 2010 and 2014 falling objects in Australia caused:

• 125 fatalities (that’s more than ‘falls from height’ for the same period!)
• 15,410 Serious Workers Compensations Claims (A serious claim is an accepted workers’ compensation claim that involves one or more weeks away from work).

Source:  Safe Work Australia Traumatic Injury Fatalities, 2014 Source:  National Data Set for Compensation-based Statistics, Safe Work Australia

• Even in developed economies, dropped objects are still one of the top causes of fatality.
• With the probability of an incident so high, why has the danger been overlooked for so long?
• Today, no one deserves to be exposed to the risk of falling tools at work.

"Almost every 30 minutes, there is a serious ‘Drop Incident’ in Australia."

Safework Australia

The real cost of drops in the workplace

The costs of dropped objects can be divided into 3 main categories:

Time Dropping tools and equipment has a huge negative impact on productivity. Often tools fall long distances, requiring considerable time to retrieve. If they fall into water, machinery or other ‘non-retrievable’ locations, it can delay or even prevent the task being completed on schedule.

Money Dropping and losing tools costs money in terms of damage and replacement. The cost of retrieval in foreign material exclusion (FME) areas, like nuclear plants, can run into millions of dollars. Another important consideration is that, in the event of a dropped object incident, there can be lengthy legal implications and expensive bills to pay. If members of the public are involved, it can compound the problem and lead to other intangible costs, like brand and reputational damage.

Lives Most importantly, of course, is the potential loss of life. Even with recoverable injuries, it is traumatic for the persons and families involved – it can lead to the loss of income and ongoing medical expenses. Remember, if you are working in public areas, it is not just your workforce at risk, but anyone passing nearby.

Any time an employee dies at work, it is a tragedy with high emotional and financial consequences.

So, how much could just 1 dropped object incident cost you?

According to the National Safety Council, 1 employee death costs 1.4 Million US Dollars (Source:  National Safety Council, Injury Facts, 2015 Edition ). This includes the direct and indirect costs such as lawsuits, insurance and medical expenses, communications and public relations cost, government and industry fines, and the cost incurred by the time lost on a suspended project.

Don’t forget:

The cost of a workplace fatality extends far beyond the measurement of money.

The death of a colleague will have a deep emotional impact on the workforce. It can lead to numerous concerns, both internal and external to the company. Workers involved in the accident or employees who worked closely with the deceased co-worker can be affected psychologically. All of this impacts on team morale and productivity.

In reality, the true cost of every workplace fatality is incalculable.

• There are 2 types of costs, direct and indirect. Direct costs include legal and medical expenses, whereas reputational damage and lost time are examples of indirect costs.
• Is the uncertainty of unlimited incident costs worth the risk?
• Tool tethering  is like an insurance policy – for less than the cost of an incident, you can stop drops forever.

Case Study: Dropped Tape Measure Causes Fatality

A construction worker in New Jersey was working on a high-rise apartment complex some 400 feet above the ground when he dropped his tape measure.

It plummeted over 50 floors before ricocheting off a piece of equipment.

It struck a delivery driver on the side of the head, knocking him unconscious. He was taken to Jersey City Medical Center, where he died shortly afterwards. 

Expert Tip: Whilst it is observed that the delivery driver should have been wearing a helmet, due to the nature of the side impact of the dropped tool, it is no guarantee that the hard hat would have saved his life.

This incident helps to illustrate the direct and indirect costs caused by one dropped tool accident. Despite the fact that this residential and hotel complex was a crucial project in Jersey’s City’s revitalisation campaign, a small hand tool caused irreparable damage and led to the suspension of one of the largest development projects in Jersey City’s history.

One dropped tool accident cost a man his life – and irreversible loss to his family and community.

At the same time, the suspension of the project cost the main contractor an enormous amount of time and money spent trying to re-calibrate the project following the disaster. Following the accident, the main contractor was forced to contend with insurance costs, public relations, legal issues, and re-allocating and compensating the other contractors working on the suspended project.

Source:  New York Times

Summary A dropped object accident:

• Will leave you with irreparable damage – and what you can repair is going to cost a significant amount of money.
• Is one way to get media coverage, but probably not the sort your PR team strives for.

What causes dropped objects?

A host of factors can contribute to a dropped object incident.

Statistics show that around 30% of all dropped object incidents are related to design, technical or mechanical issues but almost half can be attributed to human factors.

Almost half of all dropped object incidents can be attributed to human factors

An understanding of the primary causes of the incidents can help conduct more thorough risk assessments by considering these during worksite hazard identification.

Here are the Top 10:

Inadequate Risk Assessment Failure to identify dropped object hazards A risk assessment can identify potential energy sources, index tools and equipment required for each task and increase worker awareness about the potential dangers of falling objects.

Human Factors Operator error, poor behaviour, complacency, neglect Inadequate training or awareness of hazards, operator error, complacency, neglect and poor reporting can result in compromised safety.

Inadequately Stored or Secured Tools No tool lanyards or tethers being used. No containment of loose items Hand tools, power tools, mobile phones, even Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are all examples of equipment and tools that should be securely tethered with tool lanyards.

Inadequate Procedures Bad planning, no management of change As with risk assessments, if the management of change process isn’t in place to identify and control risk from the changes occurring in the workplace, unidentified and new risks may be missed.

Failed Fixtures and Fittings Corrosion, vibration, poor design, selection or improper installation Failed fixtures and fittings can and will often dislodge and fall. Regular inspection helps monitor any deterioration so that appropriate measures can be taken.

Poor Housekeeping Pre-existing hazards from previous tasks Workplaces and toolkits should be kept organised and tidy. Loose tools and equipment left around pose an unexpected risk to other workers.

Collisions and Snagging Lifting, travelling equipment,  tag lines , service loops Moving equipment, lifting and tag lines can all cause snagging or collision. The impact of collisions can cause breakage or create other dropped objects and debris.

Inadequate Inspection and Maintenance Ignoring unsafe conditions Regular inspections and maintenance repair schedules can help identify corrosion, damages, wear and tear to equipment and structural elements before they become a falling object risk.

Redundant, Neglected and Home-made Tools and Equipment These should be eliminated Home-made tools, improvised tool tethers, equipment that is uncertified, or even damaged tools that have been subjected to a previous fall can fail or break unexpectedly. Tools and tool tethering equipment should always be inspected before use.

Environmental Factors Wind, sea motion, ice, snow, extreme conditions The effects of these elements are more pronounced in exposed areas, such as working at height on oil rigs, can compromise the stability of equipment, tools and structural features.

• Human factors are responsible for nearly half of all dropped objects.
• Stopping drops requires a proactive and informed approach.
• Drop prevention training raises team awareness and encourages a collaborative approach.

Physics of falling objects

People often don’t realise the impact forces that are generated when an object is dropped.

Even with some form of protection, the result of being struck by an item of relatively low weight can be significant.

Here’s an example:

A 2kg hammer ↓ Dropped 5M ↓ Will have an impact force of over 1 Tonne. That’s like an elephant!

Dropped Object Calculator This calculator helps measure the potential consequences of a falling object and is a very useful tool during the risk assessment process.

• Here are a few considerations to bear in mind:
• With light objects (<0.1 kg) a key influencing factor is the effect of an object puncturing the skin and damaging tissue/internal organs. The calculator assumes a blunt object, so is not compatible with broken glass, metal shards etc.
• The wearing of standard PPE, eg hard hat, safety boots and eye protection, is assumed in the calculator.
• Do not subtract the height of an individual. Measure the complete fall distance to the ground.
• This dropped object calculator tool is a guide only, providing a cursory indication of the possible outcome.

Source:  DROPS

Deflections There are 2 primary types of incidents:

• Direct impact

Gravity as a force does all it can to make dropped items fall vertically.

But, life isn’t always straightforward. Dropped objects often have their vertical path obstructed, causing the tool to be deflected.

This turns the dropped object into a projectile.

You can see the effects of this in the NLG dropped object safety explainer video. 

An object that has fallen just 37m (100ft), hitting an obstruction at 6m (20ft), can be deflected over 66m (218ft) away – travelling up to 60mph!

To learn more about deflections, download your  Dropped Object Handbook .

• Dropped objects quickly build up a significant impact force – and remember, if they strike a person they don’t always just bounce off, they can penetrate soft tissue with disastrous consequences.
• A safe exclusion zone, that allows enough range for deflections, is rarely practical.
• With tool lanyards, dropped tools can be safely caught before any impact.

Methods of containment

There are many ways to prevent or reduce the risk of objects falling.

These include toe boards, handrails, netting and hard hats – these examples are all considered to be secondary defence (sometimes called mitigating controls). They are really a ‘back up’ system for when an object has been dropped and are designed to catch it or reduce the impact after the drop.

Tool tethering is a primary system (or preventative control) as it is designed to  stop the drop  in the first place. Today, proactive Health and Safety Officers across the globe are adopting this methodology and introducing tool tethering policies to stop drops before they happen.

Tool tethering is a preventative control as it stops tools from falling in the first place

Here are some examples of how to stop dropped objects:

Toeboards / Handrails Kickboards and handrails should be fixed on scaffolding, platforms and walkways. By using additional closed mesh solutions, plywoods or other solid surface materials, coverage can be provided for all the gaps through which items can potentially fall.

Netting Utilise safety mesh or rated barrier netting (with debris lining) in areas outside walkways and underneath conveyors, walkways, platforms and along building/structure perimeters to prevent the drop of materials to a lower level.

Working Platforms When possible, lower the working platform to the ground. Perform all work on a structure at ground level and then lift it into position once complete rather than taking the tools and equipment to height.

Tool Tethering System (Primary / Preventative Control) Utilise tool lanyards, tool tethers, tool pouches, tethering devices, holsters, tool buckets and other drop containment devices to secure tools and other equipment during work at height activities.

Training Provide worker education on the risks and outcomes of dropped objects and provide them with the means by which they can minimise that risk.

• Mitigating controls can help contribute to a broader dropped object prevention program.
• Preventative controls, like tool lanyards, will always be the most effective way to reduce incidents.
• Stay a step ahead by proactively managing risk out. Use the Hierarchy of Controls diagram in the handbook to help.

Dropped Object Prevention Training

A great way to start raising awareness is with videos.

Take this dropped objects safety video, for example, Killer on the Loose. 

A powerful way to kick things off, isn’t it?

Try using this, or one of these other  height safety videos , at your next safety meeting to start a discussion about dropped tools and objects.

You should also consider:

Toolbox Talks A  dropped objects toolbox talk  can help launch a program or refocus workers’ attention on tool safety and drop management.

With NLG, you can quickly get access to dropped object prevention PowerPoint presentations (ppt), along with posters and other quick-start guides.

Training Whether it’s classroom style or online, here are some typical course objectives:

• Understand and define what is a potential dropped object.
• Know how to identify a potential dropped object and the common causes.
• Review methods for the control and prevention of potential dropped objects.
• Understand roles and responsibilities in respect of potential dropped objects.
• Consider options for maintaining awareness and continuous improvement in the fight against gravity.

NLG Safety Academy Having your team onboard is crucial to a successful program.

Don’t leave it to chance.

NLG will support you with a structured plan so you can train and test your team’s understanding at every level.

By building on the best practices of  Dropped Object Prevention Scheme (DROPS)  and collaborating with other industry leaders, NLG has established one of the most trusted dropped object prevention training programmes.

With NLG’s simple training, you can grow your team’s understanding and award them with Approved Safety Academy certificates for successfully completing each course.

Now you can be confident that everyone is onboard and competent.

• If training is conducted in the correct manner, it will streamline the entire implementation process.
• Your workforce is worthy of the investment and will give their support for the project when the risks and objectives are clearly understood.
• Contribute to your team’s professional development and build a strong culture around drop prevention.

Dropped object prevention plan

The challenges of implementing a tool drop prevention policy can be daunting.

Understanding your legal requirements, digging into the facts and figures in your industry, presenting the case to the board, detailing your tool inventory, trying to find the right solution, rolling out a training program, not to mention handling negative feedback from disillusioned users.

You’re not alone.

In fact, we find a common thread of challenges that face Health & Safety leaders today.

Here are 5 of the most common concerns:

Awareness So many workers have been consistently exposed the risk of falling objects. This can lead to some inertia and give way to an attitude of complacency whilst ignoring the management of objects at heights.

Culture Whilst PPE generally can be interpreted as protecting ourselves, tool drop prevention requires a different perspective. It’s really about protecting our co-workers. Changing perspectives and getting support for a new initiative could be stressful.

Productivity It is frequently considered that tethering tools would lead to restricted tool functionality and therefore lower output. In turn, workers would be frustrated and job satisfaction decrease. Expert Tip: This is really a warning against the adoption of poorly designed drop prevention devices as tool tethering should never inhibit the correct use of the tool.

Variety How can one tool tethering system compass the vast range of tools used by different trades at height on my site? If there isn’t an answer to every question (or an option for bespoke products to my exact requirements), how will the project be sustainable?

Management Enforcement of a consistent tool lanyard standard could be difficult, particularly when subcontractors are involved. Once implemented, there could be additional responsibilities and pressure on the already busy inspection teams.

We understand. It’s easy to feel this way.

At NLG, we’ve helped hundreds of other companies avoid these challenges and guide them through the same process.

Now we’ll reveal how we’ve done it.

NLG 7 Framework™ The  NLG 7 Framework™  is a simple step-by-step plan that maps out everything you need to do on your journey towards your Zero Drop Zone™.

It’s a checklist used by the world’s most progressive organisations to deliver successful dropped object prevention policies, every time.

It will work for you too.

Stop drops, in 7 steps:

• Discovery Workshop
• Site Awareness
• Policy Template
• Spread the word

If you’re committed to stopping drops, you should use it too.

Dropped object prevention is not just an industry trend. It’s a best practice employed by proactive and aspiration safety leaders across the globe.

One drop can end a life, ruin a family, finish a business.

Organizations that are forward-looking and embrace the movement will be rewarded with more time, more profits, and a happier, healthier workforce.

Yes, it’s really that powerful.

One drop can end a life, ruin a family, finish a business

It used to be difficult to stop drops. But now it’s not.

Get started today.

Bruce Highway closed, residents allowed to return after evacuation from near ammonium nitrate tanker explosion

ABC Wide Bay

Topic: Road Accidents and Incidents

Residents living near the scene of a head-on crash on the Bruce Highway are allowed to return home after they were earlier evacuated.

It is the third major crash on the central Queensland highway this week.

What's next?

Road closures are in place, and the train service between Bororen and Iveragh has seen buses organised for affected customers.

Residents of a small central Queensland town have been able to return home after they were earlier evacuated following a fiery truck crash on the Bruce Highway spilled ammonium nitrate on the road triggering an explosion. 

Police said 49 residents self-evacuated and a 2.5-kilometre exclusion zone was put in place at Bororen, north of Miriam Vale, this morning.

It was revoked at 5:20pm.

Capricornia District Officer Acting Superintendent Mark Burgess said emergency services remained at the scene of the head-on collision between a B-double tanker and a ute, which happened just after 5am.

The driver of the ute died, while the truck driver is in a stable condition in Bundaberg hospital. 

The tanker was carrying 42 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, which triggered an explosion. 

Smoke can be seen billowing on the Bruce Highway after a fiery truck crash. ( Supplied: Queensland Police Service )

"Just after 9:40am, a blast was heard and felt and there was a visible large cloud of smoke," Superintendent Burgess said. 

"Emergency services were able to review the scene by use of a drone that indicated several spot fires along the rail corridor."

He said the blast radius was about 500 metres. 

No people or personal property have been damaged in the explosion, although some powerlines are down and there are spot fires along the rail corridor. 

Queensland Fire and Rescue said scientific testing, including atmospheric assessment, was underway.

The Bruce Highway is closed in both directions at Bororen.  ( Supplied: Queensland Ambulance Service )

Support for stranded travellers

Miriam Vale resident Lee Pennell said she heard the explosion. 

"There was a huge explosion," she said.

"I live 14 kilometres south of Miriam Vale and our house shook from that explosion."

She said the the caravan parking area in Miriam Vale was starting to fill up and the local CWA had opened a hall in town to help stranded travellers.

Gladstone Council said it was working with emergency services, the SES and Transport and Main Roads to redirect traffic.

Road closures are in place on the highway at the north end of Tannum Sands Road and the south end of Blackmans Gap Road.

"Gladstone Regional Council will prepare the Miriam Vale Community Centre as a place of refuge if required," the council stated.

A Queensland Rail spokesperson said its train service between Bororen and Iveragh was impacted and buses will be organised for affected customers.

Police had set up an exclusion zone around the scene of the explosion on Bruce Highway. ( Supplied: Queensland Police Service )

Highway to remain closed for 'extended period'

The Bruce Highway is a 1,679-kilometre critical link along Queensland's east coast from Brisbane to Cairns.

Queensland Ambulance Service acting senior operations supervisor, John Hodson-Gilmore, said the highway will likely be closed for an extended period because of the explosion.

"The Queensland fire department, under the guidance of Queensland Police aerial footage, had decided not to approach the scene," Mr Hodson-Gilmore said in a statement.

"Approximately 15 minutes later … the smaller tanker full of product had actually exploded."

He said the explosion possibly damaged parts of the highway.

"There is significant debris across the highway."

The Bruce Highway is closed in the region for the third time this week.  ( Supplied: Queensland Ambulance Service )

Third crash in a week

It is the third serious crash involving trucks on the Bruce Highway in the same region this week.

One person died in a five-truck pile-up at Gindoran on Tuesday that closed the highway for almost 24 hours.

On Thursday, a man in his 20s was injured in a truck rollover at Colosseum near Miriam Vale, prompting politicians and trucking industry bodies to call for major upgrades and investments into the highway .

At a press conference today, Premier Steven Miles denied claims funding for the highway had stalled.

"We have $6 billion allocated to projects on the Bruce at the moment, I don't think you can characterise that as stalled," he said.

"Some industry commentators would say that's more than our construction industry can currently sustain so we are investing a lot."

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KUOW: Seattle officials revisit ‘exclusion zones’ to disrupt drug activity, sex trafficking

Posted on August 27, 2024

• DSA in the News
• Public Safety

This story was originally published by KUOW on Aug. 1, 2024.

By Amy Radil

Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison and members of the City Council are seeking new criminal penalties to ban certain people from zones of drug-related crime and prostitution.

They say the restrictions are needed to disrupt drug-related crime in downtown Seattle and the Chinatown-International District, as well as sex trafficking linked with recent gun violence on Aurora Avenue at North 85th Street and above.

Municipal court judges would have discretion to issue these no-go orders for people charged with or convicted of related offenses. Violating the order would be a gross misdemeanor.

Davison said Thursday her office supports creation of two new SODA (Stay Out of Drug Area) zones in the downtown core and the Chinatown-International District. These locations “are strategically created,” in that they are meant to allow people to still access addiction treatment and social services, she said.

Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the council’s public safety committee, said Belltown was not chosen to become one of the exclusion zones, because of those priorities.

“Second and Bell, it’s a problematic area, but the Catholic Community Service providers are just outside of it,” he said.

Judges could issue the SODA orders for any cases “in which the court finds a nexus between the offense and illegal drug activity.” That includes violations of the Controlled Substances Act and crimes ranging from assault to theft and criminal trespass in those zones.

Council President Sara Nelson said when these proposals come before the council in coming weeks, she’ll reiterate the argument she made when Seattle increased criminal penalties for public drug use last September — that keeping people charged with or convicted of drug-related crimes out of specific neighborhoods is not analogous to the “war on drugs.”

“We’re talking about misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor,” Nelson said. “The war on drugs threw people in jail on trumped-up felonies for years and years and years.”

Councilmember Cathy Moore’s proposal to address prostitution and related gun violence on Aurora Avenue aims to pass a suite of ordinances to target buyers of commercial sex, sex traffickers, and to create exclusion zones for “anyone arrested or convicted of a prostitution-related crime.”

But King County Public Defender Anita Khandelwal said these exclusion zones have been tried and discarded before — 20 years ago Seattle police enforced them through misdemeanor trespass charges. Laws prohibiting loitering related to drugs or prostitution were overturned by the Seattle City Council in 2020, based on recommendations from the Seattle Reentry Workgroup due to the “disastrous racialized impacts of these policies on Black and Indigenous communities and the growth of mass incarceration.”

“We all want a safer city and we should really spend time thinking about what’s going to be an effective, evidence-based, and humane way of achieving that shared goal,” Khandelwal said. “And this is not it.”

In a statement, Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr said the exclusion zones are being used by other cities in the region and could be “important tools” if used as part of a holistic approach.

“The ordinances being discussed today related to prostitution are modeled after Everett’s, which was recently upheld by Division I, Court of Appeals, and is consistent with provisions in the municipal codes of Auburn, Kent, Des Moines, and Burien,” Rahr said. “The ordinance related to ‘staying out of areas of drug trafficking’ are consistent with Auburn, Bellevue, Pierce County, Tacoma, and Everett.”

Rahr said although Seattle couldn’t “arrest our way out” of the problem, arresting and booking people were important tools and part of the solution.

She said the “interruption in activity” offers police and support services an opportunity to offer respite to people, such as women trafficked along Aurora Avenue “away from their handlers.”

But Khandelwal said for people arrested on misdemeanors such as violation of these exclusion orders, “most people are released in zero to three days. And so to provide that ‘respite’ we are spending an incredible number of taxpayer dollars.”

The proposed ordinance for the drug zones says the Seattle Police Department must track and report the number of orders for each SODA zone, the number of arrests made for violating those orders, demographic information on those receiving orders and/or violating orders, and analysis of illegal drug trafficking and drug use in SODA zones, including 10 year-over-year statistics of drug-related crimes and whether dispersion of illegal drug trafficking and public use occurred in surrounding areas.

Downtown Seattle Association CEO Jon Scholes said he knows there will be opponents of the drug zone legislation. “They’re going to say it’s not nice or fair to the folks that are going to be impacted, to the people being arrested,” he said. “They’ll say very little about what is nice and fair to the barista that just quit her job at First and Pike because it’s too unsafe to work there.”

Starbucks  announced the closure  of its store at First Avenue and Pike Street on the same day.

The proposals will be heard in the council’s public safety committee on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

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Exclusion zones for Capital One Tower implosion will be heavily enforced, officials say

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - In just a few weeks, the former Capital One Tower will come down.

The implosion will take place Sept. 7 at approximately 8 a.m. and will take less than 30 seconds. If you’re planning on viewing the implosion in person, there are some things you need to know.

The Lake Charles Police Department (LCPD) and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) Marine Division will be enforcing the exclusion zone, which will cause some road closures.

“It’s from the water to the south side of the event center, it goes up Lakeshore a short bit, down Pujo Street, up Ryan Street, a little piece of Broad Street to the east, continues up Ryan to Price Street, and then out into the lake. That area is what we consider the exclusion zone,” Lake Charles Police Chief, Shawn Caldwell said.

LCPD will manage the land area inside the exclusion zone, including the directing of traffic. Anyone working or living in the exclusion zone must be indoors by 6:30 a.m. on implosion day.

“The exclusion zone has some inhabited properties inside the exclusion zone. It is okay to be inside. By inside, I mean indoors, not in an open area, but indoors inside the exclusion zone,” Caldwell said.

At Wednesday night’s Lake Charles City Council meeting, the council is expected to pass an ordinance that will make it unlawful to be outdoors in the exclusion zone the morning of the implosion starting at 6:30 a.m. until the area is cleared by LCPD.

CPSO will cover the lake, a portion of which is inside the exclusion zone. CPSO will be working with the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies to patrol the waters.

No one will be allowed in the water safety zone which is 400 feet from land into the water. Anyone who manages to get closer than that could face between a $100 to $1,000 fine.

“We are going to have buoys out there, we’re going to have some markings out there to let people know that this is the active water safety zone and that you can’t be in that zone from an extended period of time from the morning hours until after the implosion actually occurs,” Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory said.

Drivers on Interstate 10 will not be allowed to pull over and park to watch the implosion. Caldwell says you will be moved, if not towed.

We’ll have live coverage on Sept. 7. You’ll be able to watch the tower drop both on-air and on our website.

You can find more information on implosion day here .

Copyright 2024 KPLC. All rights reserved.

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